According to Iraq’s newly released 2024 socio-economic survey, Erbil and Sulaimani have emerged as the country’s leading economic centers, consistently outperforming national averages across all key indicators.

Both provinces boast exceptionally high economic activity rates among residents aged 15 and older, with Sulaimani slightly edging out Erbil (49.8% vs. 49.0%), compared to the national average of just 38.1%. Interestingly, despite its slightly higher economic activity rate, Sulaimani records fewer average working hours (43.0 hours per week) compared to Erbil (46.6 hours) and the national average (46.8 hours).

Erbil takes the lead in income-related metrics, while Sulaimani exhibits a marginally lower unemployment rate. Across nearly every measure, these two provinces not only dominate Iraq’s economic landscape but also appear to compete primarily with each other rather than with other regions.

Residents in both provinces demonstrate higher expenditure levels, with Erbil residents spending 329 thousand IQD monthly and Sulaimani residents 308 thousand IQD, compared to the national average of 248 thousand IQD.

Data for Duhok were not included in this analysis. The Iraqi Ministry of Planning’s report highlights top and bottom performers in various categories, and Duhok’s absence from both lists suggests it falls near the middle of the spectrum. However, specific figures for Duhok remain unavailable for several indicators at this time.

Income Indicators

• National average monthly income: 201.3 thousand IQD
  • Erbil: ~256.0 thousand IQD (extrapolated)
  • Sulaimani: ~240.0 thousand IQD (extrapolated)
• Monthly wage income:
  • National average: 187.4 thousand IQD
  • Erbil: 236.8 thousand IQD
  • Sulaimani: 221.7 thousand IQD

Expenditure Indicators

• Average monthly expenditure:
  • National average: 248 thousand IQD
  • Erbil: 329 thousand IQD
  • Sulaimani: 308 thousand IQD

Economic Activity Indicators

• Economic activity rate (ages 15+):
  • National average: 38.1%
  • Erbil: 49.0%
  • Sulaimani: 49.8%
• Unemployment rate:
  • National average: 13.5%
  • Erbil: 14.7%
  • Sulaimani: 13.6%
• Average weekly working hours:
  • National average: 46.8 hours
  • Erbil: 46.6 hours
  • Sulaimani: 43.0 hours

What’s particularly noteworthy is that these two Kurdistan Region provinces appear to primarily compete with each other rather than with other Iraqi provinces. They have established themselves as economic outliers, consistently ranking at the top of provincial economic indicators.