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Economy of Iran vs Israel compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Iran has a GDP of $475B compared to $540B for Israel, ranking 34/197 and 29/197 by economy size, respectively.

Iran has $162B in government debt (34% of GDP), compared to $366B (67.6% of GDP) in Israel.

Iran vs Israel GDP by year

Iran
Israel
1x
Year GDP, current $
Iran Israel
2024 $475,252,089,215 $540,379,921,262
2023 $457,510,482,317 $512,184,638,999
2022 $422,662,261,526 $525,181,008,026
2021 $407,350,685,583 $489,851,549,972
2020 $280,934,329,280 $410,768,352,658
2019 $347,988,400,958 $400,645,216,359
2018 $411,903,303,606 $376,299,083,108
2017 $510,239,893,418 $358,451,839,053
2016 $478,618,064,871 $321,940,971,558
2015 $409,191,686,497 $303,469,434,072
2014 $462,284,793,281 $315,017,088,117
2013 $500,399,839,840 $298,478,070,673
2012 $644,019,315,004 $263,589,172,712
2011 $629,082,257,472 $268,094,998,225
2010 $487,069,570,464 $239,679,036,634
2009 $414,059,094,949 $213,403,181,853
2008 $406,070,949,554 $221,231,658,863
2007 $349,736,591,832 $184,681,214,673
2006 $265,602,187,404 $158,900,547,825
2005 $224,970,371,325 $147,519,922,009
2004 $187,754,571,248 $140,047,984,605
2003 $151,911,222,119 $131,408,914,824
2002 $128,626,917,504 $125,332,331,884
2001 $126,878,750,296 $135,002,039,613
2000 $109,591,707,802 $136,512,300,542
1999 $113,848,450,088 $121,417,185,062
1998 $110,276,913,363 $120,547,409,279
1997 $113,919,163,421 $119,459,826,347
1996 $120,403,931,885 $115,116,595,545
1995 $96,419,225,744 $105,497,418,059
1994 $71,841,461,173 $90,740,103,829
1993 $63,743,623,232 $79,855,877,174
1992 $119,768,691,217 $79,457,685,757
1991 $131,637,664,958 $70,998,755,007
1990 $124,813,263,926 $62,016,729,541
1989 $120,496,362,916 $52,443,479,454
1988 $123,057,861,334 $52,650,948,910
1987 $134,009,995,923 $43,049,543,635
1986 $209,094,561,833 $35,834,154,874
1985 $180,183,629,600 $28,905,736,367
1984 $162,276,728,620 $30,645,607,293
1983 $156,365,156,618 $32,675,755,462
1982 $125,948,756,439 $29,255,285,401
1981 $100,499,312,750 $26,882,009,819
1980 $94,362,275,580 $25,395,256,478
1979 $90,391,877,326 $22,609,741,060
1978 $77,994,316,621 $17,701,286,907
1977 $80,600,122,702 $18,257,113,904
1976 $68,055,295,081 $15,956,349,550
1975 $51,776,222,350 $16,141,767,373
1974 $46,209,092,072 $17,172,607,138
1973 $27,081,698,250 $11,902,574,259
1972 $17,153,463,263 $9,222,557,539
1971 $13,731,802,833 $7,052,544,000
1970 $10,976,245,154 $7,406,712,876
1969 $9,743,089,607 $6,297,852,761
1968 $8,623,172,960 $5,458,427,928
1967 $7,555,383,690 $4,762,386,783
1966 $6,789,938,672 $4,703,300,098
1965 $6,197,319,929 $4,329,084,429
1964 $5,379,845,648 $4,024,344,853
1963 $4,928,628,018 $3,535,949,089
1962 $4,693,566,416 $2,966,154,031
1961 $4,426,949,095 $3,708,586,471
1960 $4,199,134,390 $3,070,585,807

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

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
2024 $5,190 $19,874 $54,177 $57,236
2023 $5,049 $18,917 $52,004 $55,171
2022 $4,721 $17,546 $54,950 $53,619
2021 $4,605 $15,884 $52,271 $46,162
2020 $3,203 $15,119 $44,576 $40,955
2019 $3,997 $13,928 $44,251 $41,325
2018 $4,783 $15,324 $42,363 $40,190
2017 $6,001 $15,719 $41,138 $39,471
2016 $5,711 $15,195 $37,672 $38,189
2015 $4,953 $14,274 $36,213 $35,871
2014 $5,672 $16,065 $38,343 $34,816
2013 $6,223 $16,215 $37,034 $34,827
2012 $8,114 $17,021 $33,321 $32,484
2011 $8,026 $19,275 $34,523 $31,314
2010 $6,291 $18,628 $31,439 $29,456
2009 $5,416 $17,615 $28,508 $28,087
2008 $5,377 $17,549 $30,269 $28,084
2007 $4,688 $17,384 $25,721 $28,307
2006 $3,619 $15,907 $22,527 $26,385
2005 $3,132 $15,016 $21,287 $25,701
2004 $2,672 $14,425 $20,568 $26,078
2003 $2,209 $13,755 $19,643 $24,702
2002 $1,891 $12,554 $19,076 $26,101
2001 $1,881 $11,533 $20,966 $25,806
2000 $1,650 $11,187 $21,707 $25,766
1999 $1,740 $10,489 $19,823 $23,415
1998 $1,709 $10,285 $20,189 $22,927
1997 $1,790 $10,101 $20,469 $22,279
1996 $1,915 $9,916 $20,224 $21,672
1995 $1,550 $9,255 $19,026 $20,642
1994 $1,168 $8,951 $16,807 $19,478
1993 $1,038 $8,933 $15,179 $18,218
1992 $1,957 $8,888 $15,510 $17,553
1991 $2,194 $8,580 $14,346 $16,486
1990 $2,138 $7,566 $13,308 $15,721
1989 $2,125 - $11,608 -
1988 $2,234 - $11,853 -
1987 $2,513 - $9,853 -
1986 $4,064 - $8,335 -
1985 $3,634 - $6,829 -
1984 $3,395 - $7,369 -
1983 $3,397 - $7,960 -
1982 $2,845 - $7,258 -
1981 $2,393 - $6,795 -
1980 $2,368 - $6,549 -
1979 $2,352 - $5,972 -
1978 $2,101 - $4,797 -
1977 $2,243 - $5,053 -
1976 $1,954 - $4,516 -
1975 $1,532 - $4,672 -
1974 $1,409 - $5,085 -
1973 $851 - $3,631 -
1972 $555 - $2,930 -
1971 $457 - $2,298 -
1970 $377 - $2,490 -
1969 $345 - $2,189 -
1968 $314 - $1,947 -
1967 $283.7 - $1,735 -
1966 $262.9 - $1,789 -
1965 $247.5 - $1,689 -
1964 $221.7 - $1,626 -
1963 $209.6 - $1,486 -
1962 $205.8 - $1,294 -
1961 $200.1 - $1,697 -
1960 $195.6 - $1,452 -

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

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

Iran's GDP per capita is $5,190, ranking 119/197, compared to $54,177 in Israel, ranking 21/197. 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
$475B
2024
$540B
2024
GDP rank
34/197
2024
29/197
2024
GDP growth
3.66%
2023-2024
0.87%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$5,190
2024
$54,177
2024
GDP per capita rank
119/197
2024
21/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$19,874
2024
$57,236
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
97/197
2024
36/197
2024
Government debt
$162B
2024
$366B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
34%
2024
67.6%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,764
2024
$36,645
2024
Government debt per person rank
122/185
2024
18/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,964
2026
$43,003
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$172B
2024
$331B
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
179,905
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
41
2025
Income share by richest 10%
28.2%
2023
26.6%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
2.8%
2023
2%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
14.2%
2024
43.8%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
32.5%
2023-2024
3.07%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
23%
2023
4.5%
2024
Unemployment rate
7.63%
2024
2.9%
2024
Population
93468444
10290887

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
2024 14.2% 34% 43.8% 67.6%
2023 12.8% 29.6% 39.3% 61.3%
2022 12.8% 34.5% 36.9% 60.3%
2021 13.4% 39.9% 40% 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% 38.3% 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% 64.9%
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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Iran's government spending was $67.5B, accounting for 14.2% of its GDP, while Israel spent $237B, or 43.8% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 34% in Iran and 67.6% in Israel, ranking 147/185 and 62/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Iran

Israel
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Iran Israel
2024 -3.83% -8.26%
2023 -2.54% -5.06%
2022 -2.64% 0.32%
2021 -3.01% -3.37%
2020 -4.87% -10.7%
2019 -4.3% -3.79%
2018 -1.59% -3.56%
2017 -1.55% -1.13%
2016 -1.7% -1.79%
2015 -1.3% -1.21%
2014 -0.91% -2.29%
2013 -0.72% -4.06%
2012 -0.5% -4.46%
2011 -0.66% -3.43%
2010 -0.84% -3.72%
2009 -3.3% -6.53%
2008 -4.39% -3.5%
2007 -2.41% -0.43%
2006 -4.91% -0.95%
2005 -2.44% -2.74%
2004 -2.45% -3.4%
2003 -2.76% -5.03%
2002 -2.88% -8.22%
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) | Public Finances in Modern History (1950–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/iran/israel | 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 Israel's deficit of $44.6B, or 8.26% of GDP.

Over the past 63 years, Iran recorded a fiscal deficit in 49 of those years, while Israel ran a deficit in 56 years. On average, Iran posted an annual deficit equal to 3.11% of GDP, compared to deficit of 7.38% of GDP for Israel.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Iran

Israel
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Iran Israel
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 (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 28 years, Iran has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 21.6%, compared with 2.25% in Israel. In 2024, inflation was 32.5% in Iran and 3.07% in Israel.

Balance of trade

Iran Israel
Current account balance
$12.5B
2000
$15.5B
2024
Current account balance ranking
22/190
2000
21/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+11.4%
2000
+2.86%
2024
Goods imports
$15.2B
2000
$96.3B
2024
Goods exports
$28.3B
2000
$70B
2024
Service imports
$2.3B
2000
$44.4B
2024
Service exports
$1.38B
2000
$83.7B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.5%
2024
26%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
23.6%
2024
28.4%
2024

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 2026-03-09).

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
49.8%
2024
72.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
36.1%
2024
17.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
10.8%
2024
1.28%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$469B
2024
$528B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$19,820
2024
$56,790
2024
Total reserves including gold
$7.69B
1982
$215B
2024
Total reserves ranking
85/177
1982
18/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$39M
2000
-$4.86B
2024
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
44.3%
2024
23.4%
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/israel | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1950–1999, 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. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)

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.