Skip to content

Economy of Iran vs Kenya compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Iran has a GDP of $475B compared to $120B for Kenya, ranking 34/197 and 64/197 by economy size, respectively.

Iran has $162B in government debt (34% of GDP), compared to $81B (67.3% of GDP) in Kenya.

Iran vs Kenya GDP by year

Iran
Kenya
1x
Year GDP, current $
Iran Kenya
2024 $475,252,089,215 $120,339,557,906
2023 $457,510,482,317 $107,500,884,685
2022 $422,662,261,526 $114,448,978,153
2021 $407,350,685,583 $109,703,658,905
2020 $280,934,329,280 $100,657,505,751
2019 $347,988,400,958 $100,378,436,207
2018 $411,903,303,606 $92,202,979,985
2017 $510,239,893,418 $82,036,510,877
2016 $478,618,064,871 $74,815,144,164
2015 $409,191,686,497 $70,120,446,897
2014 $462,284,793,281 $68,285,796,514
2013 $500,399,839,840 $61,671,440,408
2012 $644,019,315,004 $56,396,704,672
2011 $629,082,257,472 $46,869,473,151
2010 $487,069,570,464 $45,405,615,064
2009 $414,059,094,949 $42,347,217,913
2008 $406,070,949,554 $35,895,153,328
2007 $349,736,591,832 $31,958,195,182
2006 $265,602,187,404 $25,825,512,284
2005 $224,970,371,325 $18,737,895,513
2004 $187,754,571,248 $16,095,337,094
2003 $151,911,222,119 $14,904,517,650
2002 $128,626,917,504 $13,147,736,899
2001 $126,878,750,296 $12,986,007,426
2000 $109,591,707,802 $12,705,350,098
1999 $113,848,450,088 $12,896,010,459
1998 $110,276,913,363 $14,093,998,844
1997 $113,919,163,421 $13,115,764,358
1996 $120,403,931,885 $12,045,865,396
1995 $96,419,225,744 $9,046,320,255
1994 $71,841,461,173 $7,148,148,564
1993 $63,743,623,232 $5,751,786,643
1992 $119,768,691,217 $8,209,120,763
1991 $131,637,664,958 $8,151,488,783
1990 $124,813,263,926 $8,572,359,038
1989 $120,496,362,916 $8,283,114,514
1988 $123,057,861,334 $8,355,380,879
1987 $134,009,995,923 $7,970,820,369
1986 $209,094,561,833 $7,239,126,568
1985 $180,183,629,600 $6,135,034,214
1984 $162,276,728,620 $6,191,437,070
1983 $156,365,156,618 $5,979,198,314
1982 $125,948,756,439 $6,431,579,357
1981 $100,499,312,750 $6,854,491,706
1980 $94,362,275,580 $7,265,315,820
1979 $90,391,877,326 $6,234,391,113
1978 $77,994,316,621 $5,303,735,111
1977 $80,600,122,702 $4,494,378,764
1976 $68,055,295,081 $3,474,542,392
1975 $51,776,222,350 $3,259,345,083
1974 $46,209,092,072 $2,969,958,812
1973 $27,081,698,250 $2,509,001,324
1972 $17,153,463,263 $2,107,279,157
1971 $13,731,802,833 $1,778,391,289
1970 $10,976,245,154 $1,603,447,359
1969 $9,743,089,607 $1,458,379,417
1968 $8,623,172,960 $1,353,295,459
1967 $7,555,383,690 $1,232,559,507
1966 $6,789,938,672 $1,164,519,674
1965 $6,197,319,929 $997,919,321
1964 $5,379,845,648 $998,759,334
1963 $4,928,628,018 $926,589,349
1962 $4,693,566,416 $868,111,401
1961 $4,426,949,095 $792,959,473
1960 $4,199,134,390 $791,265,459

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

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

GDP per capita in Iran vs Kenya by year

Iran
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Kenya
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Iran Kenya
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $5,190 $19,874 $2,132 $6,644
2023 $5,049 $18,917 $1,943 $6,317
2022 $4,721 $17,546 $2,110 $5,883
2021 $4,605 $15,884 $2,061 $5,339
2020 $3,203 $15,119 $1,928 $4,793
2019 $3,997 $13,928 $1,960 $4,687
2018 $4,783 $15,324 $1,836 $4,412
2017 $6,001 $15,719 $1,667 $4,177
2016 $5,711 $15,195 $1,554 $3,917
2015 $4,953 $14,274 $1,489 $3,678
2014 $5,672 $16,065 $1,483 $3,359
2013 $6,223 $16,215 $1,371 $3,106
2012 $8,114 $17,021 $1,285 $2,847
2011 $8,026 $19,275 $1,096 $2,750
2010 $6,291 $18,628 $1,092 $2,635
2009 $5,416 $17,615 $1,048 $2,480
2008 $5,377 $17,549 $916 $2,459
2007 $4,688 $17,384 $840 $2,481
2006 $3,619 $15,907 $700 $2,330
2005 $3,132 $15,016 $523 $2,189
2004 $2,672 $14,425 $464 $2,066
2003 $2,209 $13,755 $443 $1,975
2002 $1,891 $12,554 $403 $1,940
2001 $1,881 $11,533 $411 $1,961
2000 $1,650 $11,187 $415 $1,907
1999 $1,740 $10,489 $434 $1,910
1998 $1,709 $10,285 $488 $1,895
1997 $1,790 $10,101 $467 $1,865
1996 $1,915 $9,916 $441 $1,875
1995 $1,550 $9,255 $340 $1,818
1994 $1,168 $8,951 $276.4 $1,754
1993 $1,038 $8,933 $229 $1,723
1992 $1,957 $8,888 $337 $1,728
1991 $2,194 $8,580 $345 $1,756
1990 $2,138 $7,566 $374 $1,729
1989 $2,125 - $374 -
1988 $2,234 - $391 -
1987 $2,513 - $387 -
1986 $4,064 - $364 -
1985 $3,634 - $320 -
1984 $3,395 - $334 -
1983 $3,397 - $335 -
1982 $2,845 - $374 -
1981 $2,393 - $413 -
1980 $2,368 - $454 -
1979 $2,352 - $403 -
1978 $2,101 - $355 -
1977 $2,243 - $311 -
1976 $1,954 - $248.9 -
1975 $1,532 - $241.2 -
1974 $1,409 - $227.2 -
1973 $851 - $198.6 -
1972 $555 - $172.6 -
1971 $457 - $150.9 -
1970 $377 - $141 -
1969 $345 - $133.3 -
1968 $314 - $128.7 -
1967 $283.7 - $121.9 -
1966 $262.9 - $119.8 -
1965 $247.5 - $106.9 -
1964 $221.7 - $111.3 -
1963 $209.6 - $107.4 -
1962 $205.8 - $104.6 -
1961 $200.1 - $99.3 -
1960 $195.6 - $102.8 -

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

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

Iran's GDP per capita is $5,190, ranking 119/197, compared to $2,132 in Kenya, ranking 154/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Iran ranks 97th at $19,874, while Kenya ranks 149th at $6,644.

Economic indicators

Iran Kenya
Gross domestic product
$475B
2024
$120B
2024
GDP rank
34/197
2024
64/197
2024
GDP growth
3.66%
2023-2024
4.72%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$5,190
2024
$2,132
2024
GDP per capita rank
119/197
2024
154/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$19,874
2024
$6,644
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
97/197
2024
149/197
2024
Government debt
$162B
2024
$81B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
34%
2024
67.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,764
2024
$1,436
2024
Government debt per person rank
122/185
2024
133/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,964
2026
$3,229
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$172B
2024
$15B
2024
Income share by richest 10%
28.2%
2023
30.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2.8%
2023
2.9%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
14.2%
2024
23.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
32.5%
2023-2024
4.49%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
23%
2023
9.25%
2025
Unemployment rate
7.63%
2024
5.44%
2022
Population
93468444
58955623

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Iran
Spending

Debt
Kenya
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Iran Kenya
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 14.2% 34% 23.3% 67.3%
2023 12.8% 29.6% 22.7% 73.4%
2022 12.8% 34.5% 23.2% 67.8%
2021 13.4% 39.9% 24% 68.2%
2020 12.1% 47.1% 24.8% 68%
2019 13.6% 44.6% 24.4% 59.1%
2018 14.8% 41.6% 24.5% 56.4%
2017 16.4% 43.2% 25.2% 53.9%
2016 16.3% 45.9% 25.4% 50.4%
2015 14.1% 32.1% 23.8% 45.8%
2014 12.3% 10.9% 23.4% 41.3%
2013 11.5% 10.2% 23.2% 39.8%
2012 11.4% 11.7% 22.1% 37.6%
2011 14.6% 10.6% 20.1% 35.7%
2010 14.1% 12.8% 21.5% 36.7%
2009 15.7% 11.5% 20.3% 36%
2008 16.8% 10.6% 18.9% 34.3%
2007 14.2% 13.5% 18.1% 34.2%
2006 18.7% 15.2% 17.3% 37.1%
2005 17.9% 18.3% 16.2% 37.4%
2004 15.1% 21.1% 15.4% 40.8%
2003 15.7% 21.9% 16% 43.8%
2002 15.6% 23.4% 15.7% 42%
2001 13.6% 21% 14.9% 41.3%
2000 13.3% 18.2% 14.1% 43.1%
1999 15.7% 22.2% 13.7% 38.4%
1998 16.9% 29.6% 15.3% 38.5%
1997 17.4% 30.9% 15.6% 36%
1996 17.3% 29.3% 15.2% 40.5%
1995 21% 31.2% 17.3% 52.1%
1994 23% 41.7% 18.8% 57%
1993 27.2% 25.6% 18.9% 61.6%
1992 14.4% 25.2% 17.6% 41.2%
1991 14% 29.3% 16.4% 43%
1990 16.4% 37% 17.2% 37.6%
1989 20% 48.8% 16.3% 33.4%
1988 23.6% 53.2% 15.9% 33.9%
1987 18.6% 48.6% 15.5% 36.3%
1986 19% 47.4% 15.3% 31.3%
1985 21.6% 8.73% 15.6% 28.8%
1984 23.7% 10% 14.9% 25.6%
1983 27.5% 35.7% 14.6% 26.1%
1982 29.7% 47.7% 16.2% 26.9%
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 (1962–1997, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Iran's government spending was $67.5B, accounting for 14.2% of its GDP, while Kenya spent $28B, or 23.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 34% in Iran and 67.3% in Kenya, ranking 147/185 and 64/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Iran

Kenya
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Iran Kenya
2024 -3.83% -5.77%
2023 -2.54% -5.71%
2022 -2.64% -6.06%
2021 -3.01% -7.2%
2020 -4.87% -8.13%
2019 -4.3% -7.42%
2018 -1.59% -6.94%
2017 -1.55% -7.4%
2016 -1.7% -7.47%
2015 -1.3% -6.68%
2014 -0.91% -5.75%
2013 -0.72% -5.25%
2012 -0.5% -5.29%
2011 -0.66% -3.64%
2010 -0.84% -3.67%
2009 -3.3% -3.12%
2008 -4.39% -1.95%
2007 -2.41% -0.95%
2006 -4.91% -0.43%
2005 -2.44% -0.19%
2004 -2.45% 0.5%
2003 -2.76% -0.73%
2002 -2.88% -1.29%
2001 0.02% -0.53%
2000 5.42% 0.38%
1999 -0.51% 0.84%
1998 -5.03% -0.03%
1997 -1.81% -0.91%
1996 -0.75% -0.49%
1995 -2.63% -0.23%
1994 -3.36% -4.14%
1993 -5.15% -8.57%
1992 -0.86% -8.28%
1991 -1.64% -6.56%
1990 -1.73% -3.28%
1989 -4.45% -2.39%
1988 -10.3% -1.97%
1987 -6.84% -2.27%
1986 -7.84% -2.98%
1985 -3.74% -3.05%
1984 -4.02% -2.55%
1983 -6.15% -2.17%
1982 -5.55% -3.07%
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/kenya | 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 Kenya's deficit of $6.94B, or 5.77% of GDP.

Over the past 43 years, Iran recorded a fiscal deficit in 41 of those years, while Kenya ran a deficit in 40 years. On average, Iran posted an annual deficit equal to 2.87% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.55% of GDP for Kenya.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Iran

Kenya
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Iran Kenya
2024 32.5% 4.49%
2023 44.6% 7.67%
2022 43.5% 7.66%
2021 43.4% 6.11%
2020 30.6% 5.41%
2019 39.9% 5.24%
2018 18% 4.69%
2017 8.04% 8.01%
2016 7.25% 6.3%
2015 12.5% 6.58%
2014 16.6% 6.88%
2013 36.6% 5.72%
2012 27.3% 9.38%
2011 26.3% 14%
2010 10.1% 3.96%
2009 13.6% 9.23%
2008 25.4% 26.2%
2007 17.3% 9.76%
2006 10% 14.5%
2005 13.4% 10.3%
2004 14.8% 11.6%
2003 16.5% 9.82%
2002 14.3% 1.96%
2001 11.3% 5.74%
2000 14.5% 9.98%
1999 20.1% 5.74%
1998 17.9% 6.72%
1997 17.3% 11.4%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Iran has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 21.6%, compared with 8.39% in Kenya. In 2024, inflation was 32.5% in Iran and 4.49% in Kenya.

Top exports between countries

Iran
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $42.8M
Metals $21.6M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $3.22M
Machinery & equipment $2.31M
Chemicals & pharma $1.71M
Textiles & consumer goods $526K
Animal & marine products $39K
Raw agricultural goods $37K
Wood & paper products $3K
Kenya
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $45.3M
Animal & marine products $5.49M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $76K
Machinery & equipment $59K
Textiles & consumer goods $56K
Wood & paper products $13K
Raw materials & minerals $7K
Precious metals & jewellery $4K

Balance of trade

Iran Kenya
Current account balance
$12.5B
2000
-$1.55B
2024
Current account balance ranking
22/190
2000
134/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+11.4%
2000
-1.29%
2024
Goods imports
$15.2B
2000
$22.2B
2024
Goods exports
$28.3B
2000
$12.5B
2024
Service imports
$2.3B
2000
$5.64B
2024
Service exports
$1.38B
2000
$8.04B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.5%
2024
23.1%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
23.6%
2024
17.1%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Iran Kenya
Economic freedom 41.8 55.5
Economic freedom ranking 185/197 128/197
Property rights 20.2 40.2
Government integrity 16.2 32.7
Judicial effectiveness 18.7 47
Tax burden 81.3 76.3
Government spending 94.7 84.1
Fiscal health 83.3 36.2
Business freedom 37.4 61.5
Labor freedom 41.8 56.5
Monetary freedom 42.2 75.1
Trade freedom 55.8 52
Investment freedom 5 55
Financial freedom 5 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Iran
Kenya
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Iran Kenya
2026 41.8 55.5
2025 42.5 54.8
2024 41.2 53.6
2023 42.2 52.5
2022 42.4 52.6
2021 47.2 54.9
2020 49.2 55.3
2019 51.1 55.1
2018 50.9 54.7
2017 50.5 53.5
2016 43.5 57.5
2015 41.8 55.6
2014 40.3 57.1
2013 43.2 55.9
2012 42.3 57.5
2011 42.1 57.4
2010 43.4 57.5
2009 44.6 58.7
2008 45 59.3
2007 45 59.6
2006 45 59.7
2005 50.5 57.9
2004 42.8 57.7
2003 43.2 58.6
2002 36.4 58.2
2001 35.9 57.6
2000 36.1 59.7
1999 36.8 58.2
1998 36 58.4
1997 34.5 60.1
1996 36.1 56.4
1995 - 54.5

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Iran is 41.8, ranking 185/197, compared to 55.5 for Kenya, ranking 128/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Iran Kenya
Services, % of GDP
49.8%
2024
55.3%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
36.1%
2024
16.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
10.8%
2024
22.5%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$469B
2024
$118B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$19,820
2024
$6,540
2024
Total reserves including gold
$7.69B
1982
$10.1B
2024
Total reserves ranking
85/177
1982
75/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$39M
2000
-$45.8M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.45B
2024
$463M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$89.4M
2024
$418M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.08%
2024
4.79%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
18.7%
2020
39.8%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
44.3%
2024
16.8%
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/kenya | 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 (1962–1997, 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 (2021–2024, 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.