Million Cities in Iran 1950-2035

This bar chart race shows cities in Iran with over one million urban population, and Iran's urbanization in percentage and total urban population, from 1951 to projected in 2035.

Since 1951, Iran has undergone significant urbanization, marked by the emergence of million cities – urban centers with populations exceeding one million residents. This trend has been largely fueled by rural-to-urban migration, spurred by factors such as industrialization, modernization, and economic opportunities in urban areas. Tehran, the capital city, stands as the largest and most prominent million city in Iran, experiencing rapid population growth and urban sprawl over the decades. Other major million cities include Mashhad, Isfahan, and Tabriz, each contributing to Iran's urban landscape and socioeconomic development. Urbanization in Iran has brought about both opportunities and challenges, including infrastructure strains, socioeconomic disparities, and environmental concerns.

Data sources and projections: World Bank and UN

Data visualization created with flourish.studio