Iraq is set to enforce a two-day curfew in November for its first national census in 27 years, as announced by the authorities on Sunday.
Prime Minister Mohamed Shia al-Sudani stated in a release that the curfew will be implemented across all Iraqi provinces on November 20 and 21 to facilitate the population count.
Plagued by continuous conflict and violence, Iraq has delayed the census multiple times, notably in 2010 due to tensions over disputed territories among different communities. The last nationwide census was conducted in 1997 in 15 provinces, excluding the three northern provinces that formed the autonomous Kurdistan Region.
Despite occasional violence and political instability, Iraq has seen a gradual return to stability in recent years. Current population estimates stand at approximately 43 million. The government has collaborated with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) for the forthcoming census, which is vital for providing accurate demographic data, aiding effective policy formulation, and fostering inclusive growth, according to the agency.
Historically, Iraq conducted a census every decade. However, a census was not possible in 2007 due to the country's involvement in sectarian violence.
