Volume 1 Cedric - revised luca Final - RUIG-GIAN

• activities related to reconstruction and rehabilitation programmes.• Overall, economic activity is gravely affected, the national product crumbles andunemployment rates soar.In the post-April 2003 context two prominent phenomena arose. In the field ofemployment, new opportunities flourished in the reconstruction and rehabilitationsactivities, thus easing the dramatic unemployment situation. On the other hand,transformations in economic activities appeared under different forms; some arose fromthe deterioration of economic sectors, or the closing down of production establishmentsand the creation of others within the same, or other, sectors.In the aftermath of conflicts, policy makers are confronted with a fundamentalquestion; one can rebuild and rehabilitate the economy as quickly as possible as it wasbefore the outbreak of war, or decide to undertake changes taking advantage ofreconstruction and rehabilitation, thus reducing the costs of modernizing the economy.With the latter option, a completely new economic and industrial foundation is laid downfor the future. Adopting this choice requires a clear, socially acceptable strategy.2.2. Demographic environmentDuring the period that followed the Second World War, Iraq witnessed rapidpopulation growth up to the end of the 1980s. The 1987 census indicated the populationamounted to 16.3 million people, representing an increase of 35 per cent in comparison tothe population level of 1977 (12 million people). Average annual population growth duringthis period was 3.10 per cent, and remained almost unchanged for the following 10 years.This average is considered one of the highest rates in the world. 57The population of Iraq is currently estimated to more than 27 million. 58 Iraq ispredominantly young: the Word Bank estimates that over 50 per cent of the Iraqipopulation is under the age of 20. Iraqis under the age of 15 represent 44 per cent of thepopulation, whereas those between the ages of 15 to 64, account for 52 per cent, and onlyfour per cent are over the age of 64. Seventy-five per cent of the Iraqi population resides inurban areas. The percentage rise in the infant and young age groups will eventua lly lead toa rise in the dependency average. According to the last 1997 general census's figures, thisdependency rate was 1 to 3.A large number of Iraqis have emigrated abroad: this group is estimated at around 3million, mostly highly qualified persons. Between 1987 and 1997, 6.11 per cent of Iraqismoved within Iraqi borders, mostly because of war and internal disputes (bordergovernorates, such as Basrah, were especially affected).57In comparison to world rate during the 1990s of 1.6% for the group of middle income states, and 1.8% forgroup of low income countries58According to MoPDC official statement in April, 2005, Iraq's population is 27.962.968 million.52