Ministry of Construction to Benefit from 2024 Census Data for Strategic Housing Project Planning

 
Baghdad – INA

The spokesperson for the Ministry of Construction, Housing, and Public Municipalities, Nabil Al-Saffar, announced on Thursday that the upcoming 2024 General Population and Housing Census will play a crucial role in establishing a comprehensive database for project planning based on population statistics.

Al-Saffar emphasized that previous statistics were largely "estimates" derived from unofficial mathematical models.

In a statement to the Iraqi News Agency (INA), Al-Saffar stated, “The Ministry of Reconstruction is poised to be one of the principal beneficiaries of the population census. This will provide an accurate database and reliable figures, particularly concerning housing and the actual population needs of the country.”

Al-Saffar noted that past statistics had been derived from previous data and mathematical calculations without any official verification. The census, he explained, will clearly identify the population gaps across different areas, especially with the rise in informal settlements.

Al-Saffar underscored the importance of the census in driving future housing projects: “The census will guide the initiation of housing projects, which fundamentally rely on the population size of each area, as well as poverty levels and citizens' purchasing power to acquire those housing units.”

 He added, "Planning within the Ministry of Construction will become more comprehensive and inclusive, guided by the accurate statistics provided by the general census."

The 2024 census is expected to provide pivotal data that will enable the Ministry to tailor housing projects effectively to meet the population’s needs and address the challenges posed by informal settlements.