Iraq has announced plans to conduct its first census in 27 years, with a two-day curfew imposed in November for the process. The last general census was held in 1997 in 15 provinces, excluding the Kurdish region. Various measures have been approved for the upcoming census, including coordination with the Kurdistan Regional Government for staff training and support from multiple ministries in providing facilities for training. The country, ravaged by conflict and violence, has postponed censuses multiple times, notably in 2010 due to territorial tensions. Estimates put Iraq’s population at about 43 million, and authorities have partnered with the United Nations Population Fund for the census, which aims to provide accurate demographic information for policy-making and growth. This initiative comes as Iraq has seen some stability in recent years, despite ongoing violence and political unrest. In the past, a census was held every 10 years, with the 2007 count being cancelled due to sectarian violence. The upcoming census is seen as a crucial step in providing Iraq with essential demographic data for policymaking and development.
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Iraq to implement two-day curfew for its first census in decades
