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Economy of Algeria vs Iran compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Algeria has a GDP of $269B compared to $475B for Iran, ranking 51/197 and 34/197 by economy size, respectively.

Algeria has $129B in government debt (48.1% of GDP), compared to $162B (34% of GDP) in Iran.

Algeria vs Iran GDP by year

Algeria
Iran
1x
Year GDP, current $
Algeria Iran
2024 $269,322,281,665 $475,252,089,215
2023 $247,923,887,215 $457,510,482,317
2022 $225,581,644,703 $422,662,261,526
2021 $186,231,205,262 $407,350,685,583
2020 $164,873,415,325 $280,934,329,280
2019 $193,459,662,091 $347,988,400,958
2018 $194,554,483,656 $411,903,303,606
2017 $189,880,896,903 $510,239,893,418
2016 $180,763,839,522 $478,618,064,871
2015 $187,493,855,609 $409,191,686,497
2014 $238,942,664,193 $462,284,793,281
2013 $229,701,430,292 $500,399,839,840
2012 $227,143,746,076 $644,019,315,004
2011 $218,331,946,925 $629,082,257,472
2010 $177,785,053,940 $487,069,570,464
2009 $150,317,292,079 $414,059,094,949
2008 $180,383,848,331 $406,070,949,554
2007 $142,482,739,810 $349,736,591,832
2006 $123,084,258,693 $265,602,187,404
2005 $107,046,618,670 $224,970,371,325
2004 $91,913,680,985 $187,754,571,248
2003 $73,482,264,191 $151,911,222,119
2002 $61,516,103,406 $128,626,917,504
2001 $59,413,400,924 $126,878,750,296
2000 $54,790,398,570 $109,591,707,802
1999 $48,640,671,735 $113,848,450,088
1998 $48,187,781,984 $110,276,913,363
1997 $48,177,612,042 $113,919,163,421
1996 $46,941,554,225 $120,403,931,885
1995 $41,764,291,672 $96,419,225,744
1994 $42,543,176,829 $71,841,461,173
1993 $49,945,584,453 $63,743,623,232
1992 $48,003,133,347 $119,768,691,217
1991 $45,715,676,428 $131,637,664,958
1990 $62,048,507,531 $124,813,263,926
1989 $55,634,721,573 $120,496,362,916
1988 $59,089,396,860 $123,057,861,334
1987 $66,745,818,375 $134,009,995,923
1986 $63,692,007,897 $209,094,561,833
1985 $57,937,868,670 $180,183,629,600
1984 $53,698,548,293 $162,276,728,620
1983 $48,801,369,800 $156,365,156,618
1982 $45,207,167,470 $125,948,756,439
1981 $44,348,590,461 $100,499,312,750
1980 $42,345,829,079 $94,362,275,580
1979 $33,243,706,860 $90,391,877,326
1978 $26,364,491,313 $77,994,316,621
1977 $20,972,113,685 $80,600,122,702
1976 $17,728,240,932 $68,055,295,081
1975 $15,557,902,754 $51,776,222,350
1974 $13,209,871,626 $46,209,092,072
1973 $8,707,858,912 $27,081,698,250
1972 $6,766,743,957 $17,153,463,263
1971 $5,077,183,094 $13,731,802,833
1970 $4,863,526,897 $10,976,245,154
1969 $4,257,253,264 $9,743,089,607
1968 $3,852,147,027 $8,623,172,960
1967 $3,370,870,376 $7,555,383,690
1966 $3,039,859,187 $6,789,938,672
1965 $3,136,284,307 $6,197,319,929
1964 $2,909,316,435 $5,379,845,648
1963 $2,702,982,018 $4,928,628,018
1962 $2,001,444,544 $4,693,566,416
1961 $2,434,747,056 $4,426,949,095
1960 $2,723,615,451 $4,199,134,390

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/algeria/iran | CC BY

GDP per capita in Algeria vs Iran by year

Algeria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Iran
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Algeria Iran
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $5,753 $17,621 $5,190 $19,874
2023 $5,370 $16,824 $5,049 $18,917
2022 $4,960 $15,836 $4,721 $17,546
2021 $4,161 $14,497 $4,605 $15,884
2020 $3,744 $12,677 $3,203 $15,119
2019 $4,468 $13,893 $3,997 $13,928
2018 $4,577 $13,727 $4,783 $15,324
2017 $4,555 $13,494 $6,001 $15,719
2016 $4,425 $13,438 $5,711 $15,195
2015 $4,685 $13,807 $4,953 $14,274
2014 $6,095 $14,694 $5,672 $16,065
2013 $5,980 $14,371 $6,223 $16,215
2012 $6,034 $14,441 $8,114 $17,021
2011 $5,916 $14,640 $8,026 $19,275
2010 $4,913 $14,201 $6,291 $18,628
2009 $4,235 $13,651 $5,416 $17,615
2008 $5,181 $13,666 $5,377 $17,549
2007 $4,167 $13,321 $4,688 $17,384
2006 $3,661 $12,791 $3,619 $15,907
2005 $3,233 $12,246 $3,132 $15,016
2004 $2,817 $11,432 $2,672 $14,425
2003 $2,284 $10,803 $2,209 $13,755
2002 $1,937 $10,080 $1,891 $12,554
2001 $1,896 $9,544 $1,881 $11,533
2000 $1,773 $9,187 $1,650 $11,187
1999 $1,596 $8,776 $1,740 $10,489
1998 $1,603 $8,503 $1,709 $10,285
1997 $1,629 $8,129 $1,790 $10,101
1996 $1,617 $8,053 $1,915 $9,916
1995 $1,467 $7,747 $1,550 $9,255
1994 $1,526 $7,463 $1,168 $8,951
1993 $1,831 $7,538 $1,038 $8,933
1992 $1,803 $7,705 $1,957 $8,888
1991 $1,759 $7,582 $2,194 $8,580
1990 $2,445 $7,602 $2,138 $7,566
1989 $2,247 - $2,125 -
1988 $2,451 - $2,234 -
1987 $2,847 - $2,513 -
1986 $2,800 - $4,064 -
1985 $2,633 - $3,634 -
1984 $2,524 - $3,395 -
1983 $2,374 - $3,397 -
1982 $2,275 - $2,845 -
1981 $2,307 - $2,393 -
1980 $2,276 - $2,368 -
1979 $1,843 - $2,352 -
1978 $1,506 - $2,101 -
1977 $1,232 - $2,243 -
1976 $1,080 - $1,954 -
1975 $992 - $1,532 -
1974 $873 - $1,409 -
1973 $590 - $851 -
1972 $469 - $555 -
1971 $360 - $457 -
1970 $353 - $377 -
1969 $316 - $345 -
1968 $292.4 - $314 -
1967 $261.8 - $283.7 -
1966 $241.4 - $262.9 -
1965 $253.6 - $247.5 -
1964 $238.9 - $221.7 -
1963 $225.6 - $209.6 -
1962 $169.6 - $205.8 -
1961 $209.4 - $200.1 -
1960 $238.4 - $195.6 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/algeria/iran | CC BY

Algeria's GDP per capita is $5,753, ranking 114/197, compared to $5,190 in Iran, ranking 119/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Algeria ranks 105th at $17,621, while Iran ranks 97th at $19,874.

Economic indicators

Algeria Iran
Gross domestic product
$269B
2024
$475B
2024
GDP rank
51/197
2024
34/197
2024
GDP growth
3.7%
2023-2024
3.66%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$5,753
2024
$5,190
2024
GDP per capita rank
114/197
2024
119/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$17,621
2024
$19,874
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
105/197
2024
97/197
2024
Government debt
$129B
2024
$162B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
48.1%
2024
34%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,765
2024
$1,764
2024
Government debt per person rank
106/185
2024
122/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$3,787
2026
$2,964
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$371M
2018
$172B
2024
Number of billionaires
1
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
22.9%
2011
28.2%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
4%
2011
2.8%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
36.8%
2024
14.2%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
4.05%
2023-2024
32.5%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
3%
2020
23%
2023
Unemployment rate
12%
2017
7.63%
2024
Population
48222325
93468444

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Algeria
Spending

Debt
Iran
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Algeria Iran
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 36.8% 48.1% 14.2% 34%
2023 37.4% 47.7% 12.8% 29.6%
2022 32.7% 48.1% 12.8% 34.5%
2021 32.5% 55.1% 13.4% 39.9%
2020 37.5% 46% 12.1% 47.1%
2019 37.1% 40.9% 13.6% 44.6%
2018 36.2% 34.5% 14.8% 41.6%
2017 36.2% 24% 16.4% 43.2%
2016 37.2% 18.1% 16.3% 45.9%
2015 40.9% 7.73% 14.1% 32.1%
2014 36.9% 6.85% 12.3% 10.9%
2013 33.5% 6.48% 11.5% 10.2%
2012 40% 8.58% 11.4% 11.7%
2011 37.7% 8.48% 14.6% 10.6%
2010 35.1% 9.51% 14.1% 12.8%
2009 40.1% 8.92% 15.7% 11.5%
2008 37.3% 7.64% 16.8% 10.6%
2007 33.1% 12.8% 14.2% 13.5%
2006 27.8% 22.5% 18.7% 15.2%
2005 27.8% 25.4% 17.9% 18.3%
2004 27.1% 32.7% 15.1% 21.1%
2003 27% 38.2% 15.7% 21.9%
2002 32.5% 47.3% 15.6% 23.4%
2001 29.1% 50% 13.6% 21%
2000 26.4% 53.4% 13.3% 18.2%
1999 29.4% 69.7% 15.7% 22.2%
1998 28.7% 79.9% 16.9% 29.6%
1997 28.5% 79.6% 17.4% 30.9%
1996 26.9% 90.7% 17.3% 29.3%
1995 28.9% 95.9% 21% 31.2%
1994 30.9% 106.3% 23% 41.7%
1993 32.6% 76.8% 27.2% 25.6%
1992 28.2% 69.3% 14.4% 25.2%
1991 27.6% 86.1% 14% 29.3%
1990 23.3% 63.6% 16.4% 37%
1989 - - 20% 48.8%
1988 - - 23.6% 53.2%
1987 - - 18.6% 48.6%
1986 - - 19% 47.4%
1985 - - 21.6% 8.73%
1984 - - 23.7% 10%
1983 - - 27.5% 35.7%
1982 - - 29.7% 47.7%
1981 - - 33.7% 47.6%
1980 - - 35.8% 35.5%
1979 - - - -
1978 - - - -
1977 - - - 9.23%
1976 - - - 6.92%
1975 - - - 8.81%
1974 - - - 6.68%
1973 - - - 12.8%
1972 - - - 12.7%
1971 - - - 14.2%
1970 - - - 14.1%
1969 - - - -
1968 - - 23.6% -
1967 - - 22.3% -
1966 - - 20.5% -
1965 - - 16.3% 14.9%
1964 - - 15.4% 15.2%
1963 - - 14.8% 12.4%
1962 - - 15.6% 13.4%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1995, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/algeria/iran | CC BY

In 2024, Algeria's government spending was $99.1B, accounting for 36.8% of its GDP, while Iran spent $67.5B, or 14.2% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 48.1% in Algeria and 34% in Iran, ranking 113/185 and 147/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Algeria

Iran
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Algeria Iran
2024 -13.8% -3.83%
2023 -5.52% -2.54%
2022 -2.96% -2.64%
2021 -6.32% -3.01%
2020 -10.5% -4.87%
2019 -8.51% -4.3%
2018 -6.15% -1.59%
2017 -7.55% -1.55%
2016 -11.8% -1.7%
2015 -13.9% -1.3%
2014 -7.14% -0.91%
2013 -0.79% -0.72%
2012 -4.04% -0.5%
2011 -1.06% -0.66%
2010 -1.35% -0.84%
2009 -6.53% -3.3%
2008 7.79% -4.39%
2007 4.63% -2.41%
2006 12.9% -4.91%
2005 11.4% -2.44%
2004 6.36% -2.45%
2003 7.22% -2.76%
2002 0.21% -2.88%
2001 3.15% 0.02%
2000 8.91% 5.42%
1999 -1.83% -0.51%
1998 -3.52% -5.03%
1997 2.19% -1.81%
1996 2.7% -0.75%
1995 -1.3% -2.63%
1994 -4.05% -3.36%
1993 -7.79% -5.15%
1992 -1.05% -0.86%
1991 1.53% -1.64%
1990 3.35% -1.73%
1989 - -4.45%
1988 - -10.3%
1987 - -6.84%
1986 - -7.84%
1985 - -3.74%
1984 - -4.02%
1983 - -6.15%
1982 - -5.55%
1981 - -10.7%
1980 - -14.2%
1979 - -
1978 - -
1977 - -
1976 - -
1975 - -
1974 - -
1973 - -
1972 - -
1971 - -
1970 - -
1969 - -
1968 - -4.57%
1967 - -4%
1966 - -2.63%
1965 - -1.23%
1964 - -0.04%
1963 - 0.26%
1962 - -1.39%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/algeria/iran | CC BY

In 2024, Algeria's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $37.1B, equivalent to 13.8% of GDP. This compares to Iran's deficit of $18.2B, or 3.83% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Algeria recorded a fiscal deficit in 22 of those years, while Iran ran a deficit in 33 years. On average, Algeria posted an annual deficit equal to 1.58% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.13% of GDP for Iran.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Algeria

Iran
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Algeria Iran
2024 4.05% 32.5%
2023 9.32% 44.6%
2022 9.27% 43.5%
2021 7.23% 43.4%
2020 2.42% 30.6%
2019 1.95% 39.9%
2018 4.27% 18%
2017 5.59% 8.04%
2016 6.4% 7.25%
2015 4.78% 12.5%
2014 2.92% 16.6%
2013 3.25% 36.6%
2012 8.89% 27.3%
2011 4.52% 26.3%
2010 3.91% 10.1%
2009 5.74% 13.6%
2008 4.86% 25.4%
2007 3.68% 17.3%
2006 2.31% 10%
2005 1.38% 13.4%
2004 3.96% 14.8%
2003 4.27% 16.5%
2002 1.42% 14.3%
2001 4.23% 11.3%
2000 0.34% 14.5%
1999 2.65% 20.1%
1998 4.95% 17.9%
1997 5.73% 17.3%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/algeria/iran | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Algeria has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.44%, compared with 21.6% in Iran. In 2024, inflation was 4.05% in Algeria and 32.5% in Iran.

Top exports between countries

Algeria
Export category Export value
Iran
Export category Export value
Metals $21.9M
Raw agricultural goods $8.51M
Raw materials & minerals $108K
Machinery & equipment $77K
Textiles & consumer goods $37K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $2K

Balance of trade

Algeria Iran
Current account balance
-$2.75B
2024
$12.5B
2000
Current account balance ranking
154/190
2024
22/190
2000
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.02%
2024
+11.4%
2000
Goods imports
$45.3B
2024
$15.2B
2000
Goods exports
$48.8B
2024
$28.3B
2000
Service imports
$9.13B
2024
$2.3B
2000
Service exports
$4.22B
2024
$1.38B
2000
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
20.3%
2024
28.5%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
19.9%
2024
23.6%
2024

Economic freedom indices

The indices of economic freedom below are issued by the Heritage Foundation. Higher scores indicate stronger economic health.

Algeria Iran
Economic freedom 45.8 41.8
Economic freedom ranking 179/197 185/197
Property rights 27.7 20.2
Government integrity 29.4 16.2
Judicial effectiveness 30 18.7
Tax burden 80.3 81.3
Government spending 61.9 94.7
Fiscal health 15.4 83.3
Business freedom 59.3 37.4
Labor freedom 52.2 41.8
Monetary freedom 74.7 42.2
Trade freedom 58.8 55.8
Investment freedom 30 5
Financial freedom 30 5

Economic freedom comparison by year

Algeria
Iran
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Algeria Iran
2026 45.8 41.8
2025 47.5 42.5
2024 43.9 41.2
2023 43.2 42.2
2022 45.8 42.4
2021 49.7 47.2
2020 46.9 49.2
2019 46.2 51.1
2018 44.7 50.9
2017 46.5 50.5
2016 50.1 43.5
2015 48.9 41.8
2014 50.8 40.3
2013 49.6 43.2
2012 51 42.3
2011 52.4 42.1
2010 56.9 43.4
2009 56.6 44.6
2008 56.2 45
2007 55.4 45
2006 55.7 45
2005 53.2 50.5
2004 58.1 42.8
2003 57.7 43.2
2002 61 36.4
2001 57.3 35.9
2000 56.8 36.1
1999 57.2 36.8
1998 55.8 36
1997 54.9 34.5
1996 54.5 36.1
1995 55.7 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/algeria/iran | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Algeria is 45.8, ranking 179/197, compared to 41.8 for Iran, ranking 185/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Algeria Iran
Services, % of GDP
46.8%
2024
49.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
36.2%
2024
36.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
14%
2024
10.8%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$252B
2024
$469B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$17,290
2024
$19,820
2024
Total reserves including gold
$83B
2024
$7.69B
1982
Total reserves ranking
31/177
2024
85/177
1982
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.23B
2024
-$39M
2000
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.23B
2024
$1.45B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$265K
2024
$89.4M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.17%
2024
0.08%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
5.5%
2011
18.7%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
41.1%
2024
44.3%
2024

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/algeria/iran | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1995, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2021–2023, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)

Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) — you’re free to copy, share, remix, adapt, and use even commercially as long as you give appropriate credit and clearly indicate if you made changes. Other sources may be subject to different license terms.

The current account balance is the sum of net trade in goods and services, net earnings from cross-border investments, and net transfer payments. It reflects a country's economic transactions with the rest of the world and is a fundamental component of the balance of payments. A surplus indicates that a country exports more than it imports, while a deficit shows the opposite.

Gross National Income (GNI) measures a country's total income. It encompasses income earned by residents, businesses, and foreign sources, defined as employee compensation and investment profits. GNI adds product taxes not included elsewhere and subtracts subsidies. It accounts for income from residents working abroad but excludes earnings from foreigners within the country.

A negative value for Net Foreign Direct Investment indicates a country is a net receiver of investments, as foreign inflows exceed outflows after Balance of Payments adjustments. A positive value indicates a net provider, with outflows exceeding inflows. Inflows are credits (increasing foreign claims on domestic assets), while outflows are debits (increasing domestic assets abroad).

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net inflows) shows how much capital foreign investors bring into a country after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of overseas companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in the reporting country. A positive number means more capital entered the country than was withdrawn, while a negative number means foreign investors pulled out more than they invested.

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net outflows) shows how much capital residents of a country invest abroad after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of domestic companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in other countries. A positive number means more capital was invested abroad than withdrawn, while a negative number means residents pulled back more than they invested.

Principal and interest payments to the IMF in currency, goods, or services on long-term debt expressed as a share of GNI.

Formerly gross domestic investment, gross capital formation measures the share of a country’s economic output invested in fixed assets, including buildings, machinery, and infrastructure. It indicates how much of the economy is devoted to building productive capacity.