Country Profile: Iraq

Iraq, located in the heart of the Middle East, is a country rich in history and cultural heritage. Bordered by the Persian Gulf and sharing its territory with Iran, Kuwait, and several other nations, Iraq is characterized by its diverse geography which ranges from vast deserts to mountainous regions. With a population of over 42 million, it has a predominantly young demographic, and its economy is highly dependent on oil exports, facing challenges such as corruption and political instability. Governed as a federal parliamentary republic, Iraq has made significant strides towards democratic governance since the early 2000s.

Geography

Iraq's geographical location is strategically significant, situated between key regional players and bordering the Shatt al Arab waterway. The country boasts diverse terrain that includes broad plains, marshes, and mountainous regions, especially in the north.

Area: 438,317 sq km
Land boundaries: 3,809 km shared with Iran, Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Syria, and Turkey
Highest point: Cheekha Dar at 3,611 m
Coastline: 58 km along the Persian Gulf
Climate: Mostly desert with cold winters in mountainous regions

People and Society

Iraq has a population of approximately 42.1 million, with a significant proportion under the age of 15, contributing to a youthful demographic. The nation is home to a multitude of ethnic groups, predominantly Arab and Kurdish, with several minority communities.

Ethnic groups: Arab 75-80%, Kurdish 15-20%
Languages: Arabic (official), Kurdish (official), with Turkmen and Syriac recognized in areas where they're spoken.
Religions: Muslim 95-98% (Shia 61-64%, Sunni 29-34%)
Urban population: 71.6% of the total population (2023)
Life expectancy: 73.7 years (2024 est.)

Economy

Iraq's economy is primarily driven by its oil sector, which accounts for a substantial percentage of its GDP. Despite being rich in resources, the country faces challenges in economic diversification and governance.

GDP (PPP): $585.887 billion (2024 est.)
Unemployment rate: 15.6% (2024 est.)
Oil production: 4.448 million bbl/day (2023 est.)
GDP composition: 51.6% industry, 45.8% services, 3.4% agriculture (2024 est.)
Public debt: 27.4% of GDP (2018 est.)

Government

Iraq operates as a federal parliamentary republic with a complex government structure, reflecting its diverse population and regional autonomy, especially in the Kurdistan region.

Capital: Baghdad
Government type: Federal parliamentary republic
Latest constitutional referendum: 15 October 2005
Suffrage age: 18 years
President: Latif Rashid (since 13 October 2022)

Military and Security

The Iraqi military includes a range of forces responsible for the country's internal security, counter-terrorism, and maintaining territorial integrity. It operates under the auspices of the Ministry of Defense and the Prime Minister's Office.

Active personnel: Estimated 200,000 under the Ministry of Defense
Military expenditure: 2.5% of GDP (2024 est.)
Counterterrorism operations: Active efforts against ISIS
Military service age: 18-40 years, with voluntary service (no conscription)

Energy

Iraq is one of the leading oil producers in the world, with its economy heavily reliant on fossil fuels.

Oil reserves: 145.019 billion barrels (2021 est.)
Electricity installed capacity: 31.339 million kW (2023 est.)
Natural gas production: 10.537 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
Total energy consumption per capita: 64.311 million Btu/person (2023 est.)

Environment

Iraq faces several environmental challenges including water scarcity, pollution, and desertification due to its geographic and climatic conditions.

Carbon dioxide emissions: 190.815 million metric tonnes (2023 est.)
Water withdrawal for agriculture: 31.169 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
Municipal solid waste generated: 13.14 million tons (2024 est.)
Percent of waste recycled: 15.4% (2022 est.)

Transportation

Iraq's transportation infrastructure includes a mix of modern and historical systems, with ongoing improvements to accommodate its economic activities.

Airports: 73 (2025)
Railways: 2,272 km total length (2014)
Ports: 6 (2024)
Merchant marine: 74 vessels (2023)

Communications

The communications landscape in Iraq has evolved, particularly since 2003, with increased access to telecommunication and the internet.

Mobile cellular subscriptions: 45.7 million (2023)
Internet users: 82% of the population (2023 est.)
Fixed-line telephones: 1.977 million (2023)
Broadband subscriptions: 7.77 million (2023)

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	42,083,436	(2024 est.)
Area	438,317 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$585.887 billion	(2024 est.)
Unemployment rate	15.6%	(2024 est.)
Life expectancy	73.7 years	(2024 est.)
Oil production	4.448 million bbl/day	(2023 est.)
Military expenditure	2.5% of GDP	(2024 est.)
Urban population	71.6%	(2023)
Total energy consumption per capita	64.311 million Btu/person	(2023 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions	190.815 million metric tonnes	(2023 est.)