Evolution of rural communities in Iran
The history of rural communities over the past fifty years, including the significant transformations in the lives of rural inhabitants and the evolving importance of villages, has long been a subject of discussion and research. National Village and Nomad Day (October 6) serves as a timely opportunity to once again highlight the significance of rural society.
According to the 1976 census, approximately 51.6% of Iran’s population lived in rural areas, with 34% engaged in agriculture or livestock farming. At that time, government policies contributed to a widening social and economic gap between urban and rural regions. The struggling rural economy, combined with the growing appeal of urban centers due to their thriving economic and service sectors, accelerated the migration of rural populations to cities during the later years of the Pahlavi era. The concentration of health, economic, and educational facilities in large cities significantly influenced this migration trend, according to chtn.ir.
After the Islamic Revolution in 1979, the Islamic Republic of Iran placed a strong emphasis on the development and prosperity of Iranian villages. Various programs were introduced to enhance village conditions, including retirement plans for villagers over 65 years of age and agricultural aid such as interest-free bank loans, subsidies for necessary supplies, and low-cost animal feed. The Construction Jihad Organization played a pivotal role in these efforts, focusing on meeting the basic infrastructural needs of villages, including road construction, school and clinic building, and providing drinking water and electricity. The achievements of the Construction Jihad Organization are notable; while only 4,300 villages had access to electricity before the revolution, this number skyrocketed to over 39,000 in villages with populations exceeding 250 within twenty years. Similarly, rural road construction expanded from 8,000 kilometers before the revolution to 67,000 kilometers in recent months.
These statistics reflect the progress made in rural areas since the victory of the Islamic Revolution. However, despite these efforts, the economy and income of rural inhabitants continue to face significant challenges that require ongoing support and attention.
Unfortunately, the average per capita income of the rural community in Iran is one-third that of their urban counterparts. The promotion of rural tourism presents a potential avenue for economic improvement, allowing a portion of urban income to be spent in rural areas and ultimately increasing local income. Currently, one of the major issues confronting rural inhabitants is the lack of stable employment, exacerbated by persistent droughts and weaknesses in the mechanized agricultural system, which have accelerated rural-to-urban migration.
In addition to agriculture, handicrafts and local industries have historically served as vital foundations for job creation in rural areas. However, with the increasing migration trend, many handicrafts are at risk of extinction. For instance, carpet weaving, once a crucial job-creating industry in villages and small towns, now faces serious threats. If rural tourism is developed, these industries could be revitalized and regain their former significance in the economic and cultural landscape of villages.
Tourism-related jobs have the potential to create employment opportunities tailored to local women’s circumstances. With rising literacy rates and a new generation of educated women emerging in rural areas, the development of rural tourism can effectively leverage this opportunity.
By implementing such strategies, the active rural population can grow, leading to enhanced financial circulation in the region. The advancement of this industry, starting from villages, has the potential to propel cities — and ultimately the entire country— toward sustainable economic prosperity.