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PEOPLE

Language
Persian/Farsi (official) and minority languages (Kurdish 7 percent)
Source: New Internationalist World Guide

Population

2009	74.2 million	U.N. Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) Population Division (2009)
2007	71.3 million	U.N. Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) Population Division (2006)
2006	70.3 million	U.N. DESA (2006)
2005	69.4 million	U.N. DESA (2006)
2004	68.7 million	U.N. DESA (2006)
2003	68.0 million	U.N. DESA (2006)
2002	67.4 million	U.N. DESA (2006)
2001	66.8 million	U.N. DESA (2006)
2000	66.1 million	U.N. DESA (2006)

Future population estimates
97.0 million (2050)
Source: U.N. DESA (2009)

Ethnic groups
Persian 51 percent, Azeri 24 percent, Kurds 7 percent, Gilaki/Mazandarani 8 percent. There are also Lur, Arab, Baloch and Turkmen minorities.
Source: NI World Guide

Religion
The Shi'ite sect of Islam predominates (89 percent), with some Sunni Muslims (10 percent). There are also Baha'i, Christian, Jewish and Zoroastrian minorities.
Source: NI World Guide

Percentage urban population

2007	68.0 percent	U.N. DESA - World Urbanisation Prospects 2005
2006	67.5 percent	U.N. DESA (2005)
2005	66.9 percent	U.N. DESA (2005)
2004	66.4 percent	U.N. DESA (2005)
2003	65.9 percent	U.N. DESA (2005)
2002	65.3 percent	U.N. DESA (2005)
2001	64.8 percent	U.N. DESA (2005)
2000	64.2 percent	U.N. DESA (2005)

Year women granted right to vote
1963
Source: U.N. Development Programme (UNDP) Human Development Report
Where two figures are shown, the first refers to a partial recognition of the right to vote and the second to the year women received the right to vote on a universal and equal basis.

Net percentage of girls enrolled in primary education
No data available (2006)

Percentage of population under 15

2005	28.8 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008
2004	29.8 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2006
2003	31.0 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
2002	32.6 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
2001	33.9 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2003
2000	37.4 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2002

USEFUL INFORMATION

Time zone
GMT +3 1/2

Climate description
Hot summers, bitterly cold winters; rainfall sparse over most of the country.

Currency
Rial

Telephone dialling code
(+) 98

Driving (left/right)
Right

STANDARD OF LIVING

Average life expectancy

2005	70.2 years	UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008
2004	70.7 years	UNDP - Human Development Report 2006
2003	70.4 years	UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
2002	70.3 years	UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
2001	69.8 years	UNDP - Human Development Report 2003
2000	68.9 years	UNDP - Human Development Report 2002

Life expectancy - male

2005	68.7 years	UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008
2004	69.2 years	UNDP - Human Development Report 2006
2003	69.0 years	UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
2002	68.8 years	UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
2001	68.5 years	UNDP - Human Development Report 2003
2000	68.0 years	UNDP - Human Development Report 2002

Life expectancy - female

2005	71.8 years	UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008
2004	72.3 years	UNDP - Human Development Report 2006
2003	71.9 years	UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
2002	71.7 years	UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
2001	71.3 years	UNDP - Human Development Report 2003
2000	69.8 years	UNDP - Human Development Report 2002

Infant mortality

2007	29 per 1,000 live births	U.N. Children's Fund (UNICEF) - State of the World's Children 2009
2006	30 per 1,000 live births	UNICEF - State of the World's Children 2008
2005	31 per 1,000 live births	U.N. Children's Fund (UNICEF) - State of the World's Children 2007
2004	32 per 1,000 live births	UNICEF - State of the World's Children 2006
2003	33 per 1,000 live births	UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
2002	35 per 1,000 live births	UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
2001	35 per 1,000 live births	UNDP - Human Development Report 2003
2000	36 per 1,000 live births	UNDP - Human Development Report 2002

Child mortality - deaths before the age of five

2007	33 per 1,000 live births	U.N. Children's Fund (UNICEF) - State of the World's Children 2009
2006	34 per 1,000 live births	UNICEF - State of the World's Children 2008
2005	36 per 1,000 live births	UNICEF - State of the World's Children 2007
2004	38 per 1,000 live births	UNICEF - State of the World's Children 2006
2003	39 per 1,000 live births	UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
2002	42 per 1,000 live births	UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
2001	42 per 1,000 live births	UNDP - Human Development Report 2003
2000	44 per 1,000 live births	UNDP - Human Development Report 2002

Births attended by skilled personnel

1997-2005	90 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008
1996-2004	90 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2006
1995-2003	90 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
1995-2002	90 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
1995-2001	No data available percent
1995-2000	No data available percent

Maternal mortality

2005	140 per 100,000 live births	UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008
2000	76 per 100,000 live births	UNDP - Human Development Report 2006

Human development index (HDI rank)

2005	94	UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008
2004	96	UNDP - Human Development Report 2006
2003	99	UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
2002	101	UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
2001	106	UNDP - Human Development Report 2003
2000	98	UNDP - Human Development Report 2002

Percentage of children under weight for age (under age 5)

2000-2007	11 percent	U.N. Children's Fund (UNICEF) - State of the World's Children 2009
2000-2006	11 percent	UNICEF - State of the World's Children 2008
1996-2005	11 percent	UNICEF - State of the World's Children 2007
1996-2004	11 percent	UNICEF - State of the World's Children 2006
1995-2003	11 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
1995-2002	11 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
1995-2001	11 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2003
1995-2000	5 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2002

Percentage of undernourished population

2003-2005	<5 percent	U.N. Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) 2008
2002-2004average	4 percent	U.N. Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) 2006
2001-2003average	4 percent	FAO 2006
2000-2002average	4 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
1999-2001average	5 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
1998-2000average	5 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2003

Food intake falls below the minimum requirement.

Population with access to improved water

2006	No data available percent
2004	94 percent	UNICEF and World Health Organisation (WHO) 2006
2002	93 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
2000	92 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2004

Population with access to improved sanitation

2006	No data available percent
2004	No data available percent
2002	84 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
2000	83 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2004

Literacy - average

2004	77.0 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2006
2003	77.0 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
2002	77.1 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
2001	77.1 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2003
2000	76.3 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2002

Literacy - male

2004	83.5 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2006
2003	83.5 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
2002	83.5 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
2001	83.8 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2003
2000	83.2 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2002

Literacy - female

2004	70.4 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2006
2003	70.4 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
2002	70.4 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
2001	70.2 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2003
2000	69.3 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2002

Landlines telephones

2008	338 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2007	329 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2006	316 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2005	287 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2004	234 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2003	222 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2002	188 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2001	161 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2000	142 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009

Cellular telephone subscribers

2008	587 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2007	411 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2006	215 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2005	120 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2004	73 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2003	50 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2002	33 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2001	31 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2000	14 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009

Internet users

2008	319 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2007	183 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2006	156 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2005	177 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2004	154 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2003	70 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2002	47 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2001	15 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2000	9 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009

Transparency International corruption ranking (Scale: 1 = least corrupt, >175 = most corrupt)

2008	141 (joint)	Transparency International 2008
2007	131 (joint)	Transparency International 2007
2006	105 (joint)	Transparency International
2005	88 (joint)	Transparency International
2004	87 (joint)	Transparency International
2003	78 (joint)	Transparency International
2002	Not ranked
2001	Not ranked
2000	Not ranked

Signatory of International Convention on the Prevention and Punishment for the crime of Genocide
Yes (1948)
Source: UNDP - Human Development Report

Signatory of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment
No (1984)
Source: UNDP - Human Development Report

Signatory of the Convention on the Rights of the Child
Yes (1989)
Source: UNDP - Human Development Report

ECONOMY & AID

Percentage of population living on less than US$1 a day

1990-2005	2.0 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008
1990-2004	2.0 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2006
1990-2003	<2 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
1990-2002	<2 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
1990-2001	<2 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2003

GNI per capita, Atlas method

2007	3540 current US$	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2006	2960 current US$	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2005	2570 current US$	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2004	2210 current US$	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2003	1950 current US$	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2002	1730 current US$	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2001	1710 current US$	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2000	1670 current US$	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009

The purpose of the Atlas conversion factor is to reduce the impact of exchange rate fluctuations in a cross-country comparison of national incomes. The Atlas conversion factor for any year is the average of a country's exchange rate (or alternative conversion factor) for that year and its exchange rates for the two preceding years.

GDP

2007	286.1 current US$ billions	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2006	222.9 current US$ billions	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2005	192.0 current US$ billions	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2004	163.2 current US$ billions	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2003	135.4 current US$ billions	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2002	116.4 current US$ billions	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2001	115.4 current US$ billions	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2000	101.3 current US$ billions	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009

Annual GDP growth

2006	4.6 percent	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2008
2005	4.3 percent	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2008
2004	5.1 percent	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2008
2003	7.1 percent	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2008
2002	7.5 percent	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2008
2001	3.7 percent	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2008
2000	5.1 percent	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2008

Annual inflation

2007	20.5 percent	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2006	12.1 percent	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2005	17.0 percent	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2004	20.6 percent	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2003	11.8 percent	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2002	28.3 percent	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2001	11.6 percent	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2000	26.4 percent	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009

Share of income or consumption (poorest 10 percent)
2.0 (latest available year)
Source: UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008

Share of income or consumption (richest 10 percent)
33.7 (latest available year)
Source: UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008

HEALTH

Physicians

2000-2004	87 per 100,000 people	UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008
1990-2004	45 per 100,000 people	UNDP - Human Development Report 2006
1990-2003	110 per 100,000 people	UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
1990-2002	110 per 100,000 people	UNDP - Human Development Report 2003

Percentage HIV+ (adults aged 15-49)

2007	0.2 percent	U.N. Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) 2008
2006	0.2 percent	U.N. Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) 2008
2005	0.2 percent	U.N. Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) 2008
2004	0.2 percent	U.N. Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) 2008
2003	0.2 percent	U.N. Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) 2008

Malaria
Limited risk from P.vivax. It exists in the summer months in Ardebil and East Azerbijan provinces north of the Zagros mountains. Risk from P.falciparum from March through to November in rural areas of the provinces of Hormozgan, Kerman (tropical part) and the southern part of Sistan-Baluchestan. P.falciparum resistance to chloroquine and sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine reported.
Source: WHO

TB cases

2007	22 per 100,000 people	WHO 2009
2006	23 per 100,000 people	WHO 2009
2005	24 per 100,000 people	WHO 2009
2004	25 per 100,000 people	WHO 2009
2003	27 per 100,000 people	WHO 2009
2002	29 per 100,000 people	WHO 2009
2001	30 per 100,000 people	WHO 2009
2000	31 per 100,000 people	WHO 2009

CONFLICT & MIGRATION

Number of refugees originating here

2008	69061	UNHCR
2007	68397	UNHCR
2006	102483	Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
2005	98722	UNHCR
2004	115126	UNHCR
2003	132543	UNHCR
2002	138364	UNHCR
2001	92491	UNHCR
2000	88278	UNHCR

Number of refugees residing here

2008	980109	UNHCR
2007	963546	UNHCR
2006	968370	UNHCR
2005	716403	UNHCR
2004	1045976	UNHCR
2003	984896	UNHCR
2002	1306599	UNHCR
2001	1868000	UNHCR
2000	1868000	UNHCR

Number of internally displaced people\Estimate

	No data available

No data available

Landmine casualties per year

2007	40	Landmine Monitor Report 2008
2006	29	Landmine Monitor Report 2008
2004	At least 109	Landmine Monitor Report 2005
2003	At least 135	Landmine Monitor Report 2004

Casualty figures may include both civilians and military personnel injured or killed by landmines and unexploded ordnance.
Signatory to landmine convention?
No
Source: Landmine Monitor Report

Percentage of GDP spent on military

2005	5.8 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008
2004	4.5 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2006
2003	3.8 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2005

Percentage of GDP spent on education

2002-2005	4.7 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008
2002-2004	4.8 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2006
2000-2002	4.9 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
1999-2001	5.0 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
1998-2000	4.4 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2003

Percentage of GDP spent on health

2004	3.2 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008
2003-2004	3.1 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2006
2002	2.9 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
2001	2.7 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
2000	2.5 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2003