Iraq finalizes preparations for first national census in decades

BAGHDAD — Iraq has completed preparations for its national census, set to begin on Nov. 20, according to officials from the Ministry of Planning. The Central Statistical Organization, in coordination with other relevant agencies, has finished the necessary mapping, enumeration, and numbering processes to ensure a smooth and accurate count of the population across the country.

“The ministry’s preparations have reached their peak,” Abdul Zahra Al-Hindawi, spokesperson for the Ministry of Planning, told the state-run Al-Sabah newspaper. “We have finalized all logistical and technical arrangements, including the readiness of 120,000 personnel who will use the latest electronic devices to collect data nationwide.” This will be Iraq’s first general population census since 1997 and the first to include the governorates of the Kurdistan Region since 1987.

Al-Hindawi confirmed the distribution of 120,000 tablets to census takers, allowing data to be transmitted directly to a newly established data center, enhancing accuracy and transparency throughout the process. “The ministry has also established a comprehensive data center and a communications hub to support field operations across all provinces,” he added.

Iraq’s last census in 1997 counted 19 million people, while a separate count for the Kurdistan Region recorded 2.8 million. The current population is estimated at 46 million.

Ali Arian Al-Saadi, executive director of the census at the Central Statistical Organization, highlighted the preliminary steps already taken. “We have successfully carried out essential tasks such as mapping, grouping buildings, and numbering streets and neighborhoods in preparation for the main census,” Al-Saadi told Al-Sabah. These steps are critical to ensure researchers can efficiently navigate all regions of the country.

Iraq currently lacks a standardized national address system, with many areas relying on informal directions and local landmarks.

Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ Al-Sudani has removed obstacles, including financial constraints and political challenges, to ensure the census proceeds without hindrance, Al-Saadi emphasized.

Dr. Mohammed Al-Baldawi, deputy chairman of the Parliamentary Strategic Planning and Federal Service Committee, noted that the census would be conducted without political influence. “This census is focused solely on development and has been carefully designed to avoid any political implications,” Al-Baldawi told Al-Sabah. “The census form excludes any questions related to ethnicity or sect, reflecting a commitment to neutrality.”

The removal of the ethnicity field from Iraq’s census is particularly significant for the disputed areas like Kirkuk, where disputes over control and demographic composition have created political tensions. Kirkuk, an ethnically diverse region home to Kurds, Arabs, and Turkmen, has been at the center of a power struggle between the federal government and the Kurdistan Regional Government. Kurds had hoped the census would clarify the province’s demographics, helping resolve disputes under Article 140 of the Iraqi constitution, which calls for a census and referendum to determine Kirkuk’s inclusion into the Kurdistan Region. However, the removal of the ethnicity question means the census will not provide definitive data on the governorate’s ethnic composition, complicating efforts to address demographic concerns.

The census will collect data through 70 questions across 11 categories, including health, education, employment, housing, and services. “Our aim is to gather comprehensive data on the population, including the number of families, residents, educational levels, and health conditions,” Al-Hindawi explained. “This will enable the government to plan effectively and address the country’s developmental needs.”

Preparations have included intensive training programs. “We have already trained 40,000 personnel and will complete training for an additional 80,000 by early November,” Al-Hindawi said, ensuring all 120,000 staff members are fully prepared.

On Sept. 1, the Supreme Population Council of Iraq announced a nationwide curfew on Nov. 20 and 21 to facilitate the census, following a high-level meeting chaired by Prime Minister Al-Sudani.