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Economy of Bolivia vs Iran compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Bolivia has a GDP of $54.9B compared to $475B for Iran, ranking 88/197 and 34/197 by economy size, respectively.

Bolivia has $53.8B in government debt (98% of GDP), compared to $162B (34% of GDP) in Iran.

Bolivia vs Iran GDP by year

Bolivia
Iran
1x
Year GDP, current $
Bolivia Iran
2024 $54,881,327,453 $475,252,089,215
2023 $52,340,206,946 $457,510,482,317
2022 $50,959,081,954 $422,662,261,526
2021 $47,877,892,402 $407,350,685,583
2020 $42,313,784,081 $280,934,329,280
2019 $49,056,643,589 $347,988,400,958
2018 $48,414,038,842 $411,903,303,606
2017 $45,927,439,595 $510,239,893,418
2016 $33,941,126,194 $478,618,064,871
2015 $33,000,198,249 $409,191,686,497
2014 $32,996,188,017 $462,284,793,281
2013 $30,659,338,886 $500,399,839,840
2012 $27,084,497,482 $644,019,315,004
2011 $23,963,164,697 $629,082,257,472
2010 $19,649,723,722 $487,069,570,464
2009 $17,339,992,194 $414,059,094,949
2008 $16,674,276,286 $406,070,949,554
2007 $13,120,108,008 $349,736,591,832
2006 $11,451,844,902 $265,602,187,404
2005 $9,549,122,905 $224,970,371,325
2004 $8,773,451,752 $187,754,571,248
2003 $8,082,399,640 $151,911,222,119
2002 $7,905,485,146 $128,626,917,504
2001 $8,141,516,928 $126,878,750,296
2000 $8,397,855,485 $109,591,707,802
1999 $8,285,064,435 $113,848,450,088
1998 $8,497,494,652 $110,276,913,363
1997 $7,925,736,821 $113,919,163,421
1996 $7,396,949,126 $120,403,931,885
1995 $6,715,161,732 $96,419,225,744
1994 $5,981,222,859 $71,841,461,173
1993 $5,734,699,489 $63,743,623,232
1992 $5,643,868,749 $119,768,691,217
1991 $5,343,262,457 $131,637,664,958
1990 $4,867,582,598 $124,813,263,926
1989 $4,715,973,437 $120,496,362,916
1988 $4,597,612,362 $123,057,861,334
1987 $4,347,956,338 $134,009,995,923
1986 $3,959,382,833 $209,094,561,833
1985 $5,377,276,555 $180,183,629,600
1984 $6,169,483,225 $162,276,728,620
1983 $5,422,656,823 $156,365,156,618
1982 $5,594,126,369 $125,948,756,439
1981 $5,891,598,695 $100,499,312,750
1980 $4,537,479,608 $94,362,275,580
1979 $4,421,336,383 $90,391,877,326
1978 $3,758,220,890 $77,994,316,621
1977 $3,227,436,282 $80,600,122,702
1976 $2,731,984,008 $68,055,295,081
1975 $2,404,697,651 $51,776,222,350
1974 $2,100,249,875 $46,209,092,072
1973 $1,262,968,516 $27,081,698,250
1972 $1,257,615,645 $17,153,463,263
1971 $1,095,622,896 $13,731,802,833
1970 $1,017,003,367 $10,976,245,154
1969 $929,629,630 $9,743,089,607
1968 $857,912,458 $8,623,172,960
1967 $755,808,081 $7,555,383,690
1966 $669,191,919 $6,789,938,672
1965 $604,377,104 $6,197,319,929
1964 $544,023,569 $5,379,845,648
1963 $482,828,283 $4,928,628,018
1962 $448,400,673 $4,693,566,416
1961 $410,101,010 $4,426,949,095
1960 $377,020,202 $4,199,134,390

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

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

GDP per capita in Bolivia vs Iran by year

Bolivia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Iran
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Bolivia Iran
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $4,421 $12,878 $5,190 $19,874
2023 $4,275 $12,892 $5,049 $18,917
2022 $4,219 $12,307 $4,721 $17,546
2021 $4,011 $11,202 $4,605 $15,884
2020 $3,581 $9,581 $3,203 $15,119
2019 $4,203 $11,005 $3,997 $13,928
2018 $4,207 $10,758 $4,783 $15,324
2017 $4,048 $10,420 $6,001 $15,719
2016 $3,036 $9,242 $5,711 $15,195
2015 $2,996 $8,757 $4,953 $14,274
2014 $3,041 $8,629 $5,672 $16,065
2013 $2,870 $8,069 $6,223 $16,215
2012 $2,576 $7,184 $8,114 $17,021
2011 $2,316 $6,598 $8,026 $19,275
2010 $1,930 $6,245 $6,291 $18,628
2009 $1,731 $6,024 $5,416 $17,615
2008 $1,693 $5,890 $5,377 $17,549
2007 $1,355 $5,537 $4,688 $17,384
2006 $1,203 $5,244 $3,619 $15,907
2005 $1,020 $4,938 $3,132 $15,016
2004 $953 $4,663 $2,672 $14,425
2003 $893 $4,433 $2,209 $13,755
2002 $888 $4,304 $1,891 $12,554
2001 $930 $4,205 $1,881 $11,533
2000 $976 $4,113 $1,650 $11,187
1999 $979 $3,991 $1,740 $10,489
1998 $1,022 $3,988 $1,709 $10,285
1997 $970 $3,822 $1,790 $10,101
1996 $922 $3,645 $1,915 $9,916
1995 $853 $3,494 $1,550 $9,255
1994 $774 $3,331 $1,168 $8,951
1993 $757 $3,177 $1,038 $8,933
1992 $760 $3,036 $1,957 $8,888
1991 $734 $2,981 $2,194 $8,580
1990 $683 $2,797 $2,138 $7,566
1989 $675 - $2,125 -
1988 $673 - $2,234 -
1987 $650 - $2,513 -
1986 $604 - $4,064 -
1985 $838 - $3,634 -
1984 $982 - $3,395 -
1983 $882 - $3,397 -
1982 $930 - $2,845 -
1981 $1,001 - $2,393 -
1980 $788 - $2,368 -
1979 $785 - $2,352 -
1978 $683 - $2,101 -
1977 $600 - $2,243 -
1976 $520 - $1,954 -
1975 $468 - $1,532 -
1974 $418 - $1,409 -
1973 $257.2 - $851 -
1972 $261.9 - $555 -
1971 $233.4 - $457 -
1970 $221.6 - $377 -
1969 $207.1 - $345 -
1968 $195.5 - $314 -
1967 $176.1 - $283.7 -
1966 $159.3 - $262.9 -
1965 $147.1 - $247.5 -
1964 $135.2 - $221.7 -
1963 $122.6 - $209.6 -
1962 $116.2 - $205.8 -
1961 $108.5 - $200.1 -
1960 $101.8 - $195.6 -

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

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

Bolivia's GDP per capita is $4,421, ranking 125/197, compared to $5,190 in Iran, ranking 119/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Bolivia ranks 122nd at $12,878, while Iran ranks 97th at $19,874.

Economic indicators

Bolivia Iran
Gross domestic product
$54.9B
2024
$475B
2024
GDP rank
88/197
2024
34/197
2024
GDP growth
-1.12%
2023-2024
3.66%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$4,421
2024
$5,190
2024
GDP per capita rank
125/197
2024
119/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$12,878
2024
$19,874
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
122/197
2024
97/197
2024
Government debt
$53.8B
2024
$162B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
98%
2024
34%
2024
Government debt per person
$4,331
2024
$1,764
2024
Government debt per person rank
88/185
2024
122/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$4,720
2026
$2,964
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$172B
2024
Income share by richest 10%
31.3%
2023
28.2%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
1.8%
2023
2.8%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
39.8%
2024
14.2%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
5.1%
2023-2024
32.5%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
3.26%
2025
23%
2023
Unemployment rate
2.73%
2024
7.63%
2024
Population
12798112
93468444

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Bolivia
Spending

Debt
Iran
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Bolivia Iran
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 39.8% 98% 14.2% 34%
2023 38.7% 90.8% 12.8% 29.6%
2022 36% 80.1% 12.8% 34.5%
2021 34.8% 81.4% 13.4% 39.9%
2020 36.8% 78% 12.1% 47.1%
2019 36.1% 58.6% 13.6% 44.6%
2018 37.7% 53.1% 14.8% 41.6%
2017 38.6% 51.3% 16.4% 43.2%
2016 40% 46.5% 16.3% 45.9%
2015 44.5% 40.9% 14.1% 32.1%
2014 41.2% 37.6% 12.3% 10.9%
2013 35.4% 36.1% 11.5% 10.2%
2012 36% 35.4% 11.4% 11.7%
2011 35.4% 35.3% 14.6% 10.6%
2010 31.5% 37.6% 14.1% 12.8%
2009 33.2% 39.2% 15.7% 11.5%
2008 35.3% 36.8% 16.8% 10.6%
2007 32.7% 40% 14.2% 13.5%
2006 29.8% 54.4% 18.7% 15.2%
2005 33.2% 82.2% 17.9% 18.3%
2004 32.3% 89.8% 15.1% 21.1%
2003 32% 95.6% 15.7% 21.9%
2002 33.3% 86.7% 15.6% 23.4%
2001 32% 83% 13.6% 21%
2000 29.3% 74.3% 13.3% 18.2%
1999 29.4% 61.7% 15.7% 22.2%
1998 30% 61.2% 16.9% 29.6%
1997 28.3% 64.6% 17.4% 30.9%
1996 26% 72.4% 17.3% 29.3%
1995 25.8% 81.7% 21% 31.2%
1994 26.8% 87.6% 23% 41.7%
1993 27.2% 83.8% 27.2% 25.6%
1992 25.3% 92.4% 14.4% 25.2%
1991 24.2% 92.8% 14% 29.3%
1990 22.8% 102.9% 16.4% 37%
1989 24.4% 98% 20% 48.8%
1988 24% 115.9% 23.6% 53.2%
1987 24.4% 145.3% 18.6% 48.6%
1986 22.2% 149% 19% 47.4%
1985 21.8% 205.2% 21.6% 8.73%
1984 29% 166.5% 23.7% 10%
1983 32.1% 157.3% 27.5% 35.7%
1982 25% 155.4% 29.7% 47.7%
1981 16.6% 121.7% 33.7% 47.6%
1980 19.8% 100% 35.8% 35.5%
1979 18% 92% - -
1978 17.3% 82.5% - -
1977 18.6% 82.4% - 9.23%
1976 16.8% 68.9% - 6.92%
1975 14.4% 56.2% - 8.81%
1974 14.2% 52.7% - 6.68%
1973 14.1% 80.9% - 12.8%
1972 11.8% 77.7% - 12.7%
1971 11.3% 65.7% - 14.2%
1970 10% 63.9% - 14.1%
1969 12.3% - - -
1968 14.1% - 23.6% -
1967 13.1% - 22.3% -
1966 12.9% - 20.5% -
1965 12.9% - 16.3% 14.9%
1964 10.8% - 15.4% 15.2%
1963 10.8% - 14.8% 12.4%
1962 10.2% - 15.6% 13.4%
1961 10.7% - - -
1960 10.1% - - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Bolivia's government spending was $21.9B, accounting for 39.8% of its GDP, while Iran spent $67.5B, or 14.2% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 98% in Bolivia and 34% in Iran, ranking 26/185 and 147/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Bolivia

Iran
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Bolivia Iran
2024 -10.6% -3.83%
2023 -10.9% -2.54%
2022 -7.12% -2.64%
2021 -9.33% -3.01%
2020 -12.7% -4.87%
2019 -7.25% -4.3%
2018 -8.17% -1.59%
2017 -7.86% -1.55%
2016 -7.24% -1.7%
2015 -6.93% -1.3%
2014 -3.41% -0.91%
2013 0.6% -0.72%
2012 1.72% -0.5%
2011 0.83% -0.66%
2010 1.62% -0.84%
2009 2.63% -3.3%
2008 3.53% -4.39%
2007 -1.54% -2.41%
2006 4.47% -4.91%
2005 -2.24% -2.44%
2004 -5.54% -2.45%
2003 -7.88% -2.76%
2002 -8.79% -2.88%
2001 -6.82% 0.02%
2000 -3.73% 5.42%
1999 -3.84% -0.51%
1998 -5.1% -5.03%
1997 -3.28% -1.81%
1996 -1.9% -0.75%
1995 -1.82% -2.63%
1994 -3% -3.36%
1993 -6.1% -5.15%
1992 -4.4% -0.86%
1991 -4.2% -1.64%
1990 -4.4% -1.73%
1989 -5.5% -4.45%
1988 -6.5% -10.3%
1987 -7.7% -6.84%
1986 -2.7% -7.84%
1985 -9.8% -3.74%
1984 -25.4% -4.02%
1983 -19.8% -6.15%
1982 -15.9% -5.55%
1981 -12.3% -10.7%
1980 -15.3% -14.2%
1979 -11.2% -
1978 -9.97% -
1977 -11.2% -
1976 -1.15% -
1975 -2.33% -
1974 -1.87% -
1973 -3.72% -
1972 -3.69% -
1971 -3.67% -
1970 -1.92% -
1969 -4.16% -
1968 -5.67% -4.57%
1967 -4.29% -4%
1966 -3.55% -2.63%
1965 -4.12% -1.23%
1964 -2.68% -0.04%
1963 -3.02% 0.26%
1962 -2.8% -1.39%
1961 -2.81% -
1960 -3.35% -
1959 -4.32% -
1958 -2.95% -
1957 -1.11% -
1956 -0.11% -
1955 0.33% -
1954 0.006% -
1953 -0.48% -
1952 -0.94% -
1951 -0.42% -
1950 -1.17% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1950–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Bolivia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $5.83B, equivalent to 10.6% of GDP. This compares to Iran's deficit of $18.2B, or 3.83% of GDP.

Over the past 63 years, Bolivia recorded a fiscal deficit in 56 of those years, while Iran ran a deficit in 49 years. On average, Bolivia posted an annual deficit equal to 5.6% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.11% of GDP for Iran.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Bolivia

Iran
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Bolivia Iran
2024 5.1% 32.5%
2023 2.58% 44.6%
2022 1.75% 43.5%
2021 0.74% 43.4%
2020 0.94% 30.6%
2019 1.84% 39.9%
2018 2.27% 18%
2017 2.82% 8.04%
2016 3.62% 7.25%
2015 4.06% 12.5%
2014 5.77% 16.6%
2013 5.74% 36.6%
2012 4.52% 27.3%
2011 9.88% 26.3%
2010 2.5% 10.1%
2009 3.35% 13.6%
2008 14% 25.4%
2007 8.71% 17.3%
2006 4.28% 10%
2005 5.39% 13.4%
2004 4.44% 14.8%
2003 3.34% 16.5%
2002 0.93% 14.3%
2001 1.59% 11.3%
2000 4.61% 14.5%
1999 2.16% 20.1%
1998 7.67% 17.9%
1997 4.71% 17.3%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Bolivia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.26%, compared with 21.6% in Iran. In 2024, inflation was 5.1% in Bolivia and 32.5% in Iran.

Top exports between countries

Bolivia
Export category Export value
Iran
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $28K
Chemicals & pharma $1K

Balance of trade

Bolivia Iran
Current account balance
-$1.41B
2024
$12.5B
2000
Current account balance ranking
132/190
2024
22/190
2000
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.56%
2024
+11.4%
2000
Goods imports
$9.15B
2024
$15.2B
2000
Goods exports
$8.93B
2024
$28.3B
2000
Service imports
$2.35B
2024
$2.3B
2000
Service exports
$1.14B
2024
$1.38B
2000
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
25.5%
2024
28.5%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
21.4%
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.

Bolivia Iran
Economic freedom 42.4 41.8
Economic freedom ranking 184/197 185/197
Property rights 20.2 20.2
Government integrity 27.1 16.2
Judicial effectiveness 29.5 18.7
Tax burden 86.4 81.3
Government spending 56.3 94.7
Fiscal health 0.8 83.3
Business freedom 53.6 37.4
Labor freedom 52.2 41.8
Monetary freedom 67.1 42.2
Trade freedom 60.6 55.8
Investment freedom 15 5
Financial freedom 40 5

Economic freedom comparison by year

Bolivia
Iran
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Bolivia Iran
2026 42.4 41.8
2025 44.1 42.5
2024 43.5 41.2
2023 43.4 42.2
2022 43 42.4
2021 42.7 47.2
2020 42.8 49.2
2019 42.3 51.1
2018 44.1 50.9
2017 47.7 50.5
2016 47.4 43.5
2015 46.8 41.8
2014 48.4 40.3
2013 47.9 43.2
2012 50.2 42.3
2011 50 42.1
2010 49.4 43.4
2009 53.6 44.6
2008 53.1 45
2007 54.2 45
2006 57.8 45
2005 58.4 50.5
2004 64.5 42.8
2003 64.3 43.2
2002 65.1 36.4
2001 68 35.9
2000 65 36.1
1999 65.6 36.8
1998 68.8 36
1997 65.1 34.5
1996 65.2 36.1
1995 56.8 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Bolivia is 42.4, ranking 184/197, 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

Bolivia Iran
Services, % of GDP
53.4%
2024
49.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
31.3%
2024
36.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
8.83%
2024
10.8%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$51.7B
2024
$469B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$12,620
2024
$19,820
2024
Total reserves including gold
$1.98B
2024
$7.69B
1982
Total reserves ranking
127/177
2024
85/177
1982
Net foreign direct investment
-$113M
2024
-$39M
2000
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$387M
2024
$1.45B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$133M
2024
$89.4M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.41%
2024
0.08%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
36.5%
2023
18.7%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
17.9%
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/bolivia/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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1950–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2022, 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.