Iran Income Deciles Made Easy: Who Gets Government Support?
Income Decile Classification in Iran is a system used by the government to categorize households based on their income level and economic well-being, in order to better target subsidies and social support. In this system, the population is divided into 10 deciles (10 equal groups) — from the lowest-income (Decile 1) to the highest-income (Decile 10).
Below is a simple and practical explanation of each decile:
Decile 1 — Extremely Low Income (Poorest)
Households with very low income
Highly dependent on cash subsidies and livelihood assistance
Often face serious difficulties in covering basic needs (food, housing, healthcare)
Decile 2 — Very Low Income
Slightly better income than Decile 1
Still in strong need of government support
Living costs remain heavy and challenging
Decile 3 — Low Income
Limited but somewhat more stable income
Able to cover basic needs, but with little or no savings
Highly vulnerable to inflation
Decile 4 — Lower Middle Income
Includes working-class and low-salary earners
Relatively stable living conditions but limited comfort
Price increases create significant financial pressure
Decile 5 — Lower Middle Class
The boundary between low-income and middle-class
Able to cover essential expenses, with modest living standards
Limited saving capacity
Decile 6 — Middle Class
The core middle class
Relatively stable financial life
Some ability to manage expenses and save money
Decile 7 — Upper Middle Class
Income above the national average
Better access to services, education, and healthcare
Generally good living standards
Decile 8 — High Income
Affluent households
Often own assets, investments, or high-paying jobs
Low dependence on government assistance
Decile 9 — Very High Income
Wealthy households
Luxurious lifestyle
Active investors with multiple assets
Decile 10 — Wealthiest Segment of Society
Highest income and wealth level
Large business owners, major investors, and senior executives
Typically excluded from government subsidies
Important Note on Iran’s Decile Criteria
Decile classification is not based solely on income. The government also considers:
- Monthly income
- Household size
- Car and property ownership
- Bank transactions
- Foreign travel
- Salary and insurance records
- Energy consumption
- Economic lifestyle patterns
Short Summary of Income Deciles in Iran
Income deciles divide people into 10 groups, from the lowest-income to the highest-income households, so the government can distribute subsidies and financial support more fairly.
Lower deciles (1 to 3) have the greatest need for assistance, middle deciles (4 to 7) represent the middle class, and higher deciles (8 to 10) are usually excluded from government subsidies.
This classification is not based only on salary or income — it also considers assets, expenses, lifestyle, and financial transactions to better reflect a household’s real economic situatio
