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Economy of Iran vs Madagascar compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Iran has a GDP of $475B compared to $17.4B for Madagascar, ranking 34/197 and 136/197 by economy size, respectively.

Iran has $162B in government debt (34% of GDP), compared to $8.77B (50.3% of GDP) in Madagascar.

Iran vs Madagascar GDP by year

Iran
Madagascar
1x
Year GDP, current $
Iran Madagascar
2024 $475,252,089,215 $17,420,501,490
2023 $457,510,482,317 $15,869,945,478
2022 $422,662,261,526 $15,325,603,273
2021 $407,350,685,583 $14,354,731,964
2020 $280,934,329,280 $13,051,441,204
2019 $347,988,400,958 $14,104,664,679
2018 $411,903,303,606 $13,760,033,282
2017 $510,239,893,418 $13,176,313,594
2016 $478,618,064,871 $11,848,613,858
2015 $409,191,686,497 $11,323,020,701
2014 $462,284,793,281 $12,522,957,399
2013 $500,399,839,840 $12,423,555,455
2012 $644,019,315,004 $11,578,975,062
2011 $629,082,257,472 $11,551,819,618
2010 $487,069,570,464 $9,982,711,338
2009 $414,059,094,949 $9,616,879,409
2008 $406,070,949,554 $10,725,137,724
2007 $349,736,591,832 $8,524,620,890
2006 $265,602,187,404 $6,395,712,491
2005 $224,970,371,325 $5,859,269,753
2004 $187,754,571,248 $5,064,732,626
2003 $151,911,222,119 $6,372,498,890
2002 $128,626,917,504 $5,351,701,663
2001 $126,878,750,296 $5,438,332,602
2000 $109,591,707,802 $4,629,247,204
1999 $113,848,450,088 $4,277,903,780
1998 $110,276,913,363 $4,401,967,633
1997 $113,919,163,421 $4,262,965,420
1996 $120,403,931,885 $4,931,861,039
1995 $96,419,225,744 $3,838,100,904
1994 $71,841,461,173 $3,522,227,092
1993 $63,743,623,232 $4,063,298,919
1992 $119,768,691,217 $3,714,966,678
1991 $131,637,664,958 $3,254,713,056
1990 $124,813,263,926 $3,931,334,875
1989 $120,496,362,916 $3,175,638,333
1988 $123,057,861,334 $3,189,456,965
1987 $134,009,995,923 $3,212,900,556
1986 $209,094,561,833 $4,347,989,788
1985 $180,183,629,600 $3,802,557,895
1984 $162,276,728,620 $3,905,938,481
1983 $156,365,156,618 $4,686,457,031
1982 $125,948,756,439 $4,784,977,326
1981 $100,499,312,750 $4,759,333,998
1980 $94,362,275,580 $5,201,818,348
1979 $90,391,877,326 $3,463,565,854
1978 $77,994,316,621 $2,669,755,115
1977 $80,600,122,702 $2,358,930,406
1976 $68,055,295,081 $2,181,844,179
1975 $51,776,222,350 $2,283,049,215
1974 $46,209,092,072 $1,917,508,190
1973 $27,081,698,250 $1,653,062,335
1972 $17,153,463,263 $1,341,590,690
1971 $13,731,802,833 $1,199,507,631
1970 $10,976,245,154 $1,111,859,571
1969 $9,743,089,607 $1,056,391,056
1968 $8,623,172,960 $1,031,669,637
1967 $7,555,383,690 $956,436,932
1966 $6,789,938,672 $900,264,585
1965 $6,197,319,929 $833,563,473
1964 $5,379,845,648 $802,482,184
1963 $4,928,628,018 $759,345,864
1962 $4,693,566,416 $739,286,908
1961 $4,426,949,095 $699,161,945
1960 $4,199,134,390 $673,081,725

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

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

GDP per capita in Iran vs Madagascar by year

Iran
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Madagascar
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Iran Madagascar
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $5,190 $19,874 $545 $1,884
2023 $5,049 $18,917 $509 $1,808
2022 $4,721 $17,546 $504 $1,717
2021 $4,605 $15,884 $483 $1,577
2020 $3,203 $15,119 $451 $1,490
2019 $3,997 $13,928 $500 $1,612
2018 $4,783 $15,324 $500 $1,547
2017 $6,001 $15,719 $492 $1,547
2016 $5,711 $15,195 $454 $1,562
2015 $4,953 $14,274 $445 $1,497
2014 $5,672 $16,065 $506 $1,499
2013 $6,223 $16,215 $515 $1,473
2012 $8,114 $17,021 $494 $1,464
2011 $8,026 $19,275 $506 $1,475
2010 $6,291 $18,628 $450 $1,464
2009 $5,416 $17,615 $446 $1,480
2008 $5,377 $17,549 $513 $1,577
2007 $4,688 $17,384 $420 $1,493
2006 $3,619 $15,907 $324 $1,416
2005 $3,132 $15,016 $306 $1,343
2004 $2,672 $14,425 $272.2 $1,280
2003 $2,209 $13,755 $353 $1,219
2002 $1,891 $12,554 $305 $1,121
2001 $1,881 $11,533 $319 $1,299
2000 $1,650 $11,187 $280.3 $1,236
1999 $1,740 $10,489 $267.4 $1,194
1998 $1,709 $10,285 $284.2 $1,162
1997 $1,790 $10,101 $284.4 $1,142
1996 $1,915 $9,916 $340 $1,119
1995 $1,550 $9,255 $273.1 $1,111
1994 $1,168 $8,951 $258.7 $1,104
1993 $1,038 $8,933 $308 $1,116
1992 $1,957 $8,888 $290.2 $1,101
1991 $2,194 $8,580 $262 $1,096
1990 $2,138 $7,566 $326 $1,166
1989 $2,125 - $271.3 -
1988 $2,234 - $280.5 -
1987 $2,513 - $290.8 -
1986 $4,064 - $405 -
1985 $3,634 - $364 -
1984 $3,395 - $385 -
1983 $3,397 - $476 -
1982 $2,845 - $501 -
1981 $2,393 - $513 -
1980 $2,368 - $578 -
1979 $2,352 - $396 -
1978 $2,101 - $315 -
1977 $2,243 - $286.9 -
1976 $1,954 - $273.5 -
1975 $1,532 - $295 -
1974 $1,409 - $255.3 -
1973 $851 - $226.8 -
1972 $555 - $189.6 -
1971 $457 - $174.6 -
1970 $377 - $166.6 -
1969 $345 - $162.9 -
1968 $314 - $163.6 -
1967 $283.7 - $155.9 -
1966 $262.9 - $150.7 -
1965 $247.5 - $143.2 -
1964 $221.7 - $141.5 -
1963 $209.6 - $137.4 -
1962 $205.8 - $137.3 -
1961 $200.1 - $133.3 -
1960 $195.6 - $131.7 -

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

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

Iran's GDP per capita is $5,190, ranking 119/197, compared to $545 in Madagascar, ranking 193/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Iran ranks 97th at $19,874, while Madagascar ranks 187th at $1,884.

Economic indicators

Iran Madagascar
Gross domestic product
$475B
2024
$17.4B
2024
GDP rank
34/197
2024
136/197
2024
GDP growth
3.66%
2023-2024
4.2%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$5,190
2024
$545
2024
GDP per capita rank
119/197
2024
193/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$19,874
2024
$1,884
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
97/197
2024
187/197
2024
Government debt
$162B
2024
$8.77B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
34%
2024
50.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,764
2024
$274.3
2024
Government debt per person rank
122/185
2024
180/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,964
2026
$1,268
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$172B
2024
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
28.2%
2023
29.6%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
2.8%
2023
2.9%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
14.2%
2024
16.2%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
32.5%
2023-2024
9.87%
2022-2023
Central bank interest rate
23%
2023
n/a
Unemployment rate
7.63%
2024
3.19%
2022
Population
93468444
33750171

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Iran
Spending

Debt
Madagascar
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Iran Madagascar
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 14.2% 34% 16.2% 50.3%
2023 12.8% 29.6% 17.9% 52.7%
2022 12.8% 34.5% 16.2% 49.9%
2021 13.4% 39.9% 13.9% 49.4%
2020 12.1% 47.1% 16.4% 52.9%
2019 13.6% 44.6% 15.4% 41.3%
2018 14.8% 41.6% 14.4% 42.9%
2017 16.4% 43.2% 14.9% 40.1%
2016 16.3% 45.9% 13.5% 40.3%
2015 14.1% 32.1% 13% 44.1%
2014 12.3% 10.9% 12.6% 37.8%
2013 11.5% 10.2% 12.7% 36.2%
2012 11.4% 11.7% 11.5% 30.4%
2011 14.6% 10.6% 12% 29.9%
2010 14.1% 12.8% 12.3% 32.3%
2009 15.7% 11.5% 12.5% 34.9%
2008 16.8% 10.6% 15.7% 31%
2007 14.2% 13.5% 16.1% 28.2%
2006 18.7% 15.2% 18.5% 32.2%
2005 17.9% 18.3% 18.4% 74.4%
2004 15.1% 21.1% 21.7% 81.9%
2003 15.7% 21.9% 16.6% 85.9%
2002 15.6% 23.4% 12.4% 86.7%
2001 13.6% 21% 15.3% 82.1%
2000 13.3% 18.2% 15.3% 90.2%
1999 15.7% 22.2% 15.5% 104.1%
1998 16.9% 29.6% 16.9% 108.5%
1997 17.4% 30.9% 14.5% 89.7%
1996 17.3% 29.3% 14.4% 98.7%
1995 21% 31.2% 14.5% 95.8%
1994 23% 41.7% 16.7% 96%
1993 27.2% 25.6% 17.1% 105.2%
1992 14.4% 25.2% 16.2% 110.9%
1991 14% 29.3% 13.5% 113.8%
1990 16.4% 37% 13.3% 92.7%
1989 20% 48.8% 15.5% 122%
1988 23.6% 53.2% 11.4% 126.6%
1987 18.6% 48.6% 10.4% 127.5%
1986 19% 47.4% 11.1% 84.9%
1985 21.6% 8.73% 11.8% 82.7%
1984 23.7% 10% 13.9% 70.9%
1983 27.5% 35.7% 13.4% 57.5%
1982 29.7% 47.7% 14.3% 56.1%
1981 33.7% 47.6% 18.2% 51.5%
1980 35.8% 35.5% 22.7% 37.7%
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/madagascar | CC BY

In 2024, Iran's government spending was $67.5B, accounting for 14.2% of its GDP, while Madagascar spent $2.82B, or 16.2% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 34% in Iran and 50.3% in Madagascar, ranking 147/185 and 106/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Iran

Madagascar
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Iran Madagascar
2024 -3.83% -2.48%
2023 -2.54% -4.19%
2022 -2.64% -5.46%
2021 -3.01% -2.83%
2020 -4.87% -3.96%
2019 -4.3% -1.42%
2018 -1.59% -1.34%
2017 -1.55% -2.1%
2016 -1.7% -1.11%
2015 -1.3% -2.85%
2014 -0.91% -1.96%
2013 -0.72% -3.4%
2012 -0.5% -2.24%
2011 -0.66% -2.04%
2010 -0.84% -0.76%
2009 -3.3% -2.26%
2008 -4.39% -1.72%
2007 -2.41% -2.31%
2006 -4.91% -5.71%
2005 -2.44% -2.47%
2004 -2.45% -4.23%
2003 -2.76% -3.32%
2002 -2.88% -4.09%
2001 0.02% -3.61%
2000 5.42% -2.35%
1999 -0.51% -2.42%
1998 -5.03% -5.31%
1997 -1.81% -2%
1996 -0.75% -3.97%
1995 -2.63% -5.09%
1994 -3.36% -7.23%
1993 -5.15% -6.34%
1992 -0.86% -5%
1991 -1.64% -4.4%
1990 -1.73% -0.49%
1989 -4.45% -3.35%
1988 -10.3% -0.57%
1987 -6.84% -2.12%
1986 -7.84% -2.24%
1985 -3.74% -2.39%
1984 -4.02% -6.09%
1983 -6.15% -6.04%
1982 -5.55% -6.97%
1981 -10.7% -9.97%
1980 -14.2% -11%
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/madagascar | 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 Madagascar's deficit of $432M, or 2.48% of GDP.

Over the past 45 years, Iran recorded a fiscal deficit in 43 of those years, while Madagascar ran a deficit in 45 years. On average, Iran posted an annual deficit equal to 3.29% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.63% of GDP for Madagascar.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Iran

Madagascar
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Iran Madagascar
2024 32.5% -
2023 44.6% 9.87%
2022 43.5% 8.16%
2021 43.4% 5.81%
2020 30.6% 4.2%
2019 39.9% 5.61%
2018 18% 8.59%
2017 8.04% 8.61%
2016 7.25% 6.04%
2015 12.5% 7.4%
2014 16.6% 6.08%
2013 36.6% 5.83%
2012 27.3% 5.71%
2011 26.3% 9.48%
2010 10.1% 9.25%
2009 13.6% 8.95%
2008 25.4% 9.3%
2007 17.3% 10.3%
2006 10% 10.8%
2005 13.4% 18.4%
2004 14.8% 14%
2003 16.5% -1.7%
2002 14.3% 16.5%
2001 11.3% 7.92%
2000 14.5% 11.9%
1999 20.1% 9.93%
1998 17.9% 6.21%
1997 17.3% 4.49%

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

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

Over the past 27 years, Iran has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 21.1%, compared with 8.42% in Madagascar. In 2023, inflation was 32.5% in Iran and 9.87% in Madagascar.

Top exports between countries

Iran
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $2.45M
Textiles & consumer goods $33K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $18K
Metals $7K
Chemicals & pharma $1K
Wood & paper products $1K
Madagascar
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $134K

Balance of trade

Iran Madagascar
Current account balance
$12.5B
2000
-$829M
2022
Current account balance ranking
22/190
2000
119/190
2022
Current account balance, % of GDP
+11.4%
2000
-5.41%
2022
Goods imports
$15.2B
2000
$4.52B
2022
Goods exports
$28.3B
2000
$3.55B
2022
Service imports
$2.3B
2000
$1.52B
2022
Service exports
$1.38B
2000
$1.14B
2022
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.5%
2024
31.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
23.6%
2024
23.3%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Iran Madagascar
Economic freedom 41.8 57
Economic freedom ranking 185/197 119/197
Property rights 20.2 39.8
Government integrity 16.2 26.8
Judicial effectiveness 18.7 33.7
Tax burden 81.3 90.5
Government spending 94.7 91.5
Fiscal health 83.3 68.8
Business freedom 37.4 37.3
Labor freedom 41.8 56.1
Monetary freedom 42.2 71.8
Trade freedom 55.8 67.6
Investment freedom 5 50
Financial freedom 5 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Iran
Madagascar
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Iran Madagascar
2026 41.8 57
2025 42.5 57
2024 41.2 57.3
2023 42.2 58.9
2022 42.4 58.9
2021 47.2 57.7
2020 49.2 60.5
2019 51.1 56.6
2018 50.9 56.8
2017 50.5 57.4
2016 43.5 61.1
2015 41.8 61.7
2014 40.3 61.7
2013 43.2 62
2012 42.3 62.4
2011 42.1 61.2
2010 43.4 63.2
2009 44.6 62.2
2008 45 62.4
2007 45 61.1
2006 45 61
2005 50.5 63.1
2004 42.8 60.9
2003 43.2 62.8
2002 36.4 56.8
2001 35.9 53.9
2000 36.1 54.4
1999 36.8 52.8
1998 36 51.8
1997 34.5 53.8
1996 36.1 52.2
1995 - 51.6

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Iran is 41.8, ranking 185/197, compared to 57 for Madagascar, ranking 119/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Iran Madagascar
Services, % of GDP
49.8%
2024
47.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
36.1%
2024
22.8%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
10.8%
2024
22.5%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$469B
2024
$16.4B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$19,820
2024
$1,830
2024
Total reserves including gold
$7.69B
1982
$2.78B
2024
Total reserves ranking
85/177
1982
120/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$39M
2000
-$326M
2022
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.45B
2024
$606M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$89.4M
2024
$134M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.08%
2024
1.72%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
18.7%
2020
75.2%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
44.3%
2024
22.2%
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/madagascar | 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 (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2022–2023, 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.