Country Profile: Iraq

Iraq, positioned in the Middle East, boasts a landscape that includes vast desert plains and rivers, primarily the Tigris and Euphrates. With a population of approximately 42.9 million, it is ethnically diverse, primarily consisting of Arabs and Kurds. The economy is heavily reliant on oil, contributing significantly to its GDP, yet faces challenges such as corruption and political instability. Governed as a federal parliamentary republic, Iraq has made strides toward democratic processes over the past two decades, though security remains a pressing issue due to the ongoing threat of terrorism.

Geography

Iraq is strategically located in the Middle East, bordered by the Persian Gulf, Iran, Kuwait, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Syria, and Turkey. The country's terrain features broad plains, mountainous regions, and significant water resources in the form of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers.

Total Area: 438,317 sq km
Land Boundaries: 3,809 km with countries including Iran (1,599 km) and Saudi Arabia (811 km).
Highest Point: Cheekha Dar at 3,611 m.
Climate: Predominantly desert with mild winters and hot summers.
Natural Resources: Rich in petroleum and natural gas.

People and Society

Iraq's population is diverse, with Arab and Kurdish ethnic groups being the largest. The country faces demographic challenges, including a significant youth population and high dependency ratios.

Total Population: 42,917,742 (2025 est.)
Urban Population: 71.6% of the total population (2023).
Life Expectancy: 73.7 years (2024 est.)
Literacy Rate: 84.1% (2021 est.)
Religions: Predominantly Muslim (95-98%) with a small Christian minority.

Economy

Iraq's economy is primarily oil-dependent, which makes it vulnerable to fluctuations in global oil prices. Despite challenges such as corruption and high unemployment, there have been attempts to improve economic sustainability and confidence.

GDP (PPP): $585.887 billion (2024 est.)
Real GDP Growth Rate: -1.5% (2024 est.)
Unemployment Rate: 15.6% (2024 est.)
Inflation Rate: 4.4% (2023 est.)
Agriculture Contribution: 3.4% to GDP.

Government

Iraq is a federal parliamentary republic with a complex political structure. Since adopting its new constitution in 2005, Iraq has conducted multiple elections, though political stability remains fragile.

Capital: Baghdad
Government Type: Federal parliamentary republic
Executive: President Latif Rashid and Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani.
Legislature: Council of Representatives with 329 members.
Last Election: October 2022.

Military and Security

Iraq maintains a significant military presence to ensure national security and combat terrorism, particularly from groups like ISIS. The military consists of multiple branches, including the Iraqi Army and Counterterrorism Service.

Active Personnel: Estimated 200,000 in the armed forces.
Military Expenditure: 2.5% of GDP (2024 est.)
Security Forces: Includes the Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) and Kurdish Security Forces (KSF).
Service Age: 18 years for voluntary military service; no conscription.

Energy

Iraq is rich in energy resources, particularly oil and natural gas, playing a key role in its economy. The majority of the country's electricity is generated from fossil fuels.

Total Petroleum Production: 4.448 million bbl/day (2023 est.)
Electricity Access: 100% of the population (2022 est.).
Natural Gas Production: 10.537 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
Electricity Consumption: 73.521 billion kWh (2023 est.)

Environment

Iraq faces several environmental challenges, including water scarcity and pollution from industrial activities. The government has signed multiple international agreements to address climate and environmental issues.

Habitat Loss: Significant due to wetland draining.
Pollution Concerns: Air, soil, and groundwater pollution are prevalent in urban areas.
Total Water Withdrawal: 6.735 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)

Transportation

Iraq's transportation network includes a range of civil and military infrastructure, though it faces challenges due to ongoing security issues.

Airports: 73 (2025)
Railways: 2,272 km of total railway (2014).
Merchant Marine: 74 vessels (2023).
Ports: 6 main ports including Al Basrah and Umm Qasr.

Communications

Iraq has made significant advancements in communication technology, with a growing number of mobile subscriptions and a high percentage of internet users.

Mobile Subscriptions: 46.1 million (2024 est.)
Internet Users: 82% of the population (2023 est.)
Fixed-line Subscriptions: 1.977 million (2023 est.)

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	42,917,742 (2025 est.)
Total Area	438,317 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$585.887 billion (2024)
Unemployment Rate	15.6% (2024 est.)
Life Expectancy	73.7 years (2024 est.)
Literacy Rate	84.1% (2021 est.)
Urban Population	71.6% (2023)
Electricity Access	100% of population (2022)
Military Expenditure	2.5% of GDP (2024 est.)
Natural Gas Production	10.537 billion cubic meters (2023)