Iranian Household Incomes Outpace Expenses in 2024

TEHRAN (Iran News) Maryam Pourreza, Director-General of the Office of Population, Labor Force, and Household Economy at the center, said on Sunday that data from the annual Household Income and Expenditure Survey showed that income growth among both urban and rural households outstripped spending growth.

The survey—one of Iran’s oldest statistical projects, running since 1963 in rural areas and 1968 in urban areas—aims to estimate average household income and expenditure nationwide and at the provincial level. It is used to analyze consumption patterns, assess the impact of economic policies, study social and economic relations, and identify families living below the poverty line. The results also provide key input for national and regional economic planning.

According to the 2024 survey, which sampled about 20,000 urban and 19,000 rural households, the average annual expenditure of an urban household was 270 million tomans, marking a 30% increase from the previous year. Of this amount, 63 million tomans (24%) went to food and tobacco, while 200 million tomans (77%) was spent on non-food expenses.

Meat accounted for the largest share of food costs at 24%, while housing, fuel, and utilities dominated non-food expenses, absorbing 57% of household budgets.

The average annual income of an urban household reached 340 million tomans, up 34% compared to 2023, showing that incomes grew faster than expenses.

For rural households, average annual expenditure was estimated at 140 million tomans, a 31% increase from the previous year. Of this, 55 million tomans (38%) went to food and tobacco, and 90 million tomans (63%) to non-food items. As in cities, meat took the highest share of food costs (24%), while housing, fuel, and utilities made up 38% of non-food expenses.

The average annual income of rural households rose to 200 million tomans, representing a 35% increase, again outpacing the rise in expenses.

The report also highlighted regional disparities. Among urban households, Tehran recorded the highest average expenditure at nearly 395 million tomans, while Semnan reported the lowest at about 153 million tomans.”Iranian Household”

In terms of urban income, Tehran again ranked first with about 493 million tomans, while Ilam recorded the lowest average at 214 million tomans.

For rural households, Bushehr province registered the highest average spending at about 235 million tomans, while Sistan and Baluchestan had the lowest at 77 million tomans. On the income side, Yazd topped the list with 337 million tomans, whereas Sistan and Baluchestan again ranked last at 92 million tomans.

The Statistical Center of Iran publishes the detailed findings annually in two separate reports for urban and rural areas, comprising 234 summary tables and 512 detailed tables for all 31 provinces and the country as a whole.

Pourreza emphasized that the center, as an independent statistical body, is tasked with providing accurate and official information to the public, government agencies, and other stakeholders. The full results of the 2024 survey are expected to be released soon through the center’s national data portal.