crisis; similar to the flag of Syria which has two stars but no script
and the flag of Yemen which has a plain white band; also similar to the
flag of Egypt which has a symbolic eagle centered in the white band

Economy Iraq

Economy - overview: Iraq's economy is dominated by the oil sector, which
has traditionally provided about 95% of foreign exchange earnings. In
the 1980s financial problems caused by massive expenditures in the
eight-year war with Iran and damage to oil export facilities by Iran
led the government to implement austerity measures, borrow heavily, and
later reschedule foreign debt payments; Iraq suffered economic losses
from the war of at least $100 billion. After hostilities ended in 1988,
oil exports gradually increased with the construction of new pipelines
and restoration of damaged facilities. Iraq's seizure of Kuwait in
August 1990, subsequent international economic sanctions, and damage
from military action by an international coalition beginning in January
1991 drastically reduced economic activity. Although government policies
supporting large military and internal security forces and allocating
resources to key supporters of the regime have hurt the economy,
implementation of the UN's oil-for-food program in December 1996 has
helped improve conditions for the average Iraqi citizen. For the first
six, six-month phases of the program, Iraq was allowed to export limited
amounts of oil in exchange for food, medicine, and some infrastructure
spare parts. In December 1999 the UN Security Council authorized Iraq to
export under the program as much oil as required to meet humanitarian
needs. Oil exports are now more than three-quarters prewar level.
However, 28% of Iraq's export revenues under the program are deducted to
meet UN Compensation Fund and UN administrative expenses. The drop in GDP
in 2001 was largely the result of the global economic slowdown and lower
oil prices. Per capita food imports have increased significantly, while
medical supplies and health care services are steadily improving. Per
capita output and living standards are still well below the prewar level,
but any estimates have a wide range of error.

GDP: purchasing power parity - $59 billion (2001 est.)

GDP - real growth rate: -5.7% (2001 est.)

GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $2,500 (2001 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 6% industry: 13% services: 81%
(1993 est.)

Population below po