The economy of Iraq is dependent on the oil sector, with exports of crude oil and related refined products constituting over 98% of the total exports. 

(Source: economywatch.com, Central Bank)

Gross Domestic Product (GDP)

In 2009, Iraq reported a preliminary GDP of IQD 139,330 billion at current market prices, decreasing 10.68% from 2008. 

(Source: Central Bank)

Consumer price index (CPI)

In 2009, annual CPI was 24,155.1, decreasing 2.8% from the previous year.

Base year: 1993 = 100

(Source: COSIT)

Producer Price Index (PPI)

In 2008, the general production index was 44.2 points across all manufacturing industries.

(Source: COSIT)

Interest rates

In 2009, the interest rate for long-term loans was 16.47% in case issued in domestic currency, and 14.07% on foreign currency. For the same year, saving deposits were offered by licensed banks at an interest rate of 6.84% on domestic currency and 2.82% on foreign currency.

(Source: Central Bank)

(Source: Central Bank )

Money supply

In 2009, total currency in circulation amounted to IQD 24,169,401 million, and the total money supply was IQD 37,300,030 million.

(Source: Central Bank)

(Source: Central Bank)

Government expenditure

In 2009, total government expenditures amounted to IQD 52,567,025 million.

(Source: Central Bank)

Public debt level

In 2008, total internal debt of the Government of Iraq amounted to IQD 4,455,569 million.

(Source: COSIT)

Official exchange rate

In 2009, the average exchange rate of a Iraqi Dinar (IQD) against a United States Dollar (USD) was 1,185.

(Source: Central Bank)

Government finances

Fiscal balance

In 2009, the government of Iraq reported a surplus fiscal balance of IQD 2,642,328 million.

(Source: Central Bank)

Government revenue

In 2009, total Government revenues for Iraq amounted to IQD 55,209,353 million. In the same year, taxes contributed 6.04% to the total revenues. 

(Source: Central Bank)

Tax revenue

In 2009, revenue from taxes amounted to IQD 3,334,809 million.

(Source: Central Bank)

Current account balance

In 2009, the current account of Iraq reported a preliminary balance of USD 1,271 million.

(Source: Central Bank)

p=preliminary

(Source: COSIT, Central Bank)

Balance of payments (BoP)

In 2009, preliminary exports of goods amounted to USD 39,782.2 million, of which about 98% were export of crude oil. During the same year, total receipts on export of services were USD 2,623.0 million.

(Source: Central Bank)

p=preliminary

(Source: Central Bank)

Labour force

In 2009, the total economically active population (labour force) of Iraq was 7,303,000, of which about 84% was male. Furthermore, the population between 20 and 39 years of age constituted about 61% of the total labour force.

(Source: ilo.org)

Unemployment rate

In 2008, the unemployment rate of the country was 15.34%.

(Source: COSIT)

Employment in agriculture

In 2008, there were 1,759,900 people engaged in agriculture, hunting and forestry sectors.

(Source: ilo.org)

Minimum wage

In Iraq, median of hourly wage across all sectors is IQD 833.

(Source: COSIT)

Iraq has a republic and democratic form of Government. It has its own written constitution, describing the legislative, executive and judicial powers of the country.

The legislative powers are exercised by the Council of Representatives and the Federation Council. Members of the Council of Representatives are elected for a term of four years, each representing 100,000 population of the country. Alternatively, the Federation Council is comprised of members representing the unorganized regions of the country.

The executive powers are exercised by the President along with the Council of Ministers. Members of the Council of Ministers are elected by the President from the Council of Representatives. The Council of Ministers is headed by the Prime Minister.

(Source: uniraq.org)

There are more than 300 political parties in Iraq. The major political parties of the country include:

• Hadi al-Amiri
• Nouri Kamil al-Maliki
• Nowshirwan Mustafa
• Husayn al-Shahristani
• Salih al-Mutlaq
• Ayad Allawi
• Mas’oud Barzani
• Ammar Adb al-Aziz al-Hakim
• Muqtada al-Sadr

(Source: cfr.org, state.gov)

Regulatory environment

Iraq has not been ranked in the 2011 Index of Economic Freedom.

(Source: heritage.org)

Corruption perception

The country is ranked 175^th in the Corruption Perceptions Index 2010. Its index score is 1.5 (out of 10), reflecting very high levels of corruption.

(Source: transperancy.org: Report)

Freedom of information

Iraq is ranked 130^th on the Press Freedom Index 2010, indicating that the government has high restrictions on the press.

(Source: rsf.org)

Following is a list of some newspapers in the country:

National newspapers:

• Iraq Today

• Az Zaman

Other local newspapers:

• Al Ahali

• Al Sabah

• Baghdad

• Al Manarah

• Xebat

• Almosul Observer

(Source: newspapers24.com)

Judicial System
The judicial system of Iraq acts as an independent part of the Government. The system consists of the following types of courts:

• Higher Juridical Council

• Federal Supreme Court

• Federal Court of Cassation

• Public Prosecution Department

• Judiciary Oversight Commission

• Other federal and military courts

The Higher Juridical Council looks after the matters of the judicial committees. The Federal Supreme Court is the apex court in the judicial system of the country and its judgements are considered as final.

(Source: uniraq.org)

In 2009, Iraq had an estimated population of 32,104,988, of which 50.35% were male. The country has a population density of 70 people residing per square kilometre of land area.

(Source: COSIT, World Bank) 

*estimated

(Source: COSIT) 

From 2008, the population of the country has recorded a growth of 0.7%.

(Source: COSIT)

Birth and death rate 

Between 2005 and 2010, the estimated crude birth rate in the country was 31.6 births per 1,000 persons and crude death rate was estimated at 6.1 deaths per 1,000 persons.

(Source: UNDATA)

Infant mortality rate

In 2008, the infant mortality rate was 36 deaths per 1,000 live births in the country.

(Source: WHO)

(Source: WHO)

Life expectancy

In 2008, life expectancy was 59 years for males and 69 years for females.

(Source: WHO)

Literacy rate

In 2008, Iraq had an adult literacy rate (people above 15 years of age) of 77.6% and a youth literacy rate (people between 15-24 years of age) of 82.4%.

(Source: UNESCO)

Education

The country follows a multi-level system of education. The education system is comprised of pre-primary (kindergarten), primary, secondary and higher education levels.

Pre-primary/kindergarten education is a pre-school training for children below the age of six years. Primary education is six years of compulsory education. Secondary education consists three years of intermediate and three years of preparatory/vocational education. Higher education involves bachelor, master and doctorate degrees for students above 18 years of age.

(Source: UNESCO)

In 2008, the country had 12,507 primary schools and 4,364 secondary schools.

(Source: COSIT)

Healthcare

There are around 208 government and 80 private hospitals in the country.

(Source: WHO)

(Source: WHO)

In 2009, the government of Iraq spent IQD 2,910,004 million on healthcare.

(Source: Central Bank)

Mass public transit

In Iraq, road transport is the primary means of travel.

(Source: mapsofworld.com)

Roadways

In 2008, the country had 40,987.5 kms of paved roads, of which 11,169 kms of road were majorly used.

(Source: COSIT)

Railways

In 2008, the total railway route of Iraq was 2,032 kms in length.

(Source: World Bank)

Ports

Iraq has four ports:

•          Port of Basrah
•          Port of Khor Al Zubair
•          Port of Khawr Al Amaya
•          Port of Umm Qasr

 (Source: ports.com)

Airports

The country has six airports, including Baghdad Al Muthana, Baghdad International Airport, Bamerny, Basra International, Kirkuk and Mosul.

(Source: mapsofworld.com)

Telecommunications

In 2009, there were 1,108,396 fixed landline subscribers and 19,722,000 mobile phone subscribers. In June 2010, internet penetration rate in Iraq stood at 1.1% with about 325,000 internet users. 

(Source: itu.int,internetworldstats.com)

(Source: itu.int)