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.

Population density (people per sq. km of land area) in Iran was reported at 55.18 sq. Km in 2022, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Iran - Population density (people per sq. km) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

This statistic shows Iran's total population from 2020 to 2022, with projections up until 2030. In 2022, the total population of Iran amounted to approximately 84.9 million inhabitants. The population of Iran Iran is the second largest nation in the Middle East and one of the founding members of the United Nations, NAM, OIC and OPEC. With a rapidly growing total population of just under 78 million inhabitants, it is the world’s seventeenth most populous nation. Iran’s total population has grown by 10 million inhabitants over the past decade. In 2010, Iran’s population grew by around 1.6 percent in comparison to the previous year, which is partially due to due the high fertility rate. In 2010, the fertility rate of Iran was at almost 2 percent. Surprisingly, Iran does not have a high life expectancy. In 2010, the life expectancy in Iran was just 73 years. Looking at the age structure of Iran's population shows that the vast majority, more than 71 percent of Iran inhabitants, were aged between 15 and 64 the same year, while only around 5.2 percent of the population in Iran were aged over 65. Therefore, it is assumed that the growing total population is due to an increase in the young population in Iran and immigrants. People migrating from surrounding countries, such as Afghanistan and Iraq, have increased Iran’s total population drastically.

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.

Iran IR: Population Density: People per Square Km data was reported at 49.831 Person/sq km in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 49.287 Person/sq km for 2016. Iran IR: Population Density: People per Square Km data is updated yearly, averaging 33.631 Person/sq km from Dec 1961 (Median) to 2017, with 57 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 49.831 Person/sq km in 2017 and a record low of 13.802 Person/sq km in 1961. Iran IR: Population Density: People per Square Km 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.WDI: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Population density is midyear population divided by land area in square kilometers. Population is based on the de facto definition of population, which counts all residents regardless of legal status or citizenship--except for refugees not permanently settled in the country of asylum, who are generally considered part of the population of their country of origin. Land area is a country's total area, excluding area under inland water bodies, national claims to continental shelf, and exclusive economic zones. In most cases the definition of inland water bodies includes major rivers and lakes.; ; Food and Agriculture Organization and World Bank population estimates.; Weighted average;

Comprehensive socio-economic dataset for Iran including population demographics, economic indicators, geographic data, and social statistics. This dataset covers key metrics such as GDP, population density, area, capital city, and regional classifications.

Iran IR: Population: Growth data was reported at 1.097 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 1.149 % for 2016. Iran IR: Population: Growth data is updated yearly, averaging 2.590 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 4.120 % in 1983 and a record low of 1.097 % in 2017. Iran IR: Population: Growth 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.WDI: Population and Urbanization Statistics. 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.; ; Derived from total population. Population source: (1) United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects: 2017 Revision, (2) Census reports and other statistical publications from national statistical offices, (3) Eurostat: Demographic Statistics, (4) United Nations Statistical Division. Population and Vital Statistics Reprot (various years), (5) U.S. Census Bureau: International Database, and (6) Secretariat of the Pacific Community: Statistics and Demography Programme.; Weighted average;

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.

Iran IR: Population in Largest City: as % of Urban Population data was reported at 14.543 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 14.614 % for 2016. Iran IR: Population in Largest City: as % of Urban Population data is updated yearly, averaging 20.827 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 28.600 % in 1976 and a record low of 14.543 % in 2017. Iran IR: Population in Largest City: as % of Urban 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.WDI: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Population in largest city is the percentage of a country's urban population living in that country's largest metropolitan area.; ; United Nations, World Urbanization Prospects.; Weighted average;

Iran: Population density, people per square km: The latest value from 2021 is 54 people per square km, unchanged from 54 people per square km in 2020. In comparison, the world average is 456 people per square km, based on data from 196 countries. Historically, the average for Iran from 1961 to 2021 is 33 people per square km. The minimum value, 13 people per square km, was reached in 1961 while the maximum of 54 people per square km was recorded in 2020.

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

Iran IR: Urban Population: % of Total Population data was reported at 74.394 % in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 73.880 % for 2016. Iran IR: Urban Population: % of Total Population data is updated yearly, averaging 55.525 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 74.394 % in 2017 and a record low of 33.735 % in 1960. Iran IR: Urban Population: % of Total 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.WDI: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Urban population refers to people living in urban areas as defined by national statistical offices. The data are collected and smoothed by United Nations Population Division.; ; United Nations Population Division. World Urbanization Prospects: 2018 Revision.; Weighted average;

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 June of 2025.

Population ages 30-34, female (% of female population) in Iran was reported at 8.6377 % in 2024, 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 July of 2025.

Population, female (% of total population) in Iran was reported at 49.16 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Iran - Population, female (% of total) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on June of 2025.

Graph and download economic data for Population, Total for Islamic Republic of Iran (POPTOTIRA647NWDB) from 1960 to 2024 about Iran and population.

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

Rural population (% of total population) in Iran was reported at 22.3 % in 2024, 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 July of 2025.

Iran IR: Urban Population data was reported at 60,380,245.000 Person in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 59,308,964.000 Person for 2016. Iran IR: Urban Population data is updated yearly, averaging 29,945,168.500 Person from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 60,380,245.000 Person in 2017 and a record low of 7,390,294.000 Person in 1960. Iran IR: Urban 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.WDI: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Urban population refers to people living in urban areas as defined by national statistical offices. It is calculated using World Bank population estimates and urban ratios from the United Nations World Urbanization Prospects. Aggregation of urban and rural population may not add up to total population because of different country coverages.; ; World Bank staff estimates based on the United Nations Population Division's World Urbanization Prospects: 2018 Revision.; Sum;

Abstract

The 2011 census was the seventh national population and housing census of the country which was conducted on October 24, 2011 throughout Iran.

By providing correct statistics and information on the size, structure, and characteristics of Iran’s population, this census serves as an appropriate tool for the country’s planners, policymakers, and officials in the process of designing and implementing social, economic, and cultural programs. Furthermore, this census as one of the fundamental activities in the country’s statistical system provides essential frameworks for future in-depth analysis and surveys within the areas of population and household.

A total of almost 114,000 enumerators and trained supervisors and logistic staff participated in this national event which lasted from October 24 to November 13, 2011 in 31 provinces, 1,143 cities, and 96,459 settlements2; the census was the product of over two years of intense preparatory technical activities in the SCI in coordination with Iran’s executive institutions and General Governs. To gain assurance of appropriate implementation, two pilot censuses were conducted in 2009 (30 provinces) and 2010 (four provinces) and the questionnaires and the execution modalities and methods of the census were finalized and adopted by the National Census Committee based on the conclusion and lessons learnt from these two pilot studies.

Geographic coverage

National coverage

Analysis unit

Household

Kind of data

Census/enumeration data [cen]

Mode of data collection

Face-to-face [f2f]

Research instrument

The census forms are designed to collect items for different purposes. Four forms have been used in the 1390 Census: - Form 1. Listing - Form 2. The household Questionnaire - Form 3. The institutional Household Questionnaire - Form 4. Village Profile

Form 2 (the Household Questionnaire and Form 3 (The Institutional Household Questionnaire) Information on the private settled, private unsettled and collective households is collected through Form 2. Household Questionnaire and information on the institutional households through Form 3. Institutional Household Questionnaire. Due to the similarity between the two forms and their significance in the Census process their contents are reviewed and described in this part.

Cleaning operations

The data collected through each census or survey may be accompanied by some missing or inconsistent data. Such errors might be caused by the respondent’s wrong or inadequate response or during the data processing. Thus, to be centain about the consistency of the data produced, the Edit and Imputation Committee is established. This Committee, in addition to cleaning the data, is required to identify errors and to reduce them in the first stages of enumeration and to introduce instruments to achieve this purpose. Some of these instruments can be manpowers such as editing clerks in provinces and other instruments like machine-based editing.

The Committee should also apply some methods to identify quality data at the earliest time possible. The Committee’s objectives on the whole are: a. To analyse the topics and types of errors in previous censuses technically. b. To study the methods used in previous censuses, and the methods used in other countries in the past with a look at future. c. To determine the range of edit and imputation and to select the best and the most efficient methodology for Census Edit and Imputation.