Iraq’s labour market is at a critical crossroads, shaped by economic, demographic, and social factors. The country’s economy remains heavily reliant on the oil sector, which accounts for over 90% of government revenues and a significant share of GDP. However, the capital-intensive nature of the oil industry means it generates few direct employment opportunities, leading to persistent job creation challenges, particularly in the private sector. While the public sector has historically been a key employer, fiscal constraints and ongoing reforms have limited its capacity to absorb the growing workforce. As a result, Iraq faces high unemployment and underemployment rates, especially among youth and women. The informal economy plays a crucial role in absorbing surplus labour, with many workers in agriculture, construction, and small-scale trade engaged in informal work, often without social protection, decent wages, or safe and healthy working conditions. Other key labour market challenges include youth unemployment and inactivity, skills mismatch, gender disparities in employment, low female labour force participation, and labour migration trends. Addressing these structural issues is essential for building a more inclusive and resilient labour market in Iraq. The Labour Force Survey (LFS) 2025 will provide crucial data to inform policy decisions aimed at improving employment outcomes, fostering inclusive economic growth, and addressing structural challenges in the labour market. By capturing key labour market indicators, the survey will enable targeted policy interventions that align with Iraq’s development priorities and international commitments, including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and International Labour Standards (ILS). The previous round of the LFS was conducted in 2021, marking the first national Labour Force Survey in a decade. The International Labour Organization (ILO) partnered with the Central Statistical Organization (CSO) and the Kurdistan Region Statistics Office (KRSO) to implement the survey, which collected comprehensive data on the size and characteristics of the labour force, employment, unemployment, and other labour market indicators. It also measured key aspects of labour underutilization, including time-related underemployment and the potential labour force, while assessing other forms of work, in line with the latest international statistical standards adopted by the 19th International Conference of Labour Statisticians. In 2024-2025, Iraq conducted its first Population and Housing Census in nearly four decades, along with the third round of the Iraq Household Socioeconomic Survey (IHSES III). The completion of these large-scale data collection efforts has created a unique opportunity to update national statistical efforts, particularly in areas critical for evidence-based decision-making on employment and social protection reforms. Building on these advancements, the LFS 2025 will be implemented alongside efforts to establish a Labour Market Information System (LMIS) and other key statistical activities, including the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS). The LFS 2025 will play a vital role in updating labour market data and hence enhancing labour market governance, economic planning, and policy formulation in Iraq.