Iraq GDP Growth Rate (2026)
Iraq has an oil-dependent economy supported by energy production, government spending, services, and domestic consumption. This page explores its GDP growth trend, historical performance, regional position, and outlook.
GDP Growth Rate 2026
-6.8%
Annual real GDP growth
World Rank
#193
Out of 195 countries
Change vs 2025
-6.4 pp
2025: -0.4%
Asia Rank
#47
Out of 49 countries
1. Iraq GDP Growth Rate in 2026
Iraqi economic growth is strongly influenced by oil production, energy prices, public expenditure, and reconstruction activity. Political and security conditions also remain important.
2. Iraq GDP Growth Rate Trends (2001–2026)
Iraq’s growth history has been dominated by oil cycles, conflict, reconstruction, and changes in public spending. Energy exports have remained the central driver of national output.
3. Iraq GDP Growth Rate (Historical Data)
| Year | GDP Growth Rate | Change (pp) |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | -6.8% | -6.4 pp |
| 2025 | -0.4% | -0.5 pp |
| 2024 | +0.1% | -0.8 pp |
| 2023 | +0.9% | -6.8 pp |
| 2022 | +7.7% | +6.3 pp |
| 2021 | +1.4% | +13.8 pp |
| 2020 | -12.4% | -18.0 pp |
| 2019 | +5.6% | +3.0 pp |
| 2018 | +2.6% | +4.1 pp |
| 2017 | -1.5% | -17.7 pp |
| 2016 | +16.2% | +13.7 pp |
| 2015 | +2.5% | +1.8 pp |
| 2014 | +0.7% | -6.9 pp |
| 2013 | +7.6% | -6.3 pp |
| 2012 | +13.9% | +6.4 pp |
| 2011 | +7.5% | +1.1 pp |
| 2010 | +6.4% | +3.0 pp |
| 2009 | +3.4% | -4.8 pp |
| 2008 | +8.2% | +6.3 pp |
| 2007 | +1.9% | -3.7 pp |
| 2006 | +5.6% | +3.9 pp |
| 2005 | +1.7% | -51.7 pp |
| 2004 | +53.4% | +90.1 pp |
| 2003 | -36.7% | -28.5 pp |
| 2002 | -8.2% | -10.0 pp |
| 2001 | +1.8% | — |
4. Iraq GDP Growth Performance
Current Growth Rate
-6.8%
(2026 to 2026)
5-Year Average
+0.3%
(2022 to 2026)
10-Year Average
-0.3%
(2017 to 2026)
20-Year Average
+3.3%
(2007 to 2026)
The economy benefits from substantial oil reserves and strong revenues during favorable market conditions. Limited diversification and political uncertainty continue to constrain broader private-sector development.
5. Iraq GDP Growth Rate vs Asia and World
Iraq
-6.8%
Asia Average
+2.4%
World Average
+2.8%
-6.8%
-2.0%
2.8%
Annual real GDP growth (%)
Iraq’s GDP growth rate is approximately
9.1 pp
below the
Asia average
and
9.6 pp
below the world average.
6. Iraq GDP Growth Rate Ranking in Asia
| Rank | Country | GDP Growth Rate |
|---|---|---|
| #41 | Japan | +0.7% |
| #42 | Yemen | +0.5% |
| #43 | Bahrain | -0.5% |
| #44 | Kuwait | -0.6% |
| #45 | Syria | -1.2% |
| #46 | Iran | -6.1% |
| #47 | Iraq | -6.8% |
| #48 | Qatar | -8.7% |
| #49 | State of Palestine | -26.6% |
7. Top 10 Fastest-Growing Countries in the World (2026)
8. GDP Growth Rate and Economy Size in Iraq
Iraq GDP (Nominal)
$264.8 Billion
(2026)
Iraq GDP Growth Rate
-6.8%
(2026)
Iraq’s growth can be highly volatile compared with regional and global averages because of changes in oil production. Energy policy therefore has an unusually large impact on performance.
Explore more:
Iraq GDP
9. Iraq GDP Growth Rate Forecast
The outlook depends on oil output, government investment, reconstruction, and economic diversification. Political instability, security risks, and dependence on energy remain major challenges.
| Year | GDP Growth Rate | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 | +11.3% | +18.1 pp |
| 2028 | +3.5% | -7.8 pp |
| 2029 | +3.3% | -0.2 pp |
| 2030 | +3.4% | +0.1 pp |
10. Iraq GDP Growth Rate: Key Findings
Iraq GDP growth rate is estimated at -6.8% in 2026.
It ranks #193 globally and #47 in Asia by annual GDP growth rate.
The growth rate slowed by 6.4 percentage points compared with 2025.
The 5-year average GDP growth rate is +0.3%.
The 10-year average GDP growth rate is -0.3%.
The current rate is 9.1 percentage points below the Asia average.
The current rate is 9.6 percentage points below the world average.
The forecast GDP growth rate is +3.4% in 2030, 10.2 percentage points above the 2026 rate.
11. What Is GDP Growth Rate?
GDP growth rate measures the percentage change in a country’s real gross domestic product from one period to the next, usually year over year.
GDP Growth Rate
=
(Real GDPₜ − Real GDPₜ₋₁)
÷
Real GDPₜ₋₁ × 100
A positive rate indicates economic expansion, while a negative rate indicates contraction. Real GDP growth is preferred for growth comparisons because it adjusts for price changes.
12. Methodology and Data Sources
Primary Source:
International Monetary Fund (IMF)
Additional Source:
World Bank
Measure:
Annual percentage change in real GDP
Unit:
Percent (%)
Comparisons:
Year-to-year rate differences are shown in percentage points (pp)
Update Frequency:
Annually and when new forecasts are released
Last Updated:
September 2026
13. Iraq GDP Growth Rate FAQs
Iraq GDP growth rate is estimated at -6.8% in 2026.
Iraq ranks #193 globally and #47 in Asia by annual GDP growth rate.
The economy is contracting, with real GDP growth of approximately -6.8% in 2026.
Iraq GDP growth rate was +2.5% in 2015.
Iraq GDP growth rate is 9.1 percentage points below the Asia average.
15. Explore GDP Growth Rate
Disclaimer:
All data are estimates based on IMF, World Bank,
United Nations and related economic datasets.
Figures may differ from official national statistics.