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Economy of Iran vs Nepal compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Iran has a GDP of $363B compared to $45.5B for Nepal, ranking 44/197 and 102/197 by economy size, respectively.

Iran has $135B in government debt (37.3% of GDP), compared to $21.9B (48.1% of GDP) in Nepal.

Iran vs Nepal GDP by year

Iran
Nepal
1x
Year GDP, current $
Iran Nepal
2025 $362,682,115,433 $45,489,810,283
2024 $475,252,089,215 $43,298,911,700
2023 $457,510,482,317 $41,049,329,851
2022 $422,662,261,526 $41,182,939,520
2021 $407,350,685,583 $36,924,841,394
2020 $280,934,329,280 $33,433,659,301
2019 $347,988,400,958 $34,186,180,699
2018 $411,903,303,606 $33,111,525,237
2017 $510,239,893,418 $28,971,588,940
2016 $478,618,064,871 $24,524,109,484
2015 $409,191,686,497 $24,360,801,287
2014 $462,284,793,281 $22,731,612,922
2013 $500,399,839,840 $22,162,204,925
2012 $644,019,315,004 $21,703,100,877
2011 $629,082,257,472 $21,573,872,421
2010 $487,069,570,464 $16,002,656,434
2009 $414,059,094,949 $12,854,985,464
2008 $406,070,949,554 $12,545,438,605
2007 $349,736,591,832 $10,325,618,017
2006 $265,602,187,404 $9,043,715,356
2005 $224,970,371,325 $8,130,258,378
2004 $187,754,571,248 $7,273,938,315
2003 $151,911,222,119 $6,330,473,097
2002 $128,626,917,504 $6,050,875,807
2001 $126,878,750,296 $6,007,055,042
2000 $109,591,707,802 $5,494,252,208
1999 $113,848,450,088 $5,033,642,384
1998 $110,276,913,363 $4,856,255,044
1997 $113,919,163,421 $4,918,691,917
1996 $120,403,931,885 $4,521,580,381
1995 $96,419,225,744 $4,401,104,418
1994 $71,841,461,173 $4,066,775,510
1993 $63,743,623,232 $3,660,041,667
1992 $119,768,691,217 $3,401,211,581
1991 $131,637,664,958 $3,921,476,085
1990 $124,813,263,926 $3,627,560,239
1989 $120,496,362,916 $3,525,225,787
1988 $123,057,861,334 $3,487,009,748
1987 $134,009,995,923 $2,957,255,380
1986 $209,094,561,833 $2,850,782,044
1985 $180,183,629,600 $2,619,913,956
1984 $162,276,728,620 $2,581,207,388
1983 $156,365,156,618 $2,447,174,803
1982 $125,948,756,439 $2,395,423,742
1981 $100,499,312,750 $2,275,583,317
1980 $94,362,275,580 $1,945,916,583
1979 $90,391,877,326 $1,851,250,008
1978 $77,994,316,621 $1,604,162,497
1977 $80,600,122,702 $1,382,400,000
1976 $68,055,295,081 $1,452,788,985
1975 $51,776,222,350 $1,575,789,254
1974 $46,209,092,072 $1,217,953,547
1973 $27,081,698,250 $972,101,725
1972 $17,153,463,263 $1,024,098,400
1971 $13,731,802,833 $882,765,472
1970 $10,976,245,154 $865,975,309
1969 $9,743,089,607 $788,641,965
1968 $8,623,172,960 $772,231,387
1967 $7,555,383,690 $841,974,025
1966 $6,789,938,672 $906,811,944
1965 $6,197,319,929 $735,267,082
1964 $5,379,845,648 $496,098,775
1963 $4,928,628,018 $496,947,904
1962 $4,693,566,416 $574,091,101
1961 $4,426,949,095 $531,959,562
1960 $4,199,134,390 $508,334,414

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Iran vs Nepal by year

Iran
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Nepal
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Iran Nepal
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $3,924 - $1,536 -
2024 $5,190 $19,874 $1,460 $5,737
2023 $5,049 $18,917 $1,382 $5,395
2022 $4,721 $17,546 $1,386 $5,103
2021 $4,605 $15,884 $1,253 $4,546
2020 $3,203 $15,119 $1,154 $4,236
2019 $3,997 $13,928 $1,203 $4,261
2018 $4,783 $15,324 $1,179 $3,956
2017 $6,001 $15,719 $1,034 $3,605
2016 $5,711 $15,195 $877 $2,976
2015 $4,953 $14,274 $876 $2,957
2014 $5,672 $16,065 $821 $2,901
2013 $6,223 $16,215 $803 $2,658
2012 $8,114 $17,021 $788 $2,466
2011 $8,026 $19,275 $786 $2,248
2010 $6,291 $18,628 $585 $2,139
2009 $5,416 $17,615 $473 $2,029
2008 $5,377 $17,549 $465 $1,942
2007 $4,688 $17,384 $385 $1,809
2006 $3,619 $15,907 $340 $1,718
2005 $3,132 $15,016 $309 $1,628
2004 $2,672 $14,425 $279.6 $1,542
2003 $2,209 $13,755 $246.4 $1,453
2002 $1,891 $12,554 $238.9 $1,390
2001 $1,881 $11,533 $240.8 $1,388
2000 $1,650 $11,187 $223.8 $1,317
1999 $1,740 $10,489 $208.6 $1,234
1998 $1,709 $10,285 $205.1 $1,187
1997 $1,790 $10,101 $211.8 $1,162
1996 $1,915 $9,916 $198.8 $1,110
1995 $1,550 $9,255 $197.8 $1,058
1994 $1,168 $8,951 $187.3 $1,026
1993 $1,038 $8,933 $172.8 $952
1992 $1,957 $8,888 $165 $920
1991 $2,194 $8,580 $195.7 $889
1990 $2,138 $7,566 $185.8 $830
1989 $2,125 - $185 -
1988 $2,234 - $187.1 -
1987 $2,513 - $162 -
1986 $4,064 - $159.5 -
1985 $3,634 - $149.9 -
1984 $3,395 - $151.1 -
1983 $3,397 - $146.6 -
1982 $2,845 - $147 -
1981 $2,393 - $142.9 -
1980 $2,368 - $125.1 -
1979 $2,352 - $121.9 -
1978 $2,101 - $108.1 -
1977 $2,243 - $95.3 -
1976 $1,954 - $102.5 -
1975 $1,532 - $113.6 -
1974 $1,409 - $89.8 -
1973 $851 - $73.2 -
1972 $555 - $78.8 -
1971 $457 - $69.5 -
1970 $377 - $69.6 -
1969 $345 - $64.8 -
1968 $314 - $64.9 -
1967 $283.7 - $72.3 -
1966 $262.9 - $79.5 -
1965 $247.5 - $65.8 -
1964 $221.7 - $45.3 -
1963 $209.6 - $46.3 -
1962 $205.8 - $54.6 -
1961 $200.1 - $51.6 -
1960 $195.6 - $50.2 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Iran's GDP per capita is $3,924, ranking 135/197, compared to $1,536 in Nepal, ranking 165/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Iran ranks 97th at $19,874, while Nepal ranks 155th at $5,737.

Economic indicators

Iran Nepal
Gross domestic product
$363B
2025
$45.5B
2025
GDP rank
44/197
2025
102/197
2025
GDP growth
-2.83%
2024-2025
4.43%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$3,924
2025
$1,536
2025
GDP per capita rank
135/197
2025
165/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$19,874
2024
$5,737
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
97/197
2024
155/197
2024
Government debt
$135B
2025
$21.9B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
37.3%
2025
48.1%
2025
Government debt per person
$1,463
2025
$740
2025
Government debt per person rank
133/185
2025
154/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,958
2026
$1,743
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$186B
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires n/a
2
2026
Income share by richest 10%
28.2%
2023
24.2%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2.8%
2023
3.7%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
13.4%
2025
21.8%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
42.2%
2024-2025
2.65%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
23%
2023
n/a
Unemployment rate
7.63%
2024
10.7%
2017
Population
93580141
29619950

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Iran
Spending

Debt
Nepal
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Iran Nepal
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 13.4% 37.3% 21.8% 48.1%
2024 16% 31.2% 21.8% 48.3%
2023 12.8% 29.6% 25.1% 47%
2022 12.8% 34.5% 26.1% 42.7%
2021 13.4% 39.9% 27.2% 43.3%
2020 12.1% 47.1% 28.5% 43.3%
2019 13.6% 44.6% 27.1% 34%
2018 14.8% 41.6% 28% 31.1%
2017 16.4% 43.2% 23.6% 25%
2016 16.3% 45.9% 19% 25%
2015 14.1% 32.1% 17.7% 25.7%
2014 12.3% 10.9% 16.6% 27.6%
2013 11.5% 10.2% 15.5% 31.9%
2012 11.4% 11.7% 16.8% 34.5%
2011 14.6% 10.6% 16.3% 32.4%
2010 14.1% 12.8% 16.5% 35.4%
2009 15.7% 11.5% 17% 39.5%
2008 16.8% 10.6% 13.4% 36.8%
2007 14.2% 13.5% 13.1% 37.9%
2006 18.7% 15.2% 11.2% 42.9%
2005 17.9% 18.3% 12% 45.1%
2004 15.1% 21.1% 11.8% 51.3%
2003 15.7% 21.9% 12% 53%
2002 15.6% 23.4% 13% 51.8%
2001 13.6% 21% 12.9% 50.8%
2000 13.3% 18.2% 11.4% 50.8%
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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1995, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Iran's government spending was $48.7B, accounting for 13.4% of its GDP, while Nepal spent $9.93B, or 21.8% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 37.3% in Iran and 48.1% in Nepal, ranking 139/185 and 110/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Iran

Nepal
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Iran Nepal
2025 -5.65% -1.86%
2024 -2.68% -2.46%
2023 -3.04% -5.81%
2022 -2.64% -3.12%
2021 -3.01% -3.98%
2020 -4.87% -7.47%
2019 -4.3% -4.27%
2018 -1.59% -5.83%
2017 -1.55% -2.69%
2016 -1.7% 1.2%
2015 -1.3% 0.46%
2014 -0.91% 1.36%
2013 -0.72% 1.57%
2012 -0.5% -1.18%
2011 -0.66% -0.72%
2010 -0.84% -0.67%
2009 -3.3% -2.24%
2008 -4.39% -0.29%
2007 -2.41% -0.67%
2006 -4.91% 0.24%
2005 -2.44% 0.24%
2004 -2.45% -0.14%
2003 -2.76% -0.34%
2002 -2.88% -2.46%
2001 0.02% -2.35%
2000 5.42% -1.48%
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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Iran's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $20.5B, equivalent to 5.65% of GDP. This compares to Nepal's deficit of $845M, or 1.86% of GDP.

Over the past 26 years, Iran recorded a fiscal deficit in 24 of those years, while Nepal ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, Iran posted an annual deficit equal to 2.15% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.73% of GDP for Nepal.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Iran

Nepal
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Iran Nepal
2025 42.2% 2.65%
2024 32.5% 4.69%
2023 44.6% 7.12%
2022 43.5% 7.67%
2021 43.4% 4.13%
2020 30.6% 5.06%
2019 39.9% 5.57%
2018 18% 4.41%
2017 8.04% 2.78%
2016 7.25% 8.79%
2015 12.5% 7.87%
2014 16.6% 8.36%
2013 36.6% 9.04%
2012 27.3% 9.46%
2011 26.3% 9.23%
2010 10.1% 9.33%
2009 13.6% 11.1%
2008 25.4% 9.91%
2007 17.3% 2.27%
2006 10% 6.92%
2005 13.4% 6.84%
2004 14.8% 2.84%
2003 16.5% 5.71%
2002 14.3% 3.03%
2001 11.3% 2.69%
2000 14.5% 2.48%
1999 20.1% 7.45%
1998 17.9% 11.2%
1997 17.3% 4.01%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, Iran has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 22.3%, compared with 6.3% in Nepal. In 2025, inflation was 42.2% in Iran and 2.65% in Nepal.

Top exports between countries

Iran
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $404K
Raw materials & minerals $295K
Raw agricultural goods $24K
Nepal
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $28K
Textiles & consumer goods $1K

Balance of trade

Iran Nepal
Current account balance
$12.5B
2000
$1.68B
2024
Current account balance ranking
22/190
2000
47/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+11.4%
2000
+3.88%
2024
Goods imports
$15.2B
2000
$12.1B
2024
Goods exports
$28.3B
2000
$1.54B
2024
Service imports
$2.3B
2000
$2.27B
2024
Service exports
$1.38B
2000
$1.9B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
34.5%
2025
33.7%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
25.8%
2025
8.83%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Iran Nepal
Economic freedom 41.8 52.9
Economic freedom ranking 185/197 144/197
Property rights 20.2 38.8
Government integrity 16.2 38.9
Judicial effectiveness 18.7 42.9
Tax burden 81.3 84.3
Government spending 94.7 82.1
Fiscal health 83.3 71
Business freedom 37.4 60.8
Labor freedom 41.8 48.2
Monetary freedom 42.2 69.4
Trade freedom 55.8 58.6
Investment freedom 5 10
Financial freedom 5 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Iran
Nepal
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Iran Nepal
2026 41.8 52.9
2025 42.5 52.5
2024 41.2 52.1
2023 42.2 51.4
2022 42.4 49.7
2021 47.2 50.7
2020 49.2 54.2
2019 51.1 53.8
2018 50.9 54.1
2017 50.5 55.1
2016 43.5 50.9
2015 41.8 51.3
2014 40.3 50.1
2013 43.2 50.4
2012 42.3 50.2
2011 42.1 50.1
2010 43.4 52.7
2009 44.6 53.2
2008 45 54.1
2007 45 54.4
2006 45 53.7
2005 50.5 51.4
2004 42.8 51.2
2003 43.2 51.5
2002 36.4 52.3
2001 35.9 51.6
2000 36.1 51.3
1999 36.8 53.1
1998 36 53.5
1997 34.5 53.6
1996 36.1 50.3

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Iran is 41.8, ranking 185/197, compared to 52.9 for Nepal, ranking 144/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Iran Nepal
Services, % of GDP
47.1%
2025
54.4%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
39.6%
2025
12.1%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
10.6%
2025
21.6%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$429B
2025
$46.5B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$19,660
2025
$6,250
2025
Total reserves including gold
$7.69B
1982
$21.1B
2025
Total reserves ranking
89/177
1982
65/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$39M
2000
-$56.9M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.45B
2024
$56.9M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$89.4M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.08%
2024
1.22%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
18.7%
2020
20.3%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
41.8%
2025
29.4%
2025

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1995, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2020–2023, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-07-08)

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.