Iran, Islamic Republic of Gini Index

Iran’s Gini index has fallen markedly since the mid‑1980s, declining from an all‑time peak of 47.40 in 1986 to a trough of 34.00 in 2013, before rising slightly to 34.82 in 2025, placing the country 34th in the global ranking. The reduction in inequality over the past three decades reflects a combination of expansive social programmes, price controls on essential goods and a relatively high share of public employment, which together have compressed income differentials. Nevertheless, the modest increase since 2013 suggests that the earlier gains are beginning to erode, as the economy confronts sanctions‑related pressures, inflation and a shrinking private sector. Iran’s current level is comparable to peers such as Indonesia (35.40) and Georgia (34.00), indicating that its distributional outcome is near the middle of the global spectrum. Continued fiscal consolidation and targeted poverty‑reduction measures will be required to sustain the downward trajectory and prevent a reversal toward higher inequality.