Iraq Population
Middle East & North Africa · 34th most populous · Upper middle income
Population right now (estimate)
48,311,778
The population of Iraq is about 48,311,778 as of 22 October 2026 (estimate), and 48.0 million for 2026 as a whole — 0.58% of the world's people.
Iraq is the 34th most populous of 217 countries and territories. Its population is growing fast — about 2.1% a year, roughly 2,760 more people every day. By 2050 it is projected to reach about 71.9 million. That is 6.8 times its 1960 population of 7.0 million. Population density is 111 people per square kilometre. 70% of people live in cities (2025).
Population 2026
48.0 million
Yearly change
+2.10%
World rank
34th
Share of world
0.58%
Density
111/km²
Land area
434,130 km²
Life expectancy
72.4 yrs
Births per woman
3.22
GDP per capita
$5,410
GDP
$254.4B
Population of Iraq, 1960–2050
Iraq population by year
| Year | Population | Yearly change | Density (per km²) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 7,022,052 | — | 16 |
| 1970 | 9,735,611 | +3.53% | 22 |
| 1980 | 13,591,992 | +3.20% | 31 |
| 1990 | 17,581,206 | +1.25% | 40 |
| 2000 | 24,424,056 | +3.33% | 56 |
| 2010 | 31,045,366 | +3.28% | 72 |
| 2020 | 42,116,605 | +2.24% | 97 |
| 2024 | 46,042,015 | +2.15% | 106 |
| 2026proj. | 48,007,437 | +2.10% | 111 |
| 2030proj. | 51,937,208 | +1.95% | 120 |
| 2040proj. | 62,223,211 | +1.71% | 143 |
| 2050proj. | 71,928,750 | +1.31% | 166 |
Iraq vs Bangladesh
Bangladesh (178 million) has 3.7 times as many people as Iraq. Bangladesh is 12.4 times more densely populated.
Iraq population: questions and answers
What is the population of Iraq in 2026?
About 48,007,437 (48.0 million), based on World Bank projections.
Is Iraq's population growing?
Yes, by about 2.10% a year (2026).
What is the population density of Iraq?
About 111 people per km², with a land area of 434,130 km².
What will the population of Iraq be in 2050?
About 71.9 million on World Bank projections.
What is the capital of Iraq?
Baghdad.
What is the life expectancy in Iraq?
72.4 years at birth (2024).
Sources: World Bank Open Data — World Development Indicators and Population Estimates and Projections (CC BY 4.0); Wikidata (CC0). Data retrieved 2026-10-22. Live figures are mathematical estimates interpolated between the World Bank's mid-year values, not real-time counts.