The Right to Water in Iraq in Light of Climate Change
Please click here to download the full report.
Introduction
Water is one of the fundamental rights recognized by international conventions, as it is an essential element for a decent life and for sustainable development. The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has affirmed that “the right to water is indispensable for leading a life in human dignity. It is a prerequisite for the realization of other human rights” (United Nations, 2003), emphasizing the need to provide sufficient, safe, and affordable water for personal and domestic uses.
Although historically known as Mesopotamia due to its near-total dependence on the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers, which account for approximately 93–98% of its water resources (Iraq Energy Institute, 2018), Iraq faces significant challenges. These are due to its arid climate, the scarcity of other water resources, declining river flows caused by climate change and hydrological projects in upstream countries, as well as population growth and increased demand from the agricultural and industrial sectors. Since Iraq is a downstream country, it has faced serious challenges in managing water resources and ensuring fair and efficient distribution.
The Tigris and Euphrates basins are shared by six countries (Turkey, Iran, Syria, Iraq, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia). The Tigris River originates in Turkey and Iran, while the Euphrates River originates in Turkey and is partially fed by Syria and Iraq. The two rivers then meet in northern Basra Governorate to form the Shatt al-Arab River, which eventually flows into the Arabian Gulf.
The Tigris River originates in southeastern Turkey, with Turkey contributing approximately 51% of its water, while Iran contributes 10%. The Euphrates River is formed by the confluence of the Karasu and Murat rivers in Turkey, with Turkey, Syria, and Iraq contributing approximately 88%, 10%, and 2% of its water, respectively (Al-Asadi & Alhello, 2019).
Iraq has experienced significant population growth since the 1970s. The population increased from 12.4 million in 1978 to 45.4 million in 2024 (Central Statistical Organization, 2024). It is projected to reach 60 million by 2035 (Iraq Energy Institute, 2018).
Thus, demographically, Iraq witnessed a significant population surge during the aforementioned period. Coupled with agricultural and industrial expansion, this growth placed unprecedented pressure on water resources. In 1990, the total water withdrawal reached approximately 42.8 km³, of which 92% was allocated to agriculture, 3% to domestic use, and 5% to the industrial sector (Iraq Energy Institute, 2018). During the 2022-2023 period, it decreased to 33.1 km³ (Table 1) as a result of the decreased freshwater flow in rivers. The water use was redistributed as follows: 61% for agriculture, 20% for domestic uses, 7% for industry, and 12% for environmental uses (Central Statistical Organization, 2024).
