An Iraqi man, carrying the flag of Iraq, walks down an empty corniche in Basra in southern Iraq, on November 20, 2024, during a two-day curfew as Iraq holds its first nationwide census. (AFP Photo)
By Newsroom
Nov 25, 2024 3:36 PM
Iraq‘s population has exceeded 45 million, with over a third under the age of 15, according to preliminary results from the country’s first comprehensive census in nearly four decades.
The census, conducted on Nov. 20-21, covered all 18 governorates, including the Iraqi Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) region, for the first time since 1987.
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani stated during a press conference that the census revealed a population of 45.4 million, including foreigners and refugees.
Iraqi children play football in road in Baghdad during a two-day curfew part of a general population census, on November 21, 2024. – Iraq is holding its first nationwide census in nearly four decades this week, a long-awaited count in a nation that has been blighted by sectarian and ethnic divisions. (Photo by AHMAD AL-RUBAYE / AFP)A member of a team from Iraq’s planning ministry carries out the national population census in Baghdad, on November 21, 2024. – Iraq is holding its first nationwide census in nearly four decades this week, a long-awaited count in a nation that has been blighted by sectarian and ethnic divisions. (Photo by AHMAD AL-RUBAYE / AFP)An Iraqi woman sells vegetables on the side of a road in Baghdad during a two-day curfew part of a general population census, on November 21, 2024. – Iraq is holding its first nationwide census in nearly four decades this week, a long-awaited count in a nation that has been blighted by sectarian and ethnic divisions. (Photo by AHMAD AL-RUBAYE / AFP)Iraqi security forces stand guard as a member of a team from the planning ministry carries out the national population census in Baghdad on November 20, 2024, the first nationwide count in Iraq in nearly four decades. – The long-awaited count in a nation that has been blighted by sectarian and ethnic divisions is expected to provide sorely needed up-to-date demographic data for the country which has an estimated population of around 44 million. (Photo by AHMAD AL-RUBAYE / AFP)
Demographics in Iraq shows youthful population
The census found that 36.1% of Iraq’s population is under 15 years old, while 60.2% are of working age (15-64). Those aged 65 and above account for 3.7%. The average Iraqi family comprises about 5.3 members, with an annual population growth rate of 2.3%.
In the Iraqi Kurdish Regional Government region, the population exceeded 6.3 million, with 63.7% of residents in the working-age category.
Urban residents constitute 84% of the region’s population, while 16% live in rural areas.
Iraqi security forces cross an empty road in Baghdad during a two-day curfew which started on November 20, 2024 with a general population census, the first nationwide count in Iraq in nearly four decades. – The long-awaited count in a nation that has been blighted by sectarian and ethnic divisions is expected to provide sorely needed up-to-date demographic data for the country which has an estimated population of around 44 million. (Photo by AHMAD AL-RUBAYE / AFP)An Iraqi crosses an empty road in Basra in southern Iraq, on November 20, 2024, during a two-day curfew as Iraq holds its first nationwide census. – Iraq is holding its first nationwide census in nearly four decades this week, a long-awaited count in a nation that has been blighted by sectarian and ethnic divisions. During the census a two-day curfew will operate, with families having to stay at home so 120,000 researchers can collect data directly from households. (Photo by Hussein FALEH / AFP)An Iraqi census researcher checks a map on his tablet of the Chibayesh marshland in Iraq’s southern Ahwar area of Dhi Qar province on November 20, 2024. – Iraq is holding its first nationwide census in nearly four decades this week, a long-awaited count in a nation that has been blighted by sectarian and ethnic divisions. During the census a two-day curfew will operate, with families having to stay at home so 120,000 researchers can collect data directly from households. (Photo by Asaad NIAZI / AFP)ERBIL, IRAQ – NOVEMBER 20: Census officials carry out the counting procedures by going around the houses in the city of Erbil, Iraq on November 20, 2024. For the first time in 37 years, Iraq went to a general census that will last for 2 days, including the provinces of the Iraqi Kurdish Regional Government (KRG). ( Ahsan Mohammed Ahmed Ahmed – Anadolu Agency )
Census key for policy and representation
The nationwide census collected extensive demographic and economic data, including health, education, employment, and living standards.
This information is seen as critical for determining parliamentary representation, budget allocations, and public policy development.
The last census conducted in 1987 reported Iraq’s population at 18 million, with subsequent counts either partial or incomplete because of conflicts and political divisions.
An Iraqi man, carrying the flag of Iraq, walks down an empty corniche in Basra in southern Iraq, on November 20, 2024, during a two-day curfew as Iraq holds its first nationwide census. (AFP Photo)
