Skip to content

Economy of Hungary vs Iran compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Hungary has a GDP of $223B compared to $475B for Iran, ranking 55/197 and 34/197 by economy size, respectively.

Hungary has $164B in government debt (73.5% of GDP), compared to $162B (34% of GDP) in Iran.

Hungary vs Iran GDP by year

Hungary
Iran
1x
Year GDP, current $
Hungary Iran
2024 $222,722,738,926 $475,252,089,215
2023 $213,240,316,635 $457,510,482,317
2022 $177,002,580,544 $422,662,261,526
2021 $183,282,685,440 $407,350,685,583
2020 $158,468,487,754 $280,934,329,280
2019 $164,936,682,034 $347,988,400,958
2018 $161,184,691,014 $411,903,303,606
2017 $143,335,098,992 $510,239,893,418
2016 $128,983,560,865 $478,618,064,871
2015 $125,244,126,623 $409,191,686,497
2014 $141,128,696,412 $462,284,793,281
2013 $135,646,053,779 $500,399,839,840
2012 $128,470,269,690 $644,019,315,004
2011 $141,712,804,954 $629,082,257,472
2010 $131,898,737,241 $487,069,570,464
2009 $130,807,441,076 $414,059,094,949
2008 $158,228,265,916 $406,070,949,554
2007 $140,123,326,896 $349,736,591,832
2006 $115,604,111,412 $265,602,187,404
2005 $113,098,237,571 $224,970,371,325
2004 $104,015,363,080 $187,754,571,248
2003 $85,190,469,121 $151,911,222,119
2002 $67,636,468,625 $128,626,917,504
2001 $53,800,068,066 $126,878,750,296
2000 $47,275,954,429 $109,591,707,802
1999 $49,160,204,397 $113,848,450,088
1998 $48,784,412,624 $110,276,913,363
1997 $47,398,564,799 $113,919,163,421
1996 $46,833,767,124 $120,403,931,885
1995 $46,577,614,589 $96,419,225,744
1994 $43,307,949,890 $71,841,461,173
1993 $40,256,233,360 $63,743,623,232
1992 $38,857,339,125 $119,768,691,217
1991 $34,867,307,353 $131,637,664,958
1990 $34,478,360,679 $124,813,263,926
1989 $30,422,508,938 $120,496,362,916
1988 $29,799,838,597 $123,057,861,334
1987 $27,232,016,527 $134,009,995,923
1986 $24,778,163,812 $209,094,561,833
1985 $21,510,643,750 $180,183,629,600
1984 $21,242,726,264 $162,276,728,620
1983 $21,910,365,258 $156,365,156,618
1982 $24,141,667,188 $125,948,756,439
1981 $23,705,883,892 $100,499,312,750
1980 $23,116,977,148 $94,362,275,580
1979 $19,959,731,325 $90,391,877,326
1978 $17,286,744,154 $77,994,316,621
1977 $14,783,674,055 $80,600,122,702
1976 $13,235,612,079 $68,055,295,081
1975 $11,420,392,515 $51,776,222,350
1974 $10,016,338,179 $46,209,092,072
1973 $9,138,292,402 $27,081,698,250
1972 $7,379,313,742 $17,153,463,263
1971 $6,291,568,221 $13,731,802,833
1970 $5,780,929,203 $10,976,245,154
1969 $5,429,812,387 $9,743,089,607
1968 $4,886,222,555 $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/hungary/iran | CC BY

GDP per capita in Hungary vs Iran by year

Hungary
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Iran
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Hungary Iran
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $23,292 $48,552 $5,190 $19,874
2023 $22,231 $46,592 $5,049 $18,917
2022 $18,428 $44,366 $4,721 $17,546
2021 $19,031 $38,887 $4,605 $15,884
2020 $16,387 $35,584 $3,203 $15,119
2019 $17,013 $35,627 $3,997 $13,928
2018 $16,605 $32,258 $4,783 $15,324
2017 $14,736 $29,728 $6,001 $15,719
2016 $13,216 $28,179 $5,711 $15,195
2015 $12,783 $26,938 $4,953 $14,274
2014 $14,353 $25,796 $5,672 $16,065
2013 $13,739 $24,592 $6,223 $16,215
2012 $12,950 $23,205 $8,114 $17,021
2011 $14,211 $22,992 $8,026 $19,275
2010 $13,190 $21,691 $6,291 $18,628
2009 $13,051 $20,691 $5,416 $17,615
2008 $15,763 $20,709 $5,377 $17,549
2007 $13,935 $19,089 $4,688 $17,384
2006 $11,478 $18,362 $3,619 $15,907
2005 $11,212 $17,091 $3,132 $15,016
2004 $10,291 $16,251 $2,672 $14,425
2003 $8,410 $15,460 $2,209 $13,755
2002 $6,658 $14,532 $1,891 $12,554
2001 $5,281 $13,223 $1,881 $11,533
2000 $4,630 $11,872 $1,650 $11,187
1999 $4,802 $10,892 $1,740 $10,489
1998 $4,752 $10,415 $1,709 $10,285
1997 $4,606 $9,846 $1,790 $10,101
1996 $4,542 $9,388 $1,915 $9,916
1995 $4,509 $9,222 $1,550 $9,255
1994 $4,187 $8,888 $1,168 $8,951
1993 $3,887 $8,441 $1,038 $8,933
1992 $3,747 $8,284 $1,957 $8,888
1991 $3,361 $8,352 $2,194 $8,580
1990 $3,324 $9,169 $2,138 $7,566
1989 $2,902 - $2,125 -
1988 $2,812 - $2,234 -
1987 $2,566 - $2,513 -
1986 $2,331 - $4,064 -
1985 $2,020 - $3,634 -
1984 $1,991 - $3,395 -
1983 $2,050 - $3,397 -
1982 $2,255 - $2,845 -
1981 $2,213 - $2,393 -
1980 $2,158 - $2,368 -
1979 $1,865 - $2,352 -
1978 $1,618 - $2,101 -
1977 $1,388 - $2,243 -
1976 $1,249 - $1,954 -
1975 $1,083 - $1,532 -
1974 $956 - $1,409 -
1973 $876 - $851 -
1972 $710 - $555 -
1971 $607 - $457 -
1970 $559 - $377 -
1969 $527 - $345 -
1968 $476 - $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/hungary/iran | CC BY

Hungary's GDP per capita is $23,292, ranking 55/197, compared to $5,190 in Iran, ranking 119/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Hungary ranks 48th at $48,552, while Iran ranks 97th at $19,874.

Economic indicators

Hungary Iran
Gross domestic product
$223B
2024
$475B
2024
GDP rank
55/197
2024
34/197
2024
GDP growth
0.56%
2023-2024
3.66%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$23,292
2024
$5,190
2024
GDP per capita rank
55/197
2024
119/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$48,552
2024
$19,874
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
48/197
2024
97/197
2024
Government debt
$164B
2024
$162B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
73.5%
2024
34%
2024
Government debt per person
$17,109
2024
$1,764
2024
Government debt per person rank
37/185
2024
122/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$16,996
2026
$2,964
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$41.5B
2024
$172B
2024
Number of millionaires
24,692
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
4
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
24.4%
2022
28.2%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
2.8%
2022
2.8%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
46.9%
2024
14.2%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
3.7%
2023-2024
32.5%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
6.5%
2024
23%
2023
Unemployment rate
4.47%
2024
7.63%
2024
Population
9475525
93468444

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Hungary
Spending

Debt
Iran
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Hungary Iran
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 46.9% 73.5% 14.2% 34%
2023 49.2% 73% 12.8% 29.6%
2022 48.7% 73.9% 12.8% 34.5%
2021 48.1% 76.2% 13.4% 39.9%
2020 51% 78.7% 12.1% 47.1%
2019 45.8% 65% 13.6% 44.6%
2018 45.9% 68.8% 14.8% 41.6%
2017 46.6% 72% 16.4% 43.2%
2016 46.7% 74.6% 16.3% 45.9%
2015 50.4% 75.7% 14.1% 32.1%
2014 50% 76.5% 12.3% 10.9%
2013 50.1% 77.2% 11.5% 10.2%
2012 49.2% 78.4% 11.4% 11.7%
2011 49.1% 80.5% 14.6% 10.6%
2010 48.9% 80.2% 14.1% 12.8%
2009 50.7% 78.2% 15.7% 11.5%
2008 48.8% 71.8% 16.8% 10.6%
2007 49.9% 65.6% 14.2% 13.5%
2006 51.4% 64.5% 18.7% 15.2%
2005 49.4% 60.6% 17.9% 18.3%
2004 48.8% 58.9% 15.1% 21.1%
2003 49.2% 58.2% 15.7% 21.9%
2002 51% 55.6% 15.6% 23.4%
2001 47.2% 52.2% 13.6% 21%
2000 47.3% 55.6% 13.3% 18.2%
1999 48.9% 60.3% 15.7% 22.2%
1998 50.7% 60.4% 16.9% 29.6%
1997 49.5% 62.2% 17.4% 30.9%
1996 50.9% 71.2% 17.3% 29.3%
1995 55% 83.9% 21% 31.2%
1994 - 86.2% 23% 41.7%
1993 - 87.2% 27.2% 25.6%
1992 - 76.5% 14.4% 25.2%
1991 - 74.2% 14% 29.3%
1990 - 63.7% 16.4% 37%
1989 - 70.7% 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/hungary/iran | CC BY

In 2024, Hungary's government spending was $104B, accounting for 46.9% of its GDP, while Iran spent $67.5B, or 14.2% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 73.5% in Hungary and 34% in Iran, ranking 49/185 and 147/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Hungary

Iran
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Hungary Iran
2024 -4.92% -3.83%
2023 -6.75% -2.54%
2022 -6.17% -2.64%
2021 -7.11% -3.01%
2020 -7.49% -4.87%
2019 -2.02% -4.3%
2018 -2.05% -1.59%
2017 -2.45% -1.55%
2016 -1.79% -1.7%
2015 -2% -1.3%
2014 -2.77% -0.91%
2013 -2.6% -0.72%
2012 -2.33% -0.5%
2011 -5.22% -0.66%
2010 -4.44% -0.84%
2009 -4.76% -3.3%
2008 -3.78% -4.39%
2007 -5.09% -2.41%
2006 -9.27% -4.91%
2005 -7.79% -2.44%
2004 -6.6% -2.45%
2003 -7.19% -2.76%
2002 -8.79% -2.88%
2001 -4% 0.02%
2000 -3.04% 5.42%
1999 -5.27% -0.51%
1998 -7.41% -5.03%
1997 -5.54% -1.81%
1996 -4.36% -0.75%
1995 -8.57% -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%
1961 - -
1960 - -
1959 - -
1958 - -
1957 - -
1956 - -
1955 - -
1954 - -
1953 - -
1952 - -
1951 - -
1950 - -
1949 - -
1948 - -
1947 - -
1946 - -
1945 - -
1944 - -
1943 -0.17% -
1942 0.31% -
1941 0.2% -
1940 -0.07% -
1939 0.19% -
1938 -0.11% -
1937 -0.01% -
1936 0.08% -
1935 0.03% -
1934 0.04% -
1933 -0.03% -
1932 -0.22% -
1931 -0.32% -
1930 -0.26% -
1929 0.02% -
1928 0.12% -
1927 0.15% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1927–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Hungary's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $10.9B, equivalent to 4.92% of GDP. This compares to Iran's deficit of $18.2B, or 3.83% of GDP.

Over the past 30 years, Hungary recorded a fiscal deficit in 30 of those years, while Iran ran a deficit in 28 years. On average, Hungary posted an annual deficit equal to 5.05% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.06% of GDP for Iran.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Hungary

Iran
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Hungary Iran
2024 3.7% 32.5%
2023 17.1% 44.6%
2022 14.6% 43.5%
2021 5.11% 43.4%
2020 3.33% 30.6%
2019 3.34% 39.9%
2018 2.85% 18%
2017 2.35% 8.04%
2016 0.39% 7.25%
2015 -0.06% 12.5%
2014 -0.23% 16.6%
2013 1.73% 36.6%
2012 5.65% 27.3%
2011 3.93% 26.3%
2010 4.86% 10.1%
2009 4.21% 13.6%
2008 6.04% 25.4%
2007 7.96% 17.3%
2006 3.93% 10%
2005 3.56% 13.4%
2004 6.74% 14.8%
2003 4.66% 16.5%
2002 5.27% 14.3%
2001 9.12% 11.3%
2000 9.8% 14.5%
1999 10% 20.1%
1998 14.2% 17.9%
1997 18.3% 17.3%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Hungary has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.16%, compared with 21.6% in Iran. In 2024, inflation was 3.7% in Hungary and 32.5% in Iran.

Top exports between countries

Hungary
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $15.8M
Chemicals & pharma $11.3M
Machinery & equipment $9.61M
Raw agricultural goods $1.67M
Animal & marine products $610K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $511K
Raw materials & minerals $509K
Miscellaneous $73K
Wood & paper products $4K
Metals $3K
Iran
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $1.18M
Chemicals & pharma $417K
Raw materials & minerals $340K
Machinery & equipment $299K
Textiles & consumer goods $128K
Metals $127K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $110K
Wood & paper products $3K

Balance of trade

Hungary Iran
Current account balance
$3.52B
2024
$12.5B
2000
Current account balance ranking
36/190
2024
22/190
2000
Current account balance, % of GDP
+1.58%
2024
+11.4%
2000
Goods imports
$130B
2024
$15.2B
2000
Goods exports
$129B
2024
$28.3B
2000
Service imports
$27.9B
2024
$2.3B
2000
Service exports
$38.9B
2024
$1.38B
2000
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
71.1%
2024
28.5%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
75.4%
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.

Hungary Iran
Economic freedom 62.5 41.8
Economic freedom ranking 86/197 185/197
Property rights 67.3 20.2
Government integrity 44 16.2
Judicial effectiveness 61.9 18.7
Tax burden 85.1 81.3
Government spending 30.2 94.7
Fiscal health 32.7 83.3
Business freedom 70.8 37.4
Labor freedom 56.5 41.8
Monetary freedom 72.1 42.2
Trade freedom 79.4 55.8
Investment freedom 80 5
Financial freedom 70 5

Economic freedom comparison by year

Hungary
Iran
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Hungary Iran
2026 62.5 41.8
2025 61.4 42.5
2024 61.2 41.2
2023 64.1 42.2
2022 66.9 42.4
2021 67.2 47.2
2020 66.4 49.2
2019 65 51.1
2018 66.7 50.9
2017 65.8 50.5
2016 66 43.5
2015 66.8 41.8
2014 67 40.3
2013 67.3 43.2
2012 67.1 42.3
2011 66.6 42.1
2010 66.1 43.4
2009 66.8 44.6
2008 67.6 45
2007 64.8 45
2006 65 45
2005 63.5 50.5
2004 62.7 42.8
2003 63 43.2
2002 64.5 36.4
2001 65.6 35.9
2000 64.4 36.1
1999 59.6 36.8
1998 56.9 36
1997 55.3 34.5
1996 56.8 36.1
1995 55.2 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Hungary is 62.5, ranking 86/197, 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

Hungary Iran
Services, % of GDP
59.5%
2024
49.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
23.7%
2024
36.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.71%
2024
10.8%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$199B
2024
$469B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$47,290
2024
$19,820
2024
Total reserves including gold
$46.4B
2024
$7.69B
1982
Total reserves ranking
42/177
2024
85/177
1982
Net foreign direct investment
-$15.8B
2024
-$39M
2000
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$62.2B
2024
$1.45B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$78B
2024
$89.4M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
0.08%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
12.1%
2021
18.7%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
23.5%
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/hungary/iran | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

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 (1927–1995, 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 (2022–2024, 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.