Iraq: health and care

What is the life expectancy in Iraq?

Life expectancy at birth in Iraq was 72.4 years in 2024, according to World Bank Open Data, read on 15 October 2026. The figure is compiled from UN population estimates.

Life expectancy at birth is the average number of years a newborn would live if death rates at each age stayed as they were in that year. It is a modelled estimate, revised as census and registration data arrive.

Official sources: World Bank: life expectancy at birth, Iraq

What is the maternal mortality rate in Iraq?

Iraq's maternal mortality ratio was 66 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2023, according to the modelled UN estimate on World Bank Open Data, read on 15 October 2026.

The ratio counts women who die from causes related to pregnancy or childbirth, during pregnancy or within 42 days after it, for every 100,000 babies born alive. It is estimated by a UN inter-agency group from national data and statistical models, so it can differ from figures the Ministry of Health publishes.

Official sources: World Bank: maternal mortality ratio, Iraq

What is the infant mortality rate in Iraq?

Iraq's infant mortality rate was 20.1 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2024, according to World Bank Open Data, read on 15 October 2026. The figure comes from the UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation.

Infant mortality counts babies who die before their first birthday. A rate of 20.1 means about 2 in every 100 babies born alive die in their first year. The estimate is modelled from surveys and registration data and is revised as new data arrive.

Official sources: World Bank: infant mortality rate, Iraq

How many doctors are there in Iraq?

Iraq had 1.02 physicians per 1,000 people in 2022, according to World Health Organization data on World Bank Open Data, read on 15 October 2026. That is about 1 doctor for every 1,000 people.

The figure counts medical doctors only, not nurses or other health workers. It is a national average and does not show differences between provinces. The Ministry of Health is responsible for the public health workforce.

Official sources: World Bank: physicians per 1,000 people, Iraq

How much does Iraq spend on health?

Iraq's current health spending was 5.53% of GDP in 2023, according to World Health Organization data on World Bank Open Data, read on 15 October 2026.

Current health spending covers all spending on health care in a year, by government, households and others, but not buildings or equipment. Because it is a share of GDP, it rises when oil revenue and GDP fall even if spending stays the same. It does not show how much households pay themselves.

Official sources: World Bank: current health expenditure, Iraq

What is life expectancy in Iraq?

The latest figure from the UN Population Division, for 2024, is 72.4 years. That is the highest since at least 2005. Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 77.3 years, and Iraq placed 16th highest of 22. Of 193 countries with 2024 data, 110th highest.

What is the infant mortality rate in Iraq?

20.1 per 1,000: that is the infant mortality rate in Iraq for 2024, according to the UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 11.2 per 1,000; Iraq is 6th highest of 22. World rank, highest first: 69th of 192.

What is maternal mortality in Iraq?

In 2023, the maternal mortality ratio in Iraq was 66.0 per 100,000, according to the WHO. Since 2005 it has ranged from 59.0 per 100,000 (2022) to 120 per 100,000 (2006). Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 18.5 per 100,000, and Iraq placed 6th highest of 22. Of 192 countries with 2023 data, 84th highest.

What share of GDP does Iraq spend on health care?

The WHO puts current health spending in Iraq at 5.5% of GDP in 2023. Its high point since 2005 was 2020, at 5.7% of GDP; its low point was 2006, at 2.5% of GDP. Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 5.6% of GDP; Iraq is 12th highest of 22. Of 191 countries with 2023 data, 115th highest.

What is out-of-pocket health spending in Iraq?

54.0%: that is out-of-pocket health spending in Iraq for 2023, according to the WHO. The peak was 76.2% in 2015 and the low 21.3% in 2008. Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 32.7%; Iraq is 5th highest of 22. World rank, highest first: 27th of 191.

How many doctors per person does Iraq have?

According to the WHO, the number of doctors per 1,000 people in Iraq was 1.0 per 1,000 in 2022. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 2.4 per 1,000; Iraq is 8th highest of 10. Worldwide: 74th of 125.

What is hospital capacity in Iraq?

1.1 per 1,000: that is hospital beds per 1,000 people in Iraq for 2018, according to the WHO. That is the lowest since at least 2005. Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 1.5 per 1,000, and Iraq placed 16th highest of 20. World rank, highest first: 112th of 137.

How many children in Iraq are vaccinated against measles?

The latest figure from WHO and UNICEF, for 2024, is 91.0%. Since 2005 it has ranged from 62.0% (2006) to 97.0% (2022). It is 14th highest of 22 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 96.0%. Worldwide: 87th of 191.