1925-1979 Pahlavi Era/1979+ Islamic Republic
Mohammad-Reza Shah Pahlavi, Monarch of Iran (1941-1979)
It was in this era that Iran's population began to boom. Refugees from Afghanistan and Iraq arrived. Infant mortality rates went up, causing more children to have to be born. Near the end of the Pahlavi era, though, the government realized what was happening and began to implement ideas to control birth rate. It encouraged birth control techniques, and things looked like they would be good for the future of Iran (All Larsen, 2001).
However, in 1979, the monarchy fell, and a new constitution was formed. Ruhollah Khomeini was named supreme leader, and the Islamic Republic of Iran was formed. All plans for birth control and family planning were lost. In fact, the government denounced family planning as a "Western influence". An army of over 20,000,000 was aimed for. Statistics show Iran's population doubling in 20 years (All Larsen, 2001).
But this population boost had a terrible effect on Iran. The dependency load was too much to bear, and the economy plummeted. So the Government (once again) changed stance and pushed for a lower population, limiting families to three children and encouraging women to wait several years between giving birth. And this is Iran's current stance on childbirth. Many people argue that this stance should be a model for developing nations. But it isn't. Read more on our "Challenges" page (All Larsen, 2001).
However, in 1979, the monarchy fell, and a new constitution was formed. Ruhollah Khomeini was named supreme leader, and the Islamic Republic of Iran was formed. All plans for birth control and family planning were lost. In fact, the government denounced family planning as a "Western influence". An army of over 20,000,000 was aimed for. Statistics show Iran's population doubling in 20 years (All Larsen, 2001).
But this population boost had a terrible effect on Iran. The dependency load was too much to bear, and the economy plummeted. So the Government (once again) changed stance and pushed for a lower population, limiting families to three children and encouraging women to wait several years between giving birth. And this is Iran's current stance on childbirth. Many people argue that this stance should be a model for developing nations. But it isn't. Read more on our "Challenges" page (All Larsen, 2001).
Demographic Transition
A demographic transition model
The demographic transition is a four stage model showing the industrialization of a country or state. This model is helpful because it shows us where a country is on it's way to becoming industrialized, and can be useful in predicting the effects of industrialization on a country. The phases are as follows:
1. Pre-industrial- This is the face in which many "Third World" countries are at now. Low life expectancy, crime, little birth control, a high infant mortality rate, little industrialization and a large dependency load is common. The Birth rate and death rate are extremely high.
2. Transitional- Health and safety are becoming major concerns, and as a result, the death rate is declining rapidly. The birth rate are still high, but are beginning to lower, gradually, as people simply don't need as many children to pass on the line. Industrialization is beginning to take foot.
3. Early industrial- As a result of the low death rate, the birth rate is starting to drop. People have no need for many children. For example, in an agricultural society, many children are needed to tend farms and other manual work. In the urban world, this is not necessary, and extra children only take up extra time, money and space. Iran is currently a stage three country, with a high birth rate (18.52/1000 per year) and a low death rate (5.94/1000 per year). This means we can expect to see a drop in Iran's birth rate soon. In fact, its already begun. (See "Challenges")
4. Industrial- The country is fully industrial. The Birth rate is low, the death rate is low, life expectancy is high, population is high, the country (state) is a great place to live, with a high living standard. Arts and sciences (like demography!) can be studied, and the place is industrial. The is the stage many "First World" countries are at today, such as Canada, America, Australia, and Britain (All Wikipedia).
1. Pre-industrial- This is the face in which many "Third World" countries are at now. Low life expectancy, crime, little birth control, a high infant mortality rate, little industrialization and a large dependency load is common. The Birth rate and death rate are extremely high.
2. Transitional- Health and safety are becoming major concerns, and as a result, the death rate is declining rapidly. The birth rate are still high, but are beginning to lower, gradually, as people simply don't need as many children to pass on the line. Industrialization is beginning to take foot.
3. Early industrial- As a result of the low death rate, the birth rate is starting to drop. People have no need for many children. For example, in an agricultural society, many children are needed to tend farms and other manual work. In the urban world, this is not necessary, and extra children only take up extra time, money and space. Iran is currently a stage three country, with a high birth rate (18.52/1000 per year) and a low death rate (5.94/1000 per year). This means we can expect to see a drop in Iran's birth rate soon. In fact, its already begun. (See "Challenges")
4. Industrial- The country is fully industrial. The Birth rate is low, the death rate is low, life expectancy is high, population is high, the country (state) is a great place to live, with a high living standard. Arts and sciences (like demography!) can be studied, and the place is industrial. The is the stage many "First World" countries are at today, such as Canada, America, Australia, and Britain (All Wikipedia).
Below is an Iranian population pyramid slideshow, with pyramids from 1900-2010 and predicted pyramids for 2020 and 2050. Note the lowered birth rate.
Demographic Information
Current demographic statistics of Iran-
24% Azeri
8% Gilaki and Mazandarani
7% Kurd
3% Arab
2% Lur
2% Baloch
2% Turkmen
1% Other
9% Sunni Islam
2% Other (Primarily Baha'i, Zorastrian, Jewish, Christian)
26% Turkic
9% Kurdish
2% Luri
1% Balochi
1% Arabic
1% Turkish
2% Other
(All CIA)
- Population- 76,923,300
- Average age- 26.3 years old
- Population growth- 1.253% annually
- Birth rate- 18.52/1000 annually
- Death rate- 5.94/1000 annually
- Migration rate- -0.04/1000 annually
- Urban population- 68%
- Literacy rate- 77%
- Sex ratio- 1.02 M : 1.00 F
- Infant mortality- 43.45/1000 births
- Life expectancy- 69.77
- Fertility rate- 1.89/Women
- Ethnicity-
24% Azeri
8% Gilaki and Mazandarani
7% Kurd
3% Arab
2% Lur
2% Baloch
2% Turkmen
1% Other
- Religion-
9% Sunni Islam
2% Other (Primarily Baha'i, Zorastrian, Jewish, Christian)
- Language-
26% Turkic
9% Kurdish
2% Luri
1% Balochi
1% Arabic
1% Turkish
2% Other
(All CIA)