Iran
Iran is a prominent theocratic republic in Southern Asia, recognized for its vast reserves of petroleum and natural gas. Current estimates show a population of approximately 94 million, while the GDP per capita is approximately 5,577 USD.
Where is Iran?
Iran
- Continent
- Asia
- Country
- Iran
- Coordinates
- 32.00°, 53.00°
Population Details
- Population
- 94M
- Area
- 1,648,195 km²
- Density per km²
- 57 / km²
- Growth rate
- +1.05%
- Annual growth
- +984.5K people
- Daily growth
- +2.7K people
- World population share
- 1.15%
Population & Social Snapshot
Age structure, urbanization, and benchmark indicators for Iran
Age Distribution
Urbanization
Health & Education Benchmarks
Quick Facts
- Capital
- Tehran
- Region
- Asia
- Area
- 1,648,195 km²
- Languages
- Persian (Farsi)
- Currency
- Iranian rial (﷼)
- Timezones
- UTC+03:30
- UN Member
- Yes
Neighboring Countries
Economy
The Iranian economy is the 33rd largest globally by total GDP, driven largely by its industrial sector and natural resource extraction. Recent data shows an annual GDP growth rate of 3.66% and an unemployment rate of 8.30%, which ranks 54th globally when ordered from lowest to highest. The country maintains a significant economic presence in its subregion, ranking 2nd in Southern Asia for GDP per capita.
Society
Social development in Iran is characterized by a life expectancy at birth of 77.85 years, placing the nation 74th globally. The adult literacy rate is 88.92%, which ranks 102nd out of 170 countries, reflecting a strong emphasis on education since the late 20th century. Digital engagement is high, with 85.34% of the population identified as internet users, ranking 85th globally for connectivity.
Climate & Environment
Iran features a diverse landscape ranging from the arid central plateau to the lush subtropical forests of the Caspian coast, where the elevation reaches a low of -28 m (-92 ft). The country experiences extreme temperature variations, with rugged mountains like Kuh-e Damavand rising to 5,610 m (18,406 ft) and providing a stark contrast to the desert basins.
Government & Politics
- Government Type
- Theocratic republic
- Independence
- 1979-04-01 (The Pahlavi Dynasty)
Iran is a theocratic republic with a unique political system that integrates clerical authority with elected offices. The Supreme Leader serves as the head of state and holds ultimate power over the armed forces, judiciary, and state media. The executive branch is led by the President, who acts as the head of government and manages the daily administration and civil service. The legislative branch consists of a 290-member unicameral parliament known as the Majlis. However, all legislation passed by the Majlis and all candidates for public office must be approved by the Guardian Council, a body of 12 jurists and clerics that ensures all laws align with Islamic principles and the constitution. The legal system is based on Sharia law. This governance structure was established following the 1979 Revolution, replacing the Pahlavi monarchy with a system defined by the principle of Velayat-e Faqih, or the guardianship of the Islamic jurist.
History
Iran is home to one of the world's oldest continuous major civilizations, with a history rooted in the ancient Elamite and Achaemenid empires. The Achaemenid Empire, founded by Cyrus the Great, was once the largest empire in the world, stretching from the Balkans to the Indus Valley. Following the Islamic conquest in the 7th century, the region became a center for Islamic art, science, and philosophy. The Safavid Dynasty in the 16th century was a pivotal era, as it established Shia Islam as the official state religion, solidifying a distinct national identity. During the 20th century, the Pahlavi Dynasty sought to modernize the nation rapidly through western-style reforms. This period of monarchical rule ended with the Islamic Revolution, which resulted in the country's independence from the Pahlavi Dynasty on 1 April 1979. The transition to a theocratic republic was followed by the devastating Iran-Iraq War between 1980 and 1988, which deeply affected the national psyche and economy. In recent decades, the country has focused on industrial self-sufficiency and expanding its regional influence while managing complex relations with the international community regarding its nuclear program and domestic policies.
Notable Facts
- Kuh-e Damavand is an inactive volcano and the highest point in the country at 5,610 m (18,406 ft), making it the highest peak in the Middle East.
- The country covers a vast area of 1,648,195 km² (636,372 sq mi) and has an estimated 2026 population of approximately 94 million people.
- The Caspian Sea coast marks the lowest point in the nation at -28 m (-92 ft) below sea level, stretching along a coastline of 2,440 km (1,516 mi).
- Iran is the world's largest producer of saffron, contributing approximately 90 percent of the global supply of this highly valued spice.
Geography
- Highest Point
- Kuh-e Damavand (5,610 m)
- Lowest Point
- Caspian Sea (-28 m)
- Coastline
- 2,440 km
Major Cities
Largest Cities in IranExplore weather and climate data for cities in Iran
Climate & Weather
View full climate guideMonthly averages for Tehran
| Month | Temp | Feels Like | Rain | Sun | Humidity | Status | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 8°C / -2°C | 5°C / -6°C | 6days (33 mm) Good | 9h Good | 57% Moderate | Poor | View Details |
| February | 9°C / 0°C | 6°C / -4°C | 9days (57 mm) Wet | 9.4h Good | 58% Moderate | Poor | View Details |
| March | 15°C / 7°C | 13°C / 4°C | 10days (56 mm) Wet | 10.3h Excellent | 53% Moderate | Fair | View Details |
| April best | 22°C / 13°C | 21°C / 11°C | 5days (37 mm) Good | 12h Excellent | 43% Moderate | Excellent | View Details |
| May best | 28°C / 18°C | 26°C / 16°C | 5days (19 mm) Good | 12.5h Excellent | 35% Comfortable | Excellent | View Details |
| June best | 34°C / 24°C | 33°C / 22°C | 1days (4 mm) Excellent | 13h Excellent | 24% Comfortable | Excellent | View Details |
| July | 36°C / 27°C | 36°C / 26°C | 2days (3 mm) Excellent | 13.1h Excellent | 26% Comfortable | Good | View Details |
| August | 35°C / 26°C | 35°C / 25°C | 0days (1 mm) Excellent | 12.9h Excellent | 26% Comfortable | Good | View Details |
| September best | 31°C / 22°C | 30°C / 20°C | 1days (7 mm) Excellent | 11.4h Excellent | 27% Comfortable | Excellent | View Details |
| October best | 24°C / 15°C | 22°C / 13°C | 2days (8 mm) Excellent | 10.7h Excellent | 37% Comfortable | Excellent | View Details |
| November | 16°C / 8°C | 14°C / 5°C | 6days (32 mm) Good | 9h Good | 55% Moderate | Good | View Details |
| December | 10°C / 1°C | 7°C / -2°C | 6days (29 mm) Good | 8.4h Good | 60% Moderate | Poor | View Details |
Temperature
Line chart showing monthly temperatures. Jan: 8°C / -2°C . Feb: 9°C / 0°C . Mar: 15°C / 7°C . Apr: 22°C / 13°C . May: 28°C / 18°C . Jun: 34°C / 24°C . Jul: 36°C / 27°C . Aug: 35°C / 26°C . Sep: 31°C / 22°C . Oct: 24°C / 15°C . Nov: 16°C / 8°C . Dec: 10°C / 1°C .
Rainfall
Bar chart showing monthly rainfall. Jan: 33 mm. Feb: 57 mm. Mar: 56 mm. Apr: 37 mm. May: 19 mm. Jun: 4 mm. Jul: 3 mm. Aug: 1 mm. Sep: 7 mm. Oct: 8 mm. Nov: 32 mm. Dec: 29 mm.
Frequently Asked Questions
The population of Iran is approximately 94M (2024).
The capital of Iran is Tehran.
Iran's GDP per capita is $5.6K (2024).
Life expectancy in Iran is 77.85 years (2024).
Iran covers 1,648,195 km² (636,371 sq mi).
Iran has a moderate population density of 57 people per km², close to the global average of 60.
Iran's population is growing steadily at 1.1% per year, in line with global averages.
Based on GDP per capita, Iran falls in the upper-middle GDP-per-person tier at $5.6K. Official World Bank income groups use Atlas-method GNI per capita, so this is a GDP-based comparison rather than an official income-group label.
Iran reports a low intentional homicide rate of 2.4 per 100,000 people, below the global average.
The official language of Iran is Persian (Farsi).
Iran uses the Iranian rial (﷼) as its sole official currency.
The best months to visit Iran are April, May, June, September, October, based on climate data for the capital.
Recent estimates indicate that the population of Iran is approximately 93.5 million. This figure ranks the country 17th globally and 4th within the Southern Asia subregion, with approximately 77% of the population residing in urban areas such as the capital, Tehran.
The latest data shows a GDP per capita of approximately 5,577 USD. This value ranks Iran 2nd out of 9 countries in Southern Asia and 135th globally out of 212 economies, supported by an annual GDP growth rate of 3.66%.
The life expectancy at birth in Iran is 77.85 years, according to the latest available data. This ranks Iran 74th out of 215 countries and territories globally, reflecting significant improvements in public health and healthcare access over the last several decades.
Current estimates show an adult literacy rate of 88.92% in Iran. This places the country at a global rank of 102nd out of 170 nations, with educational attainment being a key priority for the government since the 1979 revolution.
Approximately 85.34% of the Iranian population are internet users, highlighting a high level of digital integration. This connectivity level ranks the nation 85th globally among 212 tracked countries, with a tech-savvy youth demographic driving much of this growth.
The current unemployment rate in Iran is 8.30%. In global comparisons, the country ranks 54th out of 186 nations when ranked from lowest to highest unemployment, though economic challenges and sanctions continue to influence the broader labor market.
The latest ranking places Iran 17th in the world out of 215 countries and territories. Regionally, it ranks 9th in Asia and 4th within the Southern Asia subregion. This high ranking underscores Iran's status as a major demographic and economic center within the Middle East and the broader Asian continent.
The current estimated population density of Iran is 57.6 people per km² (149 per sq mi). This density ranks 148th globally. However, because much of the country consists of rugged mountains and arid deserts, the actual living density in urban areas and the fertile northern provinces is much higher.
Yes, Iran is currently growing at an annual rate of approximately 1.05%. While this represents a steady increase, the growth rate has slowed significantly since the late 20th century. Current estimates indicate that the population increases by approximately 3,154 births against 1,193 deaths daily, resulting in a positive net change.
The latest official 2024 data shows a fertility rate of 1.684 births per woman. This is below the replacement level of 2.1, meaning that the population may eventually begin to decline or age significantly without changes in birth trends. The government has recently implemented policies to encourage higher fertility to address these concerns.
Approximately 77% of the Iranian population lives in urban areas, according to the latest official 2024 data. This high urbanization rank, 68th globally, is the result of decades of migration toward industrial centers. Tehran, the capital, serves as the primary urban hub, housing millions of the country's residents.
All Indicators
Explore Iran's data across 50+ indicators
Demographics
Economy
Health
Education
Environment
Military & Security
Infrastructure
Geography
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