Spatial analysis of regional development based on economic indices in Iran

Introduction
Economic growth is one of the goals pursued by every country, and this is because of the many benefits that come with the growth process. According to World Bank reports, more than 80 percent of people live in developing areas. Unfortunately, in developing countries such as Iran, balanced development has not taken place, which has created regional inequalities and economic divisions between regions. The increasing inequalities between different regions of a country indicate that part of the country's population is not benefiting from the consequences of economic growth and development.
Theoretical framework
 The discussion of development and underdevelopment is one of the most challenging issues in today's world that is influenced by various spatial, temporal factors, and the varying value of different criteria in measuring development. The expansion of development concepts and policies has led the past decades called the era of development. This era has begun in the mid-20th century. Many indicators have been provided for measuring development and underdevelopment; however, based on most thinkers, especially thinkers of the 20th century, economics is a significant development factor. Moreover, there is a close relationship between human and the economy; as economic development cause the development and improvement of human living conditions, humans are the main factor of economic growth and development. Nevertheless, economic development happens when all regions of a country benefit from that. Therefore, to achieve comprehensive economic development, economic policymakers must create a kind of economic balance and cohesion in different regions and provinces so that with coordinated economic growth, the economic development differences can be solved in provinces of Iran.
 
Methodology
A descriptive-analytical approach was used in the present study. The required data from the statistical yearbook of 1395 have been collected in the form of 30 indices. Shannon entropy, coefficient of variation, and Vikor were used for weighting, distribution analysis, and developmental level determination, respectively. ArcGIS software was also used to display the map.
 
Results and Discussion
     The coefficient of variation was used to determine the status of the distribution of indicators in the provinces. According to the results, about 11 indices have a coefficient of variation above 1, and two indices have a coefficient of variation above 0.9, indicating a lack of balanced distribution of economic indices in the provinces. There are the highest inequalities between the indicators of incoming tourists, durable housing, and mining workers with 2.00, 1.55, and 1.54 scores, respectively. In contrast, there are the lowest inequality levels between the indicators of male economic participation, economic participation, and working population with 0.6, 0.7, and 0.7 scores, respectively. Overall, 36.67% of the indices scored above 0.9 indicate inequality between more than two-thirds of the indices studied in the provinces. Based on economic indicators, the Q average for 31 provinces was 0.76, which is above average. Isfahan province with Q equal to 0.253 is at the highest level, and Tehran and Khorasan Razavi provinces are in second and third place with Q equal to 0.322 and 0.434, respectively. In contrast, Ilam province is at the lowest level, with Q equal to 0.996. Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari and Ardabil provinces are ranked second and third most economically deprived, with Q equal to 0.977 and 0.964, respectively.
 
Conclusion
 The results of this study showed that mainly central and populated provinces, including Isfahan, Khorasan Razavi, Tehran, Kerman, Fars, East Azarbaijan provinces had a higher level of development, and the rest of Iran provinces had medium and lower economic development level. Among the 11 provinces with low development level are Gilan, Zanjan, Kurdistan, Alborz, Lorestan, Hamadan, Golestan, North Khorasan, Bushehr, Hormozgan, Sistan and Baluchestan and 7 provinces with lower development including Ardebil, Qazvin, Qom, Kermanshah, Ilam, Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari, Kohgiluyeh and Boyer Ahmad require special attention and efficient policies and programs for faster and more effective economic development. Overall, 19.35% of provinces were at the highest economic development level, about 22.58% at a medium level, 35.48% at a low level, and 22.58% at a lower level. The interesting point is that the absence of any of the provinces in Iran at a high level of economic development. This point clearly indicates the inefficiency and hierarchy of economic development and other aspects of the imbalance of economic development in Iran.