Population census and its role in stimulating economic growth in Iraq: An analysis of structural development indicators
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17977/um063.v6.i4.2026.12Keywords:
Population census, Economic development, Economic growth, Gross Domestic Product (GDP), Unemployment, PovertyAbstract
This study aims to examine the nature of population censuses and their role in stimulating economic growth by analyzing their impact through the principal structural indicators of economic development, namely gross domestic product (GDP), the unemployment rate, and poverty. The study is based on the central hypothesis that the systematic use of demographic data enhances the efficiency of resource allocation and supports overall economic growth trajectories in a rentier economy, particularly one dependent on oil revenues. Employing an analytical–deductive approach, the study finds that the prolonged absence of updated population indicators has limited the effective utilization of human capacities and resources, thereby weakening the pace of economic growth and exacerbating unemployment and poverty. The study recommends integrating the digital outputs of population censuses, especially the 2024 population census, into economic growth promotion strategies as a fundamental step toward achieving comprehensive and sustainable economic development.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Ahmed Ibrahim Mahdi AlZurfi, Abbas Makki Hamzah, Ali Hamzah Chyad
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