People in rural areas not using an improved water source in Iraq
Iraq: People in rural areas not using an improved water source was 333,006 people in 2024. ◆ Volatile
People in rural areas not using an improved water source in Iraq, 2000–2024
Source: WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme for Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (2025) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in people.
Analysis
The most recent figure for people in rural areas not using an improved water source in Iraq is 333,006 people, measured in 2024.
The figure is up 1.2% on the previous year and down 79.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, people in rural areas not using an improved water source in Iraq peaked at 3.32 million people in 2000 and was at its lowest, 315,005 people, in 2020.
Iraq ranks 67th of 178 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
People in rural areas not using an improved water source in Iraq, year by year
| Year | people | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 3.32 million people | — |
| 2001 | 3.26 million people | -1.9% |
| 2002 | 3.19 million people | -2.1% |
| 2003 | 3.11 million people | -2.5% |
| 2004 | 3.02 million people | -3.0% |
| 2005 | 2.92 million people | -3.2% |
| 2006 | 2.75 million people | -5.7% |
| 2007 | 2.55 million people | -7.5% |
| 2008 | 2.41 million people | -5.4% |
| 2009 | 2.30 million people | -4.4% |
| 2010 | 2.17 million people | -5.7% |
| 2011 | 2.04 million people | -6.3% |
| 2012 | 1.91 million people | -6.3% |
| 2013 | 1.77 million people | -7.2% |
| 2014 | 1.60 million people | -9.8% |
| 2015 | 1.40 million people | -12.3% |
| 2016 | 1.19 million people | -15.0% |
| 2017 | 971,104 people | -18.5% |
| 2018 | 743,719 people | -23.4% |
| 2019 | 507,893 people | -31.7% |
| 2020 | 315,005 people | -38.0% |
| 2021 | 319,643 people | +1.5% |
| 2022 | 324,398 people | +1.5% |
| 2023 | 328,947 people | +1.4% |
| 2024 | 333,006 people | +1.2% |
Iraq compared with similar countries
- Iraq's 333,006 people is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 40,286 people, 8.3× the median. (55 countries reporting)
- Iraq's 333,006 people is above the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 80,074 people, 4.2× the median. (18 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 2.88 million people | 2.30 million people | 3.32 million people | 10 |
| 2010s | 1.43 million people | 507,893 people | 2.17 million people | 10 |
| 2020s | 324,200 people | 315,005 people | 333,006 people | 5 |
Countries ranked near Iraq
- 64 Guinea-Bissau 422,890 people compare
- 65 Uzbekistan 399,896 people compare
- 66 Honduras 348,812 people compare
- 68 Laos 321,392 people compare
- 69 Malaysia 312,661 people compare
- 70 Equatorial Guinea 300,670 people compare
More environment data for Iraq
- Historical exposure to drought — Land soil moisture anomaly -38.03 Percentage change (2025)
- Historical exposure to drought — Cropland soil moisture anomaly -26.27 Percentage change (2025)
- Standard Deviation, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Standard Deviation 0.549 °C (2025)
- Temperature change 1.99 °C (2025)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), annual 2 % change on previous year (2024)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), per unit 0 Mt CO2e per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), per capita 0 Mt CO2e per person (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Agriculture (Mt CO2e), annual growth rate 6.65 % change on previous year (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Agriculture (Mt CO2e), per unit of GDP 0 Mt CO2e per US$ of GDP (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is people in rural areas not using an improved water source in Iraq?
- People in rural areas not using an improved water source in Iraq was 333,006 people in 2024, according to WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme for Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (2025) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest people in rural areas not using an improved water source recorded in Iraq?
- The highest recorded value was 3.32 million people in 2000.
- What is the lowest people in rural areas not using an improved water source recorded in Iraq?
- The lowest recorded value was 315,005 people in 2020.
- How does Iraq rank for people in rural areas not using an improved water source?
- Iraq ranks 67th out of 178 countries with data for 2024.
- Is people in rural areas not using an improved water source rising or falling in Iraq?
- Over the last ten years it is down 79.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Iraq data come from?
- The figures come from WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme for Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (2025) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of People in rural areas not using an improved water source. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Number of people not using improved drinking water sources. These people might use surface water sources or unprotected springs or wells, as no safe and reliable improved drinking water source is available to them.