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Economy of Iran vs Sudan compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Iran has a GDP of $475B compared to $49.7B for Sudan, ranking 34/197 and 94/197 by economy size, respectively.

Iran has $162B in government debt (34% of GDP), compared to $130B (261.4% of GDP) in Sudan.

Iran vs Sudan GDP by year

Iran
Sudan
1x
Year GDP, current $
Iran Sudan
2024 $475,252,089,215 $49,672,435,513
2023 $457,510,482,317 $39,898,289,821
2022 $422,662,261,526 $51,666,875,363
2021 $407,350,685,583 $34,229,513,775
2020 $280,934,329,280 $27,034,593,750
2019 $347,988,400,958 $32,338,079,165
2018 $411,903,303,606 $32,333,780,383
2017 $510,239,893,418 $41,283,617,976
2016 $478,618,064,871 $42,630,376,000
2015 $409,191,686,497 $51,726,758,677
2014 $462,284,793,281 $49,516,748,618
2013 $500,399,839,840 $43,024,018,082
2012 $644,019,315,004 $37,632,919,967
2011 $629,082,257,472 $55,018,567,211
2010 $487,069,570,464 $58,962,978,034
2009 $414,059,094,949 $51,621,044,077
2008 $406,070,949,554 $64,833,083,257
2007 $349,736,591,832 $59,440,139,775
2006 $265,602,187,404 $45,263,831,634
2005 $224,970,371,325 $35,182,711,988
2004 $187,754,571,248 $26,646,007,251
2003 $151,911,222,119 $21,355,298,460
2002 $128,626,917,504 $18,137,128,388
2001 $126,878,750,296 $15,716,361,792
2000 $109,591,707,802 $12,257,299,147
1999 $113,848,450,088 $10,682,028,340
1998 $110,276,913,363 $11,250,221,537
1997 $113,919,163,421 $11,681,175,864
1996 $120,403,931,885 $9,018,300,725
1995 $96,419,225,744 $13,830,363,900
1994 $71,841,461,173 $12,793,794,737
1993 $63,743,623,232 $8,881,005,436
1992 $119,768,691,217 $7,031,933,492
1991 $131,637,664,958 $44,171,194,366
1990 $124,813,263,926 $33,641,222,222
1989 $120,496,362,916 $21,408,111,111
1988 $123,057,861,334 $14,372,555,556
1987 $134,009,995,923 $12,093,333,333
1986 $209,094,561,833 $10,092,200,000
1985 $180,183,629,600 $8,075,259,600
1984 $162,276,728,620 $10,447,615,385
1983 $156,365,156,618 $8,230,153,846
1982 $125,948,756,439 $8,732,542,274
1981 $100,499,312,750 $10,753,888,154
1980 $94,362,275,580 $8,951,800,000
1979 $90,391,877,326 $8,418,407,787
1978 $77,994,316,621 $8,128,719,315
1977 $80,600,122,702 $7,499,005,639
1976 $68,055,295,081 $6,013,210,816
1975 $51,776,222,350 $4,823,090,192
1974 $46,209,092,072 $3,958,931,660
1973 $27,081,698,250 $3,077,254,460
1972 $17,153,463,263 $2,483,055,722
1971 $13,731,802,833 $2,288,340,041
1970 $10,976,245,154 $2,100,229,759
1969 $9,743,089,607 $1,847,501,441
1968 $8,623,172,960 $1,677,771,401
1967 $7,555,383,690 $1,607,409,539
1966 $6,789,938,672 $1,484,491,676
1965 $6,197,319,929 $1,446,869,619
1964 $5,379,845,648 $1,388,282,600
1963 $4,928,628,018 $1,351,234,926
1962 $4,693,566,416 $1,328,259,625
1961 $4,426,949,095 $1,222,860,429
1960 $4,199,134,390 $1,126,364,162

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

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

GDP per capita in Iran vs Sudan by year

Iran
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Sudan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Iran Sudan
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $5,190 $19,874 $985 $2,116
2023 $5,049 $18,917 $797 $2,421
2022 $4,721 $17,546 $1,046 $3,355
2021 $4,605 $15,884 $712 $3,249
2020 $3,203 $15,119 $578 $3,349
2019 $3,997 $13,928 $710 $3,914
2018 $4,783 $15,324 $731 $4,199
2017 $6,001 $15,719 $967 $4,252
2016 $5,711 $15,195 $1,033 $4,470
2015 $4,953 $14,274 $1,292 $4,217
2014 $5,672 $16,065 $1,275 $4,261
2013 $6,223 $16,215 $1,139 $3,725
2012 $8,114 $17,021 $1,019 $3,710
2011 $8,026 $19,275 $1,522 $4,112
2010 $6,291 $18,628 $1,665 $3,806
2009 $5,416 $17,615 $1,493 $3,732
2008 $5,377 $17,549 $1,928 $3,938
2007 $4,688 $17,384 $1,814 $3,836
2006 $3,619 $15,907 $1,415 $3,637
2005 $3,132 $15,016 $1,125 $3,407
2004 $2,672 $14,425 $872 $3,215
2003 $2,209 $13,755 $714 $3,058
2002 $1,891 $12,554 $621 $2,898
2001 $1,881 $11,533 $551 $2,769
2000 $1,650 $11,187 $441 $2,616
1999 $1,740 $10,489 $394 $2,475
1998 $1,709 $10,285 $425 $2,428
1997 $1,790 $10,101 $453 $2,358
1996 $1,915 $9,916 $357 $2,006
1995 $1,550 $9,255 $561 $1,902
1994 $1,168 $8,951 $532 $1,805
1993 $1,038 $8,933 $379 $1,794
1992 $1,957 $8,888 $307 $1,710
1991 $2,194 $8,580 $1,966 $1,599
1990 $2,138 $7,566 $1,528 $1,468
1989 $2,125 - $992 -
1988 $2,234 - $680 -
1987 $2,513 - $584 -
1986 $4,064 - $497 -
1985 $3,634 - $406 -
1984 $3,395 - $534 -
1983 $3,397 - $431 -
1982 $2,845 - $472 -
1981 $2,393 - $605 -
1980 $2,368 - $525 -
1979 $2,352 - $515 -
1978 $2,101 - $518 -
1977 $2,243 - $497 -
1976 $1,954 - $413 -
1975 $1,532 - $343 -
1974 $1,409 - $291.5 -
1973 $851 - $235.8 -
1972 $555 - $198.2 -
1971 $457 - $189 -
1970 $377 - $179.6 -
1969 $345 - $163.5 -
1968 $314 - $153.7 -
1967 $283.7 - $152.4 -
1966 $262.9 - $145.6 -
1965 $247.5 - $146.8 -
1964 $221.7 - $145.7 -
1963 $209.6 - $146.6 -
1962 $205.8 - $148.9 -
1961 $200.1 - $141.6 -
1960 $195.6 - $134.7 -

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

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

Iran's GDP per capita is $5,190, ranking 119/197, compared to $985 in Sudan, ranking 179/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Iran ranks 97th at $19,874, while Sudan ranks 185th at $2,116.

Economic indicators

Iran Sudan
Gross domestic product
$475B
2024
$49.7B
2024
GDP rank
34/197
2024
94/197
2024
GDP growth
3.66%
2023-2024
-14%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$5,190
2024
$985
2024
GDP per capita rank
119/197
2024
179/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$19,874
2024
$2,116
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
97/197
2024
185/197
2024
Government debt
$162B
2024
$130B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
34%
2024
261.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,764
2024
$2,574
2024
Government debt per person rank
122/185
2024
109/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,964
2026
$1,704
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$172B
2024
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
28.2%
2023
27.8%
2014
Income share by poorest 10%
2.8%
2023
3.2%
2014
Government expenditure, % of GDP
14.2%
2024
6.39%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
32.5%
2023-2024
138.8%
2021-2022
Central bank interest rate
23%
2023
n/a
Unemployment rate
7.63%
2024
7.53%
2022
Population
93468444
53335233

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Iran
Spending

Debt
Sudan
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Iran Sudan
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 14.2% 34% 6.39% 261.4%
2023 12.8% 29.6% 8.23% 259.9%
2022 12.8% 34.5% 17.9% 186.9%
2021 13.4% 39.9% 9.84% 189.6%
2020 12.1% 47.1% 10.9% 278.3%
2019 13.6% 44.6% 18.7% 216.5%
2018 14.8% 41.6% 16.8% 209.8%
2017 16.4% 43.2% 12.8% 149.5%
2016 16.3% 45.9% 9.98% 109.9%
2015 14.1% 32.1% 12.4% 93.2%
2014 12.3% 10.9% 13.5% 84.4%
2013 11.5% 10.2% 15.3% 105.8%
2012 11.4% 11.7% 16.5% 117.7%
2011 14.6% 10.6% 18.2% 78.1%
2010 14.1% 12.8% 17.4% 74.6%
2009 15.7% 11.5% 18.8% 71%
2008 16.8% 10.6% 19.7% 55.8%
2007 14.2% 13.5% 19.6% 53.7%
2006 18.7% 15.2% 18.8% 63.7%
2005 17.9% 18.3% 19.7% 75.5%
2004 15.1% 21.1% 16.5% 97.8%
2003 15.7% 21.9% 12.5% 117.4%
2002 15.6% 23.4% 10.5% 121.7%
2001 13.6% 21% 9.87% 125.6%
2000 13.3% 18.2% 10.4% 143.2%
1999 15.7% 22.2% 8.4% 160.5%
1998 16.9% 29.6% 7.79% 179.7%
1997 17.4% 30.9% 7.38% 167.7%
1996 17.3% 29.3% 9.31% 220.9%
1995 21% 31.2% 12.9% 239%
1994 23% 41.7% 19.6% 386%
1993 27.2% 25.6% 23.7% 285.9%
1992 14.4% 25.2% 50.4% 495%
1991 14% 29.3% 45.7% -
1990 16.4% 37% 31% -
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/sudan | CC BY

In 2024, Iran's government spending was $67.5B, accounting for 14.2% of its GDP, while Sudan spent $3.17B, or 6.39% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 34% in Iran and 261.4% in Sudan, ranking 147/185 and 1/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Iran

Sudan
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Iran Sudan
2024 -3.83% -3.46%
2023 -2.54% -3.7%
2022 -2.64% -2.15%
2021 -3.01% -0.29%
2020 -4.87% -6.03%
2019 -4.3% -10.8%
2018 -1.59% -7.92%
2017 -1.55% -6.07%
2016 -1.7% -3.92%
2015 -1.3% -3.87%
2014 -0.91% -4.72%
2013 -0.72% -5.76%
2012 -0.5% -7.37%
2011 -0.66% -2.33%
2010 -0.84% 0.11%
2009 -3.3% -3.8%
2008 -4.39% 0.49%
2007 -2.41% -2.84%
2006 -4.91% -1.32%
2005 -2.44% -1.88%
2004 -2.45% 0.16%
2003 -2.76% 0.77%
2002 -2.88% -0.69%
2001 0.02% -0.77%
2000 5.42% -0.7%
1999 -0.51% -0.8%
1998 -5.03% -0.56%
1997 -1.81% -0.59%
1996 -0.75% -2.61%
1995 -2.63% -3.48%
1994 -3.36% -3.03%
1993 -5.15% -8.04%
1992 -0.86% -24.5%
1991 -1.64% -26.5%
1990 -1.73% -16.2%
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/sudan | 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 Sudan's deficit of $1.72B, or 3.46% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Iran recorded a fiscal deficit in 33 of those years, while Sudan ran a deficit in 31 years. On average, Iran posted an annual deficit equal to 2.13% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.72% of GDP for Sudan.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Iran

Sudan
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Iran Sudan
2024 32.5% -
2023 44.6% -
2022 43.5% 138.8%
2021 43.4% 359%
2020 30.6% 163.3%
2019 39.9% 51%
2018 18% 63.3%
2017 8.04% 32.4%
2016 7.25% 17.8%
2015 12.5% 16.9%
2014 16.6% 36.9%
2013 36.6% 36.5%
2012 27.3% 35.6%
2011 26.3% 18.1%
2010 10.1% 13%
2009 13.6% 11.3%
2008 25.4% 14.3%
2007 17.3% 14.8%
2006 10% 7.2%
2005 13.4% 8.51%
2004 14.8% 9.66%
2003 16.5% 6.49%
2002 14.3% 22.2%
2001 11.3% 1.94%
2000 14.5% 7.12%
1999 20.1% 17.2%
1998 17.9% 24.6%
1997 17.3% 47.2%

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

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

Over the past 26 years, Iran has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 20.2%, compared with 45.2% in Sudan. In 2022, inflation was 32.5% in Iran and 138.8% in Sudan.

Top exports between countries

Iran
Export category Export value
Metals $17.9M
Raw materials & minerals $7.42M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $978K
Chemicals & pharma $859K
Machinery & equipment $236K
Textiles & consumer goods $120K
Raw agricultural goods $66K
Animal & marine products $5K
Wood & paper products $4K
Sudan
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $6.34M

Balance of trade

Iran Sudan
Current account balance
$12.5B
2000
-$4.44B
2022
Current account balance ranking
22/190
2000
165/190
2022
Current account balance, % of GDP
+11.4%
2000
-8.6%
2022
Goods imports
$15.2B
2000
$9.99B
2022
Goods exports
$28.3B
2000
$4.36B
2022
Service imports
$2.3B
2000
$1.59B
2022
Service exports
$1.38B
2000
$1.55B
2022
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.5%
2024
1.27%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
23.6%
2024
0.72%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Iran Sudan
Economic freedom 41.8 32.5
Economic freedom ranking 185/197 191/197
Property rights 20.2 6.5
Government integrity 16.2 13.8
Judicial effectiveness 18.7 2.4
Tax burden 81.3 84.7
Government spending 94.7 96.5
Fiscal health 83.3 64.6
Business freedom 37.4 27.3
Labor freedom 41.8 33.6
Monetary freedom 42.2 6.2
Trade freedom 55.8 29.6
Investment freedom 5 5
Financial freedom 5 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Iran
Sudan
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Iran Sudan
2026 41.8 32.5
2025 42.5 35.3
2024 41.2 33.9
2023 42.2 32.8
2022 42.4 32
2021 47.2 39.1
2020 49.2 45
2019 51.1 47.7
2018 50.9 49.4
2017 50.5 48.8
2016 43.5 -
2015 41.8 -
2014 40.3 -
2013 43.2 -
2012 42.3 -
2011 42.1 -
2010 43.4 -
2009 44.6 -
2008 45 -
2007 45 -
2006 45 -
2005 50.5 -
2004 42.8 -
2003 43.2 -
2002 36.4 -
2001 35.9 -
2000 36.1 47.2
1999 36.8 39.6
1998 36 38.3
1997 34.5 39.9
1996 36.1 39.2
1995 - 39.4

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Iran is 41.8, ranking 185/197, compared to 32.5 for Sudan, ranking 191/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Iran Sudan
Services, % of GDP
49.8%
2024
54.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
36.1%
2024
23.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
10.8%
2024
22.2%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$469B
2024
$35.8B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$19,820
2024
$2,050
2024
Total reserves including gold
$7.69B
1982
$178M
2017
Total reserves ranking
85/177
1982
171/177
2017
Net foreign direct investment
-$39M
2000
-$574M
2022
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.45B
2024
$548M
2023
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$89.4M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.08%
2024
0.42%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
18.7%
2020
46.5%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
44.3%
2024
2.89%
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/sudan | CC BY

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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 (2018–2023, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  8. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  9. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)

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.