look news india
Iraq is going to conduct its first census in 27 years. For this, a two-day curfew will be imposed in November next month. Officials announced this on September 1. Prime Minister Mohammad Shia al-Sudaini said in a statement that curfew will be imposed in all Iraqi provinces on November 20 and 21 to conduct the census. He said, Iraq, which has been struggling with decades of conflict and violence, has postponed the census several times.
The last census in Iraq was conducted in 1997
Prime Minister Sudan said the census was postponed in 2010 because of inter-communal tensions over disputed territories. The last general census in Iraq was held in 1997 in 15 Iraqi provinces, except for three northern provinces that became the autonomous Kurdistan Region. Iraq was due to conduct its first census since 1987 in 2010 but it was postponed because of land disputes to prevent conflict between Arabs and Kurds over a piece of oil-rich land in the north.
Population is approximately 43 million
Iraq's population is currently estimated to be around 43 million. Authorities have partnered with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) for the next census. According to the agency, Iraq used to conduct a census every 10 years. However, the census could not be conducted in 2007 due to sectarian violence in the country.
55% Shia and 40% Sunni
According to the agency, the initiative plays a vital role in equipping Iraq with accurate population data to facilitate effective policy making and promote inclusive development. It is estimated that about 55% of Iraq's Muslim population is Shia, while 40% is Sunni. Apart from this, Iraq's population also includes Christians, Yazidis, Mandeans and Yarsans.