4.2.1. Healthcare and socio-economic conditions

Unemployment and poverty are high across the country and large sections of the population. The Iraqi public healthcare system has severely deteriorated over the past two decades and has continued to be largely in crisis, facing a range of serious challenges [Country Focus 2024, 2.1.1]. However, as such, the general unavailability of healthcare, education or other socio-economic elements is not considered as serious harm meeting the requirements of inhuman or degrading treatment under Article 15(b) QD/QR in relation to Article 6 QD/QR, unless there is intentional conduct of an actor. 

In some cases, the denial of documentation, which also leads to no access to basic services, may be linked to belonging to a minority (see 3.10. Religious and ethnic minorities) or perceived link to ISIL (see 3.1. Persons perceived to be affiliated with ISIL, 3.12.5. Children born under ISIL rule who lack civil documentation). In such cases, there could be a nexus to a reason for persecution falling under the definition of a refugee.