Written by

Arivan

This comprehensive report and a series of visuals present each major section of Iraq’s December 2024 national census:

Overall Population & Households

Total Population

46,118,793

KRG Population

6,503,000

~14.1% of total

Total Households

8,054,385

Total Population (including Kurdistan): 46,118,793

Kurdistan Region Population: 6,503,000 (~14.1% of total)

Total Households: 8,054,385
Urban Households: 5,964,610
Rural Households: 2,089,775

Gender Ratio: ~101 males per 100 females (~23.16M vs. 22.96M).

Urban vs. Rural:
Iraq: ~70% Urban, 30% Rural
KRG: ~84.57% Urban, 15.43% Rural

Age Distribution (Iraq)

Under 5: 11.16%, Age 5–14: 24.74%, 15–64: 60.44%, 65+: 3.66%.

Marital Status & Marriage Age

Iraq: Avg. age at first marriage ~22.24 yrs (M:24.06, F:20.7). Median (M:23, F:20).

KRG: Similar age structure; distribution chart below.

Iraq:
Average Age at First Marriage: 22.24 (M:24.06, F:20.7)
Median Age at Marriage: M:23, F:20

  • Single: 41.6%
  • Married: 54.01%
  • Divorced: 1.28%
  • Widowed: 2.8%
  • Separated: 0.24%

KRG:
Single: 41%, Married: 55.83%, Divorced: 0.66%, Widowed: 2.18%, Separated: 0.33%

Mortality & Fertility

Maternal Mortality Rate (per 100k): Iraq ~26.7, KRG ~34.3.
Total Fertility Rate (children per woman): Iraq ~3.9, KRG ~3.5.

Maternal Mortality Rate (per 100,000):
Iraq: 26.7, KRG: 34.3

Total Fertility Rate (children/woman):
Iraq: 3.9, KRG: 3.5

Education

Illiteracy: Iraq=15.31%, KRG=16.23%.
Primary Enrollment: Iraq=88%, KRG=93%.

Illiteracy Rate (age 10+):
Iraq: 15.31%, KRG: 16.23%

Primary Enrollment:
Iraq: 88%, KRG: 93%

Public Services

  • Water Access: Iraq=87%, KRG=82%
  • Electricity (Nat. Grid): Iraq=98%, KRG=93%
  • Burn Waste: ~13% (Iraq), ~1.6% (KRG)
  • Sewage Coverage: ~49.45% (Iraq), ~~49% (KRG)

Housing

Iraq: ~72.15% own homes; KRG: ~70% own homes.

Majority are traditional houses (91.57%), some apartments (7.08%), mud houses (0.7%), etc.

Historical Context

  • 1957: ~6.5M
  • 1965: ~9M
  • 1977: ~12M
  • 1987: ~16M
  • 1997: ~22M (KRG not fully included)
  • 2024: ~46.12M (Iraq + KRG)

2024 Electronic Census: Postponed from 2020 due to COVID-19, but used advanced digital methods for real-time data collection.

Key Takeaways

  • Total Population: 46.12M, KRG ~6.5M (~14.1%)
  • Urbanization: ~70% in Iraq, ~85% in KRG
  • Education: Illiteracy ~15–16%, high primary enrollment
  • Housing: 70–72% own homes, mostly houses
  • Services: Gaps remain in water, sewage, waste management
  • Policy Value: Census data essential for planning & resource allocation

Census by Governorate:

Iraq Household Size by Governorate (2024-2025 Census)

Average Number of Persons per Household

Governorate Urban Areas Rural Areas Total Average
Erbil 4.61 5.04 4.67
Al-Anbar 6.52 7.09 6.75
Basra 6.07 6.99 6.20
Sulaimani 4.22 4.50 4.25
Al-Qadisiyyah 5.72 6.86 6.19
Al-Muthanna 5.86 7.39 6.68
Najaf 5.48 6.02 5.68
Babil 5.44 6.45 5.95
Baghdad 5.39 6.55 5.54
Dohuk 5.99 6.35 6.06
Diyala 5.48 6.30 5.83
Dhi Qar 6.25 7.46 6.59
Karbala 5.49 6.40 5.71
Kirkuk 4.89 6.05 5.15
Maysan 6.45 7.09 6.58
Nineveh 6.15 6.88 6.46
Wasit 5.80 7.15 6.33
National Average 5.48 6.60 5.77
Source: Iraq Population and Housing Census 2024-2025, Commission of Statistics and GIS | The National Context
Iraq Dependency Ratios by Governorate

Iraq Dependency Ratios by Governorate (2024-2025 Census)

Age Dependency Ratios

Understanding Dependency Ratios: Dependency ratios measure the economic burden on the working-age population.
  • Total Dependency Ratio: Number of dependents (age 0-14 and 65+) per 100 working-age people (15-64)
  • Youth Dependency Ratio: Number of young dependents (age 0-14) per 100 working-age people
  • Elderly Dependency Ratio: Number of elderly dependents (age 65+) per 100 working-age people
Higher values indicate greater economic burden on the working-age population.
Governorate Total Dependency Ratio Youth Dependency Ratio
(0-14)		 Elderly Dependency Ratio
(65+)
Erbil 58 51 7
Al-Anbar 68 63 5
Basra 68 62 6
Sulaimani 54 46 8
Al-Qadisiyyah 66 60 6
Al-Muthanna 74 69 6
Najaf 65 59 6
Babil 66 60 6
Baghdad 62 55 7
Dohuk 59 53 6
Diyala 67 61 6
Dhi Qar 70 64 6
Karbala 66 60 6
Kirkuk 65 58 6
Maysan 76 70 5
Nineveh 74 68 5
Wasit 69 64 5
National Average 65 59 6
Source: Iraq Population and Housing Census 2024-2025, Commission of Statistics and GIS | The National Context

Iraq Household Headship by Gender (2024-2025 Census)

Distribution of Household Heads by Gender and Setting

This data shows the percentage of households headed by males versus females across Iraq's governorates, separated by urban (حضر) and rural (ريف) areas. Female-headed households are an important indicator of social dynamics, economic independence, and potential vulnerability.

Governorate Urban Areas Rural Areas
Female-Headed (%) Male-Headed (%) Female-Headed (%) Male-Headed (%)
Erbil 12.25% 87.75% 10.16% 89.84%
Al-Anbar 11.42% 88.58% 9.06% 90.94%
Basra 9.37% 90.63% 6.46% 93.54%
Sulaimani 13.32% 86.68% 11.91% 88.09%
Al-Qadisiyyah 10.52% 89.48% 5.84% 94.16%
Al-Muthanna 11.45% 88.55% 6.85% 93.15%
Najaf 10.72% 89.28% 7.42% 92.58%
Babil 12.11% 87.89% 6.33% 93.67%
Baghdad 14.52% 85.48% 9.17% 90.83%
Dohuk 9.27% 90.73% 8.03% 91.97%
Diyala 14.42% 85.58% 10.83% 89.17%
Dhi Qar 10.01% 89.99% 5.70% 94.30%
Karbala 11.30% 88.70% 5.85% 94.15%
Kirkuk 14.36% 85.64% 11.23% 88.77%
Maysan 9.51% 90.49% 6.85% 93.15%
Nineveh 13.99% 86.01% 11.05% 88.95%
Wasit 11.33% 88.67% 8.04% 91.96%
National Average 12.47% 87.53% 8.50% 91.50%
Source: Iraq Population and Housing Census 2024-2025, Commission of Statistics and GIS | The National Context
Iraq Housing and Utilities by Governorate

Iraq Housing & Utilities by Governorate (2024-2025 Census)

This dashboard presents key housing and utilities metrics from the Iraq 2024-2025 Census, showing variations across governorates in home ownership, water access, and sanitation facilities.

Housing Tenure by Governorate

Governorate Owner-occupied/
Living with Family		 Private Rental Government
Rental		 Free Housing
Erbil 67.03% 25.87% 0.74% 6.37%
Al-Anbar 78.18% 16.75% 1.00% 4.07%
Basra 74.38% 14.43% 3.08% 8.11%
Sulaimani 72.17% 17.87% 0.72% 9.25%
Al-Qadisiyyah 79.36% 12.22% 2.93% 5.49%
Al-Muthanna 85.87% 10.34% 1.39% 2.41%
Najaf 72.64% 20.55% 2.08% 4.74%
Babil 75.44% 14.98% 5.55% 4.02%
Baghdad 68.61% 23.98% 2.92% 4.49%
Dohuk 72.15% 20.94% 0.54% 6.36%
Diyala 72.87% 20.75% 1.94% 4.43%
Dhi Qar 80.12% 14.36% 1.19% 4.34%
Karbala 73.02% 19.52% 2.05% 5.41%
Kirkuk 62.13% 22.44% 2.07% 13.36%
Maysan 73.09% 18.59% 2.40% 5.92%
Nineveh 70.26% 18.62% 0.92% 10.20%
Wasit 79.34% 12.76% 2.33% 5.57%
National Average 72.14% 19.41% 2.12% 6.33%

Water Access by Governorate

Governorate Indoor Plumbing
(Domestic Use)		 Indoor Plumbing
(Drinking)		 RO Water
Treatment		 Water Tankers Other Sources
Erbil 90.98% 92.78% 1.03% 2.98% 3.21%
Al-Anbar 85.65% 82.15% 7.36% 7.87% 2.62%
Basra 89.52% 30.01% 21.98% 14.88% 33.13%
Sulaimani 82.29% 80.74% 2.05% 4.09% 13.12%
Al-Qadisiyyah 91.03% 55.09% 28.96% 12.47% 3.48%
Al-Muthanna 84.29% 47.51% 27.35% 6.82% 18.32%
Najaf 94.74% 57.08% 24.34% 17.10% 1.48%
Babil 83.90% 59.99% 19.98% 14.46% 5.57%
Baghdad 92.42% 57.45% 25.76% 15.53% 1.27%
Dohuk 90.01% 90.66% 2.52% 3.86% 2.97%
Diyala 81.93% 52.08% 28.52% 11.18% 8.22%
Dhi Qar 73.22% 55.27% 28.86% 6.67% 9.20%
Karbala 92.35% 57.58% 25.70% 14.99% 1.73%
Kirkuk 84.64% 88.98% 1.66% 3.31% 6.05%
Maysan 82.55% 58.73% 23.25% 8.03% 9.99%
Nineveh 80.98% 85.80% 1.11% 1.69% 11.40%
Wasit 83.68% 58.70% 30.45% 7.60% 3.26%
National Average 86.82% 65.67% 16.91% 9.81% 7.61%

Sanitation Facilities by Governorate

Governorate Public Sewage
Network		 Septic Tank/
Cesspool		 Municipal
Waste Collection		 Waste Burning Other Waste
Disposal
Erbil 19.68% 74.90% 89.79% 1.07% 9.13%
Al-Anbar 26.61% 68.50% 72.97% 13.02% 14.01%
Basra 50.31% 37.83% 71.90% 4.60% 23.50%
Sulaimani 85.48% 4.80% 89.49% 0.78% 9.73%
Al-Qadisiyyah 40.02% 48.87% 28.01% 25.44% 46.55%
Al-Muthanna 18.32% 58.57% 43.98% 11.61% 44.41%
Najaf 52.29% 42.72% 36.96% 31.85% 31.19%
Babil 18.16% 72.13% 50.47% 7.84% 41.69%
Baghdad 77.32% 19.20% 52.62% 24.44% 22.94%
Dohuk 20.10% 73.67% 86.54% 2.96% 10.50%
Diyala 20.85% 69.13% 49.72% 22.72% 27.55%
Dhi Qar 54.58% 28.28% 36.96% 31.85% 31.19%
Karbala 60.90% 33.13% 50.17% 14.90% 34.93%
Kirkuk 45.53% 39.97% 60.28% 11.12% 28.60%
Maysan 75.08% 11.73% 62.26% 15.29% 22.45%
Nineveh 23.44% 64.81% 49.52% 14.47% 36.01%
Wasit 52.07% 34.93% 50.89% 26.89% 22.22%
National Average 49.45% 41.89% 58.36% 13.05% 28.58%
Source: Iraq Population and Housing Census 2024-2025, Commission of Statistics and GIS | The National Context

Poverty Rates in Iraqi Provinces and Kurdistan Region

From Lowest to Highest

Iraqi Provinces
Kurdistan Region Provinces
Erbil
6%
Sulaimani (+ Halabja)
8%
Kirkuk
10%
Baghdad
14%
Dhi Qar
14%
Duhok
15%
Nineveh
16%
Maysan
16%
Diyala
17%
Saladin
19%
Wasit
19%
Karbala
20%
Anbar
21%
Najaf
25%
Basra
28%
Diwaniyah
29%
Babylon
34%
Muthanna
44%
Source: Iraqi Planning Ministry - The National Context

Kurdistan vs Iraq proper:

Kurdistan vs Iraq Census Data Comparison

Kurdistan vs Iraq: Key Census Data Comparison

Comparative demographic and socioeconomic indicators

Iraq
Kurdistan
Key Comparison Metrics
Urbanization
84.6%
+14.4%
Kurdistan vs Iraq (70.2%)
Working Age Population
63.9%
+3.5%
Kurdistan vs Iraq (60.4%)
Primary Education
93%
+5%
Kurdistan vs Iraq (88%)
Population Distribution

Total Population

46,118,793
Iraq (including Kurdistan)

Kurdistan Population

6,503,000
~14.1% of total Iraq population
Iraq
Kurdistan
Iraq
85.9%
Kurdistan
14.1%
Urban vs Rural Distribution
Iraq Urban
70.17%
→
Kurdistan Urban
84.57%
Kurdistan is 14.4% more urbanized
Iraq
Urban: 70.17%
Rural: 29.83%
Kurdistan
Urban: 84.57%
Rural: 15.43%
Urban Population Kurdistan +14.4%
Iraq
70.17%
Kurdistan
84.57%
Rural Population Kurdistan -14.4%
Iraq
29.83%
Kurdistan
15.43%
Age Distribution
0-5 yrs
5-15 yrs
15-64 yrs
65+ yrs
Dependency Ratio
0-5 years Kurdistan -1.24%
Iraq
11.16%
Kurdistan
9.92%
5-15 years Kurdistan -2.98%
Iraq
24.74%
Kurdistan
21.76%
Working age (15-64) Kurdistan +3.48%
Iraq
60.44%
Kurdistan
63.92%
65 or older Kurdistan +0.74%
Iraq
3.66%
Kurdistan
4.4%
Marital Status
Iraq Divorce Rate
1.28%
→
Kurdistan Divorce Rate
0.66%
Kurdistan's divorce rate is 48.4% lower
Single (Never married) Kurdistan -0.60%
Iraq
41.6%
Kurdistan
41%
Married Kurdistan +1.82%
Iraq
54.01%
Kurdistan
55.83%
Divorced Kurdistan -0.62%
Iraq
1.28%
Kurdistan
0.66%
Widowed Kurdistan -0.62%
Iraq
2.8%
Kurdistan
2.18%
Separated Kurdistan +0.09%
Iraq
0.24%
Kurdistan
0.33%
Health Indicators
Mortality Rates (per 100,000 live births)
Iraq
26.7
Kurdistan
34.3
+28.5% higher
Fertility Rates (births per woman)
Iraq
3.9
Kurdistan
3.5
10.3% lower
Employment and Education
Iraq Primary Education
88%
→
Kurdistan Primary Education
93%
Kurdistan's enrollment rate is 5.7% higher
Working in public sector Kurdistan -1.07%
Iraq
38.25%
Kurdistan
37.18%
Economically active population (15+ years) Kurdistan +4.45%
Iraq
41.61%
Kurdistan
46.06%
Illiteracy rate (10+ years) Kurdistan +0.92%
Iraq
15.31%
Kurdistan
16.23%
Primary school enrollment rate Kurdistan +5%
Iraq
88%
Kurdistan
93%
Infrastructure and Housing
Access to Drinking Water Kurdistan -5%
Iraq
87%
Kurdistan
82%
Public electricity grid access Kurdistan -5%
Iraq
98%
Kurdistan
93%
Public Sewage System Access Kurdistan +5%
Iraq
44%
Kurdistan
49%
Homeownership Kurdistan -1.96%
Iraq
72.15%
Kurdistan
70.19%
Summary of Key Differences
Demographics
  • Kurdistan is significantly more urbanized (84.6% vs 70.2%)
  • Kurdistan has a slightly higher working-age population (63.9% vs 60.4%)
  • Kurdistan has a lower child population rate (31.7% vs 35.9%)
Social Indicators
  • Kurdistan has a notably lower divorce rate (0.66% vs 1.28%)
  • Kurdistan has a slightly higher marriage rate (55.8% vs 54.0%)
  • Kurdistan has a lower fertility rate (3.5 vs 3.9 births per woman)
Development Indicators
  • Kurdistan has higher primary education enrollment (93% vs 88%)
  • Kurdistan has better sewage infrastructure access (49% vs 44%)
  • Kurdistan has lower access to electricity (93% vs 98%)

Written by

Arivan