Iraq has postponed censuses several times in nearly three decades due to the security situation in the country.
Iraq will impose a two-day curfew in November for the country's first census in 27 years, officials said.
“[The] “A curfew will be imposed in all provinces of Iraq on November 20 and 21 to conduct a population census,” Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani said in a statement on Sunday.
Local media reported that several measures have been approved for the process, including the completion of coordination with the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) for the training of statistical staff.
In addition, the process will receive support from several ministries to provide classrooms and youth centres for staff training, the reports added.
Iraq, ravaged by decades of conflict and violence, has postponed the census several times, most notably in 2010 due to tensions over disputed territories.
The last general census was carried out in 1997 in 15 Iraqi provinces, excluding the three northern provinces that make up the semi-autonomous Kurdistan region.
Iraq has regained some semblance of stability in recent years, despite sporadic violence and political unrest.
Current estimates put the country's population at around 43 million.
Iraqi authorities have partnered with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) for the upcoming census.
The initiative “plays a crucial role in providing Iraq with accurate demographic information, facilitating effective policymaking and promoting inclusive growth,” the agency said.
Iraq used to hold a census every ten years. In 2007, a count could not be organised because the country was mired in sectarian violence.
