Iran vs Türkiye: population
How Iran and Türkiye compare in population today and out to 2100, side by side, from UN World Population Prospects 2024.
Iran and Türkiye population, 2000-2100
Population 2000-2100
Side by side
| 🇮🇷 Iran | 🇹🇷 Türkiye | |
|---|---|---|
| Population today | 92.8 million | 87.8 million |
| Population 2050 | 102 million | 91.3 million |
| Population 2100 | 80.3 million | 65.7 million |
| World rank | #17 | #18 |
| Peak year | 2053 | 2047 |
| Median age (2024) | 33 | 33 |
| Fertility rate (2024) | 1.68 | 1.62 |
| Life expectancy (2024) | 78 yrs | 77 yrs |
| Density (per km²) | 57 | 114 |
Why this comparison matters
Two regional heavyweights of the Middle East, and two of its most advanced demographic transitions. Both Iran and Turkey have seen fertility fall below the replacement level, so both are heading for ageing and eventual decline rather than growth. Their populations are close in size and projected to peak within a couple of decades.
Iran vs Türkiye, explained
Today Iran is the larger of the two, with about 92.8 million people against Türkiye's 87.8 million. Iran is the world's 17th most populous country and Türkiye the 18th.
Their paths to 2100 differ. Iran declines over the century, moving from about 91.1 million to 80.3 million (-11.9%). Türkiye falls sharply, going from 87.4 million to 65.7 million (-24.8%).
The order does not flip this century: Iran is still the larger of the two in 2100. The two trajectories run in parallel rather than crossing.
The deeper contrast is age and fertility. Iran has a median age near 33 and 1.68 births per woman, against Türkiye's 33 and 1.62. All figures follow the UN's medium-variant projection.