PIP: This article examines the fertility transition pattern and related demographic, social, economic, and political factors in the Islamic Republic of Iran over the period 1976-96. Data on fertility rates were obtained from the Survey of Population Growth of Iran (1976) and the post-census enumeration survey (1996). During the period 1976-86, the rate of population growth accelerated dramatically (3.4% annually). This increase, depending mainly on an increase in the crude birth rate, constituted a reversal of the trend during the previous 10-year interval. However, during the period 1986-96 the census revealed a sharp decline in the population growth rate and crude birth rate. This declining trend accelerated between 1991 and 1996. Demographic factors affecting fertility change were the increase in the average age of marriage, the decrease in the proportion of the population that was married, and the increase in age-specific fertility rates for women aged 25 years. There was a potential fertility decline among the rural population. An estimated 12 million women will be added to the 15-49 age group during the period 1996-2006. This demographic fact alone is justification for the government to continue providing strong support for family planning services and to expand the budget for improving family planning services and reducing the contraceptive failure rate.