Malwiya Minaret

Iraq

Name: World Residence Index 2026 scores for Iraq
Published: 2026

Region: Middle East
Capital: Baghdad
Currency: Iraqi Dinar (IQD)
Density: 94 / km²

WRI Score 2026

50.64

scale 1–100 · higher is better

Global rank: 169th
In Middle East: 11th
Ranked: 211

Parameter Breakdown · 2026

The nine components behind the score.

Every parameter is scored 1–100, higher is better, equally weighted; their sum normalises to the 0–100 WRI Score.

Personal Income Tax · 100 = no income tax Top rate 15%· KPMG / EY
70.3
Moderate top marginal rate versus global peers.
Population Density · 100 = uncrowded 94 / km²· UN WPP
60.2
Moderate population density.
GDP per Capita · 100 = highest output per resident $5,873· IMF WEO 2026
28.3
Among the lowest per-capita output levels on this list.
Life Expectancy · 100 = longest life expectancy 72 years· WHO / UN
48.5
Below-average life expectancy.
Tourism & Lifestyle · 100 = strongest lifestyle appeal 0.02 arrivals per capita· UNWTO
9.0
Minimal recorded inbound tourism.
Unemployment · 100 = lowest unemployment 14%· ILO / SECO
48.3
Elevated unemployment.
Warmongering · 100 = least militarised 3.5% of GDP· SIPRI
68.7
Moderate defence spending relative to GDP.
Safety & Rule of Law · 100 = safest Composite· UNODC · WJP · TI
30.9
Below-average safety and judicial quality.
Ideological Neutrality · 100 = most ideologically neutral WRI rubric composite· WRI rubric
96.0
Among the highest ideological-neutrality scores on this list.

Where it sits

Among the world's elite tier.

Iraq holds 168th of 211 with a WRI Score of 50.64 — ranks well down the field. The score is driven by strong ideological neutrality (96) and its tax treatment (70.3), with tourism and lifestyle appeal standing out as its clearest structural constraint.