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Economy of Iran vs Tajikistan compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Iran has a GDP of $475B compared to $14.2B for Tajikistan, ranking 34/197 and 145/197 by economy size, respectively.

Iran has $162B in government debt (34% of GDP), compared to $3.54B (24.9% of GDP) in Tajikistan.

Iran vs Tajikistan GDP by year

Iran
Tajikistan
1x
Year GDP, current $
Iran Tajikistan
2024 $475,252,089,215 $14,204,575,549
2023 $457,510,482,317 $12,244,169,293
2022 $422,662,261,526 $10,713,525,200
2021 $407,350,685,583 $8,937,805,347
2020 $280,934,329,280 $8,133,963,551
2019 $347,988,400,958 $8,300,813,599
2018 $411,903,303,606 $7,764,999,999
2017 $510,239,893,418 $7,536,402,853
2016 $478,618,064,871 $6,992,416,097
2015 $409,191,686,497 $8,271,431,485
2014 $462,284,793,281 $9,112,605,459
2013 $500,399,839,840 $8,448,411,318
2012 $644,019,315,004 $7,633,036,903
2011 $629,082,257,472 $6,522,756,255
2010 $487,069,570,464 $5,642,221,099
2009 $414,059,094,949 $4,979,472,364
2008 $406,070,949,554 $5,161,299,725
2007 $349,736,591,832 $3,719,524,541
2006 $265,602,187,404 $2,830,213,849
2005 $224,970,371,325 $2,312,352,021
2004 $187,754,571,248 $2,076,176,869
2003 $151,911,222,119 $1,555,318,261
2002 $128,626,917,504 $1,221,106,220
2001 $126,878,750,296 $1,080,772,551
2000 $109,591,707,802 $860,541,842
1999 $113,848,450,088 $1,086,612,290
1998 $110,276,913,363 $1,320,199,582
1997 $113,919,163,421 $921,518,033
1996 $120,403,931,885 $1,043,654,822
1995 $96,419,225,744 $1,231,561,860
1994 $71,841,461,173 $1,522,001,206
1993 $63,743,623,232 $1,646,623,195
1992 $119,768,691,217 $1,908,554,572
1991 $131,637,664,958 $2,536,585,366
1990 $124,813,263,926 $2,629,395,066
1989 $120,496,362,916 -
1988 $123,057,861,334 -
1987 $134,009,995,923 -
1986 $209,094,561,833 -
1985 $180,183,629,600 -
1984 $162,276,728,620 -
1983 $156,365,156,618 -
1982 $125,948,756,439 -
1981 $100,499,312,750 -
1980 $94,362,275,580 -
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/tajikistan | CC BY

GDP per capita in Iran vs Tajikistan by year

Iran
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Tajikistan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Iran Tajikistan
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $5,190 $19,874 $1,341 $5,406
2023 $5,049 $18,917 $1,178 $4,964
2022 $4,721 $17,546 $1,052 $4,514
2021 $4,605 $15,884 $897 $3,986
2020 $3,203 $15,119 $834 $3,654
2019 $3,997 $13,928 $871 $3,460
2018 $4,783 $15,324 $834 $3,069
2017 $6,001 $15,719 $829 $3,017
2016 $5,711 $15,195 $789 $2,914
2015 $4,953 $14,274 $957 $2,975
2014 $5,672 $16,065 $1,082 $3,152
2013 $6,223 $16,215 $1,028 $2,919
2012 $8,114 $17,021 $952 $2,679
2011 $8,026 $19,275 $834 $2,456
2010 $6,291 $18,628 $737 $2,291
2009 $5,416 $17,615 $665 $2,171
2008 $5,377 $17,549 $703 $2,120
2007 $4,688 $17,384 $517 $1,966
2006 $3,619 $15,907 $401 $1,810
2005 $3,132 $15,016 $334 $1,673
2004 $2,672 $14,425 $306 $1,550
2003 $2,209 $13,755 $233.6 $1,396
2002 $1,891 $12,554 $187 $1,257
2001 $1,881 $11,533 $168.7 $1,139
2000 $1,650 $11,187 $136.9 $1,036
1999 $1,740 $10,489 $175 $947
1998 $1,709 $10,285 $213.7 $905
1997 $1,790 $10,101 $150.1 $855
1996 $1,915 $9,916 $172 $836
1995 $1,550 $9,255 $207 $1,006
1994 $1,168 $8,951 $261.3 $1,148
1993 $1,038 $8,933 $287.6 $1,454
1992 $1,957 $8,888 $338 $1,721
1991 $2,194 $8,580 $458 $2,417
1990 $2,138 $7,566 $487 $2,583
1989 $2,125 - - -
1988 $2,234 - - -
1987 $2,513 - - -
1986 $4,064 - - -
1985 $3,634 - - -
1984 $3,395 - - -
1983 $3,397 - - -
1982 $2,845 - - -
1981 $2,393 - - -
1980 $2,368 - - -
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/tajikistan | CC BY

Iran's GDP per capita is $5,190, ranking 119/197, compared to $1,341 in Tajikistan, ranking 166/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Iran ranks 97th at $19,874, while Tajikistan ranks 157th at $5,406.

Economic indicators

Iran Tajikistan
Gross domestic product
$475B
2024
$14.2B
2024
GDP rank
34/197
2024
145/197
2024
GDP growth
3.66%
2023-2024
8.4%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$5,190
2024
$1,341
2024
GDP per capita rank
119/197
2024
166/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$19,874
2024
$5,406
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
97/197
2024
157/197
2024
Government debt
$162B
2024
$3.54B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
34%
2024
24.9%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,764
2024
$335
2024
Government debt per person rank
122/185
2024
175/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,964
2026
$2,591
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$172B
2024
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
28.2%
2023
28.2%
2024
Income share by poorest 10%
2.8%
2023
2.9%
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
14.2%
2024
27.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
32.5%
2023-2024
3.5%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
23%
2023
7.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
7.63%
2024
0.08%
2016
Population
93468444
11038274

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Iran
Spending

Debt
Tajikistan
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Iran Tajikistan
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 14.2% 34% 27.7% 24.9%
2023 12.8% 29.6% 28% 29.9%
2022 12.8% 34.5% 27.4% 31.8%
2021 13.4% 39.9% 27.6% 42%
2020 12.1% 47.1% 29.2% 50.9%
2019 13.6% 44.6% 28.8% 43.2%
2018 14.8% 41.6% 30.9% 46.3%
2017 16.4% 43.2% 33.8% 46.3%
2016 16.3% 45.9% 32.7% 42.2%
2015 14.1% 32.1% 31.9% 35%
2014 12.3% 10.9% 27.5% 27.9%
2013 11.5% 10.2% 27.7% 29.3%
2012 11.4% 11.7% 24.7% 32.5%
2011 14.6% 10.6% 24.3% 35.5%
2010 14.1% 12.8% 25.9% 36.8%
2009 15.7% 11.5% 23.6% 36.9%
2008 16.8% 10.6% 20.2% 30.2%
2007 14.2% 13.5% 20.3% 34.3%
2006 18.7% 15.2% 21.6% 36.8%
2005 17.9% 18.3% 22.9% 45.8%
2004 15.1% 21.1% 20.2% 49.4%
2003 15.7% 21.9% 19.1% 69.8%
2002 15.6% 23.4% 19.1% 98.3%
2001 13.6% 21% 17.3% 99.4%
2000 13.3% 18.2% 18.1% 111.4%
1999 15.7% 22.2% 17.5% 107.8%
1998 16.9% 29.6% 17.1% 96.6%
1997 17.4% 30.9% - -
1996 17.3% 29.3% - -
1995 21% 31.2% - -
1994 23% 41.7% - -
1993 27.2% 25.6% - -
1992 14.4% 25.2% - -
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/tajikistan | CC BY

In 2024, Iran's government spending was $67.5B, accounting for 14.2% of its GDP, while Tajikistan spent $3.93B, or 27.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 34% in Iran and 24.9% in Tajikistan, ranking 147/185 and 166/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Iran

Tajikistan
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Iran Tajikistan
2024 -3.83% 0.28%
2023 -2.54% -0.93%
2022 -2.64% -0.23%
2021 -3.01% -0.64%
2020 -4.87% -4.34%
2019 -4.3% -2.04%
2018 -1.59% -2.69%
2017 -1.55% -5.65%
2016 -1.7% -2.91%
2015 -1.3% -1.96%
2014 -0.91% 0.92%
2013 -0.72% -0.73%
2012 -0.5% 0.41%
2011 -0.66% 0.6%
2010 -0.84% -2.71%
2009 -3.3% -0.2%
2008 -4.39% 1.94%
2007 -2.41% 2.13%
2006 -4.91% 2%
2005 -2.44% -2.83%
2004 -2.45% -2.32%
2003 -2.76% -1.74%
2002 -2.88% -2.4%
2001 0.02% -2.11%
2000 5.42% -4.51%
1999 -0.51% -4.03%
1998 -5.03% -5.09%
1997 -1.81% -
1996 -0.75% -
1995 -2.63% -
1994 -3.36% -
1993 -5.15% -
1992 -0.86% -
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/tajikistan | 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 Tajikistan's surplus of $39.2M, or 0.28% of GDP.

Over the past 27 years, Iran recorded a fiscal deficit in 25 of those years, while Tajikistan ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, Iran posted an annual deficit equal to 2.1% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.55% of GDP for Tajikistan.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Iran

Tajikistan
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Iran Tajikistan
2024 32.5% 3.5%
2023 44.6% 3.7%
2022 43.5% 6.6%
2021 43.4% 9%
2020 30.6% 8.6%
2019 39.9% 7.8%
2018 18% 3.8%
2017 8.04% 7.3%
2016 7.25% 5.9%
2015 12.5% 5.8%
2014 16.6% 6.1%
2013 36.6% 5%
2012 27.3% 5.8%
2011 26.3% 12.4%
2010 10.1% 6.5%
2009 13.6% 6.4%
2008 25.4% 20.4%
2007 17.3% 13.2%
2006 10% 10%
2005 13.4% 7.3%
2004 14.8% 7.2%
2003 16.5% 16.4%
2002 14.3% 12.2%
2001 11.3% 38.6%
2000 14.5% 32.9%
1999 20.1% 27.5%
1998 17.9% 43.2%
1997 17.3% 88%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 28 years, Iran has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 21.6%, compared with 15% in Tajikistan. In 2024, inflation was 32.5% in Iran and 3.5% in Tajikistan.

Top exports between countries

Iran
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $72.8M
Machinery & equipment $55.5M
Metals $53.5M
Textiles & consumer goods $25.6M
Raw agricultural goods $20.5M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $9.97M
Raw materials & minerals $4.93M
Animal & marine products $4.32M
Wood & paper products $736K
Miscellaneous $564K
Tajikistan
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $98.4M
Machinery & equipment $1.38M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $151K
Chemicals & pharma $56K
Metals $32K
Raw agricultural goods $29K
Raw materials & minerals $8K
Precious metals & jewellery $1K

Balance of trade

Iran Tajikistan
Current account balance
$12.5B
2000
$887M
2024
Current account balance ranking
22/190
2000
54/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+11.4%
2000
+6.24%
2024
Goods imports
$15.2B
2000
$5.94B
2024
Goods exports
$28.3B
2000
$1.42B
2024
Service imports
$2.3B
2000
$971M
2024
Service exports
$1.38B
2000
$195M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.5%
2024
48.4%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
23.6%
2024
17.2%
2023

Economic freedom indices

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

Iran Tajikistan
Economic freedom 41.8 52.5
Economic freedom ranking 185/197 147/197
Property rights 20.2 28.4
Government integrity 16.2 18.5
Judicial effectiveness 18.7 10.1
Tax burden 81.3 94.2
Government spending 94.7 77
Fiscal health 83.3 98.6
Business freedom 37.4 60.6
Labor freedom 41.8 43.4
Monetary freedom 42.2 72.6
Trade freedom 55.8 72.2
Investment freedom 5 25
Financial freedom 5 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Iran
Tajikistan
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Iran Tajikistan
2026 41.8 52.5
2025 42.5 51.5
2024 41.2 51.3
2023 42.2 50.6
2022 42.4 49.7
2021 47.2 55.2
2020 49.2 52.2
2019 51.1 55.6
2018 50.9 58.3
2017 50.5 58.2
2016 43.5 51.3
2015 41.8 52.7
2014 40.3 52
2013 43.2 53.4
2012 42.3 53.4
2011 42.1 53.5
2010 43.4 53
2009 44.6 54.6
2008 45 54.4
2007 45 53.6
2006 45 52.6
2005 50.5 50.4
2004 42.8 48.7
2003 43.2 46.5
2002 36.4 47.3
2001 35.9 46.8
2000 36.1 44.8
1999 36.8 41.2
1998 36 41.1
1997 34.5 -
1996 36.1 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Iran is 41.8, ranking 185/197, compared to 52.5 for Tajikistan, ranking 147/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Iran Tajikistan
Services, % of GDP
49.8%
2024
34.7%
2023
Industry, % of GDP
36.1%
2024
33.6%
2023
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
10.8%
2024
22.9%
2023
GNI, Atlas method
$469B
2024
$17.5B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$19,820
2024
$7,100
2024
Total reserves including gold
$7.69B
1982
$3.3B
2023
Total reserves ranking
85/177
1982
117/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$39M
2000
-$190M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.45B
2024
$291M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$89.4M
2024
$101M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.08%
2024
3.07%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
18.7%
2020
19.8%
2024
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
44.3%
2024
31.7%
2023

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/tajikistan | 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 (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 (2022–2023, 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.