Share of urban vs. rural population using at least basic sanitation in Iraq
Iraq: Share of urban vs. rural population using at least basic sanitation was 98.8% in 2024. ▲ Rising
Share of urban vs. rural population using at least basic sanitation in Iraq, 2000–2024
Source: WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme for Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (2025) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
The most recent figure for share of urban vs. rural population using at least basic sanitation in Iraq is 98.8%, measured in 2024. That is the highest value across all 25 years on record.
The figure is up 6.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of urban vs. rural population using at least basic sanitation in Iraq peaked at 98.8% in 2020 and was at its lowest, 77.7%, in 2000.
That places Iraq 51st out of 186 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 25 years of available data.
Share of urban vs. rural population using at least basic sanitation in Iraq, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 77.7% | — |
| 2001 | 77.9% | +0.2% |
| 2002 | 78.0% | +0.2% |
| 2003 | 78.2% | +0.2% |
| 2004 | 78.3% | +0.2% |
| 2005 | 79.8% | +1.8% |
| 2006 | 81.2% | +1.8% |
| 2007 | 82.7% | +1.8% |
| 2008 | 84.1% | +1.8% |
| 2009 | 85.6% | +1.7% |
| 2010 | 87.0% | +1.7% |
| 2011 | 88.5% | +1.7% |
| 2012 | 90.0% | +1.7% |
| 2013 | 91.4% | +1.6% |
| 2014 | 92.9% | +1.6% |
| 2015 | 94.4% | +1.6% |
| 2016 | 95.9% | +1.6% |
| 2017 | 97.4% | +1.6% |
| 2018 | 98.5% | +1.1% |
| 2019 | 98.7% | +0.2% |
| 2020 | 98.8% | +0.2% |
| 2021 | 98.8% | +0.0% |
| 2022 | 98.8% | +0.0% |
| 2023 | 98.8% | +0.0% |
| 2024 | 98.8% | +0.0% |
Iraq compared with similar countries
- Iraq's 98.8% is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 95.8%, 1.0× the median. (54 countries reporting)
- Iraq's 98.8% is above the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 97.9%, 1.0× the median. (19 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 80.4% | 77.7% | 85.6% | 10 |
| 2010s | 93.5% | 87.0% | 98.7% | 10 |
| 2020s | 98.8% | 98.8% | 98.8% | 5 |
Countries ranked near Iraq
- 48 Estonia 98.9% compare
- 49 Costa Rica 98.9% compare
- 50 Bosnia and Herzegovina 98.9% compare
- 52 Sint Maarten (Dutch part) 98.8% compare
- 53 Poland 98.8% compare
- 54 Sweden 98.7% compare
More population data for Iraq
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate 0.3293 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate 0.1891 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate -3.65 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate 0.1891 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate, by level of development 0.2% (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 5.99 million people (2100)
- Population density 231.84 people per km² (2100)
- World population growth 0.2% (2100)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.4379 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 2.07 Percent per annum (2030)
Frequently asked questions
- What is share of urban vs. rural population using at least basic sanitation in Iraq?
- Share of urban vs. rural population using at least basic sanitation in Iraq was 98.8% in 2024, according to WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme for Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (2025) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest share of urban vs. rural population using at least basic sanitation recorded in Iraq?
- The highest recorded value was 98.8% in 2020.
- What is the lowest share of urban vs. rural population using at least basic sanitation recorded in Iraq?
- The lowest recorded value was 77.7% in 2000.
- How does Iraq rank for share of urban vs. rural population using at least basic sanitation?
- Iraq ranks 51st out of 186 countries with data for 2024.
- Is share of urban vs. rural population using at least basic sanitation rising or falling in Iraq?
- Over the last ten years it is up 6.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Iraq data come from?
- The figures come from WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme for Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (2025) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Share of urban vs. rural population using at least basic sanitation. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Proportion of people using improved sanitation facilities, such as toilets or latrines, that are not shared with other households.