People group profile · PG024220
The Talysh of Iran
The Talysh of Iran, numbering about 148,000 people, are Unengaged and Unreached. They are an Iranian ethnic group primarily residing in the Talysh region, which spans the western shore of the Caspian Sea in both Iran and Azerbaijan.
They are an indigenous people in the Talysh people cluster of the Persian-Median Peoples. Their primary religion is Shia Islam, and they primarily speak Talysh.

Fast facts
- Country
- Iran
- Population
- 148,000
- Affinity group
- Central Asian Peoples
- People cluster
- Talysh
- Primary language
- Talysh (tly)
- Primary religion
- Shia Islam
- Strategic Progress Index
- Unengaged and Unreached
- Evangelical
- Less than 2%
- GSEC
- Less than 2% Evangelical, No Recent CP Activity
- Lostness priority
- Frontier Unreached People Group
- Also known as
- Talush, Talyshon, Talishi, Taleshi, Talyshi
- Region
- Southern Asia, Asia
Where they live
Gospel status
The Talysh are Unengaged and Unreached, which means fewer than 2% are evangelical Christians, and there has been no reported church planting activity in the past two years. In GSEC terms, this people group is less than 2% evangelical, some evangelical resources are available, but there has been no active church planting among them within the past two years.
- Congregations exist Yes
- Church planting in the last two years No Churches Planted
Next steps for the Talysh
- Pray that God would send workers to this people group
- Begin sowing the gospel and seek out people of peace
- Plant the first churches consistent with evangelical faith and practice
Primary religion
Shia Islam · Islam
95% adherents
Primary language
Talysh · Indo-European family
100% speak Talysh
Gospel resources in Talysh
- Bible available
- JESUS Film available
- Radio programs not available
- Gospel recordings not available
- Audio resources available
- Bible stories not available
Films
Bibles
- 2018 Kitab Shirketi · video, audio, text
- Korpu Ltd · video, audio
Find more at the JESUS Film Project, Bible.com and Faith Comes by Hearing.
Pray for the Talysh
- Matthew 9:37–38. Ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest field.
- 2 Timothy 2:2. Pray for faithful local leaders who will teach others, so that the church multiplies.
- Ephesians 5:8. Pray that those walking in darkness will turn to the light and live as children of light.
- Romans 10:14–15. Ask God to send messengers, so that people can hear, believe and call on the name of the Lord.
Talysh in other countries
The same people (ROP3 109766) is reported in 1 other country.
| People group | Country | Population | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Talysh | Azerbaijan | 134,000 | Engaged yet Unreached |
Know something we don't? Submit updates to IMB Global Research.