Iraq — Migration Flows from Iraq to Europe (February 2016)

This study is the result of interviews with 473 individuals (November–December 2015) migrating from Iraq to Europe. One of the report’s key findings is the lack of clear-cut, homogeneous and predictable answers, once more highlighting the complexity of migration. In the governorates of Anbar and Ninewa, a high number of respondents originated from these governorates, but a much lower number used to reside there. 18% of respondents declared to be IDPs at the time of departure. The ethno-religious breakdown of the respondents reflected that of the Iraqi population overall. 72% of the respondents were 30 years old or less. 93% of respondents were male. 41% of respondents had a university education (47% secondary education). Of the 379 who indicated no hope in the future as their first reason for leaving, (80% of the respondents). As destination, Germany was chosen by 47% of the respondents, Finland by 14% and Sweden by 10%. A large number of migrants reporting to be satisfied with the information gathered through word of mouth, regardless of the topic. 144 respondents (30%) did not reach their intended country of destination.