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Economy of Gabon vs Iran compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Gabon has a GDP of $20.9B compared to $475B for Iran, ranking 127/197 and 34/197 by economy size, respectively.

Gabon has $15.2B in government debt (72.7% of GDP), compared to $162B (34% of GDP) in Iran.

Gabon vs Iran GDP by year

Gabon
Iran
1x
Year GDP, current $
Gabon Iran
2024 $20,895,684,426 $475,252,089,215
2023 $19,388,372,071 $457,510,482,317
2022 $20,440,655,695 $422,662,261,526
2021 $19,444,935,097 $407,350,685,583
2020 $15,342,236,164 $280,934,329,280
2019 $16,874,405,465 $347,988,400,958
2018 $16,867,326,402 $411,903,303,606
2017 $14,929,487,485 $510,239,893,418
2016 $14,023,890,265 $478,618,064,871
2015 $14,383,107,763 $409,191,686,497
2014 $18,203,966,896 $462,284,793,281
2013 $17,595,744,798 $500,399,839,840
2012 $17,170,464,016 $644,019,315,004
2011 $18,210,307,744 $629,082,257,472
2010 $14,372,593,020 $487,069,570,464
2009 $12,113,699,068 $414,059,094,949
2008 $15,571,348,344 $406,070,949,554
2007 $12,455,409,587 $349,736,591,832
2006 $10,327,598,306 $265,602,187,404
2005 $9,582,783,991 $224,970,371,325
2004 $7,770,219,008 $187,754,571,248
2003 $6,511,903,365 $151,911,222,119
2002 $5,335,451,100 $128,626,917,504
2001 $5,023,265,413 $126,878,750,296
2000 $5,080,483,629 $109,591,707,802
1999 $4,662,992,036 $113,848,450,088
1998 $4,483,417,310 $110,276,913,363
1997 $5,326,817,115 $113,919,163,421
1996 $5,694,040,003 $120,403,931,885
1995 $4,958,845,648 $96,419,225,744
1994 $4,190,819,344 $71,841,461,173
1993 $4,378,645,081 $63,743,623,232
1992 $5,592,390,827 $119,768,691,217
1991 $5,402,919,785 $131,637,664,958
1990 $5,952,293,765 $124,813,263,926
1989 $4,186,411,464 $120,496,362,916
1988 $3,834,503,376 $123,057,861,334
1987 $3,281,797,043 $134,009,995,923
1986 $3,403,638,189 $209,094,561,833
1985 $3,339,914,757 $180,183,629,600
1984 $3,561,451,561 $162,276,728,620
1983 $3,391,275,732 $156,365,156,618
1982 $3,618,007,841 $125,948,756,439
1981 $3,862,269,121 $100,499,312,750
1980 $4,279,637,942 $94,362,275,580
1979 $3,030,251,120 $90,391,877,326
1978 $2,389,479,272 $77,994,316,621
1977 $2,809,349,069 $80,600,122,702
1976 $3,009,409,974 $68,055,295,081
1975 $2,157,592,940 $51,776,222,350
1974 $1,544,216,002 $46,209,092,072
1973 $722,780,701 $27,081,698,250
1972 $430,508,359 $17,153,463,263
1971 $381,687,073 $13,731,802,833
1970 $323,802,476 $10,976,245,154
1969 $318,124,701 $9,743,089,607
1968 $294,468,564 $8,623,172,960
1967 $271,543,680 $7,555,383,690
1966 $245,849,781 $6,789,938,672
1965 $226,474,286 $6,197,319,929
1964 $215,679,855 $5,379,845,648
1963 $154,480,244 $4,928,628,018
1962 $182,796,536 $4,693,566,416
1961 $167,637,907 $4,426,949,095
1960 $141,468,978 $4,199,134,390

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

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

GDP per capita in Gabon vs Iran by year

Gabon
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Iran
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Gabon Iran
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $8,230 $21,510 $5,190 $19,874
2023 $7,803 $20,756 $5,049 $18,917
2022 $8,409 $19,993 $4,721 $17,546
2021 $8,181 $18,524 $4,605 $15,884
2020 $6,606 $14,477 $3,203 $15,119
2019 $7,441 $15,950 $3,997 $13,928
2018 $7,624 $15,432 $4,783 $15,324
2017 $6,922 $14,797 $6,001 $15,719
2016 $6,677 $13,998 $5,711 $15,195
2015 $7,047 $14,306 $4,953 $14,274
2014 $9,201 $14,854 $5,672 $16,065
2013 $9,198 $14,498 $6,223 $16,215
2012 $9,297 $14,620 $8,114 $17,021
2011 $10,219 $14,784 $8,026 $19,275
2010 $8,357 $14,015 $6,291 $18,628
2009 $7,291 $13,384 $5,416 $17,615
2008 $9,689 $13,734 $5,377 $17,549
2007 $8,004 $14,391 $4,688 $17,384
2006 $6,847 $13,637 $3,619 $15,907
2005 $6,548 $14,028 $3,132 $15,016
2004 $5,466 $13,638 $2,672 $14,425
2003 $4,711 $13,564 $2,209 $13,755
2002 $3,966 $13,369 $1,891 $12,554
2001 $3,836 $13,556 $1,881 $11,533
2000 $3,983 $13,326 $1,650 $11,187
1999 $3,751 $13,629 $1,740 $10,489
1998 $3,700 $15,138 $1,709 $10,285
1997 $4,509 $14,837 $1,790 $10,101
1996 $4,943 $14,147 $1,915 $9,916
1995 $4,415 $13,750 $1,550 $9,255
1994 $3,828 $13,164 $1,168 $8,951
1993 $4,106 $12,757 $1,038 $8,933
1992 $5,386 $12,312 $1,957 $8,888
1991 $5,345 $12,760 $2,194 $8,580
1990 $6,051 $11,952 $2,138 $7,566
1989 $4,374 - $2,125 -
1988 $4,119 - $2,234 -
1987 $3,624 - $2,513 -
1986 $3,865 - $4,064 -
1985 $3,898 - $3,634 -
1984 $4,273 - $3,395 -
1983 $4,182 - $3,397 -
1982 $4,584 - $2,845 -
1981 $5,026 - $2,393 -
1980 $5,718 - $2,368 -
1979 $4,155 - $2,352 -
1978 $3,360 - $2,101 -
1977 $4,048 - $2,243 -
1976 $4,441 - $1,954 -
1975 $3,258 - $1,532 -
1974 $2,384 - $1,409 -
1973 $1,140 - $851 -
1972 $693 - $555 -
1971 $627 - $457 -
1970 $543 - $377 -
1969 $545 - $345 -
1968 $515 - $314 -
1967 $482 - $283.7 -
1966 $443 - $262.9 -
1965 $415 - $247.5 -
1964 $400 - $221.7 -
1963 $290.7 - $209.6 -
1962 $348 - $205.8 -
1961 $323 - $200.1 -
1960 $276.1 - $195.6 -

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

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

Gabon's GDP per capita is $8,230, ranking 93/197, compared to $5,190 in Iran, ranking 119/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Gabon ranks 90th at $21,510, while Iran ranks 97th at $19,874.

Economic indicators

Gabon Iran
Gross domestic product
$20.9B
2024
$475B
2024
GDP rank
127/197
2024
34/197
2024
GDP growth
3.39%
2023-2024
3.66%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$8,230
2024
$5,190
2024
GDP per capita rank
93/197
2024
119/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$21,510
2024
$19,874
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
90/197
2024
97/197
2024
Government debt
$15.2B
2024
$162B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
72.7%
2024
34%
2024
Government debt per person
$5,985
2024
$1,764
2024
Government debt per person rank
75/185
2024
122/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,368
2026
$2,964
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$172B
2024
Income share by richest 10%
27.7%
2017
28.2%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
2.2%
2017
2.8%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
24.8%
2024
14.2%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.17%
2023-2024
32.5%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
23%
2023
Unemployment rate
20.4%
2010
7.63%
2024
Population
2663339
93468444

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Gabon
Spending

Debt
Iran
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Gabon Iran
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 24.8% 72.7% 14.2% 34%
2023 21.5% 70.6% 12.8% 29.6%
2022 19.7% 65.6% 12.8% 34.5%
2021 17.3% 72.9% 13.4% 39.9%
2020 19.8% 83% 12.1% 47.1%
2019 17.4% 59.8% 13.6% 44.6%
2018 17.1% 62.3% 14.8% 41.6%
2017 18.1% 62.9% 16.4% 43.2%
2016 21.8% 64.5% 16.3% 45.9%
2015 22.3% 44.7% 14.1% 32.1%
2014 23.8% 34.1% 12.3% 10.9%
2013 34.7% 31.1% 11.5% 10.2%
2012 23.9% 21.4% 11.4% 11.7%
2011 22.1% 21.4% 14.6% 10.6%
2010 23.1% 21.3% 14.1% 12.8%
2009 22.6% 26% 15.7% 11.5%
2008 18.9% 20.1% 16.8% 10.6%
2007 19.4% 39.2% 14.2% 13.5%
2006 21.1% 34.9% 18.7% 15.2%
2005 20.8% 41.7% 17.9% 18.3%
2004 20.9% 60.3% 15.1% 21.1%
2003 21.2% 70.2% 15.7% 21.9%
2002 25.7% 81.1% 15.6% 23.4%
2001 27.8% 81% 13.6% 21%
2000 20.3% 72.5% 13.3% 18.2%
1999 25.5% 73.1% 15.7% 22.2%
1998 45.5% 87.6% 16.9% 29.6%
1997 29.7% 57% 17.4% 30.9%
1996 22.2% 64.5% 17.3% 29.3%
1995 25.1% 73.4% 21% 31.2%
1994 23.9% 71.3% 23% 41.7%
1993 26.9% 90.1% 27.2% 25.6%
1992 26.5% 87.9% 14.4% 25.2%
1991 25.1% 89.3% 14% 29.3%
1990 22.6% 90% 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/gabon/iran | CC BY

In 2024, Gabon's government spending was $5.18B, accounting for 24.8% of its GDP, while Iran spent $67.5B, or 14.2% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 72.7% in Gabon and 34% in Iran, ranking 51/185 and 147/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Gabon

Iran
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Gabon Iran
2024 -3.84% -3.83%
2023 1.79% -2.54%
2022 -0.89% -2.64%
2021 -1.93% -3.01%
2020 -2.19% -4.87%
2019 2.13% -4.3%
2018 -0.21% -1.59%
2017 -1.7% -1.55%
2016 -4.71% -1.7%
2015 -1.12% -1.3%
2014 5.98% -0.91%
2013 -3.07% -0.72%
2012 6.2% -0.5%
2011 1.41% -0.66%
2010 2.7% -0.84%
2009 6.77% -3.3%
2008 11% -4.39%
2007 8.06% -2.41%
2006 8.67% -4.91%
2005 7.98% -2.44%
2004 6.99% -2.45%
2003 7.75% -2.76%
2002 3.72% -2.88%
2001 4.07% 0.02%
2000 11.1% 5.42%
1999 1.11% -0.51%
1998 -13.1% -5.03%
1997 1.41% -1.81%
1996 2.12% -0.75%
1995 2.64% -2.63%
1994 -1.53% -3.36%
1993 -5.35% -5.15%
1992 -4.9% -0.86%
1991 -2.03% -1.64%
1990 -3.83% -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/gabon/iran | CC BY

In 2024, Gabon's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $802M, equivalent to 3.84% of GDP. This compares to Iran's deficit of $18.2B, or 3.83% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Gabon recorded a fiscal deficit in 15 of those years, while Iran ran a deficit in 33 years. On average, Gabon posted an annual surplus equal to 1.52% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.13% of GDP for Iran.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Gabon

Iran
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Gabon Iran
2024 1.17% 32.5%
2023 3.63% 44.6%
2022 4.23% 43.5%
2021 1.09% 43.4%
2020 1.35% 30.6%
2019 2.46% 39.9%
2018 4.75% 18%
2017 2.65% 8.04%
2016 2.11% 7.25%
2015 -0.34% 12.5%
2014 4.69% 16.6%
2013 0.51% 36.6%
2012 2.65% 27.3%
2011 1.26% 26.3%
2010 1.46% 10.1%
2009 1.89% 13.6%
2008 5.26% 25.4%
2007 5.03% 17.3%
2006 -1.41% 10%
2005 3.71% 13.4%
2004 0.41% 14.8%
2003 2.24% 16.5%
2002 0.04% 14.3%
2001 2.14% 11.3%
2000 0.5% 14.5%
1999 -1.94% 20.1%
1998 1.45% 17.9%
1997 3.97% 17.3%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Gabon has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.03%, compared with 21.6% in Iran. In 2024, inflation was 1.17% in Gabon and 32.5% in Iran.

Top exports between countries

Gabon
Export category Export value
Iran
Export category Export value
Metals $142K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $36K

Balance of trade

Gabon Iran
Current account balance
$141M
2015
$12.5B
2000
Current account balance ranking
66/190
2015
22/190
2000
Current account balance, % of GDP
+0.98%
2015
+11.4%
2000
Goods imports
$3.17B
2015
$15.2B
2000
Goods exports
$5.11B
2015
$28.3B
2000
Service imports
$1.88B
2015
$2.3B
2000
Service exports
$277M
2015
$1.38B
2000
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
27.5%
2024
28.5%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
64.6%
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.

Gabon Iran
Economic freedom 56.6 41.8
Economic freedom ranking 120/197 185/197
Property rights 30 20.2
Government integrity 22.6 16.2
Judicial effectiveness 19.9 18.7
Tax burden 76.5 81.3
Government spending 85.5 94.7
Fiscal health 87.9 83.3
Business freedom 63.6 37.4
Labor freedom 55.4 41.8
Monetary freedom 80.9 42.2
Trade freedom 57.4 55.8
Investment freedom 60 5
Financial freedom 40 5

Economic freedom comparison by year

Gabon
Iran
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Gabon Iran
2026 56.6 41.8
2025 56.3 42.5
2024 56.9 41.2
2023 56.1 42.2
2022 55.8 42.4
2021 58.1 47.2
2020 56.7 49.2
2019 56.3 51.1
2018 58 50.9
2017 58.6 50.5
2016 59 43.5
2015 58.3 41.8
2014 57.8 40.3
2013 57.8 43.2
2012 56.4 42.3
2011 56.7 42.1
2010 55.4 43.4
2009 55 44.6
2008 54.2 45
2007 54.8 45
2006 56.1 45
2005 54.8 50.5
2004 57.1 42.8
2003 58.7 43.2
2002 58 36.4
2001 55 35.9
2000 58.2 36.1
1999 60.5 36.8
1998 59.2 36
1997 58.8 34.5
1996 55.7 36.1
1995 57.5 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Gabon is 56.6, ranking 120/197, 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

Gabon Iran
Services, % of GDP
36.8%
2024
49.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
52.9%
2024
36.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
6.56%
2024
10.8%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$19.8B
2024
$469B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$20,400
2024
$19,820
2024
Total reserves including gold
$1.45B
2023
$7.69B
1982
Total reserves ranking
136/177
2023
85/177
1982
Net foreign direct investment
-$25.3M
2015
-$39M
2000
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.14B
2024
$1.45B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$33.8M
2019
$89.4M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.67%
2024
0.08%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
33.4%
2017
18.7%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
19.1%
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/gabon/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 (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.