Page last updated on January 28, 2014

Introduction:
Background:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Known as Persia until 1935, Iran became an Islamic republic in 1979 after the ruling monarchy was overthrown and Shah Mohammad Reza PAHLAVI was forced into exile. Conservative clerical forces led by Ayatollah Ruhollah KHOMEINI established a theocratic system of government with ultimate political authority vested in a learned religious scholar referred to commonly as the Supreme Leader who, according to the constitution, is accountable only to the Assembly of Experts - a popularly elected 86-member body of clerics. US-Iranian relations became strained when a group of Iranian students seized the US Embassy in Tehran in November 1979 and held embassy personnel hostages until mid-January 1981. The US cut off diplomatic relations with Iran in April 1980. During the period 1980-88, Iran fought a bloody, indecisive war with Iraq that eventually expanded into the Persian Gulf and led to clashes between US Navy and Iranian military forces. Iran has been designated a state sponsor of terrorism for its activities in Lebanon and elsewhere in the world and remains subject to US, UN, and EU economic sanctions and export controls because of its continued involvement in terrorism and concerns over possible military dimensions of its nuclear program. Following the election of reformer Hojjat ol-Eslam Mohammad KHATAMI as president in 1997 and a reformist Majles (legislature) in 2000, a campaign to foster political reform in response to popular dissatisfaction was initiated. The movement floundered as conservative politicians, supported by the Supreme Leader, unelected institutions of authority like the Council of Guardians, and the security services reversed and blocked reform measures while increasing security repression. Starting with nationwide municipal elections in 2003 and continuing through Majles elections in 2004, conservatives reestablished control over Iran's elected government institutions, which culminated with the August 2005 inauguration of hardliner Mahmud AHMADI-NEJAD as president. His controversial reelection in June 2009 sparked nationwide protests over allegations of electoral fraud. These protests were quickly suppressed, and the political opposition that arouse as a consequence of AHMADI-NEJAD's election was repressed. Deteriorating economic conditions due primarily to government mismanagement and international sanctions prompted at least two major economically based protests in July and October 2012, but Iran's internal security situation remained stable. President AHMADI-NEJAD's independent streak angered regime establishment figures, including the Supreme Leader, leading to conservative opposition to his agenda for the last year of his presidency, and an alienation of his political supporters. In June 2013 Iranians elected a moderate conservative cleric, Dr. Hasan Fereidun RUHANI to the presidency. He is a long-time senior member in the regime, but has made promises of reforming society and Iran's foreign policy. The UN Security Council has passed a number of resolutions calling for Iran to suspend its uranium enrichment and reprocessing activities and comply with its IAEA obligations and responsibilities, but in November 2013 the five permanent members, plus Germany, (P5+1) signed a joint plan with Iran to provide the country with incremental relief from international pressure for positive steps toward transparency of their nuclear program.
Geography:
Location:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Middle East, bordering the Gulf of Oman, the Persian Gulf, and the Caspian Sea, between Iraq and Pakistan
Geographic coordinates:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
32 00 N, 53 00 E
Map references:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Middle East
Area:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 1,648,195 sq km
country comparison to the world: 18
land: 1,531,595 sq km
water: 116,600 sq km
Area - comparative:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
slightly smaller than Alaska
Land boundaries:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 5,440 km
border countries: Afghanistan 936 km, Armenia 35 km, Azerbaijan-proper 432 km, Azerbaijan-Naxcivan exclave 179 km, Iraq 1,458 km, Pakistan 909 km, Turkey 499 km, Turkmenistan 992 km
Coastline:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2,440 km; note - Iran also borders the Caspian Sea (740 km)
Maritime claims:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: bilateral agreements or median lines in the Persian Gulf
continental shelf: natural prolongation
Climate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
mostly arid or semiarid, subtropical along Caspian coast
Terrain:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
rugged, mountainous rim; high, central basin with deserts, mountains; small, discontinuous plains along both coasts
Elevation extremes:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lowest point: Caspian Sea -28 m
highest point: Kuh-e Damavand 5,671 m
Natural resources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
petroleum, natural gas, coal, chromium, copper, iron ore, lead, manganese, zinc, sulfur
Land use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
arable land: 10.05%
permanent crops: 1.08%
other: 88.86% (2011)
Irrigated land:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
87,000 sq km (2009)
Total renewable water resources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
137 cu km (2011)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 93.3 cu km/yr (7%/1%/92%)
per capita: 1,306 cu m/yr (2004)
Natural hazards:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
periodic droughts, floods; dust storms, sandstorms; earthquakes
Environment - current issues:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
air pollution, especially in urban areas, from vehicle emissions, refinery operations, and industrial effluents; deforestation; overgrazing; desertification; oil pollution in the Persian Gulf; wetland losses from drought; soil degradation (salination); inadequate supplies of potable water; water pollution from raw sewage and industrial waste; urbanization
Environment - international agreements:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation
Geography - note:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
strategic location on the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz, which are vital maritime pathways for crude oil transport
People and Society:
Nationality:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
noun: Iranian(s)
adjective: Iranian
Ethnic groups:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Persian 61%, Azeri 16%, Kurd 10%, Lur 6%, Baloch 2%, Arab 2%, Turkmen and Turkic tribes 2%, other 1%
Languages:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Persian (official) 53%, Azeri Turkic and Turkic dialects 18%, Kurdish 10%, Gilaki and Mazandarani 7%, Luri 6%, Balochi 2%, Arabic 2%, other 2%
Religions:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Muslim (official) 98% (Shia 89%, Sunni 9%), other (includes Zoroastrian, Jewish, Christian, and Baha'i) 2%
Population:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
79,853,900 (July 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 19
Age structure:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0-14 years: 23.8% (male 9,733,762/female 9,251,929)
15-24 years: 19.8% (male 8,116,169/female 7,671,139)
25-54 years: 45.3% (male 18,380,525/female 17,766,409)
55-64 years: 6.1% (male 2,383,360/female 2,472,140)
65 years and over: 5.1% (male 1,902,743/female 2,175,724) (2013 est.)
population pyramid: "> Dependency ratios:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total dependency ratio: 41 %
youth dependency ratio: 33.6 %
elderly dependency ratio: 7.5 %
potential support ratio: 13.4 (2013)
Median age:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 27.8 years
male: 27.5 years
female: 28.1 years (2013 est.)
Population growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.24% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 95
Birth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
18.4 births/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 106
Death rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
5.94 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 167
Net migration rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
-0.1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 115
Urbanization:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
urban population: 69.1% of total population (2011)
rate of urbanization: 1.25% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
Major urban areas - population:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
TEHRAN (capital) 7.19 million; Mashhad 2.592 million; Esfahan 1.704 million; Karaj 1.531 million; Tabriz 1.459 million (2009)
Sex ratio:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.89 male(s)/female
total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2013 est.)
Maternal mortality rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
21 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)
country comparison to the world: 138
Infant mortality rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 40.02 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 56
male: 40.54 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 39.48 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total population: 70.62 years
country comparison to the world: 149
male: 69.09 years
female: 72.24 years (2013 est.)
Total fertility rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.86 children born/woman (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 146
Contraceptive prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
73.3% (2002)
Health expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
6% of GDP (2011)
country comparison to the world: 110
Physicians density:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0.89 physicians/1,000 population (2005)
Hospital bed density:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.7 beds/1,000 population (2009)
Drinking water source:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
improved:
unimproved:
Sanitation facility access:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
improved:
unimproved:
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0.2% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 99
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
92,000 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 43
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
6,400 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 33
Major infectious diseases:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
degree of risk: intermediate
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea
vectorborne diseases: Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever
note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2013)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
19.4% (2008)
country comparison to the world: 99
Children under the age of 5 years underweight:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4.6% (2004)
country comparison to the world: 91
Education expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4.7% of GDP (2010)
country comparison to the world: 88
Literacy:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 85%
male: 89.3%
female: 80.7% (2008 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 14 years
male: 14 years
female: 14 years (2011)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 23%
country comparison to the world: 48
male: 20.2%
female: 33.9% (2008)
Government:
Country name:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
conventional long form: Islamic Republic of Iran
conventional short form: Iran
local long form: Jomhuri-ye Eslami-ye Iran
local short form: Iran
former: Persia
Government type:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
theocratic republic
Capital:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
name: Tehran
geographic coordinates: 35 42 N, 51 25 E
time difference: UTC+3.5 (8.5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins fourth Tuesday in March; ends fourth Thursday in September
Administrative divisions:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
31 provinces (ostanha, singular - ostan); Alborz, Ardabil, Azarbayjan-e Gharbi (West Azerbaijan), Azarbayjan-e Sharqi (East Azerbaijan), Bushehr, Chahar Mahal va Bakhtiari, Esfahan, Fars, Gilan, Golestan, Hamadan, Hormozgan, Ilam, Kerman, Kermanshah, Khorasan-e Jonubi (South Khorasan), Khorasan-e Razavi (Razavi Khorasan), Khorasan-e Shomali (North Khorasan), Khuzestan, Kohgiluyeh va Bowyer Ahmad, Kordestan, Lorestan, Markazi, Mazandaran, Qazvin, Qom, Semnan, Sistan va Baluchestan, Tehran, Yazd, Zanjan
Independence:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1 April 1979 (Islamic Republic of Iran proclaimed); notable earlier dates: 16 January 1979 (Shah Reza PAHLAVI flees Iran to escape popular political revolt against his rule); 12 December 1925 (modern Iran established under the PAHLAVI Dynasty); 1905-1907 (constitutional revolution resulting in establishment of a parliament); A.D. 1501 (Iran reunified under the Safavid Dynasty)
National holiday:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Republic Day, 1 April (1979)
Constitution:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
previous 1906; latest adopted 24 October 1979, effective 3 December 1979; amended 1989 (2013)
Legal system:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
religious legal system based on sharia law
International law organization participation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
Suffrage:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
chief of state: Supreme Leader Ali Hoseini-KHAMENEI (since 4 June 1989)
head of government: President Hasan Fereidun RUHANI (since 3 August 2013); First Vice President Eshaq JAHANGIRI (since 5 August 2013)
cabinet: Council of Ministers selected by the president with legislative approval; the Supreme Leader has some control over appointments to the more sensitive ministries
(For more information visit the World Leaders website )
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
note: also considered part of the Executive branch of government are three oversight bodies: 1) Council of Guardians of the Constitution or Council of Guardians or Guardians Council (Shora-ye Negban-e Qanon-e Asasi) determines whether proposed legislation is both constitutional and faithful to Islamic law, vets candidates in popular elections for suitability, and supervises national elections; 2) Assembly of Experts (Majles-e Khoebregan), an elected consultative body of senior clerics constitutionally mandated to select, appoint, supervise, and dismiss the Supreme Leader; 3) Expediency Council or the Council for the Discernment of Expediency (Majma-ye- Tashkhis-e -Maslahat-e- Nezam) resolves legislative issues when the Majles and the Council of Guardians disagree and since 1989 has been used to advise national religious leaders on matters of national policy; in 2005 the Council's powers were expanded to act as a supervisory body for the government
elections: supreme leader appointed for life by the Assembly of Experts; president elected by popular vote for a four-year term (eligible for a second term and additional nonconsecutive term); election last held on 14 June 2013 (next presidential election to be held in June 2017)
election results: Hasan Fereidun RUHANI 50.7%, Mohammad Baqer QALIBAF 16.5%, Saeed JALILI 11.4%, Mohsen REZAI 10.6%, Ali Akber VELAYATI 6.2%, other 4.6%
Legislative branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
unicameral Islamic Consultative Assembly or Majles-e Shura-ye Eslami or Majles (290 seats; members elected by popular vote from single and multimember districts to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held on 2 March 2012 (first round); second round held on 4 May 2012; (next election to be held in 2016)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA
Judicial branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
highest court(s): Supreme Court (consists of a president and NA judges)
judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court president appointed by the head of the Supreme Judicial Council in consultation with judges of the Supreme Court; president appointed for a 5-year term; other judge appointments and tenure NA
subordinate courts: Penal Courts I and II; Islamic Revolutionary Courts; Courts of Peace; Special Clerical Court (functions outside the judicial system and handles cases involving clerics); military courts
Political parties and leaders:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
note: formal political parties are a relatively new phenomenon in Iran and most conservatives still prefer to work through political pressure groups rather than parties; often political parties or coalitions are formed prior to elections and disbanded soon thereafter; a loose pro-reform coalition called the 2nd Khordad Front, which includes political parties as well as less formal groups and organizations, achieved considerable success in elections for the sixth Majles in early 2000; groups in the coalition included the Islamic Iran Participation Front (IIPF), Executives of Construction Party (Kargozaran), Solidarity Party, Islamic Labor Party, Mardom Salari, Mojahedin of the Islamic Revolution Organization (MIRO), and Militant Clerics Society (MCS; Ruhaniyun); the coalition participated in the seventh Majles elections in early 2004 but boycotted them after 80 incumbent reformists were disqualified; following his defeat in the 2005 presidential elections, former MCS Secretary General and sixth Majles Speaker Mehdi KARUBI formed the National Trust Party; a new conservative group, Islamic Iran Developers Coalition (Abadgaran), took a leading position in the new Majles after winning a majority of the seats in February 2004; ahead of the 2008 Majles elections, traditional and hardline conservatives attempted to close ranks under the United Front of Principlists and the Broad Popular Coalition of Principlists; several reformist groups, such as the MIRO and the IIPF, also came together as a reformist coalition in advance of the 2008 Majles elections; the IIPF has repeatedly complained that the overwhelming majority of its candidates were unfairly disqualified from the 2008 elections
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
groups that generally support the Islamic Republic:
active pro-reform student group:
opposition groups:
armed political groups repressed by the government:
International organization participation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
CICA, CP, D-8, ECO, FAO, G-15, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, SAARC (observer), SCO (observer), UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)
Diplomatic representation in the US:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
none; note - Iran has an Interests Section in the Pakistani Embassy; address: Iranian Interests Section, Pakistani Embassy, 2209 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007; telephone: [1] (202) 965-4990; FAX [1] (202) 965-1073
Diplomatic representation from the US:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
none; note - the US Interests Section is located in the Embassy of Switzerland No. 39 Shahid Mousavi (Golestan 5th), Pasdaran Ave., Tehran, Iran; telephone [98] 21 2254 2178/2256 5273; FAX [98] 21 2258 0432
Flag description:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and red; the national emblem (a stylized representation of the word Allah in the shape of a tulip, a symbol of martyrdom) in red is centered in the white band; ALLAH AKBAR (God is Great) in white Arabic script is repeated 11 times along the bottom edge of the green band and 11 times along the top edge of the red band; green is the color of Islam and also represents growth, white symbolizes honesty and peace, red stands for bravery and martyrdom
National symbol(s):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lion
National anthem:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
name: "Soroud-e Melli-ye Jomhouri-ye Eslami-ye Iran" (National Anthem of the Islamic Republic of Iran)
lyrics/music: multiple authors/Hassan RIAHI
note: adopted 1990
Economy:
Economy - overview:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Iran's economy is marked by statist policies and an inefficient state sector, which create major distortions throughout the system, and reliance on oil, which provides a large share of government revenues. Price controls, subsidies, and other rigidities weigh down the economy, undermining the potential for private-sector-led growth. Private sector activity is typically limited to small-scale workshops, farming, some manufacturing, and services. Significant informal market activity flourishes and corruption is widespread. Tehran since the early 1990s has recognized the need to reduce these inefficiencies, and in December 2010 the Majles passed President Mahmud AHMADI-NEJAD's Targeted Subsidies Law (TSL) to reduce state subsidies on food and energy. This was the most extensive economic reform since the government implemented gasoline rationing in 2007. Over a five-year period the legislation sought to phase out subsidies that previously cost Tehran $60-$100 billion annually and mostly benefited Iran''s upper and middle classes. Cash payouts of $45 per person to more than 90% of Iranian households mitigated initial widespread resistance to the TSL program. However, inflation in 2012 reached its highest level in four years, eroding the value of these cash payouts and motivating the Majles to halt planned price increases for the second half of 2012 through at least March 2013. New fiscal and monetary constraints on Tehran, following international sanctions in January against Iran''s Central Bank and oil exports, significantly reduced Iran''s oil revenue, forced government spending cuts, and fueled a 20% currency depreciation. Economic growth turned negative for the first time in two decades. Iran also continues to suffer from double-digit unemployment and underemployment. Underemployment among Iran''s educated youth has convinced many to seek jobs overseas, resulting in a significant "brain drain."
GDP (purchasing power parity):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$988.4 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 18
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$541.2 billion (2012 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
-1.9% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 208
GDP - per capita (PPP):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$13,000 (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 100
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
Gross national saving:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
30.3% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 24
GDP - composition, by end use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
household consumption: 45.9%
government consumption: 13.3%
investment in fixed capital: 30.6%
investment in inventories: 1.5%
exports of goods and services: 25.3%
imports of goods and services: -16.6%
GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
agriculture: 9.8%
industry: 46.2%
services: 44.1% (2012 est.)
Agriculture - products:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
wheat, rice, other grains, sugar beets, sugarcane, fruits, nuts, cotton; dairy products, wool; caviar
Industries:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
petroleum, petrochemicals, fertilizers, caustic soda, textiles, cement and other construction materials, food processing (particularly sugar refining and vegetable oil production), ferrous and non-ferrous metal fabrication, armaments
Industrial production growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
-5.8% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 173
Labor force:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
27.05 million
country comparison to the world: 24
note: shortage of skilled labor (2012 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
agriculture: 25%
industry: 31%
services: 45% (June 2007)
Unemployment rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
15.5% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 147
note: data are according to the Iranian Government
Population below poverty line:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
18.7% (2007 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lowest 10%: 2.6%
highest 10%: 29.6% (2005)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
44.5 (2006)
country comparison to the world: 45
Budget:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
revenues: $79.69 billion
expenditures: $92.63 billion (2012 est.)
Taxes and other revenues:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
14.7% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 196
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
-2.4% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 95
Public debt:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
18.4% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 131
note: includes publicly guaranteed debt
Fiscal year:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
21 March - 20 March
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
19.9% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 216
note: official Iranian estimate
Central bank discount rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA%
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
11% (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 70
Stock of narrow money:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$42.91 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 50
Stock of broad money:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$199.9 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 40
Stock of domestic credit:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$77.74 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 59
Market value of publicly traded shares:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$107.2 billion (31 December 2011)
country comparison to the world: 43
Current account balance:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$-9.307 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 174
Exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$67.04 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 53
Exports - commodities:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
petroleum 80%, chemical and petrochemical products, fruits and nuts, carpets
Exports - partners:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
China 22.1%, India 11.9%, Turkey 10.6%, South Korea 7.6%, Japan 7.1% (2012)
Imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$70.03 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 43
Imports - commodities:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
industrial supplies, capital goods, foodstuffs and other consumer goods, technical services
Imports - partners:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
UAE 33.2%, China 13.8%, Turkey 11.8%, South Korea 7.4% (2012)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$74.06 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 29
Debt - external:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$14.84 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 86
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$37.31 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 57
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$3.345 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 67
Exchange rates:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Iranian rials (IRR) per US dollar -
Energy:
Electricity - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
220.3 billion kWh (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 20
Electricity - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
182.7 billion kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 20
Electricity - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
6.707 billion kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 25
Electricity - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3.015 billion kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 46
Electricity - installed generating capacity:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
62.09 million kW (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 15
Electricity - from fossil fuels:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
86.2% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 86
Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 108
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
13.7% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 104
Electricity - from other renewable sources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0.2% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 93
Crude oil - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3.589 million bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 6
Crude oil - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.377 million bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 4
Crude oil - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
15,600 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 72
Crude oil - proved reserves:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
154.6 billion bbl (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 4
Refined petroleum products - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.712 million bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 13
Refined petroleum products - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.694 million bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 14
Refined petroleum products - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
330,800 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 22
Refined petroleum products - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
180,400 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 29
Natural gas - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
151.8 billion cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 4
Natural gas - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
144.6 billion cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 5
Natural gas - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
9.05 billion cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 28
Natural gas - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
10.59 billion cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 30
Natural gas - proved reserves:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
33.61 trillion cu m (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 2
Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
624.9 million Mt (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 8
Communications:
Telephones - main lines in use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
28.76 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 12
Telephones - mobile cellular:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
58.16 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 24
Telephone system:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
general assessment: currently being modernized and expanded with the goal of not only improving the efficiency and increasing the volume of the urban service but also bringing telephone service to several thousand villages, not presently connected
domestic: the addition of new fiber cables and modern switching and exchange systems installed by Iran's state-owned telecom company have improved and expanded the fixed-line network greatly; fixed-line availability has more than doubled to more than 27 million lines since 2000; additionally, mobile-cellular service has increased dramatically serving roughly 56 million subscribers in 2011; combined fixed and mobile-cellular subscribership now exceeds 100 per 100 persons
international: country code - 98; submarine fiber-optic cable to UAE with access to Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe (FLAG); Trans-Asia-Europe (TAE) fiber-optic line runs from Azerbaijan through the northern portion of Iran to Turkmenistan with expansion to Georgia and Azerbaijan; HF radio and microwave radio relay to Turkey, Azerbaijan, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Syria, Kuwait, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan; satellite earth stations - 13 (9 Intelsat and 4 Inmarsat) (2011)
Broadcast media:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
state-run broadcast media with no private, independent broadcasters; Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), the state-run TV broadcaster, operates 5 nationwide channels, a news channel, about 30 provincial channels, and several international channels; about 20 foreign Persian-language TV stations broadcasting on satellite TV are capable of being seen in Iran; satellite dishes are illegal and, while their use had been tolerated, authorities began confiscating satellite dishes following the unrest stemming from the 2009 presidential election; IRIB operates 8 nationwide radio networks, a number of provincial stations, and an external service; most major international broadcasters transmit to Iran (2009)
Internet country code:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
.ir
Internet hosts:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
197,804 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 72
Internet users:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
8.214 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 35
Transportation:
Airports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
319 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 22
Airports - with paved runways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 140
over 3,047 m: 42
2,438 to 3,047 m: 29
1,524 to 2,437 m: 26
914 to 1,523 m: 36
under 914 m: 7 (2013)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 179
over 3,047 m: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 9
914 to 1,523 m: 135
under 914 m:
Heliports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
26 (2013)
Pipelines:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
condensate 7 km; condensate/gas 973 km; gas 20,794 km; liquid petroleum gas 570 km; oil 8,625 km; refined products 7,937 km (2013)
Railways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 8,442 km
country comparison to the world: 24
broad gauge: 94 km 1.676-m gauge
standard gauge: 8,348 km 1.435-m gauge (148 km electrified) (2008)
Roadways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 198,866 km
country comparison to the world: 26
paved: 160,366 km (includes 1,948 km of expressways)
unpaved: 38,500 km (2010)
Waterways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
850 km (on Karun River; some navigation on Lake Urmia) (2012)
country comparison to the world: 70
Merchant marine:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 76
country comparison to the world: 60
by type: bulk carrier 8, cargo 51, chemical tanker 3, container 4, liquefied gas 1, passenger/cargo 3, petroleum tanker 2, refrigerated cargo 2, roll on/roll off 2
foreign-owned: 2 (UAE 2)
registered in other countries: 71 (Barbados 5, Cyprus 10, Hong Kong 3, Malta 48, Panama 5) (2010)
Ports and terminals:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
major seaport(s): Bandar-e Asaluyeh, Bandar Abbas
river port(s): Bandar Emam Khomeyni (Shatt al-Arab)
container port(s) (TEUs): Bandar Abbas (2,752,460)
Military:
Military branches:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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 (2011)
Military service age and obligation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
18 years of age for compulsory military service; 16 years of age for volunteers; 17 years of age for Law Enforcement Forces; 15 years of age for Basij Forces (Popular Mobilization Army); conscript military service obligation is 18 months; women exempt from military service (2012)
Manpower available for military service:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
males age 16-49: 23,619,215
females age 16-49: 22,628,341 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
males age 16-49: 20,149,222
females age 16-49: 19,417,275 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
male: 715,111
female: 677,372 (2010 est.)
Transnational Issues:
Disputes - international:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Iran protests Afghanistan's limiting flow of dammed Helmand River tributaries during drought; Iraq's lack of a maritime boundary with Iran prompts jurisdiction disputes beyond the mouth of the Shatt al Arab in the Persian Gulf; Iran and UAE dispute Tunb Islands and Abu Musa Island, which are occupied by Iran; Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Russia ratified Caspian seabed delimitation treaties based on equidistance, while Iran continues to insist on a one-fifth slice of the sea; Afghan and Iranian commissioners have discussed boundary monument densification and resurvey
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
refugees (country of origin): 2.4 million (1 million registered, 1.4 million undocumented) (Afghanistan); 42,500 (Iraq) (2013)
Trafficking in persons:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
current situation: Iran is a presumed source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children subjected to sex trafficking and forced labor; Iranian and Afghan boys and girls are forced into prostitution domestically; Iranian women are subjected to sex trafficking in Iran, Pakistan, the Persian Gulf, and Europe; Azerbaijani women and children are also sexually exploited in Iran; Afghan migrants and refugees and Pakistani men and women are subjected to conditions of forced labor in Iran; NGO reports indicate that criminal organizations play a significant role in human trafficking in Iran
tier rating: Tier 3 - Iran does not comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking, and is not making significant efforts to do so; the government does not share information on its anti-trafficking efforts, making it difficult to assess the country's human trafficking problem or the government's attempts to curb it; NGOs report that laws against human trafficking, forced labor, and debt bondage remain unenforced because of a lack of political will and widespread political corruption; there is no evidence that the government has a process to identify trafficking victims, refers victims to protective services, or has made efforts to prevent human trafficking (2013)