School Enrollment in Iraq During the U.S-Led Invasion: A Statistical Analysis

Abstract

Little is known about the educational consequences in Iraq during the U.S.-led invasion of 2003-2010. This study examines school enrollment based on the 2007 Iraq Household Socio-Economic Survey. There are three main findings. First, a population-weighted analysis indicates that the school enrollment rate (72.3 percent) is lower than past Iraqi rates but comparable to that in neighboring Arab countries. Second, a multivariate analysis shows that boys and rural children are far more likely to be enrolled. Last, household opinions suggest that a key reason for non-enrollment is lack of child or parent interest. An analysis of adult labor force participants suggests that the lack of interest is attributable to weak employment prospects for educated youth.

Keywords: conflict, education, development, educational policy, Iraq

JEL Classification: C25, I2, J00, O53