Moving to Iraq from Zimbabwe

moving to

What to Expect

Everything you need to know before relocating from Zimbabwe to Iraq — costs, safety, healthcare, and practical first steps.

If you moved from Zimbabwe to Iraq, and you’d need to navigate life in Arabic, Aramaic and Sorani. You’ll also switch from driving on the left to the right. Expect a noticeable climate shift — Baghdad averages 87°F vs 78°F in Harare, making it significantly warmer.

Planning this move? Get up to 5 free, no-obligation quotes from vetted international movers. Get free quotes ↓

Get free moving quotes to Iraq

We've teamed up with a vetted network of international movers to help MyLifeElsewhere readers plan their move with confidence. Tell us about your move and get up to 5 free, no-obligation quotes in under 2 minutes.

  • ✅ Up to 5 quotes from screened movers
  • ✅ Licensed and insured providers only
  • ✅ 100% free — you choose who contacts you

Key Indicator Comparison

Key indicators for anyone considering a move from Zimbabwe to Iraq.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

per 100,000 people per year

ZW
6.7
IQ
9.4
Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

ZW
29.9
IQ
21.5

Zimbabwe generally does better on safety, though Iraq leads in road traffic deaths.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2023

annual government + private spending per person

ZW
$63
IQ
$843
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

affects wait times and access to care

ZW
1.7
IQ
10.1

Iraq generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Zimbabwe leads in healthcare spending per person.

What about the environment?

Air pollution deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2019

deaths attributable to air pollution per 100k people

ZW
56.0
IQ
87.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

ZW
0.8t
IQ
5.2t

Zimbabwe performs better than Iraq across all environment metrics.

Will I have good infrastructure?

Broadband per 100 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work

ZW
1.3
IQ
14.4
Water stress level United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

ZW
46.1%
IQ
59.6%

Iraq generally does better on infrastructure, though Zimbabwe leads in water stress level.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate The World Factbook, 2023

percentage of the labour force without work

ZW
8.8%
IQ
15.5%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

ZW
$3,500
IQ
$12,600

Iraq generally does better on employment & economy, though Zimbabwe leads in unemployment rate.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy The World Factbook, 2022

average years of life at birth

ZW
63.3 yrs
IQ
73.2 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

ZW
28.5
IQ
19.6

Iraq generally does better on family life, though Zimbabwe leads in literacy rate.

Data: The World Factbook, United Nations SDG Indicators, World Bank, Zimbabwe Revenue Authority

What's the Climate Like?

Monthly averages — select a city to compare.

Harare Rain: 33.1 in/yr (841 mm)
78° / 54°F

Avg. annual high / low

Baghdad Rain: 4.8 in/yr (123 mm)
87° / 59°F

Avg. annual high / low

Months Harare Baghdad
Jan–Mar 79°/59°F (26°/15°C) 66°/43°F (19°/6°C)
Apr–Jun 75°/49°F (24°/10°C) 97°/67°F (36°/20°C)
Jul–Sep 76°/48°F (25°/9°C) 108°/74°F (43°/24°C)
Oct–Dec 82°/59°F (28°/15°C) 77°/50°F (25°/10°C)
View all months
Month Harare Baghdad
Jan 79°/60°F (26.2°/15.8°C) 60°/39°F (15.5°/3.8°C)
Feb 79°/60°F (26.0°/15.7°C) 65°/42°F (18.5°/5.5°C)
Mar 79°/58°F (26.2°/14.5°C) 74°/49°F (23.6°/9.6°C)
Apr 78°/54°F (25.6°/12.5°C) 86°/59°F (29.9°/15.2°C)
May 75°/49°F (23.8°/9.3°C) 98°/68°F (36.5°/20.1°C)
Jun 71°/44°F (21.8°/6.8°C) 106°/74°F (41.3°/23.3°C)
Jul 71°/44°F (21.6°/6.5°C) 111°/78°F (44.0°/25.5°C)
Aug 75°/47°F (24.1°/8.5°C) 110°/76°F (43.5°/24.5°C)
Sep 83°/53°F (28.4°/11.7°C) 104°/69°F (40.2°/20.7°C)
Oct 84°/58°F (28.8°/14.5°C) 92°/61°F (33.4°/15.9°C)
Nov 82°/60°F (27.6°/15.5°C) 75°/49°F (23.7°/9.2°C)
Dec 79°/60°F (26.3°/15.8°C) 63°/41°F (17.2°/5.1°C)

Data: Meteorological Services Department Meteorological Services Department, Iraqi Meteorological Organization and Seismology Iraqi Meteorological Organization and Seismology

Visitor Visa Requirements

Short-stay tourist visa rules between Zimbabwe and Iraq. To live, work, or study long-term in Iraq, you'll need a separate residence or work visa — check Iraq's immigration authority.

Zimbabwe passport

Zimbabwe passport holder visiting Iraq

Visa Required
Zimbabwe passport holders need a visa to enter Iraq.
Iraq passport

Iraq passport holder visiting Zimbabwe

Visa Online (e-Visa)
Iraq passport holders need to apply for an e-Visa before travelling to Zimbabwe.

Data: Henley Passport Index. Check with the destination country's embassy for the most current requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work remotely from Iraq?

Internet is rarely the blocker — Iraq has 14.4 fixed broadband subscriptions per 100 people. The real questions are legal: digital nomad visa eligibility, your employer's overseas-work policy, and tax residency in both countries.

Is Iraq safe for expats?

Zimbabwe generally does better on safety, though Iraq leads in road traffic deaths. The homicide rate in Iraq is 9.4 per 100,000 people, compared to 6.7 in Zimbabwe.

How is healthcare in Iraq compared to Zimbabwe?

Iraq generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Zimbabwe leads in healthcare spending per person. There are 10.1 doctors per 10,000 people in Iraq, compared to 1.7 in Zimbabwe. Iraq scores 59 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Zimbabwe: 55).

What's the weather like in Iraq compared to Zimbabwe?

The average high temperature in Baghdad is 87°F, compared to 78°F in Harare. Baghdad receives around 4.8 in of rainfall per year, while Harare gets 33.1 in.

What language do they speak in Iraq?

The official languages in Iraq are Arabic, Aramaic and Sorani. In Zimbabwe, the official languages are Chewa, Chibarwe, English, Kalanga, Khoisan, Ndau, Northern Ndebele, Shona, Sotho, Tonga, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa and Zimbabwean Sign Language.

Share this

At a Glance

ZW IQ
Population 15,121,004 40,462,701
Currency Zimbabwean Dollar (ZWL) Iraqi Dinar (IQD)
Languages Chewa, Chibarwe, English, Kalanga, Khoisan, Ndau, Northern Ndebele, Shona, Sotho, Tonga, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa, Zimbabwean Sign Language Arabic, Aramaic, Sorani
Driving side Left Right
Calling code +263 +964
Time zones 1 1
Emergency number 999 104