Communications: Broadband - fixed subscriptions: subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
17.63 (2024, World Bank)
Communications: Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total
7.77 million (2023 est.)
Communications: Broadcast media
the number of private radio and TV stations has increased rapidly since 2003; state-owned TV and radio stations are operated by the publicly funded Iraqi Media Network; private broadcast media are mostly linked to political, ethnic, or religious groups; satellite TV is available to about 70% of viewers; many broadcasters are based abroad; transmissions of multiple international radio broadcasters are accessible (2019)
Communications: Internet country code
.iq
Communications: Internet users: percent of population
81.5% (2024, World Bank)
Communications: Telephones - fixed lines: subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
11.46 (2024, World Bank)
Communications: Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions
1.977 million (2023 est.)
Communications: Telephones - mobile cellular: subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
100.08 (2024, World Bank)
Communications: Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions
46.1 million (2024 est.)
Economy: Agricultural products
wheat, dates, maize, tomatoes, rye, grapes, milk, chicken, potatoes, fruits (2023)
Economy: Average household expenditures: on alcohol and tobacco
4.3% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
Economy: Average household expenditures: on food
28.7% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
Economy: Budget: expenditures
$64.512 billion (2019 est.)
Economy: Budget: revenues
$90.204 billion (2019 est.)
Economy: Current account balance: Current account balance 2021
$24.565 billion (2021 est.)
Economy: Current account balance: Current account balance 2022
$58.01 billion (2022 est.)
Economy: Current account balance: Current account balance 2023
$28.375 billion (2023 est.)
Economy: Current account balance: Current account balance 2024
$8.366 billion (2024, World Bank)
Economy: Debt - external: Debt - external 2023
$17.517 billion (2024, World Bank)
Economy: Exchange rates: Currency
Iraqi dinars (IQD) per US dollar -
Economy: Exchange rates: Exchange rates 2020
1,192 (2020 est.)
Economy: Exchange rates: Exchange rates 2021
1,450 (2021 est.)
Economy: Exchange rates: Exchange rates 2022
1,450 (2022 est.)
Economy: Exchange rates: Exchange rates 2023
1,312.5 (2023 est.)
Economy: Exchange rates: Exchange rates 2024
1,300 (2024 est.)
Economy: Exports - commodities
crude petroleum, refined petroleum, petroleum coke, gold, natural gas (2023)
Economy: Exports: Exports 2021
$78.26 billion (2021 est.)
Economy: Exports: Exports 2022
$127.079 billion (2022 est.)
Economy: Exports: Exports 2023
$107.852 billion (2023 est.)
Economy: Exports: Exports 2024
$111.195 billion (2024, World Bank)
Economy: GDP - composition, by end use: exports of goods and services
39.8% (2024, World Bank)
Economy: GDP - composition, by end use: government consumption
22.2% (2024, World Bank)
Economy: GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption
46.4% (2024, World Bank)
Economy: GDP - composition, by end use: imports of goods and services
37.4% (2024, World Bank)
Economy: GDP - composition, by end use: investment in fixed capital
14.4% (2024, World Bank)
Economy: GDP - composition, by end use: investment in inventories
8.8% (2024 est.)
Economy: GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture
3.4% (2025, World Bank)
Economy: GDP - composition, by sector of origin: industry
45.4% (2025, World Bank)
Economy: GDP - composition, by sector of origin: services
52.3% (2025, World Bank)
Economy: GDP - per capita (PPP)
$14,267 (2025, World Bank)
Economy: GDP (official exchange rate)
$254.367 billion (2025, World Bank)
Economy: GDP (purchasing power parity) - real
$573.256 billion (2025, World Bank)
Economy: Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income 2023
29.8 (2023 est.)
Economy: Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income 2024
29.80 (2023, World Bank)
Economy: Household income or consumption by percentage share: highest 10%
24.2% (2023, World Bank)
Economy: Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%
3.7% (2023, World Bank)
Economy: Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, cars, broadcasting equipment, jewelry, gold (2023)
Economy: Imports: Imports 2021
$50.707 billion (2021 est.)
Economy: Imports: Imports 2022
$69.162 billion (2022 est.)
Economy: Imports: Imports 2023
$81.179 billion (2023 est.)
Economy: Imports: Imports 2024
$104.517 billion (2024, World Bank)
Economy: Industrial production growth rate
-2.7% (2024 est.)
Economy: Inflation rate (consumer prices): Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2021
6% (2021 est.)
Economy: Inflation rate (consumer prices): Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022
5% (2022 est.)
Economy: Inflation rate (consumer prices): Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023
4.4% (2023 est.)
Economy: Inflation rate (consumer prices): Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2024
0.3% (2025, World Bank)
Economy: Labor force
12,493,376 (2025, World Bank)
Economy: Population below poverty line
17.5% (2023, World Bank)
Economy: Public debt: Public debt 2018
27.4% of GDP (2018 est.)
Economy: Public debt: Public debt 2023
27.4% of GDP (2018, World Bank)
Economy: Real GDP (purchasing power parity): Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022
$592.017 billion (2022 est.)
Economy: Real GDP (purchasing power parity): Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023
$595.082 billion (2023 est.)
Economy: Real GDP (purchasing power parity): Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024
$573.256 billion (2025, World Bank)
Economy: Real GDP growth rate: Real GDP growth rate 2022
8% (2022 est.)
Economy: Real GDP growth rate: Real GDP growth rate 2023
0.5% (2023 est.)
Economy: Real GDP growth rate: Real GDP growth rate 2024
-2.2% (2025, World Bank)
Economy: Real GDP per capita: Real GDP per capita 2022
$13,400 (2022 est.)
Economy: Real GDP per capita: Real GDP per capita 2023
$13,200 (2023 est.)
Economy: Remittances: Remittances 2021
0.4% of GDP (2021 est.)
Economy: Remittances: Remittances 2022
0.4% of GDP (2022 est.)
Economy: Remittances: Remittances 2023
0.4% of GDP (2023 est.)
Economy: Remittances: Remittances 2024
0.2% of GDP (2024, World Bank)
Economy: Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022
$97.009 billion (2022 est.)
Economy: Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023
$112.233 billion (2023 est.)
Economy: Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2024
$100.691 billion (2024, World Bank)
Economy: Taxes and other revenues
38.6% of GDP (2019, World Bank)
Economy: Unemployment rate: Unemployment rate 2022
15.6% (2022 est.)
Economy: Unemployment rate: Unemployment rate 2023
15.5% (2023 est.)
Economy: Unemployment rate: Unemployment rate 2024
15.5% (2025, World Bank)
Economy: Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24): female
66.4% (2025, World Bank)
Economy: Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24): male
28.1% (2025, World Bank)
Economy: Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24): total
32.0% (2025, World Bank)
Energy: Coal: imports
3,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
Energy: Electricity access: electrification - rural areas
100.0% (2024, World Bank)
Energy: Electricity access: electrification - total population
100.0% (2024, World Bank)
Energy: Electricity access: electrification - urban areas
100.0% (2024, World Bank)
Energy: Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels
98.8% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Energy: Electricity generation sources: hydroelectricity
0.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Energy: Electricity generation sources: solar
0.3% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Energy: Electricity: consumption
73.521 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Energy: Electricity: imports
3.134 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Energy: Electricity: installed generating capacity
31.339 million kW (2023 est.)
Energy: Electricity: transmission/distribution losses
79.904 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Energy: Energy consumption per capita: Total energy consumption per capita 2023
64.311 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Energy: Natural gas: consumption
19.308 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
Energy: Natural gas: imports
8.771 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
Energy: Natural gas: production
10.537 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
Energy: Natural gas: proven reserves
3.729 trillion cubic meters (2021 est.)
Energy: Petroleum: crude oil estimated reserves
145.019 billion barrels (2021 est.)
Energy: Petroleum: refined petroleum consumption
1.043 million bbl/day (2023 est.)
Energy: Petroleum: total petroleum production
4.448 million bbl/day (2023 est.)
Environment: Carbon dioxide emissions: from coal and metallurgical coke
7,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Environment: Carbon dioxide emissions: from consumed natural gas
37.878 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Environment: Carbon dioxide emissions: from petroleum and other liquids
152.931 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Environment: Carbon dioxide emissions: total emissions
190.815 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Environment: Climate
mostly desert; mild to cool winters with dry, hot, cloudless summers; northern mountainous regions along Iranian and Turkish borders experience cold winters with occasionally heavy snows that melt in early spring, sometimes causing extensive flooding in central and southern Iraq
Environment: Environmental issues
habitat loss from wetland draining; inadequate potable water; soil degradation (salination) and erosion; desertification; air, soil, and groundwater pollution from military and industries; water pollution from oil refineries and factory and sewage discharges; soil pollution from fertilizer and chemicals; air pollution in urban areas
Environment: International environmental agreements: party to
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
Environment: International environmental agreements: signed, but not ratified
Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Environmental Modification
Environment: Land use: agricultural land
21.8% (2023, World Bank)
Environment: Land use: agricultural land: arable land
11.4% (2023, World Bank)
Environment: Land use: agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 1.2% (2023 est.)
Environment: Land use: agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 9.2% (2023 est.)
Environment: Land use: forest
1.9% (2023, World Bank)
Environment: Land use: other
76.5% (2023 est.)
Environment: Methane emissions: agriculture
157 kt (2019-2021 est.)
Environment: Methane emissions: energy
2,243 kt (2022-2024 est.)
Environment: Methane emissions: other
2.3 kt (2019-2021 est.)
Environment: Methane emissions: waste
325 kt (2019-2021 est.)
Environment: Particulate matter emissions
45.4 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
Environment: Total renewable water resources
89.86 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
Environment: Total water withdrawal: agricultural
31.169 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
Environment: Total water withdrawal: industrial
4.52 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
Environment: Total water withdrawal: municipal
6.735 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
Environment: Urbanization: rate of urbanization
2.91% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Environment: Urbanization: urban population
69.9% (2025, World Bank)
Environment: Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually
13.14 million tons (2024 est.)
Environment: Waste and recycling: percent of municipal solid waste recycled
15.4% (2022 est.)
Geography: Area - comparative
slightly more than three times the size of New York State
Geography: Area: land
437,367 sq km
Geography: Area: water
950 sq km
Geography: Coastline
58 km
Geography: Elevation: highest point
Cheekha Dar (Kurdish for "Black Tent") 3,611 m
Geography: Elevation: lowest point
Persian Gulf 0 m
Geography: Elevation: mean elevation
312 m
Geography: Geographic coordinates
33 00 N, 44 00 E
Geography: Geography - note
strategic location on Shatt al Arab waterway and at the head of the Persian Gulf
Geography: Irrigated land
35,250 sq km (2012)
Geography: Land boundaries: border countries
Iran 1,599 km; Jordan 179 km; Kuwait 254 km; Saudi Arabia 811 km; Syria 599 km; Turkey 367 km
Geography: Land boundaries: total
3,809 km
Geography: Land use: agricultural land
21.8% (2023 est.)
Geography: Land use: agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 11.4% (2023 est.)
Geography: Land use: agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 1.2% (2023 est.)
Geography: Land use: agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 9.2% (2023 est.)
Geography: Land use: forest
1.6% (2023 est.)
Geography: Land use: other
76.5% (2023 est.)
Geography: Major aquifers
Arabian Aquifer System
Geography: Major lakes (area sq km): fresh water lake(s)
Lake Hammar - 1,940 sq km
Geography: Major rivers (by length in km)
Euphrates river mouth (shared with Turkey[s], Syria, and Iran) - 3,596 km; Tigris river mouth (shared with Turkey[s], Syria, and Iran) - 1,950 km; the Tigris and Euphrates join to form the Shatt al Arab note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth
Geography: Major watersheds (area sq km): Indian Ocean drainage
(Persian Gulf) Tigris and Euphrates (918,044 sq km)
Geography: Map references
Middle East
Geography: Maritime claims: continental shelf
not specified
Geography: Maritime claims: territorial sea
12 nm
Geography: Natural hazards
dust storms; sandstorms; floods
Geography: Population distribution
population is concentrated in the north, center, and eastern parts of the country, with many of the larger urban agglomerations found along extensive parts of the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers; much of the western and southern areas are either lightly populated or uninhabited
Geography: Terrain
mostly broad plains; reedy marshes along Iranian border in south with large flooded areas; mountains along borders with Iran and Turkey
Government: Administrative divisions
19 governorates ( muhafazat , singular - muhafazah (Arabic); parezgakan, singular - parezga (Kurdish)); 'Al Anbar; Al Basrah; Al Muthanna; Al Qadisiyah (Ad Diwaniyah); An Najaf; Arbil (Erbil) (Arabic), Halabjah; Hewler (Kurdish); As Sulaymaniyah (Arabic), Slemani (Kurdish); Babil; Baghdad; Dahuk (Arabic), Dihok (Kurdish); Dhi Qar; Diyala; Karbala'; Kirkuk; Maysan; Ninawa; Salah ad Din; Wasit
Government: Capital: etymology
the origin of the name is unclear; it may mean "gift of God," from the pre-Islamic words bagh (god) and dad (given)
Government: Capital: geographic coordinates
33 20 N, 44 24 E
Government: Capital: time difference
UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Government: Citizenship: citizenship by birth
no
Government: Citizenship: citizenship by descent only
at least one parent must be a citizen of Iraq
Government: Citizenship: dual citizenship recognized
yes
Government: Citizenship: residency requirement for naturalization
10 years
Government: Constitution: amendment process
proposed by the president of the republic and the Council of Minsters collectively, or by one fifth of the Council of Representatives members; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote by the Council of Representatives, approval by referendum, and ratification by the president; passage of amendments to articles on citizen rights and liberties requires two-thirds majority vote of Council of Representatives members after two successive electoral terms, approval in a referendum, and ratification by the president
Government: Constitution: history
several previous; latest adopted by referendum 15 October 2005
Government: Country name: conventional short form
Iraq
Government: Country name: etymology
the name probably derives from Uruk ("Erech" in Aramaic), the ancient Sumerian and Babylonian city on the Euphrates River
Government: Country name: former
Mesopotamia, Mandatory Iraq, Hashemite Kingdom of Iraq
Government: Country name: local long form
Jumhuriyat al-Iraq/Komar-i Eraq
Government: Country name: local short form
Al Iraq/Eraq
Government: Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission
Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d'Affaires Ambassador Joshua HARRIS (since 2 September 2025)
Government: Diplomatic representation from the US: email address and website
BaghdadACS@state.gov https://iq.usembassy.gov/
Government: Diplomatic representation from the US: embassy
Al-Kindi Street, International Zone, Baghdad; note - consulate in Al Basrah closed as of 28 September 2018
Government: Diplomatic representation from the US: mailing address
6060 Baghdad Place, Washington DC 20521-6060
Government: Diplomatic representation from the US: telephone
0760-030-3000
Government: Diplomatic representation in the US: chancery
1801 P Street NW, Washington, DC 20036
Government: Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission
Ambassador Nazar Issa Abdulhadi AL-KHIRULLAH (since 30 June 2023)
Government: Diplomatic representation in the US: consulate(s) general
Detroit, Los Angeles
Government: Diplomatic representation in the US: email address and website
washington@scrdiraq.gov.iq https://www.iraqiembassy.us/
Government: Diplomatic representation in the US: FAX
[1] (202) 462-8815
Government: Diplomatic representation in the US: telephone
[1] (202) 483-7500
Government: Executive branch: cabinet
Council of Ministers proposed by the prime minister, approved by Council of Representatives (COR)
Government: Executive branch: chief of state
President Latif RASHID (since 13 October 2022)
Government: Executive branch: election results
2022: Latif RASHID elected president in second round; COR vote in first round - Latif RASHID (PUK) 157, Barham SALIH (PUK) 99; COR vote in second round - Latif RASHID 167, Barham SALIH 99; Mohammed Shia' al-SUDANI approved as prime minister 2018: Barham SALIH elected president in second round; COR vote in first round - Barham SALIH (PUK) 165, Fuad HUSAYN (KDP) 90; COR vote in second round - Barham SALIH 219, Fuad HUSAYN 22; Adil ABD AL-MAHDI approved as prime minister
Government: Executive branch: election/appointment process
president indirectly elected by COR to serve a 4-year term (eligible for a second term)
Government: Executive branch: head of government
Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-SUDANI (since 27 October 2022)
Government: Executive branch: most recent election date
13 October 2022
Government: Flag
description: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black; the Takbir (Arabic phrase meaning "God is great") in green Arabic script is centered in the white band meaning: the colors come from the Arab Liberation flag and stand for oppression (black) overcome through bloody struggle (red), to be replaced by a bright future (white) history: the Council of Representatives approved this flag in 2008 as a compromise replacement for the Ba'thist SADDAM-era flag
Government: International law organization participation
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
Government: International organization participation
ABEDA, AFESD, AIIB, AMF, CAEU, CICA, EITI (compliant country), FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)
Government: Judicial branch: highest court(s)
Federal Supreme Court or FSC (consists of 9 judges); Court of Cassation (consists of a court president, 5 vice presidents, and at least 24 judges)
Government: Judicial branch: judge selection and term of office
Federal Supreme Court (FSC) judges nominated by the High Judicial Council (HJC) president, the FSC chief justice, the public prosecutor's office chief, and the head of the Judicial Oversight Commission; FSC members required to retire at age 72; Court of Cassation judges appointed by the HJC and confirmed by the Council of Representatives to serve until retirement, nominally at age 63, but can be extended to age 66
Government: Judicial branch: subordinate courts
Courts of Appeal (governorate level); civil courts, including first instance, personal status, labor, and customs; criminal courts including felony, misdemeanor, investigative, major crimes, juvenile, and traffic courts
Government: Legal system
mixed system of civil and Islamic law
Government: Legislative branch: electoral system
other systems
Government: Legislative branch: expected date of next election
November 2029
Government: Legislative branch: legislative structure
unicameral
Government: Legislative branch: legislature name
Council of Representatives of Iraq
Government: Legislative branch: most recent election date
11/11/2025
Government: Legislative branch: number of seats
329 (all directly elected)
Government: Legislative branch: parties elected and seats per party
Reconstruction & Development Coalition, The Progress (Taqaddum) Party, State of Law Coalition, Sadiqoun Movement, Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), Badr Organization, National State Forces Alliance, Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), Azm Alliance, National Sovereignty, Ishraqat Kanun, Asas (Iraqi Foundation) Coalition, Tasmeem Alliance, Huquq Movement, National Resolve (Hasm)
Government: Legislative branch: percentage of women in chamber
28.9%
Government: Legislative branch: scope of elections
full renewal
Government: Legislative branch: term in office
4 years
Government: National anthem(s): history
adopted 2004, after the ouster of SADDAM Husayn; popular Arab folk song that also serves as an unofficial anthem for the Palestinian people
Government: National anthem(s): lyrics/music
Ibrahim TOUQAN/Mohammad FLAYFEL
Government: National color(s)
red, white, black
Government: National heritage: selected World Heritage Site locales
Ashur (Qal'at Sherqat) (c); Babylon (c); Erbil Citadel (c); Hatra (c); Samarra Archaeological City (c); The Ahwar (Marshland) of Southern Iraq: Refuge of Biodiversity and the Relict Landscape of the Mesopotamian Cities (m)
Government: National heritage: total World Heritage Sites
6 (5 cultural, 1 mixed)
Government: National holiday
Independence Day, 3 October (1932); Republic Day, 14 July (1958)
Government: National symbol(s)
golden eagle
Government: Political parties
Al Fatah Alliance Azm Alliance Babiliyun Movement Imtidad Ishraqat Konun Kurdistan Democratic Party National Contract Party New Generation Movement Patriotic Union of Kurdistan Sadrist Bloc State Forces Alliance State of Law Coalition Taqadum Tasmim Alliance
Government: Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Introduction: Background
Formerly part of the Ottoman Empire, Iraq was occupied by the United Kingdom during World War I and was declared a League of Nations mandate under UK administration in 1920. Iraq attained its independence as a kingdom in 1932. It was proclaimed a republic in 1958 after a coup overthrew the monarchy, but in actuality, a series of strongmen ruled the country until 2003. The last was SADDAM Hussein, from 1979 to 2003. Territorial disputes with Iran led to an inconclusive and costly war from 1980 to 1988. In 1990, Iraq seized Kuwait but was expelled by US-led UN coalition forces during the two-month-long Gulf War of 1991. After Iraq's expulsion, the UN Security Council (UNSC) required Iraq to scrap all weapons of mass destruction and long-range missiles and to allow UN verification inspections. Continued Iraqi noncompliance with UNSC resolutions led to the Second Gulf War in 2003, when US-led forces ousted the SADDAM regime. In 2005, Iraqis approved a constitution in a national referendum and elected a 275-member Council of Representatives (COR). The COR approved most of the cabinet ministers, marking the transition to Iraq's first constitutional government in nearly a half-century. Iraq's constitution also established the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), a semi-autonomous region that administers the governorates of Erbil, Dahuk, and As Sulaymaniyah. Iraq has held four national legislative elections since 2006, most recently in 2021. The COR approved Mohammad Shia' al-SUDANI as prime minister in 2022. Iraq has repeatedly postponed elections for provincial councils -- last held in 2013 -- and since 2019, the prime minister has had the authority to appoint governors rather than provincial councils. Between 2014 and 2017, Iraq fought a military campaign against the Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS) to recapture territory the group seized in 2014. In 2017, then-Prime Minister Haydar al-ABADI publicly declared victory against ISIS, although military operations against the group continue in rural areas. Also in 2017, Baghdad forcefully seized disputed territories across central and northern Iraq from the KRG, after a non-binding Kurdish independence referendum.
Military and Security: Military - note
the Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) are primarily focused on internal and border security; they are actively conducting counterinsurgency and counterterrorism operations against the Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS) terrorist group, particularly in northern and western Iraq; the operations include securing the border with Syria; the Kurdish Security Forces, as well as are also active in conducting operations against ISIS two international military task forces operate in Iraq to assist the country's security forces at the request of the Iraqi Government; in 2018, NATO established an advisory, training and capacity-building mission for the Iraqi military known as the NATO Mission Iraq (NMI); in December 2021, the US-led Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF-OIR) transitioned from a combat role to an advise, assist, and enable role (2025)
Military and Security: Military and security forces
Ministry of Defense: Iraqi Army, Iraqi Navy, Iraqi Air Force Office of the Prime Minister: Iraqi Counterterrorism Service (CTS); Popular Mobilization Committee (PMC) Ministry of Interior: Federal Police Forces Command, Border Guard Forces Command, Federal Intelligence and Investigations Agency, Emergency Response Division, Facilities Protection Directorate, and Provincial Police; Ministry of Oil: Energy Police Directorate (2025)
Military and Security: Military and security service personnel strengths
estimated 200,000 active armed forces personnel under the Ministry of Defense (Army, Aviation Command, Air/Air Defense, Navy, Special Forces); approximately 20-25,000 National-Level Security Forces Ministry of Peshmerga: estimated 150,000 active personnel Popular Mobilization Forces: estimated 200,000 militia (2025)
Military and Security: Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
the Iraqi military's inventory includes a mix of European, Russian, Soviet-era, and US armaments (2025)
Military and Security: Military expenditures: Military Expenditures 2020
3.2% of GDP (2020 est.)
Military and Security: Military expenditures: Military Expenditures 2021
3% of GDP (2021 est.)
Military and Security: Military expenditures: Military Expenditures 2022
1.8% of GDP (2022 est.)
Military and Security: Military expenditures: Military Expenditures 2023
2.5% of GDP (2023 est.)
Military and Security: Military expenditures: Military Expenditures 2024
2.5% of GDP (2024 est.)
Military and Security: Military expenditures: Military Expenditures 2025
2.4% of GDP (2024, World Bank)
Military and Security: Military service age and obligation
18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2025)
People and Society: Age structure: 0-14 years
36.0% (2025, World Bank)
People and Society: Age structure: 15-64 years
60.5% (2025, World Bank)
People and Society: Age structure: 65 years and over
3.4% (2025, World Bank)
People and Society: Alcohol consumption per capita: beer
0.11 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
People and Society: Alcohol consumption per capita: other alcohols
0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
People and Society: Alcohol consumption per capita: spirits
0.04 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
People and Society: Alcohol consumption per capita: total
0.16 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
People and Society: Alcohol consumption per capita: wine
0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
People and Society: Birth rate
25.58 (2024, World Bank)
People and Society: Child marriage: women married by age 15
7.2% (2018)
People and Society: Child marriage: women married by age 18
27.9% (2018)
People and Society: Children under the age of 5 years underweight
3.9% (2018 est.)
People and Society: Contraceptive prevalence rate
52.8% (2018, World Bank)
People and Society: Current health expenditure
5.5% of GDP (2023, World Bank)
People and Society: Currently married women (ages 15-49)
64.3% (2018 est.)
People and Society: Death rate
4.17 (2024, World Bank)
People and Society: Dependency ratios: elderly dependency ratio
5.9 (2025 est.)
People and Society: Dependency ratios: potential support ratio
16.9 (2025 est.)
People and Society: Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio
60.5 (2025 est.)
People and Society: Dependency ratios: youth dependency ratio
54.6 (2025 est.)
People and Society: Drinking water source: improved: rural
rural: 94.8% of population (2022 est.)
People and Society: Drinking water source: improved: total
98.4% (2024, World Bank)
People and Society: Drinking water source: improved: urban
urban: 99.8% of population (2022 est.)
People and Society: Drinking water source: unimproved: rural
rural: 5.2% of population (2022 est.)
People and Society: Drinking water source: unimproved: total
total: 1.6% of population (2022 est.)
People and Society: Drinking water source: unimproved: urban
urban: 0.2% of population (2022 est.)
People and Society: Education expenditure
4.7% of GDP (2016)
People and Society: Ethnic groups
Arab 75-80%, Kurdish 15-20%, other 5% (includes Turkmen, Yezidi, Shabak, Kaka'i, Bedouin, Romani, Assyrian, Circassian, Sabaean-Mandaean, Persian)
People and Society: Gross reproduction rate
1.48 (2025 est.)
People and Society: Health expenditure: Health expenditure (as % of GDP)
5.2% of GDP (2021)
People and Society: Health expenditure: Health expenditure (as % of national budget)
5.8% of national budget (2022 est.)
People and Society: Hospital bed density
1.06 (2018, World Bank)
People and Society: Infant mortality rate: female
18.10 (2024, World Bank)
People and Society: Infant mortality rate: male
22.00 (2024, World Bank)
People and Society: Infant mortality rate: total
20.10 (2024, World Bank)
People and Society: Languages: Languages
Arabic (official), Kurdish (official); Turkmen (a Turkish dialect) and Syriac (Neo-Aramaic) are recognized as official languages where native speakers of these languages are present
People and Society: Languages: major-language sample(s)
كتاب حقائق العالم، أحسن مصدر للمعلومات الأساسية (Arabic) ڕاستییەکانی جیهان، باشترین سەرچاوەیە بۆ زانیارییە بنەڕەتییەکان (Kurdish) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
People and Society: Life expectancy at birth: female
74.18 (2024, World Bank)
People and Society: Life expectancy at birth: male
70.50 (2024, World Bank)
People and Society: Literacy: female
77.8% (2021, World Bank)
People and Society: Literacy: male
90.3% (2021, World Bank)
People and Society: Literacy: total population
84.1% (2021, World Bank)
People and Society: Major urban areas - population
7.711 million BAGHDAD (capital), 1.792 million Mosul, 1.448 million Basra, 1.075 million Kirkuk, 958,000 Najaf, 897,000 Erbil (2023)
People and Society: Maternal mortality ratio
66.00 (2023, World Bank)
People and Society: Median age: female
22.7 years
People and Society: Median age: male
22 years
People and Society: Nationality: adjective
Iraqi
People and Society: Net migration rate
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
People and Society: Obesity - adult prevalence rate
30.4% (2016)
People and Society: Physician density
1.02 (2022, World Bank)
People and Society: Population
47,020,774 (2025, World Bank)
People and Society: Population distribution
population is concentrated in the north, center, and eastern parts of the country, with many of the larger urban agglomerations found along extensive parts of the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers; much of the western and southern areas are either lightly populated or uninhabited
People and Society: Population growth rate
2.1% (2025, World Bank)
People and Society: Population: female
23,407,475 (2025, World Bank)
People and Society: Population: male
23,613,299 (2025, World Bank)
People and Society: Sanitation facility access: improved: rural
rural: 97.6% of population (2022 est.)
People and Society: Sanitation facility access: improved: total
98.5% (2024, World Bank)
People and Society: Sanitation facility access: improved: urban
urban: 98.8% of population (2022 est.)
People and Society: Sanitation facility access: unimproved: rural
rural: 2.4% of population (2022 est.)
People and Society: Sanitation facility access: unimproved: total
total: 1.5% of population (2022 est.)
People and Society: Sanitation facility access: unimproved: urban
urban: 1.2% of population (2022 est.)
People and Society: Sex ratio: 0-14 years
1.04 male(s)/female
People and Society: Sex ratio: 15-64 years
1.01 male(s)/female
People and Society: Sex ratio: 65 years and over
0.8 male(s)/female
People and Society: Sex ratio: at birth
1.05 male(s)/female
People and Society: Sex ratio: total population
1.02 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
People and Society: Tobacco use: female
1.3% (2025 est.)
People and Society: Tobacco use: male
36.2% (2025 est.)
People and Society: Tobacco use: total
18.6% (2025 est.)
People and Society: Total fertility rate
3.22 (2024, World Bank)
People and Society: Urbanization: rate of urbanization
2.2% (2025, World Bank)
People and Society: Urbanization: urban population
69.9% (2025, World Bank)
Terrorism: Terrorist group(s)
Ansar al-Islam; Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq; Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)/Qods Force; Harakat al-Nujaba (HAN); Harakat Ansar Allah al-Awfiya (HAAA); Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS); Jaysh Rijal al-Tariq al-Naqshabandi; Kata'ib Hizballah; Kata’ib al-Imam Ali (KIA); Kata’ib Sayyid al-Shuhada (KSS); Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK)
Transnational Issues: Refugees and internally displaced persons: IDPs
997,334 (2025, UNHCR)
Transnational Issues: Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees
322,345 (2025, UNHCR)
Transnational Issues: Refugees and internally displaced persons: stateless persons
233 (2025, UNHCR)
Transportation: Airports
73 (2025)
Transportation: Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
YI
Transportation: Heliports
10 (2025)
Transportation: Merchant marine: by type
general cargo 1, oil tanker 6, other 67
Transportation: Merchant marine: total
74 (2023)
Transportation: Ports: key ports
Al Basrah, Al-Basra Oil Terminal, Khawr Al Amaya, Khawr Al Zubair, Umm Qasr
Transportation: Ports: large
0
Transportation: Ports: medium
1
Transportation: Ports: ports with oil terminals
3
Transportation: Ports: small
1
Transportation: Ports: total ports
6 (2024)
Transportation: Ports: very small
4
Transportation: Railways: standard gauge
2,272 km (2014) 1.435-m gauge
Transportation: Railways: total
2,272 km (2014)
Warning: Some information might be outdated or incorrect, please check statistics before using(most of the economical stats are correct, its mostly the Population stats that are incorrect). Some dates are listed but some are missed, if you have any issues please report it to the Github at github.com.