Despite claims made by the Islamic Republic's officials who emphasize welfare for its society,
and poverty alleviation, the poverty rate and poverty line remain high four decades after the
establishment of the Islamic Republic.7 According to a report released by the Majlis8 Research
Center9 by the end of the Persian calendar year 1397 (2018-2019) the inflation rate had increased
to 48%, and the country's economic growth had been negative. The report indicates that, during
the previous year, only 16% of Iran's population were below the poverty line, but that figure has
increased between 23% to 40% in the year 1397 and remains on the rise. The report also
predicts that 57 million Iranians (out of 81 million Iranians) will fall below the poverty line in
the year of 1398 (2019-2020).10
The province of Khuzestan is home to between 90% and 100% of Iran’s reserves of oil and
natural gas, as well as much of the country’s ethnic Arab population who make up about 70% of
Khuzestan’s population.11 In spite of its wealth, Khuzestan has an unemployment rate of 16.2%,
slightly higher than the national average.12 This figure exceeds 40% among ethnic Arabs, who
face pervasive hiring discrimination.13 As a result of this, over half of Khuzestan’s Arabs live in
poverty, and in segregated communities with limited access to healthcare and education. Little to
none of Khuzestan’s oil wealth is invested in the province’s welfare and development.14
Iran is home to a sizable Kurdish population, concentrated primarily in the provinces of West
Azerbaijan, Kurdistan, Kermanshah and Illam. Parts of these provinces are collectively known as
Iranian Kurdistan.15 According to official reports, Chaharmahal Bakhtiary (16.7%), Khuzestan
(16.2%), Lorestan (16.1%), Hurmozgan (15.9%) and Kermanshah (14.7%) have the highest
unemployment rate in Iran.16 Iranian Kurdistan is one of the country’s least developed regions,
with over 60% of Kurds living in poverty.17 Like Khuzestan and Sistan-Baluchistan, the region
suffers from a lack of job-creating investment from Tehran. Poverty, unemployment and the lack
of opportunity has led many Kurds to risk their lives carrying goods on their backs between Iran
and neighboring Iraq and Turkey for small sums of money. These couriers are known as
kulbaran. Not only is the job of kulbaran extremely difficult and dangerous by its nature,
strategies and policies adopted by the state to deal with them further endanger their lives. For
example, the government securitizes Kurds and the Kurdistan, introducing and creating an image
7
Radio Farda: https://www.radiofarda.com/a/iran-poverty-line/29938182.html
The Iranian Parliament.
9
Research Center of the Iranian Majlis: https://rc.majlis.ir/fa/report/show/1139714
10
Iranian Mjlis< https://rc.majlis.ir/fa/report/show/1139714 > and Iran Wire https://iranwire.com/fa/features/31099 > and Radio
Farda < https://www.radiofarda.com/a/iran-poverty-line/29938182.html >
11
Minority Voices Newsroom: http://www.minorityvoices.org/news.php/en/1776/iran-the-oppression-of-ahwazi-arab-people-inal-ahwaz
12
Tasnim News: https://tn.ai/2113615
13
Minority Voices Newsroom: http://www.minorityvoices.org/news.php/en/1776/iran-the-oppression-of-ahwazi-arab-people-inal-ahwaz
14
Small Media Foundation: https://smallmedia.org.uk/nationalfabric/Nationalfabric.pdf
15
Unrepresented Nations & Peoples Organization: http://unpo.org/members/7882
16
Based on the Statistic Center of Iran. Iran data for 1397-1398 (2018-2019)<http://www.ibena.ir/news/102300/
17
ANF News: https://anfenglish.com/kurdistan/over-60-of-kurdish-people-in-east-kurdistan-live-in-poverty-says-mp-2658
8
2