Share in extreme poverty vs. poverty gap index in Iran
Iran: Share in extreme poverty vs. poverty gap index was 2.5% in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Share in extreme poverty vs. poverty gap index in Iran, 1986–2023
Source: World Bank Poverty and Inequality Platform (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
The most recent figure for share in extreme poverty vs. poverty gap index in Iran is 2.5%, measured in 2023.
The figure is down 11.3% on the previous year and up 30.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share in extreme poverty vs. poverty gap index in Iran peaked at 21.8% in 1986 and was at its lowest, 1.8%, in 2012.
That places Iran 50th out of 120 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Share in extreme poverty vs. poverty gap index in Iran, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1986 | 21.8% | — |
| 1990 | 21.6% | -0.9% |
| 1994 | 15.8% | -27.1% |
| 1998 | 15.2% | -3.8% |
| 2005 | 4.5% | -70.6% |
| 2006 | 4.5% | -0.1% |
| 2009 | 4.9% | +10.7% |
| 2011 | 2.3% | -54.2% |
| 2012 | 1.8% | -21.7% |
| 2013 | 1.9% | +7.6% |
| 2014 | 3.3% | +73.4% |
| 2015 | 3.0% | -9.3% |
| 2016 | 3.0% | -0.7% |
| 2017 | 2.7% | -10.2% |
| 2018 | 3.2% | +18.1% |
| 2019 | 4.3% | +35.8% |
| 2020 | 4.6% | +8.5% |
| 2021 | 3.7% | -20.1% |
| 2022 | 2.8% | -24.4% |
| 2023 | 2.5% | -11.3% |
Iran compared with similar countries
- Iran's 2.5% is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 1.6%, 1.6× the median. (35 countries reporting)
- Iran's 2.5% is above the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 1.7%, 1.4× the median. (10 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 21.8% | 21.8% | 21.8% | 1 |
| 1990s | 17.5% | 15.2% | 21.6% | 3 |
| 2000s | 4.6% | 4.5% | 4.9% | 3 |
| 2010s | 2.8% | 1.8% | 4.3% | 9 |
| 2020s | 3.4% | 2.5% | 4.6% | 4 |
Countries ranked near Iran
- 47 Brazil 3.0% compare
- 48 Sri Lanka 2.7% compare
- 49 Montenegro 2.5% compare
- 51 Nepal 2.4% compare
- 52 Uzbekistan 2.3%
- 53 Kyrgyzstan 2.2% compare
More poverty & inequality data for Iran
- Number of income/consumption surveys in the past decade available via the World Bank 8 surveys (2025)
- Number of income/consumption surveys in the past decade available via 0 surveys per person (2025)
- Number of income/consumption surveys in the past decade available via 0 surveys per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Fertility rate vs. share living in extreme poverty 1.7 live births per woman (2023)
- Cereal yield vs. share in extreme poverty 2,420 kg per hectare (2023)
- Cereal yield vs extreme poverty, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2023)
- Cereal yield vs extreme poverty, annual growth rate 4.44 % change on previous year (2023)
- Number of income/consumption surveys in the past decade available via -11.11 % change on previous year (2025)
- Gender Inequality Index 0.482 (2023)
- Share of government consumption in GDP vs. share of population living in extreme poverty 29.4% (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is share in extreme poverty vs. poverty gap index in Iran?
- Share in extreme poverty vs. poverty gap index in Iran was 2.5% in 2023, according to World Bank Poverty and Inequality Platform (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest share in extreme poverty vs. poverty gap index recorded in Iran?
- The highest recorded value was 21.8% in 1986.
- What is the lowest share in extreme poverty vs. poverty gap index recorded in Iran?
- The lowest recorded value was 1.8% in 2012.
- How does Iran rank for share in extreme poverty vs. poverty gap index?
- Iran ranks 50th out of 120 countries with data for 2023.
- Is share in extreme poverty vs. poverty gap index rising or falling in Iran?
- Over the last ten years it is up 30.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Iran data come from?
- The figures come from World Bank Poverty and Inequality Platform (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Share in extreme poverty vs. poverty gap index. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Percentage of population living in households with an income or consumption below $3 per day.