Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1 Ph.D. Candidate in Economics, University of Qom, Qom, Iran
2 Associate Professor, Department of Economics, University of Qom, Qom, Iran
3 Professor, Department of Management, University of Qom, Qom, Iran
Abstract
The current study aimed to identify and analyze the factors influencing subjective poverty in Iran. As an applied research, it employed a mixed methods research design to address the topic. The theoretical population consisted of experts in the field of subjective poverty, and a judgmental sampling method was used. The data was collected through two questionnaires: an expert evaluation questionnaire and a prioritization questionnaire. In the first step, 36 factors were identified through a literature review and expert interviews. These factors were then screened using a questionnaire and the fuzzy Delphi method. Thirteen factors with a defuzzified value greater than 0.65 were selected for final prioritization. The selected factors were ranked using the measurement of alternatives and ranking according to the compromise solution (MARCOS) method and the prioritization questionnaires. According to the results of the Marcos method, the main factors influencing subjective poverty in Iran include personality traits, economic inequality, online social networks, social anomie, and unemployment. The findings suggest that personality traits such as self-esteem and hope for the future, along with factors like economic inequality and active engagement in online social networks, contribute significantly to subjective poverty in society.
Introduction
Poverty eradication is one of the most fundamental responsibilities of governments. Poverty is a multidimensional phenomenon that cannot be attributed solely to economic factors, nor are its consequences purely economic. It is thus essential to carry out a deeper examination into poverty. Poverty can generally be classified into three types: absolute poverty, relative poverty, and subjective poverty. Subjective poverty refers to one’s internal perception and personal evaluation of their living conditions. A person experiencing subjective poverty may not necessarily suffer from absolute or relative poverty; they may have an adequate income yet still feel impoverished. In this respect, this study aimed to identity and analyze the most significant factors affecting subjective poverty in Iran.
Materials and Methods
As an applied inquiry, the present study relied on a post-positivist approach and a mixed methods research design. The orientation was predominantly quantitative in nature. Moreover, a survey method, as well as a library research, was used to collect the data. The factors influencing subjective poverty were first identified through a review of existing literature. Since certain factors specific to the Iranian context were not addressed in foreign studies, additional factors were identified through structured interviews with experts. The first questionaire was an expert evaluation questionnaire designed to screen the factors influencing subjective poverty. For this purpose, the factor identification questionnaire was distributed to 15 experts in the field of poverty, selected through purposive sampling. These experts were faculty members from economics departments across Iran. In total, 36 factors were identified and categorized into four groups: economic, political, social, and individual factors. These factors were then screened using the Fuzzy Delphi method, resulting in the selection of 13 key factors by experts. In the final stage, the measurement of alternatives and ranking according to the compromise solution (MARCOS) method was employed to prioritize the identififed 13 factors.
Results and Discussion
According to the results, personality factors were found to play a decisive role in shaping subjective poverty, encompassing individual characteristics such as contentment, envy, greed, self-confidence, motivation, hope for the future, and the ability to cope with challenges. Economic inequality emerged as the second most influential factor, indicating that disparities in income and wealth within society can heighten feelings of despair and insecurity among individuals—even when their material living conditions are relatively favorable. Active engagement in online social networks was identified as the third most significant factor. This suggests that excessive use of social media can intensify perceptions of poverty due to the constant comparison of one’s own life with the appearance of other lives. Social anomie, ranked fourth, refers to a lack of identity and belonging in society. Individuals who feel disconnected from their community, country, political or social groups, or even their family, tend to experience subjective poverty more acutely than others. Finally, unemployment, while commonly associated with objective poverty due to insufficient income, contributes to subjective poverty through the loss of self-worth and social value. Beyond financial hardship, unemployment fosters feelings of exclusion and diminished social participation, leading individuals to perceive themselves as poorer compared to their employed counterparts.
Conclusion
The final remarks and practical recommendations are as follows. Regarding personality factors, it is recommended to design a national program for enhancing psycho-economic resilience in cooperation with the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Finance. This initiative should be aimed at increasing the psychological resilience of students. Additionally, an educational intervention should be developed in collaboration with the Psychology and Counseling Organization and the Ministry of Education to strengthen self-esteem, resilience, self-confidence, and hope for the future among the current generation of students. Furthermore, the Statistical Centre of Iran should develop national indices to measure the rate of subjective poverty across the country, with separate analyses for each province to guide targeted reduction strategies. In terms of economic inequality, reforms are needed to create a more equitable distribution of wealth. Under the supervision of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Finance, the tax system should be revised to focus on wealth, capital gains, and vacant housing units, thereby reducing wealth concentration and lowering the Gini coefficient. Wage levels should be standardized across all executive, governmental, and public agencies, particularly for organizations such as the Ministry of Petroleum and its subsidiaries, and the National Iranian Copper Industries Company—which currently pay wages several times higher than other institutions like the Ministry of Education. In addition, ensuring transparency and equity in the allocation of bank loans is essential to reduce disparities between the general public and privileged groups, thereby diminishing the sense of inequality. Concerning online social networks, it is recommended to develop a national media literacy framework led by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance, and the Ministry of Education, aimed at providing comprehensive media literacy education to students and the public. Supporting the development of local digital platforms can help reduce social comparison, while monitoring the psychological effects of social networks through the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology and the Psychology and Counseling Organization—with the publication of an annual report on digital mental health—can further mitigate the impact of social media on subjective poverty.
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