Rising Internal Migration in Iran; Lack of Livability in Cities is the Main Reason

Official statistics from government agencies in the Islamic Republic indicate that, on average, one million people are forced to migrate within Iran each year. Kazem Kordvani, a sociologist, stated in an interview with VOA's News Hour that, "According to information from the Statistical Center of Iran, between 2011 and 2016, more than 4 million Iranians were forced to change their place of residence within the country, of which over 14% migrated from rural areas to cities, and more than 68% were compelled to move from one city to another." This sociologist attributed the migration from city to city to the lack of suitable living conditions in urban areas and added that the provinces of Khuzestan, Lorestan, Kermanshah, Hamadan, and Sistan and Baluchestan rank highest in 'migrant outflow.' Mr. Kordvani identified the water crisis and unemployment as the main causes of internal migration and emphasized that the consequences of these forced migrations include the existence of 20 million slum dwellers, increased unemployment, crime, and addiction. According to water, development, and climate migration experts, Iran ranks last in climate change policy-making globally, and 76% of its renewable water resources have been depleted over the past fifty years.