Iraq’s Population Surges to 46.1 Million in First Full Census in 40 Years
Iraqi officials announced on Monday that the final results of Iraq’s first census in nearly 40 years have determined the country’s population to be 46.1 million. This figure marks a dramatic increase from the unofficial 2009 estimate of 31.6 million and exceeds the preliminary 2024 count of 45.407 million released in November.
Speaking at a news conference, Iraqi Planning Minister Mohammed Tamim hailed the census as a major milestone, stating it “demonstrates the government’s determination” to improve conditions throughout the country. The comprehensive census provides detailed insights into economic, educational, and housing conditions, and includes separate breakdowns for federal Iraq and the semi-autonomous Kurdish region.
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In federal Iraq, 70.2% of the population lives in urban areas, compared to 84.6% in the Kurdish region. Employment rates are higher in the Kurdish areas, where 46% of the population is economically active, versus 41.6% in the rest of the country. Additionally, primary school enrollment is 93% in the Kurdish region compared to 88% in federal areas. However, federal Iraq boasts higher rates of home ownership, as well as better access to potable water and state electricity.
Tamim emphasized that the data from the census will be crucial for ensuring a fairer distribution of resources across provinces. “For the first time in four decades, Iraq has successfully conducted a full census, helping ensure more equitable resource allocation,” he said.
This historic census comes at a time when Iraq is striving to consolidate security improvements and boost economic development after decades of conflict and instability, amid ongoing regional challenges.
