In order to shed light on the impact of COVID-19 on Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), which were affected by closures and reduced working hours, IOM conducted a survey with 456 enterprises active in different sectors in urban areas of Iraq in April 2020. The inquiry focused on governorates with the highest rates of displacement, returns, and ex-combatants as identified by IOM. In order to measure the effects of COVID-19 on SMEs, the research uses a stratified sampling strategy applied to a database of urban employers in the areas where IOM’s Enterprise Development Fund (EDF) has been implemented.

The analysis found a significant impact on economic outcomes at the firm level. Effects on sales and production among firms have been the most pointed, with temporary reductions in paid employment also reflected. These have been especially noticeable within the construction and manufacturing industry, followed by the food and agriculture industry. For more details, see the IOM produced factsheets, dashboard and report.