Iraq lags far behind Australia in terms of health, human development, education, and income levels according to various indicators. Life expectancy in Iraq is 69 years compared to 81.9 years in Australia. Over 50% of Iraq's population is under 19 years old due to high fertility rates. Communicable diseases and injuries are the main causes of death and disease burden in Iraq rather than non-communicable diseases as in Australia, due to the impact of years of war and violence. Overall human development is much lower in Iraq which impacts people's well-being and opportunities. Improving political stability, education, healthcare, and gender equity is needed to enhance living standards and quality of life in Iraq going forward.

1. the past decades Iraq’s Morbidity "Iraq is one of the most youthful countries
The Hard Road rate is lower than Australia at 4.73
deaths annually per 1000 people, in the world- nearly 50% of the popula on is
A look into the life of people in post-war Iraq. Indicator Australia Iraq
compared to 6.94 in Australia. This less than 19 years old"
For the good part of a decade im- ing protec on visas over the last Life Expectancy (2011)# 81.9 69 is because to a latge extent due to
the war, Iraq is now one of the most years of schooling (9.8 years) when
ages of war torn iraq were beamed three years, behind Afghanistan and compared to Australians (18 years).
into the homes of Australians on an Iran. Even more concerning is that Morbidity ^ youthful countries in the world -
Gender inequity also has a major
almost daily basis. We heard stories the number is slightly increasing Prevelance of TB (2009) - per 100 000 7.8 117 nearly 50% of the popula on is less
impact on the educa on of children
of the rapid fall of the notorious dic- (instead of declining as we would Incidence of TB (2009) - per 100 000 6.4 64 than 19 years old (UNDP : 2012).
Australia’s death rate is higher due and adolescents in Iraq.
tator who governed the country for expect post war): 323 - 2009/2010,
over X years and then ongoing vio- 365 - 2010/2011 and 396 in first Mortality (2009)* 62 222
to our ageing popula on. One in
ten women in Iraq is a war widow Iraq’s Gross Domes c Product (GDP)
lence by extremists from opposing three quarters - 2011/2012 (Depart- Mortality (2009)^ - Death Rate / 1000 6.94 4.73 is less than one 10th of Australia’s
religous groups ment of Immigra on and (Zainab Salbi: 2010).
Infant (2009) 4 36 per capita, at $3 370 and $36 910
and terrorists. Ci zenship: March 2012). Under-5(2009) 5 44 respec vely. Unfortunatly, like Life
The main causes of death and
Maternal (2008) 8 75 Expectancy, GDP showed a sig-
Since the violence In order for us to under- Morbidity/Burden of Disease also
vary greatly. Like most developed nificant decrease between 2000 ($
peaked in 2006, stand the reasons why so Burden of Disease * 4468) and 2005 ($2897) and is only
elec ons in 2010 many seek residence her countries tha main con butor to
YLL - Communicable (2008) 6 35 now showing signs of recovery.
and the with- including why approxi- Years of Life Lost in Australia is by
YLL - Non-Communicable (2008) 79 25 far Communicable Diseases (such as
drawel of American troops on 2011 mately 50% of these are prepared YLL - Injuries (2008) 15 40 When looking at the indicators ex-
we have heard less of life in Iraq in to take extreme risks by coming Cancer and Cardio Vascular Disease)
at 79%. This category only con b- amined it becomes readily apparent
the media. Does this mean life has here illegally by boat. the Iraq lags behind Australia by a
Human Development Index (HDI)# 0.929 0.573 utes 25% in Iraq, where like in most
improved and all is back to normal? long way in both Health and Hu-
Educa on Index 0.981 0.491 war torn developing na ons, Com-
If the number of Asylum Seekers To understand this issue we first man Development. Both of these
Health Index 0.976 0.774 municable Diseases (such as TB)
reques ng Australian refugee pro- need to compare the current health areas have taken a significant hit be-
Income Index 0.837 0.495 - 35%, and Injuries - 40%, are the
tec on visas from Iraq is anything to status and human development tweem 2003 and 2010 and are now
GDP (PPP Int. $)’ $ 36 910 $ 3 370 main causes (WHO: 2011).
go by, life must s ll be tough in this levels in Iraq and Australia and in- just star ng to show signs of recov-
Middle Eastern country. ves gae the factors that lead to this * World Health Statistics 2011 - W.H.O. ery. Clearly Poli cal Stability and
quality of life everyday in Iraq. # International Human Development Indicators 2011- U.N.D.P. When looking at overall Human
^ CIA - World Factbook Development, Australia was ranked War have had a massive impact oon
Iraq has been the third highest
d highest
ighes ’ Global Health Observatory (GHO) - W.H.O. the situa on in Iraq. This and issues
country of origin for those seek-
seek-
ek-
ek The overall Health Status of Aus- much higher at 2nd in the world
tralia is much higher than that of (HDI: 0.929), whilst Iraq was ranked such as trade, educa on, healthcare
Iraq. According to the latest 132nd (HDI: 0.573). This indicator and gender equity now need to be
United Na ons Development can be considered when looking at examined and adresseds if life in
quality of life, the amount of op- Iraq is to improve.
Program (UNDP) - Health
Index, Australia is ranked ons and choices popula on groups
5th in the world, whils have and even the chance these
Iraq is ranked 121. Life people have to fulfill their poten-
expectancy is almost al. The indicator is determined
twelve years longer in by ra ngs in Educa on, Health and
Australia than in Iraq % Contribu on to Burden of Disease Income.
Iraq Australia
(81.9 years to 69 years 15
6
The significant cleavage between
respec vely). Sadly Iraq 35 YLL Communicable (2008)
40
YLL Non Communicable
health status of Australians com-
experienced a decrease (2008)
YLL Injuries (2008) pare to Iraqis has already been dis-
in life expectancy over
25 79 cussed, alarmingly the gap in educa-
the past decade as
violence peaked around on and income is even greater.
2006. They have shown
some slight improvement in According to the UN Educa on
the past year. Index, Australia is ranked 3rd, whilst
Iraq is ranked 139th in the world.
Due to violence over Iraqis typically a end about half the