Poverty headcount ratio at $4.20 a day (2021 PPP) (% of population) in Iran
Iran: Poverty headcount ratio at $4.20 a day (2021 PPP) (% of population) was 7.5% in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Poverty headcount ratio at $4.20 a day (2021 PPP) in Iran, 1986–2023
Source: World Bank, Poverty and Inequality Platform. Data are based on primary household survey data obtained from government statistical agencies and World Bank country departments. Data for high-income econ. Measured in % of population.
Analysis
Iran recorded 7.5% for poverty headcount ratio at $4.20 a day (2021 ppp) in 2023.
That represents a change of down 8.5% on the previous year and up 8.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, poverty headcount ratio at $4.20 a day (2021 ppp) in Iran peaked at 35.7% in 1990 and was at its lowest, 6.3%, in 2012.
Iran ranks 50th of 123 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Poverty headcount ratio at $4.20 a day (2021 PPP) (% of population) in Iran, year by year
| Year | % of population | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1986 | 35.0% | — |
| 1990 | 35.7% | +2.0% |
| 1994 | 28.7% | -19.6% |
| 1998 | 27.2% | -5.2% |
| 2005 | 10.7% | -60.7% |
| 2006 | 11.3% | +5.6% |
| 2009 | 10.5% | -7.1% |
| 2011 | 7.2% | -31.4% |
| 2012 | 6.3% | -12.5% |
| 2013 | 6.9% | +9.5% |
| 2014 | 8.8% | +27.5% |
| 2015 | 8.4% | -4.5% |
| 2016 | 8.6% | +2.4% |
| 2017 | 8.1% | -5.8% |
| 2018 | 9.3% | +14.8% |
| 2019 | 12.1% | +30.1% |
| 2020 | 12.2% | +0.8% |
| 2021 | 10.1% | -17.2% |
| 2022 | 8.2% | -18.8% |
| 2023 | 7.5% | -8.5% |
Iran compared with similar countries
- Iran's 7.5% is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 4.2%, 1.8× the median. (38 countries reporting)
- Iran's 7.5% is above the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 6.6%, 1.1× the median. (10 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 35.0% | 35.0% | 35.0% | 1 |
| 1990s | 30.5% | 27.2% | 35.7% | 3 |
| 2000s | 10.8% | 10.5% | 11.3% | 3 |
| 2010s | 8.4% | 6.3% | 12.1% | 9 |
| 2020s | 9.5% | 7.5% | 12.2% | 4 |
Countries ranked near Iran
More poverty & inequality data for Iran
- Number of income/consumption surveys in the past decade available via the World Bank 8 surveys (2025)
- Number of income/consumption surveys in the past decade available via 0 surveys per person (2025)
- Number of income/consumption surveys in the past decade available via 0 surveys per US$ 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 poverty headcount ratio at $4.20 a day (2021 ppp) in Iran?
- Poverty headcount ratio at $4.20 a day (2021 ppp) in Iran was 7.5% in 2023, according to World Bank, Poverty and Inequality Platform. Data are based on primary household survey data obtained from government statistical agencies and World Bank country departments. Data for high-income econ.
- What is the highest poverty headcount ratio at $4.20 a day (2021 ppp) recorded in Iran?
- The highest recorded value was 35.7% in 1990.
- What is the lowest poverty headcount ratio at $4.20 a day (2021 ppp) recorded in Iran?
- The lowest recorded value was 6.3% in 2012.
- How does Iran rank for poverty headcount ratio at $4.20 a day (2021 ppp)?
- Iran ranks 50th out of 123 countries with data for 2023.
- Is poverty headcount ratio at $4.20 a day (2021 ppp) rising or falling in Iran?
- Over the last ten years it is up 8.7%. 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. Data are based on primary household survey data obtained from government statistical agencies and World Bank country departments. Data for high-income econ, published as part of Poverty headcount ratio at $4.20 a day (2021 PPP) (% of population). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Poverty headcount ratio at $4.20 a day is the percentage of the population living on less than $4.20 a day at 2021 international prices.