Urban area over the long-term in Iran
Iran: Urban area over the long-term was 8,281 km² per grid cell in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2025)
8,281 km² per grid cell
Change on year
up 1.5%
World rank
17th
of 202 countries
All-time high
8,281 km² per grid cell
in 2025
All-time low
27.58 km² per grid cell
in 1300
Years of data
108
1000–2025
Urban area over the long-term in Iran, 1000–2025
Source: HYDE (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in km² per grid cell.
Analysis
Iran recorded 8,281 km² per grid cell for urban area over the long-term in 2025. That is the highest value across all 108 years on record.
The figure is up 1.5% on the previous year and up 24.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, urban area over the long-term in Iran peaked at 8,281 km² per grid cell in 2025 and was at its lowest, 27.58 km² per grid cell, in 1300.
Iran ranks 17th of 202 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Urban area over the long-term in Iran, year by year
| Year | km² per grid cell | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1000 | 30.81 km² per grid cell | — |
| 1100 | 34.16 km² per grid cell | +10.9% |
| 1200 | 37.68 km² per grid cell | +10.3% |
| 1300 | 27.58 km² per grid cell | -26.8% |
| 1400 | 30.85 km² per grid cell | +11.8% |
| 1500 | 34.28 km² per grid cell | +11.1% |
| 1600 | 44.57 km² per grid cell | +30.0% |
| 1700 | 46.3 km² per grid cell | +3.9% |
| 1710 | 54.37 km² per grid cell | +17.4% |
| 1720 | 60.8 km² per grid cell | +11.8% |
| 1730 | 68 km² per grid cell | +11.8% |
| 1740 | 76.05 km² per grid cell | +11.8% |
| 1750 | 85.06 km² per grid cell | +11.8% |
| 1760 | 95.13 km² per grid cell | +11.8% |
| 1770 | 106.39 km² per grid cell | +11.8% |
| 1780 | 118.98 km² per grid cell | +11.8% |
| 1790 | 133.07 km² per grid cell | +11.8% |
| 1800 | 148.83 km² per grid cell | +11.8% |
| 1810 | 166.45 km² per grid cell | +11.8% |
| 1820 | 186.15 km² per grid cell | +11.8% |
| 1830 | 215.41 km² per grid cell | +15.7% |
| 1840 | 248.56 km² per grid cell | +15.4% |
| 1850 | 286.06 km² per grid cell | +15.1% |
| 1860 | 328.45 km² per grid cell | +14.8% |
| 1870 | 376.32 km² per grid cell | +14.6% |
| 1880 | 475.32 km² per grid cell | +26.3% |
| 1890 | 589.77 km² per grid cell | +24.1% |
| 1900 | 705.92 km² per grid cell | +19.7% |
| 1910 | 838.84 km² per grid cell | +18.8% |
| 1920 | 990.54 km² per grid cell | +18.1% |
| 1930 | 1,161 km² per grid cell | +17.2% |
| 1940 | 1,333 km² per grid cell | +14.8% |
| 1950 | 1,404 km² per grid cell | +5.3% |
| 1951 | 1,440 km² per grid cell | +2.6% |
| 1952 | 1,474 km² per grid cell | +2.4% |
| 1953 | 1,505 km² per grid cell | +2.1% |
| 1954 | 1,534 km² per grid cell | +1.9% |
| 1955 | 1,559 km² per grid cell | +1.7% |
| 1956 | 1,581 km² per grid cell | +1.4% |
| 1957 | 1,601 km² per grid cell | +1.2% |
| 1958 | 1,618 km² per grid cell | +1.0% |
| 1959 | 1,632 km² per grid cell | +0.9% |
| 1960 | 1,643 km² per grid cell | +0.7% |
| 1961 | 1,653 km² per grid cell | +0.6% |
| 1962 | 1,660 km² per grid cell | +0.5% |
| 1963 | 1,666 km² per grid cell | +0.4% |
| 1964 | 1,672 km² per grid cell | +0.3% |
| 1965 | 1,677 km² per grid cell | +0.3% |
| 1966 | 1,683 km² per grid cell | +0.3% |
| 1967 | 1,694 km² per grid cell | +0.7% |
| 1968 | 1,710 km² per grid cell | +0.9% |
| 1969 | 1,726 km² per grid cell | +0.9% |
| 1970 | 1,743 km² per grid cell | +1.0% |
| 1971 | 1,761 km² per grid cell | +1.1% |
| 1972 | 1,782 km² per grid cell | +1.2% |
| 1973 | 1,806 km² per grid cell | +1.3% |
| 1974 | 1,834 km² per grid cell | +1.5% |
| 1975 | 1,866 km² per grid cell | +1.8% |
| 1976 | 1,903 km² per grid cell | +2.0% |
| 1977 | 1,942 km² per grid cell | +2.0% |
| 1978 | 1,985 km² per grid cell | +2.2% |
| 1979 | 2,040 km² per grid cell | +2.8% |
| 1980 | 2,109 km² per grid cell | +3.4% |
| 1981 | 2,192 km² per grid cell | +3.9% |
| 1982 | 2,289 km² per grid cell | +4.4% |
| 1983 | 2,398 km² per grid cell | +4.8% |
| 1984 | 2,517 km² per grid cell | +4.9% |
| 1985 | 2,643 km² per grid cell | +5.0% |
| 1986 | 2,776 km² per grid cell | +5.0% |
| 1987 | 2,906 km² per grid cell | +4.7% |
| 1988 | 3,032 km² per grid cell | +4.4% |
| 1989 | 3,157 km² per grid cell | +4.1% |
| 1990 | 3,277 km² per grid cell | +3.8% |
| 1991 | 3,393 km² per grid cell | +3.5% |
| 1992 | 3,520 km² per grid cell | +3.7% |
| 1993 | 3,649 km² per grid cell | +3.7% |
| 1994 | 3,780 km² per grid cell | +3.6% |
| 1995 | 3,915 km² per grid cell | +3.6% |
| 1996 | 4,054 km² per grid cell | +3.6% |
| 1997 | 4,195 km² per grid cell | +3.5% |
| 1998 | 4,326 km² per grid cell | +3.1% |
| 1999 | 4,441 km² per grid cell | +2.7% |
| 2000 | 4,627 km² per grid cell | +4.2% |
| 2001 | 4,736 km² per grid cell | +2.4% |
| 2002 | 4,848 km² per grid cell | +2.4% |
| 2003 | 4,962 km² per grid cell | +2.4% |
| 2004 | 5,079 km² per grid cell | +2.4% |
| 2005 | 5,201 km² per grid cell | +2.4% |
| 2006 | 5,393 km² per grid cell | +3.7% |
| 2007 | 5,520 km² per grid cell | +2.3% |
| 2008 | 5,649 km² per grid cell | +2.3% |
| 2009 | 5,782 km² per grid cell | +2.4% |
| 2010 | 5,918 km² per grid cell | +2.4% |
| 2011 | 6,049 km² per grid cell | +2.2% |
| 2012 | 6,253 km² per grid cell | +3.4% |
| 2013 | 6,389 km² per grid cell | +2.2% |
| 2014 | 6,528 km² per grid cell | +2.2% |
| 2015 | 6,669 km² per grid cell | +2.2% |
| 2016 | 6,882 km² per grid cell | +3.2% |
| 2017 | 7,027 km² per grid cell | +2.1% |
| 2018 | 7,174 km² per grid cell | +2.1% |
| 2019 | 7,322 km² per grid cell | +2.1% |
| 2020 | 7,542 km² per grid cell | +3.0% |
| 2021 | 7,664 km² per grid cell | +1.6% |
| 2022 | 7,787 km² per grid cell | +1.6% |
| 2023 | 7,909 km² per grid cell | +1.6% |
| 2024 | 8,156 km² per grid cell | +3.1% |
| 2025 | 8,281 km² per grid cell | +1.5% |
Iran compared with similar countries
- Iran's 8,281 km² per grid cell is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 995.59 km² per grid cell, 8.3× the median. (52 countries reporting)
- Iran's 8,281 km² per grid cell is above the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 1,501 km² per grid cell, 5.5× the median. (22 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Urban area over the long-term in Iran changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1300 | -26.8% | 37.68 km² per grid cell | 27.58 km² per grid cell |
| 1600 | +30.0% | 34.28 km² per grid cell | 44.57 km² per grid cell |
| 1880 | +26.3% | 376.32 km² per grid cell | 475.32 km² per grid cell |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000s | 30.81 km² per grid cell | 30.81 km² per grid cell | 30.81 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1100s | 34.16 km² per grid cell | 34.16 km² per grid cell | 34.16 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1200s | 37.68 km² per grid cell | 37.68 km² per grid cell | 37.68 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1300s | 27.58 km² per grid cell | 27.58 km² per grid cell | 27.58 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1400s | 30.85 km² per grid cell | 30.85 km² per grid cell | 30.85 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1500s | 34.28 km² per grid cell | 34.28 km² per grid cell | 34.28 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1600s | 44.57 km² per grid cell | 44.57 km² per grid cell | 44.57 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1700s | 46.3 km² per grid cell | 46.3 km² per grid cell | 46.3 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1710s | 54.37 km² per grid cell | 54.37 km² per grid cell | 54.37 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1720s | 60.8 km² per grid cell | 60.8 km² per grid cell | 60.8 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1730s | 68 km² per grid cell | 68 km² per grid cell | 68 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1740s | 76.05 km² per grid cell | 76.05 km² per grid cell | 76.05 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1750s | 85.06 km² per grid cell | 85.06 km² per grid cell | 85.06 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1760s | 95.13 km² per grid cell | 95.13 km² per grid cell | 95.13 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1770s | 106.39 km² per grid cell | 106.39 km² per grid cell | 106.39 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1780s | 118.98 km² per grid cell | 118.98 km² per grid cell | 118.98 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1790s | 133.07 km² per grid cell | 133.07 km² per grid cell | 133.07 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1800s | 148.83 km² per grid cell | 148.83 km² per grid cell | 148.83 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1810s | 166.45 km² per grid cell | 166.45 km² per grid cell | 166.45 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1820s | 186.15 km² per grid cell | 186.15 km² per grid cell | 186.15 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1830s | 215.41 km² per grid cell | 215.41 km² per grid cell | 215.41 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1840s | 248.56 km² per grid cell | 248.56 km² per grid cell | 248.56 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1850s | 286.06 km² per grid cell | 286.06 km² per grid cell | 286.06 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1860s | 328.45 km² per grid cell | 328.45 km² per grid cell | 328.45 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1870s | 376.32 km² per grid cell | 376.32 km² per grid cell | 376.32 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1880s | 475.32 km² per grid cell | 475.32 km² per grid cell | 475.32 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1890s | 589.77 km² per grid cell | 589.77 km² per grid cell | 589.77 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1900s | 705.92 km² per grid cell | 705.92 km² per grid cell | 705.92 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1910s | 838.84 km² per grid cell | 838.84 km² per grid cell | 838.84 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1920s | 990.54 km² per grid cell | 990.54 km² per grid cell | 990.54 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1930s | 1,161 km² per grid cell | 1,161 km² per grid cell | 1,161 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1940s | 1,333 km² per grid cell | 1,333 km² per grid cell | 1,333 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1950s | 1,535 km² per grid cell | 1,404 km² per grid cell | 1,632 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 1960s | 1,678 km² per grid cell | 1,643 km² per grid cell | 1,726 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 1970s | 1,866 km² per grid cell | 1,743 km² per grid cell | 2,040 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 1980s | 2,602 km² per grid cell | 2,109 km² per grid cell | 3,157 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 1990s | 3,855 km² per grid cell | 3,277 km² per grid cell | 4,441 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 2000s | 5,180 km² per grid cell | 4,627 km² per grid cell | 5,782 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 2010s | 6,621 km² per grid cell | 5,918 km² per grid cell | 7,322 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 2020s | 7,890 km² per grid cell | 7,542 km² per grid cell | 8,281 km² per grid cell | 6 |
Countries ranked near Iran
More reference data data for Iran
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 12.01 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 1.34 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 3.47 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 26.62 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 26.62 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Direct emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 8.15 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (CO2eq) (AR5) - Enteric Fermentation 35,629 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (CO2eq) (AR5) - Crop Residues 1,936 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Direct emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 34.53 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (CO2eq) (AR5) - Burning - Crop residues 281.19 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is urban area over the long-term in Iran?
- Urban area over the long-term in Iran was 8,281 km² per grid cell in 2025, according to HYDE (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest urban area over the long-term recorded in Iran?
- The highest recorded value was 8,281 km² per grid cell in 2025.
- What is the lowest urban area over the long-term recorded in Iran?
- The lowest recorded value was 27.58 km² per grid cell in 1300.
- How does Iran rank for urban area over the long-term?
- Iran ranks 17th out of 202 countries with data for 2025.
- Is urban area over the long-term rising or falling in Iran?
- Over the last ten years it is up 24.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Iran data come from?
- The figures come from HYDE (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Urban area over the long-term. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Total built-up area of a country over time.