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Economy of Iran vs Singapore compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Iran has a GDP of $475B compared to $547B for Singapore, ranking 34/197 and 28/197 by economy size, respectively.

Iran has $162B in government debt (34% of GDP), compared to $950B (173.5% of GDP) in Singapore.

Iran vs Singapore GDP by year

Iran
Singapore
1x
Year GDP, current $
Iran Singapore
2024 $475,252,089,215 $547,386,645,892
2023 $457,510,482,317 $505,439,514,078
2022 $422,662,261,526 $509,017,841,147
2021 $407,350,685,583 $436,591,382,250
2020 $280,934,329,280 $349,165,858,545
2019 $347,988,400,958 $376,161,998,830
2018 $411,903,303,606 $377,123,710,561
2017 $510,239,893,418 $343,673,334,902
2016 $478,618,064,871 $319,646,468,521
2015 $409,191,686,497 $307,998,545,269
2014 $462,284,793,281 $314,863,580,758
2013 $500,399,839,840 $307,576,360,585
2012 $644,019,315,004 $295,092,888,077
2011 $629,082,257,472 $279,356,499,090
2010 $487,069,570,464 $239,807,980,591
2009 $414,059,094,949 $194,150,283,772
2008 $406,070,949,554 $193,617,323,539
2007 $349,736,591,832 $180,941,701,358
2006 $265,602,187,404 $148,627,286,361
2005 $224,970,371,325 $127,807,848,728
2004 $187,754,571,248 $115,033,593,101
2003 $151,911,222,119 $97,646,401,096
2002 $128,626,917,504 $92,538,372,870
2001 $126,878,750,296 $89,793,790,670
2000 $109,591,707,802 $96,076,539,926
1999 $113,848,450,088 $86,286,849,755
1998 $110,276,913,363 $85,728,207,782
1997 $113,919,163,421 $100,123,787,215
1996 $120,403,931,885 $96,293,086,513
1995 $96,419,225,744 $87,812,540,788
1994 $71,841,461,173 $73,688,724,431
1993 $63,743,623,232 $60,603,815,716
1992 $119,768,691,217 $52,131,320,033
1991 $131,637,664,958 $45,466,164,978
1990 $124,813,263,926 $36,144,336,769
1989 $120,496,362,916 $30,465,364,739
1988 $123,057,861,334 $25,371,462,488
1987 $134,009,995,923 $20,919,215,578
1986 $209,094,561,833 $18,586,746,057
1985 $180,183,629,600 $19,156,532,746
1984 $162,276,728,620 $19,749,361,098
1983 $156,365,156,618 $17,784,112,150
1982 $125,948,756,439 $16,084,252,378
1981 $100,499,312,750 $14,175,228,844
1980 $94,362,275,580 $11,896,256,783
1979 $90,391,877,326 $9,296,921,724
1978 $77,994,316,621 $7,517,176,355
1977 $80,600,122,702 $6,618,585,074
1976 $68,055,295,081 $6,327,077,974
1975 $51,776,222,350 $5,633,673,930
1974 $46,209,092,072 $5,221,534,956
1973 $27,081,698,250 $3,696,213,333
1972 $17,153,463,263 $2,721,440,981
1971 $13,731,802,833 $2,263,785,444
1970 $10,976,245,154 $1,920,574,150
1969 $9,743,089,607 $1,659,893,768
1968 $8,623,172,960 $1,425,706,091
1967 $7,555,383,690 $1,238,035,816
1966 $6,789,938,672 $1,096,425,608
1965 $6,197,319,929 $974,644,096
1964 $5,379,845,648 $894,153,311
1963 $4,928,628,018 $917,608,012
1962 $4,693,566,416 $826,239,212
1961 $4,426,949,095 $764,629,788
1960 $4,199,134,390 $704,751,700

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

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

GDP per capita in Iran vs Singapore by year

Iran
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Singapore
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Iran Singapore
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $5,190 $19,874 $90,674 $150,689
2023 $5,049 $18,917 $85,412 $143,786
2022 $4,721 $17,546 $90,299 $143,095
2021 $4,605 $15,884 $80,056 $132,617
2020 $3,203 $15,119 $61,410 $101,518
2019 $3,997 $13,928 $65,952 $105,335
2018 $4,783 $15,324 $66,882 $103,963
2017 $6,001 $15,719 $61,236 $95,744
2016 $5,711 $15,195 $57,006 $89,902
2015 $4,953 $14,274 $55,646 $87,156
2014 $5,672 $16,065 $57,565 $84,555
2013 $6,223 $16,215 $56,967 $83,088
2012 $8,114 $17,021 $55,548 $82,108
2011 $8,026 $19,275 $53,891 $80,052
2010 $6,291 $18,628 $47,237 $75,401
2009 $5,416 $17,615 $38,927 $66,213
2008 $5,377 $17,549 $40,009 $67,735
2007 $4,688 $17,384 $39,433 $68,805
2006 $3,619 $15,907 $33,768 $64,061
2005 $3,132 $15,016 $29,961 $58,822
2004 $2,672 $14,425 $27,608 $54,384
2003 $2,209 $13,755 $23,730 $48,778
2002 $1,891 $12,554 $22,160 $45,083
2001 $1,881 $11,533 $21,700 $43,109
2000 $1,650 $11,187 $23,853 $43,781
1999 $1,740 $10,489 $21,797 $39,949
1998 $1,709 $10,285 $21,829 $37,560
1997 $1,790 $10,101 $26,376 $39,286
1996 $1,915 $9,916 $26,233 $36,873
1995 $1,550 $9,255 $24,915 $35,090
1994 $1,168 $8,951 $21,552 $33,058
1993 $1,038 $8,933 $18,290 $30,062
1992 $1,957 $8,888 $16,136 $27,022
1991 $2,194 $8,580 $14,502 $25,530
1990 $2,138 $7,566 $11,862 $23,815
1989 $2,125 - $10,395 -
1988 $2,234 - $8,914 -
1987 $2,513 - $7,539 -
1986 $4,064 - $6,800 -
1985 $3,634 - $7,002 -
1984 $3,395 - $7,228 -
1983 $3,397 - $6,633 -
1982 $2,845 - $6,078 -
1981 $2,393 - $5,597 -
1980 $2,368 - $4,928 -
1979 $2,352 - $3,901 -
1978 $2,101 - $3,194 -
1977 $2,243 - $2,846 -
1976 $1,954 - $2,759 -
1975 $1,532 - $2,490 -
1974 $1,409 - $2,342 -
1973 $851 - $1,685 -
1972 $555 - $1,264 -
1971 $457 - $1,071 -
1970 $377 - $926 -
1969 $345 - $813 -
1968 $314 - $709 -
1967 $283.7 - $626 -
1966 $262.9 - $567 -
1965 $247.5 - $517 -
1964 $221.7 - $486 -
1963 $209.6 - $511 -
1962 $205.8 - $472 -
1961 $200.1 - $449 -
1960 $195.6 - $428 -

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

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

Iran's GDP per capita is $5,190, ranking 119/197, compared to $90,674 in Singapore, ranking 7/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Iran ranks 97th at $19,874, while Singapore ranks 2nd at $150,689.

Economic indicators

Iran Singapore
Gross domestic product
$475B
2024
$547B
2024
GDP rank
34/197
2024
28/197
2024
GDP growth
3.66%
2023-2024
4.39%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$5,190
2024
$90,674
2024
GDP per capita rank
119/197
2024
7/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$19,874
2024
$150,689
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
97/197
2024
2/197
2024
Government debt
$162B
2024
$950B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
34%
2024
173.5%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,764
2024
$157,326
2024
Government debt per person rank
122/185
2024
1/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,964
2026
$52,793
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$172B
2024
$638B
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
331,000
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
49
2025
Income share by richest 10%
28.2%
2023
n/a
Income share by poorest 10%
2.8%
2023
n/a
Government expenditure, % of GDP
14.2%
2024
14.6%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
32.5%
2023-2024
2.39%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
23%
2023
n/a
Unemployment rate
7.63%
2024
2.74%
2024
Population
93468444
6125852

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Iran
Spending

Debt
Singapore
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Iran Singapore
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 14.2% 34% 14.6% 173.5%
2023 12.8% 29.6% 14.8% 172.8%
2022 12.8% 34.5% 15% 154.3%
2021 13.4% 39.9% 15.6% 141.7%
2020 12.1% 47.1% 24.1% 148.2%
2019 13.6% 44.6% 14% 127.9%
2018 14.8% 41.6% 13.9% 109.4%
2017 16.4% 43.2% 13.6% 107.6%
2016 16.3% 45.9% 15.3% 106.3%
2015 14.1% 32.1% 14.4% 102.2%
2014 12.3% 10.9% 12.6% 97.7%
2013 11.5% 10.2% 10.9% 98.2%
2012 11.4% 11.7% 9.83% 106.7%
2011 14.6% 10.6% 9.66% 103.1%
2010 14.1% 12.8% 10.2% 98.7%
2009 15.7% 11.5% 15.9% 101.7%
2008 16.8% 10.6% 14% 97.9%
2007 14.2% 13.5% 9.01% 87.8%
2006 18.7% 15.2% 12.3% 86.5%
2005 17.9% 18.3% 12.4% 92.7%
2004 15.1% 21.1% 14.1% 95.7%
2003 15.7% 21.9% 15.6% 99.1%
2002 15.6% 23.4% 15.9% 96.3%
2001 13.6% 21% 18.2% 94.5%
2000 13.3% 18.2% 16.1% 82.3%
1999 15.7% 22.2% 15.9% 85.3%
1998 16.9% 29.6% 18.1% 84.6%
1997 17.4% 30.9% 14.5% 70.8%
1996 17.3% 29.3% 18.1% 71.3%
1995 21% 31.2% 13.8% 69.8%
1994 23% 41.7% 11.7% 70.7%
1993 27.2% 25.6% 14.5% 71.2%
1992 14.4% 25.2% 14.5% 79%
1991 14% 29.3% 15.9% 76.4%
1990 16.4% 37% 15.1% 73.5%
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/singapore | CC BY

In 2024, Iran's government spending was $67.5B, accounting for 14.2% of its GDP, while Singapore spent $79.7B, or 14.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 34% in Iran and 173.5% in Singapore, ranking 147/185 and 4/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Iran

Singapore
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Iran Singapore
2024 -3.83% 4.44%
2023 -2.54% 3.47%
2022 -2.64% 1.21%
2021 -3.01% 1.13%
2020 -4.87% -6.73%
2019 -4.3% 3.77%
2018 -1.59% 3.68%
2017 -1.55% 5.24%
2016 -1.7% 3.25%
2015 -1.3% 2.86%
2014 -0.91% 4.6%
2013 -0.72% 5.96%
2012 -0.5% 7.34%
2011 -0.66% 7.96%
2010 -0.84% 5.68%
2009 -3.3% -0.09%
2008 -4.39% 3.59%
2007 -2.41% 7.12%
2006 -4.91% 2.16%
2005 -2.44% 2.56%
2004 -2.45% 2.06%
2003 -2.76% 0.68%
2002 -2.88% 2.23%
2001 0.02% 1.2%
2000 5.42% 4.59%
1999 -0.51% 5.2%
1998 -5.03% 2.41%
1997 -1.81% 5.66%
1996 -0.75% 1.98%
1995 -2.63% 4.8%
1994 -3.36% 7.9%
1993 -5.15% 4.36%
1992 -0.86% 2.7%
1991 -1.64% 0.68%
1990 -1.73% 1.97%
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/singapore | 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 Singapore's surplus of $24.3B, or 4.44% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Iran recorded a fiscal deficit in 33 of those years, while Singapore ran a deficit in 2 years. On average, Iran posted an annual deficit equal to 2.13% of GDP, compared to surplus of 3.36% of GDP for Singapore.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Iran

Singapore
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Iran Singapore
2024 32.5% 2.39%
2023 44.6% 4.83%
2022 43.5% 6.13%
2021 43.4% 2.32%
2020 30.6% -0.17%
2019 39.9% 0.57%
2018 18% 0.44%
2017 8.04% 0.58%
2016 7.25% -0.53%
2015 12.5% -0.52%
2014 16.6% 1.03%
2013 36.6% 2.36%
2012 27.3% 4.58%
2011 26.3% 5.25%
2010 10.1% 2.83%
2009 13.6% 0.59%
2008 25.4% 6.64%
2007 17.3% 2.11%
2006 10% 0.97%
2005 13.4% 0.43%
2004 14.8% 1.66%
2003 16.5% 0.51%
2002 14.3% -0.39%
2001 11.3% 1%
2000 14.5% 1.36%
1999 20.1% 0.02%
1998 17.9% -0.27%
1997 17.3% 2%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Iran has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 21.6%, compared with 1.74% in Singapore. In 2024, inflation was 32.5% in Iran and 2.39% in Singapore.

Top exports between countries

Iran
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $31M
Chemicals & pharma $11.7M
Raw agricultural goods $2.35M
Metals $880K
Textiles & consumer goods $622K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $185K
Animal & marine products $19K
Machinery & equipment $13K
Precious metals & jewellery $11K
Wood & paper products $4K
Singapore
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $6.08M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $977K
Chemicals & pharma $666K
Raw agricultural goods $501K
Raw materials & minerals $182K
Textiles & consumer goods $147K
Animal & marine products $71K
Miscellaneous $62K
Metals $7K

Balance of trade

Iran Singapore
Current account balance
$12.5B
2000
$96B
2024
Current account balance ranking
22/190
2000
8/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+11.4%
2000
+17.5%
2024
Goods imports
$15.2B
2000
$435B
2024
Goods exports
$28.3B
2000
$583B
2024
Service imports
$2.3B
2000
$351B
2024
Service exports
$1.38B
2000
$396B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.5%
2024
143.6%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
23.6%
2024
178.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Iran Singapore
Economic freedom 41.8 84.4
Economic freedom ranking 185/197 1/197
Property rights 20.2 89.2
Government integrity 16.2 86.1
Judicial effectiveness 18.7 58.3
Tax burden 81.3 89.5
Government spending 94.7 93.4
Fiscal health 83.3 80
Business freedom 37.4 90.6
Labor freedom 41.8 77
Monetary freedom 42.2 83.5
Trade freedom 55.8 95
Investment freedom 5 90
Financial freedom 5 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

Iran
Singapore
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Iran Singapore
2026 41.8 84.4
2025 42.5 84.1
2024 41.2 83.5
2023 42.2 83.9
2022 42.4 84.4
2021 47.2 89.7
2020 49.2 89.4
2019 51.1 89.4
2018 50.9 88.8
2017 50.5 88.6
2016 43.5 87.8
2015 41.8 89.4
2014 40.3 89.4
2013 43.2 88
2012 42.3 87.5
2011 42.1 87.2
2010 43.4 86.1
2009 44.6 87.1
2008 45 87.3
2007 45 87.1
2006 45 88
2005 50.5 88.6
2004 42.8 88.9
2003 43.2 88.2
2002 36.4 87.4
2001 35.9 87.8
2000 36.1 87.7
1999 36.8 86.9
1998 36 87
1997 34.5 87.3
1996 36.1 86.5
1995 - 86.3

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Iran is 41.8, ranking 185/197, compared to 84.4 for Singapore, ranking 1/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Iran Singapore
Services, % of GDP
49.8%
2024
73%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
36.1%
2024
21.4%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
10.8%
2024
0.03%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$469B
2024
$451B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$19,820
2024
$126,190
2024
Total reserves including gold
$7.69B
1982
$384B
2024
Total reserves ranking
85/177
1982
9/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$39M
2000
-$96.7B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.45B
2024
$152B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$89.4M
2024
$55.3B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.08%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
18.7%
2020
n/a
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
44.3%
2024
22.2%
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/singapore | 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. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, 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 (2022–2024, 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.