Iraq kicks off nationwide population census amid security and economic planning efforts

Baghdad-INA

Iraq commenced its nationwide population census on Wednesday, November 20, 2024.
 
The Ministry of Planning's Statistics and Geographical Information Systems Authority confirmed the operation began at 7 a.m. local time and will continue until midnight each day. Enumerators are tasked with visiting each household three times to ensure comprehensive data collection and validation.

In a statement issued Tuesday, the Ministry of Planning clarified the inclusion of durable goods in the census survey, explaining that this information will help identify socio-economic stratification, as well as measure regional poverty and wealth levels. The data gathered will serve as a foundational tool for policymakers to prioritize areas requiring urgent infrastructural development and social services.

The Ministry of Trade underscored the census' importance for guiding future investments, which will play a vital role in driving Iraq’s economic growth and accelerating its post-conflict recovery. The government aims to use the census to direct resources more effectively and ensure equitable development across all provinces.

Security considerations are also high on the agenda. Interior Minister Abdul Amir al-Shammari, overseeing the final security preparations, convened a meeting with senior officials to discuss protective measures for the census operation.

A national operations room and subcommittees will be established across provinces to safeguard enumerators and ensure the smooth flow of data collection. The minister further assured that humanitarian needs would be addressed during curfew hours related to the census.