Net migration (UNICEF) in Iran
Iran: Net migration was 116,786 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2025)
116,786
Change on year
down 38.6%
World rank
7th
of 74 countries
All-time high
1.45 million
in 1981
All-time low
-1.70 million
in 1993
Years of data
66
1960–2025
Net migration in Iran, 1960–2025
Source: UNICEF.
Analysis
Iran recorded 116,786 for net migration in 2025.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 38.6% on the previous year and up 352.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, net migration in Iran peaked at 1.45 million in 1981 and was at its lowest, -1.70 million, in 1993.
That places Iran 7th out of 74 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Net migration in Iran, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 54,041 | — |
| 1961 | 77,811 | +44.0% |
| 1962 | 96,332 | +23.8% |
| 1963 | 110,190 | +14.4% |
| 1964 | 121,817 | +10.6% |
| 1965 | 127,808 | +4.9% |
| 1966 | 98,709 | -22.8% |
| 1967 | 77,313 | -21.7% |
| 1968 | 69,342 | -10.3% |
| 1969 | 78,196 | +12.8% |
| 1970 | 89,757 | +14.8% |
| 1971 | 77,717 | -13.4% |
| 1972 | 96,614 | +24.3% |
| 1973 | 104,779 | +8.5% |
| 1974 | 103,252 | -1.5% |
| 1975 | 106,921 | +3.6% |
| 1976 | 18,825 | -82.4% |
| 1977 | 68,093 | +261.7% |
| 1978 | 70,088 | +2.9% |
| 1979 | 75,451 | +7.7% |
| 1980 | 103,674 | +37.4% |
| 1981 | 1.45 million | +1300.7% |
| 1982 | 222,390 | -84.7% |
| 1983 | 204,544 | -8.0% |
| 1984 | 97,748 | -52.2% |
| 1985 | 163,999 | +67.8% |
| 1986 | 242,411 | +47.8% |
| 1987 | 213,524 | -11.9% |
| 1988 | 30,688 | -85.6% |
| 1989 | 9,460 | -69.2% |
| 1990 | 200,711 | +2021.7% |
| 1991 | -13,059 | -106.5% |
| 1992 | -451,945 | +3360.8% |
| 1993 | -1.70 million | +275.3% |
| 1994 | -297,487 | -82.5% |
| 1995 | -220,258 | -26.0% |
| 1996 | -92,435 | -58.0% |
| 1997 | 98,009 | -206.0% |
| 1998 | 218,171 | +122.6% |
| 1999 | 191,988 | -12.0% |
| 2000 | 300,133 | +56.3% |
| 2001 | 291,692 | -2.8% |
| 2002 | -668,962 | -329.3% |
| 2003 | 700,222 | -204.7% |
| 2004 | 739,996 | +5.7% |
| 2005 | 765,873 | +3.5% |
| 2006 | 640,932 | -16.3% |
| 2007 | -24,950 | -103.9% |
| 2008 | -12,184 | -51.2% |
| 2009 | 211 | -101.7% |
| 2010 | -12,849 | -6189.6% |
| 2011 | -65,924 | +413.1% |
| 2012 | -57,823 | -12.3% |
| 2013 | -47,322 | -18.2% |
| 2014 | -56,042 | +18.4% |
| 2015 | -46,239 | -17.5% |
| 2016 | 66,630 | -244.1% |
| 2017 | 34,849 | -47.7% |
| 2018 | -27,946 | -180.2% |
| 2019 | -32,794 | +17.3% |
| 2020 | -180,680 | +451.0% |
| 2021 | 334,967 | -285.4% |
| 2022 | 403,190 | +20.4% |
| 2023 | 262,044 | -35.0% |
| 2024 | 190,156 | -27.4% |
| 2025 | 116,786 | -38.6% |
Iran compared with similar countries
- Iran's 116,786 is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is -6,994. (19 countries reporting)
- Iran's 116,786 is above the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is -376.5. (20 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Net migration in Iran changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | -6189.6% | 211 | -12,849 |
| 1992 | -3360.8% | -13,059 | -451,945 |
| 1990 | +2021.7% | 9,460 | 200,711 |
| 1981 | +1300.7% | 103,674 | 1.45 million |
| 2020 | -451.0% | -32,794 | -180,680 |
| 2011 | -413.1% | -12,849 | -65,924 |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 91,156 | 54,041 | 127,808 | 10 |
| 1970s | 81,150 | 18,825 | 106,921 | 10 |
| 1980s | 274,061 | 9,460 | 1.45 million | 10 |
| 1990s | -206,240 | -1.70 million | 218,171 | 10 |
| 2000s | 273,296 | -668,962 | 765,873 | 10 |
| 2010s | -24,546 | -65,924 | 66,630 | 10 |
| 2020s | 187,744 | -180,680 | 403,190 | 6 |
Countries ranked near Iran
- 4 Sudan 291,469 compare
- 5 United Arab Emirates 158,634 compare
- 6 Saudi Arabia 119,738 compare
- 8 Oman 113,734 compare
- 9 Netherlands 104,681 compare
- 10 Spain 96,630 compare
More population data for Iran
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 05 - Demographic estimates 99,007 Persons (2050)
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate -0.5902 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate -0.6632 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate -2.91 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate -0.6632 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate, by level of development -0.7% (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 3.09 million people (2100)
- Population density 49.33 people per km² (2100)
- World population growth -0.7% (2100)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.5653 % change on previous year (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is net migration in Iran?
- Net migration in Iran was 116,786 in 2025, according to UNICEF.
- What is the highest net migration recorded in Iran?
- The highest recorded value was 1.45 million in 1981.
- What is the lowest net migration recorded in Iran?
- The lowest recorded value was -1.70 million in 1993.
- How does Iran rank for net migration?
- Iran ranks 7th out of 74 countries with data for 2025.
- Is net migration rising or falling in Iran?
- Over the last ten years it is up 352.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Iran data come from?
- The figures come from UNICEF, published as part of Net migration. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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