BAGDAD – The final results of the first Iraq census in almost 40 years launched on Monday show that the population has reached 46.1 million.
In 2009, an unofficial count estimated the population of 31.6 million.
Iraqi officials have described the population count as a milestone and said it will provide essential data for future planning and the distribution of resources.
Speaking at a press conference to announce the results, Iraqi Planning Minister Mohammed Tamim said the census “demonstrates government determination” to improve conditions in the country.
The Iraqi government is trying to consolidate security improvements after decades of war and instability, and develop the economy at a time of regional agitation.
The census provides detailed information on economic, educational and housing conditions, with separate breakdowns for Iraq as a whole and the semi -autonomous Kurdish region in the north.
In Federal Iraq, around 70.2% of the population lives in urban areas, while Kurdish urban areas comprise 84.6% of the Kurdish population. The Kurda region also saw higher employment rates with 46% of the economically active population, compared to 41.6% in federal areas. The registration of children in primary school was 93% in Kurdish versus 88% areas in Iraq.
However, Iraq federal saw higher rates owned by housing and access to drinking water and state electricity.
Tamim said the data will support a fairer distribution of resources in all provinces.
“For the first time in four decades, Iraq has successfully performed a complete census, helping to guarantee a more equitable resources,” he said.
The final count from the 2024 census is an increase of more than 1 million on the preliminary estimate of 45,407 million published in November.
