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Economy of Bahrain vs Iran compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Bahrain has a GDP of $47.1B compared to $475B for Iran, ranking 96/197 and 34/197 by economy size, respectively.

Bahrain has $62.8B in government debt (133.4% of GDP), compared to $162B (34% of GDP) in Iran.

Bahrain vs Iran GDP by year

Bahrain
Iran
1x
Year GDP, current $
Bahrain Iran
2024 $47,109,734,309 $475,252,089,215
2023 $46,192,260,638 $457,510,482,317
2022 $46,458,191,489 $422,662,261,526
2021 $40,840,212,766 $407,350,685,583
2020 $35,837,632,979 $280,934,329,280
2019 $40,446,808,511 $347,988,400,958
2018 $39,567,978,723 $411,903,303,606
2017 $37,204,813,830 $510,239,893,418
2016 $33,884,680,851 $478,618,064,871
2015 $32,523,297,872 $409,191,686,497
2014 $34,772,526,596 $462,284,793,281
2013 $33,823,324,468 $500,399,839,840
2012 $31,963,404,255 $644,019,315,004
2011 $29,914,680,851 $629,082,257,472
2010 $26,805,984,043 $487,069,570,464
2009 $22,938,218,085 $414,059,094,949
2008 $25,710,904,255 $406,070,949,554
2007 $21,730,000,000 $349,736,591,832
2006 $18,504,760,638 $265,602,187,404
2005 $15,968,723,404 $224,970,371,325
2004 $13,150,159,574 $187,754,571,248
2003 $11,074,813,830 $151,911,222,119
2002 $9,593,510,638 $128,626,917,504
2001 $8,976,196,809 $126,878,750,296
2000 $9,062,898,936 $109,591,707,802
1999 $7,528,469,149 $113,848,450,088
1998 $7,031,309,043 $110,276,913,363
1997 $7,219,407,713 $113,919,163,421
1996 $6,938,166,755 $120,403,931,885
1995 $6,651,180,851 $96,419,225,744
1994 $6,330,627,926 $71,841,461,173
1993 $5,913,001,064 $63,743,623,232
1992 $5,402,232,447 $119,768,691,217
1991 $5,248,911,170 $131,637,664,958
1990 $4,809,511,005 $124,813,263,926
1989 $4,393,093,963 $120,496,362,916
1988 $4,209,834,173 $123,057,861,334
1987 $3,856,922,694 $134,009,995,923
1986 $3,470,746,843 $209,094,561,833
1985 $4,152,376,484 $180,183,629,600
1984 $4,440,874,566 $162,276,728,620
1983 $4,247,030,468 $156,365,156,618
1982 $4,145,421,080 $125,948,756,439
1981 $3,943,109,532 $100,499,312,750
1980 $3,493,834,468 $94,362,275,580
1979 $2,710,160,739 $90,391,877,326
1978 $2,272,042,965 $77,994,316,621
1977 $1,989,060,283 $80,600,122,702
1976 $1,581,709,519 $68,055,295,081
1975 $1,099,107,601 $51,776,222,350
1974 $1,042,176,884 $46,209,092,072
1973 $761,132,545 $27,081,698,250
1972 $534,081,184 $17,153,463,263
1971 $422,181,562 $13,731,802,833
1970 $391,577,364 $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/bahrain/iran | CC BY

GDP per capita in Bahrain vs Iran by year

Bahrain
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Iran
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Bahrain Iran
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $29,654 $66,941 $5,190 $19,874
2023 $29,290 $64,171 $5,049 $18,917
2022 $30,471 $61,678 $4,721 $17,546
2021 $27,148 $54,955 $4,605 $15,884
2020 $24,343 $53,436 $3,203 $15,119
2019 $27,260 $56,600 $3,997 $13,928
2018 $26,324 $51,993 $4,783 $15,324
2017 $24,785 $50,185 $6,001 $15,719
2016 $23,800 $47,429 $5,711 $15,195
2015 $23,734 $48,034 $4,953 $14,274
2014 $26,452 $54,299 $5,672 $16,065
2013 $26,990 $56,310 $6,223 $16,215
2012 $26,439 $56,713 $8,114 $17,021
2011 $25,033 $52,677 $8,026 $19,275
2010 $21,819 $49,255 $6,291 $18,628
2009 $19,465 $48,626 $5,416 $17,615
2008 $23,299 $50,330 $5,377 $17,549
2007 $20,908 $49,347 $4,688 $17,384
2006 $19,267 $48,009 $3,619 $15,907
2005 $17,966 $47,268 $3,132 $15,016
2004 $15,964 $46,317 $2,672 $14,425
2003 $14,486 $45,427 $2,209 $13,755
2002 $13,501 $45,091 $1,891 $12,554
2001 $13,573 $46,162 $1,881 $11,533
2000 $14,214 $45,688 $1,650 $11,187
1999 $12,123 $43,561 $1,740 $10,489
1998 $11,625 $42,281 $1,709 $10,285
1997 $12,255 $40,965 $1,790 $10,101
1996 $12,092 $40,106 $1,915 $9,916
1995 $11,901 $38,839 $1,550 $9,255
1994 $11,629 $37,579 $1,168 $8,951
1993 $11,152 $37,870 $1,038 $8,933
1992 $10,460 $33,648 $1,957 $8,888
1991 $10,434 $31,657 $2,194 $8,580
1990 $9,343 $26,902 $2,138 $7,566
1989 $8,833 - $2,125 -
1988 $8,772 - $2,234 -
1987 $8,333 - $2,513 -
1986 $7,777 - $4,064 -
1985 $9,649 - $3,634 -
1984 $10,697 - $3,395 -
1983 $10,599 - $3,397 -
1982 $10,712 - $2,845 -
1981 $10,557 - $2,393 -
1980 $9,733 - $2,368 -
1979 $7,891 - $2,352 -
1978 $6,926 - $2,101 -
1977 $6,358 - $2,243 -
1976 $5,310 - $1,954 -
1975 $3,880 - $1,532 -
1974 $3,874 - $1,409 -
1973 $2,981 - $851 -
1972 $2,206 - $555 -
1971 $1,830 - $457 -
1970 $1,742 - $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/bahrain/iran | CC BY

Bahrain's GDP per capita is $29,654, ranking 42/197, compared to $5,190 in Iran, ranking 119/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Bahrain ranks 26th at $66,941, while Iran ranks 97th at $19,874.

Economic indicators

Bahrain Iran
Gross domestic product
$47.1B
2024
$475B
2024
GDP rank
96/197
2024
34/197
2024
GDP growth
2.6%
2023-2024
3.66%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$29,654
2024
$5,190
2024
GDP per capita rank
42/197
2024
119/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$66,941
2024
$19,874
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
26/197
2024
97/197
2024
Government debt
$62.8B
2024
$162B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
133.4%
2024
34%
2024
Government debt per person
$39,552
2024
$1,764
2024
Government debt per person rank
14/185
2024
122/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$23,253
2026
$2,964
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$20.4B
2024
$172B
2024
Income share by richest 10% n/a
28.2%
2023
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
2.8%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
29.1%
2024
14.2%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
0.92%
2023-2024
32.5%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
4.25%
2025
23%
2023
Unemployment rate
1.2%
2012
7.63%
2024
Population
1669503
93468444

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Bahrain
Spending

Debt
Iran
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Bahrain Iran
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 29.1% 133.4% 14.2% 34%
2023 29.1% 123% 12.8% 29.6%
2022 28.4% 111.6% 12.8% 34.5%
2021 30.6% 122.3% 13.4% 39.9%
2020 34.6% 125.7% 12.1% 47.1%
2019 31.2% 97.1% 13.6% 44.6%
2018 32.1% 90.4% 14.8% 41.6%
2017 30.7% 84% 16.4% 43.2%
2016 33.3% 77.4% 16.3% 45.9%
2015 34.8% 63.2% 14.1% 32.1%
2014 27.3% 42.6% 12.3% 10.9%
2013 32% 42.3% 11.5% 10.2%
2012 31.1% 34.8% 11.4% 11.7%
2011 30.2% 31.6% 14.6% 10.6%
2010 31.1% 28.8% 14.1% 12.8%
2009 24.6% 20.5% 15.7% 11.5%
2008 22.7% 12.1% 16.8% 10.6%
2007 22.4% 15.7% 14.2% 13.5%
2006 23.1% 19.4% 18.7% 15.2%
2005 23.9% 23.2% 17.9% 18.3%
2004 25% 28.2% 15.1% 21.1%
2003 28.1% 31.1% 15.7% 21.9%
2002 30.6% 27.2% 15.6% 23.4%
2001 26.5% 25% 13.6% 21%
2000 22.2% 24.7% 13.3% 18.2%
1999 27.1% 24.7% 15.7% 22.2%
1998 25.7% 20% 16.9% 29.6%
1997 31% 14.8% 17.4% 30.9%
1996 22.7% 13.1% 17.3% 29.3%
1995 25.1% 13.6% 21% 31.2%
1994 26.1% 5.62% 23% 41.7%
1993 26.7% 5.95% 27.2% 25.6%
1992 29.4% 6.45% 14.4% 25.2%
1991 28.5% 6.71% 14% 29.3%
1990 32.4% 7.24% 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/bahrain/iran | CC BY

In 2024, Bahrain's government spending was $13.7B, accounting for 29.1% of its GDP, while Iran spent $67.5B, or 14.2% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 133.4% in Bahrain and 34% in Iran, ranking 9/185 and 147/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Bahrain

Iran
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Bahrain Iran
2024 -10.6% -3.83%
2023 -9.67% -2.54%
2022 -6.02% -2.64%
2021 -10.6% -3.01%
2020 -17.3% -4.87%
2019 -8.57% -4.3%
2018 -11.3% -1.59%
2017 -13.4% -1.55%
2016 -16.6% -1.7%
2015 -17.5% -1.3%
2014 -3.32% -0.91%
2013 -8.55% -0.72%
2012 -5.77% -0.5%
2011 -4.9% -0.66%
2010 -9.29% -0.84%
2009 -5.36% -3.3%
2008 4.08% -4.39%
2007 1.52% -2.41%
2006 2.24% -4.91%
2005 2.8% -2.44%
2004 0.24% -2.45%
2003 -1.7% -2.76%
2002 -3.27% -2.88%
2001 0.7% 0.02%
2000 7.33% 5.42%
1999 -4.85% -0.51%
1998 -5.49% -5.03%
1997 -6.39% -1.81%
1996 0.24% -0.75%
1995 -3.99% -2.63%
1994 -5.18% -3.36%
1993 -2.77% -5.15%
1992 -5.41% -0.86%
1991 -3.47% -1.64%
1990 -6.79% -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/bahrain/iran | CC BY

In 2024, Bahrain's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $5B, equivalent to 10.6% of GDP. This compares to Iran's deficit of $18.2B, or 3.83% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Bahrain recorded a fiscal deficit in 27 of those years, while Iran ran a deficit in 33 years. On average, Bahrain posted an annual deficit equal to 5.39% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.13% of GDP for Iran.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Bahrain

Iran
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Bahrain Iran
2024 0.92% 32.5%
2023 0.07% 44.6%
2022 3.63% 43.5%
2021 -0.61% 43.4%
2020 -2.32% 30.6%
2019 1.01% 39.9%
2018 2.09% 18%
2017 1.39% 8.04%
2016 2.79% 7.25%
2015 1.85% 12.5%
2014 2.65% 16.6%
2013 3.3% 36.6%
2012 2.76% 27.3%
2011 -0.4% 26.3%
2010 1.96% 10.1%
2009 2.8% 13.6%
2008 3.53% 25.4%
2007 3.26% 17.3%
2006 2.01% 10%
2005 2.59% 13.4%
2004 2.35% 14.8%
2003 1.59% 16.5%
2002 -0.5% 14.3%
2001 -1.21% 11.3%
2000 -0.7% 14.5%
1999 -1.29% 20.1%
1998 -0.37% 17.9%
1997 2.43% 17.3%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Bahrain has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.34%, compared with 21.6% in Iran. In 2024, inflation was 0.92% in Bahrain and 32.5% in Iran.

Top exports between countries

Bahrain
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $156K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $110K
Chemicals & pharma $108K
Metals $97K
Machinery & equipment $84K
Textiles & consumer goods $3K
Animal & marine products $1K
Iran
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $3.65M
Textiles & consumer goods $3.18M
Raw agricultural goods $2.35M
Animal & marine products $967K
Chemicals & pharma $484K
Raw materials & minerals $388K
Machinery & equipment $165K
Metals $124K
Wood & paper products $73K
Precious metals & jewellery $7K

Balance of trade

Bahrain Iran
Current account balance
$2.28B
2024
$12.5B
2000
Current account balance ranking
44/190
2024
22/190
2000
Current account balance, % of GDP
+4.84%
2024
+11.4%
2000
Goods imports
$20.7B
2024
$15.2B
2000
Goods exports
$24.3B
2024
$28.3B
2000
Service imports
$12.4B
2024
$2.3B
2000
Service exports
$17B
2024
$1.38B
2000
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
70.1%
2024
28.5%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
87.7%
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.

Bahrain Iran
Economic freedom 65.7 41.8
Economic freedom ranking 63/197 185/197
Property rights 60.9 20.2
Government integrity 45.9 16.2
Judicial effectiveness 30 18.7
Tax burden 99.9 81.3
Government spending 75 94.7
Fiscal health 0 83.3
Business freedom 75.9 37.4
Labor freedom 55.5 41.8
Monetary freedom 88.8 42.2
Trade freedom 86.8 55.8
Investment freedom 90 5
Financial freedom 80 5

Economic freedom comparison by year

Bahrain
Iran
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Bahrain Iran
2026 65.7 41.8
2025 65.6 42.5
2024 63.4 41.2
2023 62.5 42.2
2022 62 42.4
2021 69.9 47.2
2020 66.3 49.2
2019 66.4 51.1
2018 67.7 50.9
2017 68.5 50.5
2016 74.3 43.5
2015 73.4 41.8
2014 75.1 40.3
2013 75.5 43.2
2012 75.2 42.3
2011 77.7 42.1
2010 76.3 43.4
2009 74.8 44.6
2008 72.2 45
2007 71.2 45
2006 71.6 45
2005 71.2 50.5
2004 75.1 42.8
2003 76.3 43.2
2002 75.6 36.4
2001 75.9 35.9
2000 75.7 36.1
1999 75.2 36.8
1998 75.6 36
1997 76.1 34.5
1996 76.4 36.1
1995 76.2 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Bahrain is 65.7, ranking 63/197, 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

Bahrain Iran
Services, % of GDP
53.2%
2024
49.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
42.3%
2024
36.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.25%
2024
10.8%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$44.6B
2024
$469B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$62,230
2024
$19,820
2024
Total reserves including gold
$4.95B
2024
$7.69B
1982
Total reserves ranking
102/177
2024
85/177
1982
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.43B
2024
-$39M
2000
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$2.7B
2024
$1.45B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$275M
2024
$89.4M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
0.08%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines n/a
18.7%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
28.4%
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/bahrain/iran | CC BY

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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.