Indicators in this domain assess the extent to which migrants have the same status as citizens in terms of access to basic social services such as health, education, and social security. It also describes the rights of migrants to family reunification, to work, and to residency and citizenship. The ratification of the main international conventions is also included within this domain.
Indicators in this category look at the extent to which migrants have access to certain social services such as health, education and social security. They also examine measures to ensure integration and access to work.
Indicators in this domain assess countries’ institutional, legal, and regulatory frameworks related to migration policies. Domain 2 also reviews the existence of national migration strategies that are in-line with development, as well as institutional transparency and coherence in relation to migration management. This domain also investigates the extent to which governments collect and use migration data.
Indicators in this category assess the institutional frameworks of cities for migration. This area also examines the existence of migration strategies consistent with development objectives, as well as institutional transparency and coherence in migration management.
This domain focuses on countries’ efforts to cooperate on migration-related issues with other states and with relevant non-governmental actors, including civil society organizations and the private sector. Cooperation can lead to improvements in governance by aligning and raising standards, increasing dialogue and providing structures to overcome challenges.
Indicators in this category focus on cities’ efforts to cooperate on migration issues with the national government as well as other cities and relevant non-governmental actors, including civil society organizations and the private sector.
This domain includes indicators on countries’ policies for managing the socioeconomic well-being of migrants, through aspects such as the recognition of migrants’ educational and professional qualifications, provisions regulating student migration and the existence of bilateral labour agreements between countries. Indicators equally focus on policies and strategies related to diaspora engagement and migrant remittances.
Indicators in this category assess cities’ initiatives in terms of international student mobility, access to the labour market and decent working conditions for migrant workers. Aspects related to diaspora engagement and migrant remittances are also included in this domain.
This domain studies the type and level of preparedness of countries when they are faced with mobility dimensions of crises, linked to either disasters, the environment and/or conflict. The questions are used to identify the processes in place for nationals and non-nationals both during and after disasters, including whether humanitarian assistance is equally available to migrants as it is to citizens.
Indicators in this category examine the type and level of readiness of cities to deal with aspects of mobility crises. The questions focus on the processes in place for citizens and non-citizens both during and after disasters, especially if humanitarian assistance is available for migrants and citizens.
This domain analyses countries’ approach to migration management in terms of border control and enforcement policies, admission criteria for migrants, preparedness and resilience in the case of significant and unexpected migration flows, as well as the fight against trafficking in human beings and smuggling of migrants. It also assesses efforts and incentives to help integrate returning citizens.
Indicators in this category look at the cities’ approaches to migrant safety as well as return and reintegration policies and the fight against trafficking in persons.
This country Profile describes examples of well-developed areas of Republic of Iraq’s governance structures and areas with potential for further development, as evaluated through the six domains of the Migration Governance Indicators (MGI). These address migrants’ rights, a “whole-of-government” approach, partnerships, socioeconomic well-being of migrants, the mobility dimensions of crises, and safe and orderly migration.
Click the icons on the wheel to explore the key findings.
The Migration Governance Indicators (MGI) initiative is a policy-benchmarking programme led by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and implemented with research and analysis from the Economist Impact. Funding is provided by IOM Member States.
Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas
- The new Election Law No. 4 of 2023 affirmed the legal right of Iraqis living abroad to vote in national elections, specifically by “using the biometric card”.
- Iraq ensures equal access to government-funded healthcare for regular migrants, aligning with the National Strategy for Migration Management (2020) emphasis on securing migrants' access to health services.
- The Social Protection Law No. 11 of 2014 has provision to support migrants access to employment, education, health, and housing.
Areas with potential for further development
- Providing migrants with equal access to employment as Iraqi nationals and establishing clear criteria to regulate migrants’ access to the labour market are considered areas with potential for further development.
- Migrants in irregular situations receive only emergency medical treatment, lacking specific provisions for broader health service access.
- Iraq lacks agreements on social security portability, but some aspects are covered by MoUs and bilateral agreements with countries like Sri Lanka, Egypt, and Jordan.
- Providing alternatives for migrants lacking legal identity proof to access civil registration services is an area with potential for development, addressing gaps in existing laws.
Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas
- In 2019, the Ministry of Migration and Displacement developed the National Policy for the Involvement of Iraqis Abroad in National Development.
- The Inter-Ministerial Technical Working Group on Migration (TWG) (2019) serves as the main body responsible for implementing the Global Compact for Migration and meets every month.
- In 2020, the TWG approved Iraq’s National Strategy for Migration Management and four additional roadmaps: the Road Map for the Economic Affairs Taskforce, the Road Map for the Migration Data Taskforce, the Road Map for the Legal Affairs Taskforce, and the Road Map for the Return Migration Taskforce.
Areas with potential for further development
- Establishing a dedicated agency responsible for enacting emigration policy is an area with potential for development.
- The NSMM does not mention migrant integration or specific actions to promote the incorporation of migrants into the social, economic, cultural and political life of the receiving communities in Iraq.
- Establishing a formal coordination mechanism to compile, harmonize, and share migration data across governmental agencies and having specific regulations in place for data collection are considered areas with potential for development.
Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas
- Iraq, among other 40 countries, adopted the Istanbul Commitments on the Silk Routes Partnership for Migration and its Call for Action in February 2019 and it is part of several other regional processes and forums.
- In 2021, Iraq entered into cooperation agreements with Finland, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and Norway, encompassing provisions related to migration.
- The Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs signed a MoU with Jordan in 2023, emphasizing women's development, child support, elderly care training, small projects, entrepreneurship, and labor rights.
Areas with potential for further development
- There is potential for development in engaging civil society organizations (CSOs), diaspora, expatriate communities, and the private sector in agenda-setting and the implementation of migration-related policies.
- Iraq’s participation in a regional agreement promoting labour mobility is another area with potential for further development.
Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas
- Law No. 20 of 2020 on the Principles of Equality of Arab and Foreign Diplomas and Science Degrees mandates equal treatment of Arab and foreign degrees and Iraqi degrees in both public and private schooling systems.
- In 2021, Iraq’s Ministry of Planning and the Central Statistical Organization conducted a Labour Force Survey, analyzing the labor market for gender-related discrepancies and inequalities, including occupational segregation.
- Iraq introduced the Code of Conduct for Fair Recruitment in 2023, incorporating provisions to ensure fair labor practices for foreign workers, including adherence to agreements, obtaining work permits, providing suitable living conditions, and prohibiting forced labor, violence, and harassment.
- As of 2023, the Ministry of Migration and Displacement has allocated funds for 100 small projects to facilitate the integration of returnees registered in the National Referral Mechanism.
Areas with potential for further development
- There is not yet a defined programme for managing labour migration into the country, nor the consideration of labour migrants’ skills and capabilities when deciding admission.
- The creation of formal remittance schemes continues to be an area with potential for development, as highlighted in the previous MGI assessment in 2020.
Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas
- The Ministry of Migration and Displacement collects data on disaster displacement on a weekly basis during crises, but these are not published.
- The National Strategy for Migration Management in Iraq (2020) acknowledges the negative impact of environmental challenges faced in the southern regions of Iraq, as well as the need for return processes that match the needs of different populations.
Areas with potential for further development
- As of 2023, there is no emergency management framework with specific measures to provide assistance to migrants during and after crises.
- The environmental and climate change policies in Iraq do not take human mobility into consideration.
- The Government has yet to establish a contingency plan for effectively managing population movements during crises.
- Migration issues beyond those covering internally displaced persons and Iraqis returning from abroad are not included in Iraq’s recovery strategies.
Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas
- The Ministry of Interior conducts regular internal training for border staff through its Directorate of Training and Rehabilitation, which includes modules on border security, human rights, passport control and document fraud detection.
- Established in 2020, the National Referral Mechanism serves as system of referral for return migrants overseen by the Ministry of Migration and Displacement.
- The National Strategy for Migration Management in Iraq (2020) emphasizes integrating various phases of return migration, including pre-departure, departure, return, readmission and reintegration.
Areas with potential for further development
- Iraq does not have a policy or strategy to ensure that migrant detention is used only as a measure of last resort, nor are there non-custodial alternatives to detention.
- Establishing systems and formal cooperation agreements or arrangements with other countries to trace and identify missing migrants is an area with potential for further development
- Enhancing protection mechanisms to address migrants in vulnerable situations and victims of human trafficking is another area with potential for development
2023 October
