Preliminary results of Iraq Census 2024 released
The government has released the preliminary results of last week’s nationwide census, during which households were asked to provide basic details about all members. A final round of surveying is taking place between November 22 and December 15, focusing on a detailed set of enhanced questions about socioeconomic conditions, access to basic services, and health-related issues.
Here’s a summary of the preliminary results:
Population Characteristics
Total population:
Iraq’s total population reached 45,407,895, marking a significant demographic milestone. This population is predominantly urbanized, with 70.3% residing in urban areas and 29.7% in rural regions. This urban dominance reflects ongoing rural-to-urban migration, driven by economic opportunities, climate change, and infrastructure development in cities.Household dynamics:
The census recorded 7,898,588 households, with an average household size of 5.3 individuals.
Gender distribution remains nearly balanced: 50.18% male (22,784,062) and 49.82% female (22,623,833).
Age distribution:
36.1% of the population is under 15 years, indicating a youthful demographic.
The working-age group (15-64 years) constitutes 60.2%, presenting a strong labor force potential.
Only 3.7% are aged 65 and above, reflecting a relatively low aging population compared to global standards.
These figures underscore Iraq’s demographic dividend, with a majority of its population in economically productive age groups, yet they also highlight the need for investment in education, job creation, and healthcare.
Housing Characteristics
Total housing units:
Iraq has 8,037,221 housing units, distributed as follows:92.1% houses (the predominant housing type).
6.6% apartments.
0.4% temporary structures (such as tents or caravans).
0.9% other types of housing, including informal or unconventional dwellings.
The final round of the census will include questions covering basic demographic data along with the following topics:
Religion: Respondents will indicate their religion, though questions about ethnosectarian identity will not be included.
Nationality: Whether the respondent holds dual nationality.
Disabilities: Information about any disabilities within the household.
Employment: Current employment status and type of occupation.
Education: Highest level of educational attainment and school enrollment for minors.
Social insurance: Access to social insurance programs including the food ration system.
Living conditions: Type of accommodation and housing arrangements.
Basic services: Access to municipal services, including potable and non-potable water, wastewater systems, electricity, refuse disposal, and sanitation.
Ownership of assets: Ownership of items such as vehicles, refrigerators, televisions, personal computers, and smartphones.
Mortality data: Any household deaths in the past 12 months and their causes.
The preliminary results of the 2024 Iraq Census paints a picture of a rapidly urbanizing, youthful, and growing country. While these trends present opportunities for economic growth and modernization, they also pose challenges that demand strategic interventions. Any effective policymaking approach will need to focus on:
Expanding urban infrastructure and services to meet the demands of a growing urban population.
Leveraging the youthful demographic by investing in education, vocational training, and job creation.
Addressing housing inequities to ensure all Iraqis have access to safe and adequate homes.
Preparing for long-term shifts, including the needs of an aging population.