healthcare in iran healthcare in iran for health issues in iran see health in iran. historical development of life expectancy in iran healthcare in iran is based on three pillars: the public-governmental system, the private sector, and ngos. the healthcare and medical sector's market value in iran was almost us$24 billion in 2002 and is forecast to rise to us$96 billion in 2017. with a population of 80 million (2017), iran is one of the most populous countries in west asia. the country faces the common problem of other young demographic nations in the region, which is keeping pace with growth of an already huge demand for various public services. the young population will soon be old enough to start new families, which will boost the population growth rate and subsequently the need for public health infrastructures and services. total healthcare spending is expected to rise from $24.3 billion in 2008, to $96 billion by 2017, reflecting the increasing demand on medical services. total health spending was equivalent to 6% of gdp in iran in 2017. about 90% of iranians have some form of health insurance. iran is also the only country with a legal organ trade. however, the legal character of organ donations is deemed to be a gifting of organs and not their sale and purchase. according to the world health organization (who), as of 2000, iran ranks 58 in healthcare and 93 in health-system performance. in 2016, bloomberg news ranked iran 30th most efficient healthcare system ahead of the united states and brazil. the report shows life expectancy in iran is 75.5 years and per capita spending on healthcare is $346. the health status of iranians has improved over the last two decades. iran has been able to extend public health preventive services through the establishment of an extensive primary health care network. as a result, child and maternal mortality rates have fallen significantly, and life expectancy at birth has risen remarkably. infant (imr) and under-five (u5mr) mortality have decreased to 28.6 and 35.6 per 1,000 live births respectively in 2000, compared to an imr of 122 per 1,000 and a u5mr of 191 per 1,000 in 1970. immunization of children is accessible to most of the urban and rural population. health services