Facts and Figures

Capital: Baghdad Population (2011): 32.7 million Area: 438,317 sq km Major Languages: Arabic Kurdish Currency: Iraqi Dinar (IQD) GDP per Capita PPP (2010): USD 3,562 HDI Rank (2011): 132 of 187 Remittances (2011 estimate): USD 77 million Net Migration Rate (2010-2015): 2.5 migrants /1,000 population Immigrants (2010): 0.3 % Women as a Percentage of Immigrants (2010): 31.1% Population under 15 (2011): 42.9% Adult HIV Prevalence (2009): not available

Additional Resources International Migration Law Database National Instruments: Iraq Sources and Definitions

Latest News

• IOM Distributes Aid to Growing Numbers of Syrian Refugees in Northern Iraq
• IOM Distributes Aid to Syrian Refugees in Iraq
• Internal Displacement of Christian Families in Northern Iraq Subsides, Emigration Rises: IOM Report
• IOM Provides Emergency Assistance to Families Affected by Recent Bombings in Baghdad
• Private Companies Working in Iraq Obliged to Take Care of Hired Foreign Labour, says IOM

Overview

There have been many large-scale waves of emigration from Iraq, beginning at the end of the 1970's. These emigrations have taken place for various reasons: the war with Iran from 1980 to 1988 and the Gulf War in 1991 following Iraq's invasion of Kuwait, together with the subsequent imposition of international sanctions. In addition, the continual violence experienced by the Iraqi people from 2003 until today due to sectarian violence, criminality, and military operations, has created a climate of constant insecurity which has spurred massive population displacement still seen today. IOM estimates that there are some 1.9 million Iraqis displaced internally, and over 2 million in neighboring states, particularly Syria and Jordan.

The IOM-Iraq Mission was set up in April 2003 in response to the overwhelming humanitarian need following the collapse of the former regime. IOM has worked in a wide range of humanitarian and migration areas with the central government and across every governorate in Iraq. In August 2003, due to the worsening security situation, IOM's programme was transferred to Jordan and Kuwait, with national staff members and NGO partners remaining inside Iraq. Despite an increasingly chaotic situation, IOM continues to make an effective impact in Iraq.

Since its establishment, the IOM Iraq mission has channeled more than USD 76 million into projects for Iraq. Funding for IOM Iraq programmes comes from the Governments of Australia, Denmark, Finland, France, Japan, Kuwait, the Netherlands, Portugal, the United Kingdom, Japan, the United States of America, the European Commission and the European Commission Humanitarian Aid Office (ECHO).

IOM works in partnership with United Nations agencies and other international and non-governmental organizations.

Movement, Emergency and Post-crisis Migration Management

Through its Assistance to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) programme, IOM continues to assess and monitor IDP movements, needs and durable solutions for both IDPs and host communities. It also provides emergency food and non-food items as well as reintegration assistance and durable solutions.

Other projects in this area are the Security Awareness Induction Training, which provides pre-departure security training for all UN and some international NGO staff prior to deployment to Iraq, and the Programme for Human Security and Stabilization in Iraq, which aims for the urgent stabilization of disenfranchised Iraqi families and communities by providing socio-economic reintegration initiatives as alternatives to armed conflict.

Main Projects

• Assistance to Internally Displaced Persons
• Security Awareness Induction Training
• Programme for Human Security and Stabilization in Iraq

Migration Health

The Medical Evacuation Programme matches Iraqi patients in need of urgent medical attention with pro bono medical assistance provided by hospitals in the region and abroad and evacuates them for treatment. IOM also provides medical escorts and health assessments for Iraqis returning to Iraq and medical screening for immigration applicants.

Main Project

• IOM - Iraqi Ministry of Health Medical Evacuation Programme

Migration and Development

The Iraqis Rebuilding Iraq programme assists the Iraqi Government in recruiting and placing qualified nationals on short-term assignments for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the country.

Main Project

• Iraqis Rebuilding Iraq

Regulating Migration

The Regional Operations Centre is the coordination body overseeing and coordinating IOM activities as well as developing policies concerning movements of Iraqi nationals, assisted voluntary return and third-country nationals stranded in Iraq. IOM's various capacity-building programmes support the Ministry of Displacement and Migration in developing its institutional framework as well as providing the tools for day-to-day functions and to strengthen its fundamental bureaucratic foundations, assist Iraqi authorities to further define and align inter-ministerial roles and responsibilities in the field of migration, and entail dynamic coordination of relevant services and agencies to build a functional, effective and integrated system of border management to create open but controlled and safe borders.

Main Projects

• Regional Operations Centre
• Reintegration assistance to Iraqi voluntary returnees
• Evacuation assistance to stranded migrants
• Ministry of Displacement and Migration Capacity Building Programme
• Capacity Building in Migration Management Programme
• Programme for Capacity Building in Integrated Border Management at the Southern Borders of Iraq

Facilitating Migration

The Iraq Property Claims Programme provides assistance and advice to the Commission for Resolution of Real Property Disputes (CRRPD) on best practices from relevant international and national claims programmes and by proposing solutions to specific needs and problems the CRRPD encounters in its work.

Main Project

• Iraq Property Claims Programme

Last updated:
Main text: July 2010
Facts and figures: May 2012