Tehran Flag

Tehran

Country:
Iran
Continent:
Asia

Tehran's 2025 population is now estimated at 9,729,740. In 1950, the population of Tehran was 1,041,350. Tehran has grown by 113,730 in the last year, which represents a 1.18% annual change. These population estimates and projections come from the latest revision of the UN World Urbanization Prospects . These estimates represent the Urban agglomeration of Tehran, which typically includes Tehran's population in addition to adjacent suburban areas.

9.7M
Total Population
113.7K 1.18%
Growth
Yes
Capital of Iran?

Tehran Population

Tehran Overview

Situated in the northern center of the country, Tehran is Iran’s capital city – which is also its largest city. Iran is situated between the Middle East and Asia and has a history of changing its capital city – Tehran being the 32nd one chosen. The population of the city of Tehran has been steadily growing over the last few decades and is now around 8.3 million. There is an estimated number of nearly 8.5 million in the middle of 2014. Interestingly, the Tehran metro system, which opened in 1999 - currently boasts the cleanest train carriages in the world.

City Size and Population Density

The 8.3 million people of Tehran make their homes in the 1,700 square kilometers in the sprawling urban city. The city is very densely populated, with an average of 1.6 people per room in the houses across the city - and 11,800 residents per square kilometer.

Population Growth Impact

With the city’s population growing, the areas suffering most are the south and east of the city – the newer parts of the city are still catching up in terms of population numbers. The structure of the city has had a history of flux with buildings, boundaries and road layouts being altered over time. There still remains “Old Tehran”, with its traditional buildings, ancient bazaar’s and other architectural treasures. Most of Tehran today has a cosmopolitan feel and this is mostly felt in the northern area where individuals are more liberal in their outlook. This area of Tehran is wealthy - and is also where the newest and more upper class shops are being developed.

Tehran Population Demographics

Despite the modern and international flavor of the city, 75% of people living in Tehran would identify themselves as Persian and 63% of inhabitants were born there. Around 99% of the residents in Tehran would speak and understand Persian. 13%, however, do have a good level of understanding of a European language. The most prevalent religion in Tehran is a discipline of Islam, but there are other minority religions including Christianity. A small number of Sikh’s are also residents here.

The city has a reputation for the oppression of women and being restrictive in acceptable behaviors. Women still have to respect a very strict dress code. In addition, places of worship still have male and female sections. Compounding this is the fact that there is not a heavy presence of foreign companies operating in Tehran; however, Tehran continues to be one of the best in the world on the stock exchange. The mean age of Tehran is 31.2 compared with the country of Iran’s mean age being 27.9. Unsurprisingly, the older members of the city are more central and in the wealthy areas in the north with the younger members more commonly situated around the outskirts of the city.

Tehran Population Growth

The city as a whole is growing in terms of population numbers and economy. In 2008, it was the least expensive capital city in the world in relation to cost of living; today, prices are rising rapidly and have reached 56th in the world on the GDP scale. In Tehran, cars are very popular with its residents and is one of the world’s busiest cities in regards to traffic. It will be interesting to watch how Tehran develops with its struggle between a desire to grow and become an economical player - and that of its strictly traditional religious history.

Other Cities in Iran

City
2025 Pop. ↓
Growth
Mashhad3,460,660
Shiraz1,763,900
Tabriz1,695,670
Karaj1,614,660
Isfahan1,547,164
Qom1,392,280
Ahvaz1,324,800
Kermanshah1,117,360
Orumiyeh860,169
Pasragad Branch787,878
Kahriz766,706
Rasht757,765
Bandar Abbas690,978
Zahedan643,702
Ardabil614,154
Hamadan611,801
Yazd609,302
Arak589,740
Kerman559,142
Azadshahr514,102
Zanjan509,683
Sanandaj482,664
Qazvin444,984
Khorramabad420,998
Gorgan391,519
Abadan370,180
Sari338,115
Khorramshahr330,606
Khomeyni Shahr277,334
Borujerd251,958
Qarchak251,834
Sabzevar226,183
Najafabad223,450
Neyshabur220,929
Nazarabad213,388
Bukan213,331
Sirjan207,645
Babol202,796
Amol199,382
Birjand196,982
Bojnurd192,041
Varamin179,603
Malayer176,573
Saveh175,533
Khowy175,370
Bushehr165,377
Mahabad162,434
Saqqez151,237
Rafsanjan147,680
Ilam140,940
Miandoab132,819
Shahrud131,889
Gonbad-e Kavus131,416
Iranshahr131,232
Shahr-e Kord129,153
Torbat-e Heydariyeh125,633
Semnan124,826
Marand124,191
Zabol121,989
Quchan111,752
Masjed Soleyman111,510
Bandar-e Anzali110,826
Baneh104,799
Parsabad101,661
Kuhdasht100,208
Bam99,268
Akbarabad98,342
Fasa98,061
Yasuj96,786
Kashmar96,151
Dogonbadan94,638
Kazerun94,511
Ahar94,348
Behshahr93,500
Marivan91,664
Aligudarz91,041
Alvand90,000
Qorveh87,953
Borazjan86,059
Shirvan82,790
Salmas81,606
Bonab80,359
Shahre Jadide Andisheh80,000
Behbahan79,327
Shushtar77,507
Khomeyn77,425
Nahavand76,250
Alvand74,889
Nurabad73,528
Naqadeh73,528
Takestan71,499
Minab70,790
Abhar69,889
Dehdasht69,726
Chalus69,638
Khash69,603
Langarud68,148
Damghan67,694
Firuzabad66,558
Nurabad64,041
Darab63,319
Robat Karim62,753
Piranshahr61,973
Kamyaran61,642
Esfarayen59,678
Asadabad59,617
Zarand58,983
Torbat-e Jam58,928
Shahriar58,849
Ardakan58,834
Harsin57,647
Abadeh56,988
Malard56,745
Abyek55,128
Bijar53,871
Pishva53,856
Kangavar53,414
Bandar-e Genaveh52,750
Borujen52,654
Shahr-e Babak52,409
Shush52,284
Meybod51,874
Sarpol-e Zahab51,611
Takab51,541
Khalkhal51,024
Oshnaviyeh50,661
Khorramdarreh50,528
Tabas49,993
Falavarjan49,843
Istgah-e Rah Ahan-e Garmsar49,491
Rehnan49,143
Neka48,847
Babolsar48,051
Azadshahr47,590
Rudsar47,502
Azna47,482
Chabahar47,287
Omidiyeh46,983
Chenaran46,940
Sarakhs46,499
Dehloran46,002
Neyriz45,506
Hashtpar45,305
Golpayegan44,916
Gonabad43,465
Sonqor43,174
Astaneh-ye Ashrafiyeh42,784
Susangerd41,443
Shahin Dezh41,442
Ravar40,167
Qa'en40,157
Nowshahr40,000
Astara39,065
Ramhormoz38,821
Javanrud38,657
Qasr-e Qand37,722
Taybad37,513
Tonekabon37,501
Dorcheh Piaz37,462
Shadegan37,220
Bardsir37,192
Mahriz36,720
Eqbaliyeh36,709
Mohr35,000
Fereydunkenar34,097
Kalaleh33,700
Kelishad va Sudarjan33,630
Dowlatabad33,607
Delijan33,508
Farrokh Shahr32,391
Qarah Zia' od Din31,947
Bafq31,215
Pasargad29,825
`Ajab Shir29,675
Qahderijan29,392
Damavand29,144
Bahar28,645
Juybar28,404
Bardaskan28,233
Fuman27,763
Aleshtar27,701
Semirom27,220
Gerash25,316
Farsan25,071
Qeshm25,000
Darreh Shahr24,961
Bandar-e Lengeh22,768
Aghajari21,785
Khvansar21,146
Mahdishahr21,000
Kish20,922
Abrisham20,000
Ramshir19,454
Taft19,394
Abdanan19,360
Paveh17,779
Padegan-e Manjil17,396
Nikshahr17,000
Hashtrud16,888
Ardestan16,058
Tafresh14,399
Fannuj13,000
Mehran11,831
Fareydunshahr11,562

Sources

  1. World Population Prospects (2024 Revision) - United Nations population estimates and projections.

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