Iraqis Fear Unemployment Above Security Problems

36% of Iraqis say economic issues – unemployment (21%) or financial insecurity (15%) – are the biggest problems they face today. This compares to 16% who believe security problems are their greatest difficulty.

“Today’s Iraqis are looking to the future, gradually their concerns are less about violence and more about how ‘I am going to provide for myself and my family’”, says YouGov’s Managing Director in Iraq, Stefan Kazsubowski.  “There are number of indicators coming out of Iraq showing improvements to security. As security conditions improve, the economy takes centre stage. People want jobs, decent services and the improvements to quality of life that these things provide.”

1561 Iraqis responded to the survey which was conducted between 22^nd and 30^th December 2009 across all 18 governorates of Iraq.

// Despite the improved security conditions, the population is split on the direction the country is taking with 44% of Iraqis saying ‘right direction’ and 46% saying ‘wrong direction’.

The report also includes findings on the use of the internet in Iraq.  22% of people use the internet and 22% of those users would ‘find it difficult to do without the internet’.  79% of internet users ‘wish they could access the internet more often’. More than half of all Iraqis (56%) believe the internet can improve their lives.

“There is significant demand for better internet services in Iraq. Just as mobile phones have been adopted incredibly quickly we expect demand for internet access to grow quickly. Information like this is crucial for companies around the region doing or considering doing business in this fast growing economy.  YouGov is able to provide insight into the country’s hard to reach populations. ” continues Stefan Kazsubowski.

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