An Analytical Study of Rural Development in Iran: An Economic Perspective

Subject Areas : Iranian Sociological Review

Mansour Vosoughi ^{1 *}

1 - Professor of Sociology, University of Tehran, Iran

Received: 2025-07-04 Accepted : 2025-09-08 Published : 2025-09-21

Keywords: Rural Development, Economic Growth, Iran, Agricultural Sustainability, Rural Inequality,

Abstract :

Rural development has long been recognized as a cornerstone of Iran’s national growth strategy. The economic dimension, encompassing agricultural productivity, employment, income diversification, and rural entrepreneurship, constitutes the backbone of sustainable rural progress. This paper critically examines the concept of rural development in Iran with a specific focus on its economic foundations. Drawing on theoretical frameworks of endogenous development, sustainable livelihoods, and spatial justice, the study explores how economic development policies, agricultural modernization, and rural industrialization have influenced livelihood patterns in Iran’s villages. Using a mixed-method research design, the study integrates statistical data from the Iranian Statistical Center (2024) with qualitative insights from previous academic literature. The findings reveal structural economic constraints, uneven policy implementation, and the persistent rural–urban divide, which together shape the dynamics of rural economic transformation. The paper concludes by advocating for more participatory, locally grounded economic policies that enhance rural resilience and equity. The paper concludes by advocating for more participatory, locally grounded economic policies that enhance rural resilience and equity.

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