Income inequality in rural areas of Iran

Considering that a high percentage of the population in Iran are living in rural areas, study of problems facing rural communities including analysis of income distribution and its trend in preparing development plans is very necessary. This study aims to measure income inequality in rural areas in 1989-2009 periods by using Gini coefficient. For this purpose, data from household's expenditure survey were used. Results showed that during the period, income inequality in rural areas of the country was decreased slowly, but still there was considerable difference among provinces. On this basis, allocation of resources to those regions which suffered from unequal income distibutin was recommended.