Iran is home to over 88 million people, making it one of the most populous countries in the Middle East. The population is highly urbanized, with roughly 75% living in cities. While historically experiencing rapid population growth, Iran's birth rate has dropped significantly in recent decades, leading to a gradually aging demographic profile, though the working-age population remains large.
Iran is an ethnically and linguistically diverse nation. Persians constitute the majority (roughly 50-60%), followed by significant populations of Azerbaijanis, Kurds, Lurs, Balochis, Arabs, and Turkmens.
The official state religion is Twelver Shia Islam, practiced by roughly 90% of the population. Sunnis make up the largest religious minority (around 5-10%), predominantly among Kurdish, Balochi, and Turkmen communities. Recognized minority religions include Christianity (primarily Armenians and Assyrians), Judaism, and Zoroastrianism. Iranian society places a high cultural value on education, resulting in high literacy rates, particularly among younger generations and women, though employment challenges remain prevalent.
