Iraq’s poverty rate drops to 17.5%, according to latest survey

BAGHDAD — Iraq’s poverty rate has declined to 17.5%, down from 20.05% in 2018, according to the latest Social and Economic Family Survey released by the Ministry of Planning. Conducted in collaboration with the Kurdistan Region’s Statistics Authority and supported by the World Bank, the survey covered all of Iraq’s governorates, offering a comprehensive overview of income, spending and living conditions nationwide.

The ministry announced Monday that Iraq’s population has officially reached 46,118,000—up from the preliminary figure of 45,407,000 reported last November. Of the total population, 70.17% reside in urban areas.

The survey found that the average monthly income per person is 201,300 Iraqi dinars (about $134), while monthly spending per person is 248,600 dinars (about $166)—revealing a gap between earnings and expenses. At the household level, families earn an average of 1.188 million dinars per month (about $792) but spend 1.467 million dinars (about $978), highlighting financial strain for many Iraqis. Additionally, 29% of residential units are considered overcrowded, with more than three individuals sharing one room.

Unemployment remains a pressing issue, with 13.5% of individuals aged 15 and older out of work, while only 38.1% of that age group is considered economically active. Meanwhile, 96.4% of families rely on ration cards to access subsidized food, demonstrating continued dependence on the state-run Public Distribution System (PDS), established in 1995 under the United Nations Oil-for-Food Programme. The survey also noted that 15.2% of Iraqis suffer from chronic illnesses, further affecting household finances and quality of life.

Housing conditions vary across Iraq, with 77.6% of families owning their homes. About 86.48% of households are connected to the public water network, and 96.71% have access to the national electricity grid. In terms of land ownership, 15.5% of families possess agricultural land, while 8.2% own non-agricultural property.

The report highlighted disparities in poverty rates among governorates. Al-Muthanna recorded the highest at 40%, followed by Babil at 35.7%. Erbil and Sulaymaniyah posted the lowest, at 7% and 8%, respectively. Several areas saw notable improvements, including Dhi Qar, where the rate fell from 40% in 2018 to 15%, and Nineveh, which declined from 38% to 13%. Al-Muthanna and Diwaniyah also experienced drops, moving from 52% to 43% and 48% to 29%, respectively.

The Ministry of Planning underscored the need for continued economic reforms, job creation and further investment in social welfare programs to maintain these gains. Officials stressed that rising demand for public services and the increasing cost of living make it critical to address income disparities and promote equitable resource distribution to reduce poverty levels across the country.