Iraq: environment

How much of Iraq is affected by desertification?

40.4 million dunams, or 23.2% of Iraq's area, was desertified land, and 96.5 million dunams (55.5%) was threatened by desertification, including desert land, according to the Statistics Authority's environmental statistics for 2025.

The Authority says the desertified area rose 48.5% from 27.2 million dunams in 2021, which it links to climate change, and that lower water allocations to the provinces reduced the irrigated area farmed. A dunam is 2,500 square metres. The area includes territorial waters, and some provinces, such as Baghdad, saw decreases.

Official sources: Statistics Authority: environmental statistics (agriculture), 2025

How many people in Iraq have rubbish collection?

68.6% of Iraq's population was served by waste collection in 2025, according to the Statistics Authority's environmental statistics for municipal services. That leaves almost a third without the service.

Coverage was 93.5% in urban areas but 16.0% in rural areas. The figures come from municipal services data. COSIT figures for some series exclude the Kurdistan Region.

Official sources: Statistics Authority: environmental statistics (municipal services), 2025

What are Iraq's CO2 emissions?

Iraq's carbon dioxide emissions were 5.18 tonnes per person in 2024, excluding land use, according to World Bank Open Data, read on 15 October 2026. Total greenhouse gas emissions, including methane and nitrous oxide, were 413.3 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent.

Total greenhouse gases add methane and nitrous oxide, converted to CO2 equivalent, to carbon dioxide. The figures exclude land use, land-use change and forestry, and come from international emissions databases rather than Iraq's national inventory.

Official sources: World Bank: CO2 emissions per capita, Iraq · World Bank: total greenhouse gas emissions, Iraq

What is the air quality in Iraq?

People in Iraq were exposed to an average of 49.5 micrograms of fine particles (PM2.5) per cubic metre of air in 2023, according to World Bank Open Data, read on 15 October 2026.

PM2.5 are particles small enough to reach deep into the lungs. The figure is a population-weighted annual average, modelled from satellite data and ground monitors, so it smooths out daily peaks. It is not a reading from a national monitoring network; the Ministry of Environment is responsible for air quality.

Official sources: World Bank: PM2.5 air pollution, Iraq

How much electricity does Iraq produce?

Iraq produced 35,529,823 megawatt hours of electricity in the fourth quarter of 2025 and imported 295,609 megawatt hours, according to the Statistics Authority's early warning indicators for Q4 2025.

Imports were less than 1% of the electricity supplied in the quarter. The Authority measures output as generated or imported capacity multiplied by actual operating hours. Renewable sources produced 3.8% of Iraq's electricity in 2021, according to World Bank Open Data.

Official sources: Statistics Authority: economic indicators, Q4 2025 · World Bank: renewable electricity output, Iraq

What is Iraq's carbon footprint per person?

The European Commission's EDGAR database puts carbon dioxide emissions per person in Iraq at 5.2 tonnes in 2024. That is the highest since at least 2005. Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 3.6 tonnes; Iraq is 10th highest of 22. Of 186 countries with 2024 data, 47th highest.

What are Iraq's emissions?

The latest figure from the European Commission's EDGAR database, for 2024, is 413 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent. That is the highest since at least 2005. Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 103 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent; Iraq is 4th highest of 22. Worldwide: 20th of 186.

What share of Iraq's energy comes from renewables?

In 2021, the renewable share of final energy use in Iraq was 1.1%, according to the IEA, IRENA, the UN Statistics Division, the World Bank and the WHO. Since 2005 it has ranged from 0.5% (2017) to 2.6% (2006). Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 3.4%, and Iraq placed 13th highest of 22. World rank, highest first: 174th of 191.

What share of Iraq is covered by forest?

The latest figure from the FAO, for 2024, is 1.6%. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 1.6%; Iraq is 11th highest of 22. World rank, highest first: 173rd of 190.

What is PM2.5 air pollution in Iraq?

According to the Global Burden of Disease study, average exposure to fine particle air pollution (PM2.5) in Iraq was 49.5 micrograms per cubic metre in 2023. The peak was 59.5 micrograms per cubic metre in 2022 and the low 45.7 micrograms per cubic metre in 2019. Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 40.3 micrograms per cubic metre; Iraq is 7th highest of 22. Of 192 countries with 2023 data, 13th highest.

How much of Iraq's land is protected?

The latest figure from the UN Environment Programme, for 2025, is 1.5%. No year since 2013 has been higher. Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 9.8%; Iraq is 19th highest of 22. Of 192 countries with 2025 data, 183rd highest.

How much of Iraq's fresh water is used?

59.6%: that is water stress in Iraq for 2022, according to the FAO. Since 2005 it has ranged from 47.1% (2018) to 79.6% (2005). Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 116.7%; Iraq is 17th highest of 21. World rank, highest first: 29th of 175.