Iraq, 5 Years On: Key Facts and Figures

 

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Source: Brookings Institute, The Associated Press

Water

Prewar: 12.9 million people had potable water

Jan. 20, 2008: 20.4 million people have potable water

Source: AP, Brookings Institute

Sewage

Prewar: 6.2 million people served

Jan. 20, 2008: 11.3 million people served

Source: AP

Internal Refugees

Number of internally displaced persons as of April 2007: 1,907,384

Source: Brookings Institute, U.N. High Commission on Refugees

Iraqi Refugees

More than 4.6 million Iraqis have been displaced, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

(Note: Not all Iraqi refugees fled because of the current war)

Iraqi refugees abroad: 2.2 million to 2.4 million

Iraqi refugees in Syria: 1.4 million to 1.5 million

Iraqi refugees in Jordan: 700,000 to 750,000

Iraqi refugees in Egypt, Lebanon, Iran: 175,000 to 200,000

Iraqi refugees in Gulf states: 200,000

Source: Brookings Institute, UNHCR

Education

Primary enrollment in 2007: 46 percent UNICEF, Ministry of Education

Inadequate facilities across the country made it hard for students to learn, with classes interrupted by violence and displacement. Problems with electricity left many to study by hurricane lamps. Lack of air conditioning in class left many to swelter in heat. UNICEF

Girls make up an estimated 63 percent of children not in school, with more being kept from the classroom every day because of insecurity and rising social conservatism in many areas. UNICEF

220,000 children were displaced by the end of 2007 and a lack of proper documentation prevented re-enrollment in many areas adding to high drop-out rates of up to 5 percent for primary levels. UNICEF, Ministry of Education

At Baghdad University for the 2007-2008 school year, attendance improved to 80 percent and many teachers returned to instruct. Brookings Institute, Washington Post

Number of Iraqi teachers since March 2003: 450,000 Ministry of Education

Number of teachers nationwide now versus before the war is unknown, but a score of them have fled the country to escape violence. Michael O'Hanlon, Brookings Institute

Total number of schools nationwide: 15,021 schools. Ministry of Education

Shortage of schools: 496 Ministry of Education

Mud schools (schools without proper construction, made out of mud): 1,200 Ministry of Education

Iraq's Children

An estimated 2 million Iraqi children in Iraq continue to face threats including poor nutrition, disease and interrupted education. UNICEF

In 2007, only 40 percent of children nationwide had reliable access to safe drinking water, and only 20 percent outside Baghdad had a working sewage service. UNICEF

A report by WHO in March 2007 said 30 percent of Iraqi children were showing classic signs of anxiety and distress, including bed-wetting, poor concentration and violence. UNICEF