In 2023, the annual population growth in Iran amounted to 1.2 percent. Between 1961 and 2023, the figure dropped by 1.81 percentage points, though the decline followed an uneven course rather than a steady trajectory.

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.

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.

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.

IR: Population: Growth data was reported at 1.097 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 1.149 % for 2016. 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. 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;

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.

Iran IR: Population: Male: Ages 0-4: % of Male Population data was reported at 8.415 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 8.627 % for 2016. Iran IR: Population: Male: Ages 0-4: % of Male Population data is updated yearly, averaging 16.674 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 18.983 % in 1986 and a record low of 7.840 % in 2005. Iran IR: Population: Male: Ages 0-4: % 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 0 to 4 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.; ;

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.

Population ages 50-54, male (% of male population) in Iran was reported at 5.8771 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Iran - Population ages 50-54, male (% of male population) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on September of 2025.

Population ages 0-14, male (% of male population) in Iran was reported at 22.69 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Iran - Population ages 0-14, male (% of total) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on August of 2025.

Iran: Population size, in millions: The latest value from 2024 is 91.57 million, an increase from 90.61 million in 2023. In comparison, the world average is 41.28 million, based on data from 196 countries. Historically, the average for Iran from 1960 to 2024 is 56.49 million. The minimum value, 21.47 million, was reached in 1960 while the maximum of 91.57 million was recorded in 2024.

Population ages 15-19, female (% of female population) in Iran was reported at 6.8706 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Iran - Population ages 15-19, female (% of female population) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on September of 2025.

Graph and download economic data for Population Growth for the Islamic Republic of Iran (SPPOPGROWIRN) from 1961 to 2024 about Iran, population, and rate.

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;

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 September of 2025.

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

Historical dataset showing total population for Iran by year from 1950 to 2025.

Population growth rate of Iran dropped by 12.56% from 1.2 % in 2023 to 1.1 % in 2024. Since the 44.52% jump in 2022, population growth rate slumped by 12.33% in 2024. 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--except for refugees not permanently settled in the country of asylum, who are generally considered part of the population of the country of origin.

Population ages 20-24, male (% of male population) in Iran was reported at 6.3989 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Iran - Population ages 20-24, male (% of male population) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on September of 2025.

Population ages 0-14, female in Iran was reported at 9989107 Persons in 2024, 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 September of 2025.