Main Actors in the New Population Policy With a Growing Trend in Iran: A Stakeholder Analysis

Abstract Total fertility rate in Iran has declined to below replacement level recently and a new approach has been taken to tackle this issue. Thus, this study aimed to identify the involved stakeholders and their characteristics in new population policy change in Iran. We employed a qualitative approach using the purposive sampling of key-informants and identification of relevant documents. Main stakeholders were divided into seven key groups: religious, political, governmental, professional, international sectors, media, and nongovernmental organizations. In addition, there was no centralized, clear and comprehensive mechanism to guide the activities of stakeholders to coordinate and bring total fertility rate to the replacement level in Iran. Despite the importance of new population policy in Iran, in recent years, we still experience dispersion and inconsistency among various actors in this area. It is imperative to go through a consensus and coalition at macro level authorities alongside with evidenced based population policy making.