Iran, with an estimated 70 million people, is ethnically, linguistically and religiously diverse. The official state religion is Shiite Islam and the majority of its population is ethnically Persian. Iran’s official language is Persian (the Persian term for which is Farsi). However, millions of individuals from various ethnic, religious, and linguistic minority backgrounds also reside in Iran. These groups include Azeris, Kurds, Balouchis, Arabs, Christians, Jews, Zoroastrians, Baha’is, Sunni Muslims, and others.
Iran at a Glance
| Population |
70 million (2008) |
| Ethnic groups |
Persian 51%, Azeri 24%, Gilaki and Mazandarani 8%, Kurd 7%, Arab 3%, Lur 2%, Baluoch 2%, Turkmen 2%, other 1% |
| Religions |
Muslim 98% (Shi’a 89%, Sunni 9%), other (includes Zoroastrian, Jewish, Christian, and Baha’i) 2% |
| Languages |
Persian and Persian dialects 58%, Turkic and Turkic dialects 26%, Kurdish 9%, Luri 2%, Baluochi 1%, Arabic 1%, Turkish 1%, other 2% |
