KRG declares public holiday for nationwide census

The KRG's directive specifically applies to residents of areas affected by Article 140 of the Iraqi Constitution, which addresses territories disputed between the Kurdistan Region and the Iraqi federal government.

KRG civil servants preparing for the general population census in the Iraq and Kurdistan Region. (Photo: Kurdistan24)
KRG civil servants preparing for the general population census in the Iraq and Kurdistan Region. (Photo: Kurdistan24)

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has announced a public holiday from Nov. 15 to Nov. 23 to facilitate participation in the upcoming national census. This decision was made during a Council of Ministers meeting on Thursday, with the holiday covering both civil and military employees and students at all educational levels, including those in schools, universities, and colleges. 

The KRG's directive specifically applies to residents of areas affected by Article 140 of the Iraqi Constitution, which addresses territories disputed between the Kurdistan Region and the Iraqi federal government. During the holiday period, organizations, private companies, and institutions are also encouraged to allow their employees from Article 140 areas to take time off, ensuring their ability to contribute to the census.

The nationwide census, set for Nov. 20, marks a significant effort to gather updated demographic data across Iraq, including the Kurdistan Region and disputed territories. This initiative, overseen by the Iraqi Ministry of Planning, aims to provide a clearer picture of the country’s population, which is projected to reach approximately 51.5 million by 2030.

The census process is expected to inform future development planning, social services, and resource distribution across Iraq.