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Economy of Iran vs Namibia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Iran has a GDP of $475B compared to $13.4B for Namibia, ranking 34/197 and 147/197 by economy size, respectively.

Iran has $162B in government debt (34% of GDP), compared to $9.05B (67.7% of GDP) in Namibia.

Iran vs Namibia GDP by year

Iran
Namibia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Iran Namibia
2024 $475,252,089,215 $13,372,354,512
2023 $457,510,482,317 $12,408,271,449
2022 $422,662,261,526 $12,569,449,123
2021 $407,350,685,583 $12,402,486,184
2020 $280,934,329,280 $10,583,748,542
2019 $347,988,400,958 $12,541,928,303
2018 $411,903,303,606 $13,682,019,076
2017 $510,239,893,418 $12,895,153,371
2016 $478,618,064,871 $10,722,018,732
2015 $409,191,686,497 $11,335,161,084
2014 $462,284,793,281 $12,435,430,970
2013 $500,399,839,840 $12,043,307,277
2012 $644,019,315,004 $13,042,053,592
2011 $629,082,257,472 $12,523,359,441
2010 $487,069,570,464 $11,431,412,421
2009 $414,059,094,949 $8,938,847,189
2008 $406,070,949,554 $8,607,431,497
2007 $349,736,591,832 $8,839,536,476
2006 $265,602,187,404 $8,001,779,551
2005 $224,970,371,325 $7,248,374,838
2004 $187,754,571,248 $6,609,205,995
2003 $151,911,222,119 $4,926,439,384
2002 $128,626,917,504 $3,349,169,826
2001 $126,878,750,296 $3,557,341,215
2000 $109,591,707,802 $3,922,232,165
1999 $113,848,450,088 $3,868,551,730
1998 $110,276,913,363 $3,873,109,866
1997 $113,919,163,421 $4,154,989,950
1996 $120,403,931,885 $3,989,163,197
1995 $96,419,225,744 $3,978,514,206
1994 $71,841,461,173 $3,666,503,530
1993 $63,743,623,232 $3,251,188,833
1992 $119,768,691,217 $3,429,521,699
1991 $131,637,664,958 $2,996,869,281
1990 $124,813,263,926 $2,789,921,854
1989 $120,496,362,916 $2,535,135,798
1988 $123,057,861,334 $2,495,094,746
1987 $134,009,995,923 $2,300,068,217
1986 $209,094,561,833 $1,809,048,527
1985 $180,183,629,600 $1,608,237,350
1984 $162,276,728,620 $1,951,260,038
1983 $156,365,156,618 $2,297,400,688
1982 $125,948,756,439 $2,118,710,248
1981 $100,499,312,750 $2,249,908,578
1980 $94,362,275,580 $2,421,990,338
1979 $90,391,877,326 -
1978 $77,994,316,621 -
1977 $80,600,122,702 -
1976 $68,055,295,081 -
1975 $51,776,222,350 -
1974 $46,209,092,072 -
1973 $27,081,698,250 -
1972 $17,153,463,263 -
1971 $13,731,802,833 -
1970 $10,976,245,154 -
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/namibia | CC BY

GDP per capita in Iran vs Namibia by year

Iran
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Namibia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Iran Namibia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $5,190 $19,874 $4,413 $11,687
2023 $5,049 $18,917 $4,188 $11,251
2022 $4,721 $17,546 $4,350 $10,663
2021 $4,605 $15,884 $4,413 $9,709
2020 $3,203 $15,119 $3,879 $9,354
2019 $3,997 $13,928 $4,732 $9,609
2018 $4,783 $15,324 $5,309 $9,854
2017 $6,001 $15,719 $5,144 $9,888
2016 $5,711 $15,195 $4,396 $10,200
2015 $4,953 $14,274 $4,774 $10,466
2014 $5,672 $16,065 $5,378 $10,365
2013 $6,223 $16,215 $5,347 $9,699
2012 $8,114 $17,021 $5,943 $9,364
2011 $8,026 $19,275 $5,835 $9,002
2010 $6,291 $18,628 $5,418 $8,538
2009 $5,416 $17,615 $4,303 $8,079
2008 $5,377 $17,549 $4,205 $8,125
2007 $4,688 $17,384 $4,379 $7,875
2006 $3,619 $15,907 $4,017 $7,374
2005 $3,132 $15,016 $3,686 $6,767
2004 $2,672 $14,425 $3,403 $6,480
2003 $2,209 $13,755 $2,569 $5,693
2002 $1,891 $12,554 $1,772 $5,433
2001 $1,881 $11,533 $1,916 $5,196
2000 $1,650 $11,187 $2,157 $5,129
1999 $1,740 $10,489 $2,178 $4,961
1998 $1,709 $10,285 $2,235 $4,852
1997 $1,790 $10,101 $2,460 $4,764
1996 $1,915 $9,916 $2,423 $4,612
1995 $1,550 $9,255 $2,483 $4,509
1994 $1,168 $8,951 $2,356 $4,376
1993 $1,038 $8,933 $2,155 $4,345
1992 $1,957 $8,888 $2,347 $4,452
1991 $2,194 $8,580 $2,117 $4,192
1990 $2,138 $7,566 $2,037 $3,875
1989 $2,125 - $1,967 -
1988 $2,234 - $2,063 -
1987 $2,513 - $1,969 -
1986 $4,064 - $1,599 -
1985 $3,634 - $1,466 -
1984 $3,395 - $1,830 -
1983 $3,397 - $2,214 -
1982 $2,845 - $2,097 -
1981 $2,393 - $2,267 -
1980 $2,368 - $2,468 -
1979 $2,352 - - -
1978 $2,101 - - -
1977 $2,243 - - -
1976 $1,954 - - -
1975 $1,532 - - -
1974 $1,409 - - -
1973 $851 - - -
1972 $555 - - -
1971 $457 - - -
1970 $377 - - -
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/namibia | CC BY

Iran's GDP per capita is $5,190, ranking 119/197, compared to $4,413 in Namibia, ranking 126/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Iran ranks 97th at $19,874, while Namibia ranks 128th at $11,687.

Economic indicators

Iran Namibia
Gross domestic product
$475B
2024
$13.4B
2024
GDP rank
34/197
2024
147/197
2024
GDP growth
3.66%
2023-2024
3.71%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$5,190
2024
$4,413
2024
GDP per capita rank
119/197
2024
126/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$19,874
2024
$11,687
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
97/197
2024
128/197
2024
Government debt
$162B
2024
$9.05B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
34%
2024
67.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,764
2024
$2,988
2024
Government debt per person rank
122/185
2024
100/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,964
2026
$6,197
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$172B
2024
$2.48B
2024
Income share by richest 10%
28.2%
2023
47.2%
2015
Income share by poorest 10%
2.8%
2023
1%
2015
Government expenditure, % of GDP
14.2%
2024
39.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
32.5%
2023-2024
4.2%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
23%
2023
6.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
7.63%
2024
19.9%
2018
Population
93468444
3173089

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Iran
Spending

Debt
Namibia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Iran Namibia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 14.2% 34% 39.9% 67.7%
2023 12.8% 29.6% 37% 67.2%
2022 12.8% 34.5% 36.6% 69.4%
2021 13.4% 39.9% 39.3% 69.6%
2020 12.1% 47.1% 41.5% 64.3%
2019 13.6% 44.6% 37.4% 57.6%
2018 14.8% 41.6% 36.3% 48.7%
2017 16.4% 43.2% 38.1% 43.8%
2016 16.3% 45.9% 41.8% 45.8%
2015 14.1% 32.1% 43.7% 42.1%
2014 12.3% 10.9% 41.8% 27.6%
2013 11.5% 10.2% 38.3% 26.1%
2012 11.4% 11.7% 35% 24.6%
2011 14.6% 10.6% 38.5% 27.4%
2010 14.1% 12.8% 33.5% 16.3%
2009 15.7% 11.5% 32% 15.9%
2008 16.8% 10.6% 28.4% 19.1%
2007 14.2% 13.5% 26.1% 19.4%
2006 18.7% 15.2% 27.4% 26.1%
2005 17.9% 18.3% 27.7% 26.9%
2004 15.1% 21.1% 28.4% 29.2%
2003 15.7% 21.9% 31.1% 27.1%
2002 15.6% 23.4% 29.8% 22.2%
2001 13.6% 21% 30.7% 24.4%
2000 13.3% 18.2% 30.1% 20.9%
1999 15.7% 22.2% 31.8% 21.8%
1998 16.9% 29.6% 31.3% 19.6%
1997 17.4% 30.9% 30.9% 17.7%
1996 17.3% 29.3% 30.4% 18.7%
1995 21% 31.2% 29.6% 18%
1994 23% 41.7% 28.7% 16.4%
1993 27.2% 25.6% 32.4% 17.2%
1992 14.4% 25.2% 32.8% 14.1%
1991 14% 29.3% 33% 11.8%
1990 16.4% 37% 30.2% 12.9%
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/namibia | CC BY

In 2024, Iran's government spending was $67.5B, accounting for 14.2% of its GDP, while Namibia spent $5.34B, or 39.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 34% in Iran and 67.7% in Namibia, ranking 147/185 and 61/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Iran

Namibia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Iran Namibia
2024 -3.83% -3.59%
2023 -2.54% -3.14%
2022 -2.64% -6.33%
2021 -3.01% -8.68%
2020 -4.87% -8.07%
2019 -4.3% -5.49%
2018 -1.59% -5.09%
2017 -1.55% -4.99%
2016 -1.7% -9.3%
2015 -1.3% -8.3%
2014 -0.91% -6.44%
2013 -0.72% -4.69%
2012 -0.5% -3.1%
2011 -0.66% -7.09%
2010 -0.84% -4.98%
2009 -3.3% -0.4%
2008 -4.39% 3.48%
2007 -2.41% 6.01%
2006 -4.91% 3.41%
2005 -2.44% -0.31%
2004 -2.45% -2.67%
2003 -2.76% -4.47%
2002 -2.88% -1.38%
2001 0.02% -2.01%
2000 5.42% -0.79%
1999 -0.51% -1.88%
1998 -5.03% -2.76%
1997 -1.81% -2.38%
1996 -0.75% -3.7%
1995 -2.63% -1.74%
1994 -3.36% -0.57%
1993 -5.15% -2.73%
1992 -0.86% -2.55%
1991 -1.64% -1.59%
1990 -1.73% 1.08%
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/namibia | 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 Namibia's deficit of $480M, or 3.59% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Iran recorded a fiscal deficit in 33 of those years, while Namibia ran a deficit in 31 years. On average, Iran posted an annual deficit equal to 2.13% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.06% of GDP for Namibia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Iran

Namibia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Iran Namibia
2024 32.5% 4.2%
2023 44.6% 5.9%
2022 43.5% 6.1%
2021 43.4% 3.6%
2020 30.6% 2.2%
2019 39.9% 3.7%
2018 18% 4.3%
2017 8.04% 6.1%
2016 7.25% 6.7%
2015 12.5% 3.4%
2014 16.6% 5.3%
2013 36.6% 5.6%
2012 27.3% 6.7%
2011 26.3% 5%
2010 10.1% 4.9%
2009 13.6% 9.5%
2008 25.4% 9.1%
2007 17.3% 6.5%
2006 10% 5%
2005 13.4% 2.3%
2004 14.8% 4.1%
2003 16.5% 7.2%
2002 14.3% 12.7%
2001 11.3% 10.2%
2000 14.5% 10.2%
1999 20.1% 9.4%
1998 17.9% 6.6%
1997 17.3% 9.7%

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/namibia | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Iran has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 21.6%, compared with 6.29% in Namibia. In 2024, inflation was 32.5% in Iran and 4.2% in Namibia.

Top exports between countries

Iran
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $5.44M
Machinery & equipment $97K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $12K
Raw agricultural goods $2K
Wood & paper products $1K
Namibia
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $6K
Wood & paper products $6K
Miscellaneous $3K

Balance of trade

Iran Namibia
Current account balance
$12.5B
2000
-$1.89M
2024
Current account balance ranking
22/190
2000
78/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+11.4%
2000
-0.01%
2024
Goods imports
$15.2B
2000
$6.77B
2024
Goods exports
$28.3B
2000
$4.67B
2024
Service imports
$2.3B
2000
$2.47B
2024
Service exports
$1.38B
2000
$1.29B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.5%
2024
68%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
23.6%
2024
41.6%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Iran Namibia
Economic freedom 41.8 60.2
Economic freedom ranking 185/197 95/197
Property rights 20.2 63.1
Government integrity 16.2 51.5
Judicial effectiveness 18.7 67.2
Tax burden 81.3 66.4
Government spending 94.7 57.1
Fiscal health 83.3 60.5
Business freedom 37.4 58
Labor freedom 41.8 62.7
Monetary freedom 42.2 76.1
Trade freedom 55.8 69.8
Investment freedom 5 50
Financial freedom 5 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Iran
Namibia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Iran Namibia
2026 41.8 60.2
2025 42.5 58.7
2024 41.2 57.5
2023 42.2 57.7
2022 42.4 59.2
2021 47.2 62.6
2020 49.2 60.9
2019 51.1 58.7
2018 50.9 58.5
2017 50.5 62.5
2016 43.5 61.9
2015 41.8 59.6
2014 40.3 59.4
2013 43.2 60.3
2012 42.3 61.9
2011 42.1 62.7
2010 43.4 62.2
2009 44.6 62.4
2008 45 61.4
2007 45 63.5
2006 45 60.7
2005 50.5 61.4
2004 42.8 62.4
2003 43.2 67.3
2002 36.4 65.1
2001 35.9 64.8
2000 36.1 66.7
1999 36.8 66.1
1998 36 66.1
1997 34.5 61.6
1996 36.1 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Iran is 41.8, ranking 185/197, compared to 60.2 for Namibia, ranking 95/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Iran Namibia
Services, % of GDP
49.8%
2024
54.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
36.1%
2024
28.9%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
10.8%
2024
7.29%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$469B
2024
$12.8B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$19,820
2024
$11,300
2024
Total reserves including gold
$7.69B
1982
$3.36B
2024
Total reserves ranking
85/177
1982
115/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$39M
2000
-$1.93M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.45B
2024
$1.97B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$89.4M
2024
$44.5M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.08%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
18.7%
2020
17.4%
2015
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
44.3%
2024
25.6%
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/namibia | 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 (2020–2024, 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.