Iraq kicks off 1st nationwide census in 37 years

By Ali Makram Ghareeb

KIRKUK (AA) – Iraq has begun a nationwide general population census covering the entire nation, including the Kurdish Regional Government (KRG), the first such census in 37 years.

The census chief for Kirkuk, the KRG capital, at Iraq’s Planning Ministry told Anadolu on Wednesday that the two-day census has started there as well.

Stating that collecting family data began approximately four days ago, Mustafa Ekrem said that as of today, they are visiting homes to review previously gathered information.

Ekrem said 5,600 officials have been assigned to carry out home inspections in Kirkuk over the two days.

The population of Kirkuk is around 1.8 million, he said, but the census should clarify the figures.

Though normally the census is done every 10 years, it has been delayed since the 2003 US invasion of Iraq due to the subsequent violence and upheaval.

A two-day curfew is in place today and tomorrow to facilitate the nationwide census.

This population count is expected to influence various issues such as the national budget, development projects, and parliamentary and provincial council seats.

The census will be done electronically and will not include questions about ethnicity or sect.

*Writing by Esra Tekin in Istanbul