Industrial Development and Deprivation in Iran's Regions: 2009-2013

In development literature balanced and unbalanced growth perspectives in the dimensions of district and region are popular views, and decline in poverty and deprivation are known as a reflection of the mentioned view’s strength by the adherents of each view. Accordingly, the most pivotal issue in this study is investigating the impact of industrial development on deprivation rate in Iran’s regions. To measure the level of industrialization of different regions, three criteria of number of industrial firms, industrial employees and industrial production have been used at the interval of 2009-2013 and on the other hand, deprivation rate is evaluated by the number of people and households covered by Imam Khomeini Relief Foundation (IKRF) in each region and in accordance with the population of those regions. Using panel data econometrics, the results show that industrialization of geographical regions decreases the number of individuals and households covered by IKRF at the mentioned era significantly. Based on the results of investigation, industrial development has provided the conditions for decline of deprivation manifested in reduction of clients of IKRF. In term of policy-making and based on findings of this study, paying attention to balanced growth of industrial sector in Iran’s regions is essential and necessary in order to decrease deprivation.