Iran: Introduction

Total Population: 91,567,738

Natural Increase: 1.1%

Density: 56 Inhabitants/km²

Urban Population: 77.0%

Population of main cities: Tehran (8,693,700); Mashhad (3,001,200); Esfahan (1,961,300); Karaj (1,592,500); Shiraz (1,565,600); Tabriz (1,558,700); Qom (1,201,200); Ahwaz (1,184,800)

Ethnic Origins: Persians are Iran's largest ethnic group (about 60%), but nearly a dozen other ethnicities represent well over a third of the population. The largest ethnic groups include the Azeris (about 16%), the Kurds (about 10%), the Lurs (about 5%) and others (Baluchis, Turkmen, Armenians, etc.). (Statistical Center of Iran)

Official Language: Persian, also called Farsi, is understood by 83% of the population.

Other Languages Spoken: Iran contains several minority groups which speak dialects related to Farsi. These dialects are practically in the process of extinction. Also let us note that the borders of Iran have been inhabited by many common ethnic minorities with the neighboring states. Among the important minority linguistic groups, the Azeris (20%) and Luris (6.6%) in the North, the Kurds (9%) in the West, the Arabs (2.1%) in South-West, Turkmen (1.5%) in the North-East, Baluchis (1.3%) in the South-East deserve a mention.

Business Language(s): English

Literacy Rate: 82.4%

Area: 1,745,150 km²

Type of State: Islamic Republic. Theocratic republic with features of a parliamentary democracy, where democratic institutions operate under the strict supervision of unelected clerical bodies.

Type of Economy: Upper middle income, diversified but variable economy..
The Iranian economy is in recession, penalized by international sanctions, high inflation and a devaluation of the currency, which has direct consequences on the standard of living of the population.

HDI*: 0.799/1

HDI (World Rank): 77/192

Telephone Code:
To call from Iran, dial 00
To call Iran, dial +98

Internet Suffix: .ir

Households with a computer: 83.1 per 100 Inhabitants

Telephone Lines: 38.0 per 100 Inhabitants

Internet Users: 79.6 per 100 Inhabitants

Access to Electricity: 100% of the Population