The Ministry of Construction, Housing, and Public Municipalities confirmed today, Sunday, that Iraq's housing needs are estimated at approximately 2.3 million housing units according to the results of the latest population census, noting that there are plans to reduce the housing deficit and increase supply, which will contribute to a decline in prices.
The ministry spokesperson, Nabil Al-Safar, stated in a press interview that "the country's need for housing, according to the latest population census, is estimated at around 2.3 million housing units," explaining that "this figure was derived based on the population density rate of 29.1%, from the socio-economic survey of households in Iraq (2023–2024), and compared with the results of the national census of population and housing conducted in November 2024."
Al-Safar added that "there are more than 2,000 housing units within four residential complexes in the provinces of Anbar, Wasit, and Karbala, which are expected to be completed in 2027, provided that the necessary financial allocations are available," pointing out that "these complexes are supervised by the Ministry of Construction, Housing, and Public Municipalities through the Housing Directorate, and their units will be allocated to the deserving social groups based on ratios set by the National Housing Council."
He continued, stating that "the million housing plots project is proceeding according to the established timelines, and it will include citizens who do not own land or a housing unit independently."
Regarding the challenges in the housing sector, Al-Safar clarified that "the sector still faces many challenges and obstacles, along with additional pressures resulting from increasing constraints related to housing affordability, in addition to annual population increases, sustainability requirements, and the growing effects of climate change."
He noted that "the rising cost of housing has made decent and suitable housing out of reach for many Iraqi families, especially those with low and middle incomes," explaining that "the affordability gap has worsened due to limited financing options and high construction costs, along with the mismatch between supply and demand for housing."
Al-Safar confirmed that "the government has turned to multiple options to address the housing crisis, through adopting numerous strategies and plans to reduce the housing deficit, and moving toward establishing new partnership formulas with developers and investors to deliver services to the lands and distribute them to those entitled."
He added that "the plans also include creating major residential cities outside urban centers and provinces, aiming to alleviate the pressure on infrastructure services and increase housing supply in response to the growing demand, which will help gradually reduce prices," indicating that "studies are being prepared to finance the housing sector and provide soft loans to citizens to assist them in building housing units."