Skip to content

Economy of Iran vs Rwanda compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Iran has a GDP of $475B compared to $14.3B for Rwanda, ranking 34/197 and 144/197 by economy size, respectively.

Iran has $162B in government debt (34% of GDP), compared to $9.58B (67.2% of GDP) in Rwanda.

Iran vs Rwanda GDP by year

Iran
Rwanda
1x
Year GDP, current $
Iran Rwanda
2024 $475,252,089,215 $14,251,642,235
2023 $457,510,482,317 $14,331,722,703
2022 $422,662,261,526 $13,316,161,002
2021 $407,350,685,583 $11,078,787,090
2020 $280,934,329,280 $10,174,386,857
2019 $347,988,400,958 $10,349,300,277
2018 $411,903,303,606 $9,637,904,521
2017 $510,239,893,418 $9,252,833,891
2016 $478,618,064,871 $8,695,272,058
2015 $409,191,686,497 $8,543,760,200
2014 $462,284,793,281 $8,238,966,124
2013 $500,399,839,840 $7,819,964,030
2012 $644,019,315,004 $7,654,761,050
2011 $629,082,257,472 $6,884,913,658
2010 $487,069,570,464 $6,124,756,654
2009 $414,059,094,949 $5,674,476,969
2008 $406,070,949,554 $5,179,854,065
2007 $349,736,591,832 $4,070,507,895
2006 $265,602,187,404 $3,319,784,539
2005 $224,970,371,325 $2,933,819,766
2004 $187,754,571,248 $2,376,496,067
2003 $151,911,222,119 $2,138,237,279
2002 $128,626,917,504 $1,966,003,468
2001 $126,878,750,296 $1,966,600,715
2000 $109,591,707,802 $2,068,836,754
1999 $113,848,450,088 $2,157,108,263
1998 $110,276,913,363 $1,989,343,546
1997 $113,919,163,421 $1,851,558,197
1996 $120,403,931,885 $1,382,334,879
1995 $96,419,225,744 $1,293,535,193
1994 $71,841,461,173 $753,636,370
1993 $63,743,623,232 $1,971,525,712
1992 $119,768,691,217 $2,029,026,962
1991 $131,637,664,958 $1,911,600,237
1990 $124,813,263,926 $2,550,185,679
1989 $120,496,362,916 $2,405,022,593
1988 $123,057,861,334 $2,395,492,687
1987 $134,009,995,923 $2,157,432,668
1986 $209,094,561,833 $1,944,710,684
1985 $180,183,629,600 $1,715,626,331
1984 $162,276,728,620 $1,587,413,084
1983 $156,365,156,618 $1,479,687,587
1982 $125,948,756,439 $1,407,243,139
1981 $100,499,312,750 $1,407,062,527
1980 $94,362,275,580 $1,254,765,642
1979 $90,391,877,326 $1,109,346,131
1978 $77,994,316,621 $905,709,076
1977 $80,600,122,702 $746,650,613
1976 $68,055,295,081 $637,753,853
1975 $51,776,222,350 $571,863,500
1974 $46,209,092,072 $308,458,423
1973 $27,081,698,250 $290,746,157
1972 $17,153,463,263 $246,457,838
1971 $13,731,802,833 $222,952,504
1970 $10,976,245,154 $219,900,006
1969 $9,743,089,607 $188,700,037
1968 $8,623,172,960 $172,200,018
1967 $7,555,383,690 $159,560,018
1966 $6,789,938,672 $124,525,703
1965 $6,197,319,929 $148,799,980
1964 $5,379,845,648 $129,999,994
1963 $4,928,628,018 $128,000,000
1962 $4,693,566,416 $125,000,008
1961 $4,426,949,095 $122,000,016
1960 $4,199,134,390 $119,000,024

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

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

GDP per capita in Iran vs Rwanda by year

Iran
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Rwanda
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Iran Rwanda
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $5,190 $19,874 $1,000 $3,711
2023 $5,049 $18,917 $1,027 $3,399
2022 $4,721 $17,546 $975 $3,099
2021 $4,605 $15,884 $830 $2,733
2020 $3,203 $15,119 $779 $2,285
2019 $3,997 $13,928 $810 $2,336
2018 $4,783 $15,324 $772 $2,125
2017 $6,001 $15,719 $758 $1,968
2016 $5,711 $15,195 $730 $1,866
2015 $4,953 $14,274 $734 $1,781
2014 $5,672 $16,065 $725 $1,678
2013 $6,223 $16,215 $705 $1,512
2012 $8,114 $17,021 $707 $1,455
2011 $8,026 $19,275 $651 $1,413
2010 $6,291 $18,628 $594 $1,314
2009 $5,416 $17,615 $564 $1,241
2008 $5,377 $17,549 $528 $1,191
2007 $4,688 $17,384 $426 $1,079
2006 $3,619 $15,907 $357 $1,002
2005 $3,132 $15,016 $324 $914
2004 $2,672 $14,425 $269.5 $832
2003 $2,209 $13,755 $249 $775
2002 $1,891 $12,554 $234 $760
2001 $1,881 $11,533 $237.3 $670
2000 $1,650 $11,187 $251.9 $609
1999 $1,740 $10,489 $264.7 $554
1998 $1,709 $10,285 $246.2 $528
1997 $1,790 $10,101 $238.7 $500
1996 $1,915 $9,916 $206 $499
1995 $1,550 $9,255 $228 $514
1994 $1,168 $8,951 $111 $311
1993 $1,038 $8,933 $247 $521
1992 $1,957 $8,888 $264.1 $575
1991 $2,194 $8,580 $254 $542
1990 $2,138 $7,566 $346 $549
1989 $2,125 - $335 -
1988 $2,234 - $344 -
1987 $2,513 - $320 -
1986 $4,064 - $297.7 -
1985 $3,634 - $271.6 -
1984 $3,395 - $259.9 -
1983 $3,397 - $250.6 -
1982 $2,845 - $246.4 -
1981 $2,393 - $254.6 -
1980 $2,368 - $234.4 -
1979 $2,352 - $213.8 -
1978 $2,101 - $179.9 -
1977 $2,243 - $152.7 -
1976 $1,954 - $134.4 -
1975 $1,532 - $124.1 -
1974 $1,409 - $68.9 -
1973 $851 - $66.9 -
1972 $555 - $58.4 -
1971 $457 - $54.4 -
1970 $377 - $55.2 -
1969 $345 - $48.9 -
1968 $314 - $46 -
1967 $283.7 - $44 -
1966 $262.9 - $35.4 -
1965 $247.5 - $43.5 -
1964 $221.7 - $39 -
1963 $209.6 - $39.3 -
1962 $205.8 - $39.2 -
1961 $200.1 - $39.3 -
1960 $195.6 - $39.4 -

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

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

Iran's GDP per capita is $5,190, ranking 119/197, compared to $1,000 in Rwanda, ranking 178/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Iran ranks 97th at $19,874, while Rwanda ranks 168th at $3,711.

Economic indicators

Iran Rwanda
Gross domestic product
$475B
2024
$14.3B
2024
GDP rank
34/197
2024
144/197
2024
GDP growth
3.66%
2023-2024
8.89%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$5,190
2024
$1,000
2024
GDP per capita rank
119/197
2024
178/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$19,874
2024
$3,711
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
97/197
2024
168/197
2024
Government debt
$162B
2024
$9.58B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
34%
2024
67.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,764
2024
$672
2024
Government debt per person rank
122/185
2024
157/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,964
2026
$2,194
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$172B
2024
$2.75B
2024
Income share by richest 10%
28.2%
2023
33.4%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
2.8%
2023
3.1%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
14.2%
2024
28.8%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
32.5%
2023-2024
1.77%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
23%
2023
6.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
7.63%
2024
11.3%
2024
Population
93468444
14975051

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Iran
Spending

Debt
Rwanda
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Iran Rwanda
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 14.2% 34% 28.8% 67.2%
2023 12.8% 29.6% 27% 63.4%
2022 12.8% 34.5% 29.7% 60.9%
2021 13.4% 39.9% 31.6% 67.3%
2020 12.1% 47.1% 33.5% 68.7%
2019 13.6% 44.6% 28.2% 53.6%
2018 14.8% 41.6% 26.4% 49.2%
2017 16.4% 43.2% 25.1% 45.6%
2016 16.3% 45.9% 25.1% 41.1%
2015 14.1% 32.1% 26.6% 33.1%
2014 12.3% 10.9% 27.5% 29.1%
2013 11.5% 10.2% 26.2% 26.7%
2012 11.4% 11.7% 24.6% 19.1%
2011 14.6% 10.6% 24.7% 18.7%
2010 14.1% 12.8% 23.8% 18.8%
2009 15.7% 11.5% 22.3% 18.5%
2008 16.8% 10.6% 22.5% 18.3%
2007 14.2% 13.5% 22.4% 22.1%
2006 18.7% 15.2% 20.6% 22.5%
2005 17.9% 18.3% 19.9% 58.9%
2004 15.1% 21.1% 17.9% 80.9%
2003 15.7% 21.9% 18.5% 79.5%
2002 15.6% 23.4% 20.5% 92%
2001 13.6% 21% 19.1% 84%
2000 13.3% 18.2% 18.2% 86%
1999 15.7% 22.2% 22.4% 78.4%
1998 16.9% 29.6% 16.4% 70.1%
1997 17.4% 30.9% 17% 72.2%
1996 17.3% 29.3% 19.5% 83.4%
1995 21% 31.2% 18% 100.8%
1994 23% 41.7% 13.3% -
1993 27.2% 25.6% 20.3% -
1992 14.4% 25.2% 21.5% -
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/rwanda | CC BY

In 2024, Iran's government spending was $67.5B, accounting for 14.2% of its GDP, while Rwanda spent $4.1B, or 28.8% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 34% in Iran and 67.2% in Rwanda, ranking 147/185 and 65/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Iran

Rwanda
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Iran Rwanda
2024 -3.83% -6.57%
2023 -2.54% -5.04%
2022 -2.64% -5.74%
2021 -3.01% -7%
2020 -4.87% -9.54%
2019 -4.3% -5.08%
2018 -1.59% -2.57%
2017 -1.55% -2.52%
2016 -1.7% -2.27%
2015 -1.3% -2.68%
2014 -0.91% -3.92%
2013 -0.72% -1.27%
2012 -0.5% -2.38%
2011 -0.66% -0.86%
2010 -0.84% -0.64%
2009 -3.3% 0.26%
2008 -4.39% 0.83%
2007 -2.41% -1.56%
2006 -4.91% -0.03%
2005 -2.44% 1.12%
2004 -2.45% 2.27%
2003 -2.76% -1.23%
2002 -2.88% -2.03%
2001 0.02% -1.8%
2000 5.42% -0.22%
1999 -0.51% -4.41%
1998 -5.03% -2.59%
1997 -1.81% -2.22%
1996 -0.75% -5.01%
1995 -2.63% -2.04%
1994 -3.36% -9.54%
1993 -5.15% -6.6%
1992 -0.86% -7.21%
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/rwanda | 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 Rwanda's deficit of $936M, or 6.57% of GDP.

Over the past 33 years, Iran recorded a fiscal deficit in 31 of those years, while Rwanda ran a deficit in 29 years. On average, Iran posted an annual deficit equal to 2.16% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.03% of GDP for Rwanda.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Iran

Rwanda
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Iran Rwanda
2024 32.5% 1.77%
2023 44.6% 19.8%
2022 43.5% 17.7%
2021 43.4% -0.39%
2020 30.6% 9.85%
2019 39.9% 3.35%
2018 18% -0.31%
2017 8.04% 8.28%
2016 7.25% 7.17%
2015 12.5% 2.53%
2014 16.6% 2.35%
2013 36.6% 5.92%
2012 27.3% 10.3%
2011 26.3% 3.08%
2010 10.1% -0.25%
2009 13.6% 12.9%
2008 25.4% 15.4%
2007 17.3% 9.08%
2006 10% 8.88%
2005 13.4% 9.01%
2004 14.8% 12.3%
2003 16.5% 7.45%
2002 14.3% 1.99%
2001 11.3% 3.34%
2000 14.5% 3.9%
1999 20.1% -2.41%
1998 17.9% 6.21%
1997 17.3% 12%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Iran has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 21.6%, compared with 6.83% in Rwanda. In 2024, inflation was 32.5% in Iran and 1.77% in Rwanda.

Top exports between countries

Iran
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $42K
Raw materials & minerals $31K
Textiles & consumer goods $23K
Raw agricultural goods $9K
Rwanda
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $317K

Balance of trade

Iran Rwanda
Current account balance
$12.5B
2000
-$1.81B
2024
Current account balance ranking
22/190
2000
140/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+11.4%
2000
-12.7%
2024
Goods imports
$15.2B
2000
$5.55B
2024
Goods exports
$28.3B
2000
$3.2B
2024
Service imports
$2.3B
2000
$991M
2024
Service exports
$1.38B
2000
$1.08B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.5%
2024
39.1%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
23.6%
2024
30.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Iran Rwanda
Economic freedom 41.8 56.5
Economic freedom ranking 185/197 121/197
Property rights 20.2 60.3
Government integrity 16.2 53.9
Judicial effectiveness 18.7 27.5
Tax burden 81.3 80.6
Government spending 94.7 75.7
Fiscal health 83.3 37.5
Business freedom 37.4 60.1
Labor freedom 41.8 49.1
Monetary freedom 42.2 72.3
Trade freedom 55.8 61.8
Investment freedom 5 60
Financial freedom 5 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Iran
Rwanda
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Iran Rwanda
2026 41.8 56.5
2025 42.5 54.8
2024 41.2 51.6
2023 42.2 52.2
2022 42.4 57.1
2021 47.2 68.3
2020 49.2 70.9
2019 51.1 71.1
2018 50.9 69.1
2017 50.5 67.6
2016 43.5 63.1
2015 41.8 64.8
2014 40.3 64.7
2013 43.2 64.1
2012 42.3 64.9
2011 42.1 62.7
2010 43.4 59.1
2009 44.6 54.2
2008 45 54.2
2007 45 52.4
2006 45 52.8
2005 50.5 51.7
2004 42.8 53.3
2003 43.2 47.8
2002 36.4 50.4
2001 35.9 45.4
2000 36.1 42.3
1999 36.8 39.8
1998 36 39.1
1997 34.5 38.3
1996 36.1 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Iran is 41.8, ranking 185/197, compared to 56.5 for Rwanda, ranking 121/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Iran Rwanda
Services, % of GDP
49.8%
2024
47.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
36.1%
2024
21%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
10.8%
2024
24.6%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$469B
2024
$14.8B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$19,820
2024
$3,620
2024
Total reserves including gold
$7.69B
1982
$2.41B
2024
Total reserves ranking
85/177
1982
123/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$39M
2000
-$560M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.45B
2024
$573M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$89.4M
2024
$13.2M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.08%
2024
3.09%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
18.7%
2020
27.4%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
44.3%
2024
25.9%
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/rwanda | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

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 (1996–2026, 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.