The Deputy of Health at Iran University of Medical Sciences announced that Iran's population growth rate has dropped to less than one percent. According to Mohammad Tabatabai, over a period of 35 years from 1986 to 2021, the population growth rate has decreased from about 3.9% to 0.6%. Concerns about the population size coincide with the Iranian government's emphasis on increasing the population, while inflation has risen to over 45%, and a significant increase in housing rents, especially in Tehran, has led some families to resort to 'roof sleeping.' The Deputy of Health at Iran University of Medical Sciences has predicted that in the next 20 years, Iran will face negative population growth and will have the lowest fertility rate in the Western Asia region. Mohammad Tabatabai stated that if the current trend continues, by 2041, about 30% of the country's population will be elderly. Ali Khamenei has repeatedly called for an increase in population in recent years, describing an aging population as a 'terrifying future' for the country. The Supreme Leader has not provided explanations on how to address issues such as unemployment, inflation, and increasing poverty in society. The Islamic Consultative Assembly also enacted a law last year known as the 'Family Support and Youth Population' law to promote childbirth, which imposed restrictions on prenatal screening and access to contraceptive methods. Meanwhile, officials from the Welfare Organization have warned about the consequences of this law and the potential increase of 40,000 to 60,000 in the number of disabled individuals in the country annually. The rising divorce rate and declining marriage and childbirth rates; Ansieh Khazali stated: the problem is not economic, but the extravagance of women. One day after the announcement of the formation of the 'Abortion Patrol'; a midwifery clinic was shut down. The Food and Drug Organization denied the shortage of baby formula and its sale with national ID numbers. Worrying reports about the demographic future; the tragedy of governance and the uprising of aging.
An Academic Official: Iran's Fertility Rate is Falling to the Lowest Level in Western Asia
Iran's population growth rate has fallen to below one percent, with predictions of negative growth and an aging population in the coming decades. This situation arises amidst rising inflation and housing costs, leading to government concerns about population decline. The government's contradictory stance on population growth and economic challenges raises significant issues for Iranian society.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
Iran's population growth rate has fallen to below one percent, with predictions of negative growth and an aging population in the coming decades. This decline is occurring alongside rising inflation and housing costs, raising concerns among government officials.
- Population growth rate dropped from 3.9% in 1986 to 0.6% in 2021.
- Projected that by 2041, 30% of Iran's population will be elderly.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
Iran has historically emphasized population growth, but economic challenges like inflation and housing costs are leading to declining birth rates. Government policies aimed at increasing fertility are met with societal resistance and economic realities.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
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