BAGHDAD – The long-awaited findings from Iraq’s first official census in nearly four decades were made public on Monday, revealing that the nation’s population has surged to 46.1 million.
An earlier unofficial estimate conducted in 2009 placed the population at approximately 31.6 million.
Iraqi officials have heralded this census as a significant accomplishment, asserting that it will serve as a crucial resource for planning and distributing essential services in the future.
During a press conference to unveil the results, Planning Minister Mohammed Tamim emphasized that the census illustrates the government’s resolve to enhance living conditions throughout the country.
The Iraqi government is striving to solidify the security advancements achieved after years of conflict and chaos while simultaneously focusing on economic growth amid ongoing regional challenges.
The census offers comprehensive information about the economic, educational, and housing situations within Iraq, with distinct data for both the entire country and the semi-autonomous Kurdish region located in the north.
In government-controlled Iraq, it was found that approximately 70.2% of the populace resides in urban settings, whereas a significant 84.6% of the Kurdish population lives in urban areas.
Furthermore, the Kurdish region has demonstrated higher employment rates, with 46% of its residents classified as economically active, compared to just 41.6% in federal territories.
In terms of education, primary school enrollment stands at 93% in the Kurdish areas, exceeding the 88% enrollment rate reported for the entirety of Iraq.
Conversely, federal Iraq boasts superior rates of home ownership, as well as better access to clean drinking water and state-provided electricity.
Tamim highlighted that this newly acquired data will facilitate a more equitable allocation of resources among the various provinces.
“For the first time in four decades, Iraq has effectively completed a comprehensive census, contributing to a more fair distribution of resources,” he remarked.
The final tallies released from the 2024 census reflected an increase of over one million compared to the preliminary figure of 45.407 million that was shared in November.
