Iraq announces official census results
Also in Iraq
Iraq awaits Turkey's go-ahead to restart Kurdistan Region's oil exports
PM Sudani honors Iraqi doctor for humanitarian efforts in Gaza
Iraq may face 'important' decisions from Trump administration: Kurdish official
Syrian FM to visit Baghdad this week: Iraqi officials
A+ A-
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraq's planning ministry on Monday released the official results of the country's first nationwide census since 1987, revealing a nearly equal gender distribution and a majority urban population.
The census, conducted in November, found that Iraq's population is almost evenly split by gender, with 23,161,604 men and 22,957,189 women, giving a sex ratio of 50.22 percent male and 49.78 percent female.
Urban areas account for 70.17 percent of the total population, while 29.83 percent live in rural areas. In the Kurdistan Region, urbanization is higher, with 84.57 percent of the population residing in cities and 15.43 percent in rural areas.
Iraq's working-age population, 15-64 years, makes up 60.44 percent of the total, indicating a potential for economic growth. Those under five years old account for 11.16 percent, while 24.74 percent are aged 5-14, and 3.66 percent are 65 and older.
In the Kurdistan Region, the working-age population percentage is slightly higher at 63.92 percent, and the proportion of people over 65 is 4.4 percent.
According to the census, 71.14 percent of the population in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region are homeowners, while 19.41 percent are private tenants, 2.12 percent rent from the government, and 6.33 percent live in free housing.
The data also shows that 91.57 percent of residences are houses, 7.08 percent are apartments, and 0.70 percent are mud houses.
The census is expected to play a role in ongoing discussions over Kirkuk's status, Baathist-era Arabization policies, and the Kurdistan Regional Government's (KRG) share of Iraq's federal budget. These issues have seen recent developments after the Iraqi parliament passed amendments addressing them.
Iraq had not conducted a full census since 1987. A 1997 count under the Baathist regime did not include the Kurdistan Region, and a planned 2020 census was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Iraqi News
6 hours ago
- Iraqi News
Iraq to launch 350M IQD guarantor-free loans for young entrepreneurs
Baghdad ( – Iraq's Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs is in the final stages of launching a major new loan program to provide up to 350 million Iraqi dinars to young entrepreneurs without the need for a guarantor, spokesperson Hassan Khawam announced recently. This groundbreaking initiative is a collaboration between the Ministry, the International Labour Organization (ILO), the German Development Bank (KfW), and the Iraqi Company for Guarantees. It aims to empower aspiring business owners, particularly those who cannot secure the traditional requirement of a government employee guarantor. Under the new program, the applicant's project itself will serve as the guarantee. To qualify, candidates must participate in an intensive, specialized training course lasting over a month. During this period, local, regional, and international experts will help them develop every aspect of their business plan, from technical specifics and site selection to customer relations. The loan is granted only after successfully completing this comprehensive development phase. Khawam stated this program significantly expands on the Ministry's existing efforts, which include a smaller loan program (offering 20-50 million IQD) and the Mahan digital platform launched in 2023 to connect job seekers with employers. This new guarantor-free loan initiative marks a strategic step towards fostering self-employment and stimulating Iraq's private sector.
Iraqi News
6 hours ago
- Iraqi News
TotalEnergies supports Iraq's energy independence
Baghdad ( – France-based TotalEnergies' Gas Growth Integrated Project (GGIP) is intended to help Iraq develop its natural resources and achieve energy independence. TotalEnergies' GGIP project demonstrates the company's multi-energy approach and sustainable development concept and combines natural gas production, solar energy, and enhanced oil production, according to a statement released by the French firm. The project illustrates TotalEnergies' commitment to assisting oil- and gas-producing countries in moving forward with their energy transformation strategies. With Iraqi government assistance, TotalEnergies will invest in facilities to recover flared gas from three oil fields in the first phase and four other fields in the second phase to supply power plants, redevelop oil production at the Artawi field, build a seawater treatment plant to supply the wells, and build and operate a solar power plant to provide carbon-free energy. These projects have a cumulative investment of almost $10 billion. The GGIP project includes four sub-projects led by an alliance of TotalEnergies, Basra Oil Company (BOC), and QatarEnergy. The four projects are the Associated Gas Upstream Development (AGUP), which seeks to increase Artawi field output; the Artawi Gas Midstream Project (GMP), which is expected to prevent flaring and collect gas from several oil fields; the Common Seawater Supply Project (CSSP), which involves building a seawater treatment plant; and a one-gigawatt solar power plant spanning some 2,200 hectares near the gas treatment plant.
Iraqi News
6 hours ago
- Iraqi News
Al-Mathar Group acquires 4 Corners Creative Agency in major Iraqi ad sector move
Baghdad ( – In a significant move highlighting the dynamism of Iraq's creative sector, Al-Mathar Group has successfully completed a full acquisition of the leading 4 Corners Creative Agency. The deal, announced last week in June 2025, is a strategic step aimed at bolstering the agency's growth and expanding its footprint in local and regional markets. Founded in 2016 by Mr. Ameer Alaa, 4 Corners became a recognized success story, delivering integrated marketing campaigns for prominent local and international brands. Under the new ownership, Al-Mathar Group aims to transform the agency into a regional hub for advertising excellence. The agreement will see a new executive team lead the next phase of growth, focusing on innovation and expansion, while the original management transitions to advisory roles. This acquisition comes as Iraq's marketing and advertising sector experiences rapid growth. The landscape is quickly evolving from traditional methods to sophisticated digital-first strategies, driven by a young, tech-savvy population. This has attracted both international brands seeking local expertise and fostered a new wave of homegrown creative startups. Such acquisitions are a strong indicator of the sector's maturation, demonstrating significant investor confidence in the value and potential of Iraqi creative talent. Al-Mathar Group's investment in 4 Corners is more than a business transaction; it's a powerful endorsement of the potential within Iraq's burgeoning creative economy, signaling a new phase of strategic growth and consolidation in the market.
