Tehran Province is the most populous administrative region in Iran, home to over 13.2 million people according to the 2016 census, with recent estimates pushing that figure past 14 million. This represents roughly 16% of the entire national population concentrated in just over 1% of its landmass.
The demographic makeup is predominantly young, mirroring national trends, though the population is slowly aging. Tehran is a melting pot of Iranian ethnicities; while ethnic Persians form the majority, there are massive populations of Iranian Azerbaijanis, Mazandaranis, Gilaks, Kurds, and Lurs. Furthermore, the province hosts a significant community of Afghan immigrants and refugees.
Persian is the lingua franca and official language, spoken by nearly everyone, though various regional languages and dialects are frequently heard. The vast majority of the population adheres to Shia Islam. However, Tehran is also home to the largest concentrations of Iran's recognized religious minorities, including Armenian and Assyrian Christians, Jews, and Zoroastrians. Educational attainment in the province is the highest in the country, boasting the largest concentration of university graduates and skilled professionals.
