The very first national census in about three decades will see Iraq implement a 48-hour curfew in November, according to local authorities. In order to perform a demographic census, every region in the country will be under curfew on November 20 and 21, according to a declaration by the Prime Minister’s office.
According to reports in the local media, the procedure has been authorized for a number of steps. One of the actions is to complete the collaboration with the Kurdistan Regional Government for the statistics personnel instruction. According to reports, many ministries would also assist with this task by offering schools and youth centers for team instruction.
Iraq, which has endured decades of strife and bloodshed, has repeatedly delayed its census. Specifically, disputes over contested regions have resulted in the cancellation of the 2010 census.
Except for the three provinces in the north that comprise the partially independent Kurdistan region, fifteen Iraqi provinces participated in the most recent general census, which was conducted in 1997. Even though there has been periodic bloodshed and political unrest, the country has managed to reestablish some degree of normalcy in recent times.
The overall population of the Iraq is now estimated to be 43 million. For the impending census, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and Iraqi officials have collaborated.
The program is essential to provide Iraq with up-to-date demographic data, enabling efficient governance, and encouraging inclusive economic development. Iraq used to conduct a census every ten years. In 2007, the census was not possible due to the country’s involvement in civil conflicts.
During the following years, the country was involved in terrorist and extremist fighting culminating in the emergence of ISIS that took control of major regions. Following the annihilation of ISIS, local dissatisfaction and administrative failures kept postponing a national census.
