There are also small Baha'i, Christian, Jewish and Zoroastran communities. The labour force totalled 18 million in 1997. Women account for 25 per cent of the labour force. This gives an unemployment rate of 13.3 per cent. The actual figure may be higher if the workforce is larger than official government figures suggest, and some unofficial estimates put the rate as high as 30 per cent in 1998.
Workers often have two or three jobs in addition to their official one.
Statistics may not equal 100 per cent due to the rounding of figures. World Bank, World Development Indicators 1999 Education Education is compulsory for eight years from the ages of six to 14. This is not fully effective in rural areas. Primary education is free and lasts for five years. Secondary education begins at 11 years and lasts for up to seven years, with a first course of three years and a second course of four years.