Advancing livelihoods through financial inclusion in Iraq

This study was developed by the ILO under the framework of PROSPECTS, which is funded by the Government of the Netherlands. The ILO is collaborating with different partners to enhance the functioning of the private sector while addressing the barriers to decent self-employment.

This report seeks to provide an overview of the target market and enabling environment for the financial services industry with a view to guiding the structure and implementation of the ILO PROSPECTS pilot initiative.

Section 2 presents an overview of the macro-level country context of Iraq.

Section 3 presents the legislation, policies, regulations and key characteristics of the financial sector.

Section 4 provides an analysis of the target market, including an initial segmentation of the IDP, returnee, refugee and host sub-segments, their socio-demographic profiles, livelihoods and economic opportunities, as well as their demand for financial services.

Section 5 sums up the findings in a presentation of the market size and the scope of the demand for expanded financial services in ILO PROSPECTS focus areas. It also provides a set of recommendations on the implementation of strategic efforts to facilitate the financial inclusion of forcibly displaced people and host communities in Iraq.