Iraq conducts nationwide population census after 27-year hiatus

Baghdad, Nov 20 (IANS) Iraq launched a general population and housing census nationwide on Wednesday for the first time after a 27-year hiatus.

The Iraqi Minister of Planning Mohammed Tamim urged Iraqis to "cooperate with census teams by providing accurate data, as this is vital for shaping Iraq's future," according to a statement issued by the ministry.

"The census is of exceptional importance because it will contribute to ensuring social and economic justice and improving the level of services in all areas," Tamim added.

The Iraqi authorities put security forces on high alert and imposed a curfew during the two-day census in all Iraqi provinces, including those of the semi-autonomous region of Kurdistan, Xinhua news agency reported.

Iraq traditionally holds a population census every 10 years, with the last one conducted in 1997. No census has been carried out since the 2003 US invasion.

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