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Economy of Iran vs Saint Lucia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Iran has a GDP of $475B compared to $2.55B for Saint Lucia, ranking 34/197 and 173/197 by economy size, respectively.

Iran has $162B in government debt (34% of GDP), compared to $1.97B (77.2% of GDP) in Saint Lucia.

Iran vs Saint Lucia GDP by year

Iran
Saint Lucia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Iran Saint Lucia
2024 $475,252,089,215 $2,549,062,963
2023 $457,510,482,317 $2,430,166,667
2022 $422,662,261,526 $2,342,714,815
2021 $407,350,685,583 $1,867,185,185
2020 $280,934,329,280 $1,499,274,074
2019 $347,988,400,958 $2,095,344,444
2018 $411,903,303,606 $2,060,955,556
2017 $510,239,893,418 $1,998,503,704
2016 $478,618,064,871 $1,868,544,444
2015 $409,191,686,497 $1,807,640,741
2014 $462,284,793,281 $1,749,185,185
2013 $500,399,839,840 $1,660,392,593
2012 $644,019,315,004 $1,598,207,407
2011 $629,082,257,472 $1,568,370,370
2010 $487,069,570,464 $1,482,385,185
2009 $414,059,094,949 $1,401,507,889
2008 $406,070,949,554 $1,437,731,111
2007 $349,736,591,832 $1,336,088,815
2006 $265,602,187,404 $1,268,319,185
2005 $224,970,371,325 $1,135,555,556
2004 $187,754,571,248 $1,066,666,667
2003 $151,911,222,119 $987,407,407
2002 $128,626,917,504 $900,000,000
2001 $126,878,750,296 $892,592,593
2000 $109,591,707,802 $932,592,593
1999 $113,848,450,088 $921,851,852
1998 $110,276,913,363 $877,407,407
1997 $113,919,163,421 $805,925,926
1996 $120,403,931,885 $788,888,889
1995 $96,419,225,744 $762,962,963
1994 $71,841,461,173 $713,703,704
1993 $63,743,623,232 $684,814,815
1992 $119,768,691,217 $674,074,074
1991 $131,637,664,958 $613,703,704
1990 $124,813,263,926 $579,629,630
1989 $120,496,362,916 $486,666,667
1988 $123,057,861,334 $429,629,630
1987 $134,009,995,923 $375,555,556
1986 $209,094,561,833 $340,000,000
1985 $180,183,629,600 $284,444,444
1984 $162,276,728,620 $251,481,481
1983 $156,365,156,618 $197,037,037
1982 $125,948,756,439 $183,333,333
1981 $100,499,312,750 $194,444,444
1980 $94,362,275,580 $170,370,370
1979 $90,391,877,326 -
1978 $77,994,316,621 -
1977 $80,600,122,702 -
1976 $68,055,295,081 -
1975 $51,776,222,350 -
1974 $46,209,092,072 -
1973 $27,081,698,250 -
1972 $17,153,463,263 -
1971 $13,731,802,833 -
1970 $10,976,245,154 -
1969 $9,743,089,607 -
1968 $8,623,172,960 -
1967 $7,555,383,690 -
1966 $6,789,938,672 -
1965 $6,197,319,929 -
1964 $5,379,845,648 -
1963 $4,928,628,018 -
1962 $4,693,566,416 -
1961 $4,426,949,095 -
1960 $4,199,134,390 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/iran/saint-lucia | CC BY

GDP per capita in Iran vs Saint Lucia by year

Iran
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Saint Lucia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Iran Saint Lucia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $5,190 $19,874 $14,182 $27,567
2023 $5,049 $18,917 $13,555 $25,975
2022 $4,721 $17,546 $13,104 $24,599
2021 $4,605 $15,884 $10,459 $19,101
2020 $3,203 $15,119 $8,411 $14,912
2019 $3,997 $13,928 $11,794 $18,710
2018 $4,783 $15,324 $11,643 $17,433
2017 $6,001 $15,719 $11,333 $16,131
2016 $5,711 $15,195 $10,638 $15,307
2015 $4,953 $14,274 $10,335 $14,353
2014 $5,672 $16,065 $10,045 $14,403
2013 $6,223 $16,215 $9,577 $14,010
2012 $8,114 $17,021 $9,260 $13,443
2011 $8,026 $19,275 $9,129 $13,471
2010 $6,291 $18,628 $8,674 $12,718
2009 $5,416 $17,615 $8,251 $12,600
2008 $5,377 $17,549 $8,517 $12,969
2007 $4,688 $17,384 $7,964 $12,199
2006 $3,619 $15,907 $7,611 $11,758
2005 $3,132 $15,016 $6,863 $10,818
2004 $2,672 $14,425 $6,495 $10,610
2003 $2,209 $13,755 $6,059 $9,707
2002 $1,891 $12,554 $5,568 $9,205
2001 $1,881 $11,533 $5,570 $9,106
2000 $1,650 $11,187 $5,880 $9,314
1999 $1,740 $10,489 $5,883 $9,214
1998 $1,709 $10,285 $5,673 $8,965
1997 $1,790 $10,101 $5,282 $8,456
1996 $1,915 $9,916 $5,244 $8,490
1995 $1,550 $9,255 $5,148 $8,222
1994 $1,168 $8,951 $4,892 $8,041
1993 $1,038 $8,933 $4,765 $7,865
1992 $1,957 $8,888 $4,760 $7,753
1991 $2,194 $8,580 $4,399 $7,127
1990 $2,138 $7,566 $4,205 $6,951
1989 $2,125 - $3,565 -
1988 $2,234 - $3,182 -
1987 $2,513 - $2,819 -
1986 $4,064 - $2,591 -
1985 $3,634 - $2,202 -
1984 $3,395 - $1,979 -
1983 $3,397 - $1,576 -
1982 $2,845 - $1,489 -
1981 $2,393 - $1,605 -
1980 $2,368 - $1,428 -
1979 $2,352 - - -
1978 $2,101 - - -
1977 $2,243 - - -
1976 $1,954 - - -
1975 $1,532 - - -
1974 $1,409 - - -
1973 $851 - - -
1972 $555 - - -
1971 $457 - - -
1970 $377 - - -
1969 $345 - - -
1968 $314 - - -
1967 $283.7 - - -
1966 $262.9 - - -
1965 $247.5 - - -
1964 $221.7 - - -
1963 $209.6 - - -
1962 $205.8 - - -
1961 $200.1 - - -
1960 $195.6 - - -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/iran/saint-lucia | CC BY

Iran's GDP per capita is $5,190, ranking 119/197, compared to $14,182 in Saint Lucia, ranking 70/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Iran ranks 97th at $19,874, while Saint Lucia ranks 75th at $27,567.

Economic indicators

Iran Saint Lucia
Gross domestic product
$475B
2024
$2.55B
2024
GDP rank
34/197
2024
173/197
2024
GDP growth
3.66%
2023-2024
3.89%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$5,190
2024
$14,182
2024
GDP per capita rank
119/197
2024
70/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$19,874
2024
$27,567
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
97/197
2024
75/197
2024
Government debt
$162B
2024
$1.97B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
34%
2024
77.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,764
2024
$10,952
2024
Government debt per person rank
122/185
2024
52/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,964
2026
$10,412
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$172B
2024
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
28.2%
2023
34.1%
2015
Income share by poorest 10%
2.8%
2023
2.1%
2015
Government expenditure, % of GDP
14.2%
2024
24.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
32.5%
2023-2024
-0.11%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
23%
2023
n/a
Unemployment rate
7.63%
2024
10.1%
2024
Population
93468444
180638

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Iran
Spending

Debt
Saint Lucia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Iran Saint Lucia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 14.2% 34% 24.5% 77.2%
2023 12.8% 29.6% 25.6% 76.6%
2022 12.8% 34.5% 23% 74.4%
2021 13.4% 39.9% 27.4% 87%
2020 12.1% 47.1% 34.9% 100%
2019 13.6% 44.6% 25.1% 62.1%
2018 14.8% 41.6% 23.2% 60.5%
2017 16.4% 43.2% 23.3% 60.4%
2016 16.3% 45.9% 23% 61.3%
2015 14.1% 32.1% 23.7% 61.1%
2014 12.3% 10.9% 23.6% 62.4%
2013 11.5% 10.2% 25.4% 62.1%
2012 11.4% 11.7% 28% 60.8%
2011 14.6% 10.6% 27% 55.2%
2010 14.1% 12.8% 26% 53%
2009 15.7% 11.5% 24.5% 51%
2008 16.8% 10.6% 22.2% 46.7%
2007 14.2% 13.5% 22.6% 49.1%
2006 18.7% 15.2% 24.7% 48.6%
2005 17.9% 18.3% 26% 51.9%
2004 15.1% 21.1% 22.9% 49.6%
2003 15.7% 21.9% 22.9% 45.6%
2002 15.6% 23.4% 23.6% 48.8%
2001 13.6% 21% 22.1% 38.1%
2000 13.3% 18.2% 20.7% 32.5%
1999 15.7% 22.2% 20.9% 28.9%
1998 16.9% 29.6% 18.8% 29.4%
1997 17.4% 30.9% 19.5% 27.2%
1996 17.3% 29.3% 18.9% 24.1%
1995 21% 31.2% 19.2% 22.9%
1994 23% 41.7% 19.1% 23.8%
1993 27.2% 25.6% 21.8% 22.9%
1992 14.4% 25.2% 18.4% 22.2%
1991 14% 29.3% 18.4% 19.8%
1990 16.4% 37% 16.7% 17%
1989 20% 48.8% 19% 18.1%
1988 23.6% 53.2% 18.2% 18.6%
1987 18.6% 48.6% 19.9% 19.6%
1986 19% 47.4% 21.1% 17.2%
1985 21.6% 8.73% 20.4% 17.1%
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/saint-lucia | CC BY

In 2024, Iran's government spending was $67.5B, accounting for 14.2% of its GDP, while Saint Lucia spent $625M, or 24.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 34% in Iran and 77.2% in Saint Lucia, ranking 147/185 and 46/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Iran

Saint Lucia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Iran Saint Lucia
2024 -3.83% -2.13%
2023 -2.54% -3.09%
2022 -2.64% -1.67%
2021 -3.01% -5.1%
2020 -4.87% -12%
2019 -4.3% -3.51%
2018 -1.59% -1.03%
2017 -1.55% -1.14%
2016 -1.7% -0.79%
2015 -1.3% -2.35%
2014 -0.91% -3.08%
2013 -0.72% -4.84%
2012 -0.5% -7.62%
2011 -0.66% -5.38%
2010 -0.84% -4.17%
2009 -3.3% -2.67%
2008 -4.39% -0.72%
2007 -2.41% -1.62%
2006 -4.91% -5.07%
2005 -2.44% -6.18%
2004 -2.45% -2.63%
2003 -2.76% -3.23%
2002 -2.88% -3.1%
2001 0.02% -3.08%
2000 5.42% -1.16%
1999 -0.51% 1.62%
1998 -5.03% 2.25%
1997 -1.81% -1.13%
1996 -0.75% -0.58%
1995 -2.63% -0.13%
1994 -3.36% -0.02%
1993 -5.15% -0.26%
1992 -0.86% -0.66%
1991 -1.64% -0.43%
1990 -1.73% 0.29%
1989 -4.45% 0.89%
1988 -10.3% 2.02%
1987 -6.84% 0.56%
1986 -7.84% -1.61%
1985 -3.74% -1.5%
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/saint-lucia | 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 Saint Lucia's deficit of $54.2M, or 2.13% of GDP.

Over the past 40 years, Iran recorded a fiscal deficit in 38 of those years, while Saint Lucia ran a deficit in 34 years. On average, Iran posted an annual deficit equal to 2.69% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.15% of GDP for Saint Lucia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Iran

Saint Lucia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Iran Saint Lucia
2024 32.5% -0.11%
2023 44.6% 4.07%
2022 43.5% 6.38%
2021 43.4% 2.41%
2020 30.6% -1.76%
2019 39.9% 0.54%
2018 18% 1.94%
2017 8.04% 0.1%
2016 7.25% -3.08%
2015 12.5% -0.98%
2014 16.6% 3.52%
2013 36.6% 1.47%
2012 27.3% 4.18%
2011 26.3% 2.77%
2010 10.1% 3.25%
2009 13.6% -0.16%
2008 25.4% 5.55%
2007 17.3% 2.82%
2006 10% 2.4%
2005 13.4% 3.9%
2004 14.8% 1.46%
2003 16.5% 1.03%
2002 14.3% -0.26%
2001 11.3% 5.31%
2000 14.5% 3.71%
1999 20.1% 3.5%
1998 17.9% 3.2%
1997 17.3% -0.006%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/iran/saint-lucia | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Iran has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 21.6%, compared with 2.04% in Saint Lucia. In 2024, inflation was 32.5% in Iran and -0.11% in Saint Lucia.

Balance of trade

Iran Saint Lucia
Current account balance
$12.5B
2000
-$64.1M
2024
Current account balance ranking
22/190
2000
86/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+11.4%
2000
-2.52%
2024
Goods imports
$15.2B
2000
$848M
2024
Goods exports
$28.3B
2000
$137M
2024
Service imports
$2.3B
2000
$598M
2024
Service exports
$1.38B
2000
$1.46B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.5%
2024
n/a
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
23.6%
2024
19%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Iran Saint Lucia
Economic freedom 41.8 67.5
Economic freedom ranking 185/197 57/197
Property rights 20.2 64.3
Government integrity 16.2 59.7
Judicial effectiveness 18.7 77.3
Tax burden 81.3 77.7
Government spending 94.7 82.6
Fiscal health 83.3 80
Business freedom 37.4 71.9
Labor freedom 41.8 65.2
Monetary freedom 42.2 81
Trade freedom 55.8 60
Investment freedom 5 50
Financial freedom 5 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Iran
Saint Lucia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Iran Saint Lucia
2026 41.8 67.5
2025 42.5 67
2024 41.2 62.2
2023 42.2 60.7
2022 42.4 64.3
2021 47.2 67.5
2020 49.2 68.2
2019 51.1 68.7
2018 50.9 67.6
2017 50.5 65
2016 43.5 70
2015 41.8 70.2
2014 40.3 70.7
2013 43.2 70.4
2012 42.3 71.3
2011 42.1 70.8
2010 43.4 70.5
2009 44.6 68.8
2008 45 -
2007 45 -
2006 45 -
2005 50.5 -
2004 42.8 -
2003 43.2 -
2002 36.4 -
2001 35.9 -
2000 36.1 -
1999 36.8 -
1998 36 -
1997 34.5 -
1996 36.1 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/iran/saint-lucia | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Iran is 41.8, ranking 185/197, compared to 67.5 for Saint Lucia, ranking 57/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Iran Saint Lucia
Services, % of GDP
49.8%
2024
75.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
36.1%
2024
9.75%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
10.8%
2024
1.13%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$469B
2024
$2.27B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$19,820
2024
$24,840
2024
Total reserves including gold
$7.69B
1982
$406M
2024
Total reserves ranking
85/177
1982
162/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$39M
2000
-$187M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.45B
2024
$187M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$89.4M
2024
-$350K
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.08%
2024
3.42%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
18.7%
2020
25%
2016
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/saint-lucia | 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 (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)

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.