Iraqi population has reached 46.1 million, census shows

BAGHDAD: The final results of Iraq's first census in nearly 40 years released on Monday show the population has reached 46.1 million.

In 2009, an unofficial count estimated the population at 31.6 million.

Iraqi officials have called the population count a milestone and said it will provide essential data for future planning and resource distribution.

Speaking at a press conference to announce the results, Iraqi Planning Minister Mohammed Tamim said the census "demonstrates the government's determination" to improve conditions in the country.

The Iraqi government is trying to consolidate security improvements after decades of war and instability and to develop the economy during regional upheaval.

The census provides detailed insights into economic, educational, and housing conditions, with separate breakdowns for Iraq and the semi-autonomous Kurdish region in the north.

In federal Iraq, some 70.2 percent of the population lives in urban areas, while the urban Kurdish regions comprise 84.6 percent of the Kurdish population. 

The Kurdish region also saw higher employment rates, with 46 percent of the population being economically active, compared to 41.6 percent in federal areas. 

Children's enrollment in primary school was 93 percent in the Kurdish regions versus 88 percent in Iraq.

However, federal Iraq saw higher home ownership rates and access to potable water and state electricity.

Tamim said the data will support a fairer distribution of resources across provinces.

"For the first time in four decades, Iraq has successfully conducted a full census, helping ensure more equitable resource allocation," he said.

The final count from the 2024 census is an increase of more than 1 million over the preliminary estimate of 45.407 million released in November.