Iraq News: This had once happened during the rule of Saddam Hussein, what plan is Iraq working on now?

Iraq Census News: The first national census is going to start in Iraq after more than three decades. This is a special moment for Iraq as efforts are being made to collect demographic information for future planning and development in the country.

This information was given by Abdul Zahra al-Hindavi, spokesperson for the Iraqi Ministry of Planning. He said that the purpose of the first full census since Saddam Hussein became president in 1987 is to provide a comprehensive count of Iraq's population. According to an estimate, Iraq's population is expected to exceed 43 million by the end of the year 2024.

Why is the census being held after three decades?

In fact, attempts to conduct a national census have been delayed due to conflict, instability and disagreement between several political factions in Iraq. However, now there is a period of stability in the country. With regard to the census starting on Wednesday, officials have expressed hope that the process will be successfully completed.

Census was attempted in 1997

According to reports, an attempt was made to conduct a census in the year 1997. However, this census did not include the Iraqi Kurdistan region, which was governed by Kurdish authorities since the 1991 Gulf War. According to the figures given by the officials, 19 million Iraqis were counted in Iraq. Officials also estimated that there are 3 million more people in the Kurdish north, but due to the absence of a census, this figure could not be clear.

Why was the census postponed repeatedly?

It has been told that the census in Iraq was postponed repeatedly because it was being politicized. Ethnic groups in other areas including the northern city of Kirkuk opposed the census to be held in Iraq. The reason behind this was that the number of people in their region could be revealed, which was expected to weaken political ambitions. Regarding the census, Kurdish politician Shwan Daudi said that we are afraid (about the census) not only in Kirkuk but in all other disputed areas, which are subject to strong disagreements between various powers.

What questions will be asked?

Iraq's Planning Ministry spokesman Abdul Zahra al-Hindawi further said about the census to be held in Iraq that the data collected will be used to make decisions in areas such as infrastructure development, education, healthcare and social services. He also said that the census will have only one question about religious affiliation, Muslim or Christian, and there will be no questions about ethnic background or sectarian affiliation. The Iraqi government said that the initial results of the census will be announced within 24 hours and the final results will be released in two to three months.