Iraq: housing

How many building permits are issued in Iraq?

25,934 building and renovation permits were granted to the private sector in Iraq in 2025, 11.4% fewer than the 29,729 in 2024, according to the Statistics Authority's building permits release.

Baghdad accounted for the largest share of permits for new homes, 17.5%, followed by Basra and Karbala with 12% and 9%. Permits show building approved, not homes finished, and cover only the private sector. COSIT figures for some series exclude the Kurdistan Region.

Official sources: Statistics Authority: building permits, 2025

How many people in Iraq live in slums?

49.3% of Iraq's urban population lived in slums in 2022, according to UN-Habitat data on World Bank Open Data, read on 15 October 2026. The World Bank puts the urban share of the population at 69.9% in 2025.

UN-Habitat counts a household as living in a slum if it lacks at least one of: safe water, adequate sanitation, durable housing, enough living space or secure tenure. No official house price or rent index was found on Iraqi government sites checked on 15 October 2026.

Official sources: World Bank: population living in slums, Iraq · World Bank: urban population, Iraq

How many people in Iraq live in cities?

The latest figure from the UN Population Division, for 2025, is 69.9%. That is the highest since at least 2005. It is 17th highest of 22 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 78.4%. Of 193 countries with 2025 data, 74th highest.

How common are informal settlements in Iraq?

UN-Habitat puts the share of city dwellers living in slums in Iraq at 49.3% in 2022. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2006. Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 10.9%, and Iraq placed 3rd highest of 19. Worldwide: 31st of 170.

What share of people in Iraq have electricity?

The World Bank puts the share of people with access to electricity in Iraq at 100.0% in 2024. No year since 2005 has been higher. It is 1st highest of 22 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 100.0%. World rank, highest first: 1st of 193.

What share of people in Iraq have safe drinking water?

WHO and UNICEF puts the share of people using safely managed drinking water in Iraq at 59.8% in 2024. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. It is 14th highest of 17 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 89.0%. World rank, highest first: 87th of 134.

How many people in Iraq have a safe toilet?

In 2024, the share of people using safely managed sanitation in Iraq was 50.9%, according to WHO and UNICEF. No year since 2005 has been higher. It is 12th highest of 17 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 79.8%. World rank, highest first: 77th of 134.

What share of homes in Iraq cook with clean fuels?

The latest figure from the WHO, for 2024, is 99.0%. That is the highest since at least 2005. Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 99.5%, and Iraq placed 12th highest of 22. World rank, highest first: 45th of 192.