Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) — Claims of explosive population growth in Iraq are vastly exaggerated, according to Mahdi Al-Alak, Senior Advisor to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). Key Demographic FindingsDeclining Annual Growth: Iraq’s current annual population growth rate stands at 2.51%, down from over 3% recorded two decades ago. Global Benchmark Comparison: While Iraq’s 2.51% growth rate remains higher than the global average of 1.1%, the internal trajectory shows a clear long-term deceleration. The slowing population growth rate reflects changing economic realities, urbanization, higher educational attainment among women, and shifting social norms regarding family planning across Iraqi governorates. While a 2.51% growth rate continues to place demands on public infrastructure, housing, and job creation, UNFPA officials stress that the long-term trend indicates a stabilizing demographic profile rather than an uncontrolled population surge.