Cover
Volume 7, Issue Speical 7 (2026)

Published: November 5, 2026

Pages: 203-217

Research Article

The Implications of Implementing Economic Reform Policies on Poverty and Unemployment in Iraq after 2003: Focusing on Monetary and Fiscal Reforms

Amel A. Zaboon 1 Zainab Q. A. Akbar 2 Nizar K. Sabah 1
1College of Administration and Economics, University of Al-Qadisiya, Iraq
2General Directorate of Education in Al-Qadisiya, Iraq
History
  • Received: August 15, 2026
  • Available Online: November 5, 2026
DOI

https://doi.org/10.56967/ejfb20261026

Abstract

This research aims to analyze the impact of economic reform policies in Iraq, during the period 2005–2024, on poverty and unemployment, particularly in light of economic transformations and openness to the global economy. It focuses primarily on monetary and fiscal reforms. To achieve the research objective and test its hypothesis, the researchers employed a descriptive-analytical approach and statistical methods using composite growth rates to present and analyze the studied variables. This analysis relied on information and data from academic and official sources. The results showed that, despite a decrease in the composite growth rates of poverty and unemployment, this decrease was limited due to the lack of integration between monetary and fiscal policies and development policies that contribute to job creation and strengthen social safety nets. Furthermore, there was a lack of coordination between monetary and fiscal policies, and sometimes even between the policy instruments themselves, which negatively impacted efforts to reduce poverty and unemployment rates.

Keywords

References

  1. Al-Ibrahimi, Basim Abd al-Hadi Hassan, Economic Policies in Iraq: Challenges and Opportunities, (Amman and Baghdad: Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, 2020).
  2. Ibn Rushd al-Qurtubi, Bidayat al-Mujtahid wa Nihayat al-Muqtasid, Vol. 1, Dar Ibn Hazm, Beirut, 1981.
  3. World Bank, Statistics and Data Department, available at: WWW.Worldbank.org/Statisticaldata.
  4. World Bank, Economic Indicators on Iraq, 2023, available at: https://www.albankaldawli.org/ar/home .
  5. Central Bank of Iraq, Directorate General of Statistics and Research, Economic Reports for the Period (2004–2023).
  6. Behnam, Samir Hanna, “The Role of Economic Reform Policies in Attracting Foreign Direct Investment in the Iraqi Economy for the Period (1990–2020),” Tikrit Journal of Administrative and Economic Sciences, Vol. 17, No. 54, 2021.
  7. Al-Jilani Al-Nouni, “The Problem of Poverty and Theoretical Approaches Explaining It,” Journal of Human Sciences, University of Oum El Bouaghi, Vol. 7, No. 2, 2020.
  8. Hussein, Ibtisam Ali, “The Impact of Economic Reform Policies on Selected Sustainable Development Indicators in Iraq for the Period (2004–2022),” Iraqi Journal of Administrative Sciences, Vol. 21, No. 81, 2025.
  9. Al-Dujaili, Afrah Fadhil Khalil, and Al-Mousawi, Abdul Wahab Mohammed Jawad Al-Mousawi, “Reform Policies and Their Role in Achieving Sustainable Development Advancement in the Iraqi Economy for the Period (2004–2030),” Al-Ghary Journal of Economic and Administrative Sciences, Vol. 20, Special Issue, Proceedings of the Seventh Scientific Conference of the College of Administration and Economics, Tikrit University: Integration of Administrative and Economic Sciences in Light of the Digital Transformation of Business Models and Innovation Challenges, 2024.
  10. Al-Rashid, Tariq Mohammed, et al., “The Impact of Economic Reform Policies on Addressing Unemployment in Sudan (2000–2020),” Journal of Omdurman Islamic University, Vol. 19, No. 1, 2023.
  11. Salim Tawfiq Al-Najafi, “Poverty, Economic Adjustment Policies, and Structural Change in Arab Agricultural Economies,” Economic Studies Journal, Bayt al-Hikma, Baghdad, 1999.
  12. Saud, Diaa Hussein, “The Impact of Selected Economic Variables on the Unemployment Rate in Iraq for the Period (2003–2014),” Iraqi Journal of Economic Sciences, Al-Mustansiriya University, No. 54, 2017.
  13. Sultan, Dawood Suleiman, “Economic Reform Policies in Some Arab Countries: What Is the Objective and What Has Been Achieved?” Tanمية Al-Rafidain Journal, Vol. 33, No. 102, 2011.
  14. Al-Shujairi, Ammar Abbas, and Al-Shukri, Abdul Atheem Abdul Wahid, Aggregate Demand and Economic Growth Between Theory and Practice, 1st ed., Amman: Dar Al-Manhajiyah for Publishing and Distribution, 2026.
  15. Al-Shammari, Hussein Abbas Hussein, and Abdul-Jassim Abbas Ali Allah, “Analyzing the Impact of Economic Growth on Changes in Unemployment Rates in Arab Countries, Including Iraq, for the Period (1990–2011),” Al-Qadisiyah Journal of Administrative and Economic Sciences, University of Al-Qadisiyah, Vol. 16, No. 3, 2014.
  16. Arab Monetary Fund, Unified Arab Economic Reports for the Period (2003–2024), Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
  17. Farih, Jawad Shakir, et al., “Evaluating the Role of Monetary Policy in Achieving Monetary and Economic Stability in Iraq for the Period (2004–2020),” Tikrit Journal of Administrative and Economic Sciences, Tikrit University, Vol. 18, No. 58, 2022.
  18. Kabson, Furqan Abdul Karim, and Shihib, Rasha Khalid, “Economic Reform Policies and Their Relationship with the Structure of the Trade Balance and Economic Openness in Iraq (2003–2020),” Al-Kut Journal of Economic and Administrative Sciences, Vol. 16, No. 51, 2024.
  19. Mohammed, Abu Turab Taghreed Qasim, “The Reality of Unemployment Rates in the Iraqi Economy for the Period (2008–2020),” Al-Bahith Al-Iqtisadi Journal, Vol. 9, No. 2, 2021.
  20. “The Natural Rate of Unemployment,” Economy in Arabic, 2023, available at: https://www.economyinarabic.com .
  21. Al-Mousawi, Abdul Wahab Mohammed Jawad, and Khalil, Afrah Fadhil, “The Role of Economic Reform in Achieving Sustainable Development in Iraq,” Journal of Kufa Studies Center, University of Kufa, No. 74, 2024.
  22. Michael P. Todaro, Economic Development, Dar Al-Mareekh Publishing, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, 1st ed., 2006.
  23. Iraqi Ministry of Planning and Development Cooperation, Central Organization for Statistics and Information Technology, Directorate of National Accounts, Annual Statistical Aggregates (2012–2013, 2018–2019, 2020–2021, 2022–2023).https://ar.wikipedia.org.
  24. see: -IMF, Public Information Notice, 2007, https://www.imf.org.