Central Statistical Organization CSO Ministry of Planning, Iraq

Overview

The Central Statistical Organization (CSO) of Iraq is the principal national statistical authority, operating under the Ministry of Planning of the Republic of Iraq. Headquartered in Baghdad, it is responsible for collecting, compiling, and disseminating official statistical data across all sectors of Iraqi society and economy. The CSO produces the country's national accounts, price indices, demographic estimates, trade statistics, and a wide range of sector-specific surveys, supporting government planning, policy, and international reporting obligations.

History and Founding

The Central Statistical Organization of Iraq was established as part of the broader functions of the Ministry of Planning. It operates under the Iraqi Ministry of Planning and is headquartered in the Karada Maryam district of Baghdad, near Al-Jumhuriya Bridge. Over successive decades the CSO has evolved to cover an increasingly comprehensive range of statistical domains, adapting through Iraq's periods of conflict, sanctions, and post-2003 reconstruction. It has partnered with major international agencies including the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the World Bank, and the International Labour Organization (ILO) on surveys and capacity-building initiatives.

Collections and Holdings

The CSO's data holdings span annual and sectoral reports on agriculture, environment, trade, national accounts, population, education, health, labor, construction, transport, and public finance. Its statistical publications include annual reports for various sectors, Human Development indicators aligned with Millennium Development Goals, gender statistics, and reports on economic conditions. In 2021, the CSO partnered with UNDP and USAID on a comprehensive survey of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) across multiple Iraqi governorates.

Notable Data and Publications

The CSO periodically releases population estimates for Iraq; its most recently published figure placed Iraq's population at approximately 42.2 million. It has conducted Iraq's first labor force survey in a decade (2022) in partnership with the ILO. The CSO also issues price indices and inflation rate reports used by government agencies and economic analysts.

Access and Usage

Statistical publications and data from the CSO are accessible through the Ministry of Planning website at mop.gov.iq. The CSO is headquartered at Baghdad – Al-Karkh – Karada Maryam, near Al-Jumhuriya Bridge.