Iraqi youth express optimism on their future careers
- Targeted and inclusive support crucial for young Iraqis as they shape their country's future, according to British Council study
- Recommendations include strengthening education-to-employment pathways and fostering civic and political participation
Despite sectarian conflicts remaining unsolved and the effects of climate change being more pronounced, young Iraqis remain optimistic about their future careers and lives. In the ‘Next Generation Iraq’ report released by the British Council, 54 percent of the respondents in the nationally representative survey of 1,268 young adults aged 18-30 expressed optimism about their future careers. In addition, 51 percent also expressed optimism about their future quality of life.
These findings are crucial in informing the British Council's engagement in the region under its commitment to youth empowerment, skills development, and social cohesion. This includes strengthening education-to-employment pathways through developing curricula that ensure skills training aligns with labour market demands.
The report, which is divided into three different sections – Profiles, Perceptions, and Pathways – examines the perspectives of the youth, with the knowledge gained used to inform policy and programming to better address their needs.
The report also reveals that family occupies a central place in Iraqi culture, with 66 percent of respondents pointing to family-related factors as pivotal to their personal success and happiness. Almost two-thirds (63 percent) of the respondents cited their families as the largest influence on their views, with family members also being the most trusted sources of information for 73 percent of young Iraqis.
While family is their largest barometer for success, economic conditions may serve as a barrier to achieving their goals. Respondents have expressed a strong desire for skills development in areas such as creativity (38 percent), problem-solving (38 percent), and communication (28 percent), as well as learning multiple languages, including English (80 percent). The study also identifies educational and employment barriers encountered by people from vulnerable populations, such as women, people with disabilities, and internally displaced people.
Furthermore, many young Iraqis feel excluded from the country’s political decision-making process, and they use alternative avenues, such as protests and social media, to make their voices heard.
Spotlight on Kurdistan
One region of particular interest to the study is the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI), due to its unique governance, economic model, and challenges faced by the youth. Compared to other regions, KRI has higher education level, with 76 percent of youth having completed higher education versus 58 percent for the rest of the country.
Before, the KRI was more politically stable, but now it faces high youth unemployment and more young people wanting to leave.. While young Iraqis across the country share concerns about employment and governance, Kurdish youth tend to compare their situation to past generations in KRI rather than peers elsewhere in Iraq, which fuels dissatisfaction despite relatively better security and infrastructure. As a result, they tend to have a less hopeful outlook, and they are more likely to view national political engagement as unimportant.
Responding to the challenges faced by Iraqi youth
With more than 60 percent of its population under the age of 25, Iraq’s population can be described as a young one. This means that the youth have a huge role to play in the country’s future, especially in achieving peace and prosperity for the country after long-running conflicts in the past several decades. However, they are also facing difficulty in finding jobs and economic opportunities, with 52 percent struggling to secure work. University graduates have it harder, with 59 percent struggling to find meaningful employment.
Among the report's recommendations for those invested in supporting young Iraqis are to provide more opportunities to build education and employability skills and improving teacher education and leadership. The British Council is working with Iraq’s Ministries of Education and Higher Education to update curricula and better prepare students for the job market. It is also helping young people build the previously mentioned key skills – creativity, problem-solving, and communication.
With language barriers presenting significant challenges, especially in KRI, the British Council will focus on enhancing English and Arabic proficiency, which will help increase both local and international employability. By using the report to shape policy discussions and advocate for youth-driven reforms, the British Council aims to bridge the gap between young Iraqis and decision-makers while fostering a more engaged, skilled, and hopeful generation.
Noting the disadvantages faced by vulnerable populations, Next Generation Iraq recommends enhancing accessibility in public spaces, workplaces, and educational institutions and accessibility to opportunities and services. Furthermore, through programs such as Youth Connect, the British Council also highlights the importance of creating more civic engagement opportunities for young people. This increased political engagement, representation, and impact will help influence positive change in their communities. The British Council’s efforts seek to turn the Iraqi youth's optimism into real opportunities, giving them the support they need to succeed.