Asia · Southern Asia
Iran Demographics
Iran has a large and still growing population, below-replacement fertility, a rising median age, a high urban share, and age-sex patterns that differ between younger and older groups.
Core values use UN DESA World Population Prospects 2024, UNdata country profile tables, World Bank WDI, the United Nations Statistics Division Demographic Statistics Database, and clearly marked secondary estimates where current age-sex detail is not available from a stronger source.
Last updated: June 2026
Core Demographic Indicators
Detailed Demographic Indicators
Values are shown with their source year and population concept. Projection-based, national de jure, and secondary-estimate values are not merged into one headline series.
| Indicator | Value | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 92,418,000 | 2025 | UNdata country profile / UN WPP 2024, projected estimate |
| Population growth rate | 0.9% | 2025 | UNdata country profile / UN WPP 2024, projected estimate |
| Median age | 34.0 years | 2025 | WPP-based medium-variant table |
| Total fertility rate | 1.7 births per woman | 2025 | UNdata country profile / UN WPP 2024, projected estimate |
| Total fertility rate, WDI series | 1.684 births per woman | 2024 | World Bank WDI |
| Life expectancy at birth, total | 77.854 years | 2024 | World Bank WDI |
| Life expectancy at birth, male | 76.2 years | 2025 | UNdata country profile / UN WPP 2024, projected estimate |
| Life expectancy at birth, female | 80.0 years | 2025 | UNdata country profile / UN WPP 2024, projected estimate |
| Urban population share | 77.0% | 2024 | World Bank WDI |
| Population density | 56.7 people per km² | 2025 | UNdata country profile |
| Surface area | 1,630,848 km² | 2025 | UNdata country profile |
| Sex ratio | 103.2 males per 100 females | 2025 | UNdata country profile |
| Population aged 0-14 | 22.0% of population | 2025 | UNdata country profile / UN WPP 2024, projected estimate |
| Population aged 60+ | 12.6% of population | 2025 | UNdata country profile / UN WPP 2024, projected estimate |
| International migrant stock | 3,840,700 people | 2024 | UNdata country profile |
| International migrant stock share | 4.2% of population | 2024 | UNdata country profile |
| Aged 65+ | 7.0% of population | 2024 | CIA World Factbook estimate via OpenFactBook |
| Capital city population | Tehran: 9,013,700 | 2025 | UNdata country profile |
Table analysis
- The 2025 population value of 92.4 million is a UN WPP medium-variant projected estimate, not a census count.
- The 2025 fertility value of 1.7 births per woman is below the broad replacement-level benchmark of 2.1 births per woman.
- The World Bank WDI urban series gives 77.0% urban population in 2024; urban classification depends on national definitions.
- The UNdata sex ratio of 103.2 males per 100 females is a total-population measure and does not describe each age group.
Historical Population Trend
Iran Population Trend, 1955-2023
Population estimates are shown as July 1 WPP-based levels. Projection years are kept out of this trend chart.
Source: Worldometer table based on UN DESA World Population Prospects 2024; historical estimates shown through 2023.
Trend analysis
- The WPP-based estimate rises from 18.7 million in 1955 to 90.6 million in 2023.
- The fastest listed average growth rate is 4.47% in the 1985 row.
- After 1990, the listed growth rate falls from 3.32% to 1.21% by 2023.
Historical Population Table
The table uses a WPP-based series for population, growth, migration, fertility, density, world share and rank. Cells marked “Data not available” were not verified in the current source set.
| Year | Population | Yearly % change | Yearly change | Net migration | Median age | Fertility rate | Density | Urban pop % | Urban population | World share | World population | Global rank | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950 | Data not available | Data not available | Data not available | Data not available | Data not available | Data not available | Data not available | Data not available | Data not available | Data not available | Data not available | Data not available | Data not available in verified table extract |
| 1955 | 18,700,802 | 2.52% | 438,050 | 23,839 | 19.7 | 7.15 | 11 | 31.5% | 5,895,032 | 0.68% | 2,740,213,792 | 28 | Worldometer / UN WPP 2024 |
| 1960 | 21,470,434 | 2.80% | 553,926 | 54,041 | 18.0 | 7.52 | 13 | 34.4% | 7,390,258 | 0.71% | 3,015,470,894 | 26 | Worldometer / UN WPP 2024 |
| 1965 | 25,036,978 | 3.12% | 713,309 | 127,808 | 16.6 | 7.22 | 15 | 36.9% | 9,250,486 | 0.75% | 3,334,533,703 | 25 | Worldometer / UN WPP 2024 |
| 1970 | 29,145,100 | 3.09% | 821,624 | 89,757 | 16.5 | 6.80 | 18 | 40.3% | 11,751,335 | 0.79% | 3,694,683,794 | 25 | Worldometer / UN WPP 2024 |
| 1975 | 33,802,973 | 3.01% | 931,575 | 106,921 | 17.0 | 5.95 | 21 | 44.3% | 14,973,153 | 0.83% | 4,070,735,277 | 25 | Worldometer / UN WPP 2024 |
| 1980 | 39,842,324 | 3.34% | 1,207,870 | 103,674 | 17.2 | 6.63 | 24 | 48.2% | 19,215,536 | 0.90% | 4,447,606,236 | 22 | Worldometer / UN WPP 2024 |
| 1985 | 49,582,289 | 4.47% | 1,947,993 | 163,999 | 17.2 | 6.24 | 30 | 51.0% | 25,278,712 | 1.02% | 4,868,943,465 | 22 | Worldometer / UN WPP 2024 |
| 1990 | 58,380,092 | 3.32% | 1,759,561 | 200,711 | 17.1 | 4.93 | 36 | 54.3% | 31,672,465 | 1.10% | 5,327,803,110 | 16 | Worldometer / UN WPP 2024 |
| 1995 | 62,205,567 | 1.28% | 765,095 | -220,258 | 17.5 | 2.85 | 38 | 58.7% | 36,488,609 | 1.08% | 5,758,878,982 | 16 | Worldometer / UN WPP 2024 |
| 2000 | 66,418,659 | 1.32% | 842,618 | 300,133 | 20.2 | 2.00 | 41 | 63.8% | 42,352,090 | 1.08% | 6,171,702,993 | 17 | Worldometer / UN WPP 2024 |
| 2005 | 71,828,455 | 1.58% | 1,081,959 | 765,873 | 23.2 | 1.76 | 44 | 66.2% | 47,575,374 | 1.09% | 6,586,970,132 | 17 | Worldometer / UN WPP 2024 |
| 2010 | 77,420,842 | 1.51% | 1,118,477 | -12,849 | 26.1 | 1.75 | 48 | 68.0% | 52,664,138 | 1.10% | 7,021,732,148 | 17 | Worldometer / UN WPP 2024 |
| 2015 | 82,619,362 | 1.31% | 1,039,704 | -46,239 | 28.7 | 2.02 | 51 | 70.5% | 58,217,032 | 1.11% | 7,470,491,872 | 16 | Worldometer / UN WPP 2024 |
| 2020 | 87,723,443 | 1.21% | 1,020,816 | -180,680 | 31.3 | 1.70 | 54 | 72.3% | 63,420,504 | 1.11% | 7,887,001,292 | 17 | Worldometer / UN WPP 2024 |
| 2022 | 89,524,246 | 1.02% | 900,402 | 403,190 | 32.3 | 1.70 | 55 | 72.9% | 65,271,669 | 1.12% | 8,021,407,192 | 17 | Worldometer / UN WPP 2024 |
| 2023 | 90,608,707 | 1.21% | 1,084,461 | 262,044 | 32.9 | 1.70 | 56 | 73.0% | 66,139,220 | 1.12% | 8,091,734,930 | 17 | Worldometer / UN WPP 2024 |
Table analysis
- The historical estimate grows by 71.9 million between 1955 and 2023.
- The fertility row falls from 7.52 in 1960 to 1.70 in 2023 in this WPP-based table.
- The listed median age rises from 17.1 in 1990 to 32.9 in 2023.
- The listed net migration values alternate between positive and negative periods; they are period estimates, not counts of all immigrants and emigrants.
Migration Balance in the WPP-Based Series
Net Migration, Selected Historical Years
Positive values indicate estimated net inflow; negative values indicate estimated net outflow.
Source: Worldometer table based on UN DESA World Population Prospects 2024; selected historical estimate rows through 2023.
Chart analysis
- The largest listed positive value is 765,873 in the 2005 row.
- The largest listed negative value is -220,258 in the 1995 row.
- The 2022 and 2023 rows show positive net migration, while 2020 shows negative net migration in this source table.
Fertility and Life Expectancy
Fertility Compared With Replacement Level
Iran’s 2025 fertility estimate is compared with the broad 2.1 replacement-level benchmark.
Source: Iran value from UNdata country profile / UN WPP 2024 projected estimate. Replacement benchmark is a broad reference, not a country-specific threshold.
Chart analysis
- Iran’s 2025 estimate is 1.7 births per woman.
- The value is 0.4 births per woman below the 2.1 benchmark.
Life Expectancy by Sex
UNdata 2025 projected values show higher female life expectancy than male life expectancy.
Source: UNdata country profile / UN WPP 2024 projected estimate. World Bank WDI total life expectancy for 2024 is 77.854 years.
Chart analysis
- Female life expectancy is 80.0 years in the UNdata 2025 projected estimate.
- Male life expectancy is 76.2 years.
- The female-male gap is 3.8 years in this source-year pair.
Urban Population Share
Urban Population Share, World Bank WDI
The WDI series shows the share of people living in areas defined as urban by national statistical criteria.
Source: World Bank WDI. Urban population is based on national urban definitions compiled in international series.
| Year | Urban population share | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 56.5% | World Bank WDI |
| 2000 | 64.5% | World Bank WDI |
| 2016 | 73.9% | World Bank WDI |
| 2017 | 74.4% | World Bank WDI |
| 2018 | 74.8% | World Bank WDI |
| 2019 | 75.2% | World Bank WDI |
| 2020 | 75.6% | World Bank WDI |
| 2021 | 76.0% | World Bank WDI |
| 2022 | 76.3% | World Bank WDI |
| 2023 | 76.7% | World Bank WDI |
| 2024 | 77.0% | World Bank WDI |
| 2025 | Data not available | World Bank WDI table extract |
Table analysis
- The WDI urban share rises from 56.5% in 1990 to 77.0% in 2024.
- The 2025 urban share is not shown in the verified WDI table extract.
- The WDI urban series should not be merged with the WPP-based urban figures in the historical population table without a source note.
Population Projection
Medium-Variant Population Projection
Projection values are scenario-based estimates, not observed population counts.
Source: Worldometer table based on UN DESA World Population Prospects 2024 medium-fertility variant.
| Year | Projected population | Yearly % change | Yearly change | Net migration assumption | Median age | Fertility rate | Density | Urban pop % | Urban population | Scenario | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 91,567,738 | 1.06% | 959,031 | 190,156 | 33.4 | 1.68 | 56 | 73.1% | 66,968,458 | Medium-fertility variant | Worldometer / UN WPP 2024 |
| 2025 | 92,417,681 | 0.93% | 849,943 | 116,786 | 34.0 | 1.67 | 57 | 73.3% | 67,760,281 | Medium-fertility variant | Worldometer / UN WPP 2024 |
| 2026 | 93,168,497 | 0.81% | 750,816 | 66,848 | 34.5 | 1.66 | 57 | 73.5% | 68,514,252 | Medium-fertility variant | Worldometer / UN WPP 2024 |
| 2030 | 95,486,667 | 0.66% | 613,797 | -38,565 | 36.7 | 1.63 | 59 | 74.6% | 71,204,909 | Medium-fertility variant | Worldometer / UN WPP 2024 |
| 2035 | 97,679,252 | 0.46% | 438,517 | -37,446 | 39.0 | 1.63 | 60 | 75.9% | 74,092,307 | Medium-fertility variant | Worldometer / UN WPP 2024 |
| 2040 | 99,524,277 | 0.37% | 369,005 | -35,646 | 40.8 | 1.63 | 61 | 77.0% | 76,665,787 | Medium-fertility variant | Worldometer / UN WPP 2024 |
| 2045 | 100,990,613 | 0.29% | 293,267 | -35,872 | 42.2 | 1.63 | 62 | 78.1% | 78,860,081 | Medium-fertility variant | Worldometer / UN WPP 2024 |
| 2050 | 101,861,993 | 0.17% | 174,276 | -31,191 | 43.5 | 1.63 | 63 | 79.0% | 80,441,107 | Medium-fertility variant | Worldometer / UN WPP 2024 |
Projection analysis
- The medium-variant table places Iran at 92.4 million in 2025 and 101.9 million in 2050.
- The listed annual growth rate declines from 0.93% in 2025 to 0.17% by 2050.
- The median age rises from 34.0 in 2025 to 43.5 in 2050.
- Projection values are scenario-based estimates and should not be read as guaranteed future counts.
Broad Age-Sex Structure
Current detailed five-year age-by-sex counts were not available in the verified source set. The chart below uses broad age-sex estimates only and is not a full population pyramid.
Broad Age-Sex Population Counts
Male and female population counts by broad age group.
Source: CIA World Factbook 2024 estimate via OpenFactBook. This is not a full population pyramid because detailed current five-year age-by-sex groups are not available in the current source set.
| Age group | Male | Female | Total | Male share | Female share | Sex ratio | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-14 | 10,512,797 | 10,040,282 | 20,553,079 | 51.15% | 48.85% | 104.7 males per 100 females | 2024 | CIA World Factbook via OpenFactBook |
| 15-64 | 31,413,125 | 30,267,241 | 61,680,366 | 50.93% | 49.07% | 103.8 males per 100 females | 2024 | CIA World Factbook via OpenFactBook |
| 65+ | 2,869,617 | 3,283,875 | 6,153,492 | 46.63% | 53.37% | 87.4 males per 100 females | 2024 | CIA World Factbook via OpenFactBook |
Age-sex analysis
- The 0-14 group is male-heavy in this broad estimate, with 104.7 males per 100 females.
- The 15-64 group is also male-heavy, with 103.8 males per 100 females.
- The 65+ group is female-heavy, with 87.4 males per 100 females.
- The source is a broad secondary estimate, so it is kept separate from UN WPP headline population values.
Sex Ratio by Age Group
Sex Ratio by Broad Age Group
Sex ratio is expressed as males per 100 females.
Source: CIA World Factbook 2024 estimate via OpenFactBook.
| Group | Sex ratio | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| At birth | 105 males per 100 females | 2024 | CIA World Factbook via OpenFactBook |
| 0-14 | 105 males per 100 females | 2024 | CIA World Factbook via OpenFactBook |
| 15-64 | 104 males per 100 females | 2024 | CIA World Factbook via OpenFactBook |
| 65+ | 87 males per 100 females | 2024 | CIA World Factbook via OpenFactBook |
| Total population | 103 males per 100 females | 2024 | CIA World Factbook via OpenFactBook |
Age-sex analysis
- The broad 65+ sex ratio is 87 males per 100 females, lower than the total-population ratio.
- The younger and working-age groups are male-heavy in this estimate.
- Sex-ratio values come from a secondary estimate and are used only for broad age-sex context.
Male and Female Population Over Time
This module uses national de jure estimates from the United Nations Statistics Division Demographic Statistics Database. These values refer to the Iranian year and are not the same concept as UN WPP mid-year population.
Male and Female National De Jure Estimates
Counts by sex from the national-source series reported through UNSD.
Source: United Nations Statistics Division Demographic Statistics Database; national de jure estimates, Iranian year.
| Year | Male | Female | Total | Male share | Female share | Sex ratio | Population concept | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 42,161,655 | 41,247,255 | 83,408,910 | 50.55% | 49.45% | 102.22 | National de jure estimate | UNSD Demographic Statistics Database |
| 2021 | 42,467,090 | 41,588,023 | 84,055,113 | 50.52% | 49.48% | 102.11 | National de jure estimate | UNSD Demographic Statistics Database |
| 2022 | 42,772,916 | 41,927,160 | 84,700,076 | 50.50% | 49.50% | 102.02 | National de jure estimate | UNSD Demographic Statistics Database |
| 2023 | 43,071,624 | 42,257,694 | 85,329,318 | 50.48% | 49.52% | 101.93 | National de jure estimate | UNSD Demographic Statistics Database |
| 2024 | 43,372,380 | 42,588,651 | 85,961,031 | 50.46% | 49.54% | 101.84 | National de jure estimate | UNSD Demographic Statistics Database |
Age-sex analysis
- The national de jure series shows male population rising from 42.16 million in 2020 to 43.37 million in 2024.
- Female population rises from 41.25 million in 2020 to 42.59 million in 2024.
- The sex ratio declines slightly from 102.22 to 101.84 males per 100 females across the listed years.
- These national de jure values are lower than UN WPP mid-year estimates, so they should be used for sex trend structure rather than headline population comparison.
Demographic Overview
The WPP-based medium-variant table places Iran at 92.4 million in 2025 and 101.9 million in 2050, with slower growth over time.
UNdata reports 22.0% aged 0-14 and 12.6% aged 60+ in 2025, while the median age is 34.0 years in the WPP-based table.
The 2025 fertility estimate of 1.7 births per woman is below the 2.1 replacement-level benchmark.
World Bank WDI places the urban population share at 77.0% in 2024, using internationally compiled national urban definitions.
The total sex ratio is male-heavy, but the broad 65+ estimate is female-heavy at 87 males per 100 females.
UN WPP mid-year values, national de jure estimates, and CIA-style broad age estimates are shown in separate modules because their definitions differ.
Data Sources and Methodology
Iran’s demographic measures vary by source, year, and population definition. This page keeps WPP mid-year estimates, World Bank indicator series, national de jure estimates, and secondary age-sex estimates separate unless a table explicitly states the source and definition.
| Source | Year or release | Used for |
|---|---|---|
| UN DESA World Population Prospects 2024 / UNdata country profile | 2024 revision; 2025 projected estimate | Population, growth rate, fertility, life expectancy by sex, density, sex ratio, age distribution, international migrant stock, capital population |
| World Bank World Development Indicators | 2024 indicator values where available | Urban population share trend, total life expectancy at birth, WDI fertility value |
| United Nations Statistics Division Demographic Statistics Database | National de jure estimates, 2020-2024 rows used | Male and female population over time, national de jure total, sex ratio calculations by year |
| Worldometer table based on UN WPP 2024 | Accessed table using UN WPP 2024 medium-fertility variant | Historical population table, yearly change, median age series, fertility series, density, world share, rank, net migration, projection table |
| CIA World Factbook estimate via OpenFactBook | 2024 and 2025 estimates | Broad age-sex structure, broad sex ratio by age, aged 65+ share; used only where current detailed age-sex counts were not verified from a stronger current dataset |
Method note
- UN WPP values are mid-year estimates or projections; UN WPP 2024 projections begin after the historical estimate period.
- UNSD national-source de jure estimates refer to the Iranian year and are not used as the headline population series.
- World Bank WDI urban population share uses national urban definitions compiled for international comparison.
- Broad age-sex values from the CIA World Factbook are fallback context and are not treated as a detailed population pyramid.
- Rounded values are used in cards; tables keep more digits where the source table supports them.
Indicator Definitions
| Indicator | Definition | Unit | Source note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | Total population for the stated source-year and population concept. | People | UN WPP values are generally mid-year estimates or projections; UNSD national rows are de jure estimates. |
| Yearly % change | Average annual population growth for the period represented by the row. | Percent | Used in the WPP-based historical and projection tables. |
| Net migration | Estimated balance of people entering and leaving during the period. | People | Not the same as total immigration or total emigration. |
| Fertility rate | Average number of births per woman under the source’s fertility measure. | Births per woman | Compared with 2.1 as a broad replacement-level benchmark. |
| Urban population share | Share of people living in areas classified as urban by national definitions compiled in international series. | Percent | World Bank WDI urban values are kept separate from WPP-based table values. |
| Sex ratio | Number of males per 100 females. | Males per 100 females | Total-population and age-group sex ratios may differ. |
Methodological Safety Note
Methodological Safety Note: Iran demographic values can differ because resident population, mid-year population, census count, de jure national estimate, model estimate and projection are separate measures. Projection rows are scenario-based estimates, not observed counts. Source years do not always match. Urban population depends on national urban definitions. Net migration is a balance estimate, not total immigration or emigration. Sex ratio means males per 100 females, and a total-population sex ratio should not be used as an age-specific sex ratio. Rounded headline cards may differ slightly from detailed table rows.
Iran Demographics FAQ
What is Iran’s population in 2025?
UNdata reports Iran’s 2025 population at about 92.4 million using a UN WPP 2024 projected estimate. The UNSD national de jure source gives a lower 2025 provisional figure, so the population concept should be checked before comparison.
Is Iran’s fertility below replacement level?
Yes. UNdata reports a 2025 fertility estimate of 1.7 births per woman, below the broad 2.1 replacement-level benchmark.
Is Iran mostly urban?
Yes. World Bank WDI places Iran’s urban population share at 77.0% in 2024, using national urban definitions compiled for international comparison.
Why do Iran population numbers differ by source?
UN WPP mid-year estimates, national de jure estimates, and secondary estimates use different definitions, reference dates and methods. This page keeps those source types separate rather than treating them as the same measure.
Does this page include a full population pyramid?
No. A full population pyramid requires detailed age-by-sex groups, preferably five-year age bands. The current age-sex module uses broad age groups only and is not labeled as a population pyramid.