Iraq: Country Report | 2024
AI Generated Analysis based on UNHCR Forced Displacement Statisitics.
Executive Summary
Key Trends in Iraqi Displacement: An Executive Summary
The humanitarian landscape in Iraq remains a story of profound scale and complexity, a nation grappling with its dual role as both a source of displacement and a major host country. While we have witnessed the first significant decrease in internal displacement in years, this positive development is tempered by the immense challenges that lie ahead. Over one million Iraqis remain internally displaced, a figure that, despite a recent 7.7 per cent reduction, continues to represent the core of this protracted crisis. Simultaneously, Iraq provides sanctuary to over 300,000 refugees, overwhelmingly from the Syrian Arab Republic, underscoring the interconnected instability of the region. Underpinning these figures is a profoundly youthful demographic; with the largest cohort being children under five, we are facing a generational challenge that demands sustained investment in protection, education, and future opportunities.
The plight of displaced Iraqis extends far beyond the nation’s borders, creating a global protection challenge marked by deeply uneven responsibility. While Iraqis have sought safety in 96 countries, the burden is concentrated among a handful of neighbouring and European states. For those seeking asylum, a stark “protection lottery” has emerged. An Iraqi’s chance of being granted refugee status is alarmingly dependent on geography, with recognition rates in major host countries ranging from a mere 6.3 per cent to over 52 per cent. This dramatic divergence undermines the very principle of a harmonized global protection system, where safety should be determined by need, not location.
Finally, our ultimate goal of durable solutions is facing a critical bottleneck. The data reveals a concerning paradox: while nearly 24,000 resettlement and other pathways were available for Iraqi refugees in 2024, systemic barriers and low recognition rates meant only a fraction could access them. After a multi-year decline in all solutions, this widening gap between available opportunities and the reality on the ground is unacceptable. The recent uptick in returns and solutions is a welcome sign of hope, but it cannot mask the urgent need for renewed international commitment to dismantle these barriers and unlock lasting safety and dignity for a people who have endured years of turmoil.
Population Overview
Population Overview
The humanitarian landscape in Iraq remains fundamentally shaped by the scale and complexity of internal displacement. By 2024, Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) constituted the vast majority of populations of concern, numbering over one million individuals and accounting for 75 per cent of the total. The data reveals this is not a new phenomenon; IDPs have consistently represented the largest population group by a significant margin over the past five years, underscoring the protracted nature of the crisis.
However, the most recent data indicates a notable shift in these dynamics. Between 2023 and 2024, the number of IDPs decreased by more than 92,000 (-7.7 per cent), a trend largely mirrored by a corresponding increase in the number of returned IDPs, which grew by nearly 32,000. This movement points towards potential solutions for some, but also highlights the immense challenge of ensuring sustainable reintegration for returnee communities.
Beyond the internal displacement crisis, Iraq hosts a significant refugee population. Yet, the response is uniquely concentrated, with refugees from a single country of origin comprising the vast majority of the more than 300,000 refugees in the country. This creates a distinct operational focus compared to more diverse refugee situations elsewhere. Simultaneously, a 4.1 per cent rise in the number of asylum-seekers suggests that Iraq continues to be a destination for those seeking international protection.
Underpinning all these trends is a profoundly youthful demographic profile. The population pyramid for persons of concern is expansive, with the largest single cohort being children aged 0-4. This demographic reality highlights an urgent and long-term need for targeted interventions in child protection, education, and health services to support a generation shaped by displacement and secure their future.
Demographics
AI Insight: Treemap of populations of concern in Iraq, where Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) constitute the vast majority of the 1.37 million total., This treemap visualization details the composition of the 1,370,000 individuals classified as populations of concern in Iraq as of 2024. The size of each rectangle is proportional to the size of the population group it represents. The data shows a highly skewed distribution, with one group forming the overwhelming majority.
Statistical Breakdown: - Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs): This is the largest group, numbering 1,031,475, which accounts for approximately 75% of the total population of concern. - Refugees and Asylum-Seekers: The next largest category comprises around 167,672 individuals. - Returned IDPs: There are 55,974 individuals who have returned to their places of origin but still require support. - Returned Refugees: This group consists of 23,896 individuals. - Other smaller groups: The remaining categories, including stateless persons and other persons of concern, are significantly smaller, with populations ranging from near zero to a few thousand.
In conclusion, the visualization underscores that the primary humanitarian focus in Iraq is on the large-scale internal displacement crisis, alongside significant populations of returnees and refugees requiring assistance.
AI Insight: Population pyramid of different population types in Iraq by age and gender, where the population is predominantly young, with the largest group being children aged 0-4, and a slightly higher proportion of males than females., This population pyramid illustrates the age and gender distribution of 18,452,489 persons of concern in Iraq as of 2024. The data provides 100% gender disaggregation.
Overall Structure and Key Insights: The pyramid displays an expansive structure, characterized by a very wide base that narrows progressively with each older age cohort. This shape is indicative of a youthful population with a high birth rate and a large proportion of children and adolescents.
Statistical Analysis: * Age Distribution: The population is heavily concentrated in the youngest age groups. The 0-4 years cohort is the largest for both males and females, representing the widest part of the pyramid. The population size decreases steadily in the subsequent age brackets (5-11, 12-17, 18-59, and 60+), which is typical for an expansive population pyramid. * Gender Distribution: There is a noticeable gender imbalance across the population. The statistical summary indicates a larger male population, with the mean proportion for males across age groups (0.111) being higher than that for females (0.0892).
Humanitarian Implications: The youthful demographic profile underscores a significant need for targeted humanitarian assistance focused on children and youth, including education, child protection, nutrition, and healthcare services. The gender imbalance warrants further investigation to understand its root causes (e.g., displacement patterns, conflict-related factors) and to ensure that protection and assistance programs are gender-sensitive, addressing the specific vulnerabilities and needs of all community members.
Trends Over Time
AI Insight: Column chart of population types in Iraq from 2019 to 2024, where Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) consistently constitute the largest population group by a significant margin., This column chart provides an annual breakdown of six distinct populations of concern in Iraq from 2019 to 2024, with figures presented in thousands. The analysis reveals a humanitarian landscape dominated by internal displacement. Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) represent the largest category by a substantial margin, with the total count reaching as high as 1,414,632 in one of the years. The second most significant group is Returned IDPs, peaking at 431,130, which indicates large-scale return movements within the country. In stark contrast, other population groups are considerably smaller; for example, the number of Returned Refugees reaches a maximum of 23,896. The median value for a given population group in a given year is approximately 12,804, further highlighting how the IDP figures skew the overall distribution. This data underscores that the primary displacement challenge within Iraq during this period relates to its internally displaced population and their subsequent return and reintegration.
AI Insight: Bar chart of population changes in Iraq from 2023 to 2024, where Internally Displaced Persons decreased by over 92,000, while the number of Returnee IDPs and Asylum-seekers increased., This horizontal bar chart displays the increases and decreases in various population groups of concern to UNHCR in Iraq between 2023 and 2024. The chart is centered on a zero line, with bars extending to the left for decreases and to the right for increases. Each bar is labeled with both the absolute number of people and the percentage change.
Key statistical findings are as follows: - Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs): This group saw the most significant change, with a decrease of 92,188 people, representing a -7.7% reduction. - Returnees (IDPs): This group experienced the largest increase in absolute numbers, growing by 31,981 people, which corresponds to a +0.5% change. - Asylum-seekers: The number of asylum-seekers increased by 3,844, a +4.1% rise. - Refugees: This population decreased slightly by 2,109 people (-0.7%). - Returnees (Refugees): A small increase of 266 people (+0.1%) was recorded. - Others of Concern: This group saw a minor decrease of 118 people (-0.3%).
Overall, the visualization highlights a major trend of decreasing internal displacement in Iraq, counterbalanced by a significant number of IDPs returning and a smaller but notable increase in the asylum-seeker population.
AI Insight: Horizontal bar chart of the number of refugees in Iraq by their top 9 countries of origin in 2024, where refugees from a single country of origin constitute the vast majority of the total population., This horizontal bar chart details the distribution of the top nine refugee populations in Iraq by country of origin for the year 2024, plus an ‘Other’ category. The data reveals a highly skewed distribution, dominated by one major country of origin.
Statistical analysis shows a total of ten categories. The refugee population sizes are extremely varied, with one group being a significant outlier. The maximum population recorded from a single country is 303,611. In stark contrast, the median population size is just 74.5, and the 75th percentile is 4,054. This indicates that 75% of the origin countries listed have refugee populations in Iraq numbering less than 4,054 people, and half have fewer than 75.
The mean population of 31,846 is heavily inflated by the single largest group and is not representative of a typical country of origin. The large standard deviation of 95,519 further confirms the extreme variance in the data. This distribution pattern underscores that UNHCR’s response in Iraq is likely concentrated on addressing the needs of one predominant refugee nationality, while also managing smaller, distinct caseloads from at least eight other countries, with the smallest group numbering only 10 individuals.
Geography & Movements
The Complex Geography of Displacement In and From Iraq
The geography of displacement connected to Iraq presents a complex duality: the country is simultaneously a major source of a globally dispersed refugee and asylum-seeker population and a significant host country, primarily for those fleeing the crisis in the Syrian Arab Republic. This dynamic underscores the deeply interconnected and protracted nature of instability in the region.
Within its own borders, the forcibly displaced population is overwhelmingly internal. While the number of internally displaced Iraqis (IDPs) has seen a gradual decrease from a peak of over 1.4 million, they continue to constitute the vast majority of people in need of protection inside the country. Alongside this large IDP population, Iraq provides sanctuary to nearly 320,000 refugees. The data reveals that the profile of this refugee community is shaped almost entirely by the Syrian crisis, with refugees from the Syrian Arab Republic accounting for a staggering 95 per cent of the total. The relative stability of this refugee population since 2019 points to the protracted reality faced by Syrians unable to return home.
Beyond its borders, the story of displaced Iraqis is one of concentrated flight and unevenly distributed responsibility. Iraqis have sought protection in 96 countries, yet the burden of hosting is not shared equally. The highest concentrations of Iraqi refugees and asylum-seekers are found in neighboring Middle Eastern countries and across Europe, following established migratory routes. Behind these stark numbers, the data reveals a profound imbalance. The distribution is heavily skewed, with the top 10 destination countries hosting the vast majority of the population. This concentration is particularly acute in the primary destination country, which shoulders a disproportionately large responsibility, highlighting the immense pressure placed on a small number of host states and communities. This dual narrative of Iraq as both a haven and a homeland in crisis paints a vivid picture of the enduring need for robust international support and durable solutions across the region.
AI Insight: Choropleth map of the global distribution of displaced people from Iraq, where the highest concentrations are located in neighboring Middle Eastern countries and Europe., This choropleth map illustrates the global destinations of people displaced from Iraq as of 2024, including refugees, asylum-seekers, and other persons of concern. The data reveals a highly concentrated distribution of this population across 96 host countries. The number of individuals per country ranges from a minimum of 5 to a maximum of 1,033,620. The distribution is extremely right-skewed, with a median of just 105 people per country, while the mean is a much larger 15,600, indicating that a few countries host the vast majority of displaced Iraqis. In fact, 75% of host countries have fewer than 1,067 individuals. Geographically, the highest concentrations are visualized in countries neighboring Iraq and in Western Europe, reflecting historical and ongoing displacement patterns driven by protracted conflict and instability in the region.
Origin of Displaced Populations
AI Insight: Horizontal bar chart of the number of refugees in Iraq by country of origin for 2024, where refugees from the Syrian Arab Republic constitute the vast majority of the population., This horizontal bar chart illustrates the demographic breakdown of the 318,460 refugees residing in Iraq in 2024, categorized by their top nine countries of origin. The data highlights a highly skewed distribution, underscoring the regional impact of the Syrian crisis.
The vertical axis lists the countries of origin, while the horizontal axis quantifies the number of individuals.
Key statistical observations include: - Total Population: A total of 318,460 refugees are registered in Iraq. - Dominant Origin: Refugees from the Syrian Arab Republic are by far the largest group, numbering 303,611, which accounts for approximately 95% of the total refugee population in the country. - Other Countries: The remaining refugee populations are significantly smaller. The second and third largest groups have populations in the low thousands (around the 75th percentile of 4,054). The median refugee population from the other countries is extremely low (74.5 individuals), with the smallest group consisting of only 10 people.
In summary, the visualization clearly demonstrates that while Iraq hosts refugees from diverse origins, the population is overwhelmingly dominated by individuals displaced from the Syrian Arab Republic.
AI Insight: Alluvial chart of the forcibly displaced population in Iraq by country of origin from 2019 to 2025, where internally displaced Iraqis consistently constitute the vast majority, followed by a significantly smaller and relatively stable population of Syrian refugees., This alluvial diagram details the evolution of the forcibly displaced population within Iraq from 2019 to 2025, broken down by three origin groups: Iraqis, Syrians, and Others. The thickness of the flow for each group corresponds to its population size over the years.
The most prominent feature of the chart is the dominant flow representing internally displaced Iraqis (IDPs), which comprises the vast majority of the total displaced population. The data shows this group’s peak size at approximately 1.41 million people. The trend for this population appears to be a gradual decrease over the period.
The second largest group is refugees from Syria. Their population size is substantially smaller than the Iraqi IDP population, with a median value around 257,000, and their numbers remain relatively stable throughout the seven-year period.
The smallest cohort, labeled ‘Others’, represents asylum-seekers and refugees from various other countries. This group is the smallest of the three, with a population size starting from approximately 28,000.
Overall, the chart highlights that the forcibly displaced population in Iraq is overwhelmingly internal, with a slow downward trend in numbers, while refugee populations from Syria and other nations remain a smaller, more constant presence.
Destination
AI Insight: Bar chart of the top 10 destination countries for forcibly displaced people from Iraq, where the top destination hosts a disproportionately large population of over 38.6 million., This bar chart illustrates the distribution of forcibly displaced populations from Iraq across the top 10 destination countries as of 2024. The data reveals a significant concentration in a single host country. The number of displaced persons ranges from a minimum of 385,301 to a maximum of 38,662,485. The distribution is heavily skewed, with a median of 2,091,947, while the mean is much higher at 6,852,756, pulled up by the top value. This primary destination country hosts a population that is more than five times larger than the 75th percentile (6,586,746), highlighting a substantial burden on that single nation and underscoring its critical role as a major host for Iraqis.
