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Topic 06 of 18 · Country Index 2026
Iran: Development & Human Capital
Is a country turning its resources into better lives?
Iran is placed 48th of 196 countries on development & human capital in the Country Index 2026, from 3 of its 3 key statistics. Readings behind it: Social Protection Coverage 100 (2025); Maternal Mortality Ratio 15.84 (2023).
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Development & Human Capital
48th
of 196 countries placed
Placed from 3 of 3 key statistics
01The evidence
The 3 key statistics that decide it
Only these place Iran on development & human capital — one vote each. Every value is the publisher’s own, read at the edition the Country Index 2026 used — or, for a survey-based key, each country’s latest reading; the grey ticks are every other country it was compared with, lowest on the left.
Key 2 of 3
Maternal Mortality Ratio
UN Maternal Mortality Estimation Inter-Agency Group (MMEIG)
2023 edition · data for 2023 · CC BY 3.0 IGO
15.84
Maternal deaths per 100,000 live births
Lower is better
Iran: 15.84. Across the 195 countries in this edition, values run from 0.11 (Cook Islands) to 992.83 (Nigeria); the world median is 46.65.
- World median
- 46.65
- Best in Southern Asia
- 15.84 Iran
- Land neighbours
- Afghanistan 520.5 · Armenia 19.48 · Azerbaijan 17.9 · Iraq 65.99 · Pakistan 155.03 · Turkmenistan 4.52 · Türkiye 14.63
Key 3 of 3
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report Office
2023 edition · data for 2023 · CC BY 3.0 IGO
0.799
HDI score (0–1)
Higher is better
Ranked 75th of 193 by UNDP Human Development Report Office
Iran: 0.799. Across the 193 countries in this edition, values run from 0.388 (South Sudan) to 0.972 (Iceland); the world median is 0.762.
- World median
- 0.762
- Best in Southern Asia
- 0.799 Iran
- Land neighbours
- Afghanistan 0.496 · Armenia 0.811 · Azerbaijan 0.789 · Iraq 0.695 · Pakistan 0.544 · Turkmenistan 0.764 · Türkiye 0.853
02Over time
Which way Iran is moving
Each key’s published value, edition by edition, beside the world median. The Country Index 2026 is the first edition of the standing, so the standing itself has no history to chart yet.
Maternal Mortality Ratio
Maternal deaths per 100,000 live births · lower is better
IranWorld median
Iran fell from 43.02 in 2000 to 15.84 in 2023; the world median went from 70.99 to 46.65.
Every year’s figures
Year Iran World median 2023 15.84 46.7 2022 21.22 53.0 2021 50.80 76.6 2020 34.34 56.0 2019 18.50 48.4 2018 19.43 49.3 2017 20.48 47.2 2016 21.30 50.6 2015 22.20 51.9 2014 23.16 52.8 2013 24.10 53.3 2012 25.15 54.6 2011 26.19 55.0 2010 27.24 56.1 2009 28.37 56.3 2008 29.54 55.8 2007 30.68 56.8 2006 31.69 58.1 2005 33.02 60.1 2004 34.31 63.0 2003 37.13 66.8 2002 38.37 66.0 2001 40.24 68.1 2000 43.02 71.0 Human Development Index
HDI score (0–1) · higher is better
IranWorld median
Iran rose from 0.71 in 2000 to 0.799 in 2023; the world median went from 0.672 to 0.762.
Every year’s figures
Year Iran World median 2023 0.799 0.7620 2022 0.793 0.7610 2021 0.777 0.7450 2020 0.775 0.7425 2019 0.787 0.7515 2018 0.790 0.7520 2017 0.793 0.7480 2016 0.791 0.7500 2015 0.788 0.7430 2014 0.795 0.7410 2013 0.794 0.7390 2012 0.795 0.7350 2011 0.787 0.7250 2010 0.778 0.7250 2009 0.771 0.7220 2008 0.765 0.7180 2007 0.761 0.7100 2006 0.757 0.7045 2005 0.746 0.6960 2004 0.741 0.6960 2003 0.732 0.6910 2002 0.727 0.6845 2001 0.719 0.6770 2000 0.710 0.6720
03In context
Iran beside its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 196 countries on development & human capital, never a place within the region.
Iran and the countries it borders
Standing among all 196; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.
| Country | Standing | Social Protection CoveragePopulation covered by at least one social protection benefit (%) | Maternal Mortality RatioMaternal deaths per 100,000 live births | Human Development IndexHDI score (0–1) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iran | 48th | 100 | 15.84 | 0.799 |
 Türkiyecompare | =58th | 64 | 14.63 | 0.853 |
 Turkmenistan | 73rd | 42.7 | 4.52 | 0.764 |
 Armenia | 78th | 49.2 | 19.48 | 0.811 |
 Azerbaijan | =89th | 35.2 | 17.9 | 0.789 |
 Iraq | 117th | 41.7 | 65.99 | 0.695 |
 Pakistancompare | 154th | 20.2 | 155.03 | 0.544 |
 Afghanistan | 189th | 7.5 | 520.5 | 0.496 |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across Southern Asia
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 196.
Placed either side on development & human capital
The countries immediately above and below Iran in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where Iran is ahead of the world, and behind
50 more statistics filed under development & human capital, published in full and deliberately given no vote in the standing. Select a row for the publisher, the rank and the links.
Ahead of the world median28
Statistics on which Iran does better than the middle country measured.
Malaria Mortality (P. falciparum)MAP · 2024 · world median 8.10608.106No real change since 2014
Iran: 0 · world median 8.106 · Deaths from P. falciparum malaria per 100,000 people per year. Malaria Atlas Project (MAP), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 133.27; lower is better.
Immunisation Coverage, Measles First Dose (MCV1)WUENIC · 2025 · world median 909990▲ Improved since 2015
Iran: 99 · world median 90 · Infants given a first dose of measles vaccine (%). WHO and UNICEF (WUENIC), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 13 to 99; higher is better.
Malaria Incidence (P. falciparum)MAP · 2025 · world median 52.470.00752.47▼ Worsened since 2015
Iran: 0.007 · world median 52.47 · New P. falciparum malaria cases per 1,000 people per year. Malaria Atlas Project (MAP), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 334.75; lower is better.
Immunisation Coverage, DTP3WUENIC · 2025 · world median 919891▲ Improved since 2015
Iran: 98 · world median 91 · Infants given a third dose of DTP vaccine (%). WHO and UNICEF (WUENIC), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 39 to 99; higher is better.
Malaria Incidence (P. vivax)MAP · 2025 · world median 1.3820.0131.382▼ Worsened since 2015
Iran: 0.013 · world median 1.382 · New P. vivax malaria cases per 1,000 people per year. Malaria Atlas Project (MAP), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.001 to 184.62; lower is better.
Stunting Prevalence in Children Under FiveUNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates) · 2024 · world median 13.84.813.8No earlier reading
Iran: 4.8 · world median 13.8 · Children under 5 who are stunted (%). UNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.518 to 52.8; lower is better.
Position 135th of 162 · derived, 1st = worst.
Child and Family Benefit CoverageILO · 2024 · world median 23.7586.923.75No earlier reading
Iran: 86.9 · world median 23.75 · Children or households with children receiving child or family cash benefits (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Account Ownership at a Financial InstitutionWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 72.8391.0672.83▼ Worsened since 2014
Iran: 91.06 · world median 72.83 · Adults with an account (% of population aged 15+). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 14.83 to 99.85; higher is better.
Position 35th of 139 · derived.
Planetary pressures-adjusted HDIUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 0.6780.7250.678▼ Worsened since 2013
Iran: 0.725 · world median 0.678 · PHDI (0–1). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.276 to 0.827; higher is better.
Position 49th of 156 · derived.
Life Expectancy at BirthUN DESA Population Division · 2023 · world median 74.6377.6574.63▲ Improved since 2013
Iran: 77.65 · world median 74.63 · Years a newborn would live at current death rates. UN DESA Population Division, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 54.46 to 86.37; higher is better.
Position 75th of 222 · derived.
Stillbirth RateUN IGME · 2023 · world median 8.1635.4228.163▼ Worsened since 2013
Iran: 5.422 · world median 8.163 · Stillbirths (per 1,000 total births). UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 1.18 to 34.9; lower is better.
Position 127th of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.
Exclusive Breastfeeding Under Six MonthsUNICEF · 2024 · world median 40.7447.440.74No earlier reading
Iran: 47.4 · world median 40.74 · Infants under 6 months exclusively breastfed (%). UNICEF, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 3.497 to 83.3; higher is better.
Position 51st of 136 · derived.
Mean Years of SchoolingUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 9.93310.859.933No real change since 2013
Iran: 10.85 · world median 9.933 · Mean years of schooling (adults 25+). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 1.412 to 14.3; higher is better.
Position 73rd of 193 · derived.
Historical GDP per Capita (Maddison)GGDC · 2022 · world median 12,89018,47312,890No real change since 2012
Iran: 18,473 · world median 12,890 · GDP per capita (2011 international $). Maddison Project, Groningen Growth and Development Centre (GGDC), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 596.39 to 149,171; higher is better.
Position 63rd of 166 · derived.
Unemployment Benefit CoverageILO · 2024 · world median 05.30No earlier reading
Iran: 5.3 · world median 0 · Unemployed people receiving unemployment benefits (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Adequacy of Social Protection and Labour BenefitsWorld Bank Group · 2023 · world median 18.6525.7818.65No earlier reading
Iran: 25.78 · world median 18.65 · Benefits received as a share of beneficiaries' total income or consumption (%). World Bank Group, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.455 to 90.86; higher is better.
Under-Five Mortality RateUN IGME · 2024 · world median 14.5411.3214.54▲ Improved since 2014
Iran: 11.32 · world median 14.54 · Deaths before age five (per 1,000 live births). UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1.26 to 115.65; lower is better.
Position 116th of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.
Infant Mortality RateUN IGME · 2024 · world median 12.2610.3212.26▲ Improved since 2014
Iran: 10.32 · world median 12.26 · Deaths before age one (per 1,000 live births). UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1.214 to 71.87; lower is better.
Position 115th of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.
Human Capital IndexWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 0.5640.5930.564▲ Improved since 2010
Iran: 0.593 · world median 0.564 · HCI score (0–1). World Bank Group, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 0.292 to 0.879; higher is better.
Position 75th of 172 · derived.
Inequality-adjusted Human Development IndexUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 0.6090.6430.609No real change since 2013
Iran: 0.643 · world median 0.609 · IHDI (0–1). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.226 to 0.923; higher is better.
Position 74th of 169 · derived.
Multidimensional Poverty MeasureWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 4.2522.5484.252No earlier reading
Iran: 2.548 · world median 4.252 · Multidimensional poverty headcount ratio (%). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 87.96; lower is better.
Position 89th of 157 · derived, 1st = worst.
Old-Age Pension CoverageILO · 2025 · world median 80.887.280.8No earlier reading
Iran: 87.2 · world median 80.8 · People above statutory pensionable age receiving an old-age pension (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Expected Years of SchoolingUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 13.3413.9713.34▼ Worsened since 2013
Iran: 13.97 · world median 13.34 · Expected years of schooling. UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 5.635 to 21.69; higher is better.
Position 88th of 195 · derived.
Neonatal Mortality RateUN IGME · 2024 · world median 8.1347.2028.134▲ Improved since 2014
Iran: 7.202 · world median 8.134 · Deaths in the first 28 days (per 1,000 live births). UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.544 to 39.47; lower is better.
Position 109th of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.
Child MarriageUNICEF · 2025 · world median 17.116.717.1No earlier reading
Iran: 16.7 · world median 17.1 · Women 20–24 married before 18 (%). UNICEF, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 76.3; lower is better.
Position 75th of 143 · derived, 1st = worst.
Completeness of Birth RegistrationUNICEF · 2025 · world median 98.498.698.4No earlier reading
Iran: 98.6 · world median 98.4 · Children under 5 whose birth is registered (%). UNICEF, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 2.7 to 100; higher is better.
Comprehensive Wealth per CapitaWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 46,48647,54546,486No real change since 2010
Iran: 47,545 · world median 46,486 · National comprehensive wealth per person (real chained 2019 US$). World Bank Group, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 4,276 to 1,246,092; higher is better.
Position 74th of 150 · derived.
Poverty Severity (Squared Poverty Gap) at $3.00 a DayWorld Bank Group · 2023 · world median 0.1850.170.185▼ Worsened since 2013
Iran: 0.17 · world median 0.185 · Squared poverty gap at $3.00 a day, 2021 PPP (0–100). World Bank Group, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 9.74; lower is better.
Behind the world median18
Statistics on which Iran does worse than the middle country measured.
GDP per Capita (PPP)World Bank Group · 2025 · world median 17,26516,83417,265No real change since 2015
Iran: 16,834 · world median 17,265 · GDP per capita (constant 2021 international $, PPP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1,067 to 139,593; higher is better.
Position 96th of 185 · derived.
Poverty Headcount at $3.00 a Day, Line-up EstimatesWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 2.12.392.1▼ Worsened since 2014
Iran: 2.39 · world median 2.1 · Population below $3.00 a day, 2021 PPP, World Bank line-up estimate (%). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 89.54; lower is better.
Coefficient of Human InequalityUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 17.0519.0817.05▲ Improved since 2013
Iran: 19.08 · world median 17.05 · Coefficient of Human Inequality (%). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 4.865 to 43.08; lower is better.
Position 78th of 169 · derived, 1st = worst.
Mortality Rate, Ages 5–14UN IGME · 2024 · world median 2.8583.1862.858▲ Improved since 2014
Iran: 3.186 · world median 2.858 · Deaths between ages 5 and 14 (per 1,000 children aged 5). UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.392 to 59.04; lower is better.
Position 90th of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.
Wasting Prevalence in Children Under FiveUNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates) · 2024 · world median 3.5464.33.546No earlier reading
Iran: 4.3 · world median 3.546 · Children under 5 who are wasted (%). UNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.1 to 22.74; lower is better.
Position 71st of 163 · derived, 1st = worst.
Productive Capacities IndexUNCTAD · 2022 · world median 46.6744.7246.67No real change since 2012
Iran: 44.72 · world median 46.67 · Productive Capacities Index (1–100). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 17.8 to 71.02; higher is better.
Position 114th of 195 · derived.
Cereal YieldFAO · 2023 · world median 3,0722,4203,072▲ Improved since 2013
Iran: 2,420 · world median 3,072 · Cereal yield (kg per hectare). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 23 to 29,147; higher is better.
Position 107th of 179 · derived.
Poverty Gap at $3.00 a DayWorld Bank Group · 2023 · world median 0.3450.490.345▼ Worsened since 2013
Iran: 0.49 · world median 0.345 · Poverty gap at $3.00 a day, 2021 PPP (%). World Bank Group, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 19.95; lower is better.
Position 23rd of 59 · derived, 1st = worst.
Statistical Performance IndicatorsWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 69.363.5269.3▲ Improved since 2016
Iran: 63.52 · world median 69.3 · SPI overall score (0–100). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 27.12 to 94.14; higher is better.
Position 120th of 188 · derived.
Foundational ID OwnershipWorld Bank Group (ID4D) · 2024 · world median 94.491.9794.4▲ Improved since 2021
Iran: 91.97 · world median 94.4 · Adults who own a foundational ID (% of population aged 15+). World Bank Group (ID4D), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 42.62 to 100; higher is better.
Human Capital Wealth per CapitaWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 25,23011,81325,230▲ Improved since 2010
Iran: 11,813 · world median 25,230 · Human capital per person — present value of future earnings (real chained 2019 US$). World Bank Group, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 700.38 to 735,422; higher is better.
Position 104th of 151 · derived.
Poverty Headcount Ratio at $3.00 a DayWorld Bank Group · 2023 · world median 0.932.490.93▼ Worsened since 2013
Iran: 2.49 · world median 0.93 · Population below $3.00 a day, 2021 PPP (%). World Bank Group, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 54.36; lower is better.
Position 19th of 58 · derived, 1st = worst.
Gender Inequality IndexUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 0.3510.4820.351▲ Improved since 2013
Iran: 0.482 · world median 0.351 · GII (0 = full equality, 1 = maximum inequality). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.003 to 0.838; lower is better.
Ranked 123rd of 172 by UNDP Human Development Report Office.
Poverty Headcount Ratio at $4.20 a DayWorld Bank Group · 2023 · world median 1.347.531.34▼ Worsened since 2013
Iran: 7.53 · world median 1.34 · Population below $4.20 a day, 2021 PPP (%). World Bank Group, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.02 to 72.3; lower is better.
Position 16th of 59 · derived, 1st = worst.
Prosperity GapWorld Bank Group · 2023 · world median 1.7543.321.754▼ Worsened since 2013
Iran: 3.32 · world median 1.754 · Average factor incomes must rise by to reach $28 a day. World Bank Group, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.406 to 12.06; lower is better.
Position 16th of 60 · derived, 1st = worst.
Poverty Headcount Ratio at $8.30 a DayWorld Bank Group · 2023 · world median 7.8236.057.82No real change since 2013
Iran: 36.05 · world median 7.82 · Population below $8.30 a day, 2021 PPP (%). World Bank Group, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.07 to 93.58; lower is better.
Position 15th of 59 · derived, 1st = worst.
Disability Benefit CoverageILO · 2025 · world median 43.98.743.9No earlier reading
Iran: 8.7 · world median 43.9 · People with severe disabilities receiving disability benefits (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Gender Development IndexUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 0.9710.8750.971No real change since 2013
Iran: 0.875 · world median 0.971 · Gender Development Index (1.000 = parity). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.407 to 1.038; higher is better.
Position 164th of 184 · derived.
Level with the median, or no median to compare3
Access to ElectricityWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 100100100▼ Worsened since 2014
Iran: 100 · world median 100 · Population with electricity access (%). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 5.4 to 100; higher is better.
Access to Electricity, RuralWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 100100100▼ Worsened since 2014
Iran: 100 · world median 100 · Rural population with electricity access (%). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.7 to 100; higher is better.
Employment Injury Protection CoverageILO · 2024 · world median 45.945.945.9No earlier reading
Iran: 45.9 · world median 45.9 · Labour force covered in the event of a work injury (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
No better end1
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Net Official Development Assistance ReceivedOECD Development Assistance Committee · 2023 · world median 2.5790.0532.579No real change since 2013
Iran: 0.053 · world median 2.579 · Net ODA received (% of GNI). OECD Development Assistance Committee, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from -0.001 to 101.78.
Position 123rd of 130 · derived, counted from the highest value.
No current reading for Iran
Children with Functional Difficulties, Country Policy and Institutional Assessment, Global Multidimensional Poverty Index, GNI per Capita (PPP) (last 2024), Low Birthweight Prevalence, Manufacturing Value Added (% of GDP) (last 2024), Official Development Assistance Given (% of GNI) and Violent Discipline of Children. Listed rather than hidden, so the page can be checked against it.
“Position · derived” is this site’s ordering of the published values, 1st = best unless the row says otherwise; the publisher ranks no country on it. Rank, position and standing
05Country Index 2026
Development & Human Capital among Iran’s 15 topics
Development & Human Capital is Iran’s best-placed topic of 15. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.
- Development & Human Capital48th of 1963/3 keys
- Health & Wellbeingjoint 67th of 2004/4 keys
- Economy & Innovationjoint 73rd of 1763/4 keys
- Poverty & Inequalityjoint 82nd of 1593/3 keys
- Education & Knowledge104th of 1984/4 keys
- Digital & Technologyjoint 109th of 1984/4 keys
- Risk & Resiliencejoint 116th of 1934/4 keys
- Food & Agriculturejoint 122nd of 1843/4 keys
- Mobility & Trade143rd of 1772/4 keys
- Governance & Institutions168th of 1944/4 keys
- Peace & Security165th of 1774/4 keys
- Democracy & Civil Liberties187th of 1984/4 keys
- Work & Labour175th of 1824/4 keys
- Environment & Sustainability180th of 1863/4 keys
- Gender & Equality181st of 1833/4 keys
No standing on Energy: too few of those topics’ key statistics are published for this country.
06The top of the list
Who leads on development & human capital
The three countries placed highest of 196, and the leaders Iran can most readily be measured against.
1
Cook IslandsPolynesia
1st of 196 · 2 of 3 keys
Photo: Benedict Adam · CC BY 2.0, greyscale
2
NorwayNorthern Europe
2nd of 196 · 3 of 3 keys
Photo: Ximonic , Simo Räsänen · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
3
DenmarkNorthern Europe
3rd of 196 · 3 of 3 keys
Photo: User:Aconcagua · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
Placed highest nearby
Highest in Asia
Israel10th3/3 keysHighest in Southern Asia
Iran48th3/3 keys
Positions out of 196 placed on the topic. A country needs readings on enough keys to be placed, and the top of the list is often held on fewer of them.
07Analysis
Charts and analysis about Iran and development & human capital
On development & human capital
Global Hunger Index 2025: Countries with the Most Alarming Hunger Crisis
Thirteen countries scored across four editions — 2000, 2008, 2016 and 2025 — and five the report could not score at all. DR Congo and South Sudan share 121st place on 37.5.
On development & human capital
India vs Pakistan 2025: Comparison of Hunger Index, Happiness, HDI, Rule of Law, Literacy & GDP
India and Pakistan on six published measures: hunger, happiness, human development, rule of law, literacy and GDP per capita, each from its own publisher and year.
08Questions
Iran on development & human capital: questions answered
Every answer is built from the numbers on this page, so none can say something the page does not.
How does Iran rank on development & human capital?
Iran is placed 48th of 196 countries on Development & Human Capital in the Country Index 2026, from 3 of its 3 key statistics (Social Protection Coverage, Maternal Mortality Ratio and Human Development Index). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest Social Protection Coverage figure for Iran?
100 in 2025 (population covered by at least one social protection benefit (%)), according to International Labour Organization (ILO). The world median in the same edition was 52.1.
What is the latest Maternal Mortality Ratio figure for Iran?
15.84 in 2023 (maternal deaths per 100,000 live births), according to UN Maternal Mortality Estimation Inter-Agency Group (MMEIG). The world median in the same edition was 46.65.
How does Iran compare with Pakistan on development & human capital?
Pakistan is placed 154th of 196, and Iran 48th. Social Protection Coverage: Pakistan 20.2, Iran 100; Maternal Mortality Ratio: Pakistan 155.03, Iran 15.84; Human Development Index: Pakistan 0.544, Iran 0.799.
How have Iran’s development & human capital figures changed?
Maternal Mortality Ratio fell from 43.02 in 2000 to 15.84 in 2023; Human Development Index rose from 0.71 in 2000 to 0.799 in 2023.
Which development & human capital statistics are missing for Iran?
No current reading is published for Iran on Children with Functional Difficulties, Country Policy and Institutional Assessment, Global Multidimensional Poverty Index, GNI per Capita (PPP), Low Birthweight Prevalence, Manufacturing Value Added (% of GDP), Official Development Assistance Given (% of GNI) and Violent Discipline of Children. They are listed rather than hidden, so the evidence on the page can be checked against it.
09Method
Method, sources and how to cite
What this topic does not measure
Poverty lines, inequality and aid received are published here as context rather than as keys, often because they cover fewer countries or are measured too rarely. Development is also not the same as economic size or growth, which belong to Economy & Innovation.
How the Development & Human Capital standing is decided
A standing is this site’s ordering, named with its edition — never a publisher’s rank. 3 key statistics vote, one vote each; every country’s published value becomes a place within that key’s own field, the places are averaged, and the average is never published. A country needs 2 of the 3 keys to be placed.
The development & human capital method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built
The key statistics and their licences
- Social Protection Coverage — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Maternal Mortality Ratio — UN Maternal Mortality Estimation Inter-Agency Group (MMEIG), CC BY 3.0 IGO
- Human Development Index — UNDP Human Development Report Office, CC BY 3.0 IGO
The other 50 statistics on this page come from 14 publishers, each named beside its numbers, with every edition and licence on the datasets pages.
The standing itself is part of the Country Index 2026, published under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Photographs
Iran’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.
- Iran (banner) — User:Gire 3pich2005 , derived: User:Nastoshka, CC0
- Cook Islands — Benedict Adam, CC BY 2.0
- Norway — Ximonic , Simo Räsänen, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Denmark — User:Aconcagua, CC BY-SA 3.0
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). Iran: Development & Human Capital — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/iran/development