The Demographic Characteristics of the Workforce in the Industrial Area of Alzubair District

Abstract

Analyzing the demographic characteristics of the labor force in industrial areas represents an important tool that not only describes the current reality but also contributes to building a knowledge base that supports development policies aimed at enhancing the efficiency of these areas and ensuring the sustainability of their economic and social growth.

This study aims to analyze the demographic characteristics of the labor force in the industrial area of Al-Zubair District, which is one of the important  industrial zones located in southern pIraq, within the western part of Basra Governorate.

The area comprises a diverse range of industrial establishments that vary in size and nature of production, which has contributed to attracting population groups with distinct social and economic characteristics.

The study adopted a descriptive and analytical approach, based on a field survey that involved distributing (85) questionnaires to workers in workshops within the industrial area of Al-Zubair District. The total number of workshops in the area is (2,125), and the sample represents approximately (4%) of the total active industrial workshops in 2025. The questionnaire was designed to collect data on the demographic, social, and economic characteristics of the workforce.

The study yielded a number of indicators, most notably the following:

1. The results showed that the age group (25–29 years) ranked highest among male workers in the study sample, with (19) workers representing (22.35%) of the total labor force, reflecting the dominance of young age groups in the industrial labor market.
2. It was found that primary-level education constituted the highest proportion among workers, with (33) individuals (38.82%), indicating limited educational attainment among the majority of the workforce.
3. The study revealed that rental housing is the most common housing pattern among workers, with (40) individuals (47.06%), reflecting the relatively low socio-economic status of a large segment of the labor force.