Islamic State's income drops 30% on lower oil, tax revenue: IHS

Islamic State's income and the population under its control have both fallen by about a third, a US-based analysis firm said, describing the declining revenue as a threat to its long-term rule over its self-proclaimed caliphate.

Revenue for the ultra-hardline Sunni Muslim group, also known as ISIS or ISIL, fell to $56 million a month in March from around $80 million a month in the middle of in 2015, the analysis company IHS said. Daily oil output dropped to 21,000 barrels from 33,000 barrels over the same time frame, as production facilities suffered damage from air strikes carried out mainly by a US-led coalition.

"Islamic State is still a force in the region, but this drop in revenue is a significant figure and will increase the challenge for the group to run its territory in the long term," said IHS senior analyst Ludovico Carlino in a report. The territory under its control has declined by about 22% since mid-2014, while the population of that territory has fallen to around six million from nine million.

"There are fewer people and business activities to tax; the same applies to properties and land to confiscate," said IHS senior analyst Columb Strack. Around 50% of the group's revenue comes from taxation and confiscation, 43% from oil and the rest from drug smuggling, sale of electricity and donations, the report said.

The group began allowing people sentenced to corporal punishment to be spared in return for cash payments, an indication of financial difficulty, it said. It also introduced new taxes on such activities as installing satellite dishes or exiting cities. Fines can be imposed for giving wrong answers about the Koran, it said.