Characteristics of the Unemployed in Erbil Governorate: A Field Study on Demographic Composition and Geographial Distribution

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the socio-spatial characteristics and geographical distribution of unemployment in Erbil Governorate using field data from 2021. Adopting a descriptive-analytical approach, a field survey was conducted involving 656 unemployed individuals across various districts. The data were analyzed using SPSS software in accordance with the international standards set by the 19th International Conference of Labour Statisticians (19th ICLS). The findings reveal a significant spatial concentration of unemployment in Erbil’s central district (39.2%), primarily driven by internal rural-to-urban migration and rapid urbanization. Demographically, unemployment is a youth-centric phenomenon, with 86% of the sample aged under 35. A critical finding is the prevalence of "educated unemployment," as 59% of respondents hold university degrees or diplomas, signaling a profound mismatch between educational outputs and labor market demands. Socioeconomically, the high percentage of married individuals among the unemployed (78.8%) underscores the heightened economic vulnerability of households and the widening cycle of poverty. The study concludes that unemployment in Erbil is a structural challenge influenced by demographic pressures and limited private sector absorption. It recommends strategic policy interventions to align academic specializations with market requirements and to implement development projects in peripheral districts to alleviate the demographic pressure on the provincial center.