The Effect of Access to Information and Communication Technology (ICT) on Income Distribution in Provinces of Iran

This paper aims to examine the effects of access to information and communication technology (ICT) on income distribution in Iranian provinces, with an emphasis on the per capita income and education. Using economic theories, the relationship between access to ICT and income distribution was evaluated within a dynamic panel model by use of Generalized method of moments (GMM) during 2010-2015. The results indicate that access to ICT significantly reduces income inequality. In addition, education as a complement factor for ICT, strengthens the positive impact of access to ICT on reducing income inequality.  This impact is greater among provinces having lower GDP per capita than nation-wide GDP per capita. Furthermore, inflation rate leads to an increase in income inequality, and government spending is not an influential factor in the proper distribution of income in the provinces of Iran.