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Population in Iraq compared to Papua New Guinea: Trends, Charts, Rankings

Updated on by Georank

The latest officially reported population of Iraq was 47,020,774 in 2025 vs 10,762,817 people in Papua New Guinea in 2025. In 2026, based on the adjusted UN estimation, the current Iraq's population is 48,531,417 people compared to 11,045,681 in Papua New Guinea.

Population statistics:

  • Iraq's population is 4.39 times bigger than Papua New Guinea's.
  • Iraq is ranked the 33rd most populous country in the world, while Papua New Guinea is the 89th.
  • The countries together account for 0.72% of the world: 0.58% for Iraq vs 0.13% for Papua New Guinea.
  • For the last 10 years, Iraq has had an average growth rate of +2.32% per year vs +2.14% in Papua New Guinea.
  • Since 2006, the population of Iraq has increased from 28.6M people to 48.5M (69.6% growth), while Papua New Guinea has grown from 6.75M to 11M (63.7% growth).

Iraq vs Papua New Guinea: population by year and forecast

Iraq
Factual

Projection
Papua New Guinea
Factual

Projection
1x
Year Population
Iraq Papua New Guinea
2100 101,633,126 18,798,240
2099 101,421,797 18,786,145
2098 101,213,066 18,772,372
2097 100,981,364 18,755,008
2096 100,724,968 18,733,822
2095 100,465,117 18,710,340
2094 100,194,566 18,683,383
2093 99,876,697 18,654,365
2092 99,532,563 18,621,911
2091 99,204,350 18,586,147
2090 98,887,474 18,545,656
2089 98,513,541 18,506,626
2088 98,144,553 18,464,999
2087 97,768,049 18,420,558
2086 97,325,536 18,372,233
2085 96,873,514 18,321,842
2084 96,449,107 18,270,605
2083 95,991,669 18,214,932
2082 95,510,163 18,159,412
2081 95,009,824 18,100,531
2080 94,507,711 18,035,268
2079 93,960,720 17,972,052
2078 93,417,874 17,904,957
2077 92,904,470 17,837,082
2076 92,360,076 17,768,107
2075 91,825,735 17,695,759
2074 91,229,744 17,621,390
2073 90,571,495 17,544,490
2072 89,918,845 17,463,028
2071 89,266,016 17,377,995
2070 88,596,956 17,291,519
2069 87,909,934 17,201,936
2068 87,220,950 17,108,606
2067 86,514,449 17,011,562
2066 85,734,979 16,911,929
2065 84,972,344 16,809,460
2064 84,191,791 16,705,205
2063 83,388,388 16,600,853
2062 82,605,010 16,493,872
2061 81,801,066 16,383,508
2060 80,951,432 16,267,162
2059 80,142,288 16,149,265
2058 79,319,959 16,029,360
2057 78,477,750 15,906,350
2056 77,609,609 15,781,247
2055 76,740,326 15,653,296
2054 75,857,522 15,519,925
2053 74,953,340 15,386,054
2052 74,072,968 15,247,553
2051 73,150,617 15,107,257
2050 72,236,317 14,965,427
2049 71,272,496 14,818,793
2048 70,317,228 14,670,417
2047 69,348,186 14,519,915
2046 68,401,022 14,367,141
2045 67,436,306 14,210,639
2044 66,447,658 14,053,122
2043 65,453,908 13,894,884
2042 64,434,168 13,735,841
2041 63,409,041 13,574,567
2040 62,360,444 13,410,615
2039 61,289,676 13,244,740
2038 60,253,388 13,076,640
2037 59,221,968 12,907,059
2036 58,156,294 12,735,582
2035 57,128,298 12,563,938
2034 56,087,988 12,389,907
2033 55,051,428 12,215,713
2032 54,002,572 12,039,848
2031 52,991,720 11,862,856
2030 51,987,045 11,683,177
2029 50,982,830 11,502,504
2028 50,001,395 11,320,226
2027 49,015,079 11,136,100
2026 48,020,585 10,950,183
2025 47,020,774 10,762,817
2024 46,042,015 10,576,502
2023 45,074,049 10,389,635
2022 44,070,551 10,203,169
2021 43,071,211 10,012,896
2020 42,116,605 9,815,746
2019 41,192,171 9,609,010
2018 40,265,624 9,394,513
2017 39,337,353 9,178,714
2016 38,469,627 8,961,718
2015 37,560,535 8,743,246
2014 36,550,059 8,523,441
2013 35,281,989 8,302,698
2012 33,654,842 8,081,390
2011 32,161,424 7,859,346
2010 31,045,366 7,633,523
2009 30,058,206 7,406,438
2008 28,971,036 7,183,002
2007 28,391,607 6,963,345
2006 28,616,515 6,747,720
2005 28,407,448 6,535,905
2004 27,577,878 6,328,041
2003 26,802,659 6,123,997
2002 26,006,559 5,924,003
2001 25,197,840 5,728,435
2000 24,424,056 5,537,064
1999 23,636,527 5,349,333
1998 22,884,399 5,166,390
1997 22,176,593 4,987,883
1996 21,501,321 4,813,361
1995 20,825,860 4,644,278
1994 20,139,807 4,480,208
1993 19,201,195 4,320,872
1992 18,300,845 4,166,699
1991 17,767,253 4,021,837
1990 17,581,206 3,896,481
1989 17,364,542 3,796,078
1988 16,908,819 3,711,880
1987 16,521,049 3,632,543
1986 16,074,145 3,554,793
1985 15,683,430 3,478,936
1984 15,310,733 3,405,198
1983 14,840,555 3,333,633
1982 14,406,083 3,264,291
1981 14,006,381 3,197,019
1980 13,591,992 3,131,512
1979 13,170,365 3,067,341
1978 12,753,355 3,003,714
1977 12,331,046 2,940,327
1976 11,927,651 2,877,327
1975 11,543,639 2,814,820
1974 11,167,761 2,752,671
1973 10,795,869 2,690,629
1972 10,430,164 2,628,432
1971 10,077,809 2,566,421
1970 9,735,611 2,505,628
1969 9,403,356 2,446,927
1968 9,085,016 2,390,803
1967 8,778,869 2,337,532
1966 8,485,104 2,285,774
1965 8,202,140 2,235,820
1964 7,929,566 2,188,325
1963 7,667,928 2,141,376
1962 7,413,875 2,093,919
1961 7,194,553 2,046,127
1960 7,022,052 1,995,110

Data sources: United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026–2100, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/population/iraq/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

From 2006 to 2016, the population of Iraq increased by 9,853,112 people (a 34.4% growth), while Papua New Guinea gained 2,213,998 people (a 32.8% growth).

For the next 10 years, from 2016 to 2026, Iraq gained 10,061,790 people (a 26.2% growth), while Papua New Guinea's population increased by 2,083,963 people (a 23.3% growth).

Iraq was ranked 39th most populous country in 2006 and is 33rd in 2026. Papua New Guinea was ranked 100th in 2006 and ranked 89th now.

The UN's World Population Prospects forecasts that in 24 years (in 2050) Iraq's population will grow by 48.8% to 72,236,317 people with a rank change from 33rd to 28th. The population of Papua New Guinea will increase by 35.5% to 14,965,427 people and rank change from 89th to 84th.

Iraq is projected to reach its peak in 2100 at 102M people compared to the peak of 18.8M people in 2100 for Papua New Guinea.

Population growth rate by year

Iraq
Factual

Projection
Papua New Guinea
Factual

Projection
1x
Year Growth rate
Iraq Papua New Guinea
2100 0.21% 0.06%
2099 0.21% 0.07%
2098 0.23% 0.09%
2097 0.25% 0.11%
2096 0.26% 0.13%
2095 0.27% 0.14%
2094 0.32% 0.16%
2093 0.35% 0.17%
2092 0.33% 0.19%
2091 0.32% 0.22%
2090 0.38% 0.21%
2089 0.38% 0.23%
2088 0.39% 0.24%
2087 0.45% 0.26%
2086 0.47% 0.28%
2085 0.44% 0.28%
2084 0.48% 0.31%
2083 0.5% 0.31%
2082 0.53% 0.33%
2081 0.53% 0.36%
2080 0.58% 0.35%
2079 0.58% 0.37%
2078 0.55% 0.38%
2077 0.59% 0.39%
2076 0.58% 0.41%
2075 0.65% 0.42%
2074 0.73% 0.44%
2073 0.73% 0.47%
2072 0.73% 0.49%
2071 0.76% 0.5%
2070 0.78% 0.52%
2069 0.79% 0.55%
2068 0.82% 0.57%
2067 0.91% 0.59%
2066 0.9% 0.61%
2065 0.93% 0.62%
2064 0.96% 0.63%
2063 0.95% 0.65%
2062 0.98% 0.67%
2061 1.05% 0.72%
2060 1.01% 0.73%
2059 1.04% 0.75%
2058 1.07% 0.77%
2057 1.12% 0.79%
2056 1.13% 0.82%
2055 1.16% 0.86%
2054 1.21% 0.87%
2053 1.19% 0.91%
2052 1.26% 0.93%
2051 1.27% 0.95%
2050 1.35% 0.99%
2049 1.36% 1.01%
2048 1.4% 1.04%
2047 1.38% 1.06%
2046 1.43% 1.1%
2045 1.49% 1.12%
2044 1.52% 1.14%
2043 1.58% 1.16%
2042 1.62% 1.19%
2041 1.68% 1.22%
2040 1.75% 1.25%
2039 1.72% 1.29%
2038 1.74% 1.31%
2037 1.83% 1.35%
2036 1.8% 1.37%
2035 1.85% 1.4%
2034 1.88% 1.43%
2033 1.94% 1.46%
2032 1.91% 1.49%
2031 1.93% 1.54%
2030 1.97% 1.57%
2029 1.96% 1.61%
2028 2.01% 1.65%
2027 2.07% 1.7%
2026 2.13% 1.74%
2025 2.13% 1.76%
2024 2.15% 1.8%
2023 2.28% 1.83%
2022 2.32% 1.9%
2021 2.27% 2.01%
2020 2.24% 2.15%
2019 2.3% 2.28%
2018 2.36% 2.35%
2017 2.26% 2.42%
2016 2.42% 2.5%
2015 2.76% 2.58%
2014 3.59% 2.66%
2013 4.83% 2.74%
2012 4.64% 2.83%
2011 3.59% 2.96%
2010 3.28% 3.07%
2009 3.75% 3.11%
2008 2.04% 3.15%
2007 -0.79% 3.2%
2006 0.74% 3.24%
2005 3.01% 3.28%
2004 2.89% 3.33%
2003 3.06% 3.38%
2002 3.21% 3.41%
2001 3.17% 3.46%
2000 3.33% 3.51%
1999 3.29% 3.54%
1998 3.19% 3.58%
1997 3.14% 3.63%
1996 3.24% 3.64%
1995 3.41% 3.66%
1994 4.89% 3.69%
1993 4.92% 3.7%
1992 3% 3.6%
1991 1.06% 3.22%
1990 1.25% 2.64%
1989 2.7% 2.27%
1988 2.35% 2.18%
1987 2.78% 2.19%
1986 2.49% 2.18%
1985 2.43% 2.17%
1984 3.17% 2.15%
1983 3.02% 2.12%
1982 2.85% 2.1%
1981 3.05% 2.09%
1980 3.2% 2.09%
1979 3.27% 2.12%
1978 3.42% 2.16%
1977 3.38% 2.19%
1976 3.33% 2.22%
1975 3.37% 2.26%
1974 3.44% 2.31%
1973 3.51% 2.37%
1972 3.5% 2.42%
1971 3.51% 2.43%
1970 3.53% 2.4%
1969 3.5% 2.35%
1968 3.49% 2.28%
1967 3.46% 2.26%
1966 3.45% 2.23%
1965 3.44% 2.17%
1964 3.41% 2.19%
1963 3.43% 2.27%
1962 3.05% 2.34%
1961 2.46% 2.56%

Data sources: United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026–2100, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Health (1961–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/population/iraq/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

In 2025, the population of Iraq grew by 2.13%, while Papua New Guinea's population grew by 1.76%.

Live population counters

Iraq Papua New Guinea
Current population
48531417
11045681
Population rank 33/197 89/197
Percent of world population 0.58% 0.13%
One net population change
32.3 seconds
2.83 minutes
One birth every
26.8 seconds
2.05 minutes
One death every
2.74 minutes
7.58 minutes
Daily growth/decline +2,682 +510
Annual growth/decline +978,759 +186,315
Annual growth/decline rate +2.13% +1.76%
Population growth rate rank 43/197 59/197
One migration net change every
8.26 hours
1.29 days
Annual migration change -1,064 -284
Net migration rank 93/196 87/196
Foreign-born residents 370,980 31,171
Foreign-born residents rank 92/195 163/195
Foreign-born share of population 0.8% 0.3%
Foreign-born share rank 160/195 183/195

Natural population change vs migration

Iraq
Natural

Migration
Papua New Guinea
Natural

Migration
1x
Year Population change
Iraq Papua New Guinea
Natural Migration Natural Migration
2025 - -1,064 - -284
2024 985,943 -17,735 187,595 -707
2023 973,420 -5,710 187,637 -787
2022 962,501 76,821 186,861 -787
2021 941,924 17,474 183,766 10,703
2020 919,953 29,858 189,130 10,703
2019 942,972 -43,919 190,662 22,978
2018 938,310 15,775 190,662 24,684
2017 924,507 -21,998 189,715 26,513
2016 946,968 -113,980 189,281 28,473
2015 1,007,561 -22,338 188,600 30,580
2014 1,040,726 -5,033 187,592 32,840
2013 1,026,036 474,379 185,790 35,280
2012 999,987 753,907 183,658 37,893
2011 971,082 261,880 181,842 40,690
2010 906,369 92,779 178,998 50,106
2009 855,096 120,092 175,421 49,647
2008 802,382 396,792 172,823 48,985
2007 784,119 -824,428 169,306 48,203
2006 797,342 -1,206,850 166,540 47,191
2005 776,603 51,019 163,888 46,014
2004 761,563 69,948 161,023 44,811
2003 746,159 -27,236 158,611 43,639
2002 739,419 133,839 155,091 42,657
2001 729,704 14,451 151,431 41,962
2000 715,771 87,624 147,496 41,855
1999 702,170 69,491 143,592 42,519
1998 684,152 48,446 136,677 43,091
1997 667,582 15,429 134,458 42,787
1996 652,866 14,652 129,802 41,994
1995 642,977 40,424 125,410 40,962
1994 634,344 54,355 122,113 39,669
1993 606,700 581,818 118,668 38,220
1992 591,886 20,292 114,818 36,622
1991 550,146 -95,155 111,453 26,830
1990 518,575 -601,469 110,033 2,398
1989 496,852 19,392 108,199 -19,824
1988 476,778 -81,562 106,256 -26,232
1987 488,742 -108,426 104,367 -25,720
1986 474,348 39,136 102,346 -25,495
1985 467,445 -199,505 100,333 -25,470
1984 455,740 21,709 98,103 -25,487
1983 439,800 23,115 95,982 -25,465
1982 428,336 -22,302 93,522 -25,355
1981 416,998 -23,640 91,767 -25,383
1980 419,653 15,757 90,266 -25,638
1979 428,458 -20,617 89,330 -25,618
1978 418,756 7,434 88,747 -25,208
1977 410,229 8,204 87,954 -24,722
1976 402,260 -13,915 86,965 -24,198
1975 385,916 -6,237 85,809 -23,562
1974 376,197 -4,090 84,829 -22,771
1973 373,191 -1,507 83,821 -21,803
1972 362,334 -2,600 82,672 -20,303
1971 351,464 -6,479 80,599 -18,945
1970 338,030 1,377 78,712 -18,773
1969 324,792 312 76,454 -18,994
1968 310,644 928 73,983 -19,188
1967 298,192 2,531 71,519 -19,767
1966 285,507 1,298 69,206 -17,454
1965 274,551 4,555 66,693 -18,532
1964 262,825 3,224 64,558 -17,730
1963 254,046 3,197 62,260 -15,189
1962 247,520 3,343 59,974 -12,141
1961 184,792 2,981 58,151 -10,409
1960 155,651 1,573 56,326 -2,034

Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/population/iraq/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

Over the last 10 years, 99.1% of the population change in Iraq is from natural causes (a gain of 9,544,059 people) and 0.89% is from migration (a loss of 85,752 people). In Papua New Guinea 92.5% is from natural causes (a gain of 1,883,909 people) and 7.48% is from migration (a gain of 152,353 people).

As of 2024, 370,980 residents or 0.8% of the population were not native-born in Iraq, compared to 31,171 people or 0.3% in Papua New Guinea.

Biggest cities by population

Iraq
City Population
Baghdad 8.13M
Mosul 1.79M
Basra 1.33M
Kirkuk 975K
Sulaymaniyah 878K
Ramadi 875K
Erbil 846K
Najaf 725K
Karbala 690K
Nasiriyah 542K
Papua New Guinea
City Population
Port Moresby 317K
Lae 101K

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Population map with other countries

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); United Nations | World Population Prospects (1960–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2000–2019, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/population/iraq/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. United Nations | World Population Prospects (1960–2100, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2000–2019, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. Wikidata (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)

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