Share of women using modern contraceptive methods in Iraq
Iraq: Share of women using modern contraceptive methods was 36.1% in 2018. ▲ Rising
Share of women using modern contraceptive methods in Iraq, 1974–2018
Source: Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS), Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS), and UN Population Division, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in % of women ages 15-49.
Analysis
The most recent figure for share of women using modern contraceptive methods in Iraq is 36.1%, measured in 2018. That is the highest value across all 6 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 9.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of women using modern contraceptive methods in Iraq peaked at 36.1% in 2018 and was at its lowest, 10.4%, in 1989.
That places Iraq 75th out of 113 countries with data for 2018, putting it in the middle of the range.
Share of women using modern contraceptive methods in Iraq, year by year
| Year | % of women ages 15-49 | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1974 | 12.9% | — |
| 1989 | 10.4% | -19.4% |
| 2000 | 25.4% | +144.3% |
| 2006 | 32.8% | +29.3% |
| 2011 | 33.6% | +2.3% |
| 2018 | 36.1% | +7.4% |
Iraq compared with similar countries
- Iraq's 36.1% is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 50.1%, 72% of the median. (31 countries reporting)
- Iraq's 36.1% is below the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 39.3%, 92% of the median. (15 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 12.9% | 12.9% | 12.9% | 1 |
| 1980s | 10.4% | 10.4% | 10.4% | 1 |
| 2000s | 29.1% | 25.4% | 32.8% | 2 |
| 2010s | 34.8% | 33.6% | 36.1% | 2 |
Countries ranked near Iraq
More gender data for Iraq
- Child population (UN estimates and projections) 17,091 (2030)
- Child population (UN estimates and projections) (0-14), annual growth 0.3028 % change on previous year (2030)
- Population 34,846 (2030)
- Working-age population (UN estimates and projections) 34,846 (2030)
- Population (UN estimates and projections), annual growth rate 2.78 % change on previous year (2030)
- Age population, age 00, female, interpolated 566,580 (2025)
- Age population, age 00, male, interpolated 596,188 (2025)
- Age population, age 01, female, interpolated 558,252 (2025)
- Age population, age 01, male, interpolated 587,298 (2025)
- Age population, age 02, female, interpolated 550,204 (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is share of women using modern contraceptive methods in Iraq?
- Share of women using modern contraceptive methods in Iraq was 36.1% in 2018, according to Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS), Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS), and UN Population Division, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest share of women using modern contraceptive methods recorded in Iraq?
- The highest recorded value was 36.1% in 2018.
- What is the lowest share of women using modern contraceptive methods recorded in Iraq?
- The lowest recorded value was 10.4% in 1989.
- How does Iraq rank for share of women using modern contraceptive methods?
- Iraq ranks 75th out of 113 countries with data for 2018.
- Is share of women using modern contraceptive methods rising or falling in Iraq?
- Over the last ten years it is up 9.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Iraq data come from?
- The figures come from Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS), Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS), and UN Population Division, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Share of women using modern contraceptive methods. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Estimated share of women using modern contraceptive methods, among those aged 15–49 and married or in union.