Marketers, journalists, founders, and students ask us the same questions again and again: how many people in Iraq are online, which social platforms reach the most people, and how fast is mobile internet? Answers circulating online are often outdated, copied from other countries, or impossible to trace. This page brings together the most recent digital statistics for Iraq from a single, clearly cited source, with plain explanations of what each number means and, just as importantly, what it does not mean.
All figures below come from DataReportal’s Digital 2026: Iraq report, produced by Kepios and published in November 2025. Most data points reflect the latest available data as of October 2025. We have not modified the numbers; where we add interpretation, we say so. Use this page as a reference, and always cite the original source when you republish any of these digital statistics.
Iraq Digital Statistics at a Glance
Here are the headline digital statistics for Iraq in 2026:
| Indicator | Figure | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Total population | 47.3 million | — |
| Cellular mobile connections | 50.8 million | 108% of population |
| Internet users | 39.6 million | 83.8% of population |
| Social media user identities | 40.1 million | 84.9% of population |
| Median mobile download speed | 56.34 Mbps | — |
| Median fixed download speed | 41.52 Mbps | — |
Three facts stand out. Most of the population is online, mobile connections exceed the population, and social media identities are roughly equal to internet users. Each of these digital statistics needs careful reading, which we explain below.
Population and Demographics
Understanding Iraq’s population is essential context for all the other digital statistics on this page.
A Large and Young Population
DataReportal, citing United Nations data, puts Iraq’s population at 47.3 million in October 2025, an increase of about 984,000 (+2.1%) over the previous year. The median age was just 20.8, meaning half the population is younger than that. Roughly 42.5% of the population was under 18, based on the age bands in the report.
Urban and Gender Split
About 72.2% of people lived in urban areas and 27.8% in rural areas. The population was 49.8% female and 50.2% male, according to the report’s figures.
Why Demographics Matter for Marketers
Our interpretation: read together with the platform digital statistics below, a young, largely urban population helps explain the strength of mobile-first platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat in Iraq. It also means a large share of future customers are still in school today, which matters for brands planning long term.
Mobile Connections in Iraq
Mobile digital statistics are often misread, so it is worth slowing down here.
Connections Exceed the Population
GSMA Intelligence data, reported by DataReportal, shows 50.8 million cellular mobile connections in Iraq at the end of 2025, equivalent to 108% of the population. Connections grew by about 2.7 million (+5.6%) year on year.
Connections Are Not People
A connection figure above 100% does not mean every person has a phone. This is one of the most misunderstood digital statistics for Iraq. Many people use more than one SIM, for example one for personal use and one for work. Some connections may include only voice and SMS. That is why connection counts should never be used as a measure of unique mobile users.
Broadband Share
About 86.2% of mobile connections were classed as “broadband,” meaning they connect through 3G, 4G, or 5G networks. DataReportal notes that this does not prove every such connection actually uses mobile data, so it is not a direct measure of mobile internet use.
Internet Users in Iraq
Internet adoption is one of the most-requested digital statistics for any market, and Iraq’s figures have grown steadily.
How Many People Are Online
Kepios’s analysis, the basis for these digital statistics, indicates 39.6 million internet users in Iraq in October 2025, an internet penetration rate of 83.8%. That is an increase of about 1.8 million users (+4.7%) over twelve months.
Who Is Still Offline
The same figures imply that about 7.66 million people, or 16.2% of the population, were not using the internet at the end of 2025. Our interpretation: this group is likely concentrated among older and rural populations, but the report does not break it down, so treat that as an assumption rather than a finding.
Why the Real Number May Be Higher
DataReportal cautions that internet user research takes months to compile and publish, so these digital statistics lag reality, and published figures may understate current adoption.
Internet Speeds in Iraq
Speed digital statistics matter for anyone building websites, apps, or video campaigns.
Mobile and Fixed Speed Digital Statistics
According to Ookla data cited in the report, the median mobile download speed over cellular networks was 56.34 Mbps, and the median fixed internet download speed was 41.52 Mbps.
Rapid Improvement
Median mobile speed rose by 23.41 Mbps (+71.1%) in the twelve months to August 2025, while median fixed speed rose by 8.17 Mbps (+24.5%). Notably, these digital statistics show the median mobile connection was faster than the median fixed connection.
What Speed Medians Hide
Our interpretation: medians describe a typical connection, not every connection. Real-world speed varies by city, network, time of day, and building. Websites and campaigns should still be tested on mid-range phones over real mobile connections, not on office Wi-Fi.
Social Media Users in Iraq
Social media digital statistics generate the most interest, and also the most confusion.
Social Media User Identities
Kepios reports 40.1 million active social media user identities in Iraq in October 2025, equal to 84.9% of the population and an increase of 5.8 million (+17.0%) over late 2024. Of these identities, 37.9% were female and 62.1% male.
Why Social Media Can Exceed Internet Users
Social media identities slightly exceed internet users in the report. DataReportal explains that user identities may not represent unique individuals, since some people hold multiple accounts and some accounts are not personal. The methodology may also rely on the platform with the largest audience. These digital statistics are published “as is” and should be read with caution.
Social Platform Advertising Reach in Iraq
The platform digital statistics in this section come from each platform’s advertising tools. They show how many people advertisers can reach, not how many active users each platform has.
Social Platform Digital Statistics Table
| Platform | Ad reach (late 2025) | Female share of audience | 12-month change |
|---|---|---|---|
| TikTok (18+) | 40.1 million | 37.9% | +5.83M (+17.0%) |
| YouTube | 24.7 million | 46.8% (adults) | +2.40M (+10.8%) |
| 21.5 million | 40.1% (adults) | +2.80M (+15.0%) | |
| 20.8 million | 27.8% (adults) | +1.10M (+5.6%) | |
| Snapchat | 19.3 million | 45.0% (adults) | +180K (+0.9%) |
| Messenger | 14.9 million | 25.5% | -50K (-0.3%) |
| X | 2.74 million | 15.7% (inferred) | +148K (+5.7%) |
| LinkedIn (members) | 2.70 million | 22.2% | +500K (+22.7%) |
| Threads | 1.60 million | 25.4% (adults) | not reported |
Key Takeaways From Platform Data
TikTok reported the largest adult ad audience in Iraq, at 40.1 million users aged 18 and above. YouTube followed with 24.7 million, then Instagram with 21.5 million and Facebook with 20.8 million. Snapchat reached 19.3 million.
Gender digital statistics differ sharply by platform. Facebook’s adult ad audience was about 72% male, while Snapchat and YouTube were much more balanced. Our interpretation: brands targeting women in Iraq may find Instagram, Snapchat, and YouTube more efficient than Facebook, though campaign tests should confirm this for each product.
LinkedIn’s figure counts registered members rather than monthly active users, so it is not directly comparable with the others. Still, 2.70 million members and 22.7% annual growth suggest a meaningful professional audience for B2B marketers.
Reach Above 100% and Other Anomalies
TikTok’s reported adult reach equals 147.6% of Iraq’s adult population. That is not possible if it represented unique people, so it should be read as a sign of how ad tools count audiences, not as a literal percentage. DataReportal publishes these figures unchanged and advises caution.
How to Read Ad-Reach Data Correctly
Misreading platform digital statistics is one of the most common mistakes in local marketing presentations.
Ad Reach Is Not Active Users
Meta, Google, TikTok, Snap, X, and LinkedIn each report the audience their ad tools can reach. Meta explicitly states that its estimates are not a proxy for monthly or daily active users. Platform figures are also revised regularly, sometimes producing apparent declines that reflect account clean-ups rather than real behavior changes.
Do Not Add Platforms Together
Many people use several platforms, so adding TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and Snapchat reach together vastly overstates the audience. Use each of these digital statistics on its own, for comparison and planning.
Compare Within the Same Report
When comparing digital statistics over time, note that DataReportal changed its publication cycle for the 2026 edition and advises against calculating growth by comparing with figures from older reports. Use the change figures published in the current report instead.
What These Digital Statistics Mean for Iraqi Businesses?
This section is our interpretation, based on the figures above.
Mobile-First Is the Default
With over 39 million internet users, a median age of 20.8, and mobile speeds now above fixed speeds, most Iraqi customers will meet your business on a phone first. These digital statistics point to one conclusion: websites, landing pages, and checkout flows should be designed and tested for mobile before desktop.
Video and Short-Form Platforms Deserve Attention
TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, and Snapchat all report large audiences. For many consumer brands, short video content is no longer optional. Our article on the best social media platforms in Iraq explains how to choose between them.
B2B Has a Professional Channel
The LinkedIn digital statistics are the clearest signal for B2B: its growing member base gives B2B companies, contractors, and service firms a channel for reaching professionals that grew by 22.7% in the twelve months to late 2025.
Measure Your Own Audience
National digital statistics set the context, but your own analytics, ad results, and customer data matter more. For broader context on where the market is heading, see our analysis of digital marketing trends in Iraq.
Frequently Asked Questions About Iraq Digital Statistics
According to DataReportal’s Digital 2026 report, Iraq had 39.6 million internet users in October 2025, or 83.8% of the population.
By advertising reach, TikTok reported the largest adult audience at 40.1 million users aged 18 and above in late 2025. Ad reach is not the same as active users, so treat comparisons between platforms with care.
Ookla data cited by DataReportal shows a median mobile download speed of 56.34 Mbps at the end of 2025, faster than the median fixed connection speed of 41.52 Mbps.
Yes, you can reuse these digital statistics, but cite DataReportal’s Digital 2026: Iraq report as the original source and link to it. If you reference this page, please also link to it.
Sources and Update Log
All digital statistics on this page come from DataReportal (Kepios), Digital 2026: Iraq, published 8 November 2025: . The report draws on the United Nations (population), GSMA Intelligence (mobile connections), Ookla (speeds), and the advertising tools of Google, Meta, TikTok, Snap, X, and LinkedIn (platform reach).
These digital statistics were last checked on 12 October 2026. We will update this page when DataReportal publishes its next Iraq report.
If you need help turning these numbers into a marketing plan for your business, Creative 4 All can help. Explore our digital marketing services in Iraq or contact our team.
