TEHRAN — The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), in partnership with Iran’s ministries of health and labour, marked World Population Day by focusing on the aspirations and challenges faced by young Iranians as they consider family formation and future planning. The event, held on August 16 at the Tehran Ghalb Hotel, emphasized the importance of long-term investments in youth to address demographic shifts, underscoring the need for comprehensive policies in education, employment, housing, reproductive health, and social protection.

Central to the discussions was UNFPA’s recent report, Lives, Choices and Futures, which draws on the 2025–2026 Demographic Futures Survey. This extensive study captured the perspectives of over 108,000 individuals aged 18 to 39 across 73 countries, providing a global context for examining Iran’s demographic challenges. The report revealed that more than two-thirds of respondents express a desire to marry or cohabit, with a two-child family emerging as the most common ideal size in five of seven regional groupings.

Economic and housing constraints were identified as the primary barriers to partnership formation for both men and women. Financial stability topped the list of considerations for entering partnerships (81 percent) and parenthood (88 percent), while stable employment (87 percent) and emotional readiness (85 percent) were also cited as critical preconditions. Despite concerns regarding conflict, economic uncertainty, and inequality, approximately two-thirds of young people surveyed maintained a somewhat or very positive outlook on their futures.

The event convened a diverse group of stakeholders, including university deans, civil society representatives, and government officials, aiming to deepen the conversation beyond demographic statistics and targets toward understanding the aspirations and limitations influencing young people’s decisions about family life.

Deputy Minister of Health Dr. Alireza Raisi highlighted the need for a shift in population policy, cautioning against approaches rooted in fear or coercion. He stressed that successful demographic strategies must foster hope, trust, and confidence by ensuring jobs, housing, economic security, and predictable futures for the youth. Dr. Raisi also emphasized the essential role of women in demographic policy, noting that women should not be forced to choose between employment and family life. He acknowledged that population aging is an inevitable structural change driven by increased life expectancy, necessitating comprehensive preparations in urban planning, health, and welfare systems. The importance of data availability for evidence-based policymaking was also underscored.

Two expert panels explored both international demographic trends and Iran’s specific challenges related to youth marriage, childbearing, and population resilience. UNFPA Representative in Iran Keita Ohashi lauded the country’s strong human capital, while pointing to the significant number of young people and women currently outside employment, education, or training. He advocated for enhanced support systems to enable women to participate in the workforce without delaying motherhood.

From the Ministry of Cooperative, Labour and Social Welfare, Majd Hosseinpour highlighted the low female economic participation rate, with only around four million women employed out of 25 million economically active individuals, calling for adaptable economic policies. Amir-Hossein Vaezi, head of the Centre for Strategic Studies and Research at the Ministry of Sport and Youth, referred to successive waves of the National Survey of Iranian Youth Values and Attitudes, noting an ongoing “attitudinal transition.” While young Iranians continue to value family and childbearing, their decisions increasingly hinge on economic security, future prospects, quality of life, mutual trust, and balancing family with social roles.

UNFPA Iran reiterated its commitment to collaborating with national partners to ensure that young people can achieve their aspirations, recognizing the importance of listening to youth voices and translating research into practical policy responses amid demographic changes.