Iran Wants to Encourage a Baby Boom

[Ed Mojica]

Like many countries, Iran is concerned that its low population growth rate, estimated at 1 percent by the United Nations in 2011, will foster an aging population with potentially disastrous consequences for its workforce, public health infrastructure and social security network.

The government is trying to reverse the trend. But it faces unique headwinds.

In addition to worries about money and employment they share with millions of young people around the world in an economic downturn, Iranians must contend with high inflation, a plummeting currency and the possibility of war if Israel follows through on threats to strike Iran's nuclear sites.

[Tom Hitchcock]

Iran have no chance of encouraging a baby boom until they sort their economy. And they have no chance of sorting their economy until they sort the situation with the US, EU, and UN regarding their nuclear program.

Until then, the aging population and its negative effect on the economy is just another result of the sanctions.