Statistics of Catholic Church in Iraq

22 August, 2026

Donate Subscribe

Exaudi Staff

Leo XIV , Papal Trips

02 March, 2021

1 min

Statistics of Catholic Church in Iraq

As of December 31, 2019 (from Central Office for Church Statistics)

Exaudi photo

Here are the statistics of the Catholic Church in Iraq as of December 31, 2019 (from the Central Office for Church Statistics), released March 2, 2021, by the Vatican.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Cardinal Sandri: Pope in Iraq, ‘Hope for Martyred Church’

Table 1 – Population and ecclesiastical structure

Table 2 – People engaged in activities of the apostolate

Table 3 – Indicators of pastoral workload

Table 4 – Priestly vocations

Table 5 – Educational centers owned / managed by ecclesiastics or religious

Table 6 – Charitable and social centers owned / managed by ecclesiastics or religious

Table 1 – Population and ecclesiastical structure


Area (km²)	438,317
Population (in thousands)	38,836
Density (inhabitants/km²)	89
Catholics (in thousands)	590
Catholics per 100 inhabitants	1.5
Ecclesiastical circumscriptions	17
Parishes	122
Other pastoral centers	12
Catholics per pastoral center	4,406

Table 2 – People engaged in activities of the apostolate


Bishops¹	19
Diocesan priests	113
Religious priests	40
Total priests	153
Permanent deacons	20
Men religious (other than priests)	8
Professed women religious	365
Members of secular Institutes	–
Lay missionaries	4
Catechists	632

[1] Situation on 31.12.2020

Table 3 – Indicators of pastoral workload


Catholics per priest	3,856
Catholics per pastoral worker	491
Priests per pastoral center	1.14
Priests per 100 people engaged in activities of the apostolate	14.3

Table 4 – Priestly vocations


Minor seminarians	11
Major seminarians	32
Major seminarians per 100,000 inhabitants	0.08
Major seminarians per 100,000 Catholics	5.4
Major seminarians per 100 priests	20.9

Table 5 – Educational centers owned / managed by ecclesiastics or religious


Schools:
Pre-school and primary	55
Lower middle and secondary	4
Higher and university	9

Students in:
Pre-school and primary schools	5,464
Lower middle and secondary schools	770
Higher and university institutes	378

Table 6 – Charitable and social centers owned / managed by ecclesiastics or religious


Hospitals	7
Clinics	6
Leper colonies	–
Homes for the elderly and disabled	5
Orphanages and nurseries	10
Family consultation centers	1
Special centers of social education or rehabilitation	1
Other institutions	5

Exaudi Staff

What is Exaudi News? Exaudi News is an international Catholic media outlet that informs, shapes, and transforms daily in Spanish, English, and Italian. Through news, analytical articles, and live broadcasts of the Pope's events, Exaudi seeks to strengthen Christian unity and contribute to the evangelization of the world, always guided by the Church's social doctrine. We work to bring Christian truth and values to every corner of the planet. Help us transform the world with Exaudi! At Exaudi, we believe that evangelization and quality information can change lives. To continue our mission and expand our reach, we need your help. In addition, we are looking for committed people to join our team. With your support, we will reach more people, spread the message of Christ, and strengthen Christian unity. Will you join our mission? For more information on how to collaborate, visit Exaudi.org or contact us directly: [email protected] Exaudi: Informs, educates, and transforms.