Iraq Conducts First National Census in 40 Years

Iraq is conducting its first nationwide census since 1987, under Saddam Hussein’s regime, with a significant operation involving 120,000 researchers. This extensive demographic survey, scheduled over two days, will collect data from households across all 18 governorates of the country. To facilitate the process, the Ministry of Interior has imposed a two-day curfew. 

Introduction

• Purpose: The census aims to modernize Iraq’s data collection system, assist in future development planning, and provide a comprehensive view of Iraq’s demographic, social, and economic landscape.
• Historical Context: The last nationwide census was conducted in 1987, and a subsequent census in 1997 excluded the Kurdish region.

Key Features of the Census

Start Date: November 2024

Technology Use: Advanced technologies will be employed to gather and analyze data for the first time.

Scope: Approximately 120,000 census workers will survey households across Iraq, covering 160 housing units each over two days.

Methodology:

• The census will use the “de jure” method, counting people in their current areas of residence (not their original homes if displaced).
• Exclusion: Iraqis living abroad or those displaced to other countries will not be counted.

Political and Regional Sensitivities

• Disputed Areas: The census will be conducted in disputed regions like Kirkuk, Diyala, and Mosul, which have tensions between the central government and the semi-autonomous Kurdish region.
• Inclusive Approach: To ensure fairness, census workers will include representatives from major ethnic groups: Kurds, Arabs, Turkmen, and Christians.
• Government Cooperation: Agreements have been made with the central government and Kurdish officials to conduct the census impartially.

Ethnicity and Sectarian Identity

• Exclusion of Ethnic/Sectarian Questions: The federal court ordered the removal of questions about ethnicity and sectarian affiliation to avoid exacerbating tensions.
• Focus on Religious Categories: The census will focus on broad religious categories such as Muslim and Christian.

Implications for Iraq

Resource Allocation

• The census will provide updated data to guide decisions on resource distribution, budget allocations, and infrastructure development.
• The Kurdish region’s budget share (currently 12%) will be clarified, based on the actual population figures.

Political Influence

• Minority groups fear a decline in their political influence and economic benefits if their numbers are documented as smaller.
• The census is expected to have significant political and economic implications, affecting decisions on resource distribution, public services, and future political representation.

Impact on Future Planning

• The census will help the government plan for post-conflict reconstruction and resource allocation, especially for regions impacted by war.
• It will also offer insight into public employee numbers, especially in the Kurdish region.

Security and Monitoring

• Curfew: The Interior Ministry imposed a nationwide curfew during the census to ensure security and order during the data collection.
• International Monitoring: The census will be monitored by international observers to assess the quality and accuracy of the data collection process.

Summary/Static	Details
Why in the news?	Iraq’s first nationwide population census in nearly four decades
Purpose	Modernize data collection, influence resource distribution, budget allocation, and development planning
Census Method	“De jure” method, counting people in their current residence, not original communities; excludes Iraqis abroad or displaced abroad
Technological Advancement	Use of advanced technologies to gather and analyze data
Staffing	120,000 census workers surveying households across the country, with each worker covering ~160 units
Curfew	Nationwide curfew imposed to ensure smooth census process, with exceptions for humanitarian cases