Iran

World Book Index

Introduction

Background
Known as Persia until 1935, Iran became an Islamic republic in 1979 after the ruling monarchy was overthrown. Conservative clerical forces established a theocratic system of government with ultimate political authority vested in a religious scholar known as the Supreme Leader. Relations between Iran and the West remain tense, due in part to concerns over its nuclear program.

Geography

Area
total : 1,648,195 sq km
land: 1,531,595 sq km
water: 116,600 sq km

Climate
mostly arid or semiarid, subtropical along Caspian coast

Natural resources
petroleum, natural gas, coal, chromium, copper, iron ore, lead, manganese, zinc, sulfur

People and Society

Population
total: 88,386,937 (2024 est.)

Ethnic groups
Persian, Azeri, Kurd, Lur, Baloch, Arab, Turkmen, and Turkic tribes

Languages
Persian Farsi (official), Azeri and other Turkic dialects, Kurdish, Gilaki and Mazandarani, Luri, Balochi, Arabic

Religions
Muslim (official) 98.5%, Christian 0.7%, Baha'i 0.3%, agnostic 0.3%, other (includes Zoroastrian, Jewish, Hindu) 0.2% (2020 est.)

Population growth rate
0.88% (2024 est.)

Government

Government type
theocratic republic

Capital
name: Tehran

Executive branch
chief of state: Supreme Leader Ali Hoseini-KHAMENEI (since 4 June 1989)
head of government: President Masoud PEZESHKIAN (since 30 July 2024)

Economy

Economic overview
traditionally state-controlled economy but reforming state-owned financial entities; strong oil/gas, agricultural, and service sectors; recent massive inflation due to exchange rate depreciation, international sanctions, and investor uncertainty; increasing poverty

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$1.486 trillion (2024 est.)
$1.442 trillion (2023 est.)
$1.373 trillion (2022 est.)

Real GDP per capita
$16,200 (2024 est.)
$15,900 (2023 est.)
$15,300 (2022 est.)

Exports
$100.031 billion (2024 est.)
$97.924 billion (2023 est.)
$105.752 billion (2022 est.)

Exports - partners
China 35%, Turkey 16%, India 8%, Pakistan 7%, Armenia 5% (2023)

Exports - commodities
plastics, iron ore, alcohols, natural gas, refined copper (2023)

Imports
$117.176 billion (2024 est.)
$113.21 billion (2023 est.)
$97.729 billion (2022 est.)

Imports - partners
China 34%, UAE 20%, Turkey 11%, Brazil 8%, Germany 4% (2023)

Imports - commodities
broadcasting equipment, vehicle parts/accessories, corn, soybeans, vehicle bodies (2023)

Human Development Index

The country's Human Development Index (HDI) is 0.799, ranking it 75th out of 193 countries tested. (more information)

World Happiness Report

The World Happiness Report ranked the country 105th out of 158 countries tested with a score of 4.975. (more information)