Publication Details
Abstract
This research explores how technological transformations affect Iraq's labor market through assessment of both the technological challenges which face employees alongside government economic guidelines. This analysis evaluates technology-driven changes in labor market organization together with their unemployment rate effects and identify the new skill requirements emerging in the workforce. The paper analyzes how new technological developments such as artificial intelligence and digital transformation and internet of things impact Iraqi labor markets during (2018-2023). This study implemented a combination of methods where it evaluated secondary World Bank and Iraqi Ministry of Planning reports alongside conducting field research with 600 workers from multiple industries. Since 2020 the demand for digital skills grew by 40% as industrial sector traditional jobs decreased by 25%. The survey showed that employers faced a major skills mismatch because their needs exceeded the available talent pool throughout Iraq but urban centers displayed wider skills deficits than rural areas. The paper proposes methods to make education adapt better to digital economy needs while recommending educational changes that back the digital economy through legislation.