With about 43 million people, Iraq is surprisingly young – nearly 40% are under 15, which you notice immediately in Baghdad’s bustling streets where kids seem to be everywhere. The country sits on liquid gold – ranking fifth globally in oil reserves with about 145 billion barrels. Oil dominates everything, making up roughly 85% of government revenue. Yet despite this wealth beneath their feet, the average Iraqi earns only about €5,000-6,000 a year.
The religious makeup tells a complex story. About 65-70% are Shia Muslims, mainly in the south, while 29-34% are Sunni Muslims concentrated in the west and north. Christians once numbered 1.5 million but have dwindled to perhaps 250,000 following years of conflict…
