The Divergence Between Education Outputs and the Labor Market Causes and Solutions (a Case Study Iraq)

Abstract

The issue of the mismatch between educational outcomes and the labor market in most Arab economies, including the Iraqi economy, is considered a significant matter with social and economic implications for these countries. The primary reasons attributed to this issue include the decline in the quality efficiency of educational institutions, indicated by factors such as (low specialized qualifications, reduced innovation and knowledge acquisition, and weak analytical abilities). Additionally, there is a decline in quality accompanied by an increase in quantity, leading to a surge of graduates in fields that are not needed by the Iraqi labor market, while there is a shortage in other essential specialties. Therefore, this research draws its importance from the fact that graduate unemployment is one of the critical and dangerous factors affecting economic and social stability in Iraq, especially during the period in which this research was conducted .The study sample included (120) professionals in the field of employment from both the public and private sectors in Baghdad Governorate, comprising 58 human resources managers, 49 labor market analysts, and 13 employment experts. The study found that 72.8% of the sample believe that educational outcomes do not align with the labor market, and 72% agreed on the possible solutions proposed to address the mismatch between educational outcomes and the labor market.