Based on cross-cultural studies, the experience of subjective well-being may be different in distinct populations. The findings of recent studies do not provide empirical evidence on subjective well-being in Iran. This study aimed to identify the most important components of subjective well-being in an urban Iranian population using a qualitative method with a phenomenological approach.

Sixty Iranian men and women aged 18 to 65 with different economic, social, and educational backgrounds voluntarily participated in semi-structured interviews, which focused on their experience of subjective well-being. The participants were selected based on purposeful sampling, and the data analysis was performed using Colaizzi's phenomenological method.

The analysis revealed several main themes about subjective well-being from the studied sample as follows: fulfillment of basic needs and welfare, positive relationships with family and community, having positive emotion, and orientation about persistency, contentment, and spirituality. Although these themes are usually stated in subjective well-being research, the expression of these themes and subthemes was unique in the Iranian culture.

The findings of this study enhance the current subjective well-being literature and understanding of this experience in the Iranian culture and contribute to the limited knowledge about well-being in this nation with its unique culture.