Population of Iraq

Iraq has an estimated 2026 population of approximately 48 million people, reflecting a robust growth trend in the heart of the Middle East. The country currently holds a global rank of 34 out of 215 countries and is characterized by a significant urban presence and a high natural increase rate. With a current estimate of 110.6 people per km² (286.5 per sq mi), the population remains concentrated along the fertile Tigris and Euphrates river valleys while the vast western desert regions remain sparsely inhabited.

The population history of Iraq is inextricably linked to the Mesopotamia region, often cited as the cradle of civilization where early urban centers first emerged. Throughout the 20th century, Iraq transitioned from a mostly rural, tribal society into a modern state with a rapidly expanding demographic base. This growth was fueled by improved healthcare and sanitation in the mid-1900s, which caused a sharp decline in mortality rates while birth rates remained high. Recent history has been defined by demographic resilience in the face of significant external and internal shocks. Despite the human toll of the Iran-Iraq War in the 1980s, the Gulf War in 1991, and the 2003 invasion followed by years of internal conflict, the population has continued to grow. High natural increase rates have consistently mitigated the impacts of outward migration and conflict-related mortality, leading to a population that has more than quadrupled since the late 1960s.

Iraq maintains a high annual growth rate of 2.12%, making it one of the fastest-growing nations in Western Asia. This expansion is primarily driven by a high fertility rate of 3.22 births per woman and a crude birth rate of 25.58 per 1,000 people. Because the crude death rate is relatively low at 4.166 per 1,000 people, the natural increase remains a primary engine for the country's demographic change. The demographic outlook is shaped by a substantial youth population, which ensures continued momentum for growth in the coming decades. While many neighboring countries have seen sharper declines in fertility, Iraq's cultural and social structures have maintained higher birth rates. Projections suggest that the population will continue to rise steadily as younger generations enter reproductive age, placing increasing demand on urban infrastructure and the national economy.

The current estimated 2026 population density is 110.6 people per km² (286.5 per sq mi), which ranks Iraq 102nd globally and 31st within Asia.

With 69.89% of the population residing in cities, Iraq is highly urbanized, which necessitates ongoing development in major hubs like Baghdad, Basra, and Mosul.

Iraq holds a prominent demographic position, ranking 34th globally and 14th within Asia. In the Western Asia subregion, it is the 2nd most populous country out of 17 nations, trailing only Turkey and surpassing neighbors like Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Syria in total population. Its growth rate of 2.12% is notably higher than many of its regional peers, reflecting a demographic transition that is moving more slowly than that of more highly industrialized neighbors. Compared to its immediate borders, Iraq has a higher population density than Saudi Arabia but is less densely populated than Kuwait or Turkey. Its urbanization level of nearly 70% is typical for the region, placing it 89th globally. The country serves as a major population hub in the Middle East, with its capital, Baghdad, remaining one of the largest and most influential urban centers in the Arab world.