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Economy of Iran vs Papua New Guinea compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Iran has a GDP of $475B compared to $31.8B for Papua New Guinea, ranking 34/197 and 110/197 by economy size, respectively.

Iran has $162B in government debt (34% of GDP), compared to $16.6B (52.1% of GDP) in Papua New Guinea.

Iran vs Papua New Guinea GDP by year

Iran
Papua New Guinea
1x
Year GDP, current $
Iran Papua New Guinea
2024 $475,252,089,215 $31,800,428,266
2023 $457,510,482,317 $30,816,367,067
2022 $422,662,261,526 $31,653,185,953
2021 $407,350,685,583 $26,109,413,521
2020 $280,934,329,280 $23,848,447,850
2019 $347,988,400,958 $24,750,626,030
2018 $411,903,303,606 $24,109,780,708
2017 $510,239,893,418 $22,742,699,138
2016 $478,618,064,871 $20,758,876,953
2015 $409,191,686,497 $21,723,437,010
2014 $462,284,793,281 $23,210,823,987
2013 $500,399,839,840 $21,261,338,065
2012 $644,019,315,004 $21,295,168,666
2011 $629,082,257,472 $17,985,138,066
2010 $487,069,570,464 $14,250,786,675
2009 $414,059,094,949 $11,619,456,449
2008 $406,070,949,554 $11,670,892,801
2007 $349,736,591,832 $9,545,028,944
2006 $265,602,187,404 $8,354,911,041
2005 $224,970,371,325 $4,865,892,972
2004 $187,754,571,248 $3,927,157,867
2003 $151,911,222,119 $3,536,411,824
2002 $128,626,917,504 $2,999,511,040
2001 $126,878,750,296 $3,081,024,212
2000 $109,591,707,802 $3,521,339,699
1999 $113,848,450,088 $3,477,038,204
1998 $110,276,913,363 $3,789,443,015
1997 $113,919,163,421 $4,936,615,299
1996 $120,403,931,885 $5,155,311,077
1995 $96,419,225,744 $4,636,057,476
1994 $71,841,461,173 $5,502,786,070
1993 $63,743,623,232 $4,974,550,286
1992 $119,768,691,217 $4,377,980,510
1991 $131,637,664,958 $3,787,394,958
1990 $124,813,263,926 $3,219,729,083
1989 $120,496,362,916 $3,546,472,566
1988 $123,057,861,334 $3,656,177,881
1987 $134,009,995,923 $3,143,851,794
1986 $209,094,561,833 $2,647,995,602
1985 $180,183,629,600 $2,423,339,172
1984 $162,276,728,620 $2,552,662,617
1983 $156,365,156,618 $2,562,351,551
1982 $125,948,756,439 $2,368,719,683
1981 $100,499,312,750 $2,498,190,847
1980 $94,362,275,580 $2,545,808,456
1979 $90,391,877,326 $2,293,760,511
1978 $77,994,316,621 $1,947,878,831
1977 $80,600,122,702 $1,640,746,619
1976 $68,055,295,081 $1,511,843,235
1975 $51,776,222,350 $1,356,603,608
1974 $46,209,092,072 $1,467,417,672
1973 $27,081,698,250 $1,299,079,410
1972 $17,153,463,263 $858,761,926
1971 $13,731,802,833 $717,750,278
1970 $10,976,245,154 $645,568,215
1969 $9,743,089,607 $551,263,864
1968 $8,623,172,960 $485,184,190
1967 $7,555,383,690 $441,728,183
1966 $6,789,938,672 $390,992,063
1965 $6,197,319,929 $344,176,055
1964 $5,379,845,648 $305,312,049
1963 $4,928,628,018 $275,968,044
1962 $4,693,566,416 $261,184,042
1961 $4,426,949,095 $244,832,039
1960 $4,199,134,390 $230,496,037

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

GeoRank.org/economy/iran/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

GDP per capita in Iran vs Papua New Guinea by year

Iran
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Papua New Guinea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Iran Papua New Guinea
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $5,190 $19,874 $3,007 $4,875
2023 $5,049 $18,917 $2,966 $4,668
2022 $4,721 $17,546 $3,102 $4,420
2021 $4,605 $15,884 $2,608 $3,977
2020 $3,203 $15,119 $2,430 $3,900
2019 $3,997 $13,928 $2,576 $4,060
2018 $4,783 $15,324 $2,566 $3,910
2017 $6,001 $15,719 $2,478 $3,923
2016 $5,711 $15,195 $2,316 $3,813
2015 $4,953 $14,274 $2,485 $3,670
2014 $5,672 $16,065 $2,723 $3,500
2013 $6,223 $16,215 $2,561 $3,110
2012 $8,114 $17,021 $2,635 $3,026
2011 $8,026 $19,275 $2,288 $2,919
2010 $6,291 $18,628 $1,867 $2,912
2009 $5,416 $17,615 $1,569 $2,692
2008 $5,377 $17,549 $1,625 $2,583
2007 $4,688 $17,384 $1,371 $2,622
2006 $3,619 $15,907 $1,238 $2,444
2005 $3,132 $15,016 $744 $2,322
2004 $2,672 $14,425 $621 $2,187
2003 $2,209 $13,755 $577 $2,142
2002 $1,891 $12,554 $506 $2,125
2001 $1,881 $11,533 $538 $2,168
2000 $1,650 $11,187 $636 $2,196
1999 $1,740 $10,489 $650 $2,280
1998 $1,709 $10,285 $733 $2,285
1997 $1,790 $10,101 $990 $2,432
1996 $1,915 $9,916 $1,071 $2,578
1995 $1,550 $9,255 $998 $2,436
1994 $1,168 $8,951 $1,228 $2,558
1993 $1,038 $8,933 $1,151 $2,451
1992 $1,957 $8,888 $1,051 $2,100
1991 $2,194 $8,580 $942 $1,869
1990 $2,138 $7,566 $826 $1,703
1989 $2,125 - $934 -
1988 $2,234 - $985 -
1987 $2,513 - $865 -
1986 $4,064 - $745 -
1985 $3,634 - $697 -
1984 $3,395 - $750 -
1983 $3,397 - $769 -
1982 $2,845 - $726 -
1981 $2,393 - $781 -
1980 $2,368 - $813 -
1979 $2,352 - $748 -
1978 $2,101 - $648 -
1977 $2,243 - $558 -
1976 $1,954 - $525 -
1975 $1,532 - $482 -
1974 $1,409 - $533 -
1973 $851 - $483 -
1972 $555 - $327 -
1971 $457 - $279.7 -
1970 $377 - $257.6 -
1969 $345 - $225.3 -
1968 $314 - $202.9 -
1967 $283.7 - $189 -
1966 $262.9 - $171.1 -
1965 $247.5 - $153.9 -
1964 $221.7 - $139.5 -
1963 $209.6 - $128.9 -
1962 $205.8 - $124.7 -
1961 $200.1 - $119.7 -
1960 $195.6 - $115.5 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/iran/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

Iran's GDP per capita is $5,190, ranking 119/197, compared to $3,007 in Papua New Guinea, ranking 140/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Iran ranks 97th at $19,874, while Papua New Guinea ranks 159th at $4,875.

Economic indicators

Iran Papua New Guinea
Gross domestic product
$475B
2024
$31.8B
2024
GDP rank
34/197
2024
110/197
2024
GDP growth
3.66%
2023-2024
3.8%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$5,190
2024
$3,007
2024
GDP per capita rank
119/197
2024
140/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$19,874
2024
$4,875
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
97/197
2024
159/197
2024
Government debt
$162B
2024
$16.6B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
34%
2024
52.1%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,764
2024
$1,566
2024
Government debt per person rank
122/185
2024
129/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,964
2026
$2,362
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$172B
2024
$1.68B
2017
Income share by richest 10%
28.2%
2023
31%
2009
Income share by poorest 10%
2.8%
2023
1.9%
2009
Government expenditure, % of GDP
14.2%
2024
20.4%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
32.5%
2023-2024
0.6%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
23%
2023
5%
2025
Unemployment rate
7.63%
2024
2.69%
2022
Population
93468444
11002753

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Iran
Spending

Debt
Papua New Guinea
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Iran Papua New Guinea
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 14.2% 34% 20.4% 52.1%
2023 12.8% 29.6% 22.3% 53.9%
2022 12.8% 34.5% 21.9% 48.2%
2021 13.4% 39.9% 22% 52.6%
2020 12.1% 47.1% 23.5% 48.7%
2019 13.6% 44.6% 21.3% 38.2%
2018 14.8% 41.6% 20.3% 36.7%
2017 16.4% 43.2% 18.4% 32.5%
2016 16.3% 45.9% 20.9% 33.7%
2015 14.1% 32.1% 22.8% 29.9%
2014 12.3% 10.9% 27.1% 26.9%
2013 11.5% 10.2% 27.6% 24.9%
2012 11.4% 11.7% 22.4% 19.1%
2011 14.6% 10.6% 19.7% 16.3%
2010 14.1% 12.8% 18.4% 17.3%
2009 15.7% 11.5% 24.7% 21.7%
2008 16.8% 10.6% 19.8% 21.6%
2007 14.2% 13.5% 18% 22.2%
2006 18.7% 15.2% 19.4% 26%
2005 17.9% 18.3% 20.6% 31.6%
2004 15.1% 21.1% 19.4% 37.2%
2003 15.7% 21.9% 18.7% 40.4%
2002 15.6% 23.4% 20.8% 48.4%
2001 13.6% 21% 21.6% 47.7%
2000 13.3% 18.2% 20.5% 42.3%
1999 15.7% 22.2% 21.4% 41.8%
1998 16.9% 29.6% 20% 45.7%
1997 17.4% 30.9% 20.6% 43.9%
1996 17.3% 29.3% 17.6% 37.8%
1995 21% 31.2% 17.1% 36.6%
1994 23% 41.7% 19.3% 40.1%
1993 27.2% 25.6% 23.5% 30%
1992 14.4% 25.2% 22.8% 30.4%
1991 14% 29.3% 22.4% -
1990 16.4% 37% 24.5% -
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/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

In 2024, Iran's government spending was $67.5B, accounting for 14.2% of its GDP, while Papua New Guinea spent $6.48B, or 20.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 34% in Iran and 52.1% in Papua New Guinea, ranking 147/185 and 100/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Iran

Papua New Guinea
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Iran Papua New Guinea
2024 -3.83% -3.23%
2023 -2.54% -4.34%
2022 -2.64% -5.25%
2021 -3.01% -6.84%
2020 -4.87% -8.85%
2019 -4.3% -4.98%
2018 -1.59% -2.58%
2017 -1.55% -2.47%
2016 -1.7% -4.75%
2015 -1.3% -4.55%
2014 -0.91% -6.27%
2013 -0.72% -6.87%
2012 -0.5% -1.19%
2011 -0.66% 2.22%
2010 -0.84% 3.06%
2009 -3.3% -5.48%
2008 -4.39% 2.73%
2007 -2.41% 6.9%
2006 -4.91% 5.34%
2005 -2.44% 2.85%
2004 -2.45% 2.03%
2003 -2.76% 0.19%
2002 -2.88% -1.75%
2001 0.02% -1.33%
2000 5.42% 0.3%
1999 -0.51% -1.94%
1998 -5.03% -0.16%
1997 -1.81% 0.67%
1996 -0.75% 2.05%
1995 -2.63% 1.08%
1994 -3.36% -1.01%
1993 -5.15% -4.9%
1992 -0.86% -4.33%
1991 -1.64% -0.62%
1990 -1.73% -2.04%
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/papua-new-guinea | 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 Papua New Guinea's deficit of $1.03B, or 3.23% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Iran recorded a fiscal deficit in 33 of those years, while Papua New Guinea ran a deficit in 23 years. On average, Iran posted an annual deficit equal to 2.13% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.61% of GDP for Papua New Guinea.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Iran

Papua New Guinea
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Iran Papua New Guinea
2024 32.5% 0.6%
2023 44.6% 2.3%
2022 43.5% 5.25%
2021 43.4% 4.48%
2020 30.6% 4.87%
2019 39.9% 3.93%
2018 18% 4.37%
2017 8.04% 5.42%
2016 7.25% 6.67%
2015 12.5% 6%
2014 16.6% 5.22%
2013 36.6% 4.96%
2012 27.3% 4.54%
2011 26.3% 4.44%
2010 10.1% 6.01%
2009 13.6% 6.92%
2008 25.4% 10.8%
2007 17.3% 0.91%
2006 10% 2.37%
2005 13.4% 1.78%
2004 14.8% 2.16%
2003 16.5% 14.7%
2002 14.3% 11.8%
2001 11.3% 9.3%
2000 14.5% 15.6%
1999 20.1% 14.9%
1998 17.9% 13.6%
1997 17.3% 3.96%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/iran/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Iran has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 21.6%, compared with 6.35% in Papua New Guinea. In 2024, inflation was 32.5% in Iran and 0.6% in Papua New Guinea.

Top exports between countries

Iran
Export category Export value
Papua New Guinea
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $1K

Balance of trade

Iran Papua New Guinea
Current account balance
$12.5B
2000
$4.77B
2024
Current account balance ranking
22/190
2000
33/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+11.4%
2000
+15%
2024
Goods imports
$15.2B
2000
$4.69B
2024
Goods exports
$28.3B
2000
$13.4B
2024
Service imports
$2.3B
2000
$2.4B
2024
Service exports
$1.38B
2000
$75.2M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.5%
2024
58.9%
2004
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
23.6%
2024
72.2%
2004

Economic freedom indices

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

Iran Papua New Guinea
Economic freedom 41.8 54.3
Economic freedom ranking 185/197 134/197
Property rights 20.2 45
Government integrity 16.2 30.8
Judicial effectiveness 18.7 41.1
Tax burden 81.3 70.9
Government spending 94.7 86.1
Fiscal health 83.3 65.3
Business freedom 37.4 34.2
Labor freedom 41.8 65.1
Monetary freedom 42.2 77.4
Trade freedom 55.8 80.2
Investment freedom 5 25
Financial freedom 5 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Iran
Papua New Guinea
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Iran Papua New Guinea
2026 41.8 54.3
2025 42.5 52.5
2024 41.2 49.4
2023 42.2 51.7
2022 42.4 54.6
2021 47.2 58.9
2020 49.2 58.4
2019 51.1 58.4
2018 50.9 55.7
2017 50.5 50.9
2016 43.5 53.2
2015 41.8 53.1
2014 40.3 53.9
2013 43.2 53.6
2012 42.3 53.8
2011 42.1 52.6
2010 43.4 53.5
2009 44.6 54.8
2008 45 -
2007 45 -
2006 45 -
2005 50.5 -
2004 42.8 -
2003 43.2 -
2002 36.4 -
2001 35.9 57.2
2000 36.1 55.8
1999 36.8 56.3
1998 36 55.2
1997 34.5 56.7
1996 36.1 58.6

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

GeoRank.org/economy/iran/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Iran is 41.8, ranking 185/197, compared to 54.3 for Papua New Guinea, ranking 134/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Iran Papua New Guinea
Services, % of GDP
49.8%
2024
41.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
36.1%
2024
37.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
10.8%
2024
17.2%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$469B
2024
$30.7B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$19,820
2024
$4,580
2024
Total reserves including gold
$7.69B
1982
$3.9B
2023
Total reserves ranking
85/177
1982
107/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$39M
2000
$968M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.45B
2024
-$198M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$89.4M
2024
$770M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.08%
2024
19.7%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
18.7%
2020
39.9%
2009
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
44.3%
2024
20%
2004

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/papua-new-guinea | 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. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  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.