Iraq Plans Two-Day Curfew for November Census

Iraq is set to implement a two-day curfew in November to facilitate the country’s first census in 27 years, confirmed Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani in a statement on Sunday. The curfew will be in effect across all Iraqi provinces on November 20 and 21 to ensure the smooth execution of the census.

Local media reports indicate that various measures have been approved to support the census process, including coordination with the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) for the training of census personnel. Additionally, several ministries will assist by providing classrooms and youth centers for staff training.

Iraq, which has faced decades of conflict and violence, has postponed the census multiple times, most recently in 2010 due to tensions surrounding disputed territories. The last general census was conducted in 1997 in 15 Iraqi provinces, excluding the three northern provinces that make up the semi-autonomous Kurdistan Region.

In recent years, Iraq has regained a degree of stability, despite sporadic violence and political unrest. Current estimates place the population of Iraq at approximately 43 million. Iraqi authorities have partnered with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) for the upcoming census. According to the UNFPA, this initiative is crucial for providing Iraq with accurate demographic information that can facilitate effective policymaking and promote inclusive growth.

Historically, Iraq conducted a census every ten years; however, in 2007, a census could not be organized due to sectarian violence that engulfed the nation.