Unemployment remains a problem throughout the country. ==Recent history== Nominal GDP grew by 213% in the 1960s, 1325% in the 1970s, 2% in the 1980s, −47% in the 1990s, and 317% in 2000s. Real GDP per capita (measured in 1990 $) increased significantly during the 1950s, 60s and 70s, which can be explained by both higher oil production levels as well as oil prices, which famously peaked in the 1970s due to the OPEC's oil embargo, causing the 1973 oil crisis.
Unemployment remains a problem throughout the country. ==Recent history== Nominal GDP grew by 213% in the 1960s, 1325% in the 1970s, 2% in the 1980s, −47% in the 1990s, and 317% in 2000s. Real GDP per capita (measured in 1990 $) increased significantly during the 1950s, 60s and 70s, which can be explained by both higher oil production levels as well as oil prices, which famously peaked in the 1970s due to the OPEC's oil embargo, causing the 1973 oil crisis.
Unemployment remains a problem throughout the country. ==Recent history== Nominal GDP grew by 213% in the 1960s, 1325% in the 1970s, 2% in the 1980s, −47% in the 1990s, and 317% in 2000s. Real GDP per capita (measured in 1990 $) increased significantly during the 1950s, 60s and 70s, which can be explained by both higher oil production levels as well as oil prices, which famously peaked in the 1970s due to the OPEC's oil embargo, causing the 1973 oil crisis.
Since a productive period in the 1970s, the mining industry has been hampered by the Iran–Iraq War (1980–88), the sanctions of the 1990s, and the economic collapse of 2003. ===Energy=== Iraq is one of the most oil-rich countries in the world.
However, four wars—the 1980–1988 Iraq-Iran War, 1991 Gulf War, the 2003-2011 War in Iraq, and the civil war—and the 1991–2003 UN sanctions have left the industry's infrastructure in poor condition, and the de facto independence of oil-rich Kurdistan Region have limited production. In the 1970s, Iraq produced over 3.5 million barrels of oil per day.
Unemployment remains a problem throughout the country. ==Recent history== Nominal GDP grew by 213% in the 1960s, 1325% in the 1970s, 2% in the 1980s, −47% in the 1990s, and 317% in 2000s. Real GDP per capita (measured in 1990 $) increased significantly during the 1950s, 60s and 70s, which can be explained by both higher oil production levels as well as oil prices, which famously peaked in the 1970s due to the OPEC's oil embargo, causing the 1973 oil crisis.
Oil production had reached a level of 560,000 m³ (3.5 million barrels) per day in 1979, and oil revenues were 21 billion dollars in 1979 and 27 billion in 1980 due to record oil prices.
Iraq's hitherto agrarian economy underwent rapid development following the 14 July Revolution overthrowing the Hashemite Iraqi monarchy, becoming the third-largest economy in the Middle East by 1980.
After the end of hostilities, in 1988, oil exports gradually increased with the construction of new pipelines and restoration of damaged facilities, but again underwent a sharp decline after the Persian Gulf War, dropping to one-fourth of its 1980 gross domestic product and continuing to decline under postwar international sanctions until receiving aid from the U.N.
Unemployment remains a problem throughout the country. ==Recent history== Nominal GDP grew by 213% in the 1960s, 1325% in the 1970s, 2% in the 1980s, −47% in the 1990s, and 317% in 2000s. Real GDP per capita (measured in 1990 $) increased significantly during the 1950s, 60s and 70s, which can be explained by both higher oil production levels as well as oil prices, which famously peaked in the 1970s due to the OPEC's oil embargo, causing the 1973 oil crisis.
In following two decades however, GDP per capita in Iraq dropped substantially because of multiple wars, namely the 1980-88 war with Iran, the 1990-1991 Gulf War. ===Iran-Iraq War=== Prior to the outbreak of the war with Iran in September 1980, Iraq's economic prospects were bright.
Oil production had reached a level of 560,000 m³ (3.5 million barrels) per day in 1979, and oil revenues were 21 billion dollars in 1979 and 27 billion in 1980 due to record oil prices.
At the outbreak of the war, Iraq had amassed an estimated 35 billion in foreign exchange reserves. The Iran–Iraq War and the 1980s oil glut depleted Iraq's foreign exchange reserves, devastated its economy, and left the country saddled with a foreign debt of more than $40 billion.
However, four wars—the 1980–1988 Iraq-Iran War, 1991 Gulf War, the 2003-2011 War in Iraq, and the civil war—and the 1991–2003 UN sanctions have left the industry's infrastructure in poor condition, and the de facto independence of oil-rich Kurdistan Region have limited production. In the 1970s, Iraq produced over 3.5 million barrels of oil per day.
The government abolished its farm collectivization program in 1981, allowing a greater role for private enterprise in agriculture. Iraqi agriculture suffered substantial physical disruption from the Gulf War, and economic disruption from sanctions imposed by the United Nations (August 1990).
In 2004 the main agricultural crops were wheat, barley, corn, rice, vegetables, dates, and cotton, and the main livestock outputs were cattle and sheep. The Agricultural Cooperative Bank, capitalized at nearly 1 G$ - by 1984, targets its low-interest, low-collateral loans to private farmers for mechanization, poultry projects, and orchard development.
After the end of hostilities, in 1988, oil exports gradually increased with the construction of new pipelines and restoration of damaged facilities, but again underwent a sharp decline after the Persian Gulf War, dropping to one-fourth of its 1980 gross domestic product and continuing to decline under postwar international sanctions until receiving aid from the U.N.
Unemployment remains a problem throughout the country. ==Recent history== Nominal GDP grew by 213% in the 1960s, 1325% in the 1970s, 2% in the 1980s, −47% in the 1990s, and 317% in 2000s. Real GDP per capita (measured in 1990 $) increased significantly during the 1950s, 60s and 70s, which can be explained by both higher oil production levels as well as oil prices, which famously peaked in the 1970s due to the OPEC's oil embargo, causing the 1973 oil crisis.
In following two decades however, GDP per capita in Iraq dropped substantially because of multiple wars, namely the 1980-88 war with Iran, the 1990-1991 Gulf War. ===Iran-Iraq War=== Prior to the outbreak of the war with Iran in September 1980, Iraq's economic prospects were bright.
After the initial destruction of the war, oil exports gradually increased with the construction of new pipelines and the restoration of damaged facilities. ===Sanctions=== Iraq's seizure of Kuwait in August 1990, subsequent international economic sanctions on Iraq, and damage from military action by an international coalition beginning in January 1991, drastically reduced economic activity.
Before 2003, diversification was hindered by limitations on privatization and the effects of the international sanctions of the 1990s.
In the 1990s, the industry benefited from government funding of extensive infrastructure and housing projects and elaborate palace complexes. ==Primary sectors== ===Agriculture=== Agriculture contributes just 3.3% to the gross national product and employs a fifth of the labor. Historically, 50 to 60 percent of Iraq's arable land has been under cultivation.
The government abolished its farm collectivization program in 1981, allowing a greater role for private enterprise in agriculture. Iraqi agriculture suffered substantial physical disruption from the Gulf War, and economic disruption from sanctions imposed by the United Nations (August 1990).
Since a productive period in the 1970s, the mining industry has been hampered by the Iran–Iraq War (1980–88), the sanctions of the 1990s, and the economic collapse of 2003. ===Energy=== Iraq is one of the most oil-rich countries in the world.
The 17 private banks established during the 1990s were limited to domestic transactions and attracted few private depositors.
Those banks and two main state banks were badly damaged by the international embargo of the 1990s.
Petroleum constitutes 99,7% of Iraq's exports with a value of $43,8 billion in 2016. From the 1990s until 2003, the international trade embargo restricted Iraq's export activity almost exclusively to oil.
After the initial destruction of the war, oil exports gradually increased with the construction of new pipelines and the restoration of damaged facilities. ===Sanctions=== Iraq's seizure of Kuwait in August 1990, subsequent international economic sanctions on Iraq, and damage from military action by an international coalition beginning in January 1991, drastically reduced economic activity.
In October 1991 the Baghdad regime had withdrawn personnel from the northern region controlled by two Kurdish parties.
However, four wars—the 1980–1988 Iraq-Iran War, 1991 Gulf War, the 2003-2011 War in Iraq, and the civil war—and the 1991–2003 UN sanctions have left the industry's infrastructure in poor condition, and the de facto independence of oil-rich Kurdistan Region have limited production. In the 1970s, Iraq produced over 3.5 million barrels of oil per day.
Production began to fall during the Iran-Iraq War, before plummeting 85 percent after the 1991 invasion of Kuwait.
However, because most of Iraq's gas output is associated with oil, output growth depends on developments in the oil industry. Half of Iraq's power plants were destroyed in the Persian Gulf War of 1991, and full recovery never occurred.
The implementation of the UN's Oil for Food program in December 1996 helped improve economic conditions.
a market economy essentially left alone by a very weak governing structure, but heavily influenced by substantial international humanitarian aid flows." Under an "Oil for Food Program" negotiated with the United Nations, in December 1996 Iraq started exporting petroleum, and used the proceeds to start importing foodstuffs three months later.
UN sanctions prevented the export of oil until 1996, and then allowed exports only in exchange for humanitarian aid in the Oil-for-Food Programme. The 2003 lifting of sanctions enabled production—and exports—to restart.
State Department grant provided $2 million to help preserve Babylon, supporting the re-opening of one of the site's two museums. ===Telecommunications=== During 2003-8, mobile phone subscriptions had expanded over hundred-fold to 10 million nationwide, according to the Brookings Institution. ==Labor force== In 2002 Iraq's labor force was estimated at 6.8 million people. In 1996 some 66.4 percent of the labor force worked in services, 17.5 percent in industry, and 16.1 percent in agriculture.
Oil-for-Food Programme in 1997. Despite the efforts of the Coalition Provisional Authority to modernize Iraq's economy after the 2003 U.S.-led invasion through privatization and reducing its foreign debt, its economy continued to decline due to continued violence, economic mismanagement, and oil shortages caused by outdated technology.
Grain imports averaged $828 million in the years 1997-2001, an increase of over 180 percent from the previous five-year period.
In December 1999, the UN Security Council authorized Iraq to export as much oil as required to meet humanitarian needs.
Unemployment remains a problem throughout the country. ==Recent history== Nominal GDP grew by 213% in the 1960s, 1325% in the 1970s, 2% in the 1980s, −47% in the 1990s, and 317% in 2000s. Real GDP per capita (measured in 1990 $) increased significantly during the 1950s, 60s and 70s, which can be explained by both higher oil production levels as well as oil prices, which famously peaked in the 1970s due to the OPEC's oil embargo, causing the 1973 oil crisis.
dollar to the euro in 2000.
The drop in GDP in 2001 was largely the result of the global economic slowdown and lower oil prices. ===After the fall of Saddam Hussein=== The removal of sanctions on 24 May 2003 and rising oil prices in the mid-to-late 2000s led to a doubling in oil production from a low of 1.3 mbpd during the turbulence of 2003 to a high of 2.6 mbpd in 2011.
The construction industry is an exception; in 2000 cement was the only major industrial product not based on hydrocarbons.
The drop in GDP in 2001 was largely the result of the global economic slowdown and lower oil prices. ===After the fall of Saddam Hussein=== The removal of sanctions on 24 May 2003 and rising oil prices in the mid-to-late 2000s led to a doubling in oil production from a low of 1.3 mbpd during the turbulence of 2003 to a high of 2.6 mbpd in 2011.
In 2001 the catch was 22,800 tons. Aside from hydrocarbons, Iraq's mining industry has been confined to extraction of relatively small amounts of phosphates (at Akashat), salt, and sulfur (near Mosul).
As the Oil for Food Program expanded to cover more agricultural inputs and machinery, the productivity of Iraqi agriculture stabilized around 2002. Following the invasion led by the United States in March 2003, with incomes of many Iraqis devastated, the market for foodstuffs shrunk.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), between 2002 and 2013, production of wheat increased 11 percent and milled rice 8 percent, but barley had decreased 13 percent and maize 40 percent.
Scaled in "international dollars" (2004-2006 base equaling 100) Iraq's per capita food production was 135 in 2002, 96 in 2007, and 94 in 2012.
The military action of 2003 did little damage to Iraqi agriculture; because of favorable weather conditions, in that year grain production was 22 percent higher than in 2002.
In 2002 a total of 112,000 cubic meters of wood were harvested, nearly half of which was used as fuel. Despite its many rivers, Iraq's fishing industry has remained relatively small and based largely on marine species in the Persian Gulf.
State Department grant provided $2 million to help preserve Babylon, supporting the re-opening of one of the site's two museums. ===Telecommunications=== During 2003-8, mobile phone subscriptions had expanded over hundred-fold to 10 million nationwide, according to the Brookings Institution. ==Labor force== In 2002 Iraq's labor force was estimated at 6.8 million people. In 1996 some 66.4 percent of the labor force worked in services, 17.5 percent in industry, and 16.1 percent in agriculture.
Oil-for-Food Programme in 1997. Despite the efforts of the Coalition Provisional Authority to modernize Iraq's economy after the 2003 U.S.-led invasion through privatization and reducing its foreign debt, its economy continued to decline due to continued violence, economic mismanagement, and oil shortages caused by outdated technology.
The drop in GDP in 2001 was largely the result of the global economic slowdown and lower oil prices. ===After the fall of Saddam Hussein=== The removal of sanctions on 24 May 2003 and rising oil prices in the mid-to-late 2000s led to a doubling in oil production from a low of 1.3 mbpd during the turbulence of 2003 to a high of 2.6 mbpd in 2011.
Before 2003, diversification was hindered by limitations on privatization and the effects of the international sanctions of the 1990s.
Since 2003, security problems have blocked efforts to establish new enterprises.
As the Oil for Food Program expanded to cover more agricultural inputs and machinery, the productivity of Iraqi agriculture stabilized around 2002. Following the invasion led by the United States in March 2003, with incomes of many Iraqis devastated, the market for foodstuffs shrunk.
(DAI) of Bethesda, Maryland, under a contract with USAID signed on 15 October 2003.
The military action of 2003 did little damage to Iraqi agriculture; because of favorable weather conditions, in that year grain production was 22 percent higher than in 2002.
Obstacles to agricultural development include labour shortages, inadequate management and maintenance, salinization, urban migration, and dislocations resulting from previous land reform and collectivization programs. In 2011, an agricultural adviser to the Iraqi government, Layth Mahdi, summarized the forced United States agricultural reconstruction:Prior to 2003, Iraq had imported about 30 percent of its food needs annually.
Since a productive period in the 1970s, the mining industry has been hampered by the Iran–Iraq War (1980–88), the sanctions of the 1990s, and the economic collapse of 2003. ===Energy=== Iraq is one of the most oil-rich countries in the world.
However, four wars—the 1980–1988 Iraq-Iran War, 1991 Gulf War, the 2003-2011 War in Iraq, and the civil war—and the 1991–2003 UN sanctions have left the industry's infrastructure in poor condition, and the de facto independence of oil-rich Kurdistan Region have limited production. In the 1970s, Iraq produced over 3.5 million barrels of oil per day.
UN sanctions prevented the export of oil until 1996, and then allowed exports only in exchange for humanitarian aid in the Oil-for-Food Programme. The 2003 lifting of sanctions enabled production—and exports—to restart.
To further privatize and expand the system, in 2003 the Coalition Provisional Authority removed restrictions on international bank transactions and freed the Central Bank of Iraq (CBI) from government control.
State Department grant provided $2 million to help preserve Babylon, supporting the re-opening of one of the site's two museums. ===Telecommunications=== During 2003-8, mobile phone subscriptions had expanded over hundred-fold to 10 million nationwide, according to the Brookings Institution. ==Labor force== In 2002 Iraq's labor force was estimated at 6.8 million people. In 1996 some 66.4 percent of the labor force worked in services, 17.5 percent in industry, and 16.1 percent in agriculture.
Petroleum constitutes 99,7% of Iraq's exports with a value of $43,8 billion in 2016. From the 1990s until 2003, the international trade embargo restricted Iraq's export activity almost exclusively to oil.
In 2003 oil accounted for about US$7.4 billion of Iraq's total US$7.6 billion of export value, and statistics for earlier years showed similar proportions.
After the end of the trade embargo in 2003 expanded the range of exports, oil continued to occupy the dominant position: in 2004 Iraq's export income doubled (to US$16.5 billion), but oil accounted for all but US$340 million (2 percent) of the total.
In 2003 the main sources of Iraq's imports were Turkey, Jordan, Vietnam, the United States, Germany, and Britain.
Although growth continued in 2004, experts predicted that Iraq will be an importer of agricultural products for the foreseeable future.
In 2004 the main agricultural crops were wheat, barley, corn, rice, vegetables, dates, and cotton, and the main livestock outputs were cattle and sheep. The Agricultural Cooperative Bank, capitalized at nearly 1 G$ - by 1984, targets its low-interest, low-collateral loans to private farmers for mechanization, poultry projects, and orchard development.
In 2004 Iraq had eight oil refineries, the largest of which were at Baiji, Basra, and Daura. Despite its oil wealth, sabotage and technical problems at refineries have forced Iraq to import petroleum, other refined oil products, and electricity from neighboring countries, especially Iran.
In 2004, for example, Iraq spent $60 million per month for imported gasoline.
Sabotage In late 2004 and early 2005, regular sabotage of plants and pipelines reduced export and domestic distribution of oil, particularly to Baghdad.
Persistent ISIL sabotage of pipelines, power plants and power lines, and theft of oil and electricity have also contributed to the July 2018 protests in southern Iraq. In 2004 plans called for increased domestic utilization of natural gas to replace oil and for use in the petrochemical industry.
In 2004 plans called for construction of two new power plants and restoration of existing plants and transmission lines to ease the blackouts and economic hardship caused by this shortfall, but sabotage and looting kept capacity below 6,000 megawatts.
In 2004 three foreign banks received licenses to do business in Iraq. ===Private security=== Because of the danger posed by Iraq's ongoing insurgency, the security industry has been a uniquely prosperous part of the services sector.
In late 2004, most legitimate jobs were in the government, the army, the oil industry, and security-related enterprises.
In early 2004, the minimum wage was US$72 per month. ==External trade== Iraq is a founding member of OPEC.
After the end of the trade embargo in 2003 expanded the range of exports, oil continued to occupy the dominant position: in 2004 Iraq's export income doubled (to US$16.5 billion), but oil accounted for all but US$340 million (2 percent) of the total.
In late 2004, sabotage significantly reduced oil output, and experts forecast that output, hence exports, would be below capacity in 2005 as well.
In 2004 the chief export markets were the United States (which accounted for nearly half), Italy, France, Jordan, Canada, and the Netherlands.
In 2004 the value of Iraq's imports was US$21.7 billion, incurring a trade deficit of about US$5.2 billion.
Sabotage In late 2004 and early 2005, regular sabotage of plants and pipelines reduced export and domestic distribution of oil, particularly to Baghdad.
Despite conditions, in 2005 the Iraqi Tourism Board maintained a staff of 2,500 and 14 regional offices.
In late 2004, sabotage significantly reduced oil output, and experts forecast that output, hence exports, would be below capacity in 2005 as well.
Although foreign investors viewed Iraq with increasing interest in 2010, most are still hampered by difficulties in acquiring land for projects and by other regulatory impediments. Inflation has decreased consistently since 2006 as the security situation has improved.
Iraq decided to deal with its debt more pragmatically and approached the Paris Club of official creditors. In a December 2006 Newsweek International article, a study by Global Insight in London was reported to show "that Civil war or not, Iraq has an economy, and—mother of all surprises—it's doing remarkably well.
Estimates vary, but one from Global Insight puts GDP growth at 17 percent last year and projects 13 percent for 2006.
The contract eventually cost over $100 million and lasted through December 2006.
It awarded a contract for $120 million to the Louis Berger Group to promote Iraq's private sector, including agriculture. Starting in 2006, agricultural reconstruction was also conducted by Provincial Reconstruction Teams within the occupying military forces.
Furthermore, reduced inflation and violence since 2007 have translated to real increases in living standards for Iraqis. One of the key economic challenges was Iraq's immense foreign debt, estimated at $125 billion.
Scaled in "international dollars" (2004-2006 base equaling 100) Iraq's per capita food production was 135 in 2002, 96 in 2007, and 94 in 2012.
Despite this, the percent of government spending going to non-oil investment has continued to decline since 2013 and now stands at only 34 percent. ====2009 oil services contracts==== Between June 2009 and February 2010 the Iraqi Oil Ministry tendered for the award of Service Contracts to develop Iraq's existing oil fields.
Between 2009 and 2010, 165 tourists from 16 different countries entered Iraq to visit historic sites; as of January 2011, a U.S.
Chief 2009 export partners were: U.S., India, Italy, South Korea, Taiwan, China, Netherlands, and Japan.
Chief 2009 import partners were: Turkey, Syria, U.S., China, Jordan, Italy, and Germany. ==References== ==External links== Iraq Inter-Agency Information & Analysis Unit Reports, Maps and Assessments of Iraq from the UN Inter-Agency Information & Analysis Unit Map of Iraq's oil and gas infrastructure Economy of the Arab League OPEC Economy of the Middle East
Although foreign investors viewed Iraq with increasing interest in 2010, most are still hampered by difficulties in acquiring land for projects and by other regulatory impediments. Inflation has decreased consistently since 2006 as the security situation has improved.
The ongoing civil war, sabotage of transmission lines, and government corruption caused the electricity shortage to worsen: by 2010 demand outstripped supply by 6000 megawatts. Oil continues to dominate Iraq's economy.
Despite this, the percent of government spending going to non-oil investment has continued to decline since 2013 and now stands at only 34 percent. ====2009 oil services contracts==== Between June 2009 and February 2010 the Iraqi Oil Ministry tendered for the award of Service Contracts to develop Iraq's existing oil fields.
The 2010 Iraq govt budget is $60 billion.
Between 2009 and 2010, 165 tourists from 16 different countries entered Iraq to visit historic sites; as of January 2011, a U.S.
By 2010, exports rose to US$50.8 billion and imports rose to US$45.2 billion.
In 2011 Baghdad probably will increase oil exports above the current level of per day as a result of new contracts with international oil companies, but is likely to fall short of the per day it is forecasting in its budget.
The drop in GDP in 2001 was largely the result of the global economic slowdown and lower oil prices. ===After the fall of Saddam Hussein=== The removal of sanctions on 24 May 2003 and rising oil prices in the mid-to-late 2000s led to a doubling in oil production from a low of 1.3 mbpd during the turbulence of 2003 to a high of 2.6 mbpd in 2011.
Obstacles to agricultural development include labour shortages, inadequate management and maintenance, salinization, urban migration, and dislocations resulting from previous land reform and collectivization programs. In 2011, an agricultural adviser to the Iraqi government, Layth Mahdi, summarized the forced United States agricultural reconstruction:Prior to 2003, Iraq had imported about 30 percent of its food needs annually.
Between 2009 and 2010, 165 tourists from 16 different countries entered Iraq to visit historic sites; as of January 2011, a U.S.
Scaled in "international dollars" (2004-2006 base equaling 100) Iraq's per capita food production was 135 in 2002, 96 in 2007, and 94 in 2012.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), between 2002 and 2013, production of wheat increased 11 percent and milled rice 8 percent, but barley had decreased 13 percent and maize 40 percent.
Despite this, the percent of government spending going to non-oil investment has continued to decline since 2013 and now stands at only 34 percent. ====2009 oil services contracts==== Between June 2009 and February 2010 the Iraqi Oil Ministry tendered for the award of Service Contracts to develop Iraq's existing oil fields.
The central government hopes to diversify the economy away from oil, and has had some success: non-oil GDP growth, which was below the regional average from 2014-2016, pushed above the average in 2017.
Despite its ongoing civil war, Iraq was able to increase oil production during 2015 and 2016, with production dipping by 3.5 percent in 2017 due to conflict with the Kurdistan Regional Government and OPEC production limits.
Despite its ongoing civil war, Iraq was able to increase oil production during 2015 and 2016, with production dipping by 3.5 percent in 2017 due to conflict with the Kurdistan Regional Government and OPEC production limits.
Petroleum constitutes 99,7% of Iraq's exports with a value of $43,8 billion in 2016. From the 1990s until 2003, the international trade embargo restricted Iraq's export activity almost exclusively to oil.
The country holding the fifth largest proven crude oil reserves, totaling 147.22 billion barrels at the end of 2017.
Despite its ongoing civil war, Iraq was able to increase oil production during 2015 and 2016, with production dipping by 3.5 percent in 2017 due to conflict with the Kurdistan Regional Government and OPEC production limits.
Petroleum constitutes 94% of Iraq's exports with a value of $59.73 billion in 2017.
The central government hopes to diversify the economy away from oil, and has had some success: non-oil GDP growth, which was below the regional average from 2014-2016, pushed above the average in 2017.
Persistent ISIL sabotage of pipelines, power plants and power lines, and theft of oil and electricity have also contributed to the July 2018 protests in southern Iraq. In 2004 plans called for increased domestic utilization of natural gas to replace oil and for use in the petrochemical industry.
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