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Economy of Azerbaijan vs Iran compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Azerbaijan has a GDP of $74.3B compared to $475B for Iran, ranking 84/197 and 34/197 by economy size, respectively.

Azerbaijan has $16.1B in government debt (21.7% of GDP), compared to $162B (34% of GDP) in Iran.

Azerbaijan vs Iran GDP by year

Azerbaijan
Iran
1x
Year GDP, current $
Azerbaijan Iran
2024 $74,315,882,353 $475,252,089,215
2023 $72,428,470,588 $457,510,482,317
2022 $78,807,470,588 $422,662,261,526
2021 $54,825,411,765 $407,350,685,583
2020 $42,693,000,000 $280,934,329,280
2019 $48,174,235,294 $347,988,400,958
2018 $47,112,470,052 $411,903,303,606
2017 $40,866,627,352 $510,239,893,418
2016 $37,866,996,883 $478,618,064,871
2015 $53,076,235,355 $409,191,686,497
2014 $75,239,785,452 $462,284,793,281
2013 $74,160,560,124 $500,399,839,840
2012 $69,679,944,504 $644,019,315,004
2011 $65,952,796,428 $629,082,257,472
2010 $52,909,294,792 $487,069,570,464
2009 $44,292,427,185 $414,059,094,949
2008 $48,851,293,785 $406,070,949,554
2007 $33,049,419,431 $349,736,591,832
2006 $20,981,929,498 $265,602,187,404
2005 $13,245,421,881 $224,970,371,325
2004 $8,680,405,741 $187,754,571,248
2003 $7,276,413,079 $151,911,222,119
2002 $6,236,087,738 $128,626,917,504
2001 $5,707,616,204 $126,878,750,296
2000 $5,272,615,723 $109,591,707,802
1999 $4,581,248,567 $113,848,450,088
1998 $4,446,368,571 $110,276,913,363
1997 $3,962,362,387 $113,919,163,421
1996 $3,176,507,376 $120,403,931,885
1995 $2,417,331,193 $96,419,225,744
1994 $1,193,141,110 $71,841,461,173
1993 $1,570,392,598 $63,743,623,232
1992 $444,658,672 $119,768,691,217
1991 $5,344,000,000 $131,637,664,958
1990 $8,884,848,485 $124,813,263,926
1989 - $120,496,362,916
1988 - $123,057,861,334
1987 - $134,009,995,923
1986 - $209,094,561,833
1985 - $180,183,629,600
1984 - $162,276,728,620
1983 - $156,365,156,618
1982 - $125,948,756,439
1981 - $100,499,312,750
1980 - $94,362,275,580
1979 - $90,391,877,326
1978 - $77,994,316,621
1977 - $80,600,122,702
1976 - $68,055,295,081
1975 - $51,776,222,350
1974 - $46,209,092,072
1973 - $27,081,698,250
1972 - $17,153,463,263
1971 - $13,731,802,833
1970 - $10,976,245,154
1969 - $9,743,089,607
1968 - $8,623,172,960
1967 - $7,555,383,690
1966 - $6,789,938,672
1965 - $6,197,319,929
1964 - $5,379,845,648
1963 - $4,928,628,018
1962 - $4,693,566,416
1961 - $4,426,949,095
1960 - $4,199,134,390

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

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

GDP per capita in Azerbaijan vs Iran by year

Azerbaijan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Iran
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Azerbaijan Iran
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $7,284 $25,089 $5,190 $19,874
2023 $7,133 $23,652 $5,049 $18,917
2022 $7,771 $22,552 $4,721 $17,546
2021 $5,408 $20,111 $4,605 $15,884
2020 $4,230 $15,164 $3,203 $15,119
2019 $4,806 $16,675 $3,997 $13,928
2018 $4,740 $15,283 $4,783 $15,324
2017 $4,147 $14,316 $6,001 $15,719
2016 $3,881 $14,536 $5,711 $15,195
2015 $5,501 $15,075 $4,953 $14,274
2014 $7,891 $17,564 $5,672 $16,065
2013 $7,875 $17,268 $6,223 $16,215
2012 $7,496 $15,994 $8,114 $17,021
2011 $7,190 $14,805 $8,026 $19,275
2010 $5,844 $14,930 $6,291 $18,628
2009 $4,950 $14,246 $5,416 $17,615
2008 $5,574 $13,217 $5,377 $17,549
2007 $3,851 $11,974 $4,688 $17,384
2006 $2,473 $9,398 $3,619 $15,907
2005 $1,578 $6,855 $3,132 $15,016
2004 $1,045 $5,248 $2,672 $14,425
2003 $884 $4,718 $2,209 $13,755
2002 $763 $4,230 $1,891 $12,554
2001 $704 $3,835 $1,881 $11,533
2000 $655 $3,439 $1,650 $11,187
1999 $574 $3,052 $1,740 $10,489
1998 $562 $2,827 $1,709 $10,285
1997 $506 $2,565 $1,790 $10,101
1996 $409 $2,407 $1,915 $9,916
1995 $315 $2,357 $1,550 $9,255
1994 $157.1 $2,648 $1,168 $8,951
1993 $209.5 $3,272 $1,038 $8,933
1992 $60.2 $4,220 $1,957 $8,888
1991 $735 $5,412 $2,194 $8,580
1990 $1,238 $5,343 $2,138 $7,566
1989 - - $2,125 -
1988 - - $2,234 -
1987 - - $2,513 -
1986 - - $4,064 -
1985 - - $3,634 -
1984 - - $3,395 -
1983 - - $3,397 -
1982 - - $2,845 -
1981 - - $2,393 -
1980 - - $2,368 -
1979 - - $2,352 -
1978 - - $2,101 -
1977 - - $2,243 -
1976 - - $1,954 -
1975 - - $1,532 -
1974 - - $1,409 -
1973 - - $851 -
1972 - - $555 -
1971 - - $457 -
1970 - - $377 -
1969 - - $345 -
1968 - - $314 -
1967 - - $283.7 -
1966 - - $262.9 -
1965 - - $247.5 -
1964 - - $221.7 -
1963 - - $209.6 -
1962 - - $205.8 -
1961 - - $200.1 -
1960 - - $195.6 -

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

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

Azerbaijan's GDP per capita is $7,284, ranking 101/197, compared to $5,190 in Iran, ranking 119/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Azerbaijan ranks 82nd at $25,089, while Iran ranks 97th at $19,874.

Economic indicators

Azerbaijan Iran
Gross domestic product
$74.3B
2024
$475B
2024
GDP rank
84/197
2024
34/197
2024
GDP growth
4.07%
2023-2024
3.66%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$7,284
2024
$5,190
2024
GDP per capita rank
101/197
2024
119/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$25,089
2024
$19,874
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
82/197
2024
97/197
2024
Government debt
$16.1B
2024
$162B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
21.7%
2024
34%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,579
2024
$1,764
2024
Government debt per person rank
128/185
2024
122/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$6,324
2026
$2,964
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$1.64B
2024
$172B
2024
Income share by richest 10%
24.2%
2005
28.2%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
4.8%
2005
2.8%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
33.9%
2024
14.2%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.21%
2023-2024
32.5%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
7%
2025
23%
2023
Unemployment rate
5.65%
2022
7.63%
2024
Population
10338778
93468444

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Azerbaijan
Spending

Debt
Iran
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Azerbaijan Iran
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 33.9% 21.7% 14.2% 34%
2023 32.7% 21.8% 12.8% 29.6%
2022 26.2% 17.3% 12.8% 34.5%
2021 32.2% 26.3% 13.4% 39.9%
2020 40.2% 21.3% 12.1% 47.1%
2019 32.5% 17.7% 13.6% 44.6%
2018 33.2% 18.7% 14.8% 41.6%
2017 35.6% 22.5% 16.4% 43.2%
2016 35.4% 20.6% 16.3% 45.9%
2015 38.7% 18% 14.1% 32.1%
2014 36.4% 8.53% 12.3% 10.9%
2013 37.8% 6.18% 11.5% 10.2%
2012 36.6% 5.83% 11.4% 11.7%
2011 33.7% 4.97% 14.6% 10.6%
2010 32% 4.98% 14.1% 12.8%
2009 34.5% 4.73% 15.7% 11.5%
2008 31.4% 3.22% 16.8% 10.6%
2007 26.1% 4% 14.2% 13.5%
2006 25.3% 5.3% 18.7% 15.2%
2005 22.5% 6.85% 17.9% 18.3%
2004 24.2% 9.71% 15.1% 21.1%
2003 21.7% 10.7% 15.7% 21.9%
2002 23.1% 11.9% 15.6% 23.4%
2001 16.8% 13% 13.6% 21%
2000 18.2% 13.1% 13.3% 18.2%
1999 19.5% 25.4% 15.7% 22.2%
1998 18.7% 14.3% 16.9% 29.6%
1997 18.5% 11.4% 17.4% 30.9%
1996 19.8% 16.7% 17.3% 29.3%
1995 18.9% 19.2% 21% 31.2%
1994 14.7% 11.7% 23% 41.7%
1993 - - 27.2% 25.6%
1992 - - 14.4% 25.2%
1991 - - 14% 29.3%
1990 - - 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/azerbaijan/iran | CC BY

In 2024, Azerbaijan's government spending was $25.2B, accounting for 33.9% of its GDP, while Iran spent $67.5B, or 14.2% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 21.7% in Azerbaijan and 34% in Iran, ranking 174/185 and 147/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Azerbaijan

Iran
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Azerbaijan Iran
2024 4.06% -3.83%
2023 7.92% -2.54%
2022 5.96% -2.64%
2021 4.21% -3.01%
2020 -6.44% -4.87%
2019 8.95% -4.3%
2018 5.43% -1.59%
2017 -1.34% -1.55%
2016 -1.17% -1.7%
2015 -4.83% -1.3%
2014 2.74% -0.91%
2013 1.64% -0.72%
2012 3.71% -0.5%
2011 10.9% -0.66%
2010 13.8% -0.84%
2009 5.86% -3.3%
2008 17.2% -4.39%
2007 2.34% -2.41%
2006 0.66% -4.91%
2005 2.74% -2.44%
2004 1.78% -2.45%
2003 1.6% -2.76%
2002 19.4% -2.88%
2001 21.8% 0.02%
2000 0.14% 5.42%
1999 -1.03% -0.51%
1998 1.63% -5.03%
1997 -0.94% -1.81%
1996 -2.25% -0.75%
1995 -1.34% -2.63%
1994 3.21% -3.36%
1993 - -5.15%
1992 - -0.86%
1991 - -1.64%
1990 - -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/azerbaijan/iran | CC BY

In 2024, Azerbaijan's government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $3.01B, equivalent to 4.06% of GDP. This compares to Iran's deficit of $18.2B, or 3.83% of GDP.

Over the past 31 years, Azerbaijan recorded a fiscal deficit in 8 of those years, while Iran ran a deficit in 29 years. On average, Azerbaijan posted an annual surplus equal to 4.14% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.1% of GDP for Iran.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Azerbaijan

Iran
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Azerbaijan Iran
2024 2.21% 32.5%
2023 8.79% 44.6%
2022 13.9% 43.5%
2021 6.65% 43.4%
2020 2.76% 30.6%
2019 2.61% 39.9%
2018 2.27% 18%
2017 12.9% 8.04%
2016 12.4% 7.25%
2015 4.03% 12.5%
2014 1.37% 16.6%
2013 2.42% 36.6%
2012 1.07% 27.3%
2011 7.86% 26.3%
2010 5.73% 10.1%
2009 1.46% 13.6%
2008 20.8% 25.4%
2007 16.7% 17.3%
2006 8.33% 10%
2005 9.68% 13.4%
2004 6.71% 14.8%
2003 2.23% 16.5%
2002 2.77% 14.3%
2001 1.55% 11.3%
2000 1.81% 14.5%
1999 -8.53% 20.1%
1998 -0.77% 17.9%
1997 3.67% 17.3%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Azerbaijan has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 5.48%, compared with 21.6% in Iran. In 2024, inflation was 2.21% in Azerbaijan and 32.5% in Iran.

Top exports between countries

Azerbaijan
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $5.19M
Metals $3.52M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $2.22M
Machinery & equipment $1.68M
Raw agricultural goods $1.4M
Raw materials & minerals $1.14M
Chemicals & pharma $827K
Animal & marine products $389K
Wood & paper products $161K
Precious metals & jewellery $1K
Iran
Export category Export value
Metals $193M
Chemicals & pharma $128M
Textiles & consumer goods $79.8M
Raw agricultural goods $48.8M
Animal & marine products $43.5M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $23.4M
Raw materials & minerals $21.8M
Machinery & equipment $15.9M
Wood & paper products $3.04M
Miscellaneous $1.44M

Balance of trade

Azerbaijan Iran
Current account balance
$4.67B
2024
$12.5B
2000
Current account balance ranking
34/190
2024
22/190
2000
Current account balance, % of GDP
+6.29%
2024
+11.4%
2000
Goods imports
$17.2B
2024
$15.2B
2000
Goods exports
$26B
2024
$28.3B
2000
Service imports
$10.2B
2024
$2.3B
2000
Service exports
$8.12B
2024
$1.38B
2000
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
36.8%
2024
28.5%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
45.9%
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.

Azerbaijan Iran
Economic freedom 64.3 41.8
Economic freedom ranking 74/197 185/197
Property rights 53.3 20.2
Government integrity 23.6 16.2
Judicial effectiveness 16.5 18.7
Tax burden 87.9 81.3
Government spending 71.3 94.7
Fiscal health 99.1 83.3
Business freedom 71.2 37.4
Labor freedom 56.9 41.8
Monetary freedom 76 42.2
Trade freedom 75.8 55.8
Investment freedom 70 5
Financial freedom 70 5

Economic freedom comparison by year

Azerbaijan
Iran
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Azerbaijan Iran
2026 64.3 41.8
2025 62.5 42.5
2024 61.6 41.2
2023 61.4 42.2
2022 61.6 42.4
2021 70.1 47.2
2020 69.3 49.2
2019 65.4 51.1
2018 64.3 50.9
2017 63.6 50.5
2016 60.2 43.5
2015 61 41.8
2014 61.3 40.3
2013 59.7 43.2
2012 58.9 42.3
2011 59.7 42.1
2010 58.8 43.4
2009 58 44.6
2008 55.3 45
2007 54.6 45
2006 53.2 45
2005 54.4 50.5
2004 53.4 42.8
2003 54.1 43.2
2002 53.3 36.4
2001 50.3 35.9
2000 49.8 36.1
1999 47.4 36.8
1998 43.1 36
1997 34 34.5
1996 30 36.1

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Azerbaijan is 64.3, ranking 74/197, 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

Azerbaijan Iran
Services, % of GDP
42.3%
2024
49.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
42.6%
2024
36.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
5.66%
2024
10.8%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$74.8B
2024
$469B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$24,220
2024
$19,820
2024
Total reserves including gold
$12.7B
2024
$7.69B
1982
Total reserves ranking
72/177
2024
85/177
1982
Net foreign direct investment
$511M
2024
-$39M
2000
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$231M
2024
$1.45B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$742M
2024
$89.4M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.83%
2024
0.08%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
6%
2012
18.7%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
21.1%
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/azerbaijan/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 (1996–2026, 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 (2023–2024, 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.