Country Profile: Iraq

Iraq, located in the Middle East at the crossroads of the Persian Gulf, Iran, and Kuwait, boasts a diverse geography including vast plains and mountainous areas. With an estimated population of over 42 million, Iraq is predominantly Arab and Kurdish, practicing mainly Islam. The economy is heavily reliant on oil, contributing significantly to its GDP, yet challenges such as corruption and political instability persist. Governed as a federal parliamentary republic, Iraq has made strides toward establishing a constitutional democracy since 2005.

Geography

Iraq's strategic location along the Persian Gulf is marked by its diverse landscape that includes deserts, mountains, and significant river systems. The country faces natural hazards such as dust storms and flooding, particularly in the northern mountainous regions.

Area: 438,317 sq km
Land boundaries: 3,809 km with neighbors including Iran, Jordan, and Kuwait
Climate: Predominantly desert with mild winters and extremely hot summers
Highest point: Cheekha Dar at 3,611 m
Natural resources: Major deposits of petroleum, natural gas, and phosphates

People and Society

The population of Iraq is approximately 42 million, with a youthful median age of 22.4 years. The major ethnic groups are Arab (75-80%) and Kurdish (15-20%), with Islam as the predominant religion.

Population: 42,083,436 (2024 estimate)
Urbanization: 71.6% of the population resides in urban areas (2023)
Literacy rate: 86% (2017 estimate)
Life expectancy: 73.7 years (2024 estimate)
Median age: 22.4 years (2024 estimate)

Economy

Iraq has a highly oil-dependent economy, heavily influenced by fluctuations in global oil prices. Despite rising public confidence, challenges such as corruption and reliance on imports remain significant.

GDP (PPP): $585.887 billion (2024 estimate)
Real GDP growth rate: -1.5% (2024 estimate)
Unemployment rate: 15.6% (2024 estimate)
GDP per capita: $12,700 (2024 estimate)
Exports: $107.852 billion (2023 estimate)

Government

Iraq operates as a federal parliamentary republic with a legal system combining civil and Islamic law. The government is structured with an executive branch led by a president and a prime minister, and a unicameral legislature.

Capital: Baghdad
Government type: Federal parliamentary republic
Suffrage: Universal at age 18
Constitution: Adopted on 15 October 2005
Most recent election: 13 October 2022

Military and Security

Iraq maintains a comprehensive military structure focused on internal security and counterterrorism operations. The military includes the Iraqi Army, Navy, Air Force, and various security forces.

Military Expenditures: 2.5% of GDP (2024 estimate)
Active personnel: Approximately 200,000 (2025 estimate)
Volunteer service: Mandatory for ages 18-40
Military equipment: Diverse inventory from multiple international sources

Energy

Iraq's energy sector is characterized by abundant oil and natural gas reserves, with electricity access for the entire population. The country is a major oil producer, focusing primarily on fossil fuel energy generation.

Total petroleum production: 4.448 million bbl/day (2023 estimate)
Electricity consumption: 73.521 billion kWh (2023 estimate)
Installed generating capacity: 31.339 million kW (2023 estimate)
Natural gas production: 10.537 billion cubic meters (2023 estimate)

Environment

Iraq faces significant environmental challenges, including habitat loss and water pollution from industrial activities. The country is party to multiple international environmental agreements aiming to address these issues.

Environmental issues: Soil degradation, air and water pollution
Urban population: 71.6% (2023)
Total water resources: 89.86 billion cubic meters (2020 estimate)

Transportation

Iraq has a varied transportation network that includes airports, railways, and maritime ports. The civil aviation sector is developing, with numerous airports serving domestic and international flights.

Airports: 73 (2025)
Railways: 2,272 km (2014)
Ports: 6 operational ports
Merchant marine: 74 vessels (2023)

Communications

Iraq’s communication infrastructure has improved significantly, with widespread access to mobile and internet services. The country is working to enhance connectivity amidst ongoing reconstruction efforts.

Mobile subscriptions: 45.7 million (2023 estimate)
Internet users: 82% of the population (2023 estimate)
Fixed-line subscriptions: 1.977 million (2023 estimate)

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	42,083,436	(2024 estimate)
Area	438,317 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$585.887 billion	(2024 estimate)
Unemployment rate	15.6%	(2024 estimate)
Electricity access	100%	(2022 estimate)
Military expenditures	2.5% of GDP	(2024 estimate)
Life expectancy at birth	73.7 years	(2024 estimate)
Total energy consumption per capita	64.311 million Btu/person	(2023 estimate)
Urban population	71.6%	(2023 estimate)