Tens of thousands of Iraqis have been killed since a U.S.-led invasion toppled the country's leader Saddam Hussein in 2003.

Some have died in a sectarian conflict, others in an insurgency aimed at ousting foreign troops and overthrowing the government.

More than 4 million Iraqis are displaced - around half of them have fled abroad, mostly to Syria and Jordan.

Kidnappings and suicide bombings have also driven out many international organisations and aid workers have been abducted and killed.

Before the invasion, Iraqis had suffered decades of dictatorship, wars and international sanctions, all of which crippled its economy and shattered its infrastructure.

The invasion brought an end to sanctions and paved the way for elections and a new constitution. Billions of aid dollars have poured in to rebuild the country but the dire security situation and corruption have hampered reconstruction.

Deaths since invasion
Civilians killed by military intervention (estimates vary)	See Iraq Body Count*, a running tally based on media reports and morgue data
	600,000 estimate for violent deaths 2003-2006, according to U.S. researchers from Johns Hopkins University
	151,000 estimate for violent deaths 2003-2006, according to a U.N. World Health Organisation survey
	1.03 million estimated killed as a result of conflict, according to a survey by British polling agency Opinion Research Business
Displaced
Internally displaced	2.8 million (IDMC estimate, March 2008)
Displaced outside Iraq	2.2 million (UNHCR estimate, September 2007)
Child mortality
Under five mortality rate 1990	50 per 1,000 live births (UNICEF)
Under five mortality rate 2005	125 per 1,000 live births (UNICEF State of the World's Children report)
Infant mortality rate 1990	40 per 1,000 live births (UNICEF)
Infant mortality rate 2005	102 per 1,000 live births (UNICEF State of the World's Children)

* Iraq Body Count is run by academics and peace activists who keep track of deaths reported in the media. The IBC says the figure underestimates the true number.