Policies to support families and population Rejuvenation in Iran: Hidden obstacles from the perspective of married men and women

Iran's dramatic fertility decline—from 6.9 children per woman in 1960 to 1.9 by 2005—has prompted a shift from anti-natalist to pro-natalist policies, exemplified by the Law on Family Support and Rejuvenation. Despite these efforts to boost marriage, fertility, and family structures, the total fertility rate remains below the replacement level of 2.1, revealing a gap between policy goals and demographic outcomes. This study, employing grounded theory, explores hidden barriers to fertility from the perspectives of a sample of married men and women in urban Iran. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews between October 2024 and February 2025, analyzed iteratively via open, axial, and selective coding, and organized into nine key categories: economic challenges, bureaucratic barriers, lack of trust in governance and policy implementation, mismatch between individual priorities and state objectives, socio-cultural barriers, health and well-being concerns, biospace crisis: housing constraints and spatial limitations, strategic fertility limitation,and shrinking family size. Findings indicate that while couples desire larger families, structural and cultural impediments, exacerbated by policies restricting reproductive rights, undermine fertility intentions. Economic insecurity, inadequate support, and risk aversion further limit family expansion. This research highlights the need for policies aligned with individual aspirations and societal realities, offering evidence-based, couple-centered recommendations to enhance family support and rejuvenate Iran's population. Addressing these root causes is critical for sustainable demographic renewal.