Demographic Snapshot
The Islamic Republic of Iran is undergoing a demographic and socio-economic transition. The defining feature of its population structure is a large cohort of some 18 million 'baby boomers' – young men and women born between 1979 and 1989. This is a result of the dramatic demographic shifts over the last 30 years.
Throughout much of the 1980s, population growth
accelerated rapidly. It then decreased even more
quickly to about replacement level. The emergence of the baby
boomers into adulthood offers the country the possibility of economic
growth - if young people are provided with the skills and opportunities
to become productive economic agents. It could result in a second
baby boom if the success of the country's family planning efforts
are not sustained.
The country's youthful population structure and
long life expectancy (about 70 years on average) means that the
country will eventually have to confront a large proportion of people
over 65 compared to younger people. In 2002, people over the age
of 65 accounted for about 5 per cent of the whole population, whereas
this group will account for almost a quarter of the population by
2050. Migration of Afghan refugees to Iran, as well as the migration
of large numbers of people from rural to urban areas, are other
important demographic concerns.
Page last updated: 9 February 2006
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