What is the population of Tehran?
Tehran has a city population of 7,153,309. That is the population within the city's own boundary, not its wider metropolitan area. City population, GeoNames.
35.694, 51.422
About Tehran
Tehran is the capital and largest city of Iran, home to over 9 million people within city limits and approximately 16 million in the metropolitan area. Nestled at the foot of the Alborz Mountains, Tehran serves as Iran's political, economic, cultural, and educational center, blending ancient Persian heritage with modern urban development.
Metro population
9,500,000
0.114% of world population
Archive estimateAnnual growth
+0.85%
Archive estimateDensity
7,456/km²
1,274 km² metro area
Key Facts
Country
Region
Rank in region
#1of 48
Founded
1794
Leadership
Alireza Zakani
Coordinates
35.694, 51.422
Record updated
26 March 2024
Entry edited, not measured
City population, GeoNames. GeoNames publishes no year for its population figures, so “record updated” is when the entry was last edited — not the date the population was measured. Elevation is modelled from a digital elevation model rather than surveyed, so it is approximate.
Nearby Cities
All 422 in IranClosest listed cities by great-circle distance from the city centre.
Compared with the World's Largest Cities
City-proper population against the fifteen largest cities in the dataset.
| Name | City population |
|---|---|
| Shanghai | 24.9M |
| Beijing | 19M |
| Shenzhen | 17.5M |
| Guangzhou | 16.1M |
| Kinshasa | 16M |
| Istanbul | 15.7M |
| Lagos | 15.4M |
| Ho Chi Minh City | 14M |
| Chengdu | 13.6M |
| Lahore | 13M |
| Mumbai | 12.7M |
| São Paulo | 12.4M |
| Mexico City | 12.3M |
| Karachi | 11.6M |
| Tianjin | 11.1M |
| Tehran | 7.15M |
Airports
Scheduled-service airports within 100 km, nearest first.
- Mehrabad International AirportTHR
10 km from the city centre
- Imam Khomeini International AirportIKA
39 km from the city centre
- Payam International AirportPYK
54 km from the city centre
Source: OurAirports, matched by distance.
History
Tehran was a small village until the Safavid dynasty built walls around it in the 16th century. In 1796, the Qajar dynasty made Tehran the capital of Persia. The Pahlavi dynasty (1925-1979) modernized Tehran extensively. The 1979 Islamic Revolution transformed the city's character, though it continues to develop as the Islamic Republic's capital.
Economy
Tehran dominates Iran's economy, hosting the Tehran Stock Exchange and headquarters of major corporations. Key sectors include manufacturing, oil and gas administration, banking, and retail. The Grand Bazaar remains one of the world's largest covered markets.
Culture
Tehran is the center of contemporary Iranian culture—home to the National Museum, Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art (with Picasso, Warhol, Rothko), and Golestan Palace. Persian cuisine features fragrant rice dishes, kebabs, and stews. Iranian cinema has gained international acclaim.
Transportation
Tehran Metro serves millions daily with ongoing expansion. Buses, taxis, and ride-sharing apps (Snapp, Tapsi) complement public transit. Imam Khomeini International Airport handles international flights.
Current Challenges
Tehran faces severe air pollution trapped against the Alborz Mountains, traffic congestion, water scarcity, earthquake risk, and housing affordability concerns. The city implements traffic restrictions and has expanded metro service.
Highlights
Landmarks & Attractions
- Azadi Tower
- Golestan Palace
- National Museum of Iran
- Grand Bazaar
- Milad Tower
- Sa'dabad Complex
- National Jewels Museum
- Tabiat Bridge
What Tehran Is Known For
- Persian culture
- Mountain backdrop
- Historic palaces
- Contemporary art
Universities
- University of Tehran
- Sharif University of Technology
- Amirkabir University of Technology
Sports Teams
- Persepolis FC
- Esteghlal FC
Interesting Facts
- Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art has one of the most valuable Western art collections outside Europe and North America
- Milad Tower is the sixth-tallest tower in the world
- Northern Tehran is over 1,000 meters higher than southern areas
Population Trend in Iran
No free source publishes city population back to 1950, so the parent country's series is shown instead.
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 1950 | 16,510,553 |
| 1960 | 21,470,434 |
| 1970 | 29,145,100 |
| 1980 | 39,842,324 |
| 1990 | 58,380,092 |
| 2000 | 66,418,659 |
| 2010 | 77,420,842 |
| 2020 | 87,723,443 |
| 2030 | 95,486,667 |
| 2040 | 99,524,277 |
| 2050 | 101,861,993 |
| 2060 | 100,970,579 |
| 2070 | 96,707,311 |
| 2080 | 90,843,859 |
| 2090 | 85,248,590 |
| 2100 | 80,045,291 |
Tehran Population FAQ
Where is Tehran?
Tehran is in Tehran, Iran. Its coordinates are 35.694, 51.422.
How big is Tehran compared with other cities in Iran?
It is the 1st largest of the 422 cities listed in Iran, holding 7.7% of the national population.