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Economy of Iran vs Nigeria compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Iran has a GDP of $475B compared to $252B for Nigeria, ranking 34/197 and 54/197 by economy size, respectively.

Iran has $162B in government debt (34% of GDP), compared to $99.2B (39.3% of GDP) in Nigeria.

Iran vs Nigeria GDP by year

Iran
Nigeria
1x
Year GDP, current $
Iran Nigeria
2024 $475,252,089,215 $252,261,880,141
2023 $457,510,482,317 $487,387,801,881
2022 $422,662,261,526 $646,950,257,578
2021 $407,350,685,583 $609,147,716,973
2020 $280,934,329,280 $598,586,817,819
2019 $347,988,400,958 $668,219,992,691
2018 $411,903,303,606 $421,739,251,509
2017 $510,239,893,418 $375,745,731,053
2016 $478,618,064,871 $404,649,125,252
2015 $409,191,686,497 $493,026,682,801
2014 $462,284,793,281 $574,183,763,412
2013 $500,399,839,840 $520,117,180,314
2012 $644,019,315,004 $463,971,018,239
2011 $629,082,257,472 $414,466,676,831
2010 $487,069,570,464 $366,990,417,129
2009 $414,059,094,949 $295,008,835,381
2008 $406,070,949,554 $339,476,276,258
2007 $349,736,591,832 $278,260,846,800
2006 $265,602,187,404 $238,454,997,161
2005 $224,970,371,325 $175,670,569,969
2004 $187,754,571,248 $135,764,731,646
2003 $151,911,222,119 $104,738,954,264
2002 $128,626,917,504 $95,054,059,303
2001 $126,878,750,296 $73,557,840,064
2000 $109,591,707,802 $69,171,451,627
1999 $113,848,450,088 $59,145,077,039
1998 $110,276,913,363 $218,416,200,673
1997 $113,919,163,421 $200,850,397,618
1996 $120,403,931,885 $185,730,236,700
1995 $96,419,225,744 $140,919,776,986
1994 $71,841,461,173 $80,399,613,064
1993 $63,743,623,232 $56,721,051,402
1992 $119,768,691,217 $52,058,181,854
1991 $131,637,664,958 $59,526,833,412
1990 $124,813,263,926 $54,035,795,388
1989 $120,496,362,916 $44,003,061,108
1988 $123,057,861,334 $49,648,470,440
1987 $134,009,995,923 $52,676,041,931
1986 $209,094,561,833 $54,805,852,581
1985 $180,183,629,600 $73,745,821,158
1984 $162,276,728,620 $73,484,359,521
1983 $156,365,156,618 $97,094,911,792
1982 $125,948,756,439 $142,769,363,314
1981 $100,499,312,750 $164,475,209,516
1980 $94,362,275,580 $64,201,788,123
1979 $90,391,877,326 $47,259,911,894
1978 $77,994,316,621 $36,527,862,209
1977 $80,600,122,702 $36,035,407,725
1976 $68,055,295,081 $36,308,883,249
1975 $51,776,222,350 $27,778,934,625
1974 $46,209,092,072 $24,846,641,318
1973 $27,081,698,250 $15,162,871,287
1972 $17,153,463,263 $12,274,416,018
1971 $13,731,802,833 $9,181,769,912
1970 $10,976,245,154 $12,546,094,982
1969 $9,743,089,607 $6,634,317,346
1968 $8,623,172,960 $5,200,997,920
1967 $7,555,383,690 $5,203,237,919
1966 $6,789,938,672 $6,366,917,453
1965 $6,197,319,929 $5,874,537,650
1964 $5,379,845,648 $5,552,931,319
1963 $4,928,628,018 $5,165,590,254
1962 $4,693,566,416 $4,909,399,176
1961 $4,426,949,095 $4,467,287,893
1960 $4,199,134,390 $4,196,174,502

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

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

GDP per capita in Iran vs Nigeria by year

Iran
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Nigeria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Iran Nigeria
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $5,190 $19,874 $1,084 $9,087
2023 $5,049 $18,917 $2,139 $8,705
2022 $4,721 $17,546 $2,899 $8,305
2021 $4,605 $15,884 $2,787 $7,588
2020 $3,203 $15,119 $2,797 $7,415
2019 $3,997 $13,928 $3,190 $7,551
2018 $4,783 $15,324 $2,058 $7,158
2017 $6,001 $15,719 $1,876 $7,037
2016 $5,711 $15,195 $2,070 $7,072
2015 $4,953 $14,274 $2,586 $7,308
2014 $5,672 $16,065 $3,089 $7,396
2013 $6,223 $16,215 $2,873 $7,004
2012 $8,114 $17,021 $2,633 $6,671
2011 $8,026 $19,275 $2,418 $6,585
2010 $6,291 $18,628 $2,202 $6,301
2009 $5,416 $17,615 $1,820 $5,927
2008 $5,377 $17,549 $2,154 $5,607
2007 $4,688 $17,384 $1,816 $5,298
2006 $3,619 $15,907 $1,600 $4,975
2005 $3,132 $15,016 $1,211 $4,678
2004 $2,672 $14,425 $962 $4,381
2003 $2,209 $13,755 $763 $4,015
2002 $1,891 $12,554 $712 $3,770
2001 $1,881 $11,533 $566 $3,309
2000 $1,650 $11,187 $547 $3,139
1999 $1,740 $10,489 $481 $3,002
1998 $1,709 $10,285 $1,822 $3,022
1997 $1,790 $10,101 $1,720 $2,990
1996 $1,915 $9,916 $1,633 $2,931
1995 $1,550 $9,255 $1,272 $2,835
1994 $1,168 $8,951 $745 $2,853
1993 $1,038 $8,933 $540 $2,921
1992 $1,957 $8,888 $509 $2,991
1991 $2,194 $8,580 $597 $2,870
1990 $2,138 $7,566 $556 $2,840
1989 $2,125 - $465 -
1988 $2,234 - $540 -
1987 $2,513 - $588 -
1986 $4,064 - $628 -
1985 $3,634 - $869 -
1984 $3,395 - $890 -
1983 $3,397 - $1,207 -
1982 $2,845 - $1,822 -
1981 $2,393 - $2,162 -
1980 $2,368 - $870 -
1979 $2,352 - $661 -
1978 $2,101 - $527 -
1977 $2,243 - $536 -
1976 $1,954 - $556 -
1975 $1,532 - $438 -
1974 $1,409 - $403 -
1973 $851 - $252.4 -
1972 $555 - $209.5 -
1971 $457 - $160.5 -
1970 $377 - $224.5 -
1969 $345 - $121.4 -
1968 $314 - $97.3 -
1967 $283.7 - $99.5 -
1966 $262.9 - $124.4 -
1965 $247.5 - $117.3 -
1964 $221.7 - $113.3 -
1963 $209.6 - $107.7 -
1962 $205.8 - $104.5 -
1961 $200.1 - $97.1 -
1960 $195.6 - $93.1 -

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

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

Iran's GDP per capita is $5,190, ranking 119/197, compared to $1,084 in Nigeria, ranking 174/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Iran ranks 97th at $19,874, while Nigeria ranks 136th at $9,087.

Economic indicators

Iran Nigeria
Gross domestic product
$475B
2024
$252B
2024
GDP rank
34/197
2024
54/197
2024
GDP growth
3.66%
2023-2024
4.06%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$5,190
2024
$1,084
2024
GDP per capita rank
119/197
2024
174/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$19,874
2024
$9,087
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
97/197
2024
136/197
2024
Government debt
$162B
2024
$99.2B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
34%
2024
39.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,764
2024
$426
2024
Government debt per person rank
122/185
2024
170/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,964
2026
$1,104
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$172B
2024
$54.4B
2024
Number of billionaires n/a
4
2025
Income share by richest 10%
28.2%
2023
26.3%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2.8%
2023
3%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
14.2%
2024
12.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
32.5%
2023-2024
33.2%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
23%
2023
27%
2025
Unemployment rate
7.63%
2024
3.45%
2024
Population
93468444
243824469

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Iran
Spending

Debt
Nigeria
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Iran Nigeria
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 14.2% 34% 12.3% 39.3%
2023 12.8% 29.6% 10.4% 36.3%
2022 12.8% 34.5% 10.6% 29.8%
2021 13.4% 39.9% 9.09% 26.6%
2020 12.1% 47.1% 8.73% 25.7%
2019 13.6% 44.6% 8.87% 21.4%
2018 14.8% 41.6% 9.1% 20.4%
2017 16.4% 43.2% 8.51% 18%
2016 16.3% 45.9% 6.93% 17.4%
2015 14.1% 32.1% 7.85% 14.9%
2014 12.3% 10.9% 9.49% 12.9%
2013 11.5% 10.2% 10% 13%
2012 11.4% 11.7% 10.5% 12.5%
2011 14.6% 10.6% 12.3% 12.4%
2010 14.1% 12.8% 11.8% 6.67%
2009 15.7% 11.5% 11% 6.12%
2008 16.8% 10.6% 10.2% 5.17%
2007 14.2% 13.5% 12.9% 5.76%
2006 18.7% 15.2% 8.75% 6.68%
2005 17.9% 18.3% 12.6% 13.4%
2004 15.1% 21.1% 13% 25.2%
2003 15.7% 21.9% 16.5% 29.9%
2002 15.6% 23.4% 13.8% 30.7%
2001 13.6% 21% 21.9% 37.7%
2000 13.3% 18.2% 17.6% 40.9%
1999 15.7% 22.2% 14.9% 46.1%
1998 16.9% 29.6% 11.2% 15.8%
1997 17.4% 30.9% 9.68% 17.1%
1996 17.3% 29.3% 7.87% 17.9%
1995 21% 31.2% 8.87% 24.2%
1994 23% 41.7% 12.1% 39.7%
1993 27.2% 25.6% 20% 50.4%
1992 14.4% 25.2% 15.9% 49.8%
1991 14% 29.3% 13.6% 53.2%
1990 16.4% 37% 14.2% 50.9%
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/nigeria | CC BY

In 2024, Iran's government spending was $67.5B, accounting for 14.2% of its GDP, while Nigeria spent $31.1B, or 12.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 34% in Iran and 39.3% in Nigeria, ranking 147/185 and 135/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Iran

Nigeria
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Iran Nigeria
2024 -3.83% -1.57%
2023 -2.54% -3.12%
2022 -2.64% -4%
2021 -3.01% -3.97%
2020 -4.87% -4.03%
2019 -4.3% -3.31%
2018 -1.59% -3.06%
2017 -1.55% -3.85%
2016 -1.7% -3.3%
2015 -1.3% -2.7%
2014 -0.91% -1.72%
2013 -0.72% -1.89%
2012 -0.5% -0.09%
2011 -0.66% 0.31%
2010 -0.84% -2.96%
2009 -3.3% -3.78%
2008 -4.39% 4.05%
2007 -2.41% -0.79%
2006 -4.91% 6.22%
2005 -2.44% 3.49%
2004 -2.45% 3.9%
2003 -2.76% -1.56%
2002 -2.88% 0.95%
2001 0.02% -2.29%
2000 5.42% 2.89%
1999 -0.51% -1.39%
1998 -5.03% -3.47%
1997 -1.81% 1.14%
1996 -0.75% 3.37%
1995 -2.63% 2.52%
1994 -3.36% -2.96%
1993 -5.15% -6.07%
1992 -0.86% 0.94%
1991 -1.64% -1.18%
1990 -1.73% -0.48%
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/nigeria | 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 Nigeria's deficit of $3.95B, or 1.57% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Iran recorded a fiscal deficit in 33 of those years, while Nigeria ran a deficit in 24 years. On average, Iran posted an annual deficit equal to 2.13% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.97% of GDP for Nigeria.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Iran

Nigeria
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Iran Nigeria
2024 32.5% 33.2%
2023 44.6% 24.7%
2022 43.5% 18.8%
2021 43.4% 17%
2020 30.6% 13.2%
2019 39.9% 11.4%
2018 18% 12.1%
2017 8.04% 16.5%
2016 7.25% 15.7%
2015 12.5% 9.01%
2014 16.6% 8.05%
2013 36.6% 8.5%
2012 27.3% 12.2%
2011 26.3% 10.8%
2010 10.1% 13.7%
2009 13.6% 12.5%
2008 25.4% 11.6%
2007 17.3% 5.39%
2006 10% 8.23%
2005 13.4% 17.9%
2004 14.8% 15%
2003 16.5% 14%
2002 14.3% 12.9%
2001 11.3% 18.9%
2000 14.5% 6.93%
1999 20.1% 6.62%
1998 17.9% 10%
1997 17.3% 8.53%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Iran has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 21.6%, compared with 13.3% in Nigeria. In 2024, inflation was 32.5% in Iran and 33.2% in Nigeria.

Top exports between countries

Iran
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $46M
Textiles & consumer goods $488K
Chemicals & pharma $279K
Metals $254K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $167K
Animal & marine products $140K
Machinery & equipment $85K
Wood & paper products $14K
Raw agricultural goods $3K
Nigeria
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Iran Nigeria
Current account balance
$12.5B
2000
$17.2B
2024
Current account balance ranking
22/190
2000
20/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+11.4%
2000
+6.82%
2024
Goods imports
$15.2B
2000
$39.8B
2024
Goods exports
$28.3B
2000
$53B
2024
Service imports
$2.3B
2000
$17.9B
2024
Service exports
$1.38B
2000
$4.57B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.5%
2024
16.9%
1960
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
23.6%
2024
9.24%
1960

Economic freedom indices

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

Iran Nigeria
Economic freedom 41.8 54.8
Economic freedom ranking 185/197 132/197
Property rights 20.2 29.7
Government integrity 16.2 23.5
Judicial effectiveness 18.7 34.4
Tax burden 81.3 84.6
Government spending 94.7 96.3
Fiscal health 83.3 83.5
Business freedom 37.4 50.3
Labor freedom 41.8 75.4
Monetary freedom 42.2 56.1
Trade freedom 55.8 64.4
Investment freedom 5 30
Financial freedom 5 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Iran
Nigeria
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Iran Nigeria
2026 41.8 54.8
2025 42.5 53.4
2024 41.2 53.1
2023 42.2 53.9
2022 42.4 54.4
2021 47.2 58.7
2020 49.2 57.2
2019 51.1 57.3
2018 50.9 58.5
2017 50.5 57.1
2016 43.5 57.5
2015 41.8 55.6
2014 40.3 54.3
2013 43.2 55.1
2012 42.3 56.3
2011 42.1 56.7
2010 43.4 56.8
2009 44.6 55.1
2008 45 55.1
2007 45 55.6
2006 45 48.7
2005 50.5 48.4
2004 42.8 49.2
2003 43.2 49.5
2002 36.4 50.9
2001 35.9 49.6
2000 36.1 53.1
1999 36.8 55.7
1998 36 52.3
1997 34.5 52.8
1996 36.1 47.4
1995 - 47.3

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Iran is 41.8, ranking 185/197, compared to 54.8 for Nigeria, ranking 132/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Iran Nigeria
Services, % of GDP
49.8%
2024
53.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
36.1%
2024
18.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
10.8%
2024
25.9%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$469B
2024
$396B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$19,820
2024
$8,850
2024
Total reserves including gold
$7.69B
1982
$38.6B
2024
Total reserves ranking
85/177
1982
51/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$39M
2000
-$672M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.45B
2024
$1.08B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$89.4M
2024
$408M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.08%
2024
5.48%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
18.7%
2020
56.2%
2023
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/nigeria | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

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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 (1995–2026, 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 (2021–2023, 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.