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Economy of Iran vs Maldives compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Iran has a GDP of $475B compared to $7.06B for Maldives, ranking 34/197 and 159/197 by economy size, respectively.

Iran has $162B in government debt (34% of GDP), compared to $9.41B (133.3% of GDP) in Maldives.

Iran vs Maldives GDP by year

Iran
Maldives
1x
Year GDP, current $
Iran Maldives
2024 $475,252,089,215 $7,061,608,267
2023 $457,510,482,317 $6,621,008,704
2022 $422,662,261,526 $6,177,123,352
2021 $407,350,685,583 $5,252,457,370
2020 $280,934,329,280 $3,712,604,583
2019 $347,988,400,958 $5,726,094,799
2018 $411,903,303,606 $5,404,344,163
2017 $510,239,893,418 $4,816,426,257
2016 $478,618,064,871 $4,409,942,624
2015 $409,191,686,497 $4,129,505,319
2014 $462,284,793,281 $3,697,353,039
2013 $500,399,839,840 $3,295,009,238
2012 $644,019,315,004 $2,886,163,997
2011 $629,082,257,472 $2,774,350,240
2010 $487,069,570,464 $2,588,176,055
2009 $414,059,094,949 $2,345,294,875
2008 $406,070,949,554 $2,271,646,188
2007 $349,736,591,832 $1,868,383,461
2006 $265,602,187,404 $1,575,200,391
2005 $224,970,371,325 $1,163,362,438
2004 $187,754,571,248 $1,226,829,563
2003 $151,911,222,119 $1,052,121,055
2002 $128,626,917,504 $897,031,250
2001 $126,878,750,296 $870,031,677
2000 $109,591,707,802 $624,337,145
1999 $113,848,450,088 $589,239,754
1998 $110,276,913,363 $540,096,398
1997 $113,919,163,421 $508,223,602
1996 $120,403,931,885 $450,382,328
1995 $96,419,225,744 $398,988,955
1994 $71,841,461,173 $356,014,932
1993 $63,743,623,232 $322,417,837
1992 $119,768,691,217 $284,875,809
1991 $131,637,664,958 $244,396,762
1990 $124,813,263,926 $215,043,970
1989 $120,496,362,916 $189,514,434
1988 $123,057,861,334 $168,514,513
1987 $134,009,995,923 $141,223,029
1986 $209,094,561,833 $141,882,254
1985 $180,183,629,600 $127,190,758
1984 $162,276,728,620 $109,503,546
1983 $156,365,156,618 $57,829,787
1982 $125,948,756,439 $47,911,340
1981 $100,499,312,750 $44,781,457
1980 $94,362,275,580 $42,463,576
1979 $90,391,877,326 $38,523,364
1978 $77,994,316,621 $24,369,109
1977 $80,600,122,702 $20,853,789
1976 $68,055,295,081 $22,399,467
1975 $51,776,222,350 $24,540,878
1974 $46,209,092,072 $39,120,171
1973 $27,081,698,250 $30,862,042
1972 $17,153,463,263 $25,177,138
1971 $13,731,802,833 $21,566,404
1970 $10,976,245,154 $19,328,038
1969 $9,743,089,607 -
1968 $8,623,172,960 -
1967 $7,555,383,690 -
1966 $6,789,938,672 -
1965 $6,197,319,929 -
1964 $5,379,845,648 -
1963 $4,928,628,018 -
1962 $4,693,566,416 -
1961 $4,426,949,095 -
1960 $4,199,134,390 -

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

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

GDP per capita in Iran vs Maldives by year

Iran
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Maldives
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Iran Maldives
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $5,190 $19,874 $13,379 $26,183
2023 $5,049 $18,917 $12,588 $24,786
2022 $4,721 $17,546 $11,786 $22,881
2021 $4,605 $15,884 $10,176 $19,053
2020 $3,203 $15,119 $7,394 $13,425
2019 $3,997 $13,928 $11,740 $23,077
2018 $4,783 $15,324 $11,423 $21,899
2017 $6,001 $15,719 $10,510 $19,768
2016 $5,711 $15,195 $9,948 $18,770
2015 $4,953 $14,274 $9,645 $17,875
2014 $5,672 $16,065 $8,939 $16,723
2013 $6,223 $16,215 $8,236 $15,264
2012 $8,114 $17,021 $7,461 $13,989
2011 $8,026 $19,275 $7,425 $13,726
2010 $6,291 $18,628 $7,174 $12,797
2009 $5,416 $17,615 $6,734 $12,266
2008 $5,377 $17,549 $6,757 $13,779
2007 $4,688 $17,384 $5,758 $12,852
2006 $3,619 $15,907 $5,019 $12,075
2005 $3,132 $15,016 $3,797 $9,704
2004 $2,672 $14,425 $4,070 $10,770
2003 $2,209 $13,755 $3,549 $10,065
2002 $1,891 $12,554 $3,076 $8,823
2001 $1,881 $11,533 $3,034 $8,236
2000 $1,650 $11,187 $2,214 $8,526
1999 $1,740 $10,489 $2,124 $8,162
1998 $1,709 $10,285 $1,980 $7,710
1997 $1,790 $10,101 $1,898 $7,226
1996 $1,915 $9,916 $1,717 $6,687
1995 $1,550 $9,255 $1,555 $6,223
1994 $1,168 $8,951 $1,419 $5,520
1993 $1,038 $8,933 $1,317 $5,138
1992 $1,957 $8,888 $1,194 $4,881
1991 $2,194 $8,580 $1,054 $4,604
1990 $2,138 $7,566 $957 $4,528
1989 $2,125 - $870 -
1988 $2,234 - $799 -
1987 $2,513 - $692 -
1986 $4,064 - $720 -
1985 $3,634 - $669 -
1984 $3,395 - $594 -
1983 $3,397 - $323 -
1982 $2,845 - $274.8 -
1981 $2,393 - $264.1 -
1980 $2,368 - $257.6 -
1979 $2,352 - $240.2 -
1978 $2,101 - $156.1 -
1977 $2,243 - $137.3 -
1976 $1,954 - $151.8 -
1975 $1,532 - $171.4 -
1974 $1,409 - $281.5 -
1973 $851 - $228.7 -
1972 $555 - $192.2 -
1971 $457 - $169.8 -
1970 $377 - $156.9 -
1969 $345 - - -
1968 $314 - - -
1967 $283.7 - - -
1966 $262.9 - - -
1965 $247.5 - - -
1964 $221.7 - - -
1963 $209.6 - - -
1962 $205.8 - - -
1961 $200.1 - - -
1960 $195.6 - - -

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

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

Iran's GDP per capita is $5,190, ranking 119/197, compared to $13,379 in Maldives, ranking 75/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Iran ranks 97th at $19,874, while Maldives ranks 81st at $26,183.

Economic indicators

Iran Maldives
Gross domestic product
$475B
2024
$7.06B
2024
GDP rank
34/197
2024
159/197
2024
GDP growth
3.66%
2023-2024
3.49%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$5,190
2024
$13,379
2024
GDP per capita rank
119/197
2024
75/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$19,874
2024
$26,183
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
97/197
2024
81/197
2024
Government debt
$162B
2024
$9.41B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
34%
2024
133.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,764
2024
$17,837
2024
Government debt per person rank
122/185
2024
35/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,964
2026
$9,909
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$172B
2024
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
28.2%
2023
23.3%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
2.8%
2023
3.8%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
14.2%
2024
46.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
32.5%
2023-2024
1.4%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
23%
2023
n/a
Unemployment rate
7.63%
2024
4.56%
2019
Population
93468444
532057

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Iran
Spending

Debt
Maldives
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Iran Maldives
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 14.2% 34% 46.1% 133.3%
2023 12.8% 29.6% 46.7% 122.4%
2022 12.8% 34.5% 42% 111.6%
2021 13.4% 39.9% 40.6% 123.4%
2020 12.1% 47.1% 50.4% 155.7%
2019 13.6% 44.6% 32.9% 77.2%
2018 14.8% 41.6% 31.9% 70.7%
2017 16.4% 43.2% 30.4% 63.8%
2016 16.3% 45.9% 37.3% 61.9%
2015 14.1% 32.1% 33.8% 54.8%
2014 12.3% 10.9% 29.1% 55.1%
2013 11.5% 10.2% 27% 55.9%
2012 11.4% 11.7% 29.8% 57.1%
2011 14.6% 10.6% 31.3% 51.9%
2010 14.1% 12.8% 33.2% 52.7%
2009 15.7% 11.5% 37% 48.4%
2008 16.8% 10.6% 35.6% 39%
2007 14.2% 13.5% 34.8% 35.8%
2006 18.7% 15.2% 35% 36.8%
2005 17.9% 18.3% 38.8% 43.2%
2004 15.1% 21.1% 24.1% 34.7%
2003 15.7% 21.9% 26.4% 37.6%
2002 15.6% 23.4% 29.6% 44.3%
2001 13.6% 21% 29.6% 41.8%
2000 13.3% 18.2% 29% 39%
1999 15.7% 22.2% 28% 38.9%
1998 16.9% 29.6% 25.9% 39.3%
1997 17.4% 30.9% 25.2% 38.1%
1996 17.3% 29.3% 27.3% 46.9%
1995 21% 31.2% 31.3% 52.2%
1994 23% 41.7% 30.7% 54.6%
1993 27.2% 25.6% 34.7% 55.7%
1992 14.4% 25.2% 36.1% 49%
1991 14% 29.3% 37.7% 46.7%
1990 16.4% 37% 33.3% 42.4%
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 (1962–1996, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Iran's government spending was $67.5B, accounting for 14.2% of its GDP, while Maldives spent $3.25B, or 46.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 34% in Iran and 133.3% in Maldives, ranking 147/185 and 10/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Iran

Maldives
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Iran Maldives
2024 -3.83% -13.9%
2023 -2.54% -13.2%
2022 -2.64% -11.2%
2021 -3.01% -14.2%
2020 -4.87% -23.7%
2019 -4.3% -6.54%
2018 -1.59% -5.17%
2017 -1.55% -3.02%
2016 -1.7% -9.93%
2015 -1.3% -6.52%
2014 -0.91% -2.42%
2013 -0.72% -3.49%
2012 -0.5% -6.91%
2011 -0.66% -8.13%
2010 -0.84% -13.6%
2009 -3.3% -17.9%
2008 -4.39% -9.92%
2007 -2.41% -3.16%
2006 -4.91% -4.52%
2005 -2.44% -7.81%
2004 -2.45% -2.26%
2003 -2.76% -3.45%
2002 -2.88% -3.97%
2001 0.02% -3.97%
2000 5.42% -3.89%
1999 -0.51% -3.03%
1998 -5.03% -2.25%
1997 -1.81% -1.46%
1996 -0.75% -2.01%
1995 -2.63% -5.66%
1994 -3.36% -4.82%
1993 -5.15% -13.9%
1992 -0.86% -12.6%
1991 -1.64% -10.2%
1990 -1.73% -12.8%
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/maldives | 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 Maldives' deficit of $982M, or 13.9% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Iran recorded a fiscal deficit in 33 of those years, while Maldives ran a deficit in 35 years. On average, Iran posted an annual deficit equal to 2.13% of GDP, compared to deficit of 7.75% of GDP for Maldives.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Iran

Maldives
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Iran Maldives
2024 32.5% 1.4%
2023 44.6% 2.6%
2022 43.5% 2.6%
2021 43.4% 0.2%
2020 30.6% -1.6%
2019 39.9% 1.3%
2018 18% 1.4%
2017 8.04% 2.3%
2016 7.25% 0.8%
2015 12.5% 1.4%
2014 16.6% 2.4%
2013 36.6% 4%
2012 27.3% 10.9%
2011 26.3% 11.3%
2010 10.1% 6.1%
2009 13.6% 4.5%
2008 25.4% 12%
2007 17.3% 6.8%
2006 10% 3.5%
2005 13.4% 2.5%
2004 14.8% 6.3%
2003 16.5% -2.8%
2002 14.3% 0.9%
2001 11.3% 0.7%
2000 14.5% -1.2%
1999 20.1% 3%
1998 17.9% -1.4%
1997 17.3% 7.6%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 28 years, Iran has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 21.6%, compared with 3.2% in Maldives. In 2024, inflation was 32.5% in Iran and 1.4% in Maldives.

Top exports between countries

Iran
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $726K
Raw agricultural goods $45K
Animal & marine products $33K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $25K
Maldives
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $22K

Balance of trade

Iran Maldives
Current account balance
$12.5B
2000
-$1.32B
2024
Current account balance ranking
22/190
2000
130/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+11.4%
2000
-18.7%
2024
Goods imports
$15.2B
2000
$3.46B
2024
Goods exports
$28.3B
2000
$383M
2024
Service imports
$2.3B
2000
$1.89B
2024
Service exports
$1.38B
2000
$5.03B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.5%
2024
78.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
23.6%
2024
78.2%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Iran Maldives
Economic freedom 41.8 47.6
Economic freedom ranking 185/197 174/197
Property rights 20.2 52.2
Government integrity 16.2 41.9
Judicial effectiveness 18.7 39.3
Tax burden 81.3 89.9
Government spending 94.7 39.5
Fiscal health 83.3 0
Business freedom 37.4 49.7
Labor freedom 41.8 54.1
Monetary freedom 42.2 76.4
Trade freedom 55.8 62.8
Investment freedom 5 35
Financial freedom 5 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Iran
Maldives
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Iran Maldives
2026 41.8 47.6
2025 42.5 48.3
2024 41.2 47.8
2023 42.2 46.6
2022 42.4 47.3
2021 47.2 55.2
2020 49.2 56.5
2019 51.1 53.2
2018 50.9 51.1
2017 50.5 50.3
2016 43.5 53.9
2015 41.8 53.4
2014 40.3 51
2013 43.2 49
2012 42.3 49.2
2011 42.1 48.3
2010 43.4 49
2009 44.6 51.3
2008 45 -
2007 45 -
2006 45 -
2005 50.5 -
2004 42.8 -
2003 43.2 -
2002 36.4 -
2001 35.9 -
2000 36.1 -
1999 36.8 -
1998 36 -
1997 34.5 -
1996 36.1 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Iran is 41.8, ranking 185/197, compared to 47.6 for Maldives, ranking 174/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Iran Maldives
Services, % of GDP
49.8%
2024
72.1%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
36.1%
2024
9.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
10.8%
2024
3.84%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$469B
2024
$6.15B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$19,820
2024
$23,400
2024
Total reserves including gold
$7.69B
1982
$674M
2024
Total reserves ranking
85/177
1982
150/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$39M
2000
-$806M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.45B
2024
$806M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$89.4M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.08%
2024
7.95%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
18.7%
2020
15%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
44.3%
2024
30.8%
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/maldives | 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 (1962–1996, 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 (2021–2023, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  8. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  9. 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.