Iran faces rapid population aging and declining birth rates

Iran is facing a rapid demographic shift toward an aging population. Currently, elderly citizens (aged 60 and above) account for approximately 12% of the population, exceeding 10 million people. Projections suggest this figure could rise to over 26% by 2051, driven by the upcoming aging of the 1980s generation.

Health officials warn that the speed of this transition is faster than in many other countries, leaving limited time to adapt healthcare, insurance, pension, and social service systems. The Ministry of Health is working to implement an “integrated elderly care” approach, focusing on maintaining functional capacity in areas such as vision, hearing, nutrition, mobility, mental health, and cognition.

Simultaneously, the country is experiencing a decline in birth and marriage rates. Data from the Civil Registration Organization shows a downward trend in births and marriages compared to previous years. While the National Population Headquarters has introduced initiatives like the ‘Mother’s Hope Card’ to provide financial support for newborns, economic factors remain a significant barrier to increasing fertility rates.