MigrantoMigration trends in Iran
Asia
Iran takes in more people than it loses: 3.8M immigrants against 1.7M emigrants. Net balance +2.1M — 2% of the country's population
91.6M
Population
3.8M
Immigrants
1.7M
Emigrants
+2.1M
Inflow
1 in 24 residents of Iran was born abroad — and 1 in 54 people born in Iran lives abroad
#16 in the world by net migration gain
Top corridors
The largest migration flows in Iran
Key moments
How migration has changed since 1990
1990
4.3M immigrants · 604.9K emigrants
1995
- Slipped out of the world's 10 biggest immigrant destinations
- Immigration contracted — the foreign-born population fell 32%
2010
- Slipped out of the 3 biggest immigrant destinations in Asia
- The diaspora passed 1M people
Today
- Entered the world's 20 biggest immigrant destinations
- Rose into the 3 biggest immigrant destinations in Asia
- Since 1990: 453.7K fewer foreign-born residents and 1.1M more emigrants
Data source: International Migrant Stock 2024 (UN DESA, Population Division)
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