2013 Edition

Background

Known as Persia until 1935, Iran became an Islamic republic in 1979 after the ruling monarchy was overthrown and Shah Mohammad Reza PAHLAVI was forced into exile. Conservative clerical forces led by Ayatollah Ruhollah KHOMEINI established a theocratic system of government with ultimate political authority vested in a learned religious scholar referred to commonly as the Supreme Leader who, according to the constitution, is accountable only to the Assembly of Experts - a popularly elected 86-member body of clerics. US-Iranian relations became strained when a group of Iranian students seized the US Embassy in Tehran in November 1979 and held embassy personnel hostages until mid-January 1981. The US cut off diplomatic relations with Iran in April 1980. During the period 1980-88, Iran fought a bloody, indecisive war with Iraq that eventually expanded into the Persian Gulf and led to clashes between US Navy and Iranian military forces. Iran has been designated a state sponsor of terrorism for its activities in Lebanon and elsewhere in the world and remains subject to US, UN, and EU economic sanctions and export controls because of its continued involvement in terrorism and its nuclear weapons ambitions. Following the election of reformer Hojjat ol-Eslam Mohammad KHATAMI as president in 1997 and a reformist Majles (legislature) in 2000, a campaign to foster political reform in response to popular dissatisfaction was initiated. The movement floundered as conservative politicians, through control of unelected institutions, prevented reform measures from being enacted and increased repressive measures. Starting with nationwide municipal elections in 2003 and continuing through Majles elections in 2004, conservatives reestablished control over Iran's elected government institutions, which culminated with the August 2005 inauguration of hardliner Mahmud AHMADI-NEJAD as president. His controversial reelection in June 2009 sparked nationwide protests over allegations of electoral fraud. The UN Security Council has passed a number of resolutions calling for Iran to suspend its uranium enrichment and reprocessing activities and comply with its IAEA obligations and responsibilities. In mid-February 2011, opposition activists conducted the largest antiregime rallies since December 2009, spurred by the success of uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt. Protester turnout probably was at most tens of thousands and security forces were deployed to disperse protesters. Additional protests in March 2011 failed to elicit significant participation largely because of the robust security response, although discontent still smolders. Deteriorating economic conditions due primarily to government mismanagement and international sanctions prompted at least two major economically based protests in July and October 2012.

Area

1,648,195 sq km 1,531,595 sq km 116,600 sq km

total

1,648,195 sq km

water

116,600 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than Alaska

Climate

mostly arid or semiarid, subtropical along Caspian coast

Coastline

2,440 km; note - Iran also borders the Caspian Sea (740 km)

Elevation extremes

Caspian Sea -28 m Kuh-e Damavand 5,671 m

highest point

Kuh-e Damavand 5,671 m

lowest point

Caspian Sea -28 m

Environment - current issues

air pollution, especially in urban areas, from vehicle emissions, refinery operations, and industrial effluents; deforestation; overgrazing; desertification; oil pollution in the Persian Gulf; wetland losses from drought; soil degradation (salination); inadequate supplies of potable water; water pollution from raw sewage and industrial waste; urbanization

Environment - international agreements

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation

party to

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified

Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

93.3 cu km/yr (7%/1%/92%) 1,306 cu m/yr (2004)

per capita

1,306 cu m/yr (2004)

total

93.3 cu km/yr (7%/1%/92%)

Geographic coordinates

32 00 N, 53 00 E

Geography - note

strategic location on the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz, which are vital maritime pathways for crude oil transport

Irrigated land

87,000 sq km (2009)

Land boundaries

5,440 km Afghanistan 936 km, Armenia 35 km, Azerbaijan-proper 432 km, Azerbaijan-Naxcivan exclave 179 km, Iraq 1,458 km, Pakistan 909 km, Turkey 499 km, Turkmenistan 992 km

border countries

Afghanistan 936 km, Armenia 35 km, Azerbaijan-proper 432 km, Azerbaijan-Naxcivan exclave 179 km, Iraq 1,458 km, Pakistan 909 km, Turkey 499 km, Turkmenistan 992 km

total

5,440 km

Land use

10.05% 1.08% 88.86% (2011)

arable land

10.05%

other

88.86% (2011)

permanent crops

1.08%

Location

Middle East, bordering the Gulf of Oman, the Persian Gulf, and the Caspian Sea, between Iraq and Pakistan

Map references

Middle East

Maritime claims

12 nm 24 nm bilateral agreements or median lines in the Persian Gulf natural prolongation

contiguous zone

24 nm

continental shelf

natural prolongation

exclusive economic zone

bilateral agreements or median lines in the Persian Gulf

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

periodic droughts, floods; dust storms, sandstorms; earthquakes

Natural resources

petroleum, natural gas, coal, chromium, copper, iron ore, lead, manganese, zinc, sulfur

Terrain

rugged, mountainous rim; high, central basin with deserts, mountains; small, discontinuous plains along both coasts

Total renewable water resources

137 cu km (2011)

Age structure

23.8% (male 9,733,762/female 9,251,929) 19.8% (male 8,116,169/female 7,671,139) 45.3% (male 18,380,525/female 17,766,409) 6.1% (male 2,383,360/female 2,472,140) 5.1% (male 1,902,743/female 2,175,724) (2013 est.)

0-14 years

23.8% (male 9,733,762/female 9,251,929)

15-24 years

19.8% (male 8,116,169/female 7,671,139)

25-54 years

45.3% (male 18,380,525/female 17,766,409)

55-64 years

6.1% (male 2,383,360/female 2,472,140)

65 years and over

5.1% (male 1,902,743/female 2,175,724) (2013 est.)

Birth rate

18.4 births/1,000 population (2013 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

4.6% (2004)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

73.3% (2002)

Death rate

5.94 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.)

Dependency ratios

41 % 33.6 % 7.5 % 13.4 (2013)

elderly dependency ratio

7.5 %

potential support ratio

13.4 (2013)

total dependency ratio

41 %

youth dependency ratio

33.6 %

Drinking water source

urban: 97% of population rural: 92% of population total: 96% of population urban: 3% of population rural: 8% of population total: 4% of population (2010 est.)

rural

8% of population

total

4% of population (2010 est.)

urban

3% of population

Education expenditures

4.7% of GDP (2010)

Ethnic groups

Persian 61%, Azeri 16%, Kurd 10%, Lur 6%, Baloch 2%, Arab 2%, Turkmen and Turkic tribes 2%, other 1%

Health expenditures

6% of GDP (2011)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.2% (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

6,400 (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

92,000 (2009 est.)

Hospital bed density

1.7 beds/1,000 population (2009)

Infant mortality rate

40.02 deaths/1,000 live births 40.54 deaths/1,000 live births 39.48 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)

female

39.48 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)

total

40.02 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Persian (official) 53%, Azeri Turkic and Turkic dialects 18%, Kurdish 10%, Gilaki and Mazandarani 7%, Luri 6%, Balochi 2%, Arabic 2%, other 2%

Life expectancy at birth

70.62 years 69.09 years 72.24 years (2013 est.)

female

72.24 years (2013 est.)

total population

70.62 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 85% 89.3% 80.7% (2008 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

80.7% (2008 est.)

male

89.3%

total population

85%

Major infectious diseases

intermediate bacterial diarrhea Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2013)

degree of risk

intermediate

food or waterborne diseases

bacterial diarrhea

vectorborne diseases

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever

Major urban areas - population

TEHRAN (capital) 7.19 million; Mashhad 2.592 million; Esfahan 1.704 million; Karaj 1.531 million; Tabriz 1.459 million (2009)

Maternal mortality rate

21 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)

Median age

27.8 years 27.5 years 28.1 years (2013 est.)

female

28.1 years (2013 est.)

male

27.5 years

total

27.8 years

Nationality

Iranian(s) Iranian

adjective

Iranian

noun

Iranian(s)

Net migration rate

-0.1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

19.4% (2008)

Physicians density

0.89 physicians/1,000 population (2005)

Population

79,853,900 (July 2013 est.)

Population growth rate

1.24% (2013 est.)

Religions

Muslim (official) 98% (Shia 89%, Sunni 9%), other (includes Zoroastrian, Jewish, Christian, and Baha'i) 2%

Sanitation facility access

urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population urban: 0% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0% of population (2010 est.)

rural

0% of population

total

0% of population (2010 est.)

urban

0% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

14 years 14 years 14 years (2011)

female

14 years (2011)

male

14 years

total

14 years

Sex ratio

1.05 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 1.06 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 0.96 male(s)/female 0.89 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female (2013 est.)

0-14 years

1.05 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1.06 male(s)/female

25-54 years

1.03 male(s)/female

55-64 years

0.96 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.89 male(s)/female

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female

total population

1.03 male(s)/female (2013 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.86 children born/woman (2013 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

23% 20.2% 33.9% (2008)

female

33.9% (2008)

total

23%

Urbanization

69.1% of total population (2011) 1.25% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

1.25% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

69.1% of total population (2011)

Administrative divisions

31 provinces (ostanha, singular - ostan); Alborz, Ardabil, Azarbayjan-e Gharbi (West Azerbaijan), Azarbayjan-e Sharqi (East Azerbaijan), Bushehr, Chahar Mahal va Bakhtiari, Esfahan, Fars, Gilan, Golestan, Hamadan, Hormozgan, Ilam, Kerman, Kermanshah, Khorasan-e Jonubi (South Khorasan), Khorasan-e Razavi (Razavi Khorasan), Khorasan-e Shomali (North Khorasan), Khuzestan, Kohgiluyeh va Bowyer Ahmad, Kordestan, Lorestan, Markazi, Mazandaran, Qazvin, Qom, Semnan, Sistan va Baluchestan, Tehran, Yazd, Zanjan

Capital

Tehran 35 42 N, 51 25 E UTC+3.5 (8.5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) +1hr, begins fourth Tuesday in March; ends fourth Thursday in September

daylight saving time

+1hr, begins fourth Tuesday in March; ends fourth Thursday in September

geographic coordinates

35 42 N, 51 25 E

name

Tehran

time difference

UTC+3.5 (8.5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution

previous 1906; latest adopted 24 October 1979, effective 3 December 1979; amended 1989 (2013)

Country name

Islamic Republic of Iran Iran Jomhuri-ye Eslami-ye Iran Iran Persia

conventional long form

Islamic Republic of Iran

conventional short form

Iran

former

Persia

local long form

Jomhuri-ye Eslami-ye Iran

local short form

Iran

Diplomatic representation from the US

none; note - the US Interests Section is located in the Embassy of Switzerland No. 39 Shahid Mousavi (Golestan 5th), Pasdaran Ave., Tehran, Iran; telephone [98] 21 2254 2178/2256 5273; FAX [98] 21 2258 0432

Diplomatic representation in the US

none; note - Iran has an Interests Section in the Pakistani Embassy; address: Iranian Interests Section, Pakistani Embassy, 2209 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007; telephone: [1] (202) 965-4990; FAX [1] (202) 965-1073

none; note - Iran has an Interests Section in the Pakistani Embassy; address

Iranian Interests Section, Pakistani Embassy, 2209 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007; telephone: [1] (202) 965-4990; FAX [1] (202) 965-1073

Executive branch

Supreme Leader Ali Hoseini-KHAMENEI (since 4 June 1989) President Hasan Fereidun RUHANI (since 3 August 2013); First Vice President Mohammad Reza RAHIMI (since 13 September 2009) Council of Ministers selected by the president with legislative approval; the Supreme Leader has some control over appointments to the more sensitive ministries also considered part of the Executive branch of government are three oversight bodies: 1) Assembly of Experts (Majles-e Khoebregan), a popularly elected body charged with determining the succession of the Supreme Leader, reviewing his performance, and deposing him if deemed necessary; 2) Expediency Council or the Council for the Discernment of Expediency (Majma-ye- Tashkhis-e -Maslahat-e- Nezam) exerts supervisory authority over the executive, judicial, and legislative branches and resolves legislative issues when the Majles and the Council of Guardians disagree and since 1989 has been used to advise national religious leaders on matters of national policy; in 2005 the Council's powers were expanded to act as a supervisory body for the government; 3) Council of Guardians of the Constitution or Council of Guardians or Guardians Council (Shora-ye Negban-e Qanon-e Asasi) determines whether proposed legislation is both constitutional and faithful to Islamic law, vets candidates in popular elections for suitability, and supervises national elections supreme leader appointed for life by the Assembly of Experts; president elected by popular vote for a four-year term (eligible for a second term and additional nonconsecutive term); election last held on 14 June 2013 (next presidential election to be held in June 2017) Hasan Fereidun RUHANI 50.7%, Mohammad Baqer QALIBAF 16.6%, Saeed JALILI 11.4%, Mohsen REZAI 10.6%, Ali Akber VELAYATI 6.2%, other 4.5%

also considered part of the Executive branch of government are three oversight bodies

1) Assembly of Experts (Majles-e Khoebregan), a popularly elected body charged with determining the succession of the Supreme Leader, reviewing his performance, and deposing him if deemed necessary; 2) Expediency Council or the Council for the Discernment of Expediency (Majma-ye- Tashkhis-e -Maslahat-e- Nezam) exerts supervisory authority over the executive, judicial, and legislative branches and resolves legislative issues when the Majles and the Council of Guardians disagree and since 1989 has been used to advise national religious leaders on matters of national policy; in 2005 the Council's powers were expanded to act as a supervisory body for the government; 3) Council of Guardians of the Constitution or Council of Guardians or Guardians Council (Shora-ye Negban-e Qanon-e Asasi) determines whether proposed legislation is both constitutional and faithful to Islamic law, vets candidates in popular elections for suitability, and supervises national elections

cabinet

Council of Ministers selected by the president with legislative approval; the Supreme Leader has some control over appointments to the more sensitive ministries

chief of state

Supreme Leader Ali Hoseini-KHAMENEI (since 4 June 1989)

election results

Hasan Fereidun RUHANI 50.7%, Mohammad Baqer QALIBAF 16.6%, Saeed JALILI 11.4%, Mohsen REZAI 10.6%, Ali Akber VELAYATI 6.2%, other 4.5%

elections

supreme leader appointed for life by the Assembly of Experts; president elected by popular vote for a four-year term (eligible for a second term and additional nonconsecutive term); election last held on 14 June 2013 (next presidential election to be held in June 2017)

head of government

President Hasan Fereidun RUHANI (since 3 August 2013); First Vice President Mohammad Reza RAHIMI (since 13 September 2009)

Flag description

three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and red; the national emblem (a stylized representation of the word Allah in the shape of a tulip, a symbol of martyrdom) in red is centered in the white band; ALLAH AKBAR (God is Great) in white Arabic script is repeated 11 times along the bottom edge of the green band and 11 times along the top edge of the red band; green is the color of Islam and also represents growth, white symbolizes honesty and peace, red stands for bravery and martyrdom

Government type

theocratic republic

Independence

1 April 1979 (Islamic Republic of Iran proclaimed); notable earlier dates: ca. 625 B.C. (unification of Iran under the Medes); ca. A.D. 1501 (Iran reunified under the Safavids); 12 December 1925 (modern Iran established under the Pahlavis)

1 April 1979 (Islamic Republic of Iran proclaimed); notable earlier dates

ca. 625 B.C. (unification of Iran under the Medes); ca. A.D. 1501 (Iran reunified under the Safavids); 12 December 1925 (modern Iran established under the Pahlavis)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

International organization participation

CICA, CP, D-8, ECO, FAO, G-15, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, SAARC (observer), SCO (observer), UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)

Judicial branch

Supreme Court (consists of a president and NA judges) Supreme Court president appointed by the head of the Supreme Judicial Council in consultation with judges of the Supreme Court; president appointed for a 5-year term; other judge appointments and tenure NA Penal Courts I and II; Islamic Revolutionary Courts; Courts of Peace; Special Clerical Court (functions outside the judicial system and handles cases involving clerics); military courts

highest court(s)

Supreme Court (consists of a president and NA judges)

judge selection and term of office

Supreme Court president appointed by the head of the Supreme Judicial Council in consultation with judges of the Supreme Court; president appointed for a 5-year term; other judge appointments and tenure NA

subordinate courts

Penal Courts I and II; Islamic Revolutionary Courts; Courts of Peace; Special Clerical Court (functions outside the judicial system and handles cases involving clerics); military courts

Legal system

religious legal system based on sharia law

Legislative branch

unicameral Islamic Consultative Assembly or Majles-e Shura-ye Eslami or Majles (290 seats; members elected by popular vote from single and multimember districts to serve four-year terms) last held on 2 March 2012 (first round); second round held on 4 May 2012; (next election to be held in 2016) percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA

election results

percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA

elections

last held on 2 March 2012 (first round); second round held on 4 May 2012; (next election to be held in 2016)

National anthem

"Soroud-e Melli-ye Jomhouri-ye Eslami-ye Iran" (National Anthem of the Islamic Republic of Iran) multiple authors/Hassan RIAHI adopted 1990

lyrics/music

multiple authors/Hassan RIAHI

name

"Soroud-e Melli-ye Jomhouri-ye Eslami-ye Iran" (National Anthem of the Islamic Republic of Iran)

National holiday

Republic Day, 1 April (1979)

National symbol(s)

lion

Political parties and leaders

formal political parties are a relatively new phenomenon in Iran and most conservatives still prefer to work through political pressure groups rather than parties; often political parties or coalitions are formed prior to elections and disbanded soon thereafter; a loose pro-reform coalition called the 2nd Khordad Front, which includes political parties as well as less formal groups and organizations, achieved considerable success in elections for the sixth Majles in early 2000; groups in the coalition included the Islamic Iran Participation Front (IIPF), Executives of Construction Party (Kargozaran), Solidarity Party, Islamic Labor Party, Mardom Salari, Mojahedin of the Islamic Revolution Organization (MIRO), and Militant Clerics Society (MCS; Ruhaniyun); the coalition participated in the seventh Majles elections in early 2004 but boycotted them after 80 incumbent reformists were disqualified; following his defeat in the 2005 presidential elections, former MCS Secretary General and sixth Majles Speaker Mehdi KARUBI formed the National Trust Party; a new conservative group, Islamic Iran Developers Coalition (Abadgaran), took a leading position in the new Majles after winning a majority of the seats in February 2004; ahead of the 2008 Majles elections, traditional and hardline conservatives attempted to close ranks under the United Front of Principlists and the Broad Popular Coalition of Principlists; several reformist groups, such as the MIRO and the IIPF, also came together as a reformist coalition in advance of the 2008 Majles elections; the IIPF has repeatedly complained that the overwhelming majority of its candidates were unfairly disqualified from the 2008 elections

note

formal political parties are a relatively new phenomenon in Iran and most conservatives still prefer to work through political pressure groups rather than parties; often political parties or coalitions are formed prior to elections and disbanded soon thereafter; a loose pro-reform coalition called the 2nd Khordad Front, which includes political parties as well as less formal groups and organizations, achieved considerable success in elections for the sixth Majles in early 2000; groups in the coalition included the Islamic Iran Participation Front (IIPF), Executives of Construction Party (Kargozaran), Solidarity Party, Islamic Labor Party, Mardom Salari, Mojahedin of the Islamic Revolution Organization (MIRO), and Militant Clerics Society (MCS; Ruhaniyun); the coalition participated in the seventh Majles elections in early 2004 but boycotted them after 80 incumbent reformists were disqualified; following his defeat in the 2005 presidential elections, former MCS Secretary General and sixth Majles Speaker Mehdi KARUBI formed the National Trust Party; a new conservative group, Islamic Iran Developers Coalition (Abadgaran), took a leading position in the new Majles after winning a majority of the seats in February 2004; ahead of the 2008 Majles elections, traditional and hardline conservatives attempted to close ranks under the United Front of Principlists and the Broad Popular Coalition of Principlists; several reformist groups, such as the MIRO and the IIPF, also came together as a reformist coalition in advance of the 2008 Majles elections; the IIPF has repeatedly complained that the overwhelming majority of its candidates were unfairly disqualified from the 2008 elections

Political pressure groups and leaders

Ansar-e Hizballah- Followers of the Line of the Imam and the Leader Islamic Coalition Party (Motalefeh) Islamic Engineers Society Tehran Militant Clergy Association (MCA; Ruhaniyat) Office of Strengthening Unity (OSU) Freedom Movement of Iran Green Path movement [Mehdi KARUBI, Mir-Hosein MUSAVI] Marz-e Por Gohar National Front various ethnic and monarchist organizations Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan (KDPI) Jundallah Komala Mojahedin-e Khalq Organization (MEK or MKO) People's Fedayeen People's Free Life Party of Kurdistan (PJAK)

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

wheat, rice, other grains, sugar beets, sugarcane, fruits, nuts, cotton; dairy products, wool; caviar

Budget

$79.69 billion $92.63 billion (2012 est.)

expenditures

$92.63 billion (2012 est.)

revenues

$79.69 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-2.4% of GDP (2012 est.)

Central bank discount rate

NA%

Commercial bank prime lending rate

11% (31 December 2012 est.) 11.25% (31 December 2011 est.)

Current account balance

$-9.307 billion (2012 est.) $59.38 billion (2011 est.)

Debt - external

$14.84 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $19.11 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

44.5 (2006)

Economy - overview

Iran's economy is marked by statist policies and an inefficient state sector, which create major distortions throughout the system, and reliance on oil, which provides a large share of government revenues. Price controls, subsidies, and other rigidities weigh down the economy, undermining the potential for private-sector-led growth. Private sector activity is typically limited to small-scale workshops, farming, some manufacturing, and services. Significant informal market activity flourishes and corruption is widespread. Tehran since the early 1990s has recognized the need to reduce these inefficiencies, and in December 2010 the Majles passed President Mahmud AHMADI-NEJAD's Targeted Subsidies Law (TSL) to reduce state subsidies on food and energy. This was the most extensive economic reform since the government implemented gasoline rationing in 2007. Over a five-year period the legislation sought to phase out subsidies that previously cost Tehran $60-$100 billion annually and mostly benefited Iran''s upper and middle classes. Cash payouts of $45 per person to more than 90% of Iranian households mitigated initial widespread resistance to the TSL program. However, inflation in 2012 reached its highest level in four years, eroding the value of these cash payouts and motivating the Majles to halt planned price increases for the second half of 2012 through at least March 2013. New fiscal and monetary constraints on Tehran, following international sanctions in January against Iran''s Central Bank and oil exports, significantly reduced Iran''s oil revenue, forced government spending cuts, and fueled a 20% currency depreciation. Economic growth turned negative for the first time in two decades. Iran also continues to suffer from double-digit unemployment and underemployment. Underemployment among Iran''s educated youth has convinced many to seek jobs overseas, resulting in a significant "brain drain."

Exchange rates

Iranian rials (IRR) per US dollar - 12,175.5 (2012 est.) 10,616.3 (2011 est.) 10,254.18 (2010 est.) 9,864.3 (2009) 9,142.8 (2008)

Exports

$67.04 billion (2012 est.) $144.9 billion (2011 est.)

Exports - commodities

petroleum 80%, chemical and petrochemical products, fruits and nuts, carpets

Exports - partners

China 22.1%, India 11.9%, Turkey 10.6%, South Korea 7.6%, Japan 7.1% (2012)

Fiscal year

21 March - 20 March

GDP - composition, by end use

45.9% 13.3% 30.6% 1.5% 25.3% -16.6% (2012 est.)

exports of goods and services

25.3%

government consumption

13.3%

household consumption

45.9%

imports of goods and services

-16.6%

investment in fixed capital

30.6%

investment in inventories

1.5%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

9.8% 46.2% 44.1% (2012 est.)

agriculture

9.8%

industry

46.2%

services

44.1% (2012 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$13,000 (2012 est.) $13,400 (2011 est.) $13,200 (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

-1.9% (2012 est.) 3% (2011 est.) 5.9% (2010 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$541.2 billion (2012 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$988.4 billion (2012 est.) $1.007 trillion (2011 est.) $977.7 billion (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

Gross national saving

30.3% of GDP (2012 est.) 36.6% of GDP (2011 est.) 34.7% of GDP (2010 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

2.6% 29.6% (2005)

highest 10%

29.6% (2005)

lowest 10%

2.6%

Imports

$70.03 billion (2012 est.) $77.81 billion (2011 est.)

Imports - commodities

industrial supplies, capital goods, foodstuffs and other consumer goods, technical services

Imports - partners

UAE 33.2%, China 13.8%, Turkey 11.8%, South Korea 7.4% (2012)

Industrial production growth rate

-5.8% (2012 est.)

Industries

petroleum, petrochemicals, fertilizers, caustic soda, textiles, cement and other construction materials, food processing (particularly sugar refining and vegetable oil production), ferrous and non-ferrous metal fabrication, armaments

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

19.9% (2012 est.) 20.6% (2011 est.) official Iranian estimate

Labor force

27.05 million shortage of skilled labor (2012 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

25% 31% 45% (June 2007)

agriculture

25%

industry

31%

services

45% (June 2007)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$107.2 billion (31 December 2011) $86.62 billion (31 December 2010) $63.3 billion (31 December 2009)

Population below poverty line

18.7% (2007 est.)

Public debt

18.4% of GDP (2012 est.) 13.9% of GDP (2011 est.) includes publicly guaranteed debt

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$74.06 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $84.06 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of broad money

$199.9 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $183.5 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$3.345 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $2.915 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$37.31 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $32.44 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$77.74 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $77.6 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$42.91 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $40.06 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

14.7% of GDP (2012 est.)

Unemployment rate

15.5% (2012 est.) 14.1% (2011 est.) data are according to the Iranian Government

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

624.9 million Mt (2011 est.)

Crude oil - exports

2.377 million bbl/day (2010 est.)

Crude oil - imports

15,600 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Crude oil - production

3.589 million bbl/day (2012 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

154.6 billion bbl (1 January 2013 es)

Electricity - consumption

182.7 billion kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - exports

6.707 billion kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

86.2% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

13.7% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0.2% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - imports

3.015 billion kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

62.09 million kW (2010 est.)

Electricity - production

220.3 billion kWh (2011 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

144.6 billion cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - exports

9.05 billion cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - imports

10.59 billion cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - production

151.8 billion cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

33.61 trillion cu m (1 January 2013 es)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

1.694 million bbl/day (2011 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

330,800 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

180,400 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

1.712 million bbl/day (2010 est.)

Broadcast media

state-run broadcast media with no private, independent broadcasters; Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), the state-run TV broadcaster, operates 5 nationwide channels, a news channel, about 30 provincial channels, and several international channels; about 20 foreign Persian-language TV stations broadcasting on satellite TV are capable of being seen in Iran; satellite dishes are illegal and, while their use had been tolerated, authorities began confiscating satellite dishes following the unrest stemming from the 2009 presidential election; IRIB operates 8 nationwide radio networks, a number of provincial stations, and an external service; most major international broadcasters transmit to Iran (2009)

Internet country code

.ir

Internet hosts

197,804 (2012)

Internet users

8.214 million (2009)

Telephone system

currently being modernized and expanded with the goal of not only improving the efficiency and increasing the volume of the urban service but also bringing telephone service to several thousand villages, not presently connected the addition of new fiber cables and modern switching and exchange systems installed by Iran's state-owned telecom company have improved and expanded the fixed-line network greatly; fixed-line availability has more than doubled to more than 27 million lines since 2000; additionally, mobile-cellular service has increased dramatically serving roughly 56 million subscribers in 2011; combined fixed and mobile-cellular subscribership now exceeds 100 per 100 persons country code - 98; submarine fiber-optic cable to UAE with access to Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe (FLAG); Trans-Asia-Europe (TAE) fiber-optic line runs from Azerbaijan through the northern portion of Iran to Turkmenistan with expansion to Georgia and Azerbaijan; HF radio and microwave radio relay to Turkey, Azerbaijan, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Syria, Kuwait, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan; satellite earth stations - 13 (9 Intelsat and 4 Inmarsat) (2011)

domestic

the addition of new fiber cables and modern switching and exchange systems installed by Iran's state-owned telecom company have improved and expanded the fixed-line network greatly; fixed-line availability has more than doubled to more than 27 million lines since 2000; additionally, mobile-cellular service has increased dramatically serving roughly 56 million subscribers in 2011; combined fixed and mobile-cellular subscribership now exceeds 100 per 100 persons

general assessment

currently being modernized and expanded with the goal of not only improving the efficiency and increasing the volume of the urban service but also bringing telephone service to several thousand villages, not presently connected

international

country code - 98; submarine fiber-optic cable to UAE with access to Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe (FLAG); Trans-Asia-Europe (TAE) fiber-optic line runs from Azerbaijan through the northern portion of Iran to Turkmenistan with expansion to Georgia and Azerbaijan; HF radio and microwave radio relay to Turkey, Azerbaijan, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Syria, Kuwait, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan; satellite earth stations - 13 (9 Intelsat and 4 Inmarsat) (2011)

Telephones - main lines in use

28.76 million (2012)

Telephones - mobile cellular

58.16 million (2012)

Airports

319 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

7 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

26

2,438 to 3,047 m

29

914 to 1,523 m

36

over 3,047 m

42

total

140

under 914 m

7 (2013)

Airports - with unpaved runways

32 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

9

2,438 to 3,047 m

2

914 to 1,523 m

135

over 3,047 m

1

total

179

Heliports

26 (2013)

Merchant marine

bulk carrier 8, cargo 51, chemical tanker 3, container 4, liquefied gas 1, passenger/cargo 3, petroleum tanker 2, refrigerated cargo 2, roll on/roll off 2 2 (UAE 2) 71 (Barbados 5, Cyprus 10, Hong Kong 3, Malta 48, Panama 5) (2010)

foreign-owned

2 (UAE 2)

registered in other countries

71 (Barbados 5, Cyprus 10, Hong Kong 3, Malta 48, Panama 5) (2010)

total

76

Pipelines

condensate 7 km; condensate/gas 973 km; gas 20,794 km; liquid petroleum gas 570 km; oil 8,625 km; refined products 7,937 km (2013)

Ports and terminals

Bandar-e Asaluyeh, Bandar Abbas, Bandar Emam Khomeyni

Railways

8,442 km 94 km 1.676-m gauge 8,348 km 1.435-m gauge (148 km electrified) (2008)

standard gauge

8,348 km 1.435-m gauge (148 km electrified) (2008)

total

8,442 km

Roadways

198,866 km 160,366 km (includes 1,948 km of expressways) 38,500 km (2010)

total

198,866 km

unpaved

38,500 km (2010)

Waterways

850 km (on Karun River; some navigation on Lake Urmia) (2012)

Manpower available for military service

23,619,215 22,628,341 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

22,628,341 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

23,619,215

Manpower fit for military service

20,149,222 19,417,275 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

19,417,275 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

20,149,222

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

715,111 677,372 (2010 est.)

female

677,372 (2010 est.)

male

715,111

Military branches

Islamic Republic of Iran Regular Forces (Artesh): Ground Forces, Navy, Air Force (IRIAF), Khatemolanbia Air Defense Headquarters; Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (Sepah-e Pasdaran-e Enqelab-e Eslami, IRGC): Ground Resistance Forces, Navy, Aerospace Force, Quds Force (special operations); Law Enforcement Forces (2011)

Islamic Republic of Iran Regular Forces (Artesh)

Ground Forces, Navy, Air Force (IRIAF), Khatemolanbia Air Defense Headquarters; Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (Sepah-e Pasdaran-e Enqelab-e Eslami, IRGC): Ground Resistance Forces, Navy, Aerospace Force, Quds Force (special operations); Law Enforcement Forces (2011)

Military expenditures

2.5% of GDP (2006)

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age for compulsory military service; 16 years of age for volunteers; 17 years of age for Law Enforcement Forces; 15 years of age for Basij Forces (Popular Mobilization Army); conscript military service obligation is 18 months; women exempt from military service (2012)

Disputes - international

Iran protests Afghanistan's limiting flow of dammed Helmand River tributaries during drought; Iraq's lack of a maritime boundary with Iran prompts jurisdiction disputes beyond the mouth of the Shatt al Arab in the Persian Gulf; Iran and UAE dispute Tunb Islands and Abu Musa Island, which are occupied by Iran; Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Russia ratified Caspian seabed delimitation treaties based on equidistance, while Iran continues to insist on a one-fifth slice of the sea; Afghan and Iranian commissioners have discussed boundary monument densification and resurvey

Illicit drugs

despite substantial interdiction efforts and considerable control measures along the border with Afghanistan, Iran remains one of the primary transshipment routes for Southwest Asian heroin to Europe; suffers one of the highest opiate addiction rates in the world, and has an increasing problem with synthetic drugs; lacks anti-money laundering laws; has reached out to neighboring countries to share counter-drug intelligence

Refugees and internally displaced persons

2.4 million (1 million registered, 1.4 million undocumented) (Afghanistan); 42,500 (Iraq) (2013)

refugees (country of origin)

2.4 million (1 million registered, 1.4 million undocumented) (Afghanistan); 42,500 (Iraq) (2013)

Trafficking in persons

Iran is a presumed source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children subjected to sex trafficking and forced labor; Iranian and Afghan boys and girls are forced into prostitution domestically; Iranian women are subjected to sex trafficking in Iran, Pakistan, the Persian Gulf, and Europe; Azerbaijani women and children are also sexually exploited in Iran; Afghan migrants and refugees and Pakistani men and women are subjected to conditions of forced labor in Iran; NGO reports indicate that criminal organizations play a significant role in human trafficking in Iran Tier 3 - Iran does not comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking, and is not making significant efforts to do so; the government does not share information on its anti-trafficking efforts, making it difficult to assess the country's human trafficking problem or the government's attempts to curb it; NGOs report that laws against human trafficking, forced labor, and debt bondage remain unenforced because of a lack of political will and widespread political corruption; there is no evidence that the government has a process to identify trafficking victims, refers victims to protective services, or has made efforts to prevent human trafficking (2013)

current situation

Iran is a presumed source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children subjected to sex trafficking and forced labor; Iranian and Afghan boys and girls are forced into prostitution domestically; Iranian women are subjected to sex trafficking in Iran, Pakistan, the Persian Gulf, and Europe; Azerbaijani women and children are also sexually exploited in Iran; Afghan migrants and refugees and Pakistani men and women are subjected to conditions of forced labor in Iran; NGO reports indicate that criminal organizations play a significant role in human trafficking in Iran

tier rating

Tier 3 - Iran does not comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking, and is not making significant efforts to do so; the government does not share information on its anti-trafficking efforts, making it difficult to assess the country's human trafficking problem or the government's attempts to curb it; NGOs report that laws against human trafficking, forced labor, and debt bondage remain unenforced because of a lack of political will and widespread political corruption; there is no evidence that the government has a process to identify trafficking victims, refers victims to protective services, or has made efforts to prevent human trafficking (2013)