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Iranian Cleric Calls for Higher Birth Rates
Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei has called for increased marriage and birth rates. The push follows similar efforts by his father and addresses expected demographic pressures.
May 24, 9:13 AM·1m read1 source
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Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei has urged higher marriage and birth rates across Iran, following a pattern set by his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The call comes as officials prepare for pressures linked to an aging population.
Background on the Appeal The appeal repeats earlier public statements from senior clerics encouraging larger families. A photograph dated May 17, 2026, shows girls on a corrugated tin roof on Qeshm Island along the Strait of Hormuz. No specific numerical targets or new policies were announced in the statements.
Iran has experienced declining fertility rates for more than a decade. Government data previously recorded a total fertility rate below the replacement level of 2.1 children per woman. Officials have linked the trend to future strains on pension systems and healthcare services. The statements did not detail funding, timelines, or enforcement measures.
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