Iran is facing a significant demographic shift, with the elderly population expected to reach 33.4 million by 2056, up from 7.4 million in 2016. Mojgan Rezazadeh, head of the National Council on Aging Secretariat, identified the lack of proper budget allocation as a major reason for the country’s failure to address the aging population effectively.
Iran’s elderly population
From 1956 to 2016, the number of Iranians aged 60 and above grew from 1.4 million to 7.4 million. However, this slow increase is projected to accelerate, with those aged 65 and above expected to rise from 5 million to 23 million over the next three decades. Despite the rapid growth of the elderly population, Rezazadeh expressed concern that aging issues have not been adequately addressed in the nation’s development plans.
She called for the inclusion of a dedicated budget for the aging population in the next year’s national budget to help address this social challenge. So, proper planning and management, she noted, would help harness the experience of the elderly, ensuring their well-being and dignity in society. 
Currently, Iran’s elderly population stands at 9.866 million, with 52.27% women and 47.73% men, making up approximately 11.6% of the country’s total population of 85 million.
