Population density in Iran: 55.8 (Population density, 2023 · 149th of 216). Population density (people per sq. km) in Iran: 55.8 in 2023, ranking 149th of 216 countries. In 2010 it was 47.5.
Data last updated · Period: 2010–2023
Understanding the chart
The line chart above tracks population density (people per sq. km) in Iran for each year from 2010 to 2023, 14 data points in all. Each dot is one year; the first and last years and the highest point are labelled with their values, and the vertical scale is in people per sq. km. All values in this period were above zero. The data table below the chart lists every value, and you can download the data, embed the chart or share it from the buttons above. The figures cover 2010–2023 and come from World Bank, World Development Indicators (CC BY 4.0).
Key insights
- Between 2010 and 2023, Iran's population density rose from 47.5 to 55.8, a change of 17.5% (about 1.2% a year on average).
- The highest value in this period was 55.8 in 2023; the lowest was 47.5 in 2010.
- Recently, the figure has risen in each of the last two years (2022: 55.2; 2023: 55.8).
- That is 10% lower than the world figure of 62.1.
- Iran has the 149th-highest value of 216 countries with recent data.
- In Southern Asia, Iran has the 8th-highest value of 9 countries with recent data; the highest is Maldives (1,765.1), and the typical (median) value is 321.1.
Analysis
Averaged over periods, the figure was 48.8 in 2010 to 2014, 52.3 in 2015 to 2019 and 54.9 in 2020 onwards. The value went up in 13 of the 13 year-to-year steps and down in 0. The biggest one-year rise came in 2017 (+0.9, or 1.8%). Across the period the values varied by about 5% around their average (51.8), a fairly steady path.
Iran and its neighbours
Population density (people per sq. km) among 9 countries in Southern Asia with recent data, ranked from highest to lowest.
| Rank in region | Country | Value | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | India | 483.7 | 2023 |
| 4 | Sri Lanka | 356.2 | 2023 |
| 5 | Pakistan | 321.1 | 2023 |
| 6 | Nepal | 207.1 | 2023 |
| 7 | Afghanistan | 63.6 | 2023 |
| 8 | Iran | 55.8 | 2023 |
| 9 | Bhutan | 20.6 | 2023 |
Iran on related measures
- Population: 92.4 million (2025, 17th-highest of 217 countries)
- Population growth (annual %): 0.92% (2025, 105th-highest of 217 countries)
- Urban population (% of total): 77.4% (2025, 69th-highest of 217 countries)
- Population aged 0 to 14 (% of total): 22.0% (2025, 109th-highest of 217 countries)
- Population aged 15 to 64 (% of total): 69.4% (2025, 34th-highest of 217 countries)
Global position: Iran's figure is higher than 31% of the 216 countries with data for this measure.
What it means
For businesses and investors, the figure is most useful alongside related measures for the same country, such as growth, inflation, population and incomes, and compared with similar countries. Compared with its neighbours in Southern Asia, where the typical value is 321.1, Iran is 83% lower than the regional median.
About this statistic
The number of people per square kilometer of land area. Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators.
For the full definition, caveats and every country ranked, see Population density (people per sq. km) by country, 2023.
Questions and answers
What is the population density (people per sq. km) in Iran?
55.8 (Population density, 2023 · 149th of 216). Population density (people per sq. km) in Iran: 55.8 in 2023, ranking 149th of 216 countries. In 2010 it was 47.5.
How has population density in Iran changed since 2010?
Between 2010 and 2023, Iran's population density rose from 47.5 to 55.8, a change of 17.5% (about 1.2% a year on average). The highest value in this period was 55.8 in 2023; the lowest was 47.5 in 2010.
How this page was made
Generated by Advanton from World Bank, World Development Indicators (2010–2023), data updated 8 November 2026: chart, ranks, comparisons and text are computed from the published figures; no figures are changed. About the data.
Data
| Year | Population density (people per sq. km) |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 47.5 |
| 2011 | 48.1 |
| 2012 | 48.7 |
| 2013 | 49.4 |
| 2014 | 50.0 |
| 2015 | 50.7 |
| 2016 | 51.5 |
| 2017 | 52.4 |
| 2018 | 53.1 |
| 2019 | 53.7 |
| 2020 | 54.1 |
| 2021 | 54.5 |
| 2022 | 55.2 |
| 2023 | 55.8 |
Source and notes
Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators (CC BY 4.0). Period: 2010–2023. Coverage: Iran.
The number of people per square kilometer of land area. Denser countries can support more businesses within reach of each customer.
Cite this statistic
Please also credit the original source: World Bank, World Development Indicators (CC BY 4.0).Related statistics
- Population density (people per sq. km) by country, 2023
- Population density (people per sq. km) in Afghanistan, 2010–2023
- Population density (people per sq. km) in Bangladesh, 2010–2023
- Population density (people per sq. km) in Bhutan, 2010–2023
- Population density (people per sq. km) in India, 2010–2023
- GDP of Iran, 2010–2025
- Economic growth (GDP growth) in Iran, 2010–2025
- GDP per person in Iran, 2010–2025
- GDP per person, adjusted for prices (PPP, international $) in Iran, 2010–2024
All Iran data: economy, people, jobs and digital in one place
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