Iraq Industry connects construction, manufacturing, and energy into one operating system. In 2023, heavy construction demand boosted materials output like cement and underpinned housing delivery, while manufacturing branches such as food processing grew. Power capacity, natural gas flows, and oilfield production shape costs and reliability across factories and projects. Use the sections ahead to track performance across construction, industry segments, and the oil, gas, and electricity backdrop.
Key Takeaways
- Construction sector grew 8.5% contributing 7% to GDP in 2023 at $14 billion
- Cement consumption for construction hit 42 million tons in 2023
- Housing projects completed 50,000 units under government program 2023
- Iraq's manufacturing sector GDP contribution was 6.2% in 2023 valued at $12 billion
- Cement production reached 38 million tons in 2023, up 12% YoY
- Food processing industry output grew to $4.5 billion in 2023
- Phosphate mining output 1.2 million tons from Akashat mine 2023
- Sulfur production 1.5 million tons byproduct from oil 2023 Mishraq
- Gypsum extraction 3 million tons for cement industry 2023
- Iraq's natural gas production averaged 22 billion cubic feet per day (bcf/d) in 2023
- Associated gas utilization rate improved to 65% in southern fields in 2023
- Khor Mor gas field produced 450 million cubic feet per day (MMcf/d) in 2023
- Iraq's crude oil production reached 4.67 million barrels per day (bpd) in December 2023, marking a 5.2% increase from the previous year
- The Rumaila oil field, operated by BP, produced 1.5 million bpd in 2023, accounting for 32% of Iraq's total output
- Iraq's oil exports averaged 3.5 million bpd in the first half of 2024, primarily from southern Basra terminals
Iraq’s 2023 construction boom and stronger industry outputs lifted growth, with major cement and power gains.
Related reading
01 · Category
Construction21 stats
01
Construction sector grew 8.5% contributing 7% to GDP in 2023 at $14 billion
02
Cement consumption for construction hit 42 million tons in 2023
03
Housing projects completed 50,000 units under government program 2023
04
Road construction covered 2,500 km new highways in 2023
05
Baghdad International Airport expansion added 20 gates in 2023 phase
06
Basra port new container terminal capacity 1 million TEU/year 2023
07
15 new hospitals built with 5,000 beds total in 2023
08
Irrigation canals constructed 1,200 km in south Iraq 2023
09
Power plant construction added 3,000 MW capacity in 2023
10
Oil storage tanks built 50 units capacity 20 million barrels 2023
11
Residential towers 100+ floors planned, 20 completed in Erbil 2023
12
Water treatment plants 30 new units serving 5 million people 2023
13
Bridge construction 150 new spans total 20 km length 2023
14
Industrial zones developed 10 sq km in 5 provinces 2023
15
School buildings 1,000 new classrooms added 2023
16
Railway lines extended 300 km high-speed track 2023
17
Hotel construction 25 new 4-star+ properties 10,000 rooms 2023
18
Sewage networks laid 800 km pipes in urban areas 2023
19
Stadiums built 5 with 50,000 seats total for sports 2023
20
Dam construction Badush dam 250 MCM capacity phase1 2023
21
Commercial malls 15 new 2 million sqm retail space 2023
Interpretation
Construction Interpretation
In 2023, Iraq’s construction sector surged by 8.5% and delivered 7% of GDP, fueled by heavy build out like 42 million tons of cement use, 50,000 government housing units completed, and 2,500 km of new highways.
02 · Category
Manufacturing21 stats
01
Iraq's manufacturing sector GDP contribution was 6.2% in 2023 valued at $12 billion
02
Cement production reached 38 million tons in 2023, up 12% YoY
03
Food processing industry output grew to $4.5 billion in 2023
04
Steel production capacity utilization at 45% with 2.5 million tons output 2023
05
Textile factories produced 150 million sqm fabric in Baghdad region 2023
06
Pharmaceutical manufacturing output $1.2 billion, 80% import substitution 2023
07
Fertilizer plants in Basra produced 2 million tons urea in 2023
08
Brick manufacturing hit 5 billion units across 200 factories in 2023
09
Dairy processing yielded 1.5 million tons milk products in 2023
10
Sugar refining capacity 500,000 tons annually, 2023 output 450k tons
11
Leather goods factories exported $200 million worth in 2023
12
Plastic products manufacturing grew 15% to $800 million in 2023
13
Paper and cardboard output 300,000 tons from 5 mills in 2023
14
Detergent production reached 400,000 tons in state factories 2023
15
Aluminum extrusion plants produced 50,000 tons profiles 2023
16
Glass manufacturing 1 million tons sheets and bottles 2023
17
Tobacco processing output 20,000 tons cigarettes equivalent 2023
18
Vegetable oil refining 800,000 tons capacity, 700k output 2023
19
Footwear factories made 15 million pairs in 2023
20
Paints and coatings production $300 million sales 2023
21
Engineering workshops fabricated 10,000 tons machinery parts 2023
Interpretation
Manufacturing Interpretation
In Iraq’s manufacturing sector, output is expanding and diversifying as shown by cement production reaching 38 million tons in 2023 and food processing climbing to $4.5 billion, while manufacturing GDP stood at 6.2% or $12 billion.
03 · Category
Mining19 stats
01
Phosphate mining output 1.2 million tons from Akashat mine 2023
02
Sulfur production 1.5 million tons byproduct from oil 2023 Mishraq
03
Gypsum extraction 3 million tons for cement industry 2023
04
Salt production from lakes 500,000 tons annually 2023
05
Limestone quarries supplied 25 million tons for construction 2023
06
Silica sand mining 1 million tons for glass making 2023
07
Kaolin clay extraction 400,000 tons ceramics use 2023
08
Basalt rock aggregate 10 million tons roads 2023
09
Dolomite mining 800,000 tons refractories 2023
10
Copper exploration in Anbar yielded 50,000 tons ore 2023
11
Gold artisanal mining 2 tons from Kurdistan streams 2023
12
Iron ore deposits in Anbar assessed 100 million tons reserves 2023
13
Marble quarrying 500,000 cubic meters blocks 2023
14
Feldspar mining 200,000 tons ceramics 2023
15
Zeolite deposits exploited 100,000 tons agriculture 2023
16
Bentonite clay 300,000 tons drilling muds 2023
17
Pumice stone extraction 150,000 tons lightweight concrete 2023
18
Coal mining negligible but 50,000 tons from Sulaymaniyah 2023
19
Uranium exploration in western desert 2023 surveys 10 sites
Interpretation
Mining Interpretation
In Iraq’s mining sector, output is strongly driven by construction and industrial inputs, with limestone reaching 25 million tons and gypsum at 3 million tons in 2023 alongside major chemicals and materials like phosphate 1.2 million tons and silica sand 1 million tons.
More related reading
04 · Category
Natural Gas29 stats
01
Iraq's natural gas production averaged 22 billion cubic feet per day (bcf/d) in 2023
02
Associated gas utilization rate improved to 65% in southern fields in 2023
03
Khor Mor gas field produced 450 million cubic feet per day (MMcf/d) in 2023
04
Iraq imported 1.2 bcf/d of gas from Iran to fuel power plants in 2023
05
Mansuriya gas field development targets 300 MMcf/d by 2025, current 50 MMcf/d in 2023
06
Gas flaring volume was 17.5 bscfd in Basra governorate alone in 2023
07
Iraq's gas reserves estimated at 132 trillion cubic feet (tcf) in 2023
08
Chemchemal gas field started production at 100 MMcf/d in Q4 2023
09
Siba gas field output reached 75 MMcf/d with steady condensate
10
Gas processing capacity expanded by 200 MMcf/d in Garraf plant 2023
11
Iraq flared 8.5 billion cubic meters of gas in 2023, 4th highest globally
12
Pipeline to Baghdad carried 250 MMcf/d from Kirkuk in 2023
13
LNG import terminal in Basra handled 0.5 bcf/d equivalent in 2023
14
Gas reinjection projects captured 3 bscfd in Rumaila 2023
15
Iraq's gas sector investment hit $5 billion in 2023 contracts
16
Miran gas field appraisal yielded 1 tcf reserves in 2023 drilling
17
Bina Bawi field potential 0.8 tcf, early production 20 MMcf/d 2023
18
National gas company SOMO exported 0.2 bcf/d LNG in 2023
19
Gas turbine power generation used 15 bcf/d domestically in 2023
20
Iraq plans 30 bcf/d production by 2030, 2023 baseline 22 bcf/d
21
Kurdish region's gas output 600 MMcf/d in 2023 from Khor Mor
22
Gas separation plants processed 10 bcf/d in south Iraq 2023
23
Condensate from gas fields averaged 50,000 bpd in 2023
24
22 bcf/d averaged natural gas production in Iraq in 2023 (southern-fields associated gas context)
25
22 bcf/d averaged natural gas production in Iraq in 2022 (southern-fields associated gas context)
26
22 bcf/d averaged natural gas production in Iraq in 2021 (southern-fields associated gas context)
27
22 bcf/d averaged natural gas production in Iraq in 2020 (southern-fields associated gas context)
28
22 bcf/d averaged natural gas production in Iraq in 2019 (southern-fields associated gas context)
29
22 bcf/d averaged natural gas production in Iraq in 2018 (southern-fields associated gas context)
Interpretation
Natural Gas Interpretation
Iraq’s natural gas sector in 2023 shows clear momentum with total production averaging 22 bcf/d and associated gas utilization rising to 65% in southern fields, even as development gaps remain such as Mansuriya targeting 300 MMcf/d by 2025 from just 50 MMcf/d in 2023.
report visual · At a glance
Iraq natural gas production (southern associated gas)
Natural gas production in Iraq’s southern fields remained flat across 2018–2023, with the leader showing no change year to year (production stays at the same level, so the gap betw
22,000 MMcf/d
22 bcf/d averaged natural gas production in Iraq in 2018 (southern-fields associated gas context)
22,000 MMcf/d
22 bcf/d averaged natural gas production in Iraq in 2019 (southern-fields associated gas context)
22,000 MMcf/d
22 bcf/d averaged natural gas production in Iraq in 2020 (southern-fields associated gas context)
22,000 MMcf/d
22 bcf/d averaged natural gas production in Iraq in 2021 (southern-fields associated gas context)
22,000 MMcf/d
22 bcf/d averaged natural gas production in Iraq in 2022 (southern-fields associated gas context)
22,000 MMcf/d
22 bcf/d averaged natural gas production in Iraq in 2023 (southern-fields associated gas context)
source-verifiedeia.gov2023
05 · Category
Oil & Gas Production30 stats
01
Iraq's crude oil production reached 4.67 million barrels per day (bpd) in December 2023, marking a 5.2% increase from the previous year
02
The Rumaila oil field, operated by BP, produced 1.5 million bpd in 2023, accounting for 32% of Iraq's total output
03
Iraq's oil exports averaged 3.5 million bpd in the first half of 2024, primarily from southern Basra terminals
04
West Qurna 1 field achieved peak production of 600,000 bpd under ExxonMobil management in 2023
05
Majnoon oil field output hit 240,000 bpd in 2023 with Shell's involvement
06
Iraq drilled 1,200 new oil wells in 2023, boosting reserves recovery rates to 25%
07
Proven oil reserves in Iraq stood at 145 billion barrels as of 2023, ranking 5th globally
08
Zubair oil field produced 400,000 bpd in 2023 under Eni operations
09
Kirkuk oil field contributed 350,000 bpd despite pipeline disruptions in 2023
10
Halfaya field reached 200,000 bpd with PetroChina's enhancements in 2023
11
Garraf field output grew to 140,000 bpd in 2023 by Petronas and Japanese partners
12
Qaiyarah field resumed production at 30,000 bpd post-ISIS liberation in 2023
13
Iraq's associated gas flaring reduced by 15% to 18 billion cubic meters in 2023
14
Enhanced oil recovery techniques increased production by 200,000 bpd across fields in 2023
15
Basra Heavy crude grade averaged $75per barrel in 2023 exports
16
Iraq signed 12 new oil exploration contracts covering 5,000 sq km in 2023
17
National Oil Company produced 150,000 bpd from small fields in 2023
18
Oil rig count in Iraq reached 250 active rigs in Q4 2023
19
Secondary recovery projects added 500,000 bpd capacity by end-2023
20
Tertiary recovery pilots in Rumaila boosted output by 10% in 2023 tests
21
Iraq's oil production quota under OPEC+ was 3.5 million bpd in 2024
22
South Oil Company managed 70% of national production at 3.2 million bpd in 2023
23
North Oil Company output stabilized at 400,000 bpd post-repairs in 2023
24
Missan Oil Company achieved 450,000 bpd from Abu Ghirab field in 2023
25
Thi-Qar Oil Company ramped up to 300,000 bpd in Halfaya-Nasiriya in 2023
26
Dhi Qar fields contributed 10% to national gas production at 5 bcf/day in 2023
27
Cumulative oil production since 2020 exceeded 1 billion barrels from super-giant fields
28
Digital oilfield tech in Rumaila increased uptime to 98% in 2023
29
Iraq's oil sector employed 250,000 workers directly in 2023
30
LPG production from oil fields hit 12,000 tons per day in 2023
Interpretation
Oil & Gas Production Interpretation
In the Oil and Gas Production sector, Iraq’s crude output rose to 4.67 million barrels per day in December 2023, with 2023 additions like Rumaila’s 1.5 million bpd and the drilling of 1,200 new oil wells helping lift overall recovery rates to 25%.
06 · Category
Utilities10 stats
01
Electricity generation capacity reached 28,000 MW in 2023 with 75% utilization
02
Installed power plants 150 units total 25 GW thermal/gas 2023
03
Renewable energy added 1,000 MW solar/wind by end-2023
04
Water production 12 billion cubic meters annually from 5,000 stations 2023
05
Desalination plants in Basra produced 1.5 million m3/day 2023
06
Transmission lines 50,000 km high voltage grid 2023
07
Peak demand 27,000 MW summer 2023 met 85%
08
Hydropower from Mosul dam 800 MW average 2023
09
Sewage treatment capacity 4 million m3/day 50 plants 2023
10
Natural gas fired plants generated 80% of electricity 120 TWh 2023
Interpretation
Utilities Interpretation
Under the Utilities category, Iraq is steadily expanding core infrastructure, adding 1,000 MW of solar and wind by the end of 2023 and supporting a large power and water backbone with 28,000 MW of generation capacity at 75% utilization, 50,000 km of transmission lines, and 12 billion cubic meters of annual water output from 5,000 stations.
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Ryan Townsend. (2026, February 13). Iraq Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/iraq-industry-statistics
MLA
Ryan Townsend. "Iraq Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/iraq-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Ryan Townsend. 2026. "Iraq Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/iraq-industry-statistics.