Iraq holds its first nationwide census in nearly 40 years

Iraq began its first nationwide population census in decades Wednesday, a step aimed at modernising data collection and planning in a country long impacted by conflict and political divisions.

The act of counting the population is also contentious. The census is expected to have profound implications for Iraq's resource distribution, budget allocations and development planning. Minority groups fear that a documented decline in their numbers will bring decreased political influence and fewer economic benefits in the country's sectarian power-sharing system.

It will be the first census to cover all 18 governorates since 1987, when Saddam Hussein was in power, following repeated delays caused by years of war and political tensions between factions.

"More generally across the country, parliamentary representation will change," said Hamzeh Hadad, a visiting fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR).

With one member of parliament allocated by the constitution per 100,000 Iraqis, "having an official census will mean the numbers will have to be adjusted" based on the new demographic breakdown, he said.

A count conducted in 1997 excluded the three northern provinces that make up the autonomous Kurdistan region.

The upcoming census has reignited tensions between Baghdad and Kurdistan over disputed territories in the north. The census includes religion but does not differentiate between sects, such as Sunni and Shiite Muslims, and, unlike previous counts, it excludes ethnicity.

"There are some crucial details in this census that might be missing to appease all sides to finally allow it to take place," Hadad added. Iraq has been keen to conduct the census for budgetary reasons.

Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al Sudani said the census was important for "development and planning steps in all sectors that contribute to the advancement and progress of Iraq", where electricity is scarce and infrastructure largely in disrepair.

Two-day curfew

During the census a two-day curfew will operate, with families having to stay at home so 120,000 researchers can collect data directly from households.

A questionnaire seen by AFP records the number of people per household, health status, education level, employment status, number of cars and even an inventory of household appliances, so standards of living can be assessed.

Iraq has spent much of the past few decades devastated by conflict and sanctions, including a sectarian struggle after the US-led invasion 2003 toppled Saddam and the emergence of Daesh group in 2014.

Demographics are likely to have shifted with the exile of hundreds of thousands of Christians, and also of tens of thousands of Yazidi families who were displaced from Sinjar by atrocities committed by Daesh extremists.

Iraq has regained some semblance of stability in recent years, despite sporadic violence and political turmoil.

To organise the count, authorities partnered with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), in an effort to generate "accurate demographic information, facilitating effective policymaking and promoting inclusive growth."

After years of uncertainty, the census will reveal "the reality of Iraq in its smallest details," said planning ministry spokesman Abdel-Zahra Al Hindawi.

Agence France-Presse