The total fertility rate (TFR) or the average number of children born to a woman in her lifetime is currently 1.3 in the northern provinces of Gilan and Mazandaran, 1.4 in Tehran and Alborz provinces, and 1.5 in Isfahan. Sistan-Baluchestan and Hormozgan have the highest TFR at 3, according to the latest studies conducted by the Statistical Center of Iran (SCI). The average TFR in families with higher incomes is about 1.4, the rate is 1.5 among literate women and 3 among illiterate women, SCI said, Salamat News reported.
Iran’s demographic crisis has come under focus due to the low population growth in the past decade.
On June 24, 2014, as a part of the plan to boost population growth rate, the Majlis banned all forms of contraception and introduced punishment of two to five years imprisonment for those encouraging contraceptive services and abortions or any other form of birth control.
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