Iran

Cultural Attributes

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Holidays

• Republic Day

  4/1

  Independence

  note: additional holidays celebrated widely in Iran include Revolution Day, 11 February (1979); Noruz (New Year's Day), 21 March; Constitutional Monarchy Day, 5 August (1925)

• Christmas

  12/25

  Christmas

Dates of Interest

• March 20th

  Celebrated on the longest night of the year (December 20 or 21), families gather to eat, drink, and read poetry, particularly the works of Hafez.

How do people greet each other in Iran?

What are the dining and food customs in Iran?

What etiquette should I know when visiting an Iranian home?

What should I wear in Iran?

What gestures and body language matter in Iran?

What is family life like in Iran?

What do Iranians do for recreation?

Historical Eras

Overview

Timeline of Key Events

1. 559 BCE – 332 BCE

   The Achaemenian Dynasty & the Great Persian Empire

   The Achaemenian Dynasty & the Great Persian Empire. The Persian Empire became the dominant world power for over two centuries.

2. 550 BCE

   Cyrus the Great established the First World Empire

   Cyrus the Great established the First World Empire.

3. 525 BCE

   Persians conquer Egypt

   Persians conquer Egypt.

4. 332 BCE

   Alexander the Great conquered Egypt and Persia

   Alexander the Great conquered Egypt and Persia.

5. 247 BCE – 224

   The Parthians conquered the Seleucids

   The Parthians conquered the Seleucids.

6. 224 – 642

   The Sasanian Dynasty

   The Sasanian Dynasty.

7. 570

   The Prophet Mohammad was born

   The Prophet Mohammad was born.

Religion

Languages Spoken

• Arabic
• Farsi
• Kurdish
• Luri
• Persian
• Turkish

Population

Population

89,172,767

Population in Major Urban Areas

TEHRAN (capital) 7.304 million; Mashhad 2.713 million; Esfahan 1.781 million; Karaj 1.635 million; Tabriz 1.509 million; Shiraz 1.321 million

Nationality Noun

Iranian(s)

Ethnic Groups

Persian 51%, Azeri 24%, Gilaki and Mazandarani 8%, Kurd 7%, Arab 3%, Lur 2%, Baloch 2%, Turkmen 2%, other 1%

Language Note

The official language in Iran is Persian, but many other languages or dialects are spoken.

Education

Literacy Definition

age 15 and over can read and write

Health Information

Life Expectancy at Birth

Life expectancy at birth in Iran has shown remarkable improvement over the past several decades, reflecting significant advances in public health infrastructure, medical care access, and overall living standards. As of the most recent estimates, the average life expectancy at birth in Iran stands at approximately 74–75 years overall, with women living longer than men on average — around 76–77 years for females compared to roughly 73–74 years for males. This progress represents one of the more notable public health achievements in the Middle East and North Africa region. In the early 1960s, life expectancy in Iran hovered around 45 years, meaning the country has added roughly 30 years to its average lifespan within two generations. This dramatic shift has been driven by multiple factors, including widespread vaccination programs, improved maternal and child health services, expanded access to clean water and sanitation, and increased literacy rates — particularly among women, which research consistently links to better health outcomes. Iran's national healthcare system, while uneven in quality between urban and rural areas, has expanded considerably since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. The rural health house program, which deployed community health workers known as behvarz to villages across the country, is widely credited with improving primary care access and reducing infant and child mortality in underserved areas. Lower infant mortality rates have had a direct and meaningful effect on raising average life expectancy figures. Cardiovascular disease, cancer, and road traffic accidents remain among the leading causes of death in Iran today, consistent with a country that has undergone an epidemiological transition away from infectious and communicable diseases toward chronic, noncommunicable conditions. This shift itself reflects a more mature public health profile. The COVID-19 pandemic, which hit Iran particularly hard in its early waves beginning in 2020, caused a measurable but temporary dip in life expectancy figures before partial recovery in subsequent years. Economic sanctions, air pollution — particularly in major cities such as Tehran — and lifestyle-related risk factors including rising rates of obesity, diabetes, and hypertension present ongoing challenges to sustaining and further improving life expectancy gains in the years ahead. The compounding pressure of sanctions on pharmaceutical supply chains and medical equipment access has also introduced structural strain on the healthcare system's long-term capacity.

Major Infectious Diseases — degree of risk

intermediate

Infant Mortality Rate

Iran has made remarkable progress in reducing infant mortality over recent decades, transforming from a country with high childhood death rates in the mid-20th century to one with comparatively modest rates by regional and global standards. The infant mortality rate in Iran currently stands at approximately 13 to 15 deaths per 1,000 live births, reflecting sustained investment in public health infrastructure, maternal care, and preventive medicine. This improvement is largely attributed to the expansion of the Primary Health Care (PHC) network, which was established following the 1979 revolution and significantly extended healthcare access to rural and underserved populations. Through a system of health houses staffed by community health workers known as Behvarzes, basic prenatal and postnatal care became available even in remote villages. Immunization coverage increased substantially as a result, reducing deaths from vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles, tetanus, and pertussis. Neonatal mortality — deaths occurring within the first 28 days of life — accounts for the majority of infant deaths in Iran, a pattern consistent with middle-income countries. Common causes include preterm birth complications, birth asphyxia, and neonatal infections. Urban-rural disparities persist, with infants born in rural provinces such as Sistan and Baluchestan facing notably higher mortality risks compared to those born in major urban centers like Tehran or Isfahan. Iran's infant mortality rate compares favorably with many of its neighbors in the Middle East and Central Asia, though it remains higher than European Union averages, which typically fall below 5 per 1,000 live births. UNICEF and World Health Organization data consistently reflect a downward trend in Iran's figures over the past four decades, representing one of the more significant public health achievements in the developing world. Ongoing challenges include air pollution in major cities, economic pressures affecting household nutrition, and the impact of international sanctions on the availability of medical supplies and pharmaceuticals, all of which have the potential to influence infant health outcomes in the coming years.

Life Expectancy

Life Expectancy at Birth

Life expectancy at birth in Iran has shown remarkable improvement over the past several decades, reflecting significant advances in public health infrastructure, medical care access, and overall living standards. As of the most recent estimates, the average life expectancy at birth in Iran stands at approximately 74–75 years overall, with women living longer than men on average — around 76–77 years for females compared to roughly 73–74 years for males. This progress represents one of the more notable public health achievements in the Middle East and North Africa region. In the early 1960s, life expectancy in Iran hovered around 45 years, meaning the country has added roughly 30 years to its average lifespan within two generations. This dramatic shift has been driven by multiple factors, including widespread vaccination programs, improved maternal and child health services, expanded access to clean water and sanitation, and increased literacy rates — particularly among women, which research consistently links to better health outcomes. Iran's national healthcare system, while uneven in quality between urban and rural areas, has expanded considerably since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. The rural health house program, which deployed community health workers known as behvarz to villages across the country, is widely credited with improving primary care access and reducing infant and child mortality in underserved areas. Lower infant mortality rates have had a direct and meaningful effect on raising average life expectancy figures. Cardiovascular disease, cancer, and road traffic accidents remain among the leading causes of death in Iran today, consistent with a country that has undergone an epidemiological transition away from infectious and communicable diseases toward chronic, noncommunicable conditions. This shift itself reflects a more mature public health profile. The COVID-19 pandemic, which hit Iran particularly hard in its early waves beginning in 2020, caused a measurable but temporary dip in life expectancy figures before partial recovery in subsequent years. Economic sanctions, air pollution — particularly in major cities such as Tehran — and lifestyle-related risk factors including rising rates of obesity, diabetes, and hypertension present ongoing challenges to sustaining and further improving life expectancy gains in the years ahead. The compounding pressure of sanctions on pharmaceutical supply chains and medical equipment access has also introduced structural strain on the healthcare system's long-term capacity.

Infant Mortality Rate

Iran has made remarkable progress in reducing infant mortality over recent decades, transforming from a country with high childhood death rates in the mid-20th century to one with comparatively modest rates by regional and global standards. The infant mortality rate in Iran currently stands at approximately 13 to 15 deaths per 1,000 live births, reflecting sustained investment in public health infrastructure, maternal care, and preventive medicine. This improvement is largely attributed to the expansion of the Primary Health Care (PHC) network, which was established following the 1979 revolution and significantly extended healthcare access to rural and underserved populations. Through a system of health houses staffed by community health workers known as Behvarzes, basic prenatal and postnatal care became available even in remote villages. Immunization coverage increased substantially as a result, reducing deaths from vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles, tetanus, and pertussis. Neonatal mortality — deaths occurring within the first 28 days of life — accounts for the majority of infant deaths in Iran, a pattern consistent with middle-income countries. Common causes include preterm birth complications, birth asphyxia, and neonatal infections. Urban-rural disparities persist, with infants born in rural provinces such as Sistan and Baluchestan facing notably higher mortality risks compared to those born in major urban centers like Tehran or Isfahan. Iran's infant mortality rate compares favorably with many of its neighbors in the Middle East and Central Asia, though it remains higher than European Union averages, which typically fall below 5 per 1,000 live births. UNICEF and World Health Organization data consistently reflect a downward trend in Iran's figures over the past four decades, representing one of the more significant public health achievements in the developing world. Ongoing challenges include air pollution in major cities, economic pressures affecting household nutrition, and the impact of international sanctions on the availability of medical supplies and pharmaceuticals, all of which have the potential to influence infant health outcomes in the coming years.

Country Identity

Country Name

Iran

Full Country Name

Islamic Republic of Iran

Local - Long

Jomhuri-ye Eslami-ye Iran

Local - Short

Iran

Former Name

Persia

Government Structure

Government Type

theocratic republic

Legal System

the Constitution codifies Islamic principles of government

Executive Branch

chief of state: Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Hoseini-KHAMENEI (since 4 June 1989) head of government: President Masoud PEZESHKIAN (since 30 July 2024); First Vice President Mohammad Reza AREF (since 30 July 2024) cabinet: Council of Ministers selected by the president with legislative approval; the Supreme Leader exercises significant influence over appointments to sensitive ministries, particularly those related to defense, intelligence, and foreign affairs elections: Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution appointed for life by the Assembly of Experts; president elected by popular vote for a four-year term; election last held on 28 June 2024, with a two-candidate runoff on 5 July 2024 election results: Masoud PEZESHKIAN elected president in runoff; percent of vote - Masoud PEZESHKIAN 54.8%, Saeed JALILI 44.3%; note - the election was called early following the death of President Ebrahim RAISI in a helicopter crash on 19 May 2024

Legislative Branch

Unicameral Islamic Consultative Assembly, also known as the Majles-e-Shura-ye-Eslami (290 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms). Candidates must be approved by the Guardian Council before standing for election, which has historically resulted in the disqualification of large numbers of reformist and moderate candidates. Elections: Last held on 1 March 2024, with runoff elections held on 10 May 2024. Voter turnout reached approximately 41 percent in the first round, among the lowest recorded in the Islamic Republic's history. Election results: Percent of vote — NA; seats by party — hardline conservatives and principalists secured the overwhelming majority of seats, with reformists and independents holding a markedly reduced presence. The political landscape of the assembly continued to be dominated by factions aligned with Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, consolidating hardline influence over the legislature following the mass disqualification of moderate and reformist candidates by the Guardian Council ahead of the vote.

Judicial Branch

Supreme Court - above a special clerical court, a revolutionary court, and a special administrative court

Suffrage

15 years of age; universal

Constitution

2-3 December 1979; revised 1989 to expand powers of the presidency and eliminate the prime ministership

Independence

1 April 1979 (Islamic Republic of Iran proclaimed)

National Holiday

Republic Day, 1 April (1979)

Capital City

Capital Name

Tehran

Capital - geographic coordinate

35 42 N, 51 25 E

Capital Time Difference

UTC+3.5 (8.5 hours ahead of Washington, DC)

Military

Branches: Islamic Republic of Iran Regular Forces (Artesh): Ground Forces, Navy, Air Force (IRIAF), Khatemolanbia Air Defense Headquarters; Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (Sepah-e Pasdaran-e Enqelab-e Eslami, IRGC): Ground Resistance Forces, Navy, Aerospace Force, Quds Force (special operations); Law Enforcement Forces

Embassy / Diplomatic Mission

Snapshot

Currency Name and Code

Iranian Rial (IRR)

GDP — official exchange rate

$181,200,000,000 (USD)

GDP Real Growth Rate

3.3%

Gini Index

43