HL Deb 17 November 2003 vol 654 c239WA
Baroness Williams of Crosby

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is the current estimated rate of unemployment in Iraq. [HL5182]

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean

The United Nations/World BankJoint Needs Assessment published in October 2003 estimates that unemployment and underemployment in Iraq is currently at about 50 per cent of the labour force.

I am placing a copy of the Joint Needs Assessment, produced to coincide with the Iraq Donors Conference held in Madrid, in the Library of the House. The document is also available online through the World Bank website—www.worldbank.org.