Urban area over the long-term in Iraq
Iraq: Urban area over the long-term was 3,477 km² per grid cell in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2025)
3,477 km² per grid cell
Change on year
up 2.6%
World rank
38th
of 202 countries
All-time high
3,477 km² per grid cell
in 2025
All-time low
8.77 km² per grid cell
in 1300
Years of data
108
1000–2025
Urban area over the long-term in Iraq, 1000–2025
Source: HYDE (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in km² per grid cell.
Analysis
In 2025, urban area over the long-term in Iraq stood at 3,477 km² per grid cell. That is the highest value across all 108 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 2.6% on the previous year and up 32.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, urban area over the long-term in Iraq peaked at 3,477 km² per grid cell in 2025 and was at its lowest, 8.77 km² per grid cell, in 1300.
That places Iraq 38th out of 202 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Urban area over the long-term in Iraq, year by year
| Year | km² per grid cell | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1000 | 14.89 km² per grid cell | — |
| 1100 | 13.8 km² per grid cell | -7.3% |
| 1200 | 11.45 km² per grid cell | -17.0% |
| 1300 | 8.77 km² per grid cell | -23.4% |
| 1400 | 9.22 km² per grid cell | +5.1% |
| 1500 | 9.66 km² per grid cell | +4.8% |
| 1600 | 12.63 km² per grid cell | +30.7% |
| 1700 | 10.55 km² per grid cell | -16.5% |
| 1710 | 11.89 km² per grid cell | +12.7% |
| 1720 | 13.02 km² per grid cell | +9.5% |
| 1730 | 14.27 km² per grid cell | +9.5% |
| 1740 | 15.63 km² per grid cell | +9.5% |
| 1750 | 17.12 km² per grid cell | +9.5% |
| 1760 | 18.75 km² per grid cell | +9.5% |
| 1770 | 20.54 km² per grid cell | +9.5% |
| 1780 | 22.5 km² per grid cell | +9.5% |
| 1790 | 24.65 km² per grid cell | +9.5% |
| 1800 | 27 km² per grid cell | +9.5% |
| 1810 | 31.13 km² per grid cell | +15.3% |
| 1820 | 35.89 km² per grid cell | +15.3% |
| 1830 | 41.37 km² per grid cell | +15.3% |
| 1840 | 47.69 km² per grid cell | +15.3% |
| 1850 | 54.92 km² per grid cell | +15.2% |
| 1860 | 63.08 km² per grid cell | +14.8% |
| 1870 | 77.94 km² per grid cell | +23.6% |
| 1880 | 94.08 km² per grid cell | +20.7% |
| 1890 | 108.27 km² per grid cell | +15.1% |
| 1900 | 116.14 km² per grid cell | +7.3% |
| 1910 | 116.5 km² per grid cell | +0.3% |
| 1920 | 116.5 km² per grid cell | +0.0% |
| 1930 | 116.5 km² per grid cell | +0.0% |
| 1940 | 136.41 km² per grid cell | +17.1% |
| 1950 | 181.1 km² per grid cell | +32.8% |
| 1951 | 190.43 km² per grid cell | +5.2% |
| 1952 | 199.39 km² per grid cell | +4.7% |
| 1953 | 208.08 km² per grid cell | +4.4% |
| 1954 | 216.67 km² per grid cell | +4.1% |
| 1955 | 225.33 km² per grid cell | +4.0% |
| 1956 | 234.19 km² per grid cell | +3.9% |
| 1957 | 243.36 km² per grid cell | +3.9% |
| 1958 | 257.48 km² per grid cell | +5.8% |
| 1959 | 274.26 km² per grid cell | +6.5% |
| 1960 | 292.12 km² per grid cell | +6.5% |
| 1961 | 311.12 km² per grid cell | +6.5% |
| 1962 | 331.44 km² per grid cell | +6.5% |
| 1963 | 353.21 km² per grid cell | +6.6% |
| 1964 | 376.62 km² per grid cell | +6.6% |
| 1965 | 401.77 km² per grid cell | +6.7% |
| 1966 | 426.04 km² per grid cell | +6.0% |
| 1967 | 450.93 km² per grid cell | +5.8% |
| 1968 | 477.44 km² per grid cell | +5.9% |
| 1969 | 505.37 km² per grid cell | +5.9% |
| 1970 | 534.61 km² per grid cell | +5.8% |
| 1971 | 565.11 km² per grid cell | +5.7% |
| 1972 | 596.93 km² per grid cell | +5.6% |
| 1973 | 630.08 km² per grid cell | +5.6% |
| 1974 | 664.74 km² per grid cell | +5.5% |
| 1975 | 700.95 km² per grid cell | +5.4% |
| 1976 | 738.72 km² per grid cell | +5.4% |
| 1977 | 777.97 km² per grid cell | +5.3% |
| 1978 | 815.87 km² per grid cell | +4.9% |
| 1979 | 853.77 km² per grid cell | +4.6% |
| 1980 | 892.77 km² per grid cell | +4.6% |
| 1981 | 932.98 km² per grid cell | +4.5% |
| 1982 | 974.43 km² per grid cell | +4.4% |
| 1983 | 1,017 km² per grid cell | +4.3% |
| 1984 | 1,059 km² per grid cell | +4.2% |
| 1985 | 1,102 km² per grid cell | +4.0% |
| 1986 | 1,144 km² per grid cell | +3.8% |
| 1987 | 1,187 km² per grid cell | +3.7% |
| 1988 | 1,221 km² per grid cell | +2.9% |
| 1989 | 1,253 km² per grid cell | +2.6% |
| 1990 | 1,288 km² per grid cell | +2.8% |
| 1991 | 1,327 km² per grid cell | +3.0% |
| 1992 | 1,369 km² per grid cell | +3.2% |
| 1993 | 1,414 km² per grid cell | +3.3% |
| 1994 | 1,462 km² per grid cell | +3.4% |
| 1995 | 1,513 km² per grid cell | +3.5% |
| 1996 | 1,568 km² per grid cell | +3.6% |
| 1997 | 1,625 km² per grid cell | +3.6% |
| 1998 | 1,684 km² per grid cell | +3.6% |
| 1999 | 1,743 km² per grid cell | +3.5% |
| 2000 | 1,732 km² per grid cell | -0.6% |
| 2001 | 1,780 km² per grid cell | +2.8% |
| 2002 | 1,828 km² per grid cell | +2.7% |
| 2003 | 1,877 km² per grid cell | +2.7% |
| 2004 | 1,926 km² per grid cell | +2.6% |
| 2005 | 1,975 km² per grid cell | +2.6% |
| 2006 | 2,034 km² per grid cell | +3.0% |
| 2007 | 2,094 km² per grid cell | +2.9% |
| 2008 | 2,154 km² per grid cell | +2.9% |
| 2009 | 2,215 km² per grid cell | +2.8% |
| 2010 | 2,276 km² per grid cell | +2.8% |
| 2011 | 2,343 km² per grid cell | +2.9% |
| 2012 | 2,410 km² per grid cell | +2.9% |
| 2013 | 2,479 km² per grid cell | +2.8% |
| 2014 | 2,547 km² per grid cell | +2.8% |
| 2015 | 2,617 km² per grid cell | +2.7% |
| 2016 | 2,686 km² per grid cell | +2.7% |
| 2017 | 2,757 km² per grid cell | +2.6% |
| 2018 | 2,827 km² per grid cell | +2.6% |
| 2019 | 2,898 km² per grid cell | +2.5% |
| 2020 | 2,970 km² per grid cell | +2.5% |
| 2021 | 3,055 km² per grid cell | +2.9% |
| 2022 | 3,141 km² per grid cell | +2.8% |
| 2023 | 3,300 km² per grid cell | +5.1% |
| 2024 | 3,388 km² per grid cell | +2.7% |
| 2025 | 3,477 km² per grid cell | +2.6% |
Iraq compared with similar countries
- Iraq's 3,477 km² per grid cell is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 995.59 km² per grid cell, 3.5× the median. (52 countries reporting)
- Iraq's 3,477 km² per grid cell is above the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 1,501 km² per grid cell, 2.3× the median. (22 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Urban area over the long-term in Iraq changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1950 | +32.8% | 136.41 km² per grid cell | 181.1 km² per grid cell |
| 1600 | +30.7% | 9.66 km² per grid cell | 12.63 km² per grid cell |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000s | 14.89 km² per grid cell | 14.89 km² per grid cell | 14.89 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1100s | 13.8 km² per grid cell | 13.8 km² per grid cell | 13.8 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1200s | 11.45 km² per grid cell | 11.45 km² per grid cell | 11.45 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1300s | 8.77 km² per grid cell | 8.77 km² per grid cell | 8.77 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1400s | 9.22 km² per grid cell | 9.22 km² per grid cell | 9.22 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1500s | 9.66 km² per grid cell | 9.66 km² per grid cell | 9.66 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1600s | 12.63 km² per grid cell | 12.63 km² per grid cell | 12.63 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1700s | 10.55 km² per grid cell | 10.55 km² per grid cell | 10.55 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1710s | 11.89 km² per grid cell | 11.89 km² per grid cell | 11.89 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1720s | 13.02 km² per grid cell | 13.02 km² per grid cell | 13.02 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1730s | 14.27 km² per grid cell | 14.27 km² per grid cell | 14.27 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1740s | 15.63 km² per grid cell | 15.63 km² per grid cell | 15.63 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1750s | 17.12 km² per grid cell | 17.12 km² per grid cell | 17.12 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1760s | 18.75 km² per grid cell | 18.75 km² per grid cell | 18.75 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1770s | 20.54 km² per grid cell | 20.54 km² per grid cell | 20.54 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1780s | 22.5 km² per grid cell | 22.5 km² per grid cell | 22.5 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1790s | 24.65 km² per grid cell | 24.65 km² per grid cell | 24.65 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1800s | 27 km² per grid cell | 27 km² per grid cell | 27 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1810s | 31.13 km² per grid cell | 31.13 km² per grid cell | 31.13 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1820s | 35.89 km² per grid cell | 35.89 km² per grid cell | 35.89 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1830s | 41.37 km² per grid cell | 41.37 km² per grid cell | 41.37 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1840s | 47.69 km² per grid cell | 47.69 km² per grid cell | 47.69 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1850s | 54.92 km² per grid cell | 54.92 km² per grid cell | 54.92 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1860s | 63.08 km² per grid cell | 63.08 km² per grid cell | 63.08 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1870s | 77.94 km² per grid cell | 77.94 km² per grid cell | 77.94 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1880s | 94.08 km² per grid cell | 94.08 km² per grid cell | 94.08 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1890s | 108.27 km² per grid cell | 108.27 km² per grid cell | 108.27 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1900s | 116.14 km² per grid cell | 116.14 km² per grid cell | 116.14 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1910s | 116.5 km² per grid cell | 116.5 km² per grid cell | 116.5 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1920s | 116.5 km² per grid cell | 116.5 km² per grid cell | 116.5 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1930s | 116.5 km² per grid cell | 116.5 km² per grid cell | 116.5 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1940s | 136.41 km² per grid cell | 136.41 km² per grid cell | 136.41 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1950s | 223.03 km² per grid cell | 181.1 km² per grid cell | 274.26 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 1960s | 392.61 km² per grid cell | 292.12 km² per grid cell | 505.37 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 1970s | 687.88 km² per grid cell | 534.61 km² per grid cell | 853.77 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 1980s | 1,078 km² per grid cell | 892.77 km² per grid cell | 1,253 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 1990s | 1,499 km² per grid cell | 1,288 km² per grid cell | 1,743 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 2000s | 1,962 km² per grid cell | 1,732 km² per grid cell | 2,215 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 2010s | 2,584 km² per grid cell | 2,276 km² per grid cell | 2,898 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 2020s | 3,222 km² per grid cell | 2,970 km² per grid cell | 3,477 km² per grid cell | 6 |
Countries ranked near Iraq
- 35 Netherlands 4,359 km² per grid cell compare
- 36 Vietnam 4,339 km² per grid cell compare
- 37 Uzbekistan 4,208 km² per grid cell compare
- 39 Kazakhstan 3,421 km² per grid cell compare
- 40 Yemen 3,250 km² per grid cell compare
- 41 Tanzania 3,054 km² per grid cell compare
More reference data data for Iraq
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 0.2116 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 3.19 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 7.23 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 0.3911 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 7.23 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 0.7096 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 0.235 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 13.21 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 30.36 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 2.13 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is urban area over the long-term in Iraq?
- Urban area over the long-term in Iraq was 3,477 km² per grid cell in 2025, according to HYDE (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest urban area over the long-term recorded in Iraq?
- The highest recorded value was 3,477 km² per grid cell in 2025.
- What is the lowest urban area over the long-term recorded in Iraq?
- The lowest recorded value was 8.77 km² per grid cell in 1300.
- How does Iraq rank for urban area over the long-term?
- Iraq ranks 38th out of 202 countries with data for 2025.
- Is urban area over the long-term rising or falling in Iraq?
- Over the last ten years it is up 32.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Iraq data come from?
- The figures come from HYDE (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Urban area over the long-term. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Total built-up area of a country over time.