Iraq’s final census results expected by March 2025

BAGHDAD — Iraq’s Ministry of Planning announced on Wednesday that the final results and statistical data of the national census are expected to be released in February or March 2025. The ministry assured that there would be no significant changes to the initial census data, with only minor adjustments resulting from data verification processes, including the exclusion of registered foreign nationals at embassies to ensure accuracy.

Maki Ghazi Al-Mohammadi, Deputy Head of the Statistics and Geographic Information Systems Authority at the Ministry of Planning, emphasized the importance of transparency in the results. “The census was conducted over three days—Nov. 20, 21, and 22, 2024—with household registrations and follow-up procedures completed by December 15, 2024. Any changes in the final data are minimal, primarily stemming from minor data cross-references, and include the exclusion of foreign nationals registered with embassies to ensure precision.”.

He also highlighted the ongoing analysis and verification processes. “The ministry is still analyzing and cross-referencing the data collected during the census. Our current work focuses on two key areas: training staff to produce a digital geographic atlas through specialized GIS courses and deploying call center teams to cross-verify data. These teams contact selected families to inquire about their census experience and ensure the accuracy of the collected information.”

Al-Mohammadi further explained the technical aspects of the analysis, stating: “The statistical analysis phase follows the automation and storage of data. Part of this process involves coding job titles and professions, categorizing responses, and converting them into tabulated datasets for analysis.”.

While stressing the importance of accuracy over speed, Al-Mohammadi added: “The ministry plans to release the final results by February or March 2025, but we are not rushing the process. Accuracy and reliability are our top priorities.”

In November 2024, Iraq conducted its first nationwide population and housing census in over three decades, spanning three days. This effort aimed to modernize data collection and provide accurate demographic insights to inform future development plans. Approximately 120,000 census workers were deployed across all 18 governorates, utilizing digital technologies to ensure comprehensive coverage, including marginalized and hard-to-reach populations.

Following the census, Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani announced preliminary results, revealing that Iraq’s population had reached approximately 45.4 million, with 70.3% residing in urban areas and 29.7% in rural regions. The gender distribution was nearly equal, with males constituting 50.1% and females 49.8% of the population.