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Economy of Iran vs Israel compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Iran has a GDP of $363B compared to $611B for Israel, ranking 44/197 and 27/197 by economy size, respectively.

Iran has $135B in government debt (37.3% of GDP), compared to $418B (68.5% of GDP) in Israel.

Iran vs Israel GDP by year

Iran
Israel
1x
Year GDP, current $
Iran Israel
2025 $362,682,115,433 $610,777,842,874
2024 $475,252,089,215 $542,284,494,491
2023 $457,510,482,317 $513,393,395,492
2022 $422,662,261,526 $525,157,951,213
2021 $407,350,685,583 $489,735,019,666
2020 $280,934,329,280 $410,908,899,711
2019 $347,988,400,958 $399,207,771,082
2018 $411,903,303,606 $375,470,422,244
2017 $510,239,893,418 $357,360,816,857
2016 $478,618,064,871 $321,083,954,798
2015 $409,191,686,497 $302,841,190,258
2014 $462,284,793,281 $314,376,760,832
2013 $500,399,839,840 $298,045,324,736
2012 $644,019,315,004 $263,172,104,091
2011 $629,082,257,472 $267,739,352,609
2010 $487,069,570,464 $239,372,857,534
2009 $414,059,094,949 $213,112,649,594
2008 $406,070,949,554 $220,952,472,408
2007 $349,736,591,832 $184,448,882,452
2006 $265,602,187,404 $158,706,516,002
2005 $224,970,371,325 $147,346,035,831
2004 $187,754,571,248 $139,925,423,025
2003 $151,911,222,119 $131,278,887,815
2002 $128,626,917,504 $125,215,963,105
2001 $126,878,750,296 $134,889,159,474
2000 $109,591,707,802 $136,409,902,632
1999 $113,848,450,088 $121,329,240,042
1998 $110,276,913,363 $120,468,659,246
1997 $113,919,163,421 $119,389,303,067
1996 $120,403,931,885 $115,051,957,577
1995 $96,419,225,744 $105,432,315,611
1994 $71,841,461,173 $90,684,108,118
1993 $63,743,623,232 $79,806,598,120
1992 $119,768,691,217 $79,408,652,426
1991 $131,637,664,958 $70,954,941,681
1990 $124,813,263,926 $61,978,459,022
1989 $120,496,362,916 $52,411,116,588
1988 $123,057,861,334 $52,618,458,014
1987 $134,009,995,923 $43,022,977,765
1986 $209,094,561,833 $35,812,041,620
1985 $180,183,629,600 $28,887,898,639
1984 $162,276,728,620 $30,626,695,891
1983 $156,365,156,618 $32,655,591,256
1982 $125,948,756,439 $29,237,231,967
1981 $100,499,312,750 $26,865,420,933
1980 $94,362,275,580 $25,379,585,067
1979 $90,391,877,326 $22,595,788,591
1978 $77,994,316,621 $17,690,363,444
1977 $80,600,122,702 $18,245,847,441
1976 $68,055,295,081 $15,946,502,888
1975 $51,776,222,350 $16,131,806,290
1974 $46,209,092,072 $17,162,009,924
1973 $27,081,698,250 $11,895,229,181
1972 $17,153,463,263 $9,216,866,299
1971 $13,731,802,833 $7,048,191,876
1970 $10,976,245,154 $7,402,142,195
1969 $9,743,089,607 $6,293,966,357
1968 $8,623,172,960 $5,455,059,532
1967 $7,555,383,690 $4,759,447,914
1966 $6,789,938,672 $4,700,397,692
1965 $6,197,319,929 $4,326,412,951
1964 $5,379,845,648 $4,021,861,430
1963 $4,928,628,018 $3,533,767,055
1962 $4,693,566,416 $2,964,323,618
1961 $4,426,949,095 $3,706,297,903
1960 $4,199,134,390 $3,068,690,949

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Iran vs Israel by year

Iran
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Israel
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Iran Israel
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $3,924 - $60,337 -
2024 $5,190 $19,874 $54,217 $57,236
2023 $5,049 $18,917 $52,126 $55,171
2022 $4,721 $17,546 $54,947 $53,619
2021 $4,605 $15,884 $52,258 $46,162
2020 $3,203 $15,119 $44,591 $40,955
2019 $3,997 $13,928 $44,092 $41,325
2018 $4,783 $15,324 $42,269 $40,190
2017 $6,001 $15,719 $41,013 $39,471
2016 $5,711 $15,195 $37,571 $38,189
2015 $4,953 $14,274 $36,138 $35,871
2014 $5,672 $16,065 $38,265 $34,816
2013 $6,223 $16,215 $36,981 $34,827
2012 $8,114 $17,021 $33,269 $32,484
2011 $8,026 $19,275 $34,477 $31,314
2010 $6,291 $18,628 $31,399 $29,456
2009 $5,416 $17,615 $28,470 $28,087
2008 $5,377 $17,549 $30,231 $28,084
2007 $4,688 $17,384 $25,689 $28,307
2006 $3,619 $15,907 $22,500 $26,385
2005 $3,132 $15,016 $21,262 $25,701
2004 $2,672 $14,425 $20,550 $26,078
2003 $2,209 $13,755 $19,624 $24,702
2002 $1,891 $12,554 $19,059 $26,101
2001 $1,881 $11,533 $20,949 $25,806
2000 $1,650 $11,187 $21,690 $25,766
1999 $1,740 $10,489 $19,809 $23,415
1998 $1,709 $10,285 $20,176 $22,927
1997 $1,790 $10,101 $20,457 $22,279
1996 $1,915 $9,916 $20,213 $21,672
1995 $1,550 $9,255 $19,014 $20,642
1994 $1,168 $8,951 $16,796 $19,478
1993 $1,038 $8,933 $15,169 $18,218
1992 $1,957 $8,888 $15,500 $17,553
1991 $2,194 $8,580 $14,337 $16,486
1990 $2,138 $7,566 $13,300 $15,721
1989 $2,125 - $11,601 -
1988 $2,234 - $11,846 -
1987 $2,513 - $9,847 -
1986 $4,064 - $8,330 -
1985 $3,634 - $6,824 -
1984 $3,395 - $7,364 -
1983 $3,397 - $7,955 -
1982 $2,845 - $7,253 -
1981 $2,393 - $6,791 -
1980 $2,368 - $6,545 -
1979 $2,352 - $5,968 -
1978 $2,101 - $4,794 -
1977 $2,243 - $5,050 -
1976 $1,954 - $4,514 -
1975 $1,532 - $4,669 -
1974 $1,409 - $5,082 -
1973 $851 - $3,629 -
1972 $555 - $2,928 -
1971 $457 - $2,297 -
1970 $377 - $2,489 -
1969 $345 - $2,188 -
1968 $314 - $1,946 -
1967 $283.7 - $1,734 -
1966 $262.9 - $1,788 -
1965 $247.5 - $1,688 -
1964 $221.7 - $1,625 -
1963 $209.6 - $1,485 -
1962 $205.8 - $1,293 -
1961 $200.1 - $1,696 -
1960 $195.6 - $1,452 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Iran's GDP per capita is $3,924, ranking 135/197, compared to $60,337 in Israel, ranking 19/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Iran ranks 97th at $19,874, while Israel ranks 36th at $57,236.

Economic indicators

Iran Israel
Gross domestic product
$363B
2025
$611B
2025
GDP rank
44/197
2025
27/197
2025
GDP growth
-2.83%
2024-2025
2.93%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$3,924
2025
$60,337
2025
GDP per capita rank
135/197
2025
19/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$19,874
2024
$57,236
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
97/197
2024
36/197
2024
Government debt
$135B
2025
$418B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
37.3%
2025
68.5%
2025
Government debt per person
$1,463
2025
$41,338
2025
Government debt per person rank
133/185
2025
16/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,958
2026
$48,251
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$186B
2025
$331B
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
195,000
2026
Number of billionaires n/a
42
2026
Income share by richest 10%
28.2%
2023
27%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2.8%
2023
1.8%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
13.4%
2025
43.6%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
42.2%
2024-2025
3.04%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
23%
2023
3.75%
2026
Unemployment rate
7.63%
2024
3%
2025
Population
93580141
10334048

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Iran
Spending

Debt
Israel
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Iran Israel
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 13.4% 37.3% 43.6% 68.5%
2024 16% 31.2% 43.7% 67.7%
2023 12.8% 29.6% 39.6% 61.3%
2022 12.8% 34.5% 36.9% 60.3%
2021 13.4% 39.9% 40.1% 67.7%
2020 12.1% 47.1% 44.8% 71.1%
2019 13.6% 44.6% 38.7% 59.3%
2018 14.8% 41.6% 39.2% 60.1%
2017 16.4% 43.2% 38.4% 59.8%
2016 16.3% 45.9% 37.9% 61.7%
2015 14.1% 32.1% 37.6% 62.8%
2014 12.3% 10.9% 38.3% 65.8%
2013 11.5% 10.2% 39.7% 66%
2012 11.4% 11.7% 39.6% 66.9%
2011 14.6% 10.6% 39.3% 67.2%
2010 14.1% 12.8% 39.7% 69%
2009 15.7% 11.5% 41.4% 72.6%
2008 16.8% 10.6% 41.2% 70.2%
2007 14.2% 13.5% 40.2% 70.8%
2006 18.7% 15.2% 41.6% 77.7%
2005 17.9% 18.3% 42.3% 85.2%
2004 15.1% 21.1% 43% 88.3%
2003 15.7% 21.9% 45.4% 89.7%
2002 15.6% 23.4% 50% 87.2%
2001 13.6% 21% 46.1% 81.1%
2000 13.3% 18.2% 43.4% 77.2%
1999 15.7% 22.2% 53.6% 94.8%
1998 16.9% 29.6% 55% 101%
1997 17.4% 30.9% 52.6% 99.3%
1996 17.3% 29.3% 53.2% 100.3%
1995 21% 31.2% 52.8% 102.3%
1994 23% 41.7% 41.7% 110.2%
1993 27.2% 25.6% 42.2% 118.3%
1992 14.4% 25.2% 44.1% 119.6%
1991 14% 29.3% 34.4% 123.7%
1990 16.4% 37% 46.8% 138.3%
1989 20% 48.8% 47.5% 147.4%
1988 23.6% 53.2% 46.5% 145.4%
1987 18.6% 48.6% 52.8% 143.2%
1986 19% 47.4% 55.7% 162.5%
1985 21.6% 8.73% 65.2% 199%
1984 23.7% 10% - 284%
1983 27.5% 35.7% - 260.5%
1982 29.7% 47.7% 69.7% -
1981 33.7% 47.6% 71.8% -
1980 35.8% 35.5% 69.4% 154.3%
1979 - - 70.1% 155.5%
1978 - - 62.2% 133.6%
1977 - 9.23% 69.1% 142%
1976 - 6.92% 66.3% 97.4%
1975 - 8.81% 62% 85.1%
1974 - 6.68% - 79.8%
1973 - 12.8% - 62.1%
1972 - 12.7% - 63.9%
1971 - 14.2% - -
1970 - 14.1% 41.6% -
1969 - - 41.1% -
1968 23.6% - 39.4% -
1967 22.3% - 33.9% -
1966 20.5% - 29.6% -
1965 16.3% 14.9% 27.8% -
1964 15.4% 15.2% 28.2% -
1963 14.8% 12.4% 26.9% -
1962 15.6% 13.4% 27.7% -
1961 - - 30.3% -
1960 - - 30.4% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Iran's government spending was $48.7B, accounting for 13.4% of its GDP, while Israel spent $266B, or 43.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 37.3% in Iran and 68.5% in Israel, ranking 139/185 and 60/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Iran

Israel
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Iran Israel
2025 -5.65% -5.22%
2024 -2.68% -8.07%
2023 -3.04% -5.38%
2022 -2.64% 0.3%
2021 -3.01% -3.37%
2020 -4.87% -10.6%
2019 -4.3% -3.79%
2018 -1.59% -3.58%
2017 -1.55% -1.17%
2016 -1.7% -1.78%
2015 -1.3% -1.2%
2014 -0.91% -2.28%
2013 -0.72% -4.07%
2012 -0.5% -4.46%
2011 -0.66% -3.43%
2010 -0.84% -3.72%
2009 -3.3% -6.53%
2008 -4.39% -3.49%
2007 -2.41% -0.43%
2006 -4.91% -0.94%
2005 -2.44% -2.74%
2004 -2.45% -3.4%
2003 -2.76% -5.03%
2002 -2.88% -8.21%
2001 0.02% -4.06%
2000 5.42% -0.8%
1999 -0.51% -6.26%
1998 -5.03% -7.99%
1997 -1.81% -4.84%
1996 -0.75% -5.97%
1995 -2.63% -4.28%
1994 -3.36% -5.62%
1993 -5.15% -5.62%
1992 -0.86% -8%
1991 -1.64% -7.04%
1990 -1.73% -9.67%
1989 -4.45% -9.03%
1988 -10.3% -7.57%
1987 -6.84% -7.47%
1986 -7.84% -7.51%
1985 -3.74% -14.2%
1984 -4.02% -
1983 -6.15% -
1982 -5.55% -13.8%
1981 -10.7% -23.5%
1980 -14.2% -19.6%
1979 - -16.7%
1978 - -14.7%
1977 - -20.3%
1976 - -19.4%
1975 - -19.6%
1974 - -
1973 - -
1972 - -
1971 - -
1970 - -16%
1969 - -15.3%
1968 -4.57% -11.7%
1967 -4% -7.68%
1966 -2.63% -4.35%
1965 -1.23% -2.72%
1964 -0.04% -3.65%
1963 0.26% -4.41%
1962 -1.39% -4.09%
1961 - -5.86%
1960 - -6.62%
1959 - -7.23%
1958 - -8.31%
1957 - -7.17%
1956 - -9.3%
1955 - -4.3%
1954 - -7.84%
1953 - -8.32%
1952 - -7.19%
1951 - -8.13%
1950 - -10.7%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1950–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Iran's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $20.5B, equivalent to 5.65% of GDP. This compares to Israel's deficit of $31.9B, or 5.22% of GDP.

Over the past 64 years, Iran recorded a fiscal deficit in 50 of those years, while Israel ran a deficit in 57 years. On average, Iran posted an annual deficit equal to 3.15% of GDP, compared to deficit of 7.34% of GDP for Israel.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Iran

Israel
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Iran Israel
2025 42.2% 3.04%
2024 32.5% 3.07%
2023 44.6% 4.23%
2022 43.5% 4.41%
2021 43.4% 1.48%
2020 30.6% -0.58%
2019 39.9% 0.82%
2018 18% 0.81%
2017 8.04% 0.25%
2016 7.25% -0.54%
2015 12.5% -0.62%
2014 16.6% 0.47%
2013 36.6% 1.59%
2012 27.3% 1.68%
2011 26.3% 3.49%
2010 10.1% 2.7%
2009 13.6% 3.37%
2008 25.4% 4.53%
2007 17.3% 0.47%
2006 10% 2.05%
2005 13.4% 1.34%
2004 14.8% -0.42%
2003 16.5% 0.71%
2002 14.3% 5.8%
2001 11.3% 1.12%
2000 14.5% 1.03%
1999 20.1% 5.19%
1998 17.9% 5.49%
1997 17.3% 8.95%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, Iran has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 22.3%, compared with 2.27% in Israel. In 2025, inflation was 42.2% in Iran and 3.04% in Israel.

Balance of trade

Iran Israel
Current account balance
$12.5B
2000
$8.53B
2025
Current account balance ranking
22/190
2000
26/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
+11.4%
2000
+1.4%
2025
Goods imports
$15.2B
2000
$102B
2025
Goods exports
$28.3B
2000
$76.2B
2025
Service imports
$2.3B
2000
$53.2B
2025
Service exports
$1.38B
2000
$92.4B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
34.5%
2025
25.4%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
25.8%
2025
27.6%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Iran Israel
Economic freedom 41.8 68.4
Economic freedom ranking 185/197 47/197
Property rights 20.2 73.1
Government integrity 16.2 66.2
Judicial effectiveness 18.7 68.1
Tax burden 81.3 60.2
Government spending 94.7 52
Fiscal health 83.3 60.8
Business freedom 37.4 72.4
Labor freedom 41.8 56.8
Monetary freedom 42.2 78.2
Trade freedom 55.8 82.8
Investment freedom 5 70
Financial freedom 5 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

Iran
Israel
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Iran Israel
2026 41.8 68.4
2025 42.5 69.9
2024 41.2 70.1
2023 42.2 68.9
2022 42.4 68
2021 47.2 73.8
2020 49.2 74
2019 51.1 72.8
2018 50.9 72.2
2017 50.5 69.7
2016 43.5 70.7
2015 41.8 70.5
2014 40.3 68.4
2013 43.2 66.9
2012 42.3 67.8
2011 42.1 68.5
2010 43.4 67.7
2009 44.6 67.6
2008 45 66.3
2007 45 64.8
2006 45 64.4
2005 50.5 62.6
2004 42.8 61.4
2003 43.2 62.7
2002 36.4 66.9
2001 35.9 66.1
2000 36.1 65.5
1999 36.8 68.3
1998 36 68
1997 34.5 62.7
1996 36.1 62
1995 - 61.5

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Iran is 41.8, ranking 185/197, compared to 68.4 for Israel, ranking 47/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Iran Israel
Services, % of GDP
47.1%
2025
72.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
39.6%
2025
17.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
10.6%
2025
1.29%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$429B
2025
$569B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$19,660
2025
$58,870
2025
Total reserves including gold
$7.69B
1982
$229B
2025
Total reserves ranking
89/177
1982
18/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$39M
2000
-$11.8B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.45B
2024
$14.8B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$89.4M
2024
$9.92B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.08%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
18.7%
2020
22%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
41.8%
2025
24.3%
2025

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1950–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)

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.