Iraq’s population has reached 45.4 million, according to preliminary results from the country’s first nationwide census in over three decades. Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani announced the milestone on Monday, describing the census as a critical step for the country’s future planning and development.
The historic survey, conducted on November 20, updates Iraq’s demographic data for the first time since 1997. Before the census, Iraq’s planning ministry had estimated the population at 43 million. The new figures highlight significant growth over the past 26 years.
The last census, conducted in 1997, excluded the Kurdistan region, which has been under Kurdish administration since the 1991 Gulf War. That census recorded 19 million Iraqis, with officials estimating an additional 3 million living in the Kurdish-controlled north at the time.
This latest census marks a turning point for Iraq, providing updated and comprehensive data to inform policies and address the country’s development needs. It also sets the stage for improved resource allocation and long-term national planning.
Melissa Enoch
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