Analyzing the Effects of Sanctions on Economic Inequality in Iran in the 1380s and 1390s: Examination Using Gini, Palma, Theil, and Atkinson Indices with the Quantile-on-Quantile Method

Omidi, Vahid; Jamshidi, Amir

doi:10.30465/ce.2026.53432.2082

Analyzing the Effects of Sanctions on Economic Inequality in Iran in the 1380s and 1390s: Examination Using Gini, Palma, Theil, and Atkinson Indices with the Quantile-on-Quantile Method

Document Type : Scientific-research

Authors

Vahid Omidi ¹

Amir Jamshidi ²

¹ Assistant Professor, Economics, Department of Economics and administrative sciences, Qom University. Qom. Iran. (Corresponding Author).

² Ph.D. Student, Department of Economics, Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran.

10.30465/ce.2026.53432.2082

Abstract

This research examines the impact of economic sanctions on economic inequality in Iran during the period 2001-2022 using the Quantile-on-Quantile model. The findings indicate that economic sanctions have had varying effects on income inequality across different income distribution levels. Specifically, in lower income quantiles, sanctions have led to a reduction in inequality, whereas in higher quantiles, they have exacerbated inequality. Additionally, the effects of macroeconomic variables such as real GDP per capita, inflation, and unemployment were also investigated in conjunction with sanctions. Results show that an increase in real GDP per capita contributes to reducing inequality, while the effects of inflation and unemployment on inequality depend on the prevailing level of inequality in society. These findings underscore that the impact of economic sanctions on income inequality is highly dependent on the country's economic structure and the initial level of inequality, and can yield different outcomes under various conditions. Therefore, policymakers should consider these differences when addressing sanctions and formulating economic policies to counteract them, avoiding one-size-fits-all approaches.

Keywords

Sanctions

Income Inequality

Quantile on Quantile Model

Gini Index

Atkinson Index

Subjects