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Economy of Iran vs Iraq compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Iran has a GDP of $475B compared to $280B for Iraq, ranking 34/197 and 50/197 by economy size, respectively.

Iran has $162B in government debt (34% of GDP), compared to $130B (46.5% of GDP) in Iraq.

Iran vs Iraq GDP by year

Iran
Iraq
1x
Year GDP, current $
Iran Iraq
2024 $475,252,089,215 $279,641,257,615
2023 $457,510,482,317 $268,881,051,644
2022 $422,662,261,526 $287,372,232,138
2021 $407,350,685,583 $209,691,945,713
2020 $280,934,329,280 $180,898,797,517
2019 $347,988,400,958 $233,636,097,800
2018 $411,903,303,606 $227,367,469,034
2017 $510,239,893,418 $187,217,660,051
2016 $478,618,064,871 $166,743,557,748
2015 $409,191,686,497 $166,774,104,959
2014 $462,284,793,281 $228,415,656,175
2013 $500,399,839,840 $234,637,675,129
2012 $644,019,315,004 $218,002,476,129
2011 $629,082,257,472 $185,749,664,444
2010 $487,069,570,464 $138,516,722,650
2009 $414,059,094,949 $111,657,580,326
2008 $406,070,949,554 $131,614,434,154
2007 $349,736,591,832 $88,837,057,320
2006 $265,602,187,404 $65,147,051,918
2005 $224,970,371,325 $50,065,104,668
2004 $187,754,571,248 $36,633,669,269
2003 $151,911,222,119 $21,921,569,479
2002 $128,626,917,504 $32,928,454,672
2001 $126,878,750,296 $36,176,430,129
2000 $109,591,707,802 $48,364,250,944
1999 $113,848,450,088 $36,881,601,584
1998 $110,276,913,363 $20,617,405,044
1997 $113,919,163,421 $20,764,857,056
1996 $120,403,931,885 $10,433,698,621
1995 $96,419,225,744 $12,894,029,888
1994 $71,841,461,173 $3,991,349,283
1993 $63,743,623,232 $1,031,944,881
1992 $119,768,691,217 $553,671,958
1991 $131,637,664,958 $407,796,350
1990 $124,813,263,926 $180,408,064,516
1989 $120,496,362,916 $65,831,935,484
1988 $123,057,861,334 $62,684,516,129
1987 $134,009,995,923 $56,774,193,548
1986 $209,094,561,833 $47,264,516,129
1985 $180,183,629,600 $48,425,161,290
1984 $162,276,728,620 $46,938,387,097
1983 $156,365,156,618 $40,712,903,226
1982 $125,948,756,439 $42,382,333,333
1981 $100,499,312,750 $37,823,000,000
1980 $94,362,275,580 $52,569,000,000
1979 $90,391,877,326 $37,816,457,839
1978 $77,994,316,621 $23,762,275,652
1977 $80,600,122,702 $19,838,130,715
1976 $68,055,295,081 $17,754,825,601
1975 $51,776,222,350 $13,458,516,763
1974 $46,209,092,072 $11,516,762,614
1973 $27,081,698,250 $5,134,367,778
1972 $17,153,463,263 $4,113,848,002
1971 $13,731,802,833 $3,865,346,535
1970 $10,976,245,154 $3,281,318,687
1969 $9,743,089,607 $3,007,758,797
1968 $8,623,172,960 $2,896,598,841
1967 $7,555,383,690 $2,551,522,656
1966 $6,789,938,672 $2,530,306,096
1965 $6,197,319,929 $2,335,785,506
1964 $5,379,845,648 $2,136,408,198
1963 $4,928,628,018 $1,805,901,510
1962 $4,693,566,416 $1,784,174,541
1961 $4,426,949,095 $1,671,960,965
1960 $4,199,134,390 $1,537,252,193

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

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

GDP per capita in Iran vs Iraq by year

Iran
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Iraq
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Iran Iraq
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $5,190 $19,874 $6,074 $14,464
2023 $5,049 $18,917 $5,965 $14,653
2022 $4,721 $17,546 $6,521 $14,391
2021 $4,605 $15,884 $4,868 $12,732
2020 $3,203 $15,119 $4,295 $10,574
2019 $3,997 $13,928 $5,672 $12,249
2018 $4,783 $15,324 $5,647 $12,034
2017 $6,001 $15,719 $4,759 $10,192
2016 $5,711 $15,195 $4,334 $9,079
2015 $4,953 $14,274 $4,440 $9,334
2014 $5,672 $16,065 $6,249 $13,168
2013 $6,223 $16,215 $6,650 $14,669
2012 $8,114 $17,021 $6,478 $14,402
2011 $8,026 $19,275 $5,776 $12,912
2010 $6,291 $18,628 $4,462 $12,186
2009 $5,416 $17,615 $3,715 $11,687
2008 $5,377 $17,549 $4,543 $11,657
2007 $4,688 $17,384 $3,129 $10,783
2006 $3,619 $15,907 $2,277 $10,223
2005 $3,132 $15,016 $1,762 $9,457
2004 $2,672 $14,425 $1,328 $9,290
2003 $2,209 $13,755 $818 $6,068
2002 $1,891 $12,554 $1,266 $9,682
2001 $1,881 $11,533 $1,436 $10,720
2000 $1,650 $11,187 $1,980 $10,628
1999 $1,740 $10,489 $1,560 $9,194
1998 $1,709 $10,285 $901 $7,964
1997 $1,790 $10,101 $936 $6,020
1996 $1,915 $9,916 $485 $5,034
1995 $1,550 $9,255 $619 $4,598
1994 $1,168 $8,951 $198.2 $4,560
1993 $1,038 $8,933 $53.7 $4,509
1992 $1,957 $8,888 $30.3 $3,547
1991 $2,194 $8,580 $23 $2,694
1990 $2,138 $7,566 $10,261 -
1989 $2,125 - $3,791 -
1988 $2,234 - $3,707 -
1987 $2,513 - $3,436 -
1986 $4,064 - $2,940 -
1985 $3,634 - $3,088 -
1984 $3,395 - $3,066 -
1983 $3,397 - $2,743 -
1982 $2,845 - $2,942 -
1981 $2,393 - $2,700 -
1980 $2,368 - $3,868 -
1979 $2,352 - $2,871 -
1978 $2,101 - $1,863 -
1977 $2,243 - $1,609 -
1976 $1,954 - $1,489 -
1975 $1,532 - $1,166 -
1974 $1,409 - $1,031 -
1973 $851 - $476 -
1972 $555 - $394 -
1971 $457 - $384 -
1970 $377 - $337 -
1969 $345 - $320 -
1968 $314 - $319 -
1967 $283.7 - $290.6 -
1966 $262.9 - $298.2 -
1965 $247.5 - $284.8 -
1964 $221.7 - $269.4 -
1963 $209.6 - $235.5 -
1962 $205.8 - $240.7 -
1961 $200.1 - $232.4 -
1960 $195.6 - $218.9 -

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

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

Iran's GDP per capita is $5,190, ranking 119/197, compared to $6,074 in Iraq, ranking 113/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Iran ranks 97th at $19,874, while Iraq ranks 115th at $14,464.

Economic indicators

Iran Iraq
Gross domestic product
$475B
2024
$280B
2024
GDP rank
34/197
2024
50/197
2024
GDP growth
3.66%
2023-2024
-1.55%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$5,190
2024
$6,074
2024
GDP per capita rank
119/197
2024
113/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$19,874
2024
$14,464
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
97/197
2024
115/197
2024
Government debt
$162B
2024
$130B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
34%
2024
46.5%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,764
2024
$2,822
2024
Government debt per person rank
122/185
2024
105/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,964
2026
$5,928
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$172B
2024
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
28.2%
2023
24.2%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
2.8%
2023
3.7%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
14.2%
2024
42.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
32.5%
2023-2024
-12.3%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
23%
2023
n/a
Unemployment rate
7.63%
2024
16.2%
2021
Population
93468444
48289334

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Iran
Spending

Debt
Iraq
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Iran Iraq
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 14.2% 34% 42.9% 46.5%
2023 12.8% 29.6% 41.2% 42.1%
2022 12.8% 34.5% 33.9% 39%
2021 13.4% 39.9% 36.3% 54.7%
2020 12.1% 47.1% 41.9% 72.5%
2019 13.6% 44.6% 34.7% 41.7%
2018 14.8% 41.6% 31.1% 44.4%
2017 16.4% 43.2% 35.5% 55.9%
2016 16.3% 45.9% 42.4% 60.3%
2015 14.1% 32.1% 43.5% 48.3%
2014 12.3% 10.9% 43.8% 27.6%
2013 11.5% 10.2% 48.2% 32%
2012 11.4% 11.7% 42.9% 34.8%
2011 14.6% 10.6% 43.4% 40.7%
2010 14.1% 12.8% 49.6% 53.5%
2009 15.7% 11.5% 61.1% 87.4%
2008 16.8% 10.6% 57.3% 74.2%
2007 14.2% 13.5% 44% 117.1%
2006 18.7% 15.2% 50.3% 143.2%
2005 17.9% 18.3% 63.2% 227.3%
2004 15.1% 21.1% 91.5% 344%
2003 15.7% 21.9% - -
2002 15.6% 23.4% - -
2001 13.6% 21% - -
2000 13.3% 18.2% - -
1999 15.7% 22.2% - -
1998 16.9% 29.6% - -
1997 17.4% 30.9% - -
1996 17.3% 29.3% - -
1995 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/iran/iraq | CC BY

In 2024, Iran's government spending was $67.5B, accounting for 14.2% of its GDP, while Iraq spent $120B, or 42.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 34% in Iran and 46.5% in Iraq, ranking 147/185 and 117/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Iran

Iraq
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Iran Iraq
2024 -3.83% -4.14%
2023 -2.54% -1.14%
2022 -2.64% 8.1%
2021 -3.01% -0.38%
2020 -4.87% -12.8%
2019 -4.3% 0.83%
2018 -1.59% 7.69%
2017 -1.55% -1.52%
2016 -1.7% -14.4%
2015 -1.3% -12.8%
2014 -0.91% -5.63%
2013 -0.72% -6.06%
2012 -0.5% 4.09%
2011 -0.66% 4.74%
2010 -0.84% -4.18%
2009 -3.3% -14.9%
2008 -4.39% -0.86%
2007 -2.41% 9.98%
2006 -4.91% 10.7%
2005 -2.44% 4.07%
2004 -2.45% -35.4%
2003 -2.76% -
2002 -2.88% -
2001 0.02% -
2000 5.42% -
1999 -0.51% -
1998 -5.03% -
1997 -1.81% -
1996 -0.75% -
1995 -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/iran/iraq | CC BY

In 2024, Iran's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $18.2B, equivalent to 3.83% of GDP. This compares to Iraq's deficit of $11.6B, or 4.14% of GDP.

Over the past 21 years, Iran recorded a fiscal deficit in 21 of those years, while Iraq ran a deficit in 13 years. On average, Iran posted an annual deficit equal to 2.42% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.05% of GDP for Iraq.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Iran

Iraq
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Iran Iraq
2024 32.5% -12.3%
2023 44.6% 4.36%
2022 43.5% 4.99%
2021 43.4% 6.04%
2020 30.6% 0.57%
2019 39.9% -0.2%
2018 18% 0.37%
2017 8.04% 0.18%
2016 7.25% 0.56%
2015 12.5% 1.39%
2014 16.6% 2.24%
2013 36.6% 1.88%
2012 27.3% 6.09%
2011 26.3% 5.8%
2010 10.1% 2.88%
2009 13.6% 6.87%
2008 25.4% 12.7%
2007 17.3% -10.1%
2006 10% 53.2%
2005 13.4% 37%
2004 14.8% 27%
2003 16.5% 33.6%
2002 14.3% 19.3%
2001 11.3% 16.4%
2000 14.5% 4.98%
1999 20.1% 12.6%
1998 17.9% 14.8%
1997 17.3% 23.1%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Iran has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 21.6%, compared with 9.86% in Iraq. In 2024, inflation was 32.5% in Iran and -12.3% in Iraq.

Top exports between countries

Iran
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $5.55B
Metals $1.81B
Chemicals & pharma $1.17B
Raw agricultural goods $930M
Textiles & consumer goods $782M
Machinery & equipment $639M
Animal & marine products $529M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $465M
Wood & paper products $144M
Miscellaneous $8.66M
Iraq
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $100K
Animal & marine products $72K

Balance of trade

Iran Iraq
Current account balance
$12.5B
2000
$8.37B
2024
Current account balance ranking
22/190
2000
24/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+11.4%
2000
+2.99%
2024
Goods imports
$15.2B
2000
$74.3B
2024
Goods exports
$28.3B
2000
$101B
2024
Service imports
$2.3B
2000
$30.2B
2024
Service exports
$1.38B
2000
$10.2B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.5%
2024
33.2%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
23.6%
2024
37.5%
2024

Economic freedom indices

The indices of economic freedom below are issued by the Heritage Foundation. Higher scores indicate stronger economic health.

Iran Iraq
Economic freedom 41.8 15.6
Economic freedom ranking 185/197 196/197
Property rights 20.2 8.3
Government integrity 16.2 20.2
Judicial effectiveness 18.7 5.8
Tax burden 81.3 85.5
Government spending 94.7 65.3
Fiscal health 83.3 95.7
Business freedom 37.4 42.8
Labor freedom 41.8 60.6
Monetary freedom 42.2 68.6
Trade freedom 55.8 40
Investment freedom 5 10
Financial freedom 5 10

Economic freedom comparison by year

Iran
Iraq
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Iran Iraq
2026 41.8 -
2025 42.5 -
2024 41.2 -
2023 42.2 -
2022 42.4 -
2021 47.2 -
2020 49.2 -
2019 51.1 -
2018 50.9 -
2017 50.5 -
2016 43.5 -
2015 41.8 -
2014 40.3 -
2013 43.2 -
2012 42.3 -
2011 42.1 -
2010 43.4 -
2009 44.6 -
2008 45 -
2007 45 -
2006 45 -
2005 50.5 -
2004 42.8 -
2003 43.2 -
2002 36.4 15.6
2001 35.9 17.2
2000 36.1 17.2
1999 36.8 17.2
1998 36 17.2
1997 34.5 17.2
1996 36.1 17.2

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Iran is 41.8, ranking 185/197, compared to 15.6 for Iraq, ranking 196/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Iran Iraq
Services, % of GDP
49.8%
2024
45.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
36.1%
2024
51.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
10.8%
2024
3.39%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$469B
2024
$277B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$19,820
2024
$14,530
2024
Total reserves including gold
$7.69B
1982
$101B
2024
Total reserves ranking
85/177
1982
28/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$39M
2000
$8.09B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.45B
2024
-$7.65B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$89.4M
2024
$439M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.08%
2024
1.22%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
18.7%
2020
17.5%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
44.3%
2024
28.2%
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/iran/iraq | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1995, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2014–2023, 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.