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.

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.

Historical chart and dataset showing total population for Iran by year from 1950 to 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 June 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.

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: Female: Ages 20-24: % of Female Population data was reported at 7.547 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 8.201 % for 2016. Iran IR: Population: Female: Ages 20-24: % of Female Population data is updated yearly, averaging 8.903 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 13.457 % in 2007 and a record low of 6.900 % in 1966. Iran IR: Population: Female: Ages 20-24: % 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 20 to 24 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.; ;

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.; ;

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.

Historical chart and dataset showing Iran population growth rate by year from 1961 to 2023.

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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