Photo: Diyar Muhammed · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 06 of 18 · Country Index 2026
Iraq: Development & Human Capital
Is a country turning its resources into better lives?
Iraq is placed 117th of 196 countries on development & human capital in the Country Index 2026, from 3 of its 3 key statistics. Readings behind it: Social Protection Coverage 41.7 (2025); Maternal Mortality Ratio 65.99 (2023).
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Development & Human Capital
117th
of 196 countries placed
Placed from 3 of 3 key statistics
01The evidence
The 3 key statistics that decide it
Only these place Iraq on development & human capital — one vote each. Every value is the publisher’s own, read at the edition the Country Index 2026 used — or, for a survey-based key, each country’s latest reading; the grey ticks are every other country it was compared with, lowest on the left.
Key 2 of 3
Maternal Mortality Ratio
UN Maternal Mortality Estimation Inter-Agency Group (MMEIG)
2023 edition · data for 2023 · CC BY 3.0 IGO
65.99
Maternal deaths per 100,000 live births
Lower is better
Iraq: 65.99. Across the 195 countries in this edition, values run from 0.11 (Cook Islands) to 992.83 (Nigeria); the world median is 46.65.
- World median
- 46.65
- Best in Western Asia
- 2.49 Israel
- Land neighbours
- Iran 15.84 · Jordan 30.78 · Kuwait 7.75 · Saudi Arabia 7.36 · Syria 20.37 · Türkiye 14.63
Key 3 of 3
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report Office
2023 edition · data for 2023 · CC BY 3.0 IGO
0.695
HDI score (0–1)
Higher is better
Ranked 126th of 193 by UNDP Human Development Report Office
Iraq: 0.695. Across the 193 countries in this edition, values run from 0.388 (South Sudan) to 0.972 (Iceland); the world median is 0.762.
- World median
- 0.762
- Best in Western Asia
- 0.94 United Arab Emirates
- Land neighbours
- Iran 0.799 · Jordan 0.754 · Kuwait 0.852 · Saudi Arabia 0.9 · Syria 0.564 · Türkiye 0.853
02Over time
Which way Iraq is moving
Each key’s published value, edition by edition, beside the world median. The Country Index 2026 is the first edition of the standing, so the standing itself has no history to chart yet.
Maternal Mortality Ratio
Maternal deaths per 100,000 live births · lower is better
IraqWorld median
Iraq fell from 145.62 in 2000 to 65.99 in 2023; the world median went from 70.99 to 46.65.
Every year’s figures
Year Iraq World median 2023 66.0 46.7 2022 58.9 53.0 2021 76.6 76.6 2020 63.0 56.0 2019 74.3 48.4 2018 75.6 49.3 2017 81.4 47.2 2016 87.1 50.6 2015 85.9 51.9 2014 89.5 52.8 2013 95.8 53.3 2012 99.9 54.6 2011 105.0 55.0 2010 107.1 56.1 2009 107.1 56.3 2008 109.0 55.8 2007 117.2 56.8 2006 120.0 58.1 2005 117.7 60.1 2004 121.6 63.0 2003 125.2 66.8 2002 127.8 66.0 2001 137.4 68.1 2000 145.6 71.0 Human Development Index
HDI score (0–1) · higher is better
IraqWorld median
Iraq rose from 0.592 in 2000 to 0.695 in 2023; the world median went from 0.672 to 0.762.
Every year’s figures
Year Iraq World median 2023 0.695 0.7620 2022 0.695 0.7610 2021 0.687 0.7450 2020 0.680 0.7425 2019 0.693 0.7515 2018 0.689 0.7520 2017 0.681 0.7480 2016 0.676 0.7500 2015 0.675 0.7430 2014 0.671 0.7410 2013 0.668 0.7390 2012 0.664 0.7350 2011 0.656 0.7250 2010 0.650 0.7250 2009 0.644 0.7220 2008 0.634 0.7180 2007 0.618 0.7100 2006 0.611 0.7045 2005 0.609 0.6960 2004 0.604 0.6960 2003 0.582 0.6910 2002 0.600 0.6845 2001 0.598 0.6770 2000 0.592 0.6720
03In context
Iraq beside its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 196 countries on development & human capital, never a place within the region.
Iraq and the countries it borders
Standing among all 196; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.
| Country | Standing | Social Protection CoveragePopulation covered by at least one social protection benefit (%) | Maternal Mortality RatioMaternal deaths per 100,000 live births | Human Development IndexHDI score (0–1) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Iran | 48th | 100 | 15.84 | 0.799 |
 Saudi Arabia | 50th | 64 | 7.36 | 0.9 |
 Türkiye | =58th | 64 | 14.63 | 0.853 |
 Kuwait | =76th | 18.2 | 7.75 | 0.852 |
 Jordan | =110th | 28.8 | 30.78 | 0.754 |
| Iraq | 117th | 41.7 | 65.99 | 0.695 |
 Syria | 121st | — | 20.37 | 0.564 |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across Western Asia
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 196.
Placed either side on development & human capital
The countries immediately above and below Iraq in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where Iraq is ahead of the world, and behind
52 more statistics filed under development & human capital, published in full and deliberately given no vote in the standing. Select a row for the publisher, the rank and the links.
Ahead of the world median12
Statistics on which Iraq does better than the middle country measured.
Poverty Severity (Squared Poverty Gap) at $3.00 a DayWorld Bank Group · 2023 · world median 0.1850.020.185▼ Worsened since 2006
Iraq: 0.02 · world median 0.185 · Squared poverty gap at $3.00 a day, 2021 PPP (0–100). World Bank Group, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 9.74; lower is better.
Poverty Gap at $3.00 a DayWorld Bank Group · 2023 · world median 0.3450.070.345▼ Worsened since 2006
Iraq: 0.07 · world median 0.345 · Poverty gap at $3.00 a day, 2021 PPP (%). World Bank Group, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 19.95; lower is better.
Position 47th of 59 · derived, 1st = worst.
Immunisation Coverage, Measles First Dose (MCV1)WUENIC · 2025 · world median 909590▲ Improved since 2015
Iraq: 95 · world median 90 · Infants given a first dose of measles vaccine (%). WHO and UNICEF (WUENIC), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 13 to 99; higher is better.
Poverty Headcount at $3.00 a Day, Line-up EstimatesWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 2.10.592.1▼ Worsened since 2014
Iraq: 0.59 · world median 2.1 · Population below $3.00 a day, 2021 PPP, World Bank line-up estimate (%). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 89.54; lower is better.
Comprehensive Wealth per CapitaWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 46,48675,57146,486No real change since 2010
Iraq: 75,571 · world median 46,486 · National comprehensive wealth per person (real chained 2019 US$). World Bank Group, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 4,276 to 1,246,092; higher is better.
Position 56th of 150 · derived.
Foundational ID OwnershipWorld Bank Group (ID4D) · 2024 · world median 94.496.7894.4▲ Improved since 2021
Iraq: 96.78 · world median 94.4 · Adults who own a foundational ID (% of population aged 15+). World Bank Group (ID4D), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 42.62 to 100; higher is better.
Wasting Prevalence in Children Under FiveUNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates) · 2024 · world median 3.5463.0293.546No earlier reading
Iraq: 3.029 · world median 3.546 · Children under 5 who are wasted (%). UNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.1 to 22.74; lower is better.
Position 100th of 163 · derived, 1st = worst.
Poverty Headcount Ratio at $3.00 a DayWorld Bank Group · 2023 · world median 0.930.550.93▼ Worsened since 2006
Iraq: 0.55 · world median 0.93 · Population below $3.00 a day, 2021 PPP (%). World Bank Group, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 54.36; lower is better.
Position 36th of 58 · derived, 1st = worst.
Stunting Prevalence in Children Under FiveUNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates) · 2024 · world median 13.812.6413.8No earlier reading
Iraq: 12.64 · world median 13.8 · Children under 5 who are stunted (%). UNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.518 to 52.8; lower is better.
Position 89th of 162 · derived, 1st = worst.
Completeness of Birth RegistrationUNICEF · 2025 · world median 98.498.898.4No earlier reading
Iraq: 98.8 · world median 98.4 · Children under 5 whose birth is registered (%). UNICEF, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 2.7 to 100; higher is better.
Global Multidimensional Poverty IndexOPHI · 2025 · world median 0.0390.0330.039▼ Worsened since 2018
Iraq: 0.033 · world median 0.039 · MPI (0–1). Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 0.517; lower is better.
Position 57th of 109 · derived, 1st = worst.
Historical GDP per Capita (Maddison)GGDC · 2022 · world median 12,89013,07212,890▼ Worsened since 2012
Iraq: 13,072 · world median 12,890 · GDP per capita (2011 international $). Maddison Project, Groningen Growth and Development Centre (GGDC), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 596.39 to 149,171; higher is better.
Position 82nd of 166 · derived.
Behind the world median34
Statistics on which Iraq does worse than the middle country measured.
Child and Family Benefit CoverageILO · 2024 · world median 23.7523.623.75No earlier reading
Iraq: 23.6 · world median 23.75 · Children or households with children receiving child or family cash benefits (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Employment Injury Protection CoverageILO · 2024 · world median 45.944.645.9No earlier reading
Iraq: 44.6 · world median 45.9 · Labour force covered in the event of a work injury (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Cereal YieldFAO · 2023 · world median 3,0722,7493,072▲ Improved since 2013
Iraq: 2,749 · world median 3,072 · Cereal yield (kg per hectare). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 23 to 29,147; higher is better.
Position 95th of 179 · derived.
Low Birthweight PrevalenceUNICEF and WHO (Joint Low Birthweight Estimates) · 2020 · world median 10.2110.8610.21No real change since 2010
Iraq: 10.86 · world median 10.21 · Live births weighing under 2,500 g (%). UNICEF and WHO (Joint Low Birthweight Estimates), 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 3.993 to 27.44; lower is better.
Position 72nd of 158 · derived, 1st = worst.
Multidimensional Poverty MeasureWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 4.2525.7984.252No earlier reading
Iraq: 5.798 · world median 4.252 · Multidimensional poverty headcount ratio (%). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 87.96; lower is better.
Position 71st of 157 · derived, 1st = worst.
Disability Benefit CoverageILO · 2025 · world median 43.931.943.9No earlier reading
Iraq: 31.9 · world median 43.9 · People with severe disabilities receiving disability benefits (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Poverty Headcount Ratio at $4.20 a DayWorld Bank Group · 2023 · world median 1.342.361.34▼ Worsened since 2006
Iraq: 2.36 · world median 1.34 · Population below $4.20 a day, 2021 PPP (%). World Bank Group, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.02 to 72.3; lower is better.
Position 27th of 59 · derived, 1st = worst.
Planetary pressures-adjusted HDIUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 0.6780.6650.678No real change since 2013
Iraq: 0.665 · world median 0.678 · PHDI (0–1). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.276 to 0.827; higher is better.
Position 88th of 156 · derived.
Life Expectancy at BirthUN DESA Population Division · 2023 · world median 74.6372.3274.63▲ Improved since 2013
Iraq: 72.32 · world median 74.63 · Years a newborn would live at current death rates. UN DESA Population Division, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 54.46 to 86.37; higher is better.
Position 135th of 222 · derived.
GDP per Capita (PPP)World Bank Group · 2025 · world median 17,26512,19217,265▼ Worsened since 2015
Iraq: 12,192 · world median 17,265 · GDP per capita (constant 2021 international $, PPP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1,067 to 139,593; higher is better.
Position 113th of 185 · derived.
Violent Discipline of ChildrenUNICEF · 2025 · world median 75.880.975.8No earlier reading
Iraq: 80.9 · world median 75.8 · Children aged 1-14 experiencing violent discipline (%). UNICEF, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 37.6 to 94; lower is better.
Position 34th of 90 · derived, 1st = worst.
Inequality-adjusted Human Development IndexUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 0.6090.5340.609No real change since 2013
Iraq: 0.534 · world median 0.609 · IHDI (0–1). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.226 to 0.923; higher is better.
Position 106th of 169 · derived.
Coefficient of Human InequalityUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 17.0522.8417.05No real change since 2013
Iraq: 22.84 · world median 17.05 · Coefficient of Human Inequality (%). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 4.865 to 43.08; lower is better.
Position 63rd of 169 · derived, 1st = worst.
Old-Age Pension CoverageILO · 2025 · world median 80.848.980.8No earlier reading
Iraq: 48.9 · world median 80.8 · People above statutory pensionable age receiving an old-age pension (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Under-Five Mortality RateUN IGME · 2024 · world median 14.5421.8414.54No real change since 2014
Iraq: 21.84 · world median 14.54 · Deaths before age five (per 1,000 live births). UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1.26 to 115.65; lower is better.
Position 71st of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.
Infant Mortality RateUN IGME · 2024 · world median 12.2620.1412.26▲ Improved since 2014
Iraq: 20.14 · world median 12.26 · Deaths before age one (per 1,000 live births). UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1.214 to 71.87; lower is better.
Position 70th of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.
Prosperity GapWorld Bank Group · 2023 · world median 1.7542.8471.754▼ Worsened since 2006
Iraq: 2.847 · world median 1.754 · Average factor incomes must rise by to reach $28 a day. World Bank Group, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.406 to 12.06; lower is better.
Position 21st of 60 · derived, 1st = worst.
Neonatal Mortality RateUN IGME · 2024 · world median 8.13412.468.134▲ Improved since 2014
Iraq: 12.46 · world median 8.134 · Deaths in the first 28 days (per 1,000 live births). UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.544 to 39.47; lower is better.
Position 68th of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.
Stillbirth RateUN IGME · 2023 · world median 8.16310.848.163No real change since 2013
Iraq: 10.84 · world median 8.163 · Stillbirths (per 1,000 total births). UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 1.18 to 34.9; lower is better.
Position 68th of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.
Expected Years of SchoolingUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 13.3412.3613.34▲ Improved since 2013
Iraq: 12.36 · world median 13.34 · Expected years of schooling. UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 5.635 to 21.69; higher is better.
Position 133rd of 195 · derived.
Human Capital Wealth per CapitaWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 25,23011,66025,230▲ Improved since 2010
Iraq: 11,660 · world median 25,230 · Human capital per person — present value of future earnings (real chained 2019 US$). World Bank Group, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 700.38 to 735,422; higher is better.
Position 105th of 151 · derived.
Poverty Headcount Ratio at $8.30 a DayWorld Bank Group · 2023 · world median 7.8227.987.82▼ Worsened since 2006
Iraq: 27.98 · world median 7.82 · Population below $8.30 a day, 2021 PPP (%). World Bank Group, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.07 to 93.58; lower is better.
Position 19th of 59 · derived, 1st = worst.
Immunisation Coverage, DTP3WUENIC · 2025 · world median 918491▲ Improved since 2015
Iraq: 84 · world median 91 · Infants given a third dose of DTP vaccine (%). WHO and UNICEF (WUENIC), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 39 to 99; higher is better.
Mortality Rate, Ages 5–14UN IGME · 2024 · world median 2.8584.8462.858▼ Worsened since 2014
Iraq: 4.846 · world median 2.858 · Deaths between ages 5 and 14 (per 1,000 children aged 5). UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.392 to 59.04; lower is better.
Position 58th of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.
Child MarriageUNICEF · 2025 · world median 17.127.917.1No earlier reading
Iraq: 27.9 · world median 17.1 · Women 20–24 married before 18 (%). UNICEF, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 76.3; lower is better.
Position 40th of 143 · derived, 1st = worst.
Adequacy of Social Protection and Labour BenefitsWorld Bank Group · 2023 · world median 18.659.52518.65No earlier reading
Iraq: 9.525 · world median 18.65 · Benefits received as a share of beneficiaries' total income or consumption (%). World Bank Group, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.455 to 90.86; higher is better.
Mean Years of SchoolingUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 9.9336.789.933▼ Worsened since 2013
Iraq: 6.78 · world median 9.933 · Mean years of schooling (adults 25+). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 1.412 to 14.3; higher is better.
Position 145th of 193 · derived.
Exclusive Breastfeeding Under Six MonthsUNICEF · 2024 · world median 40.7425.8240.74No earlier reading
Iraq: 25.82 · world median 40.74 · Infants under 6 months exclusively breastfed (%). UNICEF, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 3.497 to 83.3; higher is better.
Position 107th of 136 · derived.
Statistical Performance IndicatorsWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 69.353.9869.3▲ Improved since 2016
Iraq: 53.98 · world median 69.3 · SPI overall score (0–100). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 27.12 to 94.14; higher is better.
Position 152nd of 188 · derived.
Productive Capacities IndexUNCTAD · 2022 · world median 46.6732.8946.67No real change since 2012
Iraq: 32.89 · world median 46.67 · Productive Capacities Index (1–100). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 17.8 to 71.02; higher is better.
Position 158th of 195 · derived.
Human Capital IndexWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 0.5640.4080.564No real change since 2017
Iraq: 0.408 · world median 0.564 · HCI score (0–1). World Bank Group, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 0.292 to 0.879; higher is better.
Position 141st of 172 · derived.
Gender Inequality IndexUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 0.3510.5580.351▲ Improved since 2013
Iraq: 0.558 · world median 0.351 · GII (0 = full equality, 1 = maximum inequality). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.003 to 0.838; lower is better.
Ranked 148th of 172 by UNDP Human Development Report Office.
Account Ownership at a Financial InstitutionWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 72.8330.1672.83No real change since 2014
Iraq: 30.16 · world median 72.83 · Adults with an account (% of population aged 15+). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 14.83 to 99.85; higher is better.
Position 132nd of 139 · derived.
Gender Development IndexUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 0.9710.7930.971No real change since 2013
Iraq: 0.793 · world median 0.971 · Gender Development Index (1.000 = parity). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.407 to 1.038; higher is better.
Position 179th of 184 · derived.
Level with the median, or no median to compare3
Access to ElectricityWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 100100100▲ Improved since 2014
Iraq: 100 · world median 100 · Population with electricity access (%). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 5.4 to 100; higher is better.
Access to Electricity, RuralWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 100100100▲ Improved since 2014
Iraq: 100 · world median 100 · Rural population with electricity access (%). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.7 to 100; higher is better.
Unemployment Benefit CoverageILO · 2024 · world median 000No earlier reading
Iraq: 0 · world median 0 · Unemployed people receiving unemployment benefits (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
No better end3
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Children with Functional DifficultiesUNICEF · 2024 · world median 1322.113No earlier reading
Iraq: 22.1 · world median 13 · Children aged 5-17 with a functional difficulty (%). UNICEF, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.9 to 35.2.
Net Official Development Assistance ReceivedOECD Development Assistance Committee · 2023 · world median 2.5790.7442.579No real change since 2013
Iraq: 0.744 · world median 2.579 · Net ODA received (% of GNI). OECD Development Assistance Committee, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from -0.001 to 101.78.
Position 96th of 130 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Manufacturing Value Added (% of GDP)World Bank Group · 2025 · world median 11.263.99711.26No real change since 2015
Iraq: 3.997 · world median 11.26 · Manufacturing value added (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.481 to 43.97.
Position 122nd of 132 · derived, counted from the highest value.
No current reading for Iraq
Country Policy and Institutional Assessment, GNI per Capita (PPP) (last 2024), Malaria Incidence (P. falciparum) (last 2008), Malaria Incidence (P. vivax) (last 2008), Malaria Mortality (P. falciparum) (last 2008) and Official Development Assistance Given (% of GNI). Listed rather than hidden, so the page can be checked against it.
“Position · derived” is this site’s ordering of the published values, 1st = best unless the row says otherwise; the publisher ranks no country on it. Rank, position and standing
05Country Index 2026
Development & Human Capital among Iraq’s 15 topics
Development & Human Capital is Iraq’s 4th best-placed topic of 15. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.
- Poverty & Inequality40th of 1593/3 keys
- Health & Wellbeing113th of 2003/4 keys
- Mobility & Tradejoint 101st of 1773/4 keys
- Development & Human Capital117th of 1963/3 keys
- Risk & Resilience134th of 1934/4 keys
- Digital & Technology141st of 1984/4 keys
- Food & Agriculture132nd of 1843/4 keys
- Governance & Institutions164th of 1944/4 keys
- Democracy & Civil Liberties177th of 1984/4 keys
- Environment & Sustainabilityjoint 168th of 1864/4 keys
- Work & Labour168th of 1824/4 keys
- Energy153rd of 1653/3 keys
- Economy & Innovation164th of 1764/4 keys
- Peace & Security167th of 1774/4 keys
- Gender & Equality173rd of 1834/4 keys
No standing on Education & Knowledge: too few of those topics’ key statistics are published for this country.
06The top of the list
Who leads on development & human capital
The three countries placed highest of 196, and the leaders Iraq can most readily be measured against.
1
Cook IslandsPolynesia
1st of 196 · 2 of 3 keys
Photo: Benedict Adam · CC BY 2.0, greyscale
2
NorwayNorthern Europe
2nd of 196 · 3 of 3 keys
Photo: Ximonic , Simo Räsänen · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
3
DenmarkNorthern Europe
3rd of 196 · 3 of 3 keys
Photo: User:Aconcagua · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
Placed highest nearby
Highest in Asia
Israel10th3/3 keysThis page
Iraq117th3/3 keys
Positions out of 196 placed on the topic. A country needs readings on enough keys to be placed, and the top of the list is often held on fewer of them.
07Analysis
Charts and analysis about Iraq and development & human capital
On development & human capital
Global Hunger Index 2025: Countries with the Most Alarming Hunger Crisis
Thirteen countries scored across four editions — 2000, 2008, 2016 and 2025 — and five the report could not score at all. DR Congo and South Sudan share 121st place on 37.5.
On development & human capital
India vs Pakistan 2025: Comparison of Hunger Index, Happiness, HDI, Rule of Law, Literacy & GDP
India and Pakistan on six published measures: hunger, happiness, human development, rule of law, literacy and GDP per capita, each from its own publisher and year.
08Questions
Iraq on development & human capital: questions answered
Every answer is built from the numbers on this page, so none can say something the page does not.
How does Iraq rank on development & human capital?
Iraq is placed 117th of 196 countries on Development & Human Capital in the Country Index 2026, from 3 of its 3 key statistics (Social Protection Coverage, Maternal Mortality Ratio and Human Development Index). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest Social Protection Coverage figure for Iraq?
41.7 in 2025 (population covered by at least one social protection benefit (%)), according to International Labour Organization (ILO). The world median in the same edition was 52.1.
What is the latest Maternal Mortality Ratio figure for Iraq?
65.99 in 2023 (maternal deaths per 100,000 live births), according to UN Maternal Mortality Estimation Inter-Agency Group (MMEIG). The world median in the same edition was 46.65.
How does Iraq compare with Iran on development & human capital?
Iran is placed 48th of 196, and Iraq 117th. Social Protection Coverage: Iran 100, Iraq 41.7; Maternal Mortality Ratio: Iran 15.84, Iraq 65.99; Human Development Index: Iran 0.799, Iraq 0.695.
How have Iraq’s development & human capital figures changed?
Maternal Mortality Ratio fell from 145.62 in 2000 to 65.99 in 2023; Human Development Index rose from 0.592 in 2000 to 0.695 in 2023.
Which development & human capital statistics are missing for Iraq?
No current reading is published for Iraq on Country Policy and Institutional Assessment, GNI per Capita (PPP), Malaria Incidence (P. falciparum), Malaria Incidence (P. vivax), Malaria Mortality (P. falciparum) and Official Development Assistance Given (% of GNI). They are listed rather than hidden, so the evidence on the page can be checked against it.
09Method
Method, sources and how to cite
What this topic does not measure
Poverty lines, inequality and aid received are published here as context rather than as keys, often because they cover fewer countries or are measured too rarely. Development is also not the same as economic size or growth, which belong to Economy & Innovation.
How the Development & Human Capital standing is decided
A standing is this site’s ordering, named with its edition — never a publisher’s rank. 3 key statistics vote, one vote each; every country’s published value becomes a place within that key’s own field, the places are averaged, and the average is never published. A country needs 2 of the 3 keys to be placed.
The development & human capital method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built
The key statistics and their licences
- Social Protection Coverage — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Maternal Mortality Ratio — UN Maternal Mortality Estimation Inter-Agency Group (MMEIG), CC BY 3.0 IGO
- Human Development Index — UNDP Human Development Report Office, CC BY 3.0 IGO
The other 52 statistics on this page come from 15 publishers, each named beside its numbers, with every edition and licence on the datasets pages.
The standing itself is part of the Country Index 2026, published under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Photographs
Iraq’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.
- Iraq (banner) — Diyar Muhammed, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Cook Islands — Benedict Adam, CC BY 2.0
- Norway — Ximonic , Simo Räsänen, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Denmark — User:Aconcagua, CC BY-SA 3.0
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). Iraq: Development & Human Capital — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/iraq/development