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Economy of Iran vs Seychelles compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Iran has a GDP of $363B compared to $2.39B for the Seychelles, ranking 44/197 and 177/197 by economy size, respectively.

Iran has $135B in government debt (37.3% of GDP), compared to $1.23B (51.5% of GDP) in the Seychelles.

Iran vs Seychelles GDP by year

Iran
Seychelles
1x
Year GDP, current $
Iran Seychelles
2025 $362,682,115,433 $2,387,022,853
2024 $475,252,089,215 $2,228,608,684
2023 $457,510,482,317 $2,171,547,935
2022 $422,662,261,526 $1,999,888,599
2021 $407,350,685,583 $1,487,173,795
2020 $280,934,329,280 $1,382,551,752
2019 $347,988,400,958 $1,868,690,097
2018 $411,903,303,606 $1,784,313,927
2017 $510,239,893,418 $1,675,370,641
2016 $478,618,064,871 $1,568,513,348
2015 $409,191,686,497 $1,432,403,352
2014 $462,284,793,281 $1,387,577,870
2013 $500,399,839,840 $1,333,160,407
2012 $644,019,315,004 $1,089,407,839
2011 $629,082,257,472 $1,058,918,707
2010 $487,069,570,464 $981,616,542
2009 $414,059,094,949 $850,901,620
2008 $406,070,949,554 $979,597,394
2007 $349,736,591,832 $1,077,308,814
2006 $265,602,187,404 $1,081,441,283
2005 $224,970,371,325 $977,899,382
2004 $187,754,571,248 $893,012,218
2003 $151,911,222,119 $750,847,230
2002 $128,626,917,504 $742,134,838
2001 $126,878,750,296 $662,064,156
2000 $109,591,707,802 $654,212,394
1999 $113,848,450,088 $662,838,615
1998 $110,276,913,363 $647,287,376
1997 $113,919,163,421 $598,966,982
1996 $120,403,931,885 $535,250,347
1995 $96,419,225,744 $540,733,048
1994 $71,841,461,173 $517,570,058
1993 $63,743,623,232 $504,230,621
1992 $119,768,691,217 $461,409,399
1991 $131,637,664,958 $398,307,170
1990 $124,813,263,926 $392,163,561
1989 $120,496,362,916 $324,333,367
1988 $123,057,861,334 $301,985,618
1987 $134,009,995,923 $265,212,957
1986 $209,094,561,833 $221,147,061
1985 $180,183,629,600 $179,691,483
1984 $162,276,728,620 $160,992,921
1983 $156,365,156,618 $156,098,237
1982 $125,948,756,439 $157,211,790
1981 $100,499,312,750 $163,750,728
1980 $94,362,275,580 $156,783,830
1979 $90,391,877,326 $127,261,099
1978 $77,994,316,621 $85,552,366
1977 $80,600,122,702 $64,526,401
1976 $68,055,295,081 $49,278,982
1975 $51,776,222,350 $47,803,146
1974 $46,209,092,072 $43,134,496
1973 $27,081,698,250 $36,896,280
1972 $17,153,463,263 $30,645,123
1971 $13,731,802,833 $21,965,951
1970 $10,976,245,154 $18,432,032
1969 $9,743,089,607 $16,452,028
1968 $8,623,172,960 $16,074,028
1967 $7,555,383,690 $16,632,032
1966 $6,789,938,672 $16,443,034
1965 $6,197,319,929 $15,603,032
1964 $5,379,845,648 $15,393,032
1963 $4,928,628,018 $13,923,029
1962 $4,693,566,416 $12,642,026
1961 $4,426,949,095 $11,592,024
1960 $4,199,134,390 $12,012,025

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Iran vs Seychelles by year

Iran
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Seychelles
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Iran Seychelles
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $3,924 - $19,449 -
2024 $5,190 $19,874 $18,365 $33,239
2023 $5,049 $18,917 $18,131 $31,781
2022 $4,721 $17,546 $16,683 $29,973
2021 $4,605 $15,884 $14,983 $29,980
2020 $3,203 $15,119 $14,041 $31,056
2019 $3,997 $13,928 $19,142 $34,219
2018 $4,783 $15,324 $18,440 $32,091
2017 $6,001 $15,719 $17,480 $30,675
2016 $5,711 $15,195 $16,567 $28,811
2015 $4,953 $14,274 $15,333 $25,435
2014 $5,672 $16,065 $15,188 $24,985
2013 $6,223 $16,215 $14,821 $22,487
2012 $8,114 $17,021 $12,337 $22,264
2011 $8,026 $19,275 $12,110 $21,781
2010 $6,291 $18,628 $10,935 $18,982
2009 $5,416 $17,615 $9,747 $18,453
2008 $5,377 $17,549 $11,265 $18,881
2007 $4,688 $17,384 $12,669 $19,473
2006 $3,619 $15,907 $12,783 $17,503
2005 $3,132 $15,016 $11,802 $15,846
2004 $2,672 $14,425 $10,828 $14,160
2003 $2,209 $13,755 $9,070 $14,142
2002 $1,891 $12,554 $8,864 $14,570
2001 $1,881 $11,533 $8,153 $14,615
2000 $1,650 $11,187 $8,064 $14,638
1999 $1,740 $10,489 $8,243 $13,853
1998 $1,709 $10,285 $8,210 $13,675
1997 $1,790 $10,101 $7,747 $13,458
1996 $1,915 $9,916 $7,004 $11,931
1995 $1,550 $9,255 $7,181 $10,809
1994 $1,168 $8,951 $6,975 $10,692
1993 $1,038 $8,933 $6,979 $11,020
1992 $1,957 $8,888 $6,520 $10,243
1991 $2,194 $8,580 $5,655 $9,387
1990 $2,138 $7,566 $5,642 $8,955
1989 $2,125 - $4,689 -
1988 $2,234 - $4,392 -
1987 $2,513 - $3,872 -
1986 $4,064 - $3,368 -
1985 $3,634 - $2,754 -
1984 $3,395 - $2,488 -
1983 $3,397 - $2,426 -
1982 $2,845 - $2,441 -
1981 $2,393 - $2,557 -
1980 $2,368 - $2,478 -
1979 $2,352 - $2,030 -
1978 $2,101 - $1,377 -
1977 $2,243 - $1,044 -
1976 $1,954 - $814 -
1975 $1,532 - $806 -
1974 $1,409 - $745 -
1973 $851 - $649 -
1972 $555 - $547 -
1971 $457 - $402 -
1970 $377 - $344 -
1969 $345 - $314 -
1968 $314 - $314 -
1967 $283.7 - $333 -
1966 $262.9 - $338 -
1965 $247.5 - $328 -
1964 $221.7 - $332 -
1963 $209.6 - $308 -
1962 $205.8 - $287 -
1961 $200.1 - $270.3 -
1960 $195.6 - $288.1 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Iran's GDP per capita is $3,924, ranking 135/197, compared to $19,449 in the Seychelles, ranking 64/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Iran ranks 97th at $19,874, while the Seychelles ranks 67th at $33,239.

Economic indicators

Iran Seychelles
Gross domestic product
$363B
2025
$2.39B
2025
GDP rank
44/197
2025
177/197
2025
GDP growth
-2.83%
2024-2025
5.8%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$3,924
2025
$19,449
2025
GDP per capita rank
135/197
2025
64/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$19,874
2024
$33,239
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
97/197
2024
67/197
2024
Government debt
$135B
2025
$1.23B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
37.3%
2025
51.5%
2025
Government debt per person
$1,463
2025
$10,019
2025
Government debt per person rank
133/185
2025
59/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,958
2026
$11,537
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$186B
2025
$646M
2025
Income share by richest 10%
28.2%
2023
23.9%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
2.8%
2023
2.6%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
13.4%
2025
32.7%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
42.2%
2024-2025
0.3%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
23%
2023
1.75%
2024
Unemployment rate
7.63%
2024
2.59%
2024
Population
93580141
125859

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Iran
Spending

Debt
Seychelles
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Iran Seychelles
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 13.4% 37.3% 32.7% 51.5%
2024 16% 31.2% 33% 56.1%
2023 12.8% 29.6% 33.1% 55.1%
2022 12.8% 34.5% 31.6% 60.6%
2021 13.4% 39.9% 38.8% 71%
2020 12.1% 47.1% 46.7% 77.4%
2019 13.6% 44.6% 31.7% 48.9%
2018 14.8% 41.6% 33% 51.3%
2017 16.4% 43.2% 34.3% 56.7%
2016 16.3% 45.9% 34.5% 64.3%
2015 14.1% 32.1% 31.5% 75.4%
2014 12.3% 10.9% 33.4% 70.4%
2013 11.5% 10.2% 37.8% 68.2%
2012 11.4% 11.7% 38.6% 80.1%
2011 14.6% 10.6% 36.4% 82.5%
2010 14.1% 12.8% 34.6% 82.2%
2009 15.7% 11.5% 32.1% 106.1%
2008 16.8% 10.6% 27% 192.1%
2007 14.2% 13.5% 41.9% 144%
2006 18.7% 15.2% 43.6% 135.1%
2005 17.9% 18.3% 39% 144.1%
2004 15.1% 21.1% 39.9% 163.2%
2003 15.7% 21.9% 44.6% 177%
2002 15.6% 23.4% 56.3% 195.9%
2001 13.6% 21% 46.8% 199.8%
2000 13.3% 18.2% 55.4% 177.8%
1999 15.7% 22.2% 56.1% 159.8%
1998 16.9% 29.6% 60.7% 161.2%
1997 17.4% 30.9% 54.7% 143%
1996 17.3% 29.3% 59.1% 146.7%
1995 21% 31.2% 53.1% 133.5%
1994 23% 41.7% 63.6% 123.5%
1993 27.2% 25.6% 60.4% 82.2%
1992 14.4% 25.2% 50.7% 79.9%
1991 14% 29.3% 52.1% 89.2%
1990 16.4% 37% 46.1% 80.4%
1989 20% 48.8% 51.7% 39.9%
1988 23.6% 53.2% 46.7% 41.3%
1987 18.6% 48.6% 49.7% 37%
1986 19% 47.4% 58% 31.5%
1985 21.6% 8.73% 53% 26.5%
1984 23.7% 10% 50.5% 15.3%
1983 27.5% 35.7% 47.9% 12.4%
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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1995, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Iran's government spending was $48.7B, accounting for 13.4% of its GDP, while the Seychelles spent $781M, or 32.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 37.3% in Iran and 51.5% in the Seychelles, ranking 139/185 and 102/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Iran

Seychelles
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Iran Seychelles
2025 -5.65% -0.99%
2024 -2.68% -0.68%
2023 -3.04% -1.15%
2022 -2.64% -0.77%
2021 -3.01% -5.76%
2020 -4.87% -15.7%
2019 -4.3% 0.42%
2018 -1.59% -0.8%
2017 -1.55% -1.67%
2016 -1.7% 0.02%
2015 -1.3% 1.39%
2014 -0.91% 2.87%
2013 -0.72% 0.33%
2012 -0.5% 2.93%
2011 -0.66% 3.36%
2010 -0.84% 0.52%
2009 -3.3% 4.84%
2008 -4.39% 7.88%
2007 -2.41% -9.93%
2006 -4.91% -2.54%
2005 -2.44% 0.42%
2004 -2.45% 0.44%
2003 -2.76% 3.4%
2002 -2.88% -16.3%
2001 0.02% -8.93%
2000 5.42% -14.7%
1999 -0.51% -10.3%
1998 -5.03% -16.7%
1997 -1.81% -5.91%
1996 -0.75% -9.69%
1995 -2.63% -2.58%
1994 -3.36% -6.95%
1993 -5.15% -3.62%
1992 -0.86% 6.44%
1991 -1.64% 3.15%
1990 -1.73% 11.9%
1989 -4.45% 8.26%
1988 -10.3% 11.8%
1987 -6.84% 2.77%
1986 -7.84% -10.1%
1985 -3.74% -4.86%
1984 -4.02% -6.09%
1983 -6.15% -3.13%
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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Iran's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $20.5B, equivalent to 5.65% of GDP. This compares to the Seychelles' deficit of $23.5M, or 0.99% of GDP.

Over the past 43 years, Iran recorded a fiscal deficit in 41 of those years, while the Seychelles ran a deficit in 24 years. On average, Iran posted an annual deficit equal to 2.86% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.01% of GDP for the Seychelles.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Iran

Seychelles
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Iran Seychelles
2025 42.2% 0.3%
2024 32.5% 0.31%
2023 44.6% -1.04%
2022 43.5% 2.63%
2021 43.4% 9.77%
2020 30.6% 1.2%
2019 39.9% 1.81%
2018 18% 3.7%
2017 8.04% 2.86%
2016 7.25% -1.02%
2015 12.5% 4.04%
2014 16.6% 1.39%
2013 36.6% 4.34%
2012 27.3% 7.11%
2011 26.3% 2.56%
2010 10.1% -2.4%
2009 13.6% 31.8%
2008 25.4% 37%
2007 17.3% 5.32%
2006 10% -0.35%
2005 13.4% 0.91%
2004 14.8% 3.86%
2003 16.5% 3.3%
2002 14.3% 0.18%
2001 11.3% 5.97%
2000 14.5% 6.27%
1999 20.1% 6.35%
1998 17.9% 2.58%
1997 17.3% 0.62%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, Iran has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 22.3%, compared with 4.87% in the Seychelles. In 2025, inflation was 42.2% in Iran and 0.3% in the Seychelles.

Top exports between countries

Iran
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $49K
Seychelles
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.67M

Balance of trade

Iran Seychelles
Current account balance
$12.5B
2000
-$166M
2024
Current account balance ranking
22/190
2000
90/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+11.4%
2000
-7.46%
2024
Goods imports
$15.2B
2000
$1.38B
2024
Goods exports
$28.3B
2000
$595M
2024
Service imports
$2.3B
2000
$1B
2024
Service exports
$1.38B
2000
$1.71B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
34.5%
2025
92.7%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
25.8%
2025
79.6%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Iran Seychelles
Economic freedom 41.8 66.5
Economic freedom ranking 185/197 60/197
Property rights 20.2 82.6
Government integrity 16.2 71.7
Judicial effectiveness 18.7 61.7
Tax burden 81.3 77.3
Government spending 94.7 68
Fiscal health 83.3 92.2
Business freedom 37.4 71.3
Labor freedom 41.8 52
Monetary freedom 42.2 79.8
Trade freedom 55.8 81.2
Investment freedom 5 30
Financial freedom 5 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Iran
Seychelles
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Iran Seychelles
2026 41.8 66.5
2025 42.5 66.4
2024 41.2 60.4
2023 42.2 59.5
2022 42.4 61.1
2021 47.2 66.3
2020 49.2 64.3
2019 51.1 61.4
2018 50.9 61.6
2017 50.5 61.8
2016 43.5 62.2
2015 41.8 57.5
2014 40.3 56.2
2013 43.2 54.9
2012 42.3 53
2011 42.1 51.2
2010 43.4 47.9
2009 44.6 47.8
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 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Iran is 41.8, ranking 185/197, compared to 66.5 for the Seychelles, ranking 60/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Iran Seychelles
Services, % of GDP
47.1%
2025
67.9%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
39.6%
2025
14.3%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
10.6%
2025
2.61%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$429B
2025
$2.36B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$19,660
2025
$34,930
2025
Total reserves including gold
$7.69B
1982
$774M
2024
Total reserves ranking
89/177
1982
146/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$39M
2000
-$268M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.45B
2024
$226M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$89.4M
2024
-$41.4M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.08%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
18.7%
2020
25.3%
2018
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
41.8%
2025
18.7%
2025

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1995, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2021–2023, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-07-08)

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.