Iraq is set to impose a two-day curfew in November to facilitate its first national census since 1997, marking the first such effort since the fall of Saddam Hussein. Prime Minister Mohamed Shia’ al-Sudani announced that the curfew will be enforced across all Iraqi provinces on November 20 and 21 to support the nationwide population count.
The 1997 census, the last one conducted, did not include the three northern provinces now part of the autonomous Kurdistan Region. Currently, Iraq’s population is estimated at around 46 million.
The country, which has experienced prolonged conflict and violence, has previously postponed several planned censuses, including a 2010 effort due to territorial disputes. Historically, Iraq conducted censuses every decade, but the 2007 census was canceled due to sectarian violence.
Despite achieving some stability in recent years, Iraq continues to face intermittent violence and political challenges. This upcoming census will be the first since the end of Saddam Hussein’s regime.
