Authors

1 Associate Professor in Econometrics & Social Statistics, Department of Economics, University of Mazandaran

2 M.A. in Economics

Abstract

Economic growth in addition to the direct income effect on poverty has an indirect distribution effect. The main purpose of this research is to estimate the net economic growth effect on poverty in Iran during the periods 1982-1988, the first socio-economic development plan (1989-1993), the second plan (1995-1999), and a part of the third plan (2000-2001).  The results indicate that poverty increased during 1982-1988. Decomposing poverty shows that the reduction in inequality alleviated the level of poverty due to the economic recession.  This implies that the reduction in the share of the lower income groups were relatively smaller than that of the higher income groups.  Although the poverty increased in this period,, the poor has suffered less relative to the rich. In general, throughout the economic plans era, growth has not been pro-poor, except in the third development plan; the increase in the share of higher income groups has always been relatively more than that of the lower income groups.  

Keywords