Why did people from other parts of Iran move to Tehran?

People have moved to Tehran from other parts of Iran primarily because the city serves as the nation's administrative center and its largest job market.1

Historically, the city's population began to expand when it became the seat of the Qajar dynasty in 1786, attracting courtiers and soldiers who subsequently spurred the development of trade and industry. In more recent decades, the migration has been driven by the search for work, with many individuals moving to the capital to improve their economic prospects.21

Additionally, immigration to Tehran was intensified during the 1980s and 1990s by regional instability, including the war in Afghanistan, the collapse of the Soviet Union, and conflicts involving Iraq. While the city has historically drawn people from across the country, it has particularly attracted residents from the more densely populated and wealthier northern and central regions.1