02
Iraq Country Profile
Market landscape & healthcare environment.
Key facts
Iraq at a glance
| Full name | Republic of Iraq |
| Capital | Baghdad |
| Main exports | Crude oil |
Source: World Bank, UN Data, 2024 estimates
Population
Demographics
A young, fast-growing population driving sustained healthcare demand.
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Age structure (0–14 years) | ~ 35% |
| Age structure (15–64 years) | ~ 60–62% |
| Age structure (65+ years) | ~ 3–5% |
| Crude birth rate | ~ 22–25 births / 1,000 population |
| Crude death rate | ~ 4.5–5.5 deaths / 1,000 population |
| Total fertility rate | ~ 3.0–3.4 children born / woman |
| Population growth rate | ~ 2.0–2.3% |
- Age structure (0–14 years) — 35%
- Age structure (15–64 years) — 61%
- Age structure (65+ years) — 4%
Disease burden
Top 10 diseases causing morbidity
1Gastroenteritis
6Abortion
2Bronchitis
7Measles
3Pneumonia
8Hernia
4Cardiovascular disease
9Respiratory distress syndrome
5Urinary system disorders
10Diabetes mellitus
Source: MOH / Directorate of Planning & Human Resource Development, 2016.
Mortality
Major causes of mortality
According to the Ministry of Health (MOH) – Directorate of Planning & Human Resource Development (2016), the leading causes of mortality in Iraq are predominantly non-communicable and chronic diseases, along with infectious and external causes.
- Cardiovascular diseases (including heart failure and ischemic heart disease)
- Cerebrovascular diseases (stroke)
- External causes of death (injuries and accidents)
- Chronic kidney (renal) failure
- Infectious diseases such as septicemia
- Respiratory diseases
- Diabetes mellitus
- Malignant tumors, particularly gastrointestinal cancers
- Age-related conditions
Source: MOH / Directorate of Planning & Human Resource Development, 2016.
Opportunity
What this means for our partners
A population of roughly 47 million growing at over 2% a year, with a chronic-disease burden concentrated in cardiovascular, respiratory, renal and metabolic care, creates sustained demand across the therapeutic areas we distribute.
Become a partner