Iraq's population exceeds 45 million: preliminary census results

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani announced the preliminary results of the nationwide census during a press conference on Monday, providing crucial insights into the country’s demographic structure. 

This marks the first comprehensive population data collected in Iraq since 1997, a milestone for policy-making and development planning.

Prime Minister al-Sudani revealed that Iraq's total population has surpassed 45.407 million people. The data highlights the country's urbanization trends and young demographic profile:

• Urban population: 70.3%
• Rural population: 29.7%

The total number of households in Iraq is 7,898,588, with an average household size of 5.3 persons.

The census shows a nearly even split between males and females:

• Males: 22,784,062 (50.1%)
• Females: 22,623,833 (49.8%)

A significant 36.1% of the population is under 15 years of age, emphasizing Iraq’s young demographic structure.

The data will play a pivotal role in shaping Iraq’s policy-making, resource allocation, and infrastructure planning. The high percentage of the population living in urban areas (70.3%) underscores the need to address urbanization challenges, including housing, transportation, and public services.

For federal and regional governments, the census results provide a foundation for designing programs that cater to the country’s dynamic demographic needs. Particular focus is expected on:

• Expanding education and healthcare services to accommodate the growing young population.
• Developing infrastructure and housing projects to meet urban demands.
• Creating job opportunities to support economic growth in alignment with the young labor force.

The 2023 census represents a critical step for Iraq in understanding its population dynamics after decades of political instability and conflict. 

By providing detailed and accurate demographic data, the census enables both the federal government and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) to strategically plan for Iraq’s future development.

As Iraq moves forward with this data, it has an opportunity to harness its youthful population and address urbanization challenges, ensuring a sustainable and inclusive path for its economic and social progress.