Economic problems have increased in South Kurdistan in recent years. Corruption of administrators, non-payment of wages and declining purchasing power led to mass protests in several cities at the end of last year.

Speaking to RojNews, Şehime Cewhêr from the Youth Assembly of the Soran region pointed to a survey conducted among 360 young people in the region.

According to Cewhêr, 91 percent of the youth stated that they are unemployed. Cewhêr pointed out that most of them are university students or people who have completed their education.

“The results from this survey show that the unemployment rate is high,” said Cewhêr.

Perwin Mehmud, from the Youth Assembly, says that unemployment has reached a dangerous level and that they are trying to educate young people and include them in business life. According to Mehmud, young people should create job opportunities instead of waiting for jobs from the government.

The government of the Federal Kurdistan Region does not release official data on unemployment. However, non-governmental organizations warn that unemployment is increasing.