In 2006, the aging population in Iran had increased to about four million, representing about 7%
of the total population. We examined the living arrangements of this growing population based
on a public use sample of the 2006 census and the published data from the 1976 census. The
findings revealed a decline from the traditional pattern of coresidence with married children. The
number of living children did not have a systematic effect on living arrangements. However, we
observed a gender-based transition in living arrangements of the elderly: Men continued to live
with a spouse, perhaps through remarriage, continuing to hold a position of head of household,
handling economic resources. The living pattern for women was noticeably different: about 20%
- approximately half a million – were unmarried, living alone if the economic situation permitted
but otherwise living with married children, predominantly sons. There is need for extensive
research into the economic, physical, and mental health status of this group of the elderly
population.