🇮🇶Iraq Political Stability: 4.1/100

Iraq is located in Western Asia, spanning 437,072 km² and bordered by the Persian Gulf to the south. The country features the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, which create fertile alluvial plains, while the north is mountainous with the highest point at 3,611 m. Iraq has a hot arid climate, with summer temperatures often exceeding 40 °C and low annual rainfall, primarily occurring in winter.

Iraq has a diverse population with a rich cultural heritage influenced by various ethnic groups. The country is known for its historical contributions to literature, art, and science, stemming from ancient Mesopotamian civilizations.

World Bank governance: rule of law 1st percentile, corruption control 2nd percentile, political stability 0th percentile.

Iraq's strongest governance dimension is Voice & Accountability at 16/100, placing it in the bottom quartile globally. This indicates relatively strong citizen participation in selecting government, along with freedom of expression, association, and a free media.

The weakest dimension is Political Stability at 0/100. Political instability concerns may affect the overall security environment and long-term predictability.

A moderate spread of 16 points separates the strongest and weakest indicators. This suggests governance strengths in some areas but room for improvement in others. Travelers can generally rely on institutional frameworks, though certain aspects of governance may be less dependable.

Iraq's fragile governance environment presents real challenges for travelers. Institutional capacity is severely limited across most dimensions. Visitors should expect minimal government services, potential interactions with corruption, and limited recourse through legal systems. Travel to Iraq requires extensive preparation and risk awareness.

The U.S. State Department currently rates Iraq as Level 4 (Do Not Travel). Elevated advisory levels combined with governance data paint a fuller picture of conditions on the ground that travelers should consider.