Share of population living in urban and rural areas in Iraq
Iraq: Share of population living in urban and rural areas was 69.9% in 2025. ▲ Rising
Share of population living in urban and rural areas in Iraq, 1950–2025
Source: United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
The most recent figure for share of population living in urban and rural areas in Iraq is 69.9%, measured in 2025.
The figure is up 0.1% on the previous year and up 0.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of population living in urban and rural areas in Iraq peaked at 70.2% in 1987 and was at its lowest, 35.0%, in 1950.
Iraq ranks 104th of 236 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 76 years of available data.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 38.4% | 35.0% | 42.6% | 10 |
| 1960s | 50.3% | 44.0% | 55.9% | 10 |
| 1970s | 61.2% | 57.0% | 65.1% | 10 |
| 1980s | 68.8% | 66.0% | 70.2% | 10 |
| 1990s | 68.3% | 67.5% | 69.7% | 10 |
| 2000s | 68.3% | 67.6% | 69.0% | 10 |
| 2010s | 69.6% | 69.1% | 69.9% | 10 |
| 2020s | 69.9% | 69.9% | 69.9% | 6 |
Countries ranked near Iraq
More population data for Iraq
- World population growth 0.2% (2100)
- Population density 231.84 people per km² (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 5.99 million people (2100)
- Population growth rate, by level of development 0.2% (2100)
- Total fertility rate vs. contraceptive prevalence 3.22 births per woman (2024)
- Fertility rate vs. unmet need for contraception 3.22 births per woman (2024)
- Refugees by country of asylum 318,461 people (2024)
- Total fertility rate vs. wanted fertility rate 3.22 births per woman (2024)
- Fertility rate vs. Share of people who are religious 3.25 live births per woman (2023)
- Fertility rate accounting for survival until childbearing age 3.13 children per women (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is share of population living in urban and rural areas in Iraq?
- Share of population living in urban and rural areas in Iraq was 69.9% in 2025, according to United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest share of population living in urban and rural areas recorded in Iraq?
- The highest recorded value was 70.2% in 1987.
- What is the lowest share of population living in urban and rural areas recorded in Iraq?
- The lowest recorded value was 35.0% in 1950.
- How does Iraq rank for share of population living in urban and rural areas?
- Iraq ranks 104th out of 236 countries with data for 2025.
- Is share of population living in urban and rural areas rising or falling in Iraq?
- Over the last ten years it is up 0.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Iraq data come from?
- The figures come from United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Share of population living in urban and rural areas. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Share of the population living in urban areas, based on each country's national definition.