Iraq has experienced significant population growth over the past several decades, despite periods of conflict and instability. In the mid-20th century, Iraq’s population was under 7 million, but by 2000 it had risen to about 24 million. According to United Nations estimates, the population surpassed 40 million by the early 2020s. This rapid increase is largely due to high birth rates and a relatively young population, with a median age of around 21 years. Although emigration and conflict have affected demographic trends, Iraq's population continues to grow at a rate of approximately 2-2.5% per year, making it one of the fastest-growing countries in the region. This growth poses both opportunities and challenges for Iraq’s development, particularly in areas such as education, employment, and infrastructure.
| Year | Population | Population Density Per Square KM |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 5,163,443 | 11.8 |
| 1955 | 5,903,253 | 13.5 |
| 1960 | 6,822,030 | 15.6 |
| 1965 | 7,970,746 | 18.2 |
| 1970 | 9,413,671 | 21.5 |
| 1975 | 11,117,804 | 25.4 |
| 1980 | 13,232,839 | 30.3 |
| 1985 | 15,693,620 | 35.9 |
| 1990 | 18,207,728 | 41.6 |
| 1995 | 19,633,762 | 44.9 |
| 2000 | 22,839,753 | 52.2 |
| 2005 | 26,637,630 | 60.9 |
| 2010 | 29,072,967 | 66.5 |
| 2015 | 34,813,806 | 79.6 |
| 2020 | 38,828,885 | 88.8 |
| 2022 | 40,462,701 | 92.5 |
| 2023 | 41,266,109 | 94.4 |
| 2024 | 42,083,436 | 96.2 |
| 2025 | 42,917,742 | 98.1 |
| 2030 | 47,088,189 | 107.7 |
| 2035 | 51,251,890 | 117.2 |
| 2040 | 55,363,280 | 126.6 |
| 2045 | 59,339,806 | 135.7 |
| 2050 | 63,087,363 | 144.2 |
| 2055 | 66,577,491 | 152.2 |
| 2060 | 69,817,126 | 159.6 |
| 2065 | 72,793,845 | 166.4 |
| 2070 | 75,482,295 | 172.6 |
| 2075 | 77,841,672 | 178 |
| 2080 | 79,828,427 | 182.5 |
| 2085 | 81,411,341 | 186.1 |
| 2090 | 82,571,311 | 188.8 |
| 2095 | 83,296,157 | 190.4 |
| 2100 | 83,580,165 | 191.1 |
Data from US Census International Database