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Economy of Iran vs Nauru compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Iran has a GDP of $475B compared to $163M for Nauru, ranking 34/197 and 195/197 by economy size, respectively.

Iran has $162B in government debt (34% of GDP), compared to $28.3M (17.4% of GDP) in Nauru.

Iran vs Nauru GDP by year

Iran
Nauru
1x
Year GDP, current $
Iran Nauru
2024 $475,252,089,215 $162,588,621
2023 $457,510,482,317 $151,435,610
2022 $422,662,261,526 $152,373,434
2021 $407,350,685,583 $175,390,281
2020 $280,934,329,280 $124,685,688
2019 $347,988,400,958 $125,160,116
2018 $411,903,303,606 $130,995,566
2017 $510,239,893,418 $109,355,639
2016 $478,618,064,871 $97,541,943
2015 $409,191,686,497 $84,863,441
2014 $462,284,793,281 $99,149,244
2013 $500,399,839,840 $94,385,015
2012 $644,019,315,004 $101,055,723
2011 $629,082,257,472 $65,071,880
2010 $487,069,570,464 $47,562,845
2009 $414,059,094,949 $44,176,246
2008 $406,070,949,554 $37,602,265
2007 $349,736,591,832 $22,766,972
2006 $265,602,187,404 $29,200,359
2005 $224,970,371,325 $30,070,666
2004 $187,754,571,248 $30,587,566
2003 $151,911,222,119 $24,778,160
2002 $128,626,917,504 $21,017,424
2001 $126,878,750,296 $22,613,288
2000 $109,591,707,802 $26,930,980
1999 $113,848,450,088 $27,328,613
1998 $110,276,913,363 $29,664,451
1997 $113,919,163,421 $37,331,507
1996 $120,403,931,885 $37,458,801
1995 $96,419,225,744 $39,969,706
1994 $71,841,461,173 $39,742,511
1993 $63,743,623,232 $43,542,088
1992 $119,768,691,217 $51,133,123
1991 $131,637,664,958 $52,533,789
1990 $124,813,263,926 $55,572,376
1989 $120,496,362,916 $53,736,786
1988 $123,057,861,334 $45,931,134
1987 $134,009,995,923 $40,118,410
1986 $209,094,561,833 $39,939,391
1985 $180,183,629,600 $41,548,741
1984 $162,276,728,620 $47,363,231
1983 $156,365,156,618 $48,439,093
1982 $125,948,756,439 $52,877,742
1981 $100,499,312,750 $51,689,637
1980 $94,362,275,580 $46,947,124
1979 $90,391,877,326 $44,431,330
1978 $77,994,316,621 $41,754,147
1977 $80,600,122,702 $40,444,702
1976 $68,055,295,081 $40,287,427
1975 $51,776,222,350 $40,106,776
1974 $46,209,092,072 $35,994,511
1973 $27,081,698,250 $26,529,817
1972 $17,153,463,263 $21,734,269
1971 $13,731,802,833 $19,009,433
1970 $10,976,245,154 $17,570,366
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/nauru | CC BY

GDP per capita in Iran vs Nauru by year

Iran
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Nauru
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Iran Nauru
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $5,190 $19,874 $13,609 $14,173
2023 $5,049 $18,917 $12,752 $13,732
2022 $4,721 $17,546 $12,912 $13,245
2021 $4,605 $15,884 $14,979 $12,112
2020 $3,203 $15,119 $10,709 $10,811
2019 $3,997 $13,928 $10,802 $10,555
2018 $4,783 $15,324 $11,414 $9,657
2017 $6,001 $15,719 $9,657 $9,650
2016 $5,711 $15,195 $8,748 $10,281
2015 $4,953 $14,274 $7,747 $9,955
2014 $5,672 $16,065 $9,230 $9,726
2013 $6,223 $16,215 $8,975 $8,429
2012 $8,114 $17,021 $9,843 $8,153
2011 $8,026 $19,275 $6,444 $6,544
2010 $6,291 $18,628 $4,736 $5,620
2009 $5,416 $17,615 $4,411 $5,568
2008 $5,377 $17,549 $3,757 $5,863
2007 $4,688 $17,384 $2,272 $4,789
2006 $3,619 $15,907 $2,910 $5,975
2005 $3,132 $15,016 $2,992 $5,336
2004 $2,672 $14,425 $3,041 $5,169
2003 $2,209 $13,755 $2,463 $5,261
2002 $1,891 $12,554 $2,085 $5,132
2001 $1,881 $11,533 $2,232 $5,587
2000 $1,650 $11,187 $2,649 $5,838
1999 $1,740 $10,489 $2,683 $6,118
1998 $1,709 $10,285 $2,909 $6,450
1997 $1,790 $10,101 $3,661 $7,231
1996 $1,915 $9,916 $3,679 $7,818
1995 $1,550 $9,255 $3,932 $8,726
1994 $1,168 $8,951 $3,921 $9,308
1993 $1,038 $8,933 $4,310 $9,513
1992 $1,957 $8,888 $5,103 $11,167
1991 $2,194 $8,580 $5,333 $13,265
1990 $2,138 $7,566 $5,776 $16,215
1989 $2,125 - $5,723 -
1988 $2,234 - $5,012 -
1987 $2,513 - $4,485 -
1986 $4,064 - $4,569 -
1985 $3,634 - $4,859 -
1984 $3,395 - $5,654 -
1983 $3,397 - $5,896 -
1982 $2,845 - $6,577 -
1981 $2,393 - $6,594 -
1980 $2,368 - $6,138 -
1979 $2,352 - $5,950 -
1978 $2,101 - $5,721 -
1977 $2,243 - $5,646 -
1976 $1,954 - $5,703 -
1975 $1,532 - $5,740 -
1974 $1,409 - $5,199 -
1973 $851 - $3,864 -
1972 $555 - $3,191 -
1971 $457 - $2,811 -
1970 $377 - $2,619 -
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/nauru | CC BY

Iran's GDP per capita is $5,190, ranking 119/197, compared to $13,609 in Nauru, ranking 74/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Iran ranks 97th at $19,874, while Nauru ranks 119th at $14,173.

Economic indicators

Iran Nauru
Gross domestic product
$475B
2024
$163M
2024
GDP rank
34/197
2024
195/197
2024
GDP growth
3.66%
2023-2024
1.39%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$5,190
2024
$13,609
2024
GDP per capita rank
119/197
2024
74/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$19,874
2024
$14,173
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
97/197
2024
119/197
2024
Government debt
$162B
2024
$28.3M
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
34%
2024
17.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,764
2024
$2,367
2024
Government debt per person rank
122/185
2024
113/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,964
2026
$8,783
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$172B
2024
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
28.2%
2023
25.3%
2012
Income share by poorest 10%
2.8%
2023
3.4%
2012
Government expenditure, % of GDP
14.2%
2024
122.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
32.5%
2023-2024
9.3%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
23%
2023
n/a
Unemployment rate
7.63%
2024
5.06%
2021
Population
93468444
12125

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Iran
Spending

Debt
Nauru
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Iran Nauru
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 14.2% 34% 122.1% 17.4%
2023 12.8% 29.6% 118.1% 20.5%
2022 12.8% 34.5% 134.8% 22.4%
2021 13.4% 39.9% 93% 20.5%
2020 12.1% 47.1% 109.4% 56.3%
2019 13.6% 44.6% 106% 59.6%
2018 14.8% 41.6% 90.8% 71.1%
2017 16.4% 43.2% 102.3% 78%
2016 16.3% 45.9% 96% 86.3%
2015 14.1% 32.1% 85.4% 113%
2014 12.3% 10.9% 61.3% 147.7%
2013 11.5% 10.2% 66% 166.9%
2012 11.4% 11.7% 46% 157.3%
2011 14.6% 10.6% 44.7% 236.8%
2010 14.1% 12.8% 73.8% 298.9%
2009 15.7% 11.5% 68% 295.6%
2008 16.8% 10.6% - -
2007 14.2% 13.5% - -
2006 18.7% 15.2% - -
2005 17.9% 18.3% - -
2004 15.1% 21.1% - -
2003 15.7% 21.9% - -
2002 15.6% 23.4% - -
2001 13.6% 21% - -
2000 13.3% 18.2% - -
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/nauru | CC BY

In 2024, Iran's government spending was $67.5B, accounting for 14.2% of its GDP, while Nauru spent $199M, or 122.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 34% in Iran and 17.4% in Nauru, ranking 147/185 and 176/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Iran

Nauru
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Iran Nauru
2024 -3.83% 29.8%
2023 -2.54% 19.4%
2022 -2.64% 24.3%
2021 -3.01% 44.5%
2020 -4.87% 42.8%
2019 -4.3% 31%
2018 -1.59% 29.6%
2017 -1.55% 16.2%
2016 -1.7% 18.9%
2015 -1.3% 10.7%
2014 -0.91% 29.6%
2013 -0.72% 1.71%
2012 -0.5% 8.12%
2011 -0.66% 2.73%
2010 -0.84% 0.09%
2009 -3.3% 0.37%
2008 -4.39% -
2007 -2.41% -
2006 -4.91% -
2005 -2.44% -
2004 -2.45% -
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/nauru | 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 Nauru's surplus of $48.4M, or 29.8% of GDP.

Over the past 16 years, Iran recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while Nauru ran a deficit in 0 years. On average, Iran posted an annual deficit equal to 2.14% of GDP, compared to surplus of 19.4% of GDP for Nauru.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Iran

Nauru
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Iran Nauru
2024 32.5% 9.3%
2023 44.6% 4.8%
2022 43.5% 1.1%
2021 43.4% 2%
2020 30.6% 0.9%
2019 39.9% 4.1%
2018 18% 1.1%
2017 8.04% 4.5%
2016 7.25% 8.1%
2015 12.5% 9.8%
2014 16.6% 0.3%
2013 36.6% -1.1%
2012 27.3% 0.3%
2011 26.3% -3.4%
2010 10.1% -2%
2009 13.6% 22.4%
2008 25.4% 1%
2007 17.3% 5.6%
2006 10% 19.3%
2005 13.4% 8.7%
2004 14.8% -
2003 16.5% -
2002 14.3% -
2001 11.3% -
2000 14.5% -
1999 20.1% -
1998 17.9% -
1997 17.3% -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (2005–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

Over the past 20 years, Iran has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 23.8%, compared with 4.84% in Nauru. In 2024, inflation was 32.5% in Iran and 9.3% in Nauru.

Top exports between countries

Iran
Export category Export value
Nauru
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $83K

Balance of trade

Iran Nauru
Current account balance
$12.5B
2000
$9.73M
2024
Current account balance ranking
22/190
2000
75/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+11.4%
2000
+5.98%
2024
Goods imports
$15.2B
2000
$92.7M
2024
Goods exports
$28.3B
2000
$25.5M
2024
Service imports
$2.3B
2000
$88.2M
2024
Service exports
$1.38B
2000
$64.6M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.5%
2024
110.5%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
23.6%
2024
55.3%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Iran Nauru
Economic freedom 41.8 60
Economic freedom ranking 185/197 97/197
Property rights 20.2 n/a
Government integrity 16.2 n/a
Judicial effectiveness 18.7 n/a
Tax burden 81.3 n/a
Government spending 94.7 n/a
Fiscal health 83.3 n/a
Business freedom 37.4 n/a
Labor freedom 41.8 n/a
Monetary freedom 42.2 n/a
Trade freedom 55.8 n/a
Investment freedom 5 n/a
Financial freedom 5 n/a

Other economic metrics

Iran Nauru
Services, % of GDP
49.8%
2024
n/a
Industry, % of GDP
36.1%
2024
n/a
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
10.8%
2024
n/a
GNI, Atlas method
$469B
2024
$244M
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$19,820
2024
$21,970
2024
Total reserves including gold
$7.69B
1982
n/a
Total reserves ranking
85/177
1982
n/a
Net foreign direct investment
-$39M
2000
$4.51M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.45B
2024
-$5.85M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$89.4M
2024
-$1.34M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.08%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
18.7%
2020
n/a
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
44.3%
2024
n/a

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/nauru | 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 (1962–1995, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  8. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  9. TradeMap (2023, retrieved 2026-02-08)

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.