Poverty rate drops to 17%, says Iraq’s Ministry of Planning

Iraq’s Ministry of Planning announced Wednesday that the national poverty rate has dropped to 17%, citing recent government initiatives as key drivers of the decline. The Ministry also projected Iraq’s population will surpass 44 million by the end of 2024.

“Over the last two years, Iraq has implemented significant measures to reduce poverty, particularly through the social protection network, which has provided financial support to impoverished families,” Ministry spokesperson Abdul Zahra Al-Hindawi told the Iraqi News Agency (INA). He also highlighted the role of the government’s food basket program, distributed via the ration card system, in ensuring a steady food supply for vulnerable households.

According to Al-Hindawi, these initiatives have reduced the poverty rate from approximately 23% two years ago to the current 17%. He added, “These efforts will continue to support low-income families across various sectors.”

Al-Hindawi also addressed Iraq’s population growth, noting an annual increase of 2.6%, equivalent to over a million new residents each year. He estimated that Iraq’s population at the end of 2023 had exceeded 43 million and would surpass 44 million by late 2024. Final figures are expected to be confirmed through a national census scheduled for Nov. 20-21.

Breaking down the demographic data, Al-Hindawi revealed that children aged 0 to 15 comprise over 40% of Iraq’s population, economically active individuals aged 16 to 64 make up about 57%, and seniors aged 65 and above represent roughly 3%.