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Unprecedented rates of population growth in the modern era have largely been the product of reduced levels of mortality and stable, delayed, or reduced fertility. New drugs and technology have been instrumental in reducing mortality rates. Yet, advances against death have been uneven for various communities across and within nations. Socioeconomic development has been effective in reducing the rates of mortality and changing the causes of death. In the past, infectious and respiratory diseases were responsible for a great number of deaths. Advances in medicine have brought these diseases under control and have increased longevity. With these advances, the causes of death have also shifted to cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and accidents. Levels and causes of mortality across age and gender groups are related to the levels of development and translate into life expectancy. Mortality rate in Greater Tehran has reached the low level of 6 per 1000. Further, the share of deaths as a result of cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and accidents has been on the rise while infant mortality has been deceasing.