Country Profile: Iran

Iran, formerly known as Persia until 1935, is a Middle Eastern country characterized by its strategic location and rich history. It is bordered by significant bodies of water including the Gulf of Oman, the Caspian Sea, and the Persian Gulf. With a population of approximately 89 million, Iran has a young demographic and a diverse ethnic composition. Its economy is traditionally state-controlled but is undergoing reforms, particularly in the oil and gas sectors, despite facing challenges from inflation and international sanctions. Governance in Iran operates as a theocratic republic with a complex political structure dominated by the Supreme Leader.

Geography

Iran is located in the Middle East, sharing borders with several countries and coastlines along critical maritime zones. Its diverse terrain includes rugged mountains and vast deserts. The country has a total area of 1,648,195 sq km, making it almost 2.5 times the size of Texas, and it experiences mostly arid or semiarid climates.

Total Coastline: 2,440 km
Highest Point: Kuh-e Damavand at 5,625 m
Natural Resources: Petroleum, natural gas, coal, and various minerals.
Population Distribution: Concentrated in the northern and western regions, with vast dry areas in the center.
Natural Hazards: Periodic droughts, floods, and earthquakes.

People and Society

Iran's population is estimated at 89,177,357 in 2025, predominantly composed of Persians, Azeris, and Kurds among others. The official language is Persian (Farsi), and Islam is the state religion, with about 98.5% of the population identified as Muslim. The society is marked by high urbanization with 77.3% of citizens living in urban areas.

Urban Population Growth Rate: 1.32% (2020-25 est.)
Life Expectancy: 75.6 years (2024 est.)
Literacy Rate: 86% (2016 est.)
Infant Mortality Rate: 9.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)
Dependency Ratio: 42.8 (2025 est.)

Economy

Iran's economy is primarily based on state-controlled sectors, particularly oil and gas, agriculture, and services. The real GDP (PPP) is estimated to reach $1.486 trillion in 2024, with notable inflation challenges affecting purchasing power. The unemployment rate stands at approximately 9.2%.

GDP Growth Rate: 3% (2024 est.)
Inflation Rate: 32.5% (2024 est.)
Exports: $100.031 billion (2024 est.)
Imports: $117.176 billion (2024 est.)
Youth Unemployment Rate: 22.8% (2024 est.)

Government

Iran functions as a theocratic republic with its governance centered around religious leadership. The Supreme Leader holds significant power, and recent elections have illustrated the dominance of conservative factions. The capital city is Tehran, and the legal system blends secular and Islamic laws.

Number of Provinces: 31
Suffrage Age: 18 years
Legislature: Unicameral Islamic Parliament with 290 seats.
Current Supreme Leader: Ali Hoseini-KHAMENEI since 1989.
Recent Presidential Election: Masoud PEZESHKIAN elected in 2024.

Military and Security

Iran's military forces comprise the Islamic Republic of Iran Regular Forces (Artesh) and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The armed forces are structured to defend against both external and internal threats, with various divisions specializing in ground, naval, and aerial operations.

Total Military Personnel: Up to 600,000
Military Expenditures: 2% of GDP (2024 est.)
Conscription Age: 18 years for men.
Active IRGC Personnel: Estimated 190,000.
Iran's Military Presence: Ongoing military involvement in regional conflicts, notably Syria.

Energy

Iran possesses significant energy resources, primarily in oil and natural gas. The country produces about 4.112 million bbl/day of petroleum and has vast natural gas reserves, with electricity generation largely reliant on fossil fuels.

Natural Gas Production: 265.088 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
Electricity Generation Capacity: 86.058 million kW (2023 est.)
Fossil Fuels Contribution: 94.6% of total electricity installed capacity (2023).
Nuclear Capacity: 0.92 GW operational (2025).
Coal Production: 2.209 million metric tons (2023 est.).

Environment

Iran faces various environmental challenges, including air pollution and water scarcity, exacerbated by industrial activity and climate conditions. The government is a party to several international environmental agreements.

Urbanization Rate: 77.3% of the population (2023).
Forest Cover: 6.6% of land area (2023 est.).
Annual Carbon Dioxide Emissions: 823.364 million metric tons (2023 est.).
Water Resources: Total renewable water resources of 137 billion cubic meters (2022).
Participating in Environmental Agreements: Including Biodiversity and Climate Change.

Transportation

Iran has a diverse transportation network including an extensive railway system and numerous airports. The country maintains active maritime infrastructure to support its shipping needs.

Airports: 177 (2025 est.)
Railway Length: 8,483.5 km (2014 est.)
Merchant Marine Vessels: 965 (2023).
Civil Aircraft Registration Code: EP.
Ports: Total of 18, with 13 having oil terminals.

Communications

Iran's communications infrastructure has seen significant growth, with high mobile cellular subscription rates and internet access among the population.

Mobile Cellular Subscriptions: 159 million (2024 est.)
Fixed-line Subscriptions: 29.02 million (2023 est.)
Internet Penetration: 80% of the population (2023 est.).
Broadband Subscriptions: 10.9 million (2023 est.).
State-run Media: Dominates the broadcasting landscape.

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	89,177,357	2025 estimate
Area	1,648,195 sq km	Total area
GDP (PPP)	$1.486 trillion	2024 estimate
Energy Consumption per Capita	160.779 million Btu/person	2023 estimate
Birth Rate	11.24 births/1,000 people	2025 estimate
Unemployment Rate	9.2%	2024 estimate
Life Expectancy	75.6 years	2024 estimate
Literacy Rate	86%	2016 estimate
Electric Access	100%	2022 estimate
Urbanization Rate	77.3%	2023 estimate