In 1925, the total fertility rate of Iran was just over seven children per woman, meaning that the average woman in Iran could expect to have seven children over the course of their reproductive years. The fertility rate would see little change from this figure until the late 1960s, when modernization and significant decreases in child mortality would lead the fertility rate to fall to just over 6.2 in 1975. However, fertility would begin to rise again in the 1980s, as the modernization policies of the Shah would be replaced by Islamic economic and social platforms with the 1979 Islamic Revolution in the country. The total fertility rate in the country would peak at just over 6.5 children per woman in 1985, in response to strong encouragement by the Iranian government promoting larger families to improve Iran’s manpower advantage over Iraq in the 1980-1988 Iraq-Iran War. Following the war’s end with a UN-brokered ceasefire in 1988, fertility would fall sharply in the country, falling to 2.4 by the turn of the century, and falling below replacement-level in 2005. However, after bottoming out at 1.82 in 2010, fertility has risen somewhat in recent years, as the Iranian government has rolled out a series of economic incentives aimed at increasing fertility in the country. As a result, in 2020, the total fertility rate in Iran is estimated to have risen slightly, to 2.15 children per woman, above replacement-level.

In 2023, the total fertility rate in children per woman in Iran amounted to 1.7. Between 1960 and 2023, the figure dropped by 5.82, though the decline followed an uneven course rather than a steady trajectory.

Fertility rate, total (births per woman) in Iran was reported at 1.695 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Iran - Fertility rate, total (births per woman) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on September of 2025.

Iran IR: Fertility Rate: Total: Births per Woman data was reported at 1.661 Ratio in 2016. This records a decrease from the previous number of 1.686 Ratio for 2015. Iran IR: Fertility Rate: Total: Births per Woman data is updated yearly, averaging 5.467 Ratio from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2016, with 57 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 6.927 Ratio in 1960 and a record low of 1.661 Ratio in 2016. Iran IR: Fertility Rate: Total: Births per Woman 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: Health Statistics. Total fertility rate represents the number of children that would be born to a woman if she were to live to the end of her childbearing years and bear children in accordance with age-specific fertility rates of the specified year.; ; (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; Relevance to gender indicator: it can indicate the status of women within households and a woman’s decision about the number and spacing of children.

Graph and download economic data for Fertility Rate, Total for the Islamic Republic of Iran (SPDYNTFRTINIRN) from 1960 to 2023 about Iran, fertility, and rate.

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.

This horizontal bar chart displays birth rate (per 1,000 people) by countries yearly using the aggregation average, weighted by population in Iran. The data is about countries per year.

This scatter chart displays electricity production from oil sources (% of total) against birth rate (per 1,000 people) in Iran. The data is about countries per 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.

Logistic regression results for desire to have more children among women with one living child.

Iran IR: Life Expectancy at Birth: Total data was reported at 75.953 Year in 2016. This records an increase from the previous number of 75.730 Year for 2015. Iran IR: Life Expectancy at Birth: Total data is updated yearly, averaging 60.528 Year from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2016, with 57 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 75.953 Year in 2016 and a record low of 44.947 Year in 1960. Iran IR: Life Expectancy at Birth: 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: Health Statistics. Life expectancy at birth indicates the number of years a newborn infant would live if prevailing patterns of mortality at the time of its birth were to stay the same throughout its life.; ; (1) United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects: 2017 Revision, or derived from male and female life expectancy at birth from sources such as: (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;

This scatter chart displays birth rate (per 1,000 people) against unemployment (% of total labor force) in Iran. The data is about countries per year.

Graph and download economic data for Life Expectancy at Birth, Total for the Islamic Republic of Iran (SPDYNLE00INIRN) from 1960 to 2023 about life expectancy, Iran, life, and birth.

Life expectancy at birth, total (years) in Iran was reported at 77.65 years in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Iran - Life expectancy at birth, total (years) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on September of 2025.

The total life expectancy at birth in Iran was 77.65 years in 2023. Between 1960 and 2023, the life expectancy at birth rose by 34.35 years, though the increase followed an uneven trajectory rather than a consistent upward trend.

Iran, Islamic Republic of - Life Expectancy at Birth, Total for the Islamic Republic of Iran was 77.65400 Number of Years in January of 2023, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, Iran, Islamic Republic of - Life Expectancy at Birth, Total for the Islamic Republic of Iran reached a record high of 77.65400 in January of 2023 and a record low of 44.94700 in January of 1960. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for Iran, Islamic Republic of - Life Expectancy at Birth, Total for the Islamic Republic of Iran - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on August of 2025.

Iran IR: Life Expectancy at Birth: Male data was reported at 74.882 Year in 2016. This records an increase from the previous number of 74.668 Year for 2015. Iran IR: Life Expectancy at Birth: Male data is updated yearly, averaging 56.615 Year from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2016, with 57 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 74.882 Year in 2016 and a record low of 45.706 Year in 1960. Iran IR: Life Expectancy at Birth: Male 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: Health Statistics. Life expectancy at birth indicates the number of years a newborn infant would live if prevailing patterns of mortality at the time of its birth were to stay the same throughout its life.; ; (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;

This scatter chart displays fossil fuel energy consumption (% of total) against birth rate (per 1,000 people) in Iran. The data is about countries per year.

This scatter chart displays electricity production from renewable sources, excluding hydroelectric (% of total) against life expectancy at birth (year) in Iran. The data is about countries per year.

UK residents by broad country of birth and citizenship groups, broken down by UK country, local authority, unitary authority, metropolitan and London boroughs, and counties. Estimates from the Annual Population Survey.