A family planning campaign designed to counter a baby boom during the 1980s saw the family size dropped from an average of seven children to two today.
Comment: The Islamic Republic of baby-making
Now as the ageing population increases, Iranian authorities are pushing couples to have more babies in order to support the growing economy.
Iran's population is still young with 45 per cent of its 75 million people under 25.
"If we have four or five children and if they are able to find jobs, they will contribute to the development of the country," Supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei said in a speech last year.
The speech was followed by ad campaigns promoting 'more children, a happier life'.
But many say the campaign won't work because in a failing economy, people are choosing to stay single.
