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Economy of Iran vs Paraguay compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Iran has a GDP of $475B compared to $44.5B for Paraguay, ranking 34/197 and 98/197 by economy size, respectively.

Iran has $162B in government debt (34% of GDP), compared to $19.9B (44.8% of GDP) in Paraguay.

Iran vs Paraguay GDP by year

Iran
Paraguay
1x
Year GDP, current $
Iran Paraguay
2024 $475,252,089,215 $44,458,118,397
2023 $457,510,482,317 $43,118,053,175
2022 $422,662,261,526 $41,952,910,858
2021 $407,350,685,583 $39,950,899,939
2020 $280,934,329,280 $35,432,178,068
2019 $347,988,400,958 $37,925,338,329
2018 $411,903,303,606 $40,225,448,341
2017 $510,239,893,418 $38,997,129,474
2016 $478,618,064,871 $36,089,700,223
2015 $409,191,686,497 $36,211,447,840
2014 $462,284,793,281 $40,377,929,296
2013 $500,399,839,840 $38,501,122,141
2012 $644,019,315,004 $33,271,921,136
2011 $629,082,257,472 $33,756,238,766
2010 $487,069,570,464 $27,260,886,405
2009 $414,059,094,949 $22,355,151,162
2008 $406,070,949,554 $24,615,267,664
2007 $349,736,591,832 $17,856,393,235
2006 $265,602,187,404 $13,429,430,050
2005 $224,970,371,325 $10,737,500,188
2004 $187,754,571,248 $9,624,440,836
2003 $151,911,222,119 $7,691,367,471
2002 $128,626,917,504 $7,196,260,657
2001 $126,878,750,296 $8,495,806,432
2000 $109,591,707,802 $8,855,705,140
1999 $113,848,450,088 $8,837,070,236
1998 $110,276,913,363 $9,260,481,572
1997 $113,919,163,421 $9,965,225,678
1996 $120,403,931,885 $9,788,391,781
1995 $96,419,225,744 $9,062,131,475
1994 $71,841,461,173 $7,870,982,005
1993 $63,743,623,232 $7,249,533,620
1992 $119,768,691,217 $7,157,424,031
1991 $131,637,664,958 $6,984,367,763
1990 $124,813,263,926 $5,812,114,523
1989 $120,496,362,916 $4,757,732,200
1988 $123,057,861,334 $4,255,683,528
1987 $134,009,995,923 $3,971,044,724
1986 $209,094,561,833 $3,723,993,943
1985 $180,183,629,600 $3,282,449,236
1984 $162,276,728,620 $4,502,462,807
1983 $156,365,156,618 $5,673,248,726
1982 $125,948,756,439 $5,419,411,765
1981 $100,499,312,750 $5,624,515,873
1980 $94,362,275,580 $4,448,087,302
1979 $90,391,877,326 $3,416,777,778
1978 $77,994,316,621 $2,559,857,143
1977 $80,600,122,702 $2,092,158,730
1976 $68,055,295,081 $1,698,960,317
1975 $51,776,222,350 $1,511,420,635
1974 $46,209,092,072 $1,333,475,397
1973 $27,081,698,250 $995,531,746
1972 $17,153,463,263 $769,039,683
1971 $13,731,802,833 $664,571,429
1970 $10,976,245,154 $594,611,111
1969 $9,743,089,607 $556,293,651
1968 $8,623,172,960 $517,650,794
1967 $7,555,383,690 $492,674,603
1966 $6,789,938,672 $465,888,889
1965 $6,197,319,929 $443,587,302
1964 $5,379,845,648 $408,349,206
1963 $4,928,628,018 $383,904,762
1962 $4,693,566,416 $360,698,413
1961 $4,426,949,095 $322,053,713
1960 $4,199,134,390 $288,884,368

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

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

GDP per capita in Iran vs Paraguay by year

Iran
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Paraguay
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Iran Paraguay
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $5,190 $19,874 $6,416 $18,524
2023 $5,049 $18,917 $6,300 $17,564
2022 $4,721 $17,546 $6,206 $16,347
2021 $4,605 $15,884 $5,977 $15,406
2020 $3,203 $15,119 $5,365 $14,309
2019 $3,997 $13,928 $5,821 $14,150
2018 $4,783 $15,324 $6,258 $14,139
2017 $6,001 $15,719 $6,152 $13,977
2016 $5,711 $15,195 $5,775 $13,329
2015 $4,953 $14,274 $5,879 $12,679
2014 $5,672 $16,065 $6,652 $12,607
2013 $6,223 $16,215 $6,436 $12,137
2012 $8,114 $17,021 $5,642 $10,954
2011 $8,026 $19,275 $5,805 $11,442
2010 $6,291 $18,628 $4,751 $10,893
2009 $5,416 $17,615 $3,942 $9,802
2008 $5,377 $17,549 $4,385 $9,867
2007 $4,688 $17,384 $3,212 $9,179
2006 $3,619 $15,907 $2,439 $8,561
2005 $3,132 $15,016 $1,971 $8,007
2004 $2,672 $14,425 $1,786 $7,686
2003 $2,209 $13,755 $1,444 $7,276
2002 $1,891 $12,554 $1,368 $6,924
2001 $1,881 $11,533 $1,638 $6,916
2000 $1,650 $11,187 $1,736 $6,937
1999 $1,740 $10,489 $1,766 $7,080
1998 $1,709 $10,285 $1,890 $7,227
1997 $1,790 $10,101 $2,079 $7,299
1996 $1,915 $9,916 $2,088 $7,040
1995 $1,550 $9,255 $1,979 $6,966
1994 $1,168 $8,951 $1,760 $6,542
1993 $1,038 $8,933 $1,662 $6,234
1992 $1,957 $8,888 $1,683 $5,952
1991 $2,194 $8,580 $1,685 $5,873
1990 $2,138 $7,566 $1,440 $5,637
1989 $2,125 - $1,211 -
1988 $2,234 - $1,114 -
1987 $2,513 - $1,069 -
1986 $4,064 - $1,031 -
1985 $3,634 - $935 -
1984 $3,395 - $1,319 -
1983 $3,397 - $1,710 -
1982 $2,845 - $1,680 -
1981 $2,393 - $1,793 -
1980 $2,368 - $1,457 -
1979 $2,352 - $1,149 -
1978 $2,101 - $883 -
1977 $2,243 - $740 -
1976 $1,954 - $616 -
1975 $1,532 - $562 -
1974 $1,409 - $508 -
1973 $851 - $389 -
1972 $555 - $308 -
1971 $457 - $272.1 -
1970 $377 - $249 -
1969 $345 - $238.2 -
1968 $314 - $226.8 -
1967 $283.7 - $220.9 -
1966 $262.9 - $213.9 -
1965 $247.5 - $208.7 -
1964 $221.7 - $197 -
1963 $209.6 - $189.9 -
1962 $205.8 - $182.8 -
1961 $200.1 - $167.1 -
1960 $195.6 - $153.4 -

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

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

Iran's GDP per capita is $5,190, ranking 119/197, compared to $6,416 in Paraguay, ranking 109/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Iran ranks 97th at $19,874, while Paraguay ranks 102nd at $18,524.

Economic indicators

Iran Paraguay
Gross domestic product
$475B
2024
$44.5B
2024
GDP rank
34/197
2024
98/197
2024
GDP growth
3.66%
2023-2024
4.25%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$5,190
2024
$6,416
2024
GDP per capita rank
119/197
2024
109/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$19,874
2024
$18,524
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
97/197
2024
102/197
2024
Government debt
$162B
2024
$19.9B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
34%
2024
44.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,764
2024
$2,872
2024
Government debt per person rank
122/185
2024
103/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,964
2026
$6,136
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$172B
2024
$313M
1999
Income share by richest 10%
28.2%
2023
35%
2024
Income share by poorest 10%
2.8%
2023
2%
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
14.2%
2024
21%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
32.5%
2023-2024
3.84%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
23%
2023
6%
2024
Unemployment rate
7.63%
2024
5.69%
2024
Population
93468444
7120169

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Iran
Spending

Debt
Paraguay
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Iran Paraguay
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 14.2% 34% 21% 44.8%
2023 12.8% 29.6% 21.5% 41.1%
2022 12.8% 34.5% 20.2% 40.5%
2021 13.4% 39.9% 20.4% 37.5%
2020 12.1% 47.1% 22.6% 36.9%
2019 13.6% 44.6% 20.1% 25.8%
2018 14.8% 41.6% 18.5% 22.3%
2017 16.4% 43.2% 18.1% 19.8%
2016 16.3% 45.9% 17.7% 19.4%
2015 14.1% 32.1% 18% 18.6%
2014 12.3% 10.9% 17.1% 15.6%
2013 11.5% 10.2% 17.1% 13.5%
2012 11.4% 11.7% 17.6% 12.3%
2011 14.6% 10.6% 14.7% 11.1%
2010 14.1% 12.8% 13.3% 13%
2009 15.7% 11.5% 14.3% 14.9%
2008 16.8% 10.6% 11.8% 16%
2007 14.2% 13.5% 13.1% 16.8%
2006 18.7% 15.2% 14.1% 21%
2005 17.9% 18.3% 14% 28.3%
2004 15.1% 21.1% 14% 36%
2003 15.7% 21.9% 14.6% 37.5%
2002 15.6% 23.4% 17.6% 50.5%
2001 13.6% 21% 19% 37.1%
2000 13.3% 18.2% 19.6% 33.6%
1999 15.7% 22.2% 19.2% 32%
1998 16.9% 29.6% 18% 22.1%
1997 17.4% 30.9% 18.1% 18%
1996 17.3% 29.3% 16.9% 16.8%
1995 21% 31.2% 15.7% 17.6%
1994 23% 41.7% 14.5% 18.7%
1993 27.2% 25.6% 12.9% 26.6%
1992 14.4% 25.2% 13% 34.4%
1991 14% 29.3% 11.4% 49.4%
1990 16.4% 37% 10.5% 67%
1989 20% 48.8% 11.8% 52.9%
1988 23.6% 53.2% 9.75% 58.9%
1987 18.6% 48.6% 10.1% 68.7%
1986 19% 47.4% 9.25% 57.1%
1985 21.6% 8.73% 11.4% 54.7%
1984 23.7% 10% 13% 31%
1983 27.5% 35.7% 13% 22.6%
1982 29.7% 47.7% 13.2% 21.3%
1981 33.7% 47.6% 13.3% 17.4%
1980 35.8% 35.5% 11.6% 17.4%
1979 - - 11.7% 19.7%
1978 - - 11.9% 20.9%
1977 - 9.23% 11.2% 18.8%
1976 - 6.92% 9.8% 14.1%
1975 - 8.81% 10.5% 12.6%
1974 - 6.68% 9.44% 12.5%
1973 - 12.8% 11.2% 15.4%
1972 - 12.7% 12.5% 18.2%
1971 - 14.2% 12.3% 18.9%
1970 - 14.1% 13.3% 19.2%
1969 - - 14% -
1968 23.6% - 13.5% -
1967 22.3% - 12.2% -
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/paraguay | CC BY

In 2024, Iran's government spending was $67.5B, accounting for 14.2% of its GDP, while Paraguay spent $9.33B, or 21% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 34% in Iran and 44.8% in Paraguay, ranking 147/185 and 120/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Iran

Paraguay
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Iran Paraguay
2024 -3.83% -2.12%
2023 -2.54% -3.81%
2022 -2.64% -2.64%
2021 -3.01% -3.39%
2020 -4.87% -5.72%
2019 -4.3% -2.44%
2018 -1.59% -1.01%
2017 -1.55% -0.44%
2016 -1.7% -0.37%
2015 -1.3% -0.44%
2014 -0.91% -0.27%
2013 -0.72% -1.16%
2012 -0.5% -0.58%
2011 -0.66% 1.29%
2010 -0.84% 1.54%
2009 -3.3% 0.59%
2008 -4.39% 2.29%
2007 -2.41% 1.27%
2006 -4.91% 0.91%
2005 -2.44% 0.74%
2004 -2.45% 1.33%
2003 -2.76% -0.07%
2002 -2.88% -1.89%
2001 0.02% 0.07%
2000 5.42% -0.55%
1999 -0.51% 2.67%
1998 -5.03% 4.28%
1997 -1.81% 3%
1996 -0.75% 2.43%
1995 -2.63% 2.78%
1994 -3.36% 4.59%
1993 -5.15% 4.27%
1992 -0.86% 3.1%
1991 -1.64% 3.41%
1990 -1.73% 7.56%
1989 -4.45% 5.48%
1988 -10.3% 3.01%
1987 -6.84% 2.68%
1986 -7.84% 3.08%
1985 -3.74% 0.85%
1984 -4.02% -0.42%
1983 -6.15% 0.27%
1982 -5.55% 1.52%
1981 -10.7% 0.15%
1980 -14.2% 3.4%
1979 - 4.13%
1978 - -3.42%
1977 - -0.19%
1976 - -0.06%
1975 - -1.24%
1974 - 1.67%
1973 - -0.91%
1972 - -2.51%
1971 - -1.25%
1970 - -1.26%
1969 - -1.62%
1968 -4.57% -2.34%
1967 -4% -1.7%
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/paraguay | 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 Paraguay's deficit of $942M, or 2.12% of GDP.

Over the past 58 years, Iran recorded a fiscal deficit in 45 of those years, while Paraguay ran a deficit in 28 years. On average, Iran posted an annual deficit equal to 3.34% of GDP, compared to surplus of 0.53% of GDP for Paraguay.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Iran

Paraguay
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Iran Paraguay
2024 32.5% 3.84%
2023 44.6% 4.63%
2022 43.5% 9.77%
2021 43.4% 4.79%
2020 30.6% 1.77%
2019 39.9% 2.76%
2018 18% 3.98%
2017 8.04% 3.6%
2016 7.25% 4.09%
2015 12.5% 3.13%
2014 16.6% 5.03%
2013 36.6% 2.68%
2012 27.3% 3.68%
2011 26.3% 8.25%
2010 10.1% 4.65%
2009 13.6% 2.59%
2008 25.4% 10.2%
2007 17.3% 8.13%
2006 10% 9.59%
2005 13.4% 6.81%
2004 14.8% 4.32%
2003 16.5% 14.2%
2002 14.3% 10.5%
2001 11.3% 7.27%
2000 14.5% 8.98%
1999 20.1% 6.75%
1998 17.9% 11.6%
1997 17.3% 6.95%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Iran has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 21.6%, compared with 6.23% in Paraguay. In 2024, inflation was 32.5% in Iran and 3.84% in Paraguay.

Top exports between countries

Iran
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $94K
Raw materials & minerals $76K
Raw agricultural goods $16K
Paraguay
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $13.9M
Animal & marine products $2.05M
Raw agricultural goods $26K

Balance of trade

Iran Paraguay
Current account balance
$12.5B
2000
-$1.53B
2024
Current account balance ranking
22/190
2000
133/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+11.4%
2000
-3.44%
2024
Goods imports
$15.2B
2000
$15.8B
2024
Goods exports
$28.3B
2000
$14.9B
2024
Service imports
$2.3B
2000
$2.54B
2024
Service exports
$1.38B
2000
$2.65B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.5%
2024
39.6%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
23.6%
2024
37.2%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Iran Paraguay
Economic freedom 41.8 66.4
Economic freedom ranking 185/197 61/197
Property rights 20.2 44.2
Government integrity 16.2 27.3
Judicial effectiveness 18.7 38.4
Tax burden 81.3 95.9
Government spending 94.7 86.9
Fiscal health 83.3 83
Business freedom 37.4 72
Labor freedom 41.8 44.1
Monetary freedom 42.2 76.5
Trade freedom 55.8 78.4
Investment freedom 5 80
Financial freedom 5 70

Economic freedom comparison by year

Iran
Paraguay
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Iran Paraguay
2026 41.8 66.4
2025 42.5 65.2
2024 41.2 60.1
2023 42.2 61
2022 42.4 62.9
2021 47.2 62.6
2020 49.2 63
2019 51.1 61.8
2018 50.9 62.1
2017 50.5 62.4
2016 43.5 61.5
2015 41.8 61.1
2014 40.3 62
2013 43.2 61.1
2012 42.3 61.8
2011 42.1 62.3
2010 43.4 61.3
2009 44.6 61
2008 45 60
2007 45 58.3
2006 45 55.6
2005 50.5 53.4
2004 42.8 56.7
2003 43.2 58.2
2002 36.4 59.6
2001 35.9 60.3
2000 36.1 64
1999 36.8 63.7
1998 36 65.2
1997 34.5 67.3
1996 36.1 67.1
1995 - 65.9

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Iran is 41.8, ranking 185/197, compared to 66.4 for Paraguay, ranking 61/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Iran Paraguay
Services, % of GDP
49.8%
2024
48.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
36.1%
2024
32.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
10.8%
2024
10.7%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$469B
2024
$43.7B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$19,820
2024
$17,930
2024
Total reserves including gold
$7.69B
1982
$9.89B
2023
Total reserves ranking
85/177
1982
76/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$39M
2000
-$335M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.45B
2024
$1.1B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$89.4M
2024
$166M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.08%
2024
4.58%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
18.7%
2020
20.1%
2024
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
44.3%
2024
22.8%
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/paraguay | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1995, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2021–2024, 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.