Some methods of poverty analysis: An application to Iranian data, 1975–1976

Most analyses of poverty in developing countries are based on the so-called poverty incidence, i.e. the proportion of poor households in the total household population. This paper provides estimates of poverty in Iran which are more detailed in two respects: first, it estimates the number of poor based on poverty lines for households of different sizes and second, it estimates the extent of poverty with the so-called poverty gaps. Both aspects of poverty are incorporated in the Sen index, which is also estimated. On the basis of these estimates a poverty map for Iran is drawn up. It shows that poverty diminished substantially between 1971 and 1975 and that poverty is most concentrated in the regions of Khorasan and Sistan & Baluchistan.