CapitalBaghdad
Population42,917,742
Area438,317 km²
GDP per capita$12,700
LanguagesArabic and Kurdish are the primary languages, while Turkmen and Syriac are recognized as official languages in regions with native speakers.
CurrencyIraqi dinars
Life Expectancy73.7 yr
Governmenta federal parliamentary republic
Introduction
Background
Once part of the Ottoman Empire, Iraq was under British occupation during World War I and became a League of Nations mandate administered by the UK in 1920. The country gained independence as a kingdom in 1932. Following a coup that toppled the monarchy, Iraq was declared a republic in 1958, but it was effectively governed by a succession of authoritarian leaders until 2003, the last being SADDAM Hussein, who ruled from 1979 until 2003. A protracted and costly conflict with Iran ensued from 1980 to 1988, resulting in no clear resolution. In 1990, Iraq invaded Kuwait, leading to its expulsion by US-led coalition forces during the Gulf War, which lasted two months in 1991. Following this expulsion, the UN Security Council (UNSC) mandated Iraq to eliminate all weapons of mass destruction and long-range missiles, permitting UN verification inspections. Iraq's ongoing failure to comply with UNSC resolutions culminated in the Second Gulf War in 2003, when US-led forces deposed the SADDAM regime.
In 2005, Iraqis ratified a constitution in a national referendum and elected a 275-member Council of Representatives (COR). This body approved the majority of cabinet ministers, signifying the establishment of Iraq's first constitutional government in nearly fifty years. The constitution also created the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), a semi-autonomous authority overseeing the governorates of Erbil, Dahuk, and As Sulaymaniyah. Since 2006, Iraq has conducted four national legislative elections, with the most recent occurring in 2021. In 2022, the COR confirmed Mohammad Shia' al-SUDANI as the prime minister. Iraq has repeatedly delayed elections for provincial councils, the last of which was held in 2013, and since 2019, the prime minister has been granted the power to appoint governors instead of relying on provincial councils.
From 2014 to 2017, Iraq engaged in a military campaign against the Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS) to reclaim territory lost to the group in 2014. In 2017, then-Prime Minister Haydar al-ABADI announced the defeat of ISIS, though military activities against the group persisted in rural regions. In the same year, Baghdad forcibly reclaimed contested territories throughout central and northern Iraq from the KRG, following a non-binding referendum for Kurdish independence.
Geography
Area
land
437,367 sq km
water
950 sq km
total
438,317 sq km
Climate
predominantly arid; characterized by mild to cool winters and dry, scorching summers devoid of clouds; the mountainous northern regions adjacent to the Iranian and Turkish frontiers experience frigid winters with occasional heavy snowfall that typically melts in early spring, occasionally resulting in significant flooding in central and southern Iraq.
Terrain
primarily flat plains; marshy areas filled with reeds along the southern Iranian border with extensive regions prone to flooding; mountainous terrains along the borders with Iran and Turkey.
Land use
other
76.5% (2023 est.)
forest
1.6% (2023 est.)
agricultural land
21.8% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 11.4% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 1.2% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 9.2% (2023 est.)
Location
Middle East, located at the junction of the Persian Gulf, situated between Iran and Kuwait.
Coastline
58 km
Elevation
lowest point
Persian Gulf 0 m
highest point
Cheekha Dar (Kurdish for "Black Tent") 3,611 m
mean elevation
312 m
Irrigated land
35,250 sq km (2012)
Major aquifers
Arabian Aquifer System
Map references
Middle East
Land boundaries
total
3,809 km
border countries
Iran 1,599 km; Jordan 179 km; Kuwait 254 km; Saudi Arabia 811 km; Syria 599 km; Turkey 367 km.
Maritime claims
territorial sea
12 nm
continental shelf
not specified
Natural hazards
dust storms; sandstorms; inundations.
Geography - note
strategically positioned on the Shatt al Arab waterway and at the entrance to the Persian Gulf.
Natural resources
oil, natural gas, phosphates, sulfur.
Area - comparative
a little over three times the area of New York State.
Geographic coordinates
33 00 N, 44 00 E
Population distribution
the population is primarily distributed in the northern, central, and eastern regions of the nation, with many significant urban centers located along the extensive banks of the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers; much of the western and southern regions are sparsely populated or uninhabited.
Major lakes (area sq km)
fresh water lake(s)
Lake Hammar - 1,940 sq km
Major watersheds (area sq km)
Indian Ocean drainage
(Persian Gulf) Tigris and Euphrates (918,044 sq km).
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 converge to create the Shatt al Arab.
note: [s] following country name indicates river source; [m] following country name indicates river mouth.
People & Society
Literacy
male
90.3% (2021 est.)
female
77.8% (2021 est.)
total population
84.1% (2021 est.)
Languages
Languages
Arabic (official) and Kurdish (official) are the primary languages, while Turkmen (a Turkish dialect) and Syriac (Neo-Aramaic) are recognized as official languages in regions with native speakers.
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% (comprising Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, and Assyrian Church of the East), other 1-4% (2015 estimate).
Sex ratio
at birth
1.05 male(s)/female
0-14 years
1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years
1.01 male(s)/female
total population
1.02 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
65 years and over
0.8 male(s)/female
Birth rate
23.26 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Death rate
3.86 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Median age
male
22 years
total
22.7 years (2025 est.)
female
22.7 years
Population
male
21,614,894
total
42,917,742 (2025 est.)
female
21,302,848
Nationality
noun
Iraqi(s)
adjective
Iraqi
Tobacco use
male
36.2% (2025 est.)
total
18.6% (2025 est.)
female
1.3% (2025 est.)
Urbanization
urban population
71.6% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization
2.91% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Age structure
0-14 years
34.6% (male 7,447,266/female 7,130,883)
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)
Ethnic groups
Arab 75-80%, Kurdish 15-20%, other 5% (includes Turkmen, Yezidi, Shabak, Kaka'i, Bedouin, Romani, Assyrian, Circassian, Sabaean-Mandaean, Persian)
Child marriage
women married by age 15
7.2% (2018)
women married by age 18
27.9% (2018)
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio
60.5 (2025 est.)
youth dependency ratio
54.6 (2025 est.)
potential support ratio
16.9 (2025 est.)
elderly dependency ratio
5.9 (2025 est.)
Physician density
1.02 physicians/1,000 population (2022)
Health expenditure
Health expenditure (as % of GDP)
5.2% of GDP (2021)
Health expenditure (as % of national budget)
5.8% of national budget (2022 est.)
Net migration rate
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Hospital bed density
1.3 beds/1,000 population (2021 est.)
Total fertility rate
3.03 children born/woman (2025 est.)
Drinking water source
improved: rural
rural: 94.8% of population (2022 est.)
improved: total
total: 98.4% of population (2022 est.)
improved: urban
urban: 99.8% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: rural
rural: 5.2% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: total
total: 1.6% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: urban
urban: 0.2% of population (2022 est.)
Education expenditure
4.7% of GDP (2016)
Infant mortality rate
male
20.4 deaths/1,000 live births
total
18.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)
female
17 deaths/1,000 live births
Population growth rate
1.94% (2025 est.)
Gross reproduction rate
1.48 (2025 est.)
Population distribution
The population is primarily situated in the northern, central, and eastern regions of the country, with many of the larger urban centers located along the extensive stretches of the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers; much of the western and southern regions are either sparsely populated or devoid of inhabitants.
Life expectancy at birth
male
71.9 years
female
75.7 years
total population
73.7 years (2024 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio
66 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)
Sanitation facility access
improved: rural
rural: 97.6% of population (2022 est.)
improved: total
total: 98.5% of population (2022 est.)
improved: urban
urban: 98.8% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: rural
rural: 2.4% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: total
total: 1.5% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: urban
urban: 1.2% of population (2022 est.)
Alcohol consumption per capita
beer
0.11 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
wine
0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
total
0.16 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
spirits
0.04 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
other alcohols
0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 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)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate
30.4% (2016)
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
64.3% (2018 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight
3.9% (2018 est.)
Environment
Climate
primarily arid; winters that are mild to cool, accompanied by dry, hot, and clear summers; the northern mountainous areas near the borders of Iran and Turkey experience frigid winters with occasional heavy snowfall, which typically melts in early spring, occasionally leading to significant flooding in central and southern Iraq
Land use
other
76.5% (2023 est.)
forest
1.6% (2023 est.)
agricultural land
21.8% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 11.4% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 1.2% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 9.2% (2023 est.)
Urbanization
urban population
71.6% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization
2.91% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Methane emissions
other
2.3 kt (2019-2021 est.)
waste
325 kt (2019-2021 est.)
energy
2,243 kt (2022-2024 est.)
agriculture
157 kt (2019-2021 est.)
Waste and recycling
municipal solid waste generated annually
13.14 million tons (2024 est.)
percent of municipal solid waste recycled
15.4% (2022 est.)
Environmental issues
loss of habitat due to the drainage of wetlands; insufficient drinking water; degradation of soil (salinization) and erosion; desert encroachment; pollution of air, soil, and groundwater stemming from military activities and industrial operations; contamination of water from oil refineries and the discharge of factory and sewage waste; soil contamination from fertilizers and chemicals; air quality issues in metropolitan regions
Total water withdrawal
municipal
6.735 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
industrial
4.52 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
agricultural
31.169 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions
total emissions
190.815 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from consumed natural gas
37.878 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from coal and metallurgical coke
7,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from petroleum and other liquids
152.931 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Particulate matter emissions
45.4 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
Total renewable water resources
89.86 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
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
signed, but not ratified
Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Environmental Modification
Government
Flag
description: consists of three horizontal stripes of equal size in red (top), white, and black; the Takbir (an Arabic expression meaning "God is great") is inscribed in green Arabic script and positioned centrally within the white band
meaning: these colors are derived from the Arab Liberation flag, symbolizing oppression (black) that has been overcome through violent struggle (red), leading to a hopeful future (white)
history: in 2008, the Council of Representatives ratified this flag as a compromise to replace the Ba'thist SADDAM-era flag
Capital
name
Baghdad
etymology
the etymology of the name is uncertain; it might translate to "gift of God," stemming from the pre-Islamic terms bagh (god) and dad (given)
time difference
UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
geographic coordinates
33 20 N, 44 24 E
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Citizenship
citizenship by birth
no
citizenship by descent only
at least one parent must be a citizen of Iraq
dual citizenship recognized
yes
residency requirement for naturalization
10 years
Constitution
history
several prior flags; the most recent was adopted via referendum on 15 October 2005
amendment process
the flag may be proposed by the president of the republic and the Council of Ministers jointly, or by one-fifth of the members of the Council of Representatives; a minimum two-thirds majority vote in the Council of Representatives is required for passage, along with a referendum approval and ratification by the president; amendments concerning citizens' rights and liberties necessitate a two-thirds majority vote from Council of Representatives members after two consecutive electoral terms, alongside a referendum approval and presidential ratification
Country name
former
Mesopotamia, Mandatory Iraq, Hashemite Kingdom of Iraq
etymology
the name likely originates from Uruk (known as "Erech" in Aramaic), the historic Sumerian and Babylonian city located on the Euphrates River
local long form
Jumhuriyat al-Iraq/Komar-i Eraq
local short form
Al Iraq/Eraq
conventional long form
Republic of Iraq
conventional short form
Iraq
Independence
3 October 1932 (from League of Nations mandate under British administration)
Legal system
a mixed legal system that incorporates both civil and Islamic law
Government type
a federal parliamentary republic
Judicial branch
highest court(s)
Federal Supreme Court or FSC (comprising 9 judges); Court of Cassation (includes a court president, 5 vice presidents, and a minimum of 24 judges)
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
judge selection and term of office
judges of the Federal Supreme Court (FSC) are appointed by the president of the High Judicial Council (HJC), the chief justice of the FSC, the head of the public prosecutor's office, and the leader of the Judicial Oversight Commission; FSC judges must retire at the age of 72; judges of the Court of Cassation are selected by the HJC and approved by the Council of Representatives, serving until retirement, nominally at age 63, extendable to age 66
Executive branch
cabinet
the Council of Ministers is proposed by the prime minister and must be approved by the Council of Representatives (COR)
chief of state
President Latif RASHID (since 13 October 2022)
election results
2022: Latif RASHID was elected as president in the second round; COR vote in the first round - Latif RASHID (PUK) 157, Barham SALIH (PUK) 99; COR vote in the second round - Latif RASHID 167, Barham SALIH 99; Mohammed Shia' al-SUDANI was confirmed as prime minister
2018: Barham SALIH was elected president in the second round; COR vote in the first round - Barham SALIH (PUK) 165, Fuad HUSAYN (KDP) 90; COR vote in the second round - Barham SALIH 219, Fuad HUSAYN 22; Adil ABD AL-MAHDI was approved as prime minister
head of government
Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-SUDANI (since 27 October 2022)
most recent election date
13 October 2022
election/appointment process
president indirectly elected by COR to serve a 4-year term (eligible for a second term)
National holiday
Independence Day is celebrated on 3 October (1932); Republic Day is observed on 14 July (1958)
National color(s)
red, white, black
National heritage
total World Heritage Sites
6 (5 cultural, 1 mixed)
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)
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
Legislative branch
term in office
4 years
number of seats
329 (all directly elected)
electoral system
other systems
legislature name
Council of Representatives of Iraq
scope of elections
full renewal
legislative structure
unicameral
most recent election date
11/11/2025
expected date of next election
November 2029
percentage of women in chamber
28.9%
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)
National anthem(s)
title
"Mawtini" (My Homeland)
history
adopted in 2004 following the ousting of SADDAM Husayn; a popular Arab folk tune that also functions as an unofficial anthem for the Palestinian populace
lyrics/music
Ibrahim TOUQAN/Mohammad FLAYFEL
National symbol(s)
golden eagle
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
Diplomatic representation in the US
FAX
[1] (202) 462-8815
chancery
1801 P Street NW, Washington, DC 20036
telephone
[1] (202) 483-7500
chief of mission
Ambassador Nazar Issa Abdulhadi AL-KHIRULLAH (since 30 June 2023)
consulate(s) general
Detroit, Los Angeles
email address and website
[email protected]
https://www.iraqiembassy.us/
Diplomatic representation from the US
embassy
located on Al-Kindi Street, International Zone, Baghdad; note - the consulate in Al Basrah was closed as of 28 September 2018
telephone
0760-030-3000
mailing address
6060 Baghdad Place, Washington DC 20521-6060
chief of mission
Ambassador (position currently vacant); Chargé d'Affaires Ambassador Joshua HARRIS (since 2 September 2025)
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)
International law organization participation
has not submitted a declaration of jurisdiction to the ICJ; is not a state party to the ICCt
Economy
Budget
revenues
$90.204 billion (2019 est.)
expenditures
$64.512 billion (2019 est.)
Exports
Exports 2021
$78.26 billion (2021 est.)
Exports 2022
$127.079 billion (2022 est.)
Exports 2023
$107.852 billion (2023 est.)
Imports
Imports 2021
$50.707 billion (2021 est.)
Imports 2022
$69.162 billion (2022 est.)
Imports 2023
$81.179 billion (2023 est.)
Industries
petroleum, chemicals, textiles, leather, construction materials, food processing, fertilizers, metal fabrication/processing
Labor force
12.008 million (2024 est.)
Public debt
Public debt 2018
27.4% of GDP (2018 est.)
Remittances
Remittances 2021
0.4% of GDP (2021 est.)
Remittances 2022
0.4% of GDP (2022 est.)
Remittances 2023
0.4% of GDP (2023 est.)
Exchange rates
Currency
Iraqi dinars (IQD) per US dollar -
Exchange rates 2020
1,192 (2020 est.)
Exchange rates 2021
1,450 (2021 est.)
Exchange rates 2022
1,450 (2022 est.)
Exchange rates 2023
1,312.5 (2023 est.)
Exchange rates 2024
1,300 (2024 est.)
Debt - external
Debt - external 2023
$15.58 billion (2023 est.)
Economic overview
a Middle Eastern economy heavily reliant on oil; fiscal sustainability is vulnerable to oil price volatility; increasing public confidence in economic conditions; dependence on imports across most sectors; ongoing issues with corruption, informal markets, banking access, and political instability
Unemployment rate
Unemployment rate 2022
15.6% (2022 est.)
Unemployment rate 2023
15.5% (2023 est.)
Unemployment rate 2024
15.6% (2024 est.)
Exports - partners
China 33%, India 28%, USA 8%, Greece 5%, UAE 5% (2023)
Imports - partners
UAE 32%, China 20%, Turkey 18%, India 5%, USA 2% (2023)
Real GDP per capita
Real GDP per capita 2022
$13,400 (2022 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2023
$13,200 (2023 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2024
$12,700 (2024 est.)
Real GDP growth rate
Real GDP growth rate 2022
8% (2022 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2023
0.5% (2023 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2024
-1.5% (2024 est.)
Agricultural products
wheat, dates, maize, tomatoes, rye, grapes, milk, chicken, potatoes, fruits (2023)
Exports - commodities
crude petroleum, refined petroleum, petroleum coke, gold, natural gas (2023)
Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, cars, broadcasting equipment, jewelry, gold (2023)
Current account balance
Current account balance 2021
$24.565 billion (2021 est.)
Current account balance 2022
$58.01 billion (2022 est.)
Current account balance 2023
$28.375 billion (2023 est.)
Taxes and other revenues
1.3% (of GDP) (2019 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate)
$279.641 billion (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use
household consumption
41.2% (2024 est.)
government consumption
20.3% (2024 est.)
investment in inventories
8.8% (2024 est.)
investment in fixed capital
20.6% (2024 est.)
exports of goods and services
37.5% (2024 est.)
imports of goods and services
-37.2% (2024 est.)
Average household expenditures
on food
28.7% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
on alcohol and tobacco
4.3% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2021
6% (2021 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022
5% (2022 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023
4.4% (2023 est.)
Industrial production growth rate
-2.7% (2024 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022
$592.017 billion (2022 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023
$595.082 billion (2023 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024
$585.887 billion (2024 est.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
male
27.5% (2024 est.)
total
32.1% (2024 est.)
female
62.7% (2024 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022
$97.009 billion (2022 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023
$112.233 billion (2023 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2024
$100.691 billion (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
industry
51.6% (2024 est.)
services
45.8% (2024 est.)
agriculture
3.4% (2024 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share
lowest 10%
3.7% (2023 est.)
highest 10%
24.2% (2023 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income 2023
29.8 (2023 est.)
Energy
Coal
imports
3,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
Petroleum
total petroleum production
4.448 million bbl/day (2023 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves
145.019 billion barrels (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption
1.043 million bbl/day (2023 est.)
Electricity
imports
3.134 billion kWh (2023 est.)
consumption
73.521 billion kWh (2023 est.)
installed generating capacity
31.339 million kW (2023 est.)
transmission/distribution losses
79.904 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Natural gas
imports
8.771 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
production
10.537 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
consumption
19.308 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
proven reserves
3.729 trillion cubic meters (2021 est.)
Electricity access
electrification - total population
100% (2022 est.)
Energy consumption per capita
Total energy consumption per capita 2023
64.311 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources
solar
0.3% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
fossil fuels
98.8% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
hydroelectricity
0.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Communications
Internet users
percent of population
82% (2023 est.)
Broadcast media
Since 2003, there has been a swift rise in the quantity of private radio and television stations; the Iraqi Media Network, which is funded by public resources, manages state-owned TV and radio entities; the majority of private broadcast media are affiliated with political, ethnic, or religious organizations; approximately 70% of viewers have access to satellite television; numerous broadcasters operate from overseas; as of 2019, broadcasts from several international radio stations can be received.
Internet country code
.iq
Telephones - fixed lines
total subscriptions
1.977 million (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
4 (2023 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular
total subscriptions
46.1 million (2024 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
100 (2024 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions
total
7.77 million (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
17 (2023 est.)
Transportation
Ports
large
0
small
1
medium
1
key ports
Al Basrah, Al-Basra Oil Terminal, Khawr Al Amaya, Khawr Al Zubair, Umm Qasr
very small
4
total ports
6 (2024)
ports with oil terminals
3
Airports
73 (2025)
Railways
total
2,272 km (2014)
standard gauge
2,272 km (2014) 1.435-m gauge
Heliports
10 (2025)
Merchant marine
total
74 (2023)
by type
general cargo 1, oil tanker 6, other 67
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
YI
Military & Security
Military - note
The Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) primarily concentrate on maintaining internal and border security. They are engaged in counterinsurgency and counterterrorism efforts against the Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS) terrorist organization, particularly in the northern and western regions of Iraq. These operations encompass securing the border with Syria. Additionally, the Kurdish Security Forces are also involved in operations targeting ISIS.
Two international military coalitions operate within Iraq to support the national security forces at the behest of the Iraqi Government. In 2018, NATO initiated an advisory, training, and capacity-building mission for the Iraqi military, referred to 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-focused role to one of advising, assisting, and enabling (2025).
Military expenditures
Military Expenditures 2020
3.2% of GDP (2020 est.)
Military Expenditures 2021
3% of GDP (2021 est.)
Military Expenditures 2022
1.8% of GDP (2022 est.)
Military Expenditures 2023
2.5% of GDP (2023 est.)
Military Expenditures 2024
2.5% of GDP (2024 est.)
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 service age and obligation
The minimum age for voluntary military service is 18 years; there is no conscription (2025).
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
The inventory of the Iraqi military comprises a combination of European, Russian, Soviet-era, and US-made armaments (2025).
Military and security service personnel strengths
Approximately 200,000 active personnel are part of the armed forces under the Ministry of Defense (including Army, Aviation Command, Air/Air Defense, Navy, and Special Forces); around 20,000 to 25,000 National-Level Security Forces.
Ministry of Peshmerga: an estimated 150,000 active personnel.
Popular Mobilization Forces: approximately 200,000 militia members (2025).
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
1,201,813 (2024 est.)
refugees
335,343 (2024 est.)
stateless persons
233 (2024 est.)
