Iraq Set to Announce Final Results of Nationwide Census Today
The census also holds political significance, particularly in disputed territories such as Kirkuk and other areas with diverse ethnic and sectarian compositions.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) — The Iraqi Ministry of Planning will officially release the final results of the country’s national population census today (Monday), marking a significant milestone in the country’s demographic data collection.
According to the ministry, the results will be announced during a press conference on Monday, with the presence of Iraqi officials, ambassadors, and representatives from international organizations. The census, which was conducted in three phases, involved the participation of 130,000 enumerators and spanned across the entire nation.
Preliminary estimates indicate that Iraq’s total population is approximately 45 million people, distributed among 7.89 million households. The final phase of data collection, which began on November 30, 2024, in both the Kurdistan Region and the rest of Iraq, comprised 77 survey questions aimed at capturing comprehensive demographic, social, and economic data.
Despite financial, technical, and logistical challenges, the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) successfully carried out the census in its administered territories as well as disputed areas outside the region’s official jurisdiction. In an official statement on December 14, 2024, the KRG’s Ministry of Planning emphasized the significance of completing the census, describing it as a “major and crucial process” that was implemented in the most effective manner possible.
Iraq’s last nationwide census was held in 1987. Another one held in 1997 excluded the Kurdistan Region, making this recent effort a critical update to demographic data needed for policy-making, economic planning, and resource allocation. Census results play a pivotal role in determining the distribution of government funding, public services, and parliamentary representation.
The census also holds political significance, particularly in disputed territories such as Kirkuk and other areas with diverse ethnic and sectarian compositions. Accurate population data is essential for resolving administrative disputes and ensuring fair representation of all communities within the country.
As Iraq continues to navigate economic recovery and political stabilization, the successful execution of today’s census announcement will mark a step forward in strengthening governance and strategic planning based on accurate and updated demographic insights.
