Geopolitics Quarterly

Geopolitics Quarterly

Economic Development Strategies: A Comparative Analysis of Iraq and the United Arab Emirates

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Ghazwan Abdulhadi Sfayih Alabdalrahman 1
Haniff Ahamat 1
Ahdaa Basim Dawood Al-Khfaji 2
Nabeel Mahdi Althabhawi 3
1 Faculty of law Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) 43600 Bangi, Selangor Malaysia.
2 Faculty of Law, University of Kufa, Iraq.
3 Faculty of law Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) 43600 Bangi, Selangor Malaysia; College of Law, Al-Bayan University, Baghdad Governorate, Iraq.
10.22034/igq.2025.509167.2019
Abstract
This study explores the critical relationship between economic development and human capital development, with a comparative analysis of Iraq and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Human capital, encompassing education, skills, and health, is essential for driving sustainable economic growth. The UAE has successfully leveraged its investment in human capital to diversify its economy, foster innovation, and enhance productivity, positioning itself as a regional economic hub. In contrast, Iraq faces significant challenges in human capital development due to socio-political instability, underinvestment in education, and insufficient healthcare systems, which hinder its economic progress. A comparative legal analysis was used to comparatively analyze policy, strategies and regulations on human capital towards economic development in the two countries. The study highlights the disparities in human capital strategies between the two nations, revealing how the UAE's proactive approach has resulted in robust economic indicators, while Iraq’s reliance on oil revenues and lack of human capital investment continue to impede its development. Suggesting the necessity for Iraq to prioritize human capital development as a pathway to sustainable economic growth, learning from the UAE's successful model.
Keywords
Economic Development, Human Capital Development, Policy, Strategy, Regulations

Subjects

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Geopolitics Quarterly
Volume 21, Issue 4
Winter 2025
Pages 77-104

  • Receive Date 27 February 2025
  • Revise Date 22 April 2025
  • Accept Date 25 April 2025