Iraq

Population Information

Population: 25,374,691

Population Growth Rate: 2.74%

Infant mortality rate: 52.71 deaths/1000 live births

Economic Information

Gross Domestic Product: $37.92 billion

GDP growth rate: -21.8%

GDP per capita: $1,500

Unemployment rate: N/A

Estimated underemployment:

Population below poverty line: N/A

Main export products: Crude oil

Main import countries: Turkey, Jordan, Vietnam, United States

Debt: (external: $93.95 billion)

Iraq is a nation whose economy is largely based on the export of petroleum, which accounts for almost 95% of earnings gained through exports. Over the years, the economy has been hindered by war and economic sanctions, both of which led to severe damage in the Iraqi infrastructure and actually made the nation financially bankrupt. While no specific figures are available, it is known that Iraqis face massive unemployment, a lack of critical goods, and a poor standard of living. Today, a war-torn Iraq is mired with political instability and many areas lack adequate water and electricity. Few nations have a future as uncertain as Iraq's; on the one hand, war could make a poor country even worse-off. However, stability in Iraq will make for a much brighter future, and an opportunity for Iraq to improve its infrastructure with the backing of the world community.

Sources: www.cia.gov (CIA World Factbook)

www.encarta.msn.com (Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia)