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.

In 2026, the population of Iran was approximately 88.4 million, compared with 39.3 million in 1980. 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.

Employment to population ratio, ages 15-24, male (%) (national estimate) in Iran was reported at 29.13 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Iran - Employment to population ratio, ages 15-24, male (national estimate) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on March of 2026.

Key information about Iran population

• The Iran population reached 85.3 million people in Mar 2024, compared with the previously reported figure of 84.7 million people in Mar 2023
• The data reached an all-time high of 85.3 million people in Mar 2024 and a record low of 16.4 million people in Mar 1950

*This indicator will be no longer available from March 2026, 4th onwards. CEIC has a plan to remove the non-standard frequency indicator after the standard frequency indicator has been added and be available on this table. CEIC extends history for annual Population. The Statistical Center of Iran provides Population. Population prior to 1957 is a Mid-year estimate sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. Population is in annual frequency, ending in March of each year

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.

About this dataset

Context

This list ranks the 14 cities in the Alameda County, CA by Iranian population, as estimated by the United States Census Bureau. It also highlights population changes in each city over the past five years.

Content

When available, the data consists of estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, including:

• 2019-2023 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates
• 2014-2018 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates
• 2009-2013 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates

Variables / Data Columns

• Rank by Iranian Population: This column displays the rank of city in the Alameda County, CA by their Iranian population, using the most recent ACS data available.
• City: The City for which the rank is shown in the previous column.
• Iranian Population: The Iranian population of the city is shown in this column.
• % of Total City Population: This shows what percentage of the total city population identifies as Iranian. Please note that the sum of all percentages may not equal one due to rounding of values.
• % of Total Alameda County Iranian Population: This tells us how much of the entire Alameda County, CA Iranian population lives in that city. Please note that the sum of all percentages may not equal one due to rounding of values.
• 5 Year Rank Trend: This column displays the rank trend across the last 5 years.

Good to know

Margin of Error

Data in the dataset are based on the estimates and are subject to sampling variability and thus a margin of error. Neilsberg Research recommends using caution when presening these estimates in your research.

Custom data

If you do need custom data for any of your research project, report or presentation, you can contact our research staff at research@neilsberg.com for a feasibility of a custom tabulation on a fee-for-service basis.

Inspiration

Neilsberg Research Team curates, analyze and publishes demographics and economic data from a variety of public and proprietary sources, each of which often includes multiple surveys and programs. The large majority of Neilsberg Research aggregated datasets and insights is made available for free download at https://www.neilsberg.com/research/.

Employment to population ratio, 15+, total (%) (national estimate) in Iran was reported at 37.61 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Iran - Employment to population ratio, 15+, total (national estimate) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on April of 2026.

Employment to population ratio, ages 15-24, total (%) (national estimate) in Iran was reported at 18.24 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Iran - Employment to population ratio, ages 15-24, total (national estimate) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on March of 2026.

Employment to population ratio, 15+, male (%) (national estimate) in Iran was reported at 63.21 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Iran - Employment to population ratio, 15+, male (national estimate) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on February of 2026.

Employment to population ratio, 15+, total (%) (modeled ILO estimate) in Iran was reported at 36.54 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Iran - Employment to population ratio, 15+, total - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on April of 2026.

Employment to population ratio, ages 15-24, female (%) (national estimate) in Iran was reported at 6.356 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Iran - Employment to population ratio, ages 15-24, female (national estimate) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on April of 2026.

Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+) (national estimate) in Iran was reported at 40.94 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Iran - Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+) (national estimate) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on April of 2026.

Employment to population ratio, ages 15-24, total (%) (modeled ILO estimate) in Iran was reported at 16.92 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Iran - Employment to population ratio, ages 15-24, total - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on February of 2026.

Employment to population ratio, ages 15-24, female (%) (modeled ILO estimate) in Iran was reported at 5.126 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Iran - Employment to population ratio, ages 15-24, female - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on February of 2026.

Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages 15+) (national estimate) in Iran was reported at 14.21 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Iran - Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages 15+) (national estimate) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on February of 2026.

Labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15+) (modeled ILO estimate) in Iran was reported at 66.33 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Iran - Labor participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15+) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on March of 2026.