Iran (Islamic Republic of Iran)

Iran Islamic Republic of Iran
Status	Independent State
Social and Moral Index	125th best
Capital	Tehran
Land Area	1 628 550km21
Location	Asia, The Middle East
Population	81.8m2
Life Expectancy	73.87yrs (2017)3
GNI	$13 001 (2017)4
ISO3166-1 Codes	IR, IRN, 3645
Internet Domain	.ir6
Currency	Rial (IRR)7
Telephone	+988

1. Overview
2. Iran National and Social Development
3. Iran's Demographics and Migration
4. Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance
5. Iran's Health
6. Iran's Responsibility Towards The Environment
7. Iran's Modernity and Learning
8. National Culture
9. Peace Versus Instability
10. Economic Inequality and Poverty
11. Religion and Beliefs
12. Links

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1. Overview

#iran

“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.”

CIA's The World Factbook (2013)₉

“If travel is most rewarding when it surprises, then Iran, with its bazaars, mighty deserts and sublime architecture, might just be the most rewarding destination on Earth. Before you come to Iran, you might be thinking the main reasons to visit are because it´s a bit adventurous and there´s a lot to see from the years when Persia was a great world power. At some levels you´d be right.

Iran´s sights will put you in the footsteps of some of history´s most outstanding figures. And certainly you won´t find yourself crowded out of any sights, which is fun.

The highlights, together with the atmospheric teahouses, bustling bazaars, deserts punctuated by historic oases and rugged mountain ranges, give Iran more than its fair share of fantastic places to see. But to think of Iran only in terms of `sights´ is to miss the real story.

If you like people, you´ll like Iran. The Iranians, a nation made up of numerous ethnic groups and influenced over thousands of years by Greek, Arab, Turkic and Mongol occupiers, are endlessly welcoming and eager to show off and explain their intricate culture.”

"The World" by Lonely Planet (2014)₁₀

2. Iran National and Social Development

#economics #human_development #wealth

UN HDI (2021)11
Pos.		Higher is better Value11
1	Switzerland	0.962
2	Norway	0.961
3	Iceland	0.959
	...
73	Sri Lanka	0.782
74	Bosnia & Herzegovina	0.780
75	St Kitts & Nevis	0.777
76	Iran	0.774
77	Ukraine	0.773
78	Macedonia	0.770
79	China	0.768
80=	Moldova	0.767
	Asia Avg	0.75
	World Avg	0.72
q=191.

Gross National Income Per-Capita (2021)11
Pos.		Higher is better PPP $11
1	Liechtenstein	$146 830
2	Singapore	$90 919
3	Qatar	$87 134
	...
89	Ukraine	$13 256
90	Armenia	$13 158
91	Turkmenistan	$13 021
92	Iran	$13 001
93	S. Africa	$12 948
94	Suriname	$12 672
95	Sri Lanka	$12 578
96	Paraguay	$12 349
	Asia Avg	$22 215
	World Avg	$20 136
q=193.

Social & Moral Development Index12
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank12
1	Denmark	27.4
2	Norway	27.6
3	Sweden	30.4
	...
122	Botswana	100.1
123	Bangladesh	100.5
124	Nicaragua	100.9
125	Iran	101.3
126	Algeria	101.7
127	Egypt	101.8
128	Saudi Arabia	103.2
129	Tonga	103.4
	Asia Avg	92.0
	World Avg	89.7
q=198.

The United Nations produces an annual Human Development Report which includes the Human Development Index. The factors taken into account include life expectancy, education and schooling and Gross National Income (GNI) amongst many others..

The Social and Moral Development Index concentrates on moral issues and human rights, violence, public health, equality, tolerance, freedom and effectiveness in climate change mitigation and environmentalism, and on some technological issues. A country scores higher for achieving well in those areas, and for sustaining that achievement in the long term. Those countries towards the top of this index can truly said to be setting good examples and leading humankind onwards into a bright, humane, and free future. See: Which are the Best Countries in the World? The Social and Moral Development Index.

3. Iran's Demographics and Migration

#birth_control #demographics #fertility #health #immigration #life_expectancy #longevity #migration #overpopulation #population #yemen

Population:

Iran's population is predicted to rise to 84.44 million by 2030. This rise is despite a low fertility rate, meaning, that this country is helping to alleviate problems with growing population in neighbouring countries by accepting immigrants, very likely as a requirement of maintaining an active workforce. This country has a fertility rate of 1.68. The fertility rate is, in simple terms, the average amount of children that each woman has. The higher the figure, the quicker the population will grow, although, to calculate the rate you also need to take into account morbidity - the rate at which people die. If people live healthy and long lives and morbidity is low, then, 2.0 approximates to the replacement rate (two new children for each set of parents who die), which would keep the population stable. If all countries had such a fertility rate, population growth would end. The actual replacement rate in most developed countries is around 2.1. The highest fertility rate ever detected in a single year was in Yemen in 1985, at 8.86.₁₃

Population2
Pos.		2018 Population2
1	China	1.4b
2	India	1.4b
3	USA	327.1m
	...
16	Congo, DR	84.1m
17	Germany	83.1m
18	Turkey	82.3m
19	Iran	81.8m
20	Thailand	69.4m
21	UK	67.1m
22	France	65.0m
23	Italy	60.6m
	World Avg	39.0m
q=195.

Life Expectancy Higher is better11
Pos.		2021 Years11
1	Monaco	85.9
2	Hong Kong	85.5
3	Japan	84.8
	...
68	Romania	74.2
69	Cape Verde	74.1
70	Morocco	74.0
71	Iran	73.9
72	Macedonia	73.8
73	Nicaragua	73.8
74	Tunisia	73.8
75	Lithuania	73.7
	World Avg	71.28
q=195.

Fertility Rate 2.0 is best14
Pos.		202214
1	US Virgin Islands	2.00
2	Ecuador	2.00
3	Nepal	2.01
	...
42	Ireland	1.70
43	Colombia	1.69
44	French Polynesia	1.69
45	Iran	1.68
46	Seychelles	2.32
47	Maldives	1.68
48=	Suriname	2.32
48=	Cambodia	2.32
	World Avg	2.47
q=208.

Old-Age Dependency Ratio Lower is better15
Pos.		2016 Per 10015
1	Uganda	04.3
2	Mali	04.5
3=	Chad	04.7
	...
89	Bolivia	12.7
90	Nicaragua	13.1
91	Paraguay	13.2
92	Iran	13.4
93	Samoa	13.7
94	Algeria	14.0
95	Malaysia	14.5
96	Guyana	15.0
	World Avg	18.3
q=185.

• The Population of the Earth
• Abortion, Birth Control and Contraception

Migration:

Immigrants16
Pos.		2017 %16
1	UAE	88.4%
2	Kuwait	75.5%
3	Qatar	65.2%
	...
101	Moldova	3.5%
102	Slovakia	3.4%
103	Turkmenistan	3.4%
104	Iran	3.3%
105	Kyrgyzstan	3.3%
106	Chad	3.3%
107	Tajikistan	3.1%
108	Cape Verde	2.8%
	World Avg	9.4%
q=195.

Emigrants17
Pos.		2010 %17
1	Dominica	104.8%
2	Palestine	68.4%
3	Samoa	67.3%
	...
156	Serbia	2.0%
157	Venezuela	1.8%
158	S. Africa	1.7%
159	Iran	1.7%
160	Libya	1.7%
161	Gabon	1.7%
162	Vanuatu	1.6%
163	Djibouti	1.5%
	World Avg	11.5%
q=192.

4. Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance

#bahá'í_faith #equality #freedom #gender_equality #human_rights #iran #iran_women #judaism #morals #politics #prejudice #tolerance #women

Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance (2025)18
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank18
1	Sweden	8.5
2	Denmark	13.5
3	Norway	13.5
	...
183	Syria	136.5
184	Palestine	137.8
185	Saudi Arabia	137.8
186	Iran	138.2
187	Comoros	138.3
188	Pakistan	140.5
	Asia Avg	103.0
	World Avg	87.8
q=200.

Iran is amongst the very worst places in the world at ensuring any human rights and freedoms, and it has severe cultural issues when it comes to tolerance and equality. Iran does worse than average in the rate of gender bias (from 7 indicators)₁₉, opposing gender inequality₂₀, LGBT equality₂₁ and in its nominal commitment to Human Rights₂₂. And finally, it sits amongst the bottom 20 in its success in fighting anti-semitic prejudice₂₃, commentary in Human Rights Watch reports₂₄, supporting personal, civil & economic freedoms₂₅ (one of the highest in Asia), eliminating modern slavery₂₆, supporting press freedom₂₇ (one of the worst in Asia), freethought₂₈ and in its average Freedom in the World rating. "Authorities [in 2017] continued to target journalists, online media activists, and human rights defenders in an ongoing crackdown"₂₉. There is no religious freedom, or freedom of thought, in Iran_30,29,31 , with minorities being heavily persecuted, and broadcasted attacks on all religious groups that are not Shia Muslim, "with the Bahá'ís and Jews being the most frequent targets"₃₂.

For tables, charts and commentary, see:

• Human Rights and Freedom in Iran

5. Iran's Health

#alcohol #birth_control #demographics #health #iran #life_expectancy #longevity #obesity #overpopulation #parenting #population #smoking #vaccines

Compared to Asia (2020)33
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank33
1	Maldives	41.7
2	Sri Lanka	43.1
3	Malaysia	53.1
	...
19	Myanmar (Burma)	73.1
20	China	73.5
21=	Thailand	76.3
22	Iran	76.4
23	Turkey	78.0
24	Uzbekistan	78.4
25	Vietnam	80.8
26	Armenia	81.5
27	UAE	82.5
	Asia Avg	80.9
q=50.

Health (2020)33
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank33
1	Monaco	13.0
2	Maldives	41.7
3	Sri Lanka	43.1
	...
30	Switzerland	75.5
31=	Thailand	76.3
31=	Iceland	76.3
33	Iran	76.4
34	Denmark	76.9
35	Grenada	77.3
36	Turkey	78.0
37	Uzbekistan	78.4
	World Avg	95.1
q=198.

The countries with the best overall approach to public health, in terms of both public policy and individual lifestyle choices, are Monaco, The Maldives and Sri Lanka₃₄. These countries are worth emulating. And, although often through no fault of the average citizen, the worst countries are S. Sudan, The Marshall Islands and Nigeria₃₄.

The data sets used to calculate points for each country are its average life expectancy, its alcohol consumption rate, its fertility rate, its smoking rate, its suicide rate, its food aid and health contributions and WHO compliance, the prevalence of overweight adults, its adolescent birth rate and its immunizations take-up. The regions with the best average results per country are Scandinavia, Asia and The Mediterranean₃₄, whereas the worst are Micronesia, Africa and Australasia₃₄.

For more, see:

• "Countries With the Healthiest Cultures and Health Policies" by Vexen Crabtree (2020).

Health:

Iran does relatively well in encouraging good health, compared to many other countries. Iran comes in the best 20 in terms of its immunizations take-up₃₅. It does better than average in its alcohol consumption rate₃₆, its fertility rate₁₄, its average life expectancy₁₁ and in its adolescent birth rate₂₀. But, there's bad news too. Iran does worse than average when it comes to its smoking rate₃₇ and in its food aid and health contributions and WHO compliance₃₈. The prevalence of overweight adults has increased by 14% between 1976 and 2016. Life expectancy in Iran improved by +11.7yrs in the 30 years from 1990, much better than the global average of +7.9yrs. Iran is amongst only 7 countries who have seen their fertility rate drop by more than 5 since the 1960s. Its peak fertility rate was 7.3 in 1960.

Life Expectancy Higher is better11
Pos.		2021 Years11
1	Monaco	85.9
2	Hong Kong	85.5
3	Japan	84.8
	...
68	Romania	74.2
69	Cape Verde	74.1
70	Morocco	74.0
71	Iran	73.9
72	Macedonia	73.8
73	Nicaragua	73.8
74	Tunisia	73.8
75	Lithuania	73.7
	Asia Avg	73.48
	World Avg	71.28
q=195.

Alcohol Consumption Lower is better36
Pos.		2016 Per Capita36
1	Bangladesh	0.0
2	Kuwait	0.0
3	Libya	0.0
	...
25=	Algeria	0.9
25=	Malaysia	0.9
25=	Comoros	0.9
28	Iran	1.0
29=	Vanuatu	1.0
30	Papua New Guinea	1.2
31=	Eritrea	1.3
31=	Guinea	1.3
	Asia Avg	3.9
	World Avg	6.2
q=189.

Fertility Rate 2.0 is best14
Pos.		202214
1	US Virgin Islands	2.00
2	Ecuador	2.00
3	Nepal	2.01
	...
42	Ireland	1.70
43	Colombia	1.69
44	French Polynesia	1.69
45	Iran	1.68
46	Seychelles	2.32
47	Maldives	1.68
48=	Suriname	2.32
48=	Cambodia	2.32
	Asia Avg	2.17
	World Avg	2.47
q=208.

Smoking Rates Lower is better37
Pos.		201437
1	Guinea	15
2	Solomon Islands	26
3	Kiribati	28
	...
110	UK	827
111	Sweden	831
112	Laos	836
113	Iran	869
114	Thailand	895
115	Turkmenistan	92539
116	Chile	930
117	Ireland	954
	Asia Avg	1 035
	World Avg	819
q=182.

Food Aid, Health Contributions & WHO Compliance Lower is better38
Pos.		2017 Rank38
1	Sweden	1
2	Ireland	2
3	Denmark	3
	...
115	Haiti	115
116	Malawi	116
117	Swaziland	117
118	Iran	118
119	Yemen	119
120	Seychelles	120
121	Guinea-Bissau	121
122	Argentina	122
	Asia Avg	64.4
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Overweight Adults Lower is better40
Pos.		2016 %40
1	Vietnam	18.3
2	India	19.7
3	Bangladesh	20.0
	...
147=	Hungary	61.6
147=	Costa Rica	61.6
147=	Tunisia	61.6
147=	Iran	61.6
151	Bulgaria	61.7
152	Algeria	62.0
153=	Greece	62.3
153=	Czechia	62.3
	Asia Avg	44.3
	World Avg	49.0
q=191.

Children's Health:

Adolescent Birth Rate Lower is better20
Pos.		2015 Per 100020
1	N. Korea	0.5
2	S. Korea	1.6
3	Switzerland	2.9
	...
74	India	24.5
75	Samoa	25.0
76	Rwanda	26.3
77	Iran	26.7
78	Turkey	27.6
79	Kazakhstan	27.9
80	Burundi	28.3
81	Mauritius	28.5
	Asia Avg	29.9
	World Avg	47.9
q=185.

Infant Immunizations 2011-2015 Higher is better35
Pos.		2015 Avg %35
1=	Hungary	99.0
1=	China	99.0
3	Uzbekistan	98.9
	...
9	Sri Lanka	98.4
10	St Lucia	98.2
11	Bahrain	98.2
12	Iran	98.1
13	Finland	98.1
14	Saudi Arabia	98.0
15=	Luxembourg	98.0
15=	Oman	98.0
	Asia Avg	90.5
	World Avg	88.3
q=194.

6. Iran's Responsibility Towards The Environment

#biodiversity #climate_change #deforestation #energy #food #iran #meat #over-exploitation #sustainability #the_environment #veganism #vegetarianism

Compared to Asia (2023)41
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank41
1	Japan	33.2
2	Philippines	45.0
3	Sri Lanka	49.0
	...
17	Georgia	78.0
18=	Taiwan	78.7
19	Cyprus	79.3
20	Iran	82.6
21	Hong Kong	83.3
22	Vietnam	83.8
23	Mongolia	84.8
24	China	85.2
25	Cambodia	90.0
	Asia Avg	88.8
q=51.

Responsibility Towards The Environment (2023)41
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank41
1	Japan	33.2
2	Philippines	45.0
3	Uruguay	48.0
	...
86	Belgium	82.2
87	Djibouti	82.3
88	Ireland	82.4
89	Iran	82.6
90	Ukraine	83.2
91	Hong Kong	83.3
92=	Malta	83.5
92=	Tanzania	83.5
	World Avg	85.7
q=188.

With regard to its responsibility towards the environment, Iran comes 89th in the world. This rank is derived from 7 data sets. Iran comes in the best 20 in terms of its forested percent change 2000-2020₄₂. It does better than average in the rate of rational beliefs on the environment in the population₄₃, reducing annual meat consumption per person₄₄ and in its environmental performance₄₅. Iran does not succeed in everything, however. Iran does worse than average in how quickly it ratified the 1993 Convention on Biological Diversity. It sits amongst the bottom 20 in terms of energy to GDP efficiency₄₆. And finally, it is the worst in its score on the Green Future Index₄₇.

Environmental Performance Higher is better45
Pos.		201845
1	Switzerland	87.4
2	France	84.0
3	Denmark	81.6
	...
77	UAE	58.9
78	Jamaica	58.6
79	Namibia	58.5
80	Iran	58.2
81	Belize	57.8
82	Philippines	57.7
83	Mongolia	57.5
84=	Serbia	57.5
	Asia Avg	54.5
	World Avg	56.4
q=180.

Energy to GDP Efficiency Higher is better46
Pos.		201446
1	Hong Kong	26.32
2	Sri Lanka	20.00
3	Panama	17.86
	...
97	Canada	05.56
98	China	05.52
99	Nepal	05.35
100	Iran	05.32
101	Kenya	05.24
102	Kazakhstan	05.10
103	Moldova	05.03
104	Ivory Coast	04.85
	Asia Avg	09.14
	World Avg	09.29
q=119.

Convention on Biological Diversity Earlier is better
Pos.		Total Signed
1=	China	1993 Dec 29
1=	Guinea	1993 Dec 29
1=	Cook Islands	1993 Dec 29
	...
153	Trinidad & Tobago	1996 Oct 30
154=	Congo, (Brazzaville)	1996 Oct 30
155	Kyrgyzstan	1996 Nov 04
156=	Iran	1996 Nov 04
157	S. Sudan	2014 May 18
158	Mauritania	1996 Nov 14
159	Qatar	1996 Nov 19
160	Bahrain	1996 Nov 28
	Asia Avg	1899 Dec 30
	World Avg	1899 Dec 30
q=197.

Rational Beliefs on the Environment Higher is better43
Pos.		2011 %43
1	Argentina	78.3%
2	Greece	77.6%
3	Brazil	77.1%
	...
42	Italy	49.6%
43	Vietnam	49.1%
44	Honduras	48.1%
45	Iran	47.9%
46	Turkey	47.4%
47	Sudan	46.9%
48	Malaysia	46.6%
49	Mozambique	46.5%
	Asia Avg	37.9%
	World Avg	39.9%
q=145.

Meat Consumption Lower is better44
Pos.		2021 kg44
1	Congo, DR	03.0
2	Burundi	03.5
3	Bangladesh	04.3
	...
55	Laos	29.8
56	Botswana	30.1
57	Nicaragua	31.5
58	Iran	31.6
59	Morocco	32.1
60	Tajikistan	32.4
61	Mauritania	32.4
62	Philippines	32.9
	Asia Avg	46.7
	World Avg	52.5
q=185.

Green Future Index Higher is better47
Pos.		2023 Score47
1	Iceland	6.7
2	Finland	6.7
3	Norway	6.4
	...
69=	Guatemala	3.6
69=	Russia	3.6
71	Paraguay	3.6
72	Bangladesh	3.5
73	Qatar	3.4
74	Zambia	3.3
75	Algeria	3.1
76	Iran	2.6
	Asia Avg	4.3
	World Avg	4.8
q=76.

7. Iran's Modernity and Learning

#education #intelligence #it_security #modernity #politics #religion #religiosity #research #science #secularisation #technology #the_internet

Compared to Asia (2020)48
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank48
1	Taiwan	10.0
2	Japan	21.0
3	S. Korea	23.6
	...
23	India	72.4
24	Bahrain	72.6
25	Kyrgyzstan	73.1
26	Iran	74.6
27	Kuwait	76.3
28	Philippines	79.3
29	Sri Lanka	80.8
30=	Jordan	80.8
31	Oman	84.8
	Asia Avg	78.3
q=51.

Modernity & Learning (2020)48
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank48
1	Finland	7.7
2	Taiwan	10.0
3	Switzerland	14.7
	...
88	Kyrgyzstan	73.1
89	Tunisia	74.3
90	Andorra	74.5
91	Iran	74.6
92	Colombia	74.9
93	Tonga	75.2
94	New Caledonia	75.5
95	Kuwait	76.3
	World Avg	82.7
q=205.

Modernity and Education:

Research & Development Higher is better
Pos.		2016 % RDP PPP
1	S. Korea	4.2949
2	Israel	4.1149
3	Japan	3.5849
	...
75	Moldova	0.3550
76	Ecuador	0.3451
77	Bosnia & Herzegovina	0.3350
78	Iran	0.3152
79=	Nepal	0.3052
79=	Kuwait	0.3050
81	Pakistan	0.2950
82	Zambia	0.2853
	Asia Avg	0.75
	World Avg	0.84
q=126.

Secondary Education Higher is better54
Pos.		201854
1=	Luxembourg	100.0%
1=	Estonia	100.0%
1=	Austria	100.0%
	...
75	Panama	72.2%
76	UAE	70.7%
77	Brunei	70.1%
78	Iran	69.8%
79	Vietnam	69.4%
80	Venezuela	69.2%
81	Qatar	67.5%
82	Mauritius	66.9%
	Asia Avg	66.0%
	World Avg	63.0%
q=169.

Length of Schooling Higher is better55
Pos.		2021 Years55
1	Australia	21.1
2	New Zealand	20.3
3	Greece	20.0
	...
67	St Vincent & Grenadines	14.7
68	Algeria	14.6
69	Ecuador	14.6
70	Iran	14.6
71	Oman	14.6
72	Trinidad & Tobago	14.5
73	Slovakia	14.5
74	Dominican Rep.	14.5
	Asia Avg	13.5
	World Avg	13.5
q=193.

Intellectual Endeavours Lower is better38
Pos.		2017 Rank38
1	Ukraine	1
2	Czechia	2
3	Hungary	3
	...
87	Benin	87
88	Pakistan	88
89	Seychelles	89
90	Iran	90
91	Antigua & Barbuda	91
92	Burkina Faso	92
93	Trinidad & Tobago	93
94	Malawi	94
	Asia Avg	97.1
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Religiosity Lower is better56
Pos.		2018 %56
1	China	3
2	Estonia	6
3	Czechia	7
	...
69=	Malaysia	77
69=	Colombia	77
71	Dominican Rep.	78
72=	Iran	78
72=	Tunisia	78
74	Bangladesh	80
75=	India	80
76	Iraq	82
	Asia Avg	55.8
	World Avg	54.3
q=106.

IQ Higher is better57
Pos.		200657
1=	Hong Kong	108
1=	Singapore	108
3	S. Korea	106
	...
78=	Jordan	84
78=	Afghanistan	84
78=	UAE	84
78=	Iran	84
78=	Pakistan	84
78=	Panama	84
78=	Paraguay	84
78=	Morocco	84
	Asia Avg	90.4
	World Avg	85.6
q=138.

Technology and Information:

Internet Users Higher is better58
Pos.		201658
1	Iceland	100%
2	Faroe Islands	99%
3	Norway	98%
	...
97	Dominican Rep.	52%
98	Uzbekistan	51%
99	Armenia	50%
100	Iran	49%
101	Tunisia	48%
102	Moldova	48%
103=	Paraguay	47%
103=	Fiji	47%
	Asia Avg	48.7%
	World Avg	48.1%
q=201.

Freedom On The Internet Lower is better59
Pos.		201259
1	Estonia	10
2	USA	12
3	Germany	15
	...
40	Vietnam	73
41=	Ethiopia	75
41=	Myanmar (Burma)	75
43	Uzbekistan	77
44	Syria	83
45	China	85
46	Cuba	86
47	Iran	90
	Asia Avg	56.6
	World Avg	46.7
q=47.

IT Security Lower is better60
Pos.		201360
1=	Ireland	0.11
1=	Luxembourg	0.11
1=	Belize	0.11
	...
34	Burkina Faso	0.79
35	Ivory Coast	0.82
36	Ethiopia	0.84
37	Iran	0.85
38	Laos	0.86
39	Spain	0.88
40	Kuwait	0.93
41	Saudi Arabia	0.93
	Asia Avg	1.08
	World Avg	0.98

IPv6 Uptake Higher is better61
Pos.		2017 Ratio61
1	Belgium	55.4
2	Germany	41.8
3	Switzerland	35.1
	...
71=	Ukraine	0.1
72	Lithuania	0.1
73	Vanuatu	0.1
74=	Iran	0.1
74=	Zambia	0.1
76	Panama	0.1
77=	Croatia	0.1
77=	Costa Rica	0.1
	Asia Avg	2.11
	World Avg	3.82
q=176.

Digital Quality of Life Higher is better62
Pos.		202462
1	Germany	77.9%
2	Finland	76.9%
3	France	73.9%
	...
98	Botswana	33.1%
99	Benin	32.8%
100	Nigeria	32.7%
101	Iran	32.5%
102	Namibia	32.1%
103	Laos	31.5%
104	Guatemala	31.0%
105	Nepal	30.3%
	Asia Avg	46.4%
	World Avg	48.4%
q=121.

8. National Culture

#charity #corruption #happiness #morals #politics

Iran has a consistently awful long-term record on corruption.

World Giving Index Higher is better63
Pos.		2022 %63
1	Indonesia	68.0
2	Kenya	61.0
3	USA	59.0
	...
44=	Mexico	44.0
44=	Costa Rica	44.0
46	Vietnam	43.0
47=	Iran	43.0
47=	Kosovo	43.0
47=	Bolivia	43.0
47=	Ghana	43.0
51	Sweden	42.0
	Asia Avg	37.9
	World Avg	39.6
q=125.

Corruption Higher is better64
Pos.		2022 Points64
1	Denmark	90.0
2=	Finland	87.0
2=	New Zealand	87.0
	...
146	Uganda	26.0
147	Guinea	25.0
148=	Bangladesh	25.0
148=	Iran	25.0
150	Central African Rep.	24.0
151=	Lebanon	24.0
151=	Guatemala	24.0
151=	Nigeria	24.0
	Asia Avg	39.98
	World Avg	42.98
q=180.

Happiness Higher is better65
Pos.		2018 Score65
1	Finland	7.6
2	Norway	7.6
3	Denmark	7.6
	...
103	Gabon	4.8
104	Palestine	4.7
105	S. Africa	4.7
106	Iran	4.7
107	Ivory Coast	4.7
108	Ghana	4.7
109	Senegal	4.6
110	Laos	4.6
	Asia Avg	5.29
	World Avg	5.38
q=156.

Creativity & Culture Lower is better38
Pos.		2017 Rank38
1	Belgium	1
2	Netherlands	2
3	Estonia	3
	...
154	Venezuela	154
155	Yemen	155
156	Iraq	156
157	Iran	157
158	Gabon	158
159	Central African Rep.	159
160	Burundi	160
161	Rwanda	161
	Asia Avg	99.0
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Open Trading, Aid & Development Lower is better38
Pos.		2017 Rank38
1	Ireland	1
2	Denmark	2
3	Sweden	3
	...
145	Samoa	145
146	Jamaica	146
147	Syria	147
148	Iran	148
149	India	149
150	Cameroon	150
151	Suriname	151
152	Gabon	152
	Asia Avg	86.3
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

9. Peace Versus Instability

#extremism #human_development #peace #politics #religious_violence #terrorism

Global Peace Index Lower is better66
Pos.		2023 Score66
1	Iceland	1.12
2	Denmark	1.31
3	Ireland	1.31
	...
144	Nigeria	2.71
145	Myanmar (Burma)	2.74
146	Pakistan	2.75
147=	Iran	2.80
147=	Turkey	2.80
149	N. Korea	2.85
150	Burkina Faso	2.87
151	Ethiopia	2.87
	Asia Avg	2.17
	World Avg	2.07
q=163.

Peacekeeping & Security Lower is better38
Pos.		2017 Rank38
1	Samoa	1
2	S. Africa	2
3	Tunisia	3
	...
80	Albania	80
81	Gabon	81
82	Russia	82
83	Iran	83
84	Serbia	84
85	Mexico	85
86	Cambodia	86
87	Bangladesh	87
	Asia Avg	76.0
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Refugees & UN Treaties Lower is better38
Pos.		2017 Rank38
1	Austria	1
2	Germany	2
3	Netherlands	3
	...
65	Mozambique	65
66=	Burkina Faso	66
66=	Kyrgyzstan	66
68	Iran	68
69	Malawi	69
70	Latvia	70
71	Guatemala	71
72	Estonia	72
	Asia Avg	92.2
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Impact of Terrorism Lower is better67
Pos.		2019 Score67
1	Togo	0.00
2	Mongolia	0.00
3	Swaziland	0.00
	...
109	China	4.47
110	S. Africa	4.51
111	Israel	4.53
112	Iran	4.72
113	Chad	4.76
114	Russia	4.90
115	France	5.01
116	Indonesia	5.07
	Asia Avg	3.60
	World Avg	2.78
q=150.

10. Economic Inequality and Poverty

#capitalism #economics #health #inequality #life_expectancy #social_development

Inequality in Life Expectancy Lower is better68
Pos.		201968
1	Iceland	2.40
2=	Singapore	2.50
2=	Hong Kong	2.50
	...
72	Tunisia	9.00
73=	Turkey	9.00
74	Libya	9.10
75	Iran	9.20
76	Mauritius	9.40
77=	Seychelles	9.60
77=	Moldova	9.60
79	Jamaica	10.00
	Asia Avg	11.80
	World Avg	14.59
q=184.

Income Inequality (Gini Coefficient) Lower is better69
Pos.		2023 %69
1	Slovakia	24.1%70
2	Slovenia	24.3%70
3	Belarus	24.4%71
	...
77=	Australia	34.3%72
78	Benin	34.4%70
79	Portugal	34.6%70
80=	Iran	34.8%73
80=	Italy	34.8%70
82	Thailand	34.9%70
83	Ethiopia	35.0%74
84=	Nigeria	35.1%72
	Asia Avg	33.0%
	World Avg	36.5%
q=167.

11. Religion and Beliefs

#bahá'í_faith #belief #buddhism #christianity #god #hinduism #iran #islam #judaism #religion #religion_in_iran #religiosity #secularisation

Religiosity (2018)56
Pos.		Lower is better %56
1	China	3
2	Estonia	6
3	Czechia	7
	...
69=	Malaysia	77
69=	Colombia	77
71	Dominican Rep.	78
72=	Iran	78
72=	Tunisia	78
74	Bangladesh	80
75=	India	80
76	Iraq	82
77=	El Salvador	85
77=	Jordan	85
79	Palestine	86
80=	Uganda	86
80=	Chad	86
80=	Niger	86
83	Kenya	87
84=	Mozambique	87
	World Avg	54.3
q=106.

Disbelief In God (2007)75
Pos.		Higher is better %75
1	Vietnam	81
2	Japan	65
3	Sweden	64
	...
52=	Mozambique	5
53	Zimbabwe	4
54=	Namibia	4
54=	Iran	4
54=	Mexico	4
54=	Portugal	4
54=	Romania	4
54=	Argentina	4
54=	Georgia	4
54=	Uzbekistan	4
62	Lebanon	3
63=	Congo, (Brazzaville)	3
63=	Poland	3
63=	Jamaica	3
63=	India	3
67	Angola	2
	World Avg	9.9
q=137.

Data from the Pew Forum, a professional polling outfit, states that in 2010 the religious makeup of this country was as follows in the table below₇₆:

Christian	0.2%
Muslim	99%
Hindu	0.1%
Buddhist	0.1%
Folk Religion	0.1%
Jewish	0.1%
Unaffiliated	0.1%

It appears that when asked "What religion are you" many give pollsters the 'correct' answer despite how they actually feel, and despite what they actually believe. Although 99.6% of the populace say they belong to a religion, only 78% say that they are religious when the question is phrased as "Is religion an important part of your daily life?".

For more on this phenomenon, see:

• "Institutionalized Religions Have Their Numbers Inflated by National Polls" by Vexen Crabtree

The CIA World Factbook has slightly different data, and states: Muslim (official) 98% (Shia 89%, Sunni 9%), other (includes Zoroastrian, Jewish, Christian, and Baha'i) 2%₇₇.

Freedom of Religion and Belief: There is no religious freedom or freedom of thought in Iran_30,29,31. It is illegal to criticize Islam or to fail to obey Islamic law₃₁. Sociologists Grim & Finke place Iran into the worst possible persecution category, along with 13 other countries. Severe restrictions on religious freedom and freedom of belief stem simultaneously from top-down pressure from government, from institutionalized Islam, and from bottom-up grassroots movements that often go even further than the government in harassing those who do not believe the right things (2011)₇₈. The targets are anyone who is not Shia Muslim, "with the Bahá'ís and Jews being the most frequent targets"_32,31.

Apostasy - choosing to leave a religion - is not by name a criminal offence in Iran, but judges use a variety of legal provisions to find apostates guilty and punish them₃₁.

The vague crime of moharebeh ("enmity against God"), is used by the government to execute and jail dozens of people, often for political acts or for criticisms of the government, because they use the logic that the theocratic government of Iran is itself a representative of God₃₁. "Iranian writer and human rights defender, Golrokh Ebrahimi Iraee, and blogger Soheil Arabi, are two individuals who have been imprisoned for long periods on these grounds"₃₁.

The International Humanist and Ethical Union in 2012 documented the worst-possible forms of bias and prejudice, stemming from religious dogma and governmental intolerance of dissent.

Links:

• A List of All Religions and Belief Systems
• Secularisation Theory: Will Modern Society Reject Religion? What is Secularism?
• Human Rights and Freedom in Iran: 4.3. Freedom of Thought