Iraq's Housing Crisis Worsens Amid High Population Growth
According to figures released by Iraq's Ministry of Planning, Iraq witnessed significant population growth in 2012, further exacerbating the country's housing crisis, writes Omar al-Shaher.
Iraq has recorded a steady population growth, which reached its peak last year at 2.9% — one of the highest rates in the world, officials say.
The growth comes at a time when the country is facing a severe housing crisis. Rental fees for residential units have doubled, and real estate prices have risen dramatically.
The Central Bureau of Statistics, part of the Ministry of Planning, said the population growth rate in Iraq last year was about 2.9%, one of the highest in the world.
Mahdi al-Alaq, the head of the statistics bureau, said Iraq's population increased by about 1 million over the past year, bringing the country’s total to about 34.5 million.
