Central Bank: 26% of Iranian Households Have No Employed Individuals

The latest report from the Central Bank of Iran indicates that the gross expenses of urban households in Iran have surpassed their incomes. According to this report, based on a survey of approximately 12,700 sample households, the average annual gross expenditure of a household was about 35 million and 260 thousand tomans in the last solar year, which represents a 7.3% increase compared to the year 1393 (2014). Meanwhile, the average annual gross income of a household in 1394 was slightly over 35 million and 258 thousand tomans, which shows a 12.3% increase compared to 1393. Thus, the expenses of urban households exceeded their incomes. The report adds that this indicates a lack of surplus income and the possibility of adequate savings for households with average and lower incomes. 'In such circumstances, the government sees the only way to finance housing as through housing savings funds and land and building funds.' The statistics in the tables of this report show that in the expenditure section, only the costs of tobacco and recreational and cultural activities have decreased, while other expenses have increased. 35% of household expenses are related to housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels, which have increased by about 12.4% compared to the previous year, showing the highest growth among other expenses. The costs of recreation and cultural activities constitute only 2% of household expenses, which have decreased by about 10.2% compared to 1393, marking the largest decrease among other expenses. In the employment section, the Central Bank's studies show that 26.4% of households had 'no' employed individuals. Among them, 55.7% of households had one employed person, 14.7% had two employed individuals, and 3.2% had three or more employed individuals. The Central Bank's statistics indicate that compared to the previous year, the percentage of households without an employed individual and those with three or more employed individuals has increased. Despite the rising housing costs, there has been a relative improvement in the number of homeowners. For instance, the report states that last year, 65% of households lived in personal housing (owned), over 25% in rented housing, and about 10% in service housing and free housing. The percentage of residence in personal housing has increased compared to 1393, while the others have decreased. The distribution of individuals aged six and older in households based on literacy rates in 1394 shows that 11.7% were illiterate, 2.1% could read and write, 20.2% had primary education, 42.9% had secondary and high school education, and 23.1% had university education.