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Economy of Belarus vs Iran compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Belarus has a GDP of $93.4B compared to $363B for Iran, ranking 80/197 and 44/197 by economy size, respectively.

Belarus has $30.9B in government debt (33.1% of GDP), compared to $135B (37.3% of GDP) in Iran.

Belarus vs Iran GDP by year

Belarus
Iran
1x
Year GDP, current $
Belarus Iran
2025 $93,397,215,864 $362,682,115,433
2024 $78,591,839,300 $475,252,089,215
2023 $72,478,760,370 $457,510,482,317
2022 $73,775,179,925 $422,662,261,526
2021 $69,673,747,132 $407,350,685,583
2020 $61,371,673,345 $280,934,329,280
2019 $64,410,170,653 $347,988,400,958
2018 $60,031,026,576 $411,903,303,606
2017 $54,725,405,751 $510,239,893,418
2016 $47,723,545,321 $478,618,064,871
2015 $56,454,769,845 $409,191,686,497
2014 $78,813,069,121 $462,284,793,281
2013 $75,527,558,966 $500,399,839,840
2012 $65,685,890,439 $644,019,315,004
2011 $61,762,382,328 $629,082,257,472
2010 $57,231,904,543 $487,069,570,464
2009 $50,873,167,326 $414,059,094,949
2008 $60,752,106,347 $406,070,949,554
2007 $45,275,711,996 $349,736,591,832
2006 $36,961,894,281 $265,602,187,404
2005 $30,210,091,837 $224,970,371,325
2004 $23,141,566,293 $187,754,571,248
2003 $17,825,444,724 $151,911,222,119
2002 $14,594,900,945 $128,626,917,504
2001 $12,354,820,144 $126,878,750,296
2000 $12,736,856,828 $109,591,707,802
1999 $12,138,486,532 $113,848,450,088
1998 $15,222,012,660 $110,276,913,363
1997 $14,128,408,566 $113,919,163,421
1996 $14,500,437,520 $120,403,931,885
1995 $13,972,683,274 $96,419,225,744
1994 $14,931,435,232 $71,841,461,173
1993 $16,275,073,527 $63,743,623,232
1992 $16,939,790,094 $119,768,691,217
1991 $18,404,907,975 $131,637,664,958
1990 $17,389,558,233 $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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Belarus vs Iran by year

Belarus
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Iran
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Belarus Iran
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $10,279 - $3,924 -
2024 $8,606 $33,010 $5,190 $19,874
2023 $7,897 $30,834 $5,049 $18,917
2022 $7,995 $28,429 $4,721 $17,546
2021 $7,490 $27,611 $4,605 $15,884
2020 $6,543 $24,872 $3,203 $15,119
2019 $6,838 $22,302 $3,997 $13,928
2018 $6,360 $20,026 $4,783 $15,324
2017 $5,786 $18,414 $6,001 $15,719
2016 $5,040 $17,832 $5,711 $15,195
2015 $5,967 $18,134 $4,953 $14,274
2014 $8,341 $19,038 $5,672 $16,065
2013 $7,998 $19,014 $6,223 $16,215
2012 $6,953 $18,115 $8,114 $17,021
2011 $6,528 $16,563 $8,026 $19,275
2010 $6,035 $15,339 $6,291 $18,628
2009 $5,352 $14,034 $5,416 $17,615
2008 $6,376 $13,886 $5,377 $17,549
2007 $4,735 $12,320 $4,688 $17,384
2006 $3,848 $10,995 $3,619 $15,907
2005 $3,126 $9,637 $3,132 $15,016
2004 $2,378 $8,483 $2,672 $14,425
2003 $1,820 $7,362 $2,209 $13,755
2002 $1,479 $6,697 $1,891 $12,554
2001 $1,244 $6,238 $1,881 $11,533
2000 $1,276 $5,796 $1,650 $11,187
1999 $1,211 $5,331 $1,740 $10,489
1998 $1,511 $5,061 $1,709 $10,285
1997 $1,396 $4,596 $1,790 $10,101
1996 $1,427 $4,039 $1,915 $9,916
1995 $1,371 $3,846 $1,550 $9,255
1994 $1,460 $4,190 $1,168 $8,951
1993 $1,590 $4,641 $1,038 $8,933
1992 $1,658 $4,917 $1,957 $8,888
1991 $1,805 $5,330 $2,194 $8,580
1990 $1,707 $5,220 $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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Belarus' GDP per capita is $10,279, ranking 88/197, compared to $3,924 in Iran, ranking 135/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Belarus ranks 68th at $33,010, while Iran ranks 97th at $19,874.

Economic indicators

Belarus Iran
Gross domestic product
$93.4B
2025
$363B
2025
GDP rank
80/197
2025
44/197
2025
GDP growth
1.3%
2024-2025
-2.83%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$10,279
2025
$3,924
2025
GDP per capita rank
88/197
2025
135/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$33,010
2024
$19,874
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
68/197
2024
97/197
2024
Government debt
$30.9B
2025
$135B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
33.1%
2025
37.3%
2025
Government debt per person
$3,399
2025
$1,463
2025
Government debt per person rank
98/185
2025
133/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$8,062
2026
$2,958
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$5.54B
2025
$186B
2025
Income share by richest 10%
20.7%
2020
28.2%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
4.5%
2020
2.8%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
41.3%
2025
13.4%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
6.6%
2024-2025
42.2%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
9.25%
2026
23%
2023
Unemployment rate
3.04%
2024
7.63%
2024
Population
9025821
93580141

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Belarus
Spending

Debt
Iran
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Belarus Iran
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 41.3% 33.1% 13.4% 37.3%
2024 40.8% 38.7% 16% 31.2%
2023 40.3% 40.7% 12.8% 29.6%
2022 38% 40.8% 12.8% 34.5%
2021 36.7% 41.2% 13.4% 39.9%
2020 38% 47.5% 12.1% 47.1%
2019 37.4% 41% 13.6% 44.6%
2018 37.8% 47.5% 14.8% 41.6%
2017 39% 53.2% 16.4% 43.2%
2016 40.7% 53.5% 16.3% 45.9%
2015 41.8% 53% 14.1% 32.1%
2014 38.8% 38.8% 12.3% 10.9%
2013 40.8% 36.9% 11.5% 10.2%
2012 38.9% 36.9% 11.4% 11.7%
2011 40.3% 58.2% 14.6% 10.6%
2010 44.3% 36.8% 14.1% 12.8%
2009 51.7% 32.5% 15.7% 11.5%
2008 60% 20.3% 16.8% 10.6%
2007 49.2% 15.8% 14.2% 13.5%
2006 47.2% 12.3% 18.7% 15.2%
2005 45% 8.12% 17.9% 18.3%
2004 44% 9.22% 15.1% 21.1%
2003 43.5% - 15.7% 21.9%
2002 43.8% - 15.6% 23.4%
2001 42.4% - 13.6% 21%
2000 - - 13.3% 18.2%
1999 - - 15.7% 22.2%
1998 - - 16.9% 29.6%
1997 - - 17.4% 30.9%
1996 - - 17.3% 29.3%
1995 - - 21% 31.2%
1994 - - 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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1995, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Belarus' government spending was $38.6B, accounting for 41.3% of its GDP, while Iran spent $48.7B, or 13.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 33.1% in Belarus and 37.3% in Iran, ranking 148/185 and 139/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Belarus

Iran
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Belarus Iran
2025 0.15% -5.65%
2024 0.54% -2.68%
2023 0.76% -3.04%
2022 -1.98% -2.64%
2021 -0.22% -3.01%
2020 -2.87% -4.87%
2019 0.91% -4.3%
2018 1.8% -1.59%
2017 -0.34% -1.55%
2016 -1.66% -1.7%
2015 -2.96% -1.3%
2014 0.09% -0.91%
2013 -0.98% -0.72%
2012 0.36% -0.5%
2011 -2.81% -0.66%
2010 -4.19% -0.84%
2009 -7.23% -3.3%
2008 -10.9% -4.39%
2007 -7.82% -2.41%
2006 -7.71% -4.91%
2005 -6.71% -2.44%
2004 -7.06% -2.45%
2003 -6.74% -2.76%
2002 -7.81% -2.88%
2001 -4.74% 0.02%
2000 - 5.42%
1999 - -0.51%
1998 - -5.03%
1997 - -1.81%
1996 - -0.75%
1995 - -2.63%
1994 - -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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Belarus' government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $140M, equivalent to 0.15% of GDP. This compares to Iran's deficit of $20.5B, or 5.65% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Belarus recorded a fiscal deficit in 18 of those years, while Iran ran a deficit in 24 years. On average, Belarus posted an annual deficit equal to 3.2% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.46% of GDP for Iran.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Belarus

Iran
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Belarus Iran
2025 6.6% 42.2%
2024 5.7% 32.5%
2023 5% 44.6%
2022 15.2% 43.5%
2021 9.5% 43.4%
2020 5.5% 30.6%
2019 5.6% 39.9%
2018 4.9% 18%
2017 6% 8.04%
2016 11.8% 7.25%
2015 13.5% 12.5%
2014 18.1% 16.6%
2013 18.3% 36.6%
2012 59.2% 27.3%
2011 53.2% 26.3%
2010 7.7% 10.1%
2009 13% 13.6%
2008 14.8% 25.4%
2007 8.4% 17.3%
2006 7% 10%
2005 10.3% 13.4%
2004 18.1% 14.8%
2003 28.4% 16.5%
2002 42.6% 14.3%
2001 61.1% 11.3%
2000 168.6% 14.5%
1999 293.7% 20.1%
1998 73% 17.9%
1997 63.8% 17.3%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, Belarus has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 36.2%, compared with 22.3% in Iran. In 2025, inflation was 6.6% in Belarus and 42.2% in Iran.

Top exports between countries

Belarus
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $7.45M
Wood & paper products $3.1M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $342K
Raw agricultural goods $232K
Metals $99K
Textiles & consumer goods $35K
Raw materials & minerals $29K
Chemicals & pharma $24K
Precious metals & jewellery $1K
Iran
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $7.86M
Raw agricultural goods $5.45M
Textiles & consumer goods $2.52M
Animal & marine products $2.11M
Raw materials & minerals $1.94M
Machinery & equipment $839K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $575K
Metals $175K
Miscellaneous $17K
Wood & paper products $1K

Balance of trade

Belarus Iran
Current account balance
-$1.82B
2025
$12.5B
2000
Current account balance ranking
137/190
2025
22/190
2000
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.94%
2025
+11.4%
2000
Goods imports
$46B
2025
$15.2B
2000
Goods exports
$40B
2025
$28.3B
2000
Service imports
$7.55B
2025
$2.3B
2000
Service exports
$11.7B
2025
$1.38B
2000
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
57%
2025
34.5%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
55.1%
2025
25.8%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Belarus Iran
Economic freedom 49.1 41.8
Economic freedom ranking 166/197 185/197
Property rights 20 20.2
Government integrity 28.3 16.2
Judicial effectiveness 11.5 18.7
Tax burden 93.5 81.3
Government spending 52.6 94.7
Fiscal health 96.8 83.3
Business freedom 50.3 37.4
Labor freedom 48 41.8
Monetary freedom 69 42.2
Trade freedom 69.2 55.8
Investment freedom 30 5
Financial freedom 20 5

Economic freedom comparison by year

Belarus
Iran
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Belarus Iran
2026 49.1 41.8
2025 48.9 42.5
2024 48.4 41.2
2023 51 42.2
2022 53 42.4
2021 61 47.2
2020 61.7 49.2
2019 57.9 51.1
2018 58.1 50.9
2017 58.6 50.5
2016 48.8 43.5
2015 49.8 41.8
2014 50.1 40.3
2013 48 43.2
2012 49 42.3
2011 47.9 42.1
2010 48.7 43.4
2009 45 44.6
2008 45.3 45
2007 47 45
2006 47.5 45
2005 46.7 50.5
2004 43.1 42.8
2003 39.7 43.2
2002 39 36.4
2001 38 35.9
2000 41.3 36.1
1999 35.4 36.8
1998 38 36
1997 39.8 34.5
1996 38.7 36.1
1995 40.4 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Belarus is 49.1, ranking 166/197, 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

Belarus Iran
Services, % of GDP
50%
2025
47.1%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
31.6%
2025
39.6%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
6.9%
2025
10.6%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$83.3B
2025
$429B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$34,310
2025
$19,660
2025
Total reserves including gold
$14.5B
2025
$7.69B
1982
Total reserves ranking
72/177
2025
89/177
1982
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.43B
2025
-$39M
2000
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.74B
2024
$1.45B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$170M
2024
$89.4M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
6.94%
2024
0.08%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
3.5%
2024
18.7%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
27.1%
2025
41.8%
2025

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Compare countries by 7 more topics

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1995, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2020–2023, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-07-08)

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.