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Last update: January, 21 2021

Iraq

flag of Iraq
Government
NameRepublic of Iraq
Arabicجمهورية العراق
Kurdishکۆماری عێراق 
Government typeFederal parliamentary republic
CapitalBaghdad (7,144,000 (2018))
CurrencyIraqi dinar (IQD)
People
Population (2020)40,222,503 (36th)
Density of population82.7 P/km2 (125th)
NationalityIraqi
Official languages
Arabic
Kurdish
Recognised regional languages
Turkmen (a Turkish dialect)
Syriac (Neo-Aramaic)
Armenian
Ethnic groups (1987)
Arab75-80%
Kurdish15-20%
Other5%
Religions (2015)
Muslim (official)95-98%
Shia64-69%
Sunni29-34%
Christian1%
Other1-4%
Life expectancy (2020)
Male70.7 years
Female74.6 years
Total population72.6 years (152th)
Homicides
Total (2013)10.1 per 100,000 people (34th)
Geography
Land area437,367 km2
water area950 km2
total area438,317 km2 (60th)
Mean elevation312 m
Lowest point
Persian Gulf0 m
Highest point
Cheekha Dar (Kurdish for “Black Tent”)3,611 m
Land use (2011)
Agricultural land18.1%
Arable land8.4%
Permanent crops0.5%
Permanent pasture9.2%
Forest1.9%
Other80%
Urbanization
Urban population (2020)70.9%
Rate of urbanization3.06% annual rate of change (2015 – 2020)
Economy
Labor force (2010)8.9 million  (57th)
Labor force by occupation (2008)
Agriculture21.6%
Industry18.7%
Services 59.8%
Unemployment rate (2012)16% (175th)
GDP (PPP) (estimate 2019)
Total$733.926 billion (34th)
Per capita$17,952 (76th)
GDP (nominal) (estimate 2019)
Total$250.070 billion (48th)
Per capita$6,116 (97th)
GDP by sector (estimate 2017)
Agriculture3.3%
Industry51%
Services45.8%
Exports (2017)$61.4 billion (46th)
Exports partners (2017)
India21.2%
China20.2%
US15.8%
South Korea9.4%
Greece5.3%
Netherlands4.8%
Italy4.7%
Imports (2017)$39.47 billion (60th)
Imports partners (2017)
Turkey27.8%
China25.7%
South Korea4.7%
Russia4.3%

Iraq on the world map

Iraq on the world map

Iraq is located in Asia and more specifically in the Middle East.

Iraq top 10 largest cities (2018)

  1. Baghdad (Baghdad)
  2. Mosul (1,361,800)
  3. Basra (1,340,800)
  4. Kirkuk (972,300)
  5. Erbil (879,000)
  6. Najaf (747,300)
  7. Karbala (711,500)
  8. Sulaymaniyah (676,500)
  9. Nasiriyah (558,400)
  10. Amarah (527,500)

Demography

Population pyramid

Population pyramid of Iraq (2020)

Age structure data

Estimate for 2020:

  • 0-14 years: 37.02% (male 7,349,868/female 7,041,405)
  • 15-24 years: 19.83% (male 3,918,433/female 3,788,157)
  • 25-54 years: 35.59% (male 6,919,569/female 6,914,856)
  • 55-64 years: 4.23% (male 805,397/female 839,137)
  • 65 years and over: 3.33% (male 576,593/female 719,240)

Remark: the age structure of a population affects a nation’s key socioeconomic issues. Countries with young populations (high percentage under age 15) need to invest more in schools, while countries with older populations (high percentage ages 65 and over) need to invest more in the health sector. The age structure can also be used to help predict potential political issues. For example, the rapid growth of a young adult population unable to find employment can lead to unrest.

Population from 1950 to 2020

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Source: United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2019). World Population Prospects 2019, Online Edition. Rev. 1.


Evolution of the life expectancy from 1960 to 2018

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Source: World Development Indicators, The World Bank

Economy

Agriculture:

wheat, barley, rice, vegetables, dates, cotton; cattle, sheep, poultry

Industries:

petroleum, chemicals, textiles, leather, construction materials, food processing, fertilizer, metal fabrication/processing

Exports – commodities:

crude oil 99%, crude materials excluding fuels, food, live animals

Imports – commodities:

food, medicine, manufactures

Time zone and current time in Iraq

Go to our interactive map to get the current time in Iraq

Sources: