Population Statistics
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Iran
Population
87,590,873
[2023 est.]
Language
Persian/Farsi (official)
Azeri & other Turkic dialects (e.g. Khalaj, Qashqai, Turkmen)
Kurdish
Gilaki
Mazandarani
Luri
Balochi
Arabic
Religion
Shi'a Muslim32.2%No Religion22.2%Athiest8.8%Zoroastrian7.7%Spiritual7.1%Agnostic5.8%Sunni Muslim5.0%Mystical (Sufi)3.2%Humanist2.7%Other (including Christian, Baha'i, Jewish) 5.4%
This data was drawn from a June 2020 survey on Iranians’ attitudes toward religion. According to Iranian government estimates, Muslims constitute 99.4% of the population, of whom 90-95% are Shia and 5-10% are Sunni. Independently conducted population studies and surveys show more secularisation and diversity of faiths and beliefs than official figures suggest.
[Group for Analyzing and Measuring Attitudes in Iran, 2020]
Ethnicity
| Persian | 61% |
|---|---|
| Kurd | 10% |
| Lur | 6% |
| Turkic tribes | 2% |
| Baloch | 2% |
| Arab | 2% |
| Other | 1% |
Other ethnic groups include Talysh, Mazandarani, Gilak, Qashqai, Armenians, Assyrians and significant populations of displaced Afghans.
[CIA World Factbook, 2016]
Cultural Dimensions
58
41
43
59
14
40
Australians with Iranian Ancestry
81,119
[2021 Census, ABS]
Iranians in Australia
Population
70,899
This figure refers to the number of Australian residents that were born in Iran.
[2021 Census, ABS]
Median Age
39
[2021 Census, ABS]
Gender
| Males | 52.6% |
|---|---|
| Females | 47.4% |
[2021 Census, ABS]
Religion
| No Religion | 37.3% |
|---|---|
| Islam | 30.1% |
| Christianity | 13.3% |
| Other Religion | 2.4% |
| Not Stated | 6.6% |
[2021 Census, ABS]
Ancestry
| Iranian | 79.4% |
|---|---|
| Afghan | 3.8% |
| Hazara | 2.5% |
| Kurdish | 2.4% |
| Armenian | 2.1% |
These are the top ancestry responses of Australian residents born in Iran. Respondents were able to provide up to two answers.
[2021 Census, ABS]
Language Spoken at Home
Persian (excluding Dari)74.2%English8.2%Arabic3.4%Dari2.0%Kurdish1.9%Hazaraghi1.8%Assyrian Neo-Aramaic1.8%Other3.5%
Of those who speak a language other than English at home, 85.5% speak English fluently.
[2021 Census, ABS]
Diaspora
| New South Wales | 38.8% |
|---|---|
| Victoria | 30.9% |
| Queensland | 11.3% |
| Western Australia | 9.1% |
| Other | 9.9% |
[2021 Census, ABS]
Arrival
| Prior to 1991 | 14.4% |
|---|---|
| 1991 - 2000 | 9.4% |
| 2001 - 2010 | 21.1% |
| 2011 - 2015 | 34.7% |
| 2016 - 2021 | 20.4% |
[2021 Census, ABS]