ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - Foreign nationals residing in Iraq will also be included in the country’s upcoming population census but will not be asked detailed questions like the Iraqi nationals, an official from the planning ministry revealed on Friday.

Iraq is set to conduct a general population census on November 20 and 21 - the country’s first since 1997. The process will include all Iraqi provinces, including the Kurdistan Region.

“The general census process will not only include Iraqi citizens, but rather everyone who currently resides in Iraq, including those with a foreign nationality,” Abdulzahra al-Hindawi, spokesperson for the Iraqi planning ministry, told The New Region on Friday.

One’s nationality, religion, academic qualification, and the health status of all family members are among the questions included in the upcoming census.

"There are specific questions for foreigners residing in Iraq with various descriptions, whether they are foreign workers or employees in embassies or companies or doctors in any capacity," said Hindawi, noting that "foreigners will be counted, but with specific questions only."

Kurdish officials and Yazidi lawmakers have voiced concerns over the process, citing alleged attempts at demographic change in disputed areas such as Kirkuk and Sinjar.

Hindawi added that citizens currently residing in areas other than their hometown can still participate in the process by providing the reason for their move, whether that is social issues, security concerns, or job opportunities.

A nationwide curfew during the general census will be imposed across Iraqi provinces, including the Kurdistan Region, starting from Wednesday 12:00 am until Friday 12:00 am.

The ministry spokesperson stressed the importance of providing accurate information to the enumerators, particularly for questions regarding long-term illnesses, as that data will be used to assess the level of services required.

Around 120,000 enumerators will carry out the process across all 18 provinces, according to Hindawi.

Preliminary results of the census are set to be announced within six weeks.

Unofficial figures put Iraq’s population at over 45 million.

Iraq had initially planned to conduct a population census in 2020 but was postponed due to the coronavirus.