ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Young people in Iran’s western province of Ilam say there are no job opportunities despite the area’s rich natural resources.
“Unemployment in Ilam is very high, and it increases day by day. Young people in Ilam have advanced diplomas, but the province has no industrial complex where they can work and have a stable income,” said Amir Ilahiyan, a fruit seller.
Ilam province is hydrocarbon-rich, home to multiple oil and natural gas fields that contribute significantly to the energy sector. Development of these resources has spurred industrial activity and infrastructure investments such as pipelines and processing facilities. However, locals say they have not benefited.
“People’s pockets are empty and the government must think about solving this,” said Nemat Aqebat, a market owner.
Despite Ilam’s oil and gas wealth and its good agriculture, “unfortunately, they have not solved any of the people’s problems and have not created job opportunities for young people. Our young people cannot even get married due to unemployment,” he said.
The Kurdish provinces in Iran’s west have long struggled with high unemployment and poverty, attributed to chronic underdevelopment and lack of government investment.
“If there were a number of good factories, companies, and production units, unemployed youth could work in them, but there is nothing. Some young people therefore migrate outside the country or to other cities. In other places too, they face many problems and difficulties,” said Vahid Mohammadi, who sells spare car parts in Ilam.
Daily laborers gather in Ilam’s main squares, often standing for hours with few job prospects. Many say they wait in the square from 7 am until evening without receiving any job offers.
