In 1994 the population of Iran was about 60 millions of whom 35 millions lived in towns and 25 millions in rural areas. About 48% of the population were female and the rest were male. In the 1980s the rate of population growth had risen alarmingly but the nation managed to control the population growth and lower the growth rate from 3.9% in the 80s down to 2.5% in the 90s.
Population distribution in Iran is very uneven because of the enormous variations in natural and climatic conditions, economic potentials, and concentration of industries and services across the country. For example, the eastern regions, the provinces of Kerman, Khorassan, and Sistan-and -Bal uchestan,  which cover about 42% of the country's surface area, home only 16.7% of the population But the province of Tehran, which covers 1.7% of the country's area, is inhabited by 20% of the population. Of the 60 million Iranians, 17 millions are able to work, of which 15 millions are active.
Special efforts are being made to eradicate illiteracy and the population has welcomed the idea, and has fervently participated in the literacy program, such that today 78%, of the population of 6 years and over can read and write; and 92.6% of the Iranians aged 6-29 are literate.