In 2023, the annual population growth in Iran did not change in comparison to the previous year. The annual population growth remained at 1.2 percent. Population growth refers to the annual change in population, and is based on the balance between birth and death rates, as well as migration.Find more key insights for the annual population growth in countries like Israel and Oman.

This statistic shows the age structure of Iran inhabitants from 2013 to 2023. In 2023, about 22.84 percent of inhabitants were aged 0 to 14 years, while approximately 69.25 percent were aged 15 to 64, and 7.92 percent of Iran inhabitants were aged 65 or older.

In 1800, the population of the modern-day territory of Iran was approximately 6.3 million. This figure would see modest growth throughout the 19th century, as several wars and a mass famine in 1870-1871 (modern estimates put its death toll at around 1.5 million people) were largely balanced out by a surge in migration to Iran; this migration came as the Russian Empire expanded into the Caucuses, and caused a wave of refugees to flee southwards to avoid forced expulsion and ethnic cleansing in the North Caucasus region, particularly from 1864 onwards. As a result, the population of Iran reached ten million by the turn of the 20th century.

Twentieth century growth Iran’s population would begin to grow rapidly in the 20th century, as the discovery of oil in the country in 1908 led to an economic boom, and the socio-economic reforms implemented under Reza Shah would see a number of medical and healthcare advancements across the country. Although unpopular with religious fundamentalists, Reza Shah's reforms had long-term influence on the demographic development of Iran, even after his abdication in 1941. Following the Second World War, Iran became increasingly westernized and developed relatively strong relations with the U.S.; however, western influence, economic imbalances and the oppression of the Mohammed Reza Shah's regime became the driving forces behind the Iranian Revolution, which was one of the most significant moments in the history of the region.

Growth after the Revolution The 1979 Iranian Revolution saw the removal of the Shah and an end to Iran's so called westernization; the monarchy was replaced by an Islamic, theocratic regime led by the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. During Khomeini's decade in charge he oversaw Iran's transition into an Islamic Republic, which implemented radical political and cultural changes in the country, and this coincided with an increased population growth rate in the 1980s. This growth was promoted by the Iranian government, who encouraged a baby boom during the Iran–Iraq War between 1980 and 1988, as part of an effort to increase future Iranian military manpower. As a result of this strategy, the population of Iran would grow from approximately 38.6 million in 1980 to over 56 million just a decade later. Following the implementation of a UN-brokered ceasefire in 1988, population growth in Iran would slow, as economic sanctions and government implementation of family planning policies would lead to a drop in fertility. Population growth has continued steadily into the 21st century, however, and in 2020, Iran is estimated to have a population of 84 million.

Total current population for Iran in 2025 is 90,410,659, a 0.67% increase from 2024.

<ul style='margin-top:20px;'>

<li>Total population for Iran in 2024 was <strong>89,809,781</strong>, a <strong>0.88% decline</strong> from 2023.</li>
<li>Total population for Iran in 2023 was <strong>90,608,707</strong>, a <strong>1.21% increase</strong> from 2022.</li>
<li>Total population for Iran in 2022 was <strong>89,524,246</strong>, a <strong>1.21% increase</strong> from 2021.</li>
</ul>Total population is based on the de facto definition of population, which counts all residents regardless of legal status or citizenship. The values shown are midyear estimates.

The total population in Iran was estimated at 86.0 million people in 2024, according to the latest census figures and projections from Trading Economics. This dataset provides - Iran Population - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Iran IR: Population: Male: Ages 20-24: % of Male Population data was reported at 7.940 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 8.452 % for 2016. Iran IR: Population: Male: Ages 20-24: % of Male Population data is updated yearly, averaging 8.854 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 12.870 % in 2007 and a record low of 6.776 % in 1966. Iran IR: Population: Male: Ages 20-24: % of Male Population data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Iran – Table IR.World Bank: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Male population between the ages 20 to 24 as a percentage of the total male population.; ; World Bank staff estimates based on age/sex distributions of United Nations Population Division's World Population Prospects: 2017 Revision.; ;

Population ages 0-14 (% of total population) in Iran was reported at 22.84 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Iran - Population ages 0-14 (% of total) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on May of 2025.

Population ages 20-24, female (% of female population) in Iran was reported at 6.3548 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Iran - Population ages 20-24, female (% of female population) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on May of 2025.

In 2020, around 98.5 percent of the Iranian population identified as Muslim. Around 81 percent identified as Shia Muslims in the same year, while a much smaller share followed the Sunni Muslim religion. In Iran, most Sunni Muslims belong to ethnic minority groups.

Iran’s demographics
The total population in Iran has grown steadily and is expected to surpass 90 million in 2028. The vast majority of the population in the country was between 15 and 64 years of age. At the same time, the share of people aged above 64 increased in recent years and constituted over seven percent of the total population.

Muslim population worldwide

In Europe, it was estimated that the Muslim population could triple by the middle of the century. In Southeast Asia, Indonesia had the largest share of Muslims as a proportion of its population. On the African continent, the highest number of Muslims was estimated in Nigeria, with close to a hundred million Islam followers. In the United States, less than one percent of the population identified as Muslims.

Iran population growth rate for 2023 was 1.20%, a 0% increase from 2022.

<ul style='margin-top:20px;'>

<li>Iran population growth rate for 2022 was <strong>1.20%</strong>, a <strong>0.37% increase</strong> from 2021.</li>
<li>Iran population growth rate for 2021 was <strong>0.83%</strong>, a <strong>0.06% increase</strong> from 2020.</li>
<li>Iran population growth rate for 2020 was <strong>0.77%</strong>, a <strong>0.31% decline</strong> from 2019.</li>
</ul>Annual population growth rate for year t is the exponential rate of growth of midyear population from year t-1 to t, expressed as a percentage . Population is based on the de facto definition of population, which counts all residents regardless of legal status or citizenship.

IR: Population: as % of Total: Female data was reported at 49.711 % in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 49.694 % for 2016. IR: Population: as % of Total: Female data is updated yearly, averaging 48.973 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 49.711 % in 2017 and a record low of 48.448 % in 1979. IR: Population: as % of Total: Female data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Iran – Table IR.World Bank: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Female population is the percentage of the population that is female. Population is based on the de facto definition of population, which counts all residents regardless of legal status or citizenship.; ; World Bank staff estimates based on age/sex distributions of United Nations Population Division's World Population Prospects: 2017 Revision.; Weighted average;

Population, female in Iran was reported at 44547105 Persons in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Iran - Population, female - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on June of 2025.

IR: Population: Female: Ages 70-74: % of Female Population data was reported at 1.256 % in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 1.209 % for 2016. IR: Population: Female: Ages 70-74: % of Female Population data is updated yearly, averaging 1.095 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1.411 % in 2005 and a record low of 0.789 % in 1986. IR: Population: Female: Ages 70-74: % of Female Population data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Iran – Table IR.World Bank: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Female population between the ages 70 to 74 as a percentage of the total female population.; ; World Bank staff estimates based on age/sex distributions of United Nations Population Division's World Population Prospects: 2017 Revision.; ;

Population ages 0-14, female in Iran was reported at 10057576 Persons in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Iran - Population ages 0-14, female - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on June of 2025.

Rural population (% of total population) in Iran was reported at 22.74 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Iran - Rural population - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on June of 2025.

Chart and table of population level and growth rate for the Shiraz, Iran metro area from 1950 to 2025.

Chart and table of population level and growth rate for the Esfahan, Iran metro area from 1950 to 2025.

IR: Population: as % of Total: Male: Aged 0-14 data was reported at 24.001 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 24.010 % for 2016. IR: Population: as % of Total: Male: Aged 0-14 data is updated yearly, averaging 43.340 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 46.131 % in 1988 and a record low of 23.711 % in 2011. IR: Population: as % of Total: Male: Aged 0-14 data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Iran – Table IR.World Bank: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Male population between the ages 0 to 14 as a percentage of the total male population. Population is based on the de facto definition of population.; ; World Bank staff estimates based on age/sex distributions of United Nations Population Division's World Population Prospects: 2017 Revision.; Weighted average;

UNICEF's country profile for Iran (Islamic Republic of), including under-five mortality rates, child health, education and sanitation data.

Population ages 30-34, female (% of female population) in Iran was reported at 9.11 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Iran - Population ages 30-34, female (% of female population) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on June of 2025.