Population and Demographics of Iraq
Population changed +2.15% in 2024 · median age 21 years
The age balance in Iraq spans 36.58% under 15 and 3.41% aged 65 or older, and the broad age profile puts 60.01% between ages 15 and 64. The longer record adds perspective: the population changed by +88.5% between 2000 and 2024. Looking ahead, 71.93 million is projected for 2050 under the medium scenario, compared with 46.04 million in 2024.
Population Over Time in Iraq
Iraq's population stood at 24.424M in 2000 and 46.042M in 2024, equivalent to a +88.5% change over that period. Looking ahead, the medium projection points to 71.929M in 2050, 56.2% higher than the 2024 level. The chart connects dated reference points only and should not be read as an annual interpolated series.
Age Structure and Sex Balance
Iraq's demographic structure is very young when the 2024 population is divided into the three broad age groups. Children under 15 make up 36.58% of the population, compared with 3.41% aged 65 or older, and 60.01% are 15 to 64. The age balance is weighted toward younger residents.
Population by broad age group
In the World Bank 2024 series, females account for 49.8% of Iraq's population and males 50.2%. The split is close to even.
Female and male population share
Males made up 50.2% of the population in the World Bank's 2024 series, compared with 49.8% females.
What Is Shaping Population Change
The short-run measure for Iraq is +2.15% population change in 2024, alongside fertility of 3.2, as the working-age group accounts for 60.01% of the population.
Across the historical reference points, Iraq moved +88.5% from 2000 to 2024, with a further +56.2% indicated under the 2050 medium scenario; births, deaths and migration are not apportioned here without a dedicated component series.
2024 estimate for Iraq. The world comparison value is 2.25 children per woman.
Iraq vs. World
A same-year comparison shows Iraq at +2.15% annual growth, 3.2 children per woman and a median age of 21, against world values of +0.87%, 2.25 and 30.6.
| Indicator | Iraq | World | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual population change | +2.15% | +0.87% | 2024 |
| Total fertility rate | 3.2 | 2.25 | 2024 |
| Median age | 21 | 30.6 | 2024 |
These are same-year, same-table comparisons. The underlying country table identifies UN World Population Prospects 2024 as its demographic framework.
Key Takeaways
At 46.042M, the 2024 population is paired with an annual change rate of +2.15%.
Broad age shares show 3.41% aged 65+ compared with 36.58% under 15; the 15 to 64 group accounts for 60.01%.
The 2024 female and male shares are 49.8% and 50.2% respectively.
On the medium path, 2050 reaches 71.929M, a +56.2% shift from the 2024 level.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Iraq?
The 2024 harmonized population estimate for Iraq is 46,042,015 people.
Is the population of Iraq growing or declining?
In the 2024 estimate, Iraq's population is growing, with annual change of +2.15%.
What percentage of the population of Iraq is aged 65 or older?
People aged 65 or older account for 3.41% of Iraq's 2024 population in the UN WPP-based broad age data.
What is the projected population of Iraq in 2050?
The UN World Population Prospects 2024 medium projection puts Iraq's 2050 population at 71,928,750.
What is the fertility rate in Iraq?
The 2024 harmonized fertility estimate for Iraq is 3.2 children per woman.
Sources & methodology
This profile uses United Nations World Population Prospects 2024 as the primary framework for globally comparable population, age, fertility and projection data. The World Bank is the primary source for the female population share. Some country values were accessed through secondary retrieval interfaces that republish or organize UN data; those interfaces are identified below as secondary and are not treated as the original statistical publishers.
View sources used for this page
Primary global framework for the population estimates and projections.
Harmonized 2024 country table based on UN World Population Prospects 2024.
Harmonized broad age shares based on UN World Population Prospects 2024.
Harmonized reference for the 2000 population point.
Harmonized 2050 country projection based on UN World Population Prospects 2024.
Used for the 2024 female share; the male share is calculated as the remainder to 100%.