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 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.

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.

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.; ;

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;

UIS: Percentage of population age 25+ with at least completed post-secondary education (ISCED 4 or higher). Female in Iran was reported at 22.89 % in 2016, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Iran - Percentage of population age 25+ with at least completed post-secondary education (ISCED 4 or higher). Female - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on June of 2025.

IR: Population: Female: Ages 80 and Above: % of Female Population data was reported at 0.940 % in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 0.918 % for 2016. IR: Population: Female: Ages 80 and Above: % of Female Population data is updated yearly, averaging 0.412 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 0.940 % in 2017 and a record low of 0.339 % in 1985. IR: Population: Female: Ages 80 and Above: % 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 80 and above 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 aged 0-14 years of Iran decreased by 1.65% from 23.2 % in 2022 to 22.8 % in 2023. Since the 0.28% upward trend in 2018, population aged 0-14 years fell by 4.69% in 2023. Population between the ages 0 to 14 as a percentage of the total population. Population is based on the de facto definition of population.

IR: Population: Male: Ages 45-49: % of Male Population data was reported at 6.078 % in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 6.033 % for 2016. IR: Population: Male: Ages 45-49: % of Male Population data is updated yearly, averaging 4.068 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 6.078 % in 2017 and a record low of 2.887 % in 1991. IR: Population: Male: Ages 45-49: % 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 45 to 49 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 illustrates the distribution of Sunni and Shia amongst Muslim population in Iran and Saudi Arabia as of 2009. As of 2009, around 73 million Iranian Muslims belonged to the Shia faith, whereas only 4.8 million people in Saudi Arabia followed Shia Islam.

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.

UIS: Percentage of population age 25+ with at least completed upper secondary education (ISCED 3 or higher). Female in Iran was reported at 48.89 % in 2016, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Iran - Percentage of population age 25+ with at least completed upper secondary education (ISCED 3 or higher). Female - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on May of 2025.

UIS: Percentage of population age 25+ with at least completed lower secondary education (ISCED 2 or higher). Male in Iran was reported at 72.05 % in 2016, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Iran - Percentage of population age 25+ with at least completed lower secondary education (ISCED 2 or higher). Male - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on May of 2025.

UIS: Percentage of population age 25+ with at least completed lower secondary education (ISCED 2 or higher). Female in Iran was reported at 67.35 % in 2016, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Iran - Percentage of population age 25+ with at least completed lower secondary education (ISCED 2 or higher). Female - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on May of 2025.

UIS: Percentage of population age 25+ with at least completed lower secondary education (ISCED 2 or higher). Total in Iran was reported at 69.83 % in 2016, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Iran - Percentage of population age 25+ with at least completed lower secondary education (ISCED 2 or higher). Total - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on June of 2025.

Iran poverty rate for 2023 was 36.10%, a 2.9% decline from 2022.

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

<li>Iran poverty rate for 2022 was <strong>39.00%</strong>, a <strong>3.8% decline</strong> from 2021.</li>
<li>Iran poverty rate for 2021 was <strong>42.80%</strong>, a <strong>5.6% decline</strong> from 2020.</li>
<li>Iran poverty rate for 2020 was <strong>48.40%</strong>, a <strong>1% increase</strong> from 2019.</li>
</ul>Poverty headcount ratio at $5.50 a day is the percentage of the population living on less than $5.50 a day at 2011 international prices. As a result of revisions in PPP exchange rates, poverty rates for individual countries cannot be compared with poverty rates reported in earlier editions.

Information about persons of concern broken down by sex and age, as well as by location within the country of residence (where such information is available). Such data is available since 2000.

IR: Completeness of Birth Registration: Urban data was reported at 98.900 % in 2010. IR: Completeness of Birth Registration: Urban data is updated yearly, averaging 98.900 % from Dec 2010 (Median) to 2010, with 1 observations. IR: Completeness of Birth Registration: Urban 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. Completeness of birth registration is the percentage of children under age 5 whose births were registered at the time of the survey. The numerator of completeness of birth registration includes children whose birth certificate was seen by the interviewer or whose mother or caretaker says the birth has been registered.; ; UNICEF's State of the World's Children based mostly on household surveys and ministry of health data.; ;

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. 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. 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 IR: Population: Total data was reported at 81,162,788.000 Person in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 80,277,428.000 Person for 2016. Iran IR: Population: Total data is updated yearly, averaging 53,926,366.000 Person from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 81,162,788.000 Person in 2017 and a record low of 21,906,903.000 Person in 1960. Iran IR: Population: Total 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. 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.; ; (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.; Sum; Relevance to gender indicator: disaggregating the population composition by gender will help a country in projecting its demand for social services on a gender basis.