Editing Economy of Iran (section)

=== Services ===
{{See also|Education in Iran|Higher Education in Iran|Science and technology in Iran}}

Despite 1990s efforts towards economic liberalization, government spending, including expenditure by quasi-governmental foundations, remains high. Estimates of service sector spending in Iran are regularly more than two-fifths of GDP, much government-related, including military expenditures, government salaries, and social security disbursements.<ref name="CIA"/> Urbanization contributed to service sector growth. Important service industries include public services (including education), commerce, personal services, professional services and tourism.

The total value of transport and communications is expected to rise to $46 billion in nominal terms by 2013, representing 6.8% of Iran's GDP.<ref name="IRD">[https://web.archive.org/web/20090621094412/http://www.iran-daily.com/1388/3427/html/economy.htm Rail-Freight Transport]. ''Iran Daily'', June 12, 2007. Retrieved February 12, 2008. February 4, 2011.</ref> Projections based on 1996 employment figures compiled for the [[International Labour Organization]]<!-- TRY THE LINK. IT'S LABOUR, NOT LABOR --> suggest that Iran's transport and communications sector employed 3.4 million people, or 20.5% of the labor force in 2008.<ref name="IRD" />

==== Energy, gas, and petroleum ====
{{Main|Energy in Iran|Petroleum industry in Iran}}
{{See also|Asalouyeh|List of power stations in Iran|Iranian nuclear program}}

<div class="floatright" style="width:20em; border: 1px solid #a2a9b1; margin: 0.5em 0 0.5em 1em; padding: 0.2em;">
'''[[Energy in Iran|Energy]]'''<ref name="CIA"/><br />
'''Electricity:'''
*''production:'' 258 billion kWh (2014)
*''consumption:'' 218 billion kWh (2014)
*''exports:'' 9.7 billion kWh (2014)
*''imports:'' 3.8 billion kWh (2014)

'''Electricity{{Snd}} production by source:'''
<imagemap>
Image: Iran-electricity.gif|thumb|left|Iran plans to generate 23,000&nbsp;MW of electricity through [[Nuclear program of Iran|nuclear technology]] by 2025 to meet its increasing demand for energy.<ref>[http://www.irvl.net/iran-and-nuclear-energy/ Iran and Nuclear Energy] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101215143412/http://www.irvl.net/iran-and-nuclear-energy/ |date=December 15, 2010 }}. IRVL.net. Retrieved July 26, 2010.</ref>{{subst:needs update}}
</imagemap>

*''fossil fuels:'' 85.6% (2012)
*''hydro:'' 12.4% (2012)
*''other:'' 0.8% (2012)
*''nuclear:'' 1.2% (2012)

'''Oil:'''
*''production:'' {{convert|3300000|oilbbl/d|abbr=on}} (2015)
*''exports:'' {{convert|1042000|oilbbl/d|abbr=on}} (2013)
*''imports:'' {{convert|87440|oilbbl/d|abbr=on}} (2013)
*''proved reserves:'' {{convert|157.8|Goilbbl|abbr=on}} (2016)

'''Natural gas:'''
*''production:'' 174.5&nbsp;km<sup>3</sup> (2014)
*''consumption:'' 170.2&nbsp;km<sup>3</sup> (2014)
*''exports:'' 9.86&nbsp;km<sup>3</sup> (2014)
*''imports:'' 6.886&nbsp;km<sup>3</sup> (2014)
*''proved reserves:'' 34,020&nbsp;km<sup>3</sup> (2016)
</div>
[[File:Countries by Natural Gas Proven Reserves (2014).svg|thumb|250px|Countries by [[List of countries by natural gas proven reserves|natural gas proven reserves]], 2014, based on data from The World Factbook. Iran has the world's [[Natural gas reserves in Iran|second largest reserves]] after Russia]]
Iran possesses 10% of the world's [[Iran's oil reserves|proven oil reserves]] and 15% of its [[Iran's Natural Gas Reserves|gas reserves]].<ref name="EIA">[http://www.eia.doe.gov/countries/cab.cfm?fips=IR Iran (data)]. US Department of Energy (2011). Retrieved March 28, 2011.</ref> [[List of power stations in Iran|Domestic oil and gas along with hydroelectric power facilities]] provide power.<ref name="EIA" /> [[Energy in Iran|Energy wastage in Iran]] amounts to six or seven billion dollars per year,<ref name="payvand5" /> much higher than the international norm.<ref name="RFE" /> Iran recycles 28% of its used oil and gas, whereas some other countries reprocess up to 60%.<ref name="payvand5">[http://www.payvand.com/news/08/oct/1303.html Energy Wastage In Iran Equals 6–7 Billion Dollars Per Year] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200115095247/http://www.payvand.com/news/08/oct/1303.html |date=January 15, 2020 }}. [[IRNA]], October 29, 2008. Retrieved November 2, 2008.</ref> In 2008 Iran paid $84 billion in [[Iranian Economic Reform Plan#Subsidy reform plan|subsidies for oil, gas and electricity]].<ref name="Subsidy" /> It is the world's third largest consumer of natural gas after United States and Russia.<ref name="CIA"/> In 2010 Iran completed its first [[Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant|nuclear power plant at Bushehr]] with Russian assistance.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2010-08-21|title=Iran begins loading Bushehr nuclear reactor|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-11045537|access-date=2022-02-19}}</ref>

Iran has been a major oil exporter since 1913. The country's major oil fields lie in the central and southwestern parts of the western [[Zagros]] mountains. Oil is also found in northern Iran and in the [[Persian Gulf]]. In 1978, Iran was the fourth largest oil producer, [[OPEC]]'s second largest oil producer and second largest exporter.<ref>[http://www.parstimes.com/history/economy.html Iran's Economy]. Parstimes. Retrieved September 24, 2010.</ref> Following the 1979 revolution the new government reduced production. A further decline in production occurred as result of damage to oil facilities during the Iraq-Iran war.<ref name="auto">Barry Schweid (December 26, 2006): [http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2003494872_iranoil26.html "Iran oil industry founders"]. ''[[The Seattle Times]]''. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070513192225/http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2003494872_iranoil26.html |date=May 13, 2007 }}. [[Associated Press]]. Retrieved February 12, 2008.</ref>

Oil production rose in the late 1980s as pipelines were repaired and new [[Persian Gulf|Gulf]] fields exploited. By 2004, annual oil production reached 1.4 billion&nbsp;barrels producing a net profit of $50 billion.<ref name="auto"/> Iranian Central Bank data show a declining trend in the share of Iranian exports from oil-products (FY 2006: 84.9%, 2007/2008: 86.5%, 2008/2009: 85.5%, 2009/2010: 79.8%, FY 2010 (first three quarters): 78.9%).<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.cbi.ir/page/7961.aspx |title = Economic Trends No 62, Third Quarter 1389 (2010/2011), Balance of Payments, p.16 |author = Iranian National Bank |access-date = October 14, 2012 |archive-date = January 2, 2012 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120102004422/http://www.cbi.ir/page/7961.aspx }}</ref> Iranian officials estimate that [[Ministry of Petroleum (Iran)#Revenues from crude oil|Iran's annual oil and gas revenues]] could reach $250 billion by 2015 once [[South Pars#South Pars development|current projects]] come on stream.<ref name="oil">[http://www.payvand.com/news/10/dec/1216.html Iran eyes $250 billion annual revenue in 5 years] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110107125251/http://www.payvand.com/news/10/dec/1216.html |date=January 7, 2011 }}. Mehr News Agency, December 22, 2010. Retrieved December 22, 2010.</ref>

Pipelines move oil from the fields to the [[oil refinery|refineries]] and to such exporting ports as Abadan, Bandar-e Mashur and [[Kharg Island]]. Since 1997, [[Petroleum industry in Iran|Iran's state-owned oil and gas industry]] has entered into major exploration and production agreements with [[Petroleum industry in Iran#Major foreign projects|foreign consortia]].<ref name="LOC6">{{Cite book |last1 = Curtis |first1 = Glenn |url = https://archive.org/details/irancountrystudy00curt_2/page/160 |last2 = Hooglund |first2 = Eric |title = Iran, a country study |place = Washington, D.C., USA |publisher = [[Library of Congress]] |date = April 2008 |pages = [https://archive.org/details/irancountrystudy00curt_2/page/160 160–163] |isbn = 978-0-8444-1187-3 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Marc |last=Wolfensberger |title=Iran Invites Sinopec Head to Sign $100 Billion Oil, Gas Deals |publisher=Bloomberg |date=November 25, 2006 |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601080&sid=aEGZ4sBCjHQE&refer=asia |access-date=November 20, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070206111213/http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601080&sid=aEGZ4sBCjHQE&refer=asia |archive-date=February 6, 2007 }}</ref> In 2008 the [[Iranian Oil Bourse]] (IOB) was inaugurated in [[Kish Island]].<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20090110151138/http://www2.irna.ir/en/news/view/line-203/0802173565111734.htm 1st phase of Iran oil stock inaugurated on Kish Island]. IRNA, February 17, 2008.</ref> The IOB trades petroleum, petrochemicals and gas in various currencies. Trading is primarily in the [[euro]] and rial along with other major currencies, not including the [[Petrodollar|US dollar]].{{citation needed|date=July 2021}} According to the [[Ministry of Petroleum (Iran)|Petroleum Ministry]], Iran plans to invest $500 billion in its oil sector by 2025.<ref name="nitc.co.ir">{{cite web|url=http://iran-daily.com/1387/3109/html/economy.htm |title=$500b Needed For Hydrocarbon Sector |access-date=September 2, 2012 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081007023119/http://iran-daily.com/1387/3109/html/economy.htm |archive-date=October 7, 2008 }}. ''Iran Daily'', April 24, 2008.</ref>

==== Retail and distribution ====
{{Main|l1=Retail industry in Iran|l2=Electronic commerce in Iran|Industry of Iran#Retail industry|Communications in Iran#Electronic commerce}}

[[Industry of Iran#Retail industry|Iran's retail industry]] consists largely of cooperatives (many of them [[Bonyad|government-sponsored]]), and independent retailers operating in [[bazaar]]s. The bulk of food sales occur at street markets with prices set by the Chief Statistics Bureau. Iran has 438,478 small grocery retailers.<ref name="Euromonitor" /> These are especially popular in cities other than Tehran where the number of hypermarkets and supermarkets is still very limited. More mini-markets and supermarkets are emerging, mostly independent operations. The biggest chainstores are state-owned Etka, [[Refah supermarket|Refah]], [[Shahrvand Chain Stores Inc.|Shahrvand]] and [[Iran Hyper Star|Hyperstar Market]].<ref name="Euromonitor">{{cite web |url = http://www.euromonitor.com/Retailing_in_Iran |title = Retailing in Iran |publisher = Euromonitor |date = January 2010 |access-date = November 28, 2010 |archive-date = February 28, 2010 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100228081735/http://www.euromonitor.com/Retailing_in_Iran }}</ref> [[Electronic commerce in Iran]] passed the $1 billion mark in 2009.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20090110154827/http://www2.irna.ir/en/news/view/menu-234/0812030911192309.htm Iran's e-commerce to reach rls 10,000 billion]. IRNA, December 3, 2008.</ref>

In 2012, Iranians spent $77 billion on food, $22 billion on clothes and $18.5 billion on [[Tourism in Iran#Outward tourism|outward tourism]].<ref>{{Cite journal |title = Western Companies See Potential in Reaching Iran's Consumers After Nuclear Deal |journal = Wall Street Journal |date = April 6, 2015 |first = Asa |last = Fitch |author2 = Nicolas Parasie |url = https://www.wsj.com/articles/western-companies-see-potential-in-reaching-irans-consumers-after-nuclear-deal-1428313107?cb=logged0.5079263212005186 |access-date = April 9, 2015 }}</ref> In 2015, overall [[consumer spending]] and [[disposable income]] are projected at $176.4 billion and $287 billion respectively.<ref>{{Cite journal |title = In Iran, Business Deals Rarely Smooth |journal = Wall Street Journal |url-access=subscription |date = July 15, 2015 |access-date = July 27, 2015 |first = Benoit |last = Faucon |url = https://www.wsj.com/articles/in-iran-business-deals-rarely-smooth-1436917050 }}</ref>

==== Healthcare and pharma ====
{{Main|Healthcare in Iran}}
{| style="margin:1em; background:#f9f9f9; border:1px #aaa solid; border-collapse:collapse; font-size:90%; float:left;"
|- style="background:lightblue;"
! IRAN: Healthcare (Source: [[Economist Intelligence Unit|EIU]])<ref name=autogenerated3 />
! 2005
! 2006
! 2007
! 2008
! 2009
! 2010
|-
| Life expectancy, average (years)
| 70.0
| 70.3
| 70.6
| 70.9
| 71.1
| 71.4
|-
| Healthcare spending (% of GDP)
| 4.2
| 4.2
| 4.2
| 4.2
| 4.2
| 4.2
|-
| Healthcare spending ($ per head)
| 113
| 132
| 150
| 191
| 223
| 261
|}

[[Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran|The constitution]] entitles Iranians to basic [[health care]]. By 2008, 73% of Iranians were covered by the voluntary national health insurance system.<ref name=autogenerated3>{{Cite document |title = IRAN: Healthcare and Pharmaceuticals Forecast |publisher = Economist Intelligence Unit |year = 2008 }}</ref> Although over 85% of the population use an insurance system to cover their drug expenses, the government heavily subsidizes pharmaceutical production/importation. The total market value of [[Health care in Iran|Iran's health and medical sector]] was $24 billion in 2002 and was forecast to rise to $50 billion by 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.austrade.gov.au/Health-services-and-pharmaceuticals-to-Iran/default.aspx |title=Health Sector in Iran |access-date=March 6, 2007 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080419082947/http://www.austrade.gov.au/Health-services-and-pharmaceuticals-to-Iran/default.aspx |archive-date=April 19, 2008 }}. Australian Trade (2006).</ref><ref name="BMI4">[http://www.payvand.com/news/09/apr/1027.html Iran Pharmaceuticals and Healthcare Report] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111129222751/http://www.payvand.com/news/09/apr/1027.html |date=November 29, 2011 }}. Business Monitor International (Q2 2009). Retrieved March 24, 2010.</ref> In 2006, 55 [[Pharmaceuticals in Iran|pharmaceutical companies in Iran]] produced 96% (quantitatively) of the medicines for a market worth $1.2 billion.<ref name=autogenerated3 /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.austrade.gov.au/Health-services-and-pharmaceuticals-to-Iran/default.aspx |title=Health services and pharmaceuticals to Iran |access-date=March 6, 2007 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080419082947/http://www.austrade.gov.au/Health-services-and-pharmaceuticals-to-Iran/default.aspx |archive-date=April 19, 2008 }}. Australian Trade (2006).</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://iran-daily.com/1386/2880/html/national.htm |title=18% of Medicines Thrown Out Annually |access-date=June 30, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071018051214/http://iran-daily.com/1386/2880/html/national.htm |archive-date=October 18, 2007 }}. ''Iran Daily'', July 1, 2007.</ref> This figure is projected to increase to $3.65 billion by 2013.<ref name="BMI4" />

==== Tourism and travel ====
{{Main|Tourism in Iran}}
[[File:Pasargades cyrus cropped.jpg|thumb|196px|[[Cyrus the Great|Cyrus]]' tomb lies in [[Pasargadae]]. Iran is home to [[Table of World Heritage Sites by country|19 historic sites]] which have been inscribed on [[UNESCO]] World Heritage List.]]
Although tourism declined significantly during the war with Iraq, it has subsequently recovered. About 1,659,000 foreign tourists visited Iran in 2004 and 2.3 million in 2009 mostly from Asian countries, including the republics of [[Central Asia]], while about 10% came from the European Union and North America.<ref name="Encarta: Iran's entry">{{cite encyclopedia |encyclopedia=Microsoft Encarta |title=Iran's entry |url=http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761567300_6/Iran.html |access-date=July 24, 2010 |year=2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091028171829/http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761567300_6/Iran.html |archive-date=October 28, 2009 }}</ref><ref name="Tourism">{{cite document |title = Iran Travel And Tourism Forecast |publisher = Economist Intelligence Unit |year = 2008 }}</ref>

The most popular tourist destinations are [[Mazandaran]], [[Isfahan]], [[Mashhad]] and [[Shiraz]].<ref>[http://www.tehrantimes.com/PDF/10978/10978-7.pdf Sightseeing and excursions in Iran] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150418212600/http://www.tehrantimes.com/PDF/10978/10978-7.pdf |date=April 18, 2015 }}. ''Tehran Times'', September 28, 2010. Retrieved March 22, 2011.</ref> In the early 2000s the industry faced serious limitations in infrastructure, communications, industry standards and personnel training.<ref name="LOC7" />  Several organized tours from Germany, France and other European countries come to Iran annually to visit archaeological sites and monuments. In 2003 Iran ranked 68th in tourism revenues worldwide.<ref name="IRNA5">[http://www.payvand.com/news/03/sep/1037.html Iran ranks 68th in tourism revenues worldwide] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130502003236/http://www.payvand.com/news/03/sep/1037.html |date=May 2, 2013 }}. Payvand/IRNA, September 7, 2003. Retrieved February 12, 2008.</ref> According to [[UNESCO]] and the deputy head of research for [[Cultural Heritage, Handcrafts and Tourism Organization|Iran Travel and Tourism Organization (ITTO)]], Iran is rated among the "10 most touristic countries in the world".<ref name="IRNA5" /> [[Domestic tourism]] in Iran is one of the largest in the world.<ref name=BYI>{{Cite book |last1 = Ayse |first1 = Valentine |url = http://www.investiniran.ir/en/filepool/26?redirectpage=%2fen%2febook |last2 = Nash |first2 = Jason John |last3 = Leland |first3 = Rice |title = The Business Year 2013: Iran |place = London, U.K. |publisher = The Business Year |date = January 2013 |page = 166 |isbn = 978-1-908180-11-7 |access-date = March 14, 2014 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20161227193349/http://www.investiniran.ir/en/filepool/26?redirectpage=%2Fen%2Febook |archive-date = December 27, 2016 }}</ref>

==== Banking, finance and insurance ====
{{Main|Central Bank of Iran|Islamic Economics Organization of Iran|Banking and insurance in Iran|Iranian rial}}
{{See also|Shetab Banking System|Tehran Stock Exchange|Iran Mercantile Exchange}}

Government loans and credits are available to industrial and agricultural projects, primarily through banks. Iran's unit of currency is the [[Iranian rial|rial]] which had an average official exchange rate of 9,326 rials to the U.S. dollar in 2007.<ref name="CIA"/> Rials are exchanged on the unofficial market at a higher rate. In 1979, the government nationalized private banks. The restructured banking system replaced interest on loans with handling fees, in accordance with [[Islamic banking|Islamic law]]. This system took effect in the mid-1980s.<ref name="LOC5" />

[[File:TEPIX.PNG|thumb|right|The [[Tehran Stock Exchange]] was one of the world's best performing stock exchanges between 1999 and 2011.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/3129995.stm Iran blocks share price gains]. BBC, August 6, 2003. Retrieved February 15, 2010.</ref><ref name="businessweek1">{{cite magazine|url=http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-07-26/tehran-exchange-trades-futures-to-attract-investors.html |title=Tehran Exchange Trades Futures to Attract Investors |magazine=BusinessWeek |date=July 26, 2010 |access-date=July 29, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110514224859/http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-07-26/tehran-exchange-trades-futures-to-attract-investors.html |archive-date=May 14, 2011 }}</ref>]]

The [[Banking in Iran|banking system]] consists of a central bank, the [[Bank Markazi]], which issues currency and oversees all [[List of banks in Iran|state and private banks]], as well as the [[Organization of Islamic Economics]] which acts as a sort of central bank for issuing [[Qard al-Hasan]], as a parallel system in the banking sector, operating outside the purview of the Central Bank.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal |last=Vahabi |first=Mehrdad |author-link=Mehrdad Vahabi |date=2023 |title=Destructive Coordination, Anfal and Islamic Political Capitalism |url=https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-031-17674-6 |journal=SpringerLink |language=en |page=217 |doi=10.1007/978-3-031-17674-6 |isbn=978-3-031-17673-9}}</ref> It supervises 1200, out of 2500 Islamic loan funds, on behalf of Iran's Central Bank.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=September 10, 2018 |title=Promoting the culture of Islamic loan funds is mandatory in the country |url=https://www.ibena.ir/fa/news/91110/%D8%AA%D8%B1%D9%88%DB%8C%D8%AC-%D9%81%D8%B1%D9%87%D9%86%DA%AF-%D9%82%D8%B1%D8%B6%E2%80%8C%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AD%D8%B3%D9%86%D9%87-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%DA%A9%D8%B4%D9%88%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B2%D8%A7%D9%85-%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA |access-date=2025-04-16 |website=Reference Media of the Central Bank |language=fa}}</ref> Several commercial banks have branches throughout the country. Two development banks exist and a housing bank specializes in home mortgages. The government began to [[Privatization in Iran#Banking and insurance|privatize the banking sector]] in 2001 when licenses were issued to two new privately owned banks.<ref name="Financials">{{Cite document |title = Iran Financial Services Forecast |publisher = Economist Intelligence Unit |year = 2008 }}</ref>

State-owned commercial banks predominantly make loans to the state, ''[[bonyad]]'' enterprises, large-scale private firms and four thousand wealthy/connected individuals.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iran-daily.com/1387/3238/html/ |title=Banking System Needs Overhaul |access-date=October 10, 2008 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081210164830/http://www.iran-daily.com/1387/3238/html/ |archive-date=December 10, 2008 }}. ''Iran Daily'', October 7, 2008.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iran-daily.com/1387/3240/html/ |title=President in Birjand Rally |access-date=October 10, 2008 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081212004832/http://www.iran-daily.com/1387/3240/html// |archive-date=December 12, 2008 }}. ''Iran Daily'', October 9, 2008.</ref> While most [[Iranian peoples|Iranians]] have difficulty obtaining small home loans, 90 individuals secured facilities totaling $8 billion.{{citation needed|date=July 2021}} In 2009, [[General Inspection Office (Iran)|Iran's General Inspection Office]] announced that [[List of banks in Iran|Iranian banks]] held some $38 billion of delinquent loans, with capital of only $20 billion.{{citation needed|date=July 2021}}

Foreign transactions with Iran amounted to $150 billion of major contracts between 2000 and 2007, including private and government lines of credit.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aei.org/press/26147 |title=Global Investment in Iran |access-date=January 9, 2012 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100105235739/http://www.aei.org/press/26147 |archive-date=January 5, 2010 }}. American Enterprise Institute (2007).</ref> In 2007, Iran had $62 billion in assets abroad.<ref>[http://www.mehrnews.ir/en/NewsDetail.aspx?NewsID=510378 Iran's foreign assets surpass $62b] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080119215038/http://www.mehrnews.ir/en/NewsDetail.aspx?NewsID=510378 |date=January 19, 2008 }}. Mehr News Agency, June 30, 2007. Retrieved January 23, 2008.</ref> In 2010, Iran attracted almost $11.9 billion from abroad, of which $3.6 billion was [[Foreign Direct Investment in Iran|FDI]], $7.4 billion was from international commercial bank loans, and around $900 million consisted of loans and projects from international development banks.<ref>[http://www.turquoisepartners.com/iraninvestment/IIM-Aug11.pdf ''Iran Investment Monthly''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130721174158/http://www.turquoisepartners.com/iraninvestment/IIM-Aug11.pdf |date=July 21, 2013 }}. Turquoise Partners (August 2011). Retrieved January 31, 2011.</ref>

As of 2010, the [[Tehran Stock Exchange]] traded the shares of more than 330 registered companies.<ref name="businessweek1" />  Listed companies were valued at $100 billion in 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iran-daily.com/1387/3240/html/economy.htm |title=Vast Economic Potential Lauded |access-date=October 10, 2008 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081212201412/http://www.iran-daily.com/1387/3240/html/economy.htm |archive-date=December 12, 2008 }}. ''Iran Daily'', October 9, 2008.</ref>

Insurance premiums accounted for just under 1% of GDP in 2008,<ref name="Iran"/> a figure partly attributable to low average income per head.<ref name="Iran"/> Five state-owned insurance firms dominate the market, four of which are active in commercial insurance. The leading player is the Iran Insurance Company, followed by Asia, Alborz and Dana insurances. In 2001/02 third-party liability insurance accounted for 46% of premiums, followed by health insurance (13%), fire insurance (10%) and life insurance (9.9%).<ref name="Financials"/>

==== Communications, electronics and IT ====
{{Main|Communications in Iran|Telecommunication Company of Iran|Media of Iran|}}

Broadcast media, including five national radio stations and five national television networks as well as dozens of local radio and television stations are run by the government. In 2008, there were 345 telephone lines and 106 personal computers for every 1,000 residents.<ref name="WB2" /> Personal computers for home use became more affordable in the mid-1990s, since when demand for Internet access has increased rapidly. As of 2010, Iran also had the world's third largest number of [[Iranian blogs|bloggers]] (2010).<ref>[http://www.jpost.com/International/Article.aspx?id=167963 Hackers take Iran's civil war online]. ''Jerusalem Post'', February 6, 2010. Retrieved February 6, 2011</ref>

In 1998, the Ministry of Post, Telegraph & Telephone, later renamed the [[Ministry of Information and Communications Technology (Iran)|Ministry of Information & Communication Technology]], began selling Internet accounts to the general public. In 2006, revenues from the Iranian telecom industry were estimated at $1.2 billion.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iran-daily.com/1385/2681/html/focus.htm |title=Privatization of Telecom Companies |access-date=February 6, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080219133406/http://www.iran-daily.com/1385/2681/html/focus.htm |archive-date=February 19, 2008 }}. ''Iran Daily'', October 9, 2006.</ref> In 2006, Iran had 1,223 Internet Service Providers (ISPs), all private sector operated.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.austrade.gov.au/ICT-to-Iran/default.aspx |title=Information and communications technology to Iran |access-date=May 9, 2009 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080727015312/http://www.austrade.gov.au/ICT-to-Iran/default.aspx |archive-date=July 27, 2008 }}. Australian Trade (2006).</ref> As of 2014, Iran has the largest mobile market in the Middle East, with 83.2 million mobile subscriptions and 8 million smart-phones in 2012.<ref>[http://www.innovationiseverywhere.com/iran-mobile-market-connectivity-in-2014/ Iran's Mobile Market: Connectivity in 2014]. "Innovation Is Everywhere". Retrieved July 15, 2014.</ref>

According to the World Bank, Iran's information and communications technology sector had a 1.4% share of GDP in 2008.<ref name="WB2">[http://devdata.worldbank.org/ict/irn_ict.pdf ICT At-a-Glance, Iran's entry] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080727015312/http://devdata.worldbank.org/ict/irn_ict.pdf |date=July 27, 2008 }}. World Bank (login required). Retrieved February 4, 2011.</ref> Around 150,000 people work in this sector, including 20,000 in the software industry.<ref>[http://www.ebusinessforum.com/index.asp?layout=newdebi&country_id=IR Iran]. ''Economist Intelligence Unit'' (2006). Retrieved December 5, 2008.</ref> 1,200 IT companies were registered in 2002, 200 in software development. In 2014 software exports stood at $400 million.{{citation needed|date=July 2021}} By the end of 2009, Iran's telecom market was the fourth-largest in the Middle East at $9.2 billion and was expected to reach $12.9 billion by 2014 at a compound annual growth rate of 6.9%.<ref>Susan J. Campbell, Dearbhla McHenry (January 22, 2010): [http://voice-quality.tmcnet.com/topics/phone-service/articles/73387-iran-telecom-market-expected-reach-129-billion-2014.htm "Iran Telecom Market Expected to Reach $12.9 Billion by 2014"]. TMCnet/Pyramid Research. Retrieved January 24, 2010.</ref>

==== Transport ====
{{Main|Transport in Iran}}
{{See also|Tehran Metro|Islamic Republic of Iran Railways|Iran Shipping Lines|Airlines of Iran}}
[[File:Wagon Pars co- Arak .Iran کارخانه واگن پارس - panoramio.jpg|thumb|Locomotive production line of [[Wagon Pars]] company]]
Iran has an extensive paved road system linking most towns and all cities. In 2011, the country had {{Convert|173,000|km|mi}} of roads, of which 73% were paved. In 2007 there were approximately 100 passenger cars for every 1,000 inhabitants.<ref name="Cars"/> Trains operated on {{Convert|11,106|km|mi}} of track.<ref name="CIA"/>

Iran's major port of entry is [[Bandar-Abbas]] on the [[Strait of Hormuz]]. After arriving in Iran, imported goods are distributed by trucks and freight trains. The Tehran–Bandar-Abbas railroad, opened in 1995, connects Bandar-Abbas to [[Central Asia]] via Tehran and [[Mashhad]]. Other major ports include [[Bandar Anzali]] and [[Bandar Torkaman]] on the Caspian Sea and [[Khoramshahr]] and [[Bandar Imam]] Khomeini on the [[Persian Gulf]].

Dozens of cities have passenger and cargo airports. [[Iran Air]], the national airline, was founded in 1962 and operates domestic and international flights. All large cities have bus transit systems and private companies provide intercity bus services. Tehran, Mashhad, [[Shiraz]], [[Tabriz]], [[Ahvaz]] and Isfahan are constructing underground railways. More than one million people work in the transportation sector, accounting for 9% of 2008 GDP.<ref>[https://archive.today/20130210195420/http://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20081221053556 Road Construction Projects Upbeat]. ''Iran Daily'', December 21, 2008. Retrieved July 23, 2010.</ref>

In August 2022, President [[Ebrahim Raisi]]'s cabinet approved a law to import fully assembled foreign cars. His predecessor President [[Hassan Rouhani]], had outlawed such imports in July 2018 due to [[Sanctions against Iran|sanctions imposed on Iran]]. Regular Iranian citizens were unable to buy safe cars at affordable prices.<ref>[https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/8/30/why-iran-is-ending-its-years-long-ban-on-car-imports "Why Iran is ending its years-long ban on car imports"] ''aljazeera.com''. Retrieved 1 September 2022.</ref>