Iraq Marks World Population Day 2026, Calling for Youth Investment to Drive Sustainable Development

The Ministry of Planning of the Republic of Iraq and the Ministry of Planning in the Kurdistan Region, in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Iraq, marked World Population Day 2026 under the national theme “Iraq’s Youth – Wealth, Opportunity and Investment.”

The celebration brought together senior government officials, representatives of the diplomatic community, United Nations agencies, development partners, civil society organizations, academia, the private sector, the media and young people.

The event reaffirmed the shared national commitment of the Federal Government and the Kurdistan Regional Government to advancing evidence-based population policies, responding effectively to Iraq’s demographic shifts and transforming the country’s youthful population into a driver of inclusive and sustainable development.

It also provided a national platform for discussing how the findings of the 2024 Population and Housing Census can inform public policy and guide investment in education, employment, health, housing, social protection, youth and women’s empowerment.

The 2024 census findings show that Iraq is a predominantly young society. People aged 12 to 29 represent approximately 36 per cent of the population, while those aged 15 to 29 account for around 28 per cent. This demographic structure presents an important window of opportunity that can generate significant social and economic benefits when supported by sustained investment in quality education, decent employment, health, skills development, entrepreneurship and meaningful participation.

At the same time, the available data highlight challenges that require coordinated policy responses, including unemployment, illiteracy, child marriage, unequal access to opportunities, and the need to expand access to reliable information and quality services that enable young people and women to make informed decisions about their lives and futures.

Dr. Mahir Hammad Johan, Deputy Minister of Planning, said:

“Iraq possesses a genuine demographic wealth, with young people at its heart. They are the driving force of society and the renewable energy on which the country’s present hopes and future ambitions depend. Our national responsibility is to transform this demographic advantage into productive capacity, economic growth and innovation through policies grounded in accurate data and investments in young people’s education, health, skills and empowerment. Building Iraq’s future begins with investing in its people, and population investment is our most sustainable and rewarding investment.”

Dr. Johan emphasized that the 2024 Population and Housing Census provides a robust evidence base for decision-making and enables national institutions to align policies and programmes with demographic trends and development needs, particularly in education, employment, basic services and social protection.

 

Mr. Peter Hawkins, United Nations Resident Coordinator a.i. in Iraq, said:

“Iraq’s youthful population presents a unique demographic window of opportunity. We must ensure that the findings from the 2024 census translate into practical policies and investments in quality education, decent work and social protection. The United Nations stands ready to work hand in hand with the Federal Government and the Kurdistan Regional Government to turn evidence into action and advance sustainable and inclusive development, leaving no one behind.”

Dr. Khanzad Ahmad, Secretary-General of the High Council for Women and Development and Head of the Kurdistan Regional Government delegation, said:

“Young people across Federal Iraq and the Kurdistan Region are our greatest national asset and our most important demographic opportunity. By joining efforts, expanding access to education and employment, strengthening rights and equality, and enabling meaningful participation, we can empower young people to lead change and build more resilient communities. We remain committed to working together to advance sound policies that place youth at the centre of development and ensure that no one is left behind.”

Dr. Ahmad stressed the importance of strengthening cooperation between the Federal Government and the Kurdistan Regional Government and using population data to address poverty, economic uncertainty and barriers to young people’s participation in development and policymaking.

Dr. Hind Jalal, UNFPA Representative in Iraq, said:

“The findings of the 2024 Population and Housing Census are not merely numbers. They are a roadmap reflecting people’s lives, needs, choices and aspirations. With young people representing around one third of Iraq’s population, the country has both a historic opportunity and a shared responsibility to invest in their education, health, skills, employment and participation in decision-making. UNFPA will continue supporting the Federal Government and the Kurdistan Regional Government in translating data into policy, expanding rights and choices, and enabling young people and women to fulfil their potential.”

Dr. Jalal added that young people’s opportunities can only expand when they have access to reliable information and quality health services, when reproductive health and rights are upheld, and when harmful social norms and practices that restrict the participation of young people and women are addressed.

The programme included a presentation of achievements by the two Ministries of Planning at the federal and regional levels, as well as a high-level panel discussion entitled “Iraq’s Youth Amid Demographic Change: From Data to Policies.” The panel examined how population evidence can be translated into practical interventions that respond to young people’s aspirations, promote entrepreneurship and employment, and strengthen youth participation in policymaking.

The celebration contributes to the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for Iraq 2025–2029, the United Nations’ principal strategic framework for cooperation with the Government of Iraq. In particular, the event supports priorities related to investing in human capital, expanding equitable access to quality education, health and social protection services, empowering young people and women, and strengthening evidence-based governance and policymaking.

The activity also reflects the United Nations’ commitment to supporting Iraq’s national priorities in alignment with the National Development Plan 2024–2028, Iraq Vision 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals, while advancing inclusive development and ensuring that no one is left behind.

UNFPA emphasizes that effective responses to demographic change cannot focus on population numbers alone. They must expand rights and choices, address economic and social barriers, and create the conditions in which young people can build the lives they aspire to and contribute to innovative, prosperous and resilient communities.

About UNFPA

UNFPA is the United Nations reproductive health agency. Its mission is to deliver a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person’s potential is fulfilled. In Iraq, UNFPA works with government institutions, civil society and development partners to strengthen population data systems, improve reproductive health services, empower women and young people, and advance evidence-based policies.