Iran: health and care

What is the life expectancy in Iran?

Life expectancy at birth in Iran was 77.9 years in 2024, according to the World Bank World Development Indicators. It dipped to 73.8 years in 2021 and has risen since.

The figure is a UN population estimate. It assumes that the death rates of a single year apply throughout a person's life, so a year with many deaths, such as 2021, pulls it down sharply. 8.6% of the population was 65 or older in 2025, according to the World Bank.

Official sources: World Bank: life expectancy at birth, Iran · World Bank: population aged 65+, Iran

What is the infant mortality rate in Iran?

Iran's infant mortality rate was 10.3 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2024, down from 11.4 in 2021, according to the World Bank World Development Indicators, which use UN inter-agency estimates. The maternal mortality ratio was 16 per 100,000 live births in 2023, according to the World Bank modelled estimate.

The UN estimates combine registration and survey data and smooth year-to-year swings. 99% of children aged 12 to 23 months were vaccinated against measles in 2024, according to the World Bank.

Official sources: World Bank: infant mortality rate, Iran · World Bank: maternal mortality ratio, Iran · World Bank: measles immunisation, Iran

How much does Iran spend on health?

Current health spending in Iran was 6.03% of GDP in 2023, up from 4.86% in 2021, according to the World Bank World Development Indicators. Households paid 43.1% of it out of their own pockets, according to the World Bank.

The figures cover spending by government, health insurance and households. The out-of-pocket share has risen from 37.4% in 2020, meaning households are paying a larger part of health costs directly.

Official sources: World Bank: current health expenditure, Iran · World Bank: out-of-pocket health spending, Iran

How many doctors does Iran have?

Iran had 1.811 physicians per 1,000 people in 2023, up from 1.505 in 2018, according to the World Bank World Development Indicators, which use World Health Organization data. That is about one doctor for every 550 people.

The figure aims to count doctors actively practising. With a population of about 92.4 million in 2025, it implies roughly 167,000 doctors. The World Health Organization publishes the underlying health workforce data for Iran.

Official sources: World Bank: physicians per 1,000 people, Iran · World Health Organization: Iran

What are the main causes of early death in Iran?

13.9% of people aged 30 in Iran were expected to die before 70 from heart disease, cancer, diabetes or chronic respiratory disease in 2021, according to the World Bank World Development Indicators, which use World Health Organization estimates. The figure was 14.9% in 2019.

These are non-communicable diseases, as opposed to infections or injuries. The measure is one of the UN Sustainable Development Goal indicators, which aim to cut such deaths by a third between 2015 and 2030.

Official sources: World Bank: mortality from CVD, cancer, diabetes or CRD, Iran

What is life expectancy in Iran?

According to the UN Population Division, life expectancy at birth in Iran was 77.9 years in 2024. That is the highest since at least 2005. Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 77.3 years, and Iran placed 11th highest of 22. World rank, highest first: 60th of 193.

What is Iran's infant mortality rate?

The UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation puts the infant mortality rate in Iran at 10.3 per 1,000 in 2024. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 11.2 per 1,000; Iran is 12th highest of 22. Worldwide: 111th of 192.

What is the maternal mortality rate in Iran?

According to the WHO, the maternal mortality ratio in Iran was 16.0 per 100,000 in 2023. No year since 2005 has been lower. Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 18.5 per 100,000; Iran is 14th highest of 22. World rank, highest first: 131st of 192.

How much does Iran spend on health?

The WHO puts current health spending in Iran at 6.0% of GDP in 2023. Its high point since 2005 was 2015, at 8.4% of GDP; its low point was 2021, at 4.9% of GDP. Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 5.6% of GDP, and Iran placed 9th highest of 22. Of 191 countries with 2023 data, 102nd highest.

What is out-of-pocket health spending in Iran?

The WHO puts out-of-pocket health spending in Iran at 43.1% in 2023. The peak was 59.4% in 2010 and the low 32.8% in 2017. Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 32.7%; Iran is 8th highest of 22. Worldwide: 50th of 191.

How many doctors per person does Iran have?

1.8 per 1,000: that is the number of doctors per 1,000 people in Iran for 2023, according to the WHO. That is the highest since at least 2005. Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 3.0 per 1,000, and Iran placed 5th highest of 7. Worldwide: 28th of 58.

How many hospital beds does Iran have?

In 2019, hospital beds per 1,000 people in Iran was 1.9 per 1,000, according to the WHO. Its high point since 2005 was 2018, at 1.9 per 1,000; its low point was 2011, at 1.3 per 1,000. Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 1.8 per 1,000, and Iran placed 8th highest of 18. World rank, highest first: 90th of 136.

How many children in Iran are vaccinated against measles?

WHO and UNICEF puts measles vaccination among children aged 12 to 23 months in Iran at 99.0% in 2024. No year since 2005 has been higher. It is 1st highest of 22 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 96.0%. Worldwide: 1st of 191.