United States Ambassador to Iraq, Alina Romanowski, has voiced strong support for Iraq's upcoming nationwide census, describing it as a crucial step toward informed governance and effective policy-making.

“Iraq’s first census since 1997 takes place this week and includes all Iraqi provinces. This census is important to provide accurate information to tailor political, economic, and development strategies,” Romanowski stated on X, formerly Twitter.

The census, scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday, marks the first comprehensive count since 1997. Notably, the last census to include the Kurdistan Region occurred in 1987, as the subsequent 1997 count excluded the autonomous provinces.

Ambassador Romanowski praised the effort, emphasizing its role in enabling data-driven decision-making by the Iraqi government to improve public services.

The Kurdistan Region’s Interior Ministry has also highlighted the significance of the process, urging citizens to participate actively and ensure accurate data submission. To facilitate the census, the ministry announced a two-day lockdown but clarified that foreign missions, airports, international organizations, and journalists would not be affected.

Iraq's population is now estimated at around 50 million. The census, initially planned for 2020, was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Preparations began in September with a preliminary phase involving building surveys and counting.

This week’s census marks a major milestone in Iraq’s efforts to gather accurate demographic data, critical for planning and development across the country.