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Economy of Iran vs Mauritania compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Iran has a GDP of $475B compared to $10.9B for Mauritania, ranking 34/197 and 153/197 by economy size, respectively.

Iran has $162B in government debt (34% of GDP), compared to $4.67B (42.8% of GDP) in Mauritania.

Iran vs Mauritania GDP by year

Iran
Mauritania
1x
Year GDP, current $
Iran Mauritania
2024 $475,252,089,215 $10,908,045,687
2023 $457,510,482,317 $10,726,838,461
2022 $422,662,261,526 $9,557,966,698
2021 $407,350,685,583 $9,222,536,364
2020 $280,934,329,280 $8,260,752,385
2019 $347,988,400,958 $7,894,764,886
2018 $411,903,303,606 $7,473,550,557
2017 $510,239,893,418 $6,800,135,898
2016 $478,618,064,871 $6,398,747,592
2015 $409,191,686,497 $6,166,863,897
2014 $462,284,793,281 $6,592,537,782
2013 $500,399,839,840 $7,223,071,097
2012 $644,019,315,004 $6,728,208,836
2011 $629,082,257,472 $6,764,627,746
2010 $487,069,570,464 $5,628,878,798
2009 $414,059,094,949 $4,714,595,548
2008 $406,070,949,554 $5,206,437,194
2007 $349,736,591,832 $4,346,212,355
2006 $265,602,187,404 $3,919,577,286
2005 $224,970,371,325 $2,936,019,526
2004 $187,754,571,248 $2,362,501,023
2003 $151,911,222,119 $2,051,147,607
2002 $128,626,917,504 $1,777,057,481
2001 $126,878,750,296 $1,746,063,558
2000 $109,591,707,802 $1,779,520,886
1999 $113,848,450,088 $1,985,922,776
1998 $110,276,913,363 $2,032,347,665
1997 $113,919,163,421 $2,071,996,564
1996 $120,403,931,885 $2,132,087,009
1995 $96,419,225,744 $2,091,726,101
1994 $71,841,461,173 $1,944,876,755
1993 $63,743,623,232 $1,847,353,211
1992 $119,768,691,217 $2,164,298,425
1991 $131,637,664,958 $2,133,692,697
1990 $124,813,263,926 $1,506,914,408
1989 $120,496,362,916 $1,450,647,019
1988 $123,057,861,334 $1,414,951,290
1987 $134,009,995,923 $1,344,664,725
1986 $209,094,561,833 $1,186,628,778
1985 $180,183,629,600 $1,009,723,326
1984 $162,276,728,620 $1,074,373,230
1983 $156,365,156,618 $1,165,171,263
1982 $125,948,756,439 $1,108,776,653
1981 $100,499,312,750 $1,105,494,682
1980 $94,362,275,580 $1,047,925,106
1979 $90,391,877,326 $951,900,945
1978 $77,994,316,621 $804,629,877
1977 $80,600,122,702 $799,030,017
1976 $68,055,295,081 $775,045,517
1975 $51,776,222,350 $703,377,837
1974 $46,209,092,072 $613,010,553
1973 $27,081,698,250 $493,237,876
1972 $17,153,463,263 $391,669,449
1971 $13,731,802,833 $335,568,907
1970 $10,976,245,154 $309,405,316
1969 $9,743,089,607 $295,062,308
1968 $8,623,172,960 $311,395,937
1967 $7,555,383,690 $282,615,310
1966 $6,789,938,672 $266,533,605
1965 $6,197,319,929 $255,340,475
1964 $5,379,845,648 $224,495,744
1963 $4,928,628,018 $168,186,297
1962 $4,693,566,416 $164,271,558
1961 $4,426,949,095 $159,213,430
1960 $4,199,134,390 -

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

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

GDP per capita in Iran vs Mauritania by year

Iran
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Mauritania
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Iran Mauritania
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $5,190 $19,874 $2,110 $7,369
2023 $5,049 $18,917 $2,136 $6,966
2022 $4,721 $17,546 $1,960 $6,485
2021 $4,605 $15,884 $1,948 $5,837
2020 $3,203 $15,119 $1,796 $5,741
2019 $3,997 $13,928 $1,767 $5,610
2018 $4,783 $15,324 $1,723 $5,429
2017 $6,001 $15,719 $1,615 $5,353
2016 $5,711 $15,195 $1,566 $4,683
2015 $4,953 $14,274 $1,555 $3,978
2014 $5,672 $16,065 $1,713 $3,865
2013 $6,223 $16,215 $1,934 $3,831
2012 $8,114 $17,021 $1,859 $3,465
2011 $8,026 $19,275 $1,931 $3,271
2010 $6,291 $18,628 $1,660 $3,178
2009 $5,416 $17,615 $1,435 $3,159
2008 $5,377 $17,549 $1,636 $3,236
2007 $4,688 $17,384 $1,405 $3,278
2006 $3,619 $15,907 $1,301 $3,342
2005 $3,132 $15,016 $999 $2,809
2004 $2,672 $14,425 $824 $2,570
2003 $2,209 $13,755 $732 $2,447
2002 $1,891 $12,554 $649 $2,296
2001 $1,881 $11,533 $652 $2,280
2000 $1,650 $11,187 $681 $2,304
1999 $1,740 $10,489 $781 $2,411
1998 $1,709 $10,285 $821 $2,355
1997 $1,790 $10,101 $859 $2,325
1996 $1,915 $9,916 $904 $2,436
1995 $1,550 $9,255 $905 $2,306
1994 $1,168 $8,951 $865 $2,114
1993 $1,038 $8,933 $850 $2,209
1992 $1,957 $8,888 $1,036 $2,122
1991 $2,194 $8,580 $1,062 $2,116
1990 $2,138 $7,566 $772 $2,070
1989 $2,125 - $762 -
1988 $2,234 - $762 -
1987 $2,513 - $746 -
1986 $4,064 - $677 -
1985 $3,634 - $593 -
1984 $3,395 - $650 -
1983 $3,397 - $725 -
1982 $2,845 - $710 -
1981 $2,393 - $729 -
1980 $2,368 - $711 -
1979 $2,352 - $664 -
1978 $2,101 - $578 -
1977 $2,243 - $590 -
1976 $1,954 - $589 -
1975 $1,532 - $551 -
1974 $1,409 - $494 -
1973 $851 - $410 -
1972 $555 - $335 -
1971 $457 - $296 -
1970 $377 - $281.3 -
1969 $345 - $276.6 -
1968 $314 - $301 -
1967 $283.7 - $281.5 -
1966 $262.9 - $273.6 -
1965 $247.5 - $270 -
1964 $221.7 - $244.3 -
1963 $209.6 - $188.2 -
1962 $205.8 - $189 -
1961 $200.1 - $188.2 -
1960 $195.6 - - -

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

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

Iran's GDP per capita is $5,190, ranking 119/197, compared to $2,110 in Mauritania, ranking 156/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Iran ranks 97th at $19,874, while Mauritania ranks 147th at $7,369.

Economic indicators

Iran Mauritania
Gross domestic product
$475B
2024
$10.9B
2024
GDP rank
34/197
2024
153/197
2024
GDP growth
3.66%
2023-2024
6.31%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$5,190
2024
$2,110
2024
GDP per capita rank
119/197
2024
156/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$19,874
2024
$7,369
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
97/197
2024
147/197
2024
Government debt
$162B
2024
$4.67B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
34%
2024
42.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,764
2024
$904
2024
Government debt per person rank
122/185
2024
145/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,964
2026
$2,078
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$172B
2024
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
28.2%
2023
24.6%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
2.8%
2023
3.1%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
14.2%
2024
23.6%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
32.5%
2023-2024
2.49%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
23%
2023
n/a
Unemployment rate
7.63%
2024
10.4%
2019
Population
93468444
5505206

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Iran
Spending

Debt
Mauritania
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Iran Mauritania
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 14.2% 34% 23.6% 42.8%
2023 12.8% 29.6% 24.8% 47.1%
2022 12.8% 34.5% 28.7% 50.5%
2021 13.4% 39.9% 20.8% 54.5%
2020 12.1% 47.1% 18.5% 56.5%
2019 13.6% 44.6% 17.8% 57.7%
2018 14.8% 41.6% 19% 59.2%
2017 16.4% 43.2% 20.3% 55.7%
2016 16.3% 45.9% 20.8% 57.6%
2015 14.1% 32.1% 25.7% 59.9%
2014 12.3% 10.9% 23.9% 49.5%
2013 11.5% 10.2% 20.1% 40.7%
2012 11.4% 11.7% 21.5% 39.3%
2011 14.6% 10.6% 17% 38.8%
2010 14.1% 12.8% 17.3% 43.9%
2009 15.7% 11.5% 19.6% 54.3%
2008 16.8% 10.6% 19.8% 57.2%
2007 14.2% 13.5% 19.7% 61.5%
2006 18.7% 15.2% 19% 38%
2005 17.9% 18.3% 21.3% 71.1%
2004 15.1% 21.1% 23.9% 22%
2003 15.7% 21.9% - 22.9%
2002 15.6% 23.4% - 59.5%
2001 13.6% 21% - 63.5%
2000 13.3% 18.2% - 55.5%
1999 15.7% 22.2% - -
1998 16.9% 29.6% - -
1997 17.4% 30.9% - -
1996 17.3% 29.3% - -
1995 21% 31.2% - -
1994 23% 41.7% - -
1993 27.2% 25.6% - -
1992 14.4% 25.2% - -
1991 14% 29.3% - -
1990 16.4% 37% - -
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 (1962–1995, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Iran's government spending was $67.5B, accounting for 14.2% of its GDP, while Mauritania spent $2.57B, or 23.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 34% in Iran and 42.8% in Mauritania, ranking 147/185 and 126/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Iran

Mauritania
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Iran Mauritania
2024 -3.83% -1.35%
2023 -2.54% -2.45%
2022 -2.64% -3.09%
2021 -3.01% 2.6%
2020 -4.87% 2.78%
2019 -4.3% 2.65%
2018 -1.59% 3.23%
2017 -1.55% 0.53%
2016 -1.7% 0.13%
2015 -1.3% -2.44%
2014 -0.91% -2.64%
2013 -0.72% -0.66%
2012 -0.5% 1.67%
2011 -0.66% 0.07%
2010 -0.84% -0.45%
2009 -3.3% -3.59%
2008 -4.39% -3.32%
2007 -2.41% -1.38%
2006 -4.91% 2.05%
2005 -2.44% -3.16%
2004 -2.45% -3.06%
2003 -2.76% -
2002 -2.88% -
2001 0.02% -
2000 5.42% -
1999 -0.51% -
1998 -5.03% -
1997 -1.81% -
1996 -0.75% -
1995 -2.63% -
1994 -3.36% -
1993 -5.15% -
1992 -0.86% -
1991 -1.64% -
1990 -1.73% -
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/mauritania | 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 Mauritania's deficit of $148M, or 1.35% of GDP.

Over the past 21 years, Iran recorded a fiscal deficit in 21 of those years, while Mauritania ran a deficit in 12 years. On average, Iran posted an annual deficit equal to 2.42% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.57% of GDP for Mauritania.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Iran

Mauritania
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Iran Mauritania
2024 32.5% 2.49%
2023 44.6% 4.95%
2022 43.5% 9.53%
2021 43.4% 3.57%
2020 30.6% 2.39%
2019 39.9% 2.3%
2018 18% 3.07%
2017 8.04% 2.25%
2016 7.25% 1.47%
2015 12.5% 3.25%
2014 16.6% 3.53%
2013 36.6% 4.13%
2012 27.3% 4.9%
2011 26.3% 5.69%
2010 10.1% 6.28%
2009 13.6% 2.22%
2008 25.4% 7.35%
2007 17.3% 7.25%
2006 10% 6.24%
2005 13.4% 12.1%
2004 14.8% 10.4%
2003 16.5% 5.15%
2002 14.3% 3.9%
2001 11.3% 4.71%
2000 14.5% 3.25%
1999 20.1% 4.07%
1998 17.9% 8.03%
1997 17.3% 4.63%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Iran has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 21.6%, compared with 4.97% in Mauritania. In 2024, inflation was 32.5% in Iran and 2.49% in Mauritania.

Top exports between countries

Iran
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $460K
Machinery & equipment $148K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $103K
Raw agricultural goods $48K
Metals $14K
Chemicals & pharma $10K
Mauritania
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $1K
Raw materials & minerals $1K

Balance of trade

Iran Mauritania
Current account balance
$12.5B
2000
-$1.04B
2024
Current account balance ranking
22/190
2000
124/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+11.4%
2000
-9.53%
2024
Goods imports
$15.2B
2000
$4.32B
2024
Goods exports
$28.3B
2000
$3.83B
2024
Service imports
$2.3B
2000
$1.05B
2024
Service exports
$1.38B
2000
$230M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.5%
2024
52.2%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
23.6%
2024
41.4%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Iran Mauritania
Economic freedom 41.8 53.9
Economic freedom ranking 185/197 136/197
Property rights 20.2 32.6
Government integrity 16.2 24.5
Judicial effectiveness 18.7 26.4
Tax burden 81.3 75.5
Government spending 94.7 80.2
Fiscal health 83.3 87.9
Business freedom 37.4 38.7
Labor freedom 41.8 53.6
Monetary freedom 42.2 77.8
Trade freedom 55.8 59.6
Investment freedom 5 50
Financial freedom 5 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Iran
Mauritania
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Iran Mauritania
2026 41.8 53.9
2025 42.5 54.9
2024 41.2 55.3
2023 42.2 55.3
2022 42.4 55.3
2021 47.2 56.1
2020 49.2 55.3
2019 51.1 55.7
2018 50.9 54
2017 50.5 54.4
2016 43.5 54.8
2015 41.8 53.3
2014 40.3 53.2
2013 43.2 52.3
2012 42.3 53
2011 42.1 52.1
2010 43.4 52
2009 44.6 53.9
2008 45 55.2
2007 45 53.6
2006 45 55.7
2005 50.5 59.4
2004 42.8 61.8
2003 43.2 59
2002 36.4 52.5
2001 35.9 48.5
2000 36.1 46
1999 36.8 42.8
1998 36 43.7
1997 34.5 47
1996 36.1 45.5

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Iran is 41.8, ranking 185/197, compared to 53.9 for Mauritania, ranking 136/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Iran Mauritania
Services, % of GDP
49.8%
2024
42.4%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
36.1%
2024
30.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
10.8%
2024
19.3%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$469B
2024
$11B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$19,820
2024
$7,300
2024
Total reserves including gold
$7.69B
1982
$2.04B
2021
Total reserves ranking
85/177
1982
126/177
2021
Net foreign direct investment
-$39M
2000
-$1.44B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.45B
2024
$1.44B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$89.4M
2024
$3.9M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.08%
2024
3.82%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
18.7%
2020
31.8%
2019
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
44.3%
2024
43.1%
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/mauritania | 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. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1995, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  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.