Iraq Conducts First National Census in 40 Years

Iraq's population has surged to 45.4 million according to preliminary results from the country's first national census in nearly four decades, announced by Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani. This census, conducted on November 20, is pivotal for future planning and development, particularly in addressing long-standing issues stemming from conflict and political divisions. The gender distribution is nearly equal, with males at 50.1% and females at 49.8%. Notably, the census omitted questions on ethnicity and sectarian affiliation due to sensitivities surrounding these topics. The last census in 1997 excluded the Kurdish region, making this survey significant for comprehensive demographic insights. The data collected will aid in improving resource distribution and developmental planning in Iraq.