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Economy of Cyprus vs Iran compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Cyprus has a GDP of $37.6B compared to $475B for Iran, ranking 103/197 and 34/197 by economy size, respectively.

Cyprus has $24.5B in government debt (65.1% of GDP), compared to $162B (34% of GDP) in Iran.

Cyprus vs Iran GDP by year

Cyprus
Iran
1x
Year GDP, current $
Cyprus Iran
2024 $37,634,533,332 $475,252,089,215
2023 $35,075,423,857 $457,510,482,317
2022 $31,218,038,929 $422,662,261,526
2021 $30,372,642,502 $407,350,685,583
2020 $25,555,093,854 $280,934,329,280
2019 $26,196,667,100 $347,988,400,958
2018 $25,754,001,368 $411,903,303,606
2017 $22,946,570,629 $510,239,893,418
2016 $21,046,462,281 $478,618,064,871
2015 $19,909,278,417 $409,191,686,497
2014 $23,225,918,260 $462,284,793,281
2013 $23,959,712,861 $500,399,839,840
2012 $25,047,436,975 $644,019,315,004
2011 $27,641,549,302 $629,082,257,472
2010 $25,799,940,078 $487,069,570,464
2009 $26,048,179,949 $414,059,094,949
2008 $27,844,646,258 $406,070,949,554
2007 $23,968,727,074 $349,736,591,832
2006 $20,072,754,987 $265,602,187,404
2005 $18,433,412,511 $224,970,371,325
2004 $17,320,551,250 $187,754,571,248
2003 $14,547,329,558 $151,911,222,119
2002 $11,420,228,846 $128,626,917,504
2001 $10,397,898,907 $126,878,750,296
2000 $9,985,847,314 $109,591,707,802
1999 $10,497,907,228 $113,848,450,088
1998 $10,248,618,778 $110,276,913,363
1997 $9,547,816,420 $113,919,163,421
1996 $10,011,914,680 $120,403,931,885
1995 $9,933,137,128 $96,419,225,744
1994 $7,425,703,929 $71,841,461,173
1993 $6,590,291,048 $63,743,623,232
1992 $6,912,150,456 $119,768,691,217
1991 $5,770,197,348 $131,637,664,958
1990 $5,591,130,218 $124,813,263,926
1989 $4,563,482,604 $120,496,362,916
1988 $4,278,792,597 $123,057,861,334
1987 $3,704,813,886 $134,009,995,923
1986 $3,090,734,463 $209,094,561,833
1985 $2,430,411,900 $180,183,629,600
1984 $2,278,248,953 $162,276,728,620
1983 $2,160,364,071 $156,365,156,618
1982 $2,159,242,417 $125,948,756,439
1981 $2,087,496,374 $100,499,312,750
1980 $2,154,311,277 $94,362,275,580
1979 $1,288,699,776 $90,391,877,326
1978 $964,024,364 $77,994,316,621
1977 $734,876,021 $80,600,122,702
1976 $576,090,074 $68,055,295,081
1975 $489,912,574 $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/cyprus/iran | CC BY

GDP per capita in Cyprus vs Iran by year

Cyprus
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Iran
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Cyprus Iran
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $27,707 $63,007 $5,190 $19,874
2023 $26,079 $59,875 $5,049 $18,917
2022 $23,448 $55,876 $4,721 $17,546
2021 $23,057 $47,633 $4,605 $15,884
2020 $19,624 $42,569 $3,203 $15,119
2019 $20,360 $44,394 $3,997 $13,928
2018 $20,267 $40,262 $4,783 $15,324
2017 $18,295 $37,768 $6,001 $15,719
2016 $17,013 $35,247 $5,711 $15,195
2015 $16,326 $31,380 $4,953 $14,274
2014 $19,326 $29,893 $5,672 $16,065
2013 $20,238 $30,416 $6,223 $16,215
2012 $21,493 $31,924 $8,114 $17,021
2011 $24,110 $33,406 $8,026 $19,275
2010 $22,876 $33,502 $6,291 $18,628
2009 $23,480 $33,901 $5,416 $17,615
2008 $25,522 $34,830 $5,377 $17,549
2007 $22,344 $32,888 $4,688 $17,384
2006 $19,037 $30,009 $3,619 $15,907
2005 $17,790 $27,763 $3,132 $15,016
2004 $17,016 $25,942 $2,672 $14,425
2003 $14,553 $24,278 $2,209 $13,755
2002 $11,636 $23,556 $1,891 $12,554
2001 $10,785 $22,866 $1,881 $11,533
2000 $10,537 $21,296 $1,650 $11,187
1999 $11,273 $19,663 $1,740 $10,489
1998 $11,206 $18,760 $1,709 $10,285
1997 $10,637 $17,781 $1,790 $10,101
1996 $11,373 $17,320 $1,915 $9,916
1995 $11,514 $17,096 $1,550 $9,255
1994 $8,791 $15,735 $1,168 $8,951
1993 $7,978 $14,852 $1,038 $8,933
1992 $8,530 $14,759 $1,957 $8,888
1991 $7,222 $13,546 $2,194 $8,580
1990 $7,092 $13,348 $2,138 $7,566
1989 $5,870 - $2,125 -
1988 $5,584 - $2,234 -
1987 $4,908 - $2,513 -
1986 $4,159 - $4,064 -
1985 $3,324 - $3,634 -
1984 $3,167 - $3,395 -
1983 $3,055 - $3,397 -
1982 $3,100 - $2,845 -
1981 $3,030 - $2,393 -
1980 $3,154 - $2,368 -
1979 $1,902 - $2,352 -
1978 $1,434 - $2,101 -
1977 $1,102 - $2,243 -
1976 $870 - $1,954 -
1975 $743 - $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/cyprus/iran | CC BY

Cyprus' GDP per capita is $27,707, ranking 45/197, compared to $5,190 in Iran, ranking 119/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Cyprus ranks 29th at $63,007, while Iran ranks 97th at $19,874.

Economic indicators

Cyprus Iran
Gross domestic product
$37.6B
2024
$475B
2024
GDP rank
103/197
2024
34/197
2024
GDP growth
3.94%
2023-2024
3.66%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$27,707
2024
$5,190
2024
GDP per capita rank
45/197
2024
119/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$63,007
2024
$19,874
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
29/197
2024
97/197
2024
Government debt
$24.5B
2024
$162B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
65.1%
2024
34%
2024
Government debt per person
$18,034
2024
$1,764
2024
Government debt per person rank
34/185
2024
122/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$25,384
2026
$2,964
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$10.9B
2024
$172B
2024
Number of billionaires
10
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
26.3%
2023
28.2%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
3.6%
2023
2.8%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
40%
2024
14.2%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.8%
2023-2024
32.5%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
23%
2023
Unemployment rate
4.87%
2024
7.63%
2024
Population
1386362
93468444

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Cyprus
Spending

Debt
Iran
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Cyprus Iran
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 40% 65.1% 14.2% 34%
2023 42% 73.6% 12.8% 29.6%
2022 38% 81.1% 12.8% 34.5%
2021 42.6% 96.5% 13.4% 39.9%
2020 45.9% 113.6% 12.1% 47.1%
2019 40.3% 92.3% 13.6% 44.6%
2018 44.3% 100.7% 14.8% 41.6%
2017 38.4% 96.4% 16.4% 43.2%
2016 39.6% 106.8% 16.3% 45.9%
2015 43% 111.6% 14.1% 32.1%
2014 52.1% 113% 12.3% 10.9%
2013 42.1% 102.7% 11.5% 10.2%
2012 41.9% 79.2% 11.4% 11.7%
2011 42.1% 64.8% 14.6% 10.6%
2010 41.7% 55.3% 14.1% 12.8%
2009 41.9% 52.8% 15.7% 11.5%
2008 38.2% 44.1% 16.8% 10.6%
2007 37.6% 53.1% 14.2% 13.5%
2006 39.1% 59% 18.7% 15.2%
2005 39.7% 64% 17.9% 18.3%
2004 38.6% 64.7% 15.1% 21.1%
2003 40.4% 63% 15.7% 21.9%
2002 37.4% 61% 15.6% 23.4%
2001 35.7% 57.5% 13.6% 21%
2000 35% 56% 13.3% 18.2%
1999 34.3% 55.7% 15.7% 22.2%
1998 34.4% 55% 16.9% 29.6%
1997 34.2% 53.5% 17.4% 30.9%
1996 32.4% 48.8% 17.3% 29.3%
1995 30.4% 46.7% 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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1995, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Cyprus' government spending was $15B, accounting for 40% of its GDP, while Iran spent $67.5B, or 14.2% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 65.1% in Cyprus and 34% in Iran, ranking 68/185 and 147/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Cyprus

Iran
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Cyprus Iran
2024 4.28% -3.83%
2023 1.7% -2.54%
2022 2.65% -2.64%
2021 -1.64% -3.01%
2020 -5.57% -4.87%
2019 1.03% -4.3%
2018 -3.36% -1.59%
2017 2.13% -1.55%
2016 0.45% -1.7%
2015 -0.77% -1.3%
2014 -8.8% -0.91%
2013 -5.16% -0.72%
2012 -5.55% -0.5%
2011 -5.65% -0.66%
2010 -4.68% -0.84%
2009 -5.43% -3.3%
2008 0.87% -4.39%
2007 3.23% -2.41%
2006 -1.04% -4.91%
2005 -2.22% -2.44%
2004 -3.71% -2.45%
2003 -5.91% -2.76%
2002 -4.13% -2.88%
2001 -2.11% 0.02%
2000 -2.24% 5.42%
1999 -4.05% -0.51%
1998 -3.85% -5.03%
1997 -4.82% -1.81%
1996 -2.96% -0.75%
1995 -0.71% -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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Cyprus' government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.61B, equivalent to 4.28% of GDP. This compares to Iran's deficit of $18.2B, or 3.83% of GDP.

Over the past 30 years, Cyprus recorded a fiscal deficit in 22 of those years, while Iran ran a deficit in 28 years. On average, Cyprus posted an annual deficit equal to 2.27% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.06% of GDP for Iran.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Cyprus

Iran
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Cyprus Iran
2024 1.8% 32.5%
2023 3.54% 44.6%
2022 8.4% 43.5%
2021 2.45% 43.4%
2020 -0.64% 30.6%
2019 0.25% 39.9%
2018 1.44% 18%
2017 0.53% 8.04%
2016 -1.43% 7.25%
2015 -2.1% 12.5%
2014 -1.35% 16.6%
2013 -0.4% 36.6%
2012 2.39% 27.3%
2011 3.29% 26.3%
2010 2.43% 10.1%
2009 0.33% 13.6%
2008 4.67% 25.4%
2007 2.37% 17.3%
2006 2.3% 10%
2005 2.56% 13.4%
2004 2.29% 14.8%
2003 4.14% 16.5%
2002 2.8% 14.3%
2001 1.97% 11.3%
2000 4.14% 14.5%
1999 1.63% 20.1%
1998 2.23% 17.9%
1997 3.61% 17.3%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Cyprus has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.99%, compared with 21.6% in Iran. In 2024, inflation was 1.8% in Cyprus and 32.5% in Iran.

Top exports between countries

Cyprus
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $815K
Machinery & equipment $134K
Raw agricultural goods $48K
Miscellaneous $11K
Textiles & consumer goods $8K
Precious metals & jewellery $4K
Iran
Export category Export value
Metals $756K
Textiles & consumer goods $743K
Chemicals & pharma $498K
Raw agricultural goods $301K
Machinery & equipment $134K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $90K
Raw materials & minerals $55K
Precious metals & jewellery $10K
Miscellaneous $1K
Wood & paper products $1K

Balance of trade

Cyprus Iran
Current account balance
-$3.07B
2024
$12.5B
2000
Current account balance ranking
157/190
2024
22/190
2000
Current account balance, % of GDP
-8.16%
2024
+11.4%
2000
Goods imports
$11.9B
2024
$15.2B
2000
Goods exports
$4.43B
2024
$28.3B
2000
Service imports
$23.2B
2024
$2.3B
2000
Service exports
$32.1B
2024
$1.38B
2000
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
93.4%
2024
28.5%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
97%
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.

Cyprus Iran
Economic freedom 74.1 41.8
Economic freedom ranking 21/197 185/197
Property rights 85.1 20.2
Government integrity 59.7 16.2
Judicial effectiveness 89.8 18.7
Tax burden 80.8 81.3
Government spending 52.1 94.7
Fiscal health 91.5 83.3
Business freedom 82.3 37.4
Labor freedom 60.3 41.8
Monetary freedom 78.7 42.2
Trade freedom 79.4 55.8
Investment freedom 70 5
Financial freedom 60 5

Economic freedom comparison by year

Cyprus
Iran
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Cyprus Iran
2026 74.1 41.8
2025 73.2 42.5
2024 72.2 41.2
2023 72.3 42.2
2022 72.9 42.4
2021 71.4 47.2
2020 70.1 49.2
2019 68.1 51.1
2018 67.8 50.9
2017 67.9 50.5
2016 68.7 43.5
2015 67.9 41.8
2014 67.6 40.3
2013 69 43.2
2012 71.8 42.3
2011 73.3 42.1
2010 70.9 43.4
2009 70.8 44.6
2008 71.3 45
2007 71.7 45
2006 71.8 45
2005 71.9 50.5
2004 74.1 42.8
2003 73.3 43.2
2002 73 36.4
2001 71 35.9
2000 67.2 36.1
1999 67.8 36.8
1998 68.2 36
1997 67.9 34.5
1996 67.7 36.1

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Cyprus is 74.1, ranking 21/197, 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

Cyprus Iran
Services, % of GDP
76.5%
2024
49.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
11.1%
2024
36.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.16%
2024
10.8%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$32B
2024
$469B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$56,200
2024
$19,820
2024
Total reserves including gold
$2.09B
2024
$7.69B
1982
Total reserves ranking
124/177
2024
85/177
1982
Net foreign direct investment
-$5.49B
2024
-$39M
2000
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$50.4B
2024
$1.45B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$55.9B
2024
$89.4M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
0.08%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
13.9%
2021
18.7%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
20.7%
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/cyprus/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 (2021–2024, 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.