Moving to IraqShare
While living in Iraq comes with a higher tax burden of 38.6%, expats often benefit from its robust social infrastructure and high quality of life. With a very high English proficiency score of 406, daily communication and business integration are seamless. It hosts a vibrant and diverse expat community, notably drawing a significant number of residents from Turkey.
Lifestyle & Vibe
Iraq remains an active conflict-affected country with persistent security threats, including militia activity, kidnapping risks, and sporadic armed violence, particularly outside the Kurdistan Region. Most Western governments maintain 'Do Not Travel' or 'Reconsider Travel' advisories for the majority of the country. Remote work infrastructure is minimal - internet is unreliable, cashless payments are largely nonexistent, and there is no expat digital nomad community to speak of. Iraq is not a viable or safe relocation destination for remote workers under any current conditions.
Digital Freedom & Remote Work
Censorship and network interference data is currently being collected for Iraq.
Society & Demographics
In Iraq, the population is predominantly male at 50.2%, reflecting a slight imbalance between genders. With 81.47% of the population using the internet, digital connectivity has become widespread, surpassing global averages. The country exhibits moderate economic inequality, as indicated by its Gini index of 29.8, and sees women increasingly involved in political life, with 28.8754% holding positions in parliament, though this remains below parity. Urbanization is on the rise, with 69.89% of Iraqis living in cities, and there has been a significant net migration outflow over the past five years, amounting to -1064.0000.
Gender Distribution
Aging Society
Population over 65 years old
Education Spending
UNESCO Data. Indicates focus on public schooling.
Quality of Life
Life expectancy in Iraq stands at 71.47 years, reflecting a moderately healthy population. However, the universal health coverage index of 64.00 suggests limited access to healthcare services, with only 10.64 medical doctors per 10,000 people and an obesity rate of 39.69%, indicating challenges in health service delivery and public health management. Iraq's happiness score of 5.21 on a scale of 0-10 reflects mixed feelings about quality of life; combined with an average working week of 31.71 hours, air quality issues (PM2.5 at 38.18 µg/m³), and a homicide rate of 9.46 per 100k, these factors collectively paint a picture of a country facing significant socio-economic and health challenges.
Economic Freedom & Business Climate
The economy of Iraq faces significant challenges with a GDP per capita (PPP) that is not available for recent years. The current inflation rate stands at -12.30%, which could indicate deflationary pressures or inaccuracies in the reported data, and an unemployment rate of 15.48% suggests ongoing economic struggles. Overall, Iraq ranks with a score of 15.60 on the Economic Freedom Score (out of 100), reflecting low levels of business freedom at 42.80 and labor freedom at 60.60. Property rights are relatively better, scoring 8.30, but judicial effectiveness and government integrity are notably weak with scores of 5.80 and 20.20 respectively, hindering long-term economic stability and investment. While fiscal health is strong as indicated by a fiscal health score of 95.70, the overall business climate remains constrained due to high tax burdens at 85.50.
Evaluated across 12 quantitative factors. Scores span 0-100, where higher scores indicate greater economic liberty, lighter tax burdens, and stronger property rights.
Climate Profile (Baghdad)
Iraq's climate is characterized as a scorching desert type, with blistering summers and mild winters, where temperatures can soar to a sizzling 45 degrees Celsius in July and August, while the rainiest periods occur from December to March, with November and March being the wettest months, receiving an average of 8 and 9 rainy days respectively. The country's hottest period stretches from June to September, with zero rainfall, making it ideal for sun-seekers, but challenging for those who prefer milder weather, while the rainiest months are typically from December to March, with January and March receiving 9 and 8 rainy days. For expats and digital nomads seeking a comfortable climate, the best time to relocate or visit Iraq is during the spring season, from March to May, or autumn, from September to November, when the temperatures are pleasantly warm, ranging from 24 to 34 degrees Celsius, and rainfall is relatively scarce, making it an ideal time to explore the country's rich history and culture.
Political Stability & Governance
Evaluated across Worldwide Governance Indicators (WGI). Scores span approximately -2.5 to 2.5, where higher scores indicate stronger governance, better stability, and lower corruption.
Relocation Guides & Articles
We're currently working on an in-depth expat guide for Iraq.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the tax burden in Iraq?
The tax burden in Iraq is approximately 38.6%, according to World Bank data.
Is Iraq safe?
The homicide rate in Iraq is 9.5 per 100,000 people (World Bank).
Are people happy in Iraq?
The World Happiness Report scores Iraq at 5.2 out of 10.