Geography
Climate: mostly desert.
CIA 2026
Data as of May 5, 2026
Iraq
AsiaLand of Contrasts
Iraq ranks high and low in ways you wouldn't predict. Can you guess what else is surprising?
Iraq ranks high and low in ways you wouldn't predict. It leads on obesity rate (#27) while trailing on renewable energy. Can you guess what else is surprising?
33.0, 44.0 - Asia
Area
438K km²
Pop.
42.92M
Stats
122
Reality brief
Iraq is a country in Asia with a population of 42.92M and an area of 438,317 km². Life expectancy is 72.3 years.
Short factual summary generated from the same country data used in game rounds.
Core numbers
Stats worth knowing
Fast scan first, deep dive later.
Land Area
434.1K km²#57globally
Total land area in square kilometers, excluding lakes, rivers, and territorial waters.
CO2 Per Capita
5.1 t/person/yr#67globally
Annual carbon dioxide emissions in tonnes per person, from Our World in Data using the latest available country values in TerraBrawl.
Internet Users (%)
82%#106globally
The percentage of people who have used the internet in the last 3 months.
Population Density
103.83 /km²#102globally
How many people live in each square kilometer of land.
GDP Per Capita
$12,725.04#120globally
GDP per person adjusted for purchasing power in constant 2017 international dollars, from Our World in Data using the latest available country values in TerraBrawl.
Country briefing
Grounded facts about Iraq
A quick real-world briefing before you dive deeper into rankings, surprises, and matchups.
Culture
Major languages include Arabic (official), Kurdish (official); Turkmen (a Turkish dialect) and Syriac (Neo-Aramaic) are recognized as official languages where native spe…
CIA 2026
Identity
Formal name: Republic of Iraq.
CIA 2026
Cities
Cities in Iraq
Browse this country's cities before City Detective asks you to guess.
Baghdad
Iraq
Famous100/100
Open city guide
Mosul
Nineveh, Iraq
Famous76/100
Open city guide
Kirkuk
Iraq
Famous70/100
Open city guide
Erbil
Iraq
Famous69/100
Open city guide
Najaf
Iraq
Famous69/100
Open city guide
Al Başrah al Qadīmah
Basra, Iraq
Famous68/100
Open city guide
Karbala
Iraq
Famous62/100
Open city guide
Sulaymaniyah
Iraq
Notable61/100
Open city guide
Top stats
Where They Stand Out
The strongest source-backed stats before the deeper data table.
Irrigated Land
35.3K km²#17globallyTop stat
Irrigated land area from CIA World Factbook.
Armed Forces Personnel
459.0K#15globallyTop stat
Total armed forces personnel from the World Bank latest available country value.
Unemployment Rate
15.52%#16globallyTop stat
The percentage of the workforce that is unemployed but actively looking for work.
Obesity Rate
37.36%#27globallyTop stat
Share of adults with obesity, from Our World in Data using the latest available country values in TerraBrawl.
Electric Generating Capacity
31.34M kW#37globally
Installed electricity generating capacity in kilowatts from the frozen public-domain CIA World Factbook snapshot.
Reality checks
Did You Know?
The stats that tend to surprise players in real rounds.
Keeps inflation rate unusually low
#211-12.3%Inflation Rate
How much prices increased over the year, based on the cost of everyday goods and services.
Only ranks #99 in r&d spending (% gdp)
#990.04% of GDPR&D Spending (% GDP)
Research and development spending as a share of GDP, from World Bank Open Data.
Only ranks #203 in protected land (%)
#2031.5%Protected Land (%)
The percentage of land area designated as protected natural reserves or parks.
Only ranks #217 in death rate
#2173.9 per 1kDeath Rate
The number of deaths per 1,000 people each year.
Only ranks #199 in gdp growth rate
#199-1.55%GDP Growth Rate
The annual percentage change in the country's GDP.
Compared with the region
How Iraq Compares
Country vs continent vs world averages
Iraq
Asia avg
World avg
GDP per Capita
GDP per person, adjusted for purchasing power parity (PPP) so costs of living are comparable across countries.
- Country
- $14,464.32
- Region avg
- $34,339.76
- World avg
- $31,844.55
Iraq$14,464.32
Asia$34,339.76
World$31,844.55
-55% below worldWB 2023
Life Expectancy
How many years a newborn can expect to live, based on current mortality rates.
- Country
- 72.3 years
- Region avg
- 75.3 years
- World avg
- 73.7 years
Iraq72.3 years
Asia75.3 years
World73.7 years
-2% below worldWB 2023
Human Development Index
Composite 0-1 index of life expectancy, education, and income, from Our World in Data using the latest available country values in TerraBrawl.
- Country
- 0.69
- Region avg
- 0.75
- World avg
- 0.74
Iraq0.69
Asia0.75
World0.74
-6% below worldOWID 2023
Internet Users
The percentage of people who have used the internet in the last 3 months.
- Country
- 82%
- Region avg
- 75.77%
- World avg
- 70.29%
Iraq82%
Asia75.77%
World70.29%
+17% above worldWB 2023
Think you can guess which countries rank higher?
Play this countryFactbook notes
About Iraq
Country briefing
Formerly part of the Ottoman Empire, Iraq was occupied by the United Kingdom during World War I and was declared a League of Nations mandate under UK administration in 1920.
Read the full Factbook note
Formerly part of the Ottoman Empire, Iraq was occupied by the United Kingdom during World War I and was declared a League of Nations mandate under UK administration in 1920. Iraq attained its independence as a kingdom in 1932. It was proclaimed a republic in 1958 after a coup overthrew the monarchy, but in actuality, a series of strongmen ruled the country until 2003. The last was SADDAM Hussein, from 1979 to 2003. Territorial disputes with Iran led to an inconclusive and costly war from 1980 to 1988. In 1990, Iraq seized Kuwait but was expelled by US-led UN coalition forces during the two-month-long Gulf War of 1991. After Iraq's expulsion, the UN Security Council (UNSC) required Iraq to scrap all weapons of mass destruction and long-range missiles and to allow UN verification inspections. Continued Iraqi noncompliance with UNSC resolutions led to the Second Gulf War in 2003, when US-led forces ousted the SADDAM regime.
In 2005, Iraqis approved a constitution in a national referendum and elected a 275-member Council of Representatives (COR). The COR approved most of the cabinet ministers, marking the transition to Iraq's first constitutional government in nearly a half-century. Iraq's constitution also established the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), a semi-autonomous region that administers the governorates of Erbil, Dahuk, and As Sulaymaniyah. Iraq has held four national legislative elections since 2006, most recently in 2021. The COR approved Mohammad Shia' al-SUDANI as prime minister in 2022. Iraq has repeatedly postponed elections for provincial councils -- last held in 2013 -- and since 2019, the prime minister has had the authority to appoint governors rather than provincial councils.
Between 2014 and 2017, Iraq fought a military campaign against the Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS) to recapture territory the group seized in 2014. In 2017, then-Prime Minister Haydar al-ABADI publicly declared victory against ISIS, although military operations against the group continue in rural areas. Also in 2017, Baghdad forcefully seized disputed territories across central and northern Iraq from the KRG, after a non-binding Kurdish independence referendum.
Geography & Climate6 facts
- Location
- Middle East, bordering the Persian Gulf, between Iran and Kuwait
- Climate
- mostly desert; mild to cool winters with dry, hot, cloudless summers; northern mountainous regions along Iranian and Turkish borders experience cold winters with occasionally heavy snows that melt in early spring, sometimes causing extensive flooding in central and southern Iraq
- Terrain
- mostly broad plains; reedy marshes along Iranian border in south with large flooded areas; mountains along borders with Iran and Turkey
- Natural Resources
- petroleum, natural gas, phosphates, sulfur
- Natural Hazards
- dust storms; sandstorms; floods
- Size Comparison
- slightly more than three times the size of New York State
People & Culture4 facts
- Languages
- Arabic (official), Kurdish (official); Turkmen (a Turkish dialect) and Syriac (Neo-Aramaic) are recognized as official languages where native speakers of these languages are present
- Religions
- Muslim (official) 95-98% (Shia 61-64%, Sunni 29-34%), Christian 1% (includes Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, Assyrian Church of the East), other 1-4% (2015 est.)
- Ethnic Groups
- Arab 75-80%, Kurdish 15-20%, other 5% (includes Turkmen, Yezidi, Shabak, Kaka'i, Bedouin, Romani, Assyrian, Circassian, Sabaean-Mandaean, Persian)
- Major Cities
- 7.711 million BAGHDAD (capital), 1.792 million Mosul, 1.448 million Basra, 1.075 million Kirkuk, 958,000 Najaf, 897,000 Erbil (2023)
Government & History10 facts
- Government Type
- federal parliamentary republic
- Capital
- Baghdad
- Capital Coordinates
- 33 20 N, 44 24 E
- Capital Timezone
- UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
- Official Name
- Republic of Iraq
- Name Origin
- the name probably derives from Uruk ("Erech" in Aramaic), the ancient Sumerian and Babylonian city on the Euphrates River
- Independence
- 3 October 1932 (from League of Nations mandate under British administration)
- National Symbols
- golden eagle
- National Anthem
- "Mawtini" (My Homeland)
- UNESCO Heritage
- 6 (5 cultural, 1 mixed)
Economy & Trade7 facts
- Overview
- highly oil-dependent Middle Eastern economy; fiscal sustainability subject to fluctuation in oil prices; rising public confidence in economic conditions; import-dependent for most sectors; persistent challenges of corruption, informal markets, banking access, and political fragility
- Industries
- petroleum, chemicals, textiles, leather, construction materials, food processing, fertilizer, metal fabrication/processing
- Agricultural Products
- wheat, dates, maize, tomatoes, rye, grapes, milk, chicken, potatoes, fruits (2023)
- Export Partners
- China 33%, India 28%, USA 8%, Greece 5%, UAE 5% (2023)
- Export Commodities
- crude petroleum, refined petroleum, petroleum coke, gold, natural gas (2023)
- Import Partners
- UAE 32%, China 20%, Turkey 18%, India 5%, USA 2% (2023)
- Import Commodities
- refined petroleum, cars, broadcasting equipment, jewelry, gold (2023)
Infrastructure & Defense4 facts
- Military Forces
- Ministry of Defense: Iraqi Army, Iraqi Navy, Iraqi Air Force Office of the Prime Minister: Iraqi Counterterrorism Service (CTS); Popular Mobilization Committee (PMC) Ministry of Interior: Federal Police Forces Command, Border Guard Forces Command, Federal Intelligence and Investigations Agency, Emergency Response Division, Facilities Protection Directorate, and Provincial Police; Ministry of Oil: Energy Police Directorate (2025)
- Military Service
- 18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2025)
- Energy Mix
- fossil fuels: 98.8% of total installed capacity (2023 est.); solar: 0.3% of total installed capacity (2023 est.); hydroelectricity: 0.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
- Broadcast Media
- the number of private radio and TV stations has increased rapidly since 2003; state-owned TV and radio stations are operated by the publicly funded Iraqi Media Network; private broadcast media are mostly linked to political, ethnic, or religious groups; satellite TV is available to about 70% of viewers; many broadcasters are based abroad; transmissions of multiple international radio broadcasters are accessible (2019)
Source:World Factbook archive 2026
Data vault
Deep Dive
Every tracked stat, grouped for fast scanning.
Military & Defense2 statsBest: #15
Wealth & Economy9 statsBest: #16
Unemployment Rate
Youth Unemployment Rate
GDP (Nominal)
GDP Per Capita
GDP Per Capita (PPP)
Government Debt (% GDP)
GDP Growth Rate
FDI Inflows (% GDP)
Inflation Rate
Environment9 statsBest: #17
Irrigated Land
35.3K km²#17
Total CO2 Emissions
Air Pollution (PM2.5)
Electricity Access (%)
CO2 Per Capita
Forest Area
Forest Coverage (%)
Renewable Energy (%)
Protected Land (%)
Health & Survival9 statsBest: #27
Obesity Rate
Infant Mortality
Child Mortality
Smoking Rate
Life Expectancy
Doctors (per 1,000)
Hospital Beds (per 1,000)
Health Spending (% GDP)
Suicide Rate
Demographics12 statsBest: #36
Population
Fertility Rate
Birth Rate
Youth Population (%)
Dependency Ratio
Land Area
Teen Birth Rate
Urban Population (%)
Population Density
Median Age
Elderly Population (%)
Death Rate
Energy1 statsBest: #37
Electric Generating Capacity
31.34M kW#37
Education & Future4 statsBest: #41
Land & Sea4 statsBest: #52
Highest Elevation
3.6K m#52
Land Border Length
3.8K km#54
Lowest Elevation
0 m#111
Coastline Length
58 km#176
Infrastructure3 statsBest: #68
Lifestyle4 statsBest: #68
Society & Equality2 statsBest: #74
Keep exploring
Related Countries
Compare Iraq vs neighbors
Open the head-to-head pages people naturally search after reading this profile.
Where Iraq leads
Jump straight to the rankings where this country has its strongest edge.
Neighboring Countries
More Asia Countries
Share a country stat
Turn Iraq's strongest number into a challenge card.
Iraq
#36 in Population
The total number of people living in the country.
Top 15% globally
42.92M
Frequently Asked Questions about Iraq
What is the population of Iraq?
Iraq has a population of 42.92M, ranking #36 globally by population.
What continent is Iraq in?
Iraq is located in Asia. It has an area of 438,317 km².
What is the life expectancy in Iraq?
Life expectancy in Iraq is 72.3 years, ranking #129 globally.
What is the GDP per capita of Iraq?
Iraq's GDP per capita (PPP) is $14,464.32, ranking #120 globally.
What is Iraq known for in global statistics?
Iraq ranks particularly high in Population (#36), Land Area (#57), CO2 Per Capita (#67).
What is Iraq's Human Development Index?
Iraq has an HDI of 0.695, ranking #126 globally. The HDI combines life expectancy, education, and income indicators.
How densely populated is Iraq?
Iraq has a population density of 103.8 people per km², ranking #102 globally.