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Economy of Ecuador vs Iran compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Ecuador has a GDP of $125B compared to $475B for Iran, ranking 62/197 and 34/197 by economy size, respectively.

Ecuador has $67B in government debt (53.8% of GDP), compared to $162B (34% of GDP) in Iran.

Ecuador vs Iran GDP by year

Ecuador
Iran
1x
Year GDP, current $
Ecuador Iran
2024 $124,676,074,700 $475,252,089,215
2023 $121,147,057,000 $457,510,482,317
2022 $116,133,121,000 $422,662,261,526
2021 $107,179,074,000 $407,350,685,583
2020 $95,865,473,000 $280,934,329,280
2019 $107,595,830,000 $347,988,400,958
2018 $107,478,961,000 $411,903,303,606
2017 $104,467,486,000 $510,239,893,418
2016 $97,671,433,000 $478,618,064,871
2015 $97,209,558,000 $409,191,686,497
2014 $102,717,794,000 $462,284,793,281
2013 $96,570,334,000 $500,399,839,840
2012 $87,735,048,000 $644,019,315,004
2011 $78,986,648,000 $629,082,257,472
2010 $68,151,329,000 $487,069,570,464
2009 $60,094,978,000 $414,059,094,949
2008 $61,139,438,000 $406,070,949,554
2007 $49,848,725,000 $349,736,591,832
2006 $45,690,762,000 $265,602,187,404
2005 $40,278,849,000 $224,970,371,325
2004 $35,194,947,000 $187,754,571,248
2003 $30,965,208,000 $151,911,222,119
2002 $27,054,197,000 $128,626,917,504
2001 $23,127,055,000 $126,878,750,296
2000 $17,539,454,727 $109,591,707,802
1999 $19,645,272,636 $113,848,450,088
1998 $27,981,896,948 $110,276,913,363
1997 $28,162,053,027 $113,919,163,421
1996 $25,226,393,197 $120,403,931,885
1995 $24,432,884,442 $96,419,225,744
1994 $22,708,673,337 $71,841,461,173
1993 $18,938,717,359 $63,743,623,232
1992 $18,094,238,119 $119,768,691,217
1991 $16,988,535,268 $131,637,664,958
1990 $15,239,272,612 $124,813,263,926
1989 $13,890,823,705 $120,496,362,916
1988 $13,051,881,851 $123,057,861,334
1987 $13,945,426,859 $134,009,995,923
1986 $15,314,138,472 $209,094,561,833
1985 $17,149,088,413 $180,183,629,600
1984 $16,912,509,092 $162,276,728,620
1983 $17,152,477,037 $156,365,156,618
1982 $19,929,846,396 $125,948,756,439
1981 $21,810,759,354 $100,499,312,750
1980 $17,881,508,242 $94,362,275,580
1979 $14,175,160,902 $90,391,877,326
1978 $11,922,497,876 $77,994,316,621
1977 $11,026,342,618 $80,600,122,702
1976 $9,091,921,030 $68,055,295,081
1975 $7,731,674,472 $51,776,222,350
1974 $6,599,257,044 $46,209,092,072
1973 $3,891,754,150 $27,081,698,250
1972 $3,185,986,087 $17,153,463,263
1971 $2,754,219,271 $13,731,802,833
1970 $2,862,503,139 $10,976,245,154
1969 $3,112,165,727 $9,743,089,607
1968 $2,582,179,864 $8,623,172,960
1967 $2,553,595,172 $7,555,383,690
1966 $2,429,308,639 $6,789,938,672
1965 $2,387,047,396 $6,197,319,929
1964 $2,244,146,103 $5,379,845,648
1963 $1,824,343,871 $4,928,628,018
1962 $1,518,207,703 $4,693,566,416
1961 $1,753,850,955 $4,426,949,095
1960 $2,069,464,937 $4,199,134,390

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

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

GDP per capita in Ecuador vs Iran by year

Ecuador
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Iran
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Ecuador Iran
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $6,875 $15,840 $5,190 $19,874
2023 $6,738 $15,919 $5,049 $18,917
2022 $6,516 $15,198 $4,721 $17,546
2021 $6,061 $13,507 $4,605 $15,884
2020 $5,464 $11,527 $3,203 $15,119
2019 $6,205 $12,543 $3,997 $13,928
2018 $6,304 $12,187 $4,783 $15,324
2017 $6,233 $11,793 $6,001 $15,719
2016 $5,918 $10,881 $5,711 $15,195
2015 $5,976 $10,878 $4,953 $14,274
2014 $6,406 $11,836 $5,672 $16,065
2013 $6,109 $11,296 $6,223 $16,215
2012 $5,634 $10,245 $8,114 $17,021
2011 $5,154 $9,769 $8,026 $19,275
2010 $4,520 $8,969 $6,291 $18,628
2009 $4,053 $8,662 $5,416 $17,615
2008 $4,195 $8,663 $5,377 $17,549
2007 $3,479 $8,112 $4,688 $17,384
2006 $3,244 $7,885 $3,619 $15,907
2005 $2,909 $7,457 $3,132 $15,016
2004 $2,586 $6,980 $2,672 $14,425
2003 $2,316 $6,475 $2,209 $13,755
2002 $2,059 $6,282 $1,891 $12,554
2001 $1,791 $5,999 $1,881 $11,533
2000 $1,382 $5,728 $1,650 $11,187
1999 $1,575 $5,638 $1,740 $10,489
1998 $2,284 $5,940 $1,709 $10,285
1997 $2,341 $5,793 $1,790 $10,101
1996 $2,136 $5,560 $1,915 $9,916
1995 $2,108 $5,469 $1,550 $9,255
1994 $1,997 $5,339 $1,168 $8,951
1993 $1,698 $5,112 $1,038 $8,933
1992 $1,655 $4,998 $1,957 $8,888
1991 $1,587 $4,887 $2,194 $8,580
1990 $1,455 $4,632 $2,138 $7,566
1989 $1,356 - $2,125 -
1988 $1,304 - $2,234 -
1987 $1,426 - $2,513 -
1986 $1,604 - $4,064 -
1985 $1,842 - $3,634 -
1984 $1,864 - $3,395 -
1983 $1,940 - $3,397 -
1982 $2,314 - $2,845 -
1981 $2,601 - $2,393 -
1980 $2,190 - $2,368 -
1979 $1,783 - $2,352 -
1978 $1,541 - $2,101 -
1977 $1,465 - $2,243 -
1976 $1,242 - $1,954 -
1975 $1,086 - $1,532 -
1974 $954 - $1,409 -
1973 $579 - $851 -
1972 $488 - $555 -
1971 $434 - $457 -
1970 $465 - $377 -
1969 $521 - $345 -
1968 $445 - $314 -
1967 $454 - $283.7 -
1966 $445 - $262.9 -
1965 $450 - $247.5 -
1964 $436 - $221.7 -
1963 $365 - $209.6 -
1962 $312 - $205.8 -
1961 $371 - $200.1 -
1960 $451 - $195.6 -

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

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

Ecuador's GDP per capita is $6,875, ranking 103/197, compared to $5,190 in Iran, ranking 119/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Ecuador ranks 110th at $15,840, while Iran ranks 97th at $19,874.

Economic indicators

Ecuador Iran
Gross domestic product
$125B
2024
$475B
2024
GDP rank
62/197
2024
34/197
2024
GDP growth
-2%
2023-2024
3.66%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$6,875
2024
$5,190
2024
GDP per capita rank
103/197
2024
119/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$15,840
2024
$19,874
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
110/197
2024
97/197
2024
Government debt
$67B
2024
$162B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
53.8%
2024
34%
2024
Government debt per person
$3,695
2024
$1,764
2024
Government debt per person rank
93/185
2024
122/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,894
2026
$2,964
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$747M
2000
$172B
2024
Income share by richest 10%
33.4%
2024
28.2%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
1.5%
2024
2.8%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
38.1%
2024
14.2%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.55%
2023-2024
32.5%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
23%
2023
Unemployment rate
3.39%
2024
7.63%
2024
Population
18487749
93468444

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Ecuador
Spending

Debt
Iran
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Ecuador Iran
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 38.1% 53.8% 14.2% 34%
2023 39.5% 54.3% 12.8% 29.6%
2022 38.9% 57.2% 12.8% 34.5%
2021 37.5% 61.8% 13.4% 39.9%
2020 40.2% 63.6% 12.1% 47.1%
2019 39.8% 52.1% 13.6% 44.6%
2018 40.9% 49.5% 14.8% 41.6%
2017 40.5% 47.4% 16.4% 43.2%
2016 44.1% 46.1% 16.3% 45.9%
2015 44.1% 36.4% 14.1% 32.1%
2014 45.9% 28.2% 12.3% 10.9%
2013 46.7% 23.4% 11.5% 10.2%
2012 43.2% 19.3% 11.4% 11.7%
2011 39.6% 18.6% 14.6% 10.6%
2010 35.4% 18.4% 14.1% 12.8%
2009 34.3% 19.7% 15.7% 11.5%
2008 35.6% 24.9% 16.8% 10.6%
2007 24.7% 29.6% 14.2% 13.5%
2006 21.7% 33.1% 18.7% 15.2%
2005 22% 35.8% 17.9% 18.3%
2004 21.3% 40.2% 15.1% 21.1%
2003 21.3% 47.2% 15.7% 21.9%
2002 22.8% 55% 15.6% 23.4%
2001 21.4% 63.8% 13.6% 21%
2000 24.3% 92.2% 13.3% 18.2%
1999 24.1% 105.2% 15.7% 22.2%
1998 21.5% 70.3% 16.9% 29.6%
1997 22% 61.5% 17.4% 30.9%
1996 22.7% 69.3% 17.3% 29.3%
1995 22% 70.5% 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 (1962–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Ecuador's government spending was $47.5B, accounting for 38.1% of its GDP, while Iran spent $67.5B, or 14.2% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 53.8% in Ecuador and 34% in Iran, ranking 98/185 and 147/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Ecuador

Iran
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Ecuador Iran
2024 -1.28% -3.83%
2023 -3.48% -2.54%
2022 0.04% -2.64%
2021 -1.59% -3.01%
2020 -7.38% -4.87%
2019 -3.47% -4.3%
2018 -2.8% -1.59%
2017 -5.77% -1.55%
2016 -10.3% -1.7%
2015 -6.87% -1.3%
2014 -8.11% -0.91%
2013 -8.17% -0.72%
2012 -2.83% -0.5%
2011 -0.13% -0.66%
2010 -1.39% -0.84%
2009 -3.71% -3.3%
2008 0.57% -4.39%
2007 2.66% -2.41%
2006 2.92% -4.91%
2005 0.66% -2.44%
2004 1.94% -2.45%
2003 1.05% -2.76%
2002 0.74% -2.88%
2001 0.03% 0.02%
2000 -0.32% 5.42%
1999 -4.82% -0.51%
1998 -5.1% -5.03%
1997 -2.83% -1.81%
1996 -3.44% -0.75%
1995 -2.02% -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/ecuador/iran | CC BY

In 2024, Ecuador's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.59B, equivalent to 1.28% of GDP. This compares to Iran's deficit of $18.2B, or 3.83% of GDP.

Over the past 30 years, Ecuador recorded a fiscal deficit in 21 of those years, while Iran ran a deficit in 28 years. On average, Ecuador posted an annual deficit equal to 2.51% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.06% of GDP for Iran.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Ecuador

Iran
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Ecuador Iran
2024 1.55% 32.5%
2023 2.22% 44.6%
2022 3.47% 43.5%
2021 0.13% 43.4%
2020 -0.34% 30.6%
2019 0.27% 39.9%
2018 -0.22% 18%
2017 0.42% 8.04%
2016 1.73% 7.25%
2015 3.97% 12.5%
2014 3.59% 16.6%
2013 2.72% 36.6%
2012 5.1% 27.3%
2011 4.47% 26.3%
2010 3.55% 10.1%
2009 5.16% 13.6%
2008 8.4% 25.4%
2007 2.28% 17.3%
2006 3.3% 10%
2005 2.17% 13.4%
2004 2.74% 14.8%
2003 7.93% 16.5%
2002 12.5% 14.3%
2001 37.7% 11.3%
2000 96.1% 14.5%
1999 52.2% 20.1%
1998 36.1% 17.9%
1997 30.7% 17.3%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Ecuador has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 11.8%, compared with 21.6% in Iran. In 2024, inflation was 1.55% in Ecuador and 32.5% in Iran.

Top exports between countries

Ecuador
Export category Export value
Miscellaneous $7K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $7K
Iran
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $55K
Raw agricultural goods $30K
Textiles & consumer goods $13K
Raw materials & minerals $12K

Balance of trade

Ecuador Iran
Current account balance
$7.06B
2024
$12.5B
2000
Current account balance ranking
27/190
2024
22/190
2000
Current account balance, % of GDP
+5.66%
2024
+11.4%
2000
Goods imports
$27.9B
2024
$15.2B
2000
Goods exports
$34.7B
2024
$28.3B
2000
Service imports
$6.18B
2024
$2.3B
2000
Service exports
$3.86B
2024
$1.38B
2000
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
26.9%
2024
28.5%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
30.3%
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.

Ecuador Iran
Economic freedom 55.6 41.8
Economic freedom ranking 127/197 185/197
Property rights 33.2 20.2
Government integrity 33 16.2
Judicial effectiveness 48.1 18.7
Tax burden 74.2 81.3
Government spending 54.9 94.7
Fiscal health 90.3 83.3
Business freedom 64.3 37.4
Labor freedom 56.9 41.8
Monetary freedom 76.3 42.2
Trade freedom 66.4 55.8
Investment freedom 30 5
Financial freedom 40 5

Economic freedom comparison by year

Ecuador
Iran
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Ecuador Iran
2026 55.6 41.8
2025 55.8 42.5
2024 55 41.2
2023 55 42.2
2022 54.3 42.4
2021 52.4 47.2
2020 51.3 49.2
2019 46.9 51.1
2018 48.5 50.9
2017 49.3 50.5
2016 48.6 43.5
2015 49.2 41.8
2014 48 40.3
2013 46.9 43.2
2012 48.3 42.3
2011 47.1 42.1
2010 49.3 43.4
2009 52.5 44.6
2008 55.2 45
2007 55.3 45
2006 54.6 45
2005 52.9 50.5
2004 54.4 42.8
2003 54.1 43.2
2002 53.1 36.4
2001 55.1 35.9
2000 59.8 36.1
1999 62.9 36.8
1998 62.8 36
1997 61 34.5
1996 60.1 36.1
1995 57.7 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Ecuador is 55.6, ranking 127/197, 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

Ecuador Iran
Services, % of GDP
57.2%
2024
49.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
26.5%
2024
36.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
9.48%
2024
10.8%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$117B
2024
$469B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$15,410
2024
$19,820
2024
Total reserves including gold
$6.91B
2024
$7.69B
1982
Total reserves ranking
87/177
2024
85/177
1982
Net foreign direct investment
-$438M
2024
-$39M
2000
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$443M
2024
$1.45B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$89.4M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
7%
2024
0.08%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
28%
2024
18.7%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
18.5%
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/ecuador/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 (1962–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2020–2024, 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.