Net migration metrics in Iran

Iran: Net migration metrics was 262,044 in 2023. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2023)
262,044
Change on year
down 35.0%
World rank
11th
of 236 countries
All-time high
1.45 million
in 1981
All-time low
-1.70 million
in 1993
Years of data
74
1950–2023

Net migration metrics in Iran, 1950–2023

-2.0M-1.0M01.0M195019862023

Source: Our World in Data.

Analysis

Iran recorded 262,044 for net migration metrics in 2023.

That represents a change of down 35.0% on the previous year and up 653.7% over ten years.

Over the whole period, net migration metrics in Iran peaked at 1.45 million in 1981 and was at its lowest, -1.70 million, in 1993.

Iran ranks 11th of 236 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.

The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.

Net migration metrics in Iran, year by year

Annual values for Net migration metrics in Iran, 1950 to 2023.
Year Value Change
1950 39,049 —
1951 37,759 -3.3%
1952 32,488 -14.0%
1953 22,105 -32.0%
1954 24,319 +10.0%
1955 23,839 -2.0%
1956 23,731 -0.5%
1957 10,643 -55.2%
1958 1,627 -84.7%
1959 32,651 +1906.8%
1960 54,041 +65.5%
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%

Iran compared with similar countries

  • Iran's 262,044 is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is -2,817. (58 countries reporting)
  • Iran's 262,044 is above the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 500, 524.1× the median. (23 countries reporting)

Biggest year-on-year movements

Years where Net migration metrics 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.

YearChange FromTo
2010 -6189.6% 211 -12,849
1992 -3360.8% -13,059 -451,945
1990 +2021.7% 9,460 200,711
1959 +1906.8% 1,627 32,651
1981 +1300.7% 103,674 1.45 million
2020 -451.0% -32,794 -180,680

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1950s 24,821 1,627 39,049 10
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 204,880 -180,680 403,190 4

Countries ranked near Iran

  1. 8 Saudi Arabia 325,691 compare
  2. 9 Egypt 305,006 compare
  3. 10 United Arab Emirates 300,004 compare
  4. 12 South Africa 228,222 compare
  5. 13 Malaysia 181,071 compare
  6. 14 Japan 175,003 compare

See the full ranking of 236 places →

More population data for Iran

All data for Iran →

Frequently asked questions

What is net migration metrics in Iran?
Net migration metrics in Iran was 262,044 in 2023, according to Our World in Data.
What is the highest net migration metrics recorded in Iran?
The highest recorded value was 1.45 million in 1981.
What is the lowest net migration metrics recorded in Iran?
The lowest recorded value was -1.70 million in 1993.
How does Iran rank for net migration metrics?
Iran ranks 11th out of 236 countries with data for 2023.
Is net migration metrics rising or falling in Iran?
Over the last ten years it is up 653.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this Iran data come from?
The figures come from Our World in Data, published as part of Net migration metrics. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Net migration metrics in Iran. Statizoid, drawing on Our World in Data. Retrieved 11 November 2026, from https://population.statizoid.com/stat/net-migration-metrics/iran-islamic-rep/

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About this data

Indicator
Net migration metrics
Source
Our World in Data
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)
Coverage
236 places, 17,464 data points, 1950–2023
Last refreshed