Evaluating the Effectiveness of Development Strategies and Plans in poverty Reduction in Iraq

Abstract

Poverty is one of the most pressing challenges facing economic and social development in Iraq, despite the adoption of various strategies and development plans aimed at reducing it. This research aims to evaluate the effectiveness of these strategies in poverty  Reduction  during the period from 2007 to 2023 by analyzing official data and indicators, with a focus on poverty rates, the poverty gap, and the severity of poverty at the governorates level. The study adopts an analytical inductive methodology based on national statistical surveys. The findings reveal a decrease in the poverty rate from 22.4% to 17.5%; however, the poverty gap and severity indicators showed significant disparities, indicating the limited impact of the adopted strategies—especially in the context of ongoing economic and security challenges, as well as weak implementation mechanisms. The study concludes that the success of development strategies in reducing poverty requires a restructuring based on realistic and flexible foundations, the adoption of a comprehensive developmental approach that accounts for multidimensional poverty, and enhanced targeting of the most vulnerable groups.