Total population living in extreme poverty by world region in Iran
Iran: Total population living in extreme poverty by world region was 2.26 million people in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Total population living in extreme poverty by world region in Iran, 1986–2023
Source: World Bank Poverty and Inequality Platform (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in people.
Analysis
Iran recorded 2.26 million people for total population living in extreme poverty by world region in 2023.
The figure is down 10.3% on the previous year and up 47.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, total population living in extreme poverty by world region in Iran peaked at 12.62 million people in 1990 and was at its lowest, 1.41 million people, in 2012.
Iran ranks 32nd of 120 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.
Total population living in extreme poverty by world region in Iran, year by year
| Year | people | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1986 | 11.22 million people | — |
| 1990 | 12.62 million people | +12.5% |
| 1994 | 9.70 million people | -23.2% |
| 1998 | 9.78 million people | +0.9% |
| 2005 | 3.22 million people | -67.1% |
| 2006 | 3.29 million people | +2.0% |
| 2009 | 3.78 million people | +15.2% |
| 2011 | 1.77 million people | -53.1% |
| 2012 | 1.41 million people | -20.7% |
| 2013 | 1.53 million people | +9.0% |
| 2014 | 2.70 million people | +75.8% |
| 2015 | 2.48 million people | -8.0% |
| 2016 | 2.50 million people | +0.7% |
| 2017 | 2.27 million people | -9.0% |
| 2018 | 2.72 million people | +19.6% |
| 2019 | 3.73 million people | +37.2% |
| 2020 | 4.08 million people | +9.3% |
| 2021 | 3.29 million people | -19.4% |
| 2022 | 2.52 million people | -23.4% |
| 2023 | 2.26 million people | -10.3% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 11.22 million people | 11.22 million people | 11.22 million people | 1 |
| 1990s | 10.70 million people | 9.70 million people | 12.62 million people | 3 |
| 2000s | 3.43 million people | 3.22 million people | 3.78 million people | 3 |
| 2010s | 2.35 million people | 1.41 million people | 3.73 million people | 9 |
| 2020s | 3.04 million people | 2.26 million people | 4.08 million people | 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 total population living in extreme poverty by world region in Iran?
- Total population living in extreme poverty by world region in Iran was 2.26 million people in 2023, according to World Bank Poverty and Inequality Platform (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest total population living in extreme poverty by world region recorded in Iran?
- The highest recorded value was 12.62 million people in 1990.
- What is the lowest total population living in extreme poverty by world region recorded in Iran?
- The lowest recorded value was 1.41 million people in 2012.
- How does Iran rank for total population living in extreme poverty by world region?
- Iran ranks 32nd out of 120 countries with data for 2023.
- Is total population living in extreme poverty by world region rising or falling in Iran?
- Over the last ten years it is up 47.3%. 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 Total population living in extreme poverty by world region. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Number of people living in households with an income or consumption below $3 per day.