Iraq
Republic of Iraq
Population
42.92M
Area
438,317 km²
GDP
$279.64B
GDP Per Capita
$12,700
Pop. Density
98/km²
Quick Facts
Currency
ع.دIraqi dinar(IQD)
Calling Code
+964
Timezone
UTC+03:00
Languages
Arabic, Aramaic, Sorani
Driving Side
right
Demonym
Iraqi
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.
Historical Trends
GDP (USD)
↑329.2% since 2006Population
↑60.9% since 2006Life Expectancy at Birth
Latest: 72.3 yearsData source: World Bank Open Data
Geography21
Location
Middle East, bordering the Persian Gulf, between Iran and Kuwait
Geographic coordinates
33 00 N, 44 00 E
Map references
Middle East
Area
land: 437,367 sq km
water: 950 sq km
Area - comparative
slightly more than three times the size of New York State
Land boundaries
border countries: Iran 1,599 km; Jordan 179 km; Kuwait 254 km; Saudi Arabia 811 km; Syria 599 km; Turkey 367 km
Coastline
58 km
Maritime claims
continental shelf: not specified
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
Terrain
mostly broad plains; reedy marshes along Iranian border in south with large flooded areas; mountains along borders with Iran and Turkey
Elevation
lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m
mean elevation: 312 m
Natural resources
petroleum, natural gas, phosphates, sulfur
Land use
agricultural land
agricultural land: arable land
agricultural land: permanent crops
agricultural land: permanent pasture
forest
other
Irrigated land
35,250 sq km (2012)
Major lakes (area sq km)
Major rivers (by length in km)
note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth
Major watersheds (area sq km)
Major aquifers
Arabian Aquifer System
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
Natural hazards
dust storms; sandstorms; floods
Geography - note
strategic location on Shatt al Arab waterway and at the head of the Persian Gulf
People & Society34
Population
male: 21,614,894
female: 21,302,848
Nationality
adjective: Iraqi
Ethnic groups
Arab 75-80%, Kurdish 15-20%, other 5% (includes Turkmen, Yezidi, Shabak, Kaka'i, Bedouin, Romani, Assyrian, Circassian, Sabaean-Mandaean, Persian)
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.
Religions
Muslim (official) 95-98% (Shia 61-64%, Sunni 29-34%), Christian 1% (includes Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, Assyrian Church of the East), other 1-4% (2015 est.)
Age structure
15-64 years: 61.7% (male 13,064,516/female 12,907,702)
65 years and over: 3.6% (2024 est.) (male 681,574/female 851,495)
Dependency ratios
youth dependency ratio: 54.6 (2025 est.)
elderly dependency ratio: 5.9 (2025 est.)
potential support ratio: 16.9 (2025 est.)
Median age
male: 22 years
female: 22.7 years
Population growth rate
1.94% (2025 est.)
Birth rate
23.26 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Death rate
3.86 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Net migration rate
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
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
Urbanization
rate of urbanization: 2.91% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
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)
Sex ratio
0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female
total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio
66 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)
Infant mortality rate
male: 20.4 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 17 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth
male: 71.9 years
female: 75.7 years
Total fertility rate
3.03 children born/woman (2025 est.)
Gross reproduction rate
1.48 (2025 est.)
Drinking water source
improved: urban
improved: rural
improved: total
unimproved: urban
unimproved: rural
unimproved: total
Health expenditure
Health expenditure (as % of national budget): 5.8% of national budget (2022 est.)
Physician density
1.02 physicians/1,000 population (2022)
Hospital bed density
1.3 beds/1,000 population (2021 est.)
Sanitation facility access
improved: urban
improved: rural
improved: total
unimproved: urban
unimproved: rural
unimproved: total
Obesity - adult prevalence rate
30.4% (2016)
Alcohol consumption per capita
beer: 0.11 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
wine: 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
spirits: 0.04 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
other alcohols: 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Tobacco use
male: 36.2% (2025 est.)
female: 1.3% (2025 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight
3.9% (2018 est.)
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
64.3% (2018 est.)
Child marriage
women married by age 18: 27.9% (2018)
Education expenditure
4.7% of GDP (2016)
Literacy
male: 90.3% (2021 est.)
female: 77.8% (2021 est.)
Government23
Country name
conventional long form
conventional short form
local long form
local short form
former
etymology
Government type
federal parliamentary republic
Capital
geographic coordinates: 33 20 N, 44 24 E
time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
etymology: the origin of the name is unclear; it may mean "gift of God," from the pre-Islamic words bagh (god) and dad (given)
Administrative divisions
Legal system
mixed system of civil and Islamic law
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
International law organization participation
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
Citizenship
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Iraq
dual citizenship recognized: yes
residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch
chief of state
head of government
cabinet
election/appointment process
most recent election date
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
Legislative branch
legislature name
legislative structure
number of seats
electoral system
scope of elections
term in office
most recent election date
parties elected and seats per party
percentage of women in chamber
expected date of next election
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
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
Political parties
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
Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission
chancery
telephone
FAX
email address and website
consulate(s) general
Diplomatic representation from the US
embassy: Al-Kindi Street, International Zone, Baghdad; note - consulate in Al Basrah closed as of 28 September 2018
mailing address: 6060 Baghdad Place, Washington DC 20521-6060
telephone: 0760-030-3000
email address and website:
[email protected]
https://iq.usembassy.gov/
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)
Independence
3 October 1932 (from League of Nations mandate under British administration)
National holiday
Independence Day, 3 October (1932); Republic Day, 14 July (1958)
Flag
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
National symbol(s)
golden eagle
National color(s)
red, white, black
National anthem(s)
lyrics/music: Ibrahim TOUQAN/Mohammad FLAYFEL
history: adopted 2004, after the ouster of SADDAM Husayn; popular Arab folk song that also serves as an unofficial anthem for the Palestinian people
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)
Economy31
Economic overview
highly oil-dependent Middle Eastern economy; fiscal sustainability subject to fluctuation in oil prices; rising public confidence in economic conditions; import-dependent for most sectors; persistent challenges of corruption, informal markets, banking access, and political fragility
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023: $595.082 billion (2023 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022: $592.017 billion (2022 est.)
Real GDP growth rate
Real GDP growth rate 2023: 0.5% (2023 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2022: 8% (2022 est.)
Real GDP per capita
Real GDP per capita 2023: $13,200 (2023 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2022: $13,400 (2022 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate)
$279.641 billion (2024 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022: 5% (2022 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2021: 6% (2021 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
industry: 51.6% (2024 est.)
services: 45.8% (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use
household consumption
government consumption
investment in fixed capital
investment in inventories
exports of goods and services
imports of goods and services
Agricultural products
wheat, dates, maize, tomatoes, rye, grapes, milk, chicken, potatoes, fruits (2023)
Industries
petroleum, chemicals, textiles, leather, construction materials, food processing, fertilizer, metal fabrication/processing
Industrial production growth rate
-2.7% (2024 est.)
Labor force
12.008 million (2024 est.)
Unemployment rate
Unemployment rate 2023: 15.5% (2023 est.)
Unemployment rate 2022: 15.6% (2022 est.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
male: 27.5% (2024 est.)
female: 62.7% (2024 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income
Average household expenditures
on alcohol and tobacco: 4.3% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share
highest 10%: 24.2% (2023 est.)
Remittances
Remittances 2022: 0.4% of GDP (2022 est.)
Remittances 2021: 0.4% of GDP (2021 est.)
Budget
expenditures: $64.512 billion (2019 est.)
Public debt
Taxes and other revenues
1.3% (of GDP) (2019 est.)
Current account balance
Current account balance 2022: $58.01 billion (2022 est.)
Current account balance 2021: $24.565 billion (2021 est.)
Exports
Exports 2022: $127.079 billion (2022 est.)
Exports 2021: $78.26 billion (2021 est.)
Exports - partners
China 33%, India 28%, USA 8%, Greece 5%, UAE 5% (2023)
Exports - commodities
crude petroleum, refined petroleum, petroleum coke, gold, natural gas (2023)
Imports
Imports 2022: $69.162 billion (2022 est.)
Imports 2021: $50.707 billion (2021 est.)
Imports - partners
UAE 32%, China 20%, Turkey 18%, India 5%, USA 2% (2023)
Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, cars, broadcasting equipment, jewelry, gold (2023)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023: $112.233 billion (2023 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022: $97.009 billion (2022 est.)
Debt - external
Exchange rates
Currency
Exchange rates 2024
Exchange rates 2023
Exchange rates 2022
Exchange rates 2021
Exchange rates 2020
Energy7
Electricity access
Electricity
consumption: 73.521 billion kWh (2023 est.)
imports: 3.134 billion kWh (2023 est.)
transmission/distribution losses: 79.904 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources
solar: 0.3% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
hydroelectricity: 0.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Coal
Petroleum
refined petroleum consumption: 1.043 million bbl/day (2023 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 145.019 billion barrels (2021 est.)
Natural gas
consumption: 19.308 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
imports: 8.771 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
proven reserves: 3.729 trillion cubic meters (2021 est.)
Energy consumption per capita
Communications6
Telephones - fixed lines
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 4 (2023 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 100 (2024 est.)
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)
Internet country code
.iq
Internet users
Broadband - fixed subscriptions
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 17 (2023 est.)
Transportation6
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
YI
Airports
73 (2025)
Heliports
10 (2025)
Railways
standard gauge: 2,272 km (2014) 1.435-m gauge
Merchant marine
by type: general cargo 1, oil tanker 6, other 67
Ports
total ports
large
medium
small
very small
ports with oil terminals
key ports
Military & Security6
Military and security forces
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 expenditures
Military Expenditures 2023: 2.5% of GDP (2023 est.)
Military Expenditures 2022: 1.8% of GDP (2022 est.)
Military Expenditures 2021: 3% of GDP (2021 est.)
Military Expenditures 2020: 3.2% of GDP (2020 est.)
Military and security service personnel strengths
Ministry of Peshmerga: estimated 150,000 active personnel
Popular Mobilization Forces: estimated 200,000 militia (2025)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
the Iraqi military's inventory includes a mix of European, Russian, Soviet-era, and US armaments (2025)
Military service age and obligation
18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2025)
Military - note
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)
Transnational Issues1
Refugees and internally displaced persons
IDPs: 1,201,813 (2024 est.)
stateless persons: 233 (2024 est.)