Popularizing the economy requires the participation and empowerment of individuals in society to contribute to economic growth and development. The aim of this study was to investigate the obstacles to public participation in the Iranian economic system and to propose strategies to enhance citizen participation in the country's economic system. This applied research was conducted using a qualitative approach, specifically theme analysis. The study population consisted of executive managers, prominent experts, and academic experts knowledgeable about the research topic. The criterion for determining the sample size was the theoretical saturation rule. The data collection tool was an interview. The collected data were analyzed using the open coding method and the six-step process of Brown and Clark. The validity, reliability, accuracy, and robustness of the research data were confirmed using the four criteria of Lincoln and Guba. The test-retest reliability method was used to measure the reliability of the research.The findings of the research revealed that the barriers to popularizing the economy consist of 91 basic themes, 29 organizing themes, and 8 overarching themes. These 8 overarching themes include: economic barriers, structural barriers, legal barriers, educational and skill barriers, cultural barriers, political barriers, social barriers, and environmental and natural disaster barriers, with economic and structural barriers being the most significant obstacles to popularizing the economy. Finally, a model of barriers to citizen participation in the Iranian economic system was presented, along with strategies to increase public participation in economic activities and boost production. The results of this research can help entrepreneurs, managers, and economic policymakers in making effective policies and removing obstacles to people's participation in economic development and prosperity.