Beneath the intricate patterns of Persian carpets lies a nation of nearly 88.6 million people, a modern society where a youthful, urban majority is navigating a profound demographic shift, economic pressures, and a rich cultural heritage in one of the world's most geopolitically significant regions.
Key Takeaways
- Iran's total population as of July 2023 is estimated at 88,550,570 people
- Iran's population growth rate for 2023 is 0.70%, reflecting a slowdown due to declining fertility rates
- Median age in Iran is 32.4 years as of 2023, with males at 31.7 years and females at 33.2 years
- Iran's GDP (PPP) in 2023 is estimated at $1,743,000,000,000
- GDP per capita (PPP) in Iran is $20,000 for 2023 estimate
- Real GDP growth rate in Iran is 3.8% for 2023 estimate
- Total land area of Iran is 1,648,195 sq km
- Land area of Iran is 1,531,595 sq km, water 116,600 sq km in 2023
- Comparative area Iran is slightly smaller than Alaska
- Dependency to Iran Islamic Republic established 1979
- Government type theocratic republic Iran
- Capital Tehran location 35 42 N, 51 25 E Iran
- Literacy rate 86.8% 15+ years 2021 Iran
- School enrollment primary net 99.6% 2020 Iran
- Secondary school enrollment 86.5% 2020 Iran
Iran has a large urban population that is aging, with declining birth rates and economic challenges.
Demographics
- Iran's total population as of July 2023 is estimated at 88,550,570 people
- Iran's population growth rate for 2023 is 0.70%, reflecting a slowdown due to declining fertility rates
- Median age in Iran is 32.4 years as of 2023, with males at 31.7 years and females at 33.2 years
- Iran's total fertility rate is 1.66 children per woman in 2023, below replacement level
- Life expectancy at birth in Iran is 76.5 years overall, 74.8 for males and 78.3 for females in 2023
- Urban population in Iran constitutes 77.3% of the total population as of 2023
- Iran's largest city, Tehran, has a population of approximately 9,350,000 in its metropolitan area as of 2023
- Ethnic Persians make up 61% of Iran's population, with Azerbaijanis at 16%, Kurds at 10%, and others, per 2023 estimates
- Official language Farsi (Persian) is spoken by 53%, with Azerbaijani 16%, Kurdish 10%, and others
- Muslims comprise 99.4% of Iran's population, with Shi'a 90-95% and Sunni 5-10% as of 2023
- Net migration rate for Iran is -2.7 migrant(s)/1,000 population in 2023
- Dependency ratio in Iran is 39.3% as of 2023, with child dependency at 25.2% and old age at 14.1%
- Population density of Iran is 57 people per sq km as of 2023
- Iran's sex ratio at birth is 1.05 male(s)/female, overall 1.03 male(s)/female in 2023
- Literacy rate for population aged 15+ in Iran is 89.4% overall, 93.1% for males, 85.8% for females as of 2023
- Iran's population pyramid shows a contracting base with aging population, major age group 25-54 years at 44.2% in 2023
- Approximately 1.5 million Afghan refugees reside in Iran as of 2023 estimates
- Iran's youth unemployment rate for ages 15-24 is 24.5% as of 2022
- Maternal mortality ratio in Iran is 16.5 deaths/100,000 live births as of 2020
- Infant mortality rate is 14.5 deaths/1,000 live births in Iran for 2023
- Iran's major cities include Mashhad with 3,001,184, Isfahan 1,961,260, Karaj 1,649,870 as of 2016 census adjusted to 2023
- Zoroastrians number about 25,000, Christians 117,700, Jews 8,500, Baha'is 300,000 in Iran per 2023 estimates
- School life expectancy in Iran is 14 years overall, 14 for boys, 14 for girls as of 2023
- Iran's population below poverty line is 18.7% as of 2021 estimates
- Age structure 0-14 years: 23.7%, 15-64: 69.7%, 65+: 6.6% in 2023
- Drinking water access in Iran is 97.7% improved as of 2020
- Sanitation facilities access is 91.1% improved in Iran as of 2020
- Obesity rate among adults in Iran is 25.8% as of 2016
- HIV/AIDS prevalence rate is less than 0.1% in Iran as of 2023
- Suicide rate is 5.2 per 100,000 population in Iran as of 2019
Demographics Interpretation
Iran is a nation of 88 million predominantly young and urban citizens, paradoxically brimming with youthful energy yet graying at the temples, as its fertility has dipped below replacement level while its cities swell and its educated youth face stubborn unemployment.
Economy
- Iran's GDP (PPP) in 2023 is estimated at $1,743,000,000,000
- GDP per capita (PPP) in Iran is $20,000 for 2023 estimate
- Real GDP growth rate in Iran is 3.8% for 2023 estimate
- Inflation rate (consumer prices) in Iran is 43.5% for 2023 estimate
- Unemployment rate in Iran is 9.1% for 2023 estimate
- Public debt in Iran is 30.6% of GDP as of 2023 estimate
- Iran's budget revenues are $144.8 billion and expenditures $220.4 billion for 2023 est.
- Current account balance in Iran is $18.53 billion for 2023 est.
- Exports in Iran totaled $113.6 billion in 2022, mainly petroleum 80%
- Imports in Iran were $57.65 billion in 2022, including machinery and metals
- Oil production in Iran averaged 3.107 million bbl/day in 2022
- Proven oil reserves in Iran are 157.2 billion barrels as of 2023, 4th globally
- Natural gas production is 256.7 billion cu m in 2022, 3rd largest producer
- Proven natural gas reserves are 33.99 trillion cu m, 2nd largest in 2023
- Labor force in Iran is 28.48 million in 2023 est.
- Labor force by occupation: agriculture 16.3%, industry 35.1%, services 48.6% in 2014 est.
- Distribution of family income Gini index 40.0 in 2010 est. for Iran
- Taxes and other revenues are 16.5% of GDP in Iran 2023 est.
- Central bank discount rate is 20% in Iran as of 2023
- Commercial bank prime lending rate is 18.6% in Iran 2022 est.
- Stock of narrow money M1 is $52.47 billion in Iran Dec 2021
- Stock of quasi-liquid assets M2 is $463.6 billion Dec 2021 for Iran
- Exchange rate 420,000 rials per US$ as of Jan 2024 for Iran
- External debt is $10.3 billion for Iran in 2021 est.
- Remittances received are $1.63 billion 1.7% of GDP in 2022 for Iran
- Electricity production is 337 billion kWh in 2021 for Iran
- Electricity consumption 290 billion kWh in 2021 Iran
- Steel production 30 million metric tons in 2022 Iran
- Automobile production 1.2 million vehicles in 2022 Iran
- Tourism receipts $4.5 billion pre-COVID in 2019 Iran
- GDP composition by sector agriculture 9.5%, industry 33.7%, services 56.8% 2023 est. Iran
- Agriculture products wheat, rice, sugar beets, fruits, nuts, pistachios Iran 2023
- Industries oil, petrochemicals, gas, fertilizers, steel Iran 2023
Economy Interpretation
Iran possesses the colossal natural wealth and industrial heft of an economic superpower, yet its people are trapped in a daily struggle against runaway prices, as the state's heavy reliance on oil exports leaves its vast potential languishing under the weight of mismanagement and international isolation.
Geography
- Total land area of Iran is 1,648,195 sq km
- Land area of Iran is 1,531,595 sq km, water 116,600 sq km in 2023
- Comparative area Iran is slightly smaller than Alaska
- Coastline length of Iran is 2,440 km
- Maritime claims territorial sea 12 nm, contiguous zone 24 nm, exclusive economic zone bilateral agreements or median line Iran
- Climate in Iran mostly arid or semiarid, subtropical along Caspian coast
- Terrain of Iran rugged mountainous rim with high central basin, deserts in central
- Elevation extremes lowest point Caspian Sea -28 m, highest Damavand 5,610 m Iran
- Natural resources petroleum, natural gas, coal, chromium, copper Iran 2023
- Land use arable land 9.1%, permanent crops 1.3%, permanent pasture 25.6%, forest 6.8%, other 57.2% Iran 2018
- Irrigated land 79,000 sq km in Iran 2018 est.
- Renewable water resources 82.5 billion cu m 2020 Iran
- Natural hazards periodic droughts, floods, dust storms, earthquakes Iran
- Volcanism Damavand last eruption 7550 BCE Iran
- Current environment issues water pollution, access to water, soil degradation, air pollution Iran
- Major rivers Karun, Karkheh, Sefid Rud Iran
- Major lakes Urmia (shrinking), Vanern (Caspian part), Namak Iran
- Deserts Dasht-e Kavir, Dasht-e Lut among world's hottest Iran
- Mountain ranges Alborz, Zagros dominate Iran's topography
- Caspian Sea coast humid subtropical, Persian Gulf arid hot Iran
- Annual precipitation averages 250 mm, varies from 50 mm in deserts to 1,800 mm Caspian Iran
- Protected areas cover 11% of land, 24 national parks in Iran 2023
- Biodiversity 8,000 plant species, 1,800 terrestrial vertebrates Iran
- Persian Gulf exclusive economic zone 168,000 sq km Iran
- Caspian Sea area 371,000 sq km, Iran controls 13% southern shore
- Average temperature Tehran 17.5°C annual, summer 30°C, winter 5°C Iran
- Extreme temperature record 70.7°C in Lut Desert July 1918 Iran
- Soil erosion rate high due to overgrazing, deforestation Iran
- Carbon dioxide emissions 712 million metric tons 2018 Iran
- Forest area 6.69% of land 2020 Iran
- Mean annual rainfall 228 mm Iran
- Border length total 5,894 km Iran
- Time zone UTC+3:30 Iran
- Extreme points north 39°44'N, south 25°04'N, east 63°19'E, west 48°03'E Iran
Geography Interpretation
Iran is a nation of dramatic extremes—where scalding deserts that have recorded some of Earth's highest temperatures coexist with snow-capped peaks, yet it faces an equally stark reality where precious water resources are perpetually strained by aridity and human activity.
Politics
- Dependency to Iran Islamic Republic established 1979
- Government type theocratic republic Iran
- Capital Tehran location 35 42 N, 51 25 E Iran
- Administrative divisions 31 provinces ostanhayi Iran 2023
- Independence 1 April 1979 Islamic Republic of Iran
- National holiday Islamic Republic Day 1 April 1979 Iran
- Constitution 24 December 1975, amended 1989 Iran
- Legal system religious law mixed with civil law Iran
- Citizenship by birth no, by descent yes Iran
- Suffrage age 18 years universal Iran
- Executive branch Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei since 1989 Iran
- President Ebrahim Raisi elected 2021 Iran
- Cabinet Council of Ministers Iran
- Legislature unicameral Islamic Consultative Assembly 290 seats Iran
- Judicial Guardian Council 12 members Iran
- Political parties loosely organized reformists and conservatives Iran
- Election results legislative last held 2024 Iran
- Head of government President Iran
- Ambassador to US none Tehran closed 1980 Iran
- International organization membership FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IFAD, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, SCO, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO observer Iran
- Flag description three equal horizontal bands green white red alluding to Islam peace valor Iran
- National symbol Persian lion gazelle lion emblem Iran
- National colors green white red Iran
- National anthem Sir-e Esalam Iran
- Human rights issues arbitrary arrest, torture, restrictions on freedoms Iran 2023
- Corruption perceptions index score 25/100 rank 149/180 in 2023 Iran
- Press freedom index rank 176/180 in 2023 Iran
- Military branches Army ARMY Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps IRGC Navy Basij Resistance Force Iran
- Military service age 18 voluntary compulsory if not enough volunteers Iran
- Military expenditures 2.06% of GDP 2022 Iran
Politics Interpretation
Despite its intricate web of administrative provinces and international memberships, Iran's 45-year-old theocratic system remains an entrenched fortress of clerical power, where elections are held but true sovereignty rests with the Supreme Leader, and where its vibrant national colors starkly contrast with its grim international rankings for human rights and press freedom.
Society
- Literacy rate 86.8% 15+ years 2021 Iran
- School enrollment primary net 99.6% 2020 Iran
- Secondary school enrollment 86.5% 2020 Iran
- Tertiary enrollment gross 70.1% 2021 Iran
- Physicians density 1.58 per 1,000 2020 Iran
- Hospital beds 1.3 beds/1,000 2011 Iran
- Improvement in health 100% 2020 Iran
- Cultural heritage 27 UNESCO World Heritage sites 2023 Iran
- Internet users 84% of population 71 million 2023 Iran
- Mobile cellular subscriptions 148 per 100 2022 Iran
- Newspapers daily circulation 0.1 per 100 2018 Iran
- Television sets 0.27 per 1,000 2012 Iran
- Homicide rate 2.3 per 100,000 2021 Iran
- Crime index score 48.7 moderate 2023 Iran
- Happiness index score 4.876 rank 101/137 2023 Iran
- Gender inequality index 0.463 rank 77 2022 Iran
- Women in parliament 5.8% 2023 Iran
- Female labor force participation 17.6% 2022 Iran
- Child marriage rate 17% girls before 18 2018 Iran
- Traditional sports zurkhaneh, varzesh-e bastani national Iran
- Cinema annual production 100+ films 2022 Iran
- Nobel laureates Shirin Ebadi Peace 2003, others in science Iran
- Public holidays Nowruz March 21, Islamic Revolution Feb 11 Iran
- Cuisine rice pilaf, kebabs, saffron national dishes Iran
- Music tar, setar traditional instruments Iran
- Poetry Ferdowsi Shahnameh epic 50,000 couplets Iran
- Museums 700+ Tehran National Museum oldest Iran
- Festivals Golestan Jasmine, Kish Tourism Iran
Society Interpretation
Iran presents a curious paradox: despite boasting near-universal literacy and vibrant cultural assets that would suggest a flourishing society, its starkly low female participation in politics and the workforce, combined with a national happiness score lingering near the bottom, paints a picture of a highly educated populace profoundly constrained by its own systemic inequalities.
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