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Economy of Iran vs Tonga compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Iran has a GDP of $475B compared to $591M for Tonga, ranking 34/197 and 191/197 by economy size, respectively.

Iran has $162B in government debt (34% of GDP), compared to $256M (37% of GDP) in Tonga.

Iran vs Tonga GDP by year

Iran
Tonga
1x
Year GDP, current $
Iran Tonga
2024 $475,252,089,215 -
2023 $457,510,482,317 $591,139,749
2022 $422,662,261,526 $556,514,555
2021 $407,350,685,583 $519,306,353
2020 $280,934,329,280 $506,571,468
2019 $347,988,400,958 $506,031,239
2018 $411,903,303,606 $493,530,783
2017 $510,239,893,418 $459,976,850
2016 $478,618,064,871 $420,828,262
2015 $409,191,686,497 $437,525,514
2014 $462,284,793,281 $440,997,738
2013 $500,399,839,840 $451,788,498
2012 $644,019,315,004 $471,122,971
2011 $629,082,257,472 $414,143,828
2010 $487,069,570,464 $366,887,375
2009 $414,059,094,949 $312,415,028
2008 $406,070,949,554 $344,438,844
2007 $349,736,591,832 $298,519,623
2006 $265,602,187,404 $292,232,703
2005 $224,970,371,325 $261,823,805
2004 $187,754,571,248 $230,678,011
2003 $151,911,222,119 $202,246,591
2002 $128,626,917,504 $182,764,281
2001 $126,878,750,296 $181,117,230
2000 $109,591,707,802 $204,848,488
1999 $113,848,450,088 $199,208,718
1998 $110,276,913,363 $191,504,893
1997 $113,919,163,421 $214,991,452
1996 $120,403,931,885 $222,100,576
1995 $96,419,225,744 $208,871,666
1994 $71,841,461,173 $195,990,986
1993 $63,743,623,232 $138,489,884
1992 $119,768,691,217 $137,066,291
1991 $131,637,664,958 $132,201,141
1990 $124,813,263,926 $113,563,822
1989 $120,496,362,916 $106,344,855
1988 $123,057,861,334 $106,657,267
1987 $134,009,995,923 $81,667,133
1986 $209,094,561,833 $68,195,856
1985 $180,183,629,600 $60,058,663
1984 $162,276,728,620 $64,248,355
1983 $156,365,156,618 $60,863,964
1982 $125,948,756,439 $62,068,161
1981 $100,499,312,750 $62,242,013
1980 $94,362,275,580 $53,260,077
1979 $90,391,877,326 $44,667,002
1978 $77,994,316,621 $41,567,472
1977 $80,600,122,702 $34,139,388
1976 $68,055,295,081 $30,036,417
1975 $51,776,222,350 $32,506,742
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/tonga | CC BY

GDP per capita in Iran vs Tonga by year

Iran
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Tonga
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Iran Tonga
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $5,190 $19,874 - -
2023 $5,049 $18,917 $5,652 $7,803
2022 $4,721 $17,546 $5,298 $7,296
2021 $4,605 $15,884 $4,923 $6,929
2020 $3,203 $15,119 $4,792 $6,676
2019 $3,997 $13,928 $4,789 $6,473
2018 $4,783 $15,324 $4,675 $6,393
2017 $6,001 $15,719 $4,366 $6,229
2016 $5,711 $15,195 $3,988 $5,920
2015 $4,953 $14,274 $4,124 $5,472
2014 $5,672 $16,065 $4,137 $5,336
2013 $6,223 $16,215 $4,219 $5,120
2012 $8,114 $17,021 $4,384 $4,996
2011 $8,026 $19,275 $3,850 $4,855
2010 $6,291 $18,628 $3,416 $4,465
2009 $5,416 $17,615 $2,914 $4,384
2008 $5,377 $17,549 $3,218 $4,600
2007 $4,688 $17,384 $2,797 $4,316
2006 $3,619 $15,907 $2,750 $4,327
2005 $3,132 $15,016 $2,478 $4,315
2004 $2,672 $14,425 $2,195 $4,235
2003 $2,209 $13,755 $1,936 $4,231
2002 $1,891 $12,554 $1,759 $4,171
2001 $1,881 $11,533 $1,754 $3,955
2000 $1,650 $11,187 $1,995 $3,834
1999 $1,740 $10,489 $1,952 $3,636
1998 $1,709 $10,285 $1,889 $3,527
1997 $1,790 $10,101 $2,136 $3,434
1996 $1,915 $9,916 $2,215 $3,410
1995 $1,550 $9,255 $2,084 $3,347
1994 $1,168 $8,951 $1,957 $3,088
1993 $1,038 $8,933 $1,383 $2,882
1992 $1,957 $8,888 $1,370 $2,716
1991 $2,194 $8,580 $1,323 $2,652
1990 $2,138 $7,566 $1,139 $2,416
1989 $2,125 - $1,070 -
1988 $2,234 - $1,078 -
1987 $2,513 - $830 -
1986 $4,064 - $696 -
1985 $3,634 - $613 -
1984 $3,395 - $656 -
1983 $3,397 - $621 -
1982 $2,845 - $633 -
1981 $2,393 - $636 -
1980 $2,368 - $545 -
1979 $2,352 - $458 -
1978 $2,101 - $428 -
1977 $2,243 - $353 -
1976 $1,954 - $315 -
1975 $1,532 - $349 -
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/tonga | CC BY

Iran's GDP per capita is $5,190, ranking 119/197, compared to $5,652 in Tonga, ranking 115/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Iran ranks 97th at $19,874, while Tonga ranks 144th at $7,803.

Economic indicators

Iran Tonga
Gross domestic product
$475B
2024
$591M
2023
GDP rank
34/197
2024
191/197
2023
GDP growth
3.66%
2023-2024
2.79%
2022-2023
GDP per capita
$5,190
2024
$5,652
2023
GDP per capita rank
119/197
2024
115/197
2023
GDP per capita, PPP
$19,874
2024
$7,803
2023
GDP per capita PPP rank
97/197
2024
144/197
2023
Government debt
$162B
2024
$256M
2023
Debt-to-GDP ratio
34%
2024
37%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,764
2024
$2,445
2023
Government debt per person rank
122/185
2024
111/185
2023
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,964
2026
$3,886
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$172B
2024
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
28.2%
2023
22%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
2.8%
2023
4%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
14.2%
2024
51.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
32.5%
2023-2024
3.18%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
23%
2023
n/a
Unemployment rate
7.63%
2024
1.65%
2023
Population
93468444
103309

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Iran
Spending

Debt
Tonga
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Iran Tonga
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 14.2% 34% 51.3% 37%
2023 12.8% 29.6% 48.2% 43.3%
2022 12.8% 34.5% 44.4% 43.2%
2021 13.4% 39.9% 44.6% 43%
2020 12.1% 47.1% 37.9% 42.6%
2019 13.6% 44.6% 39.9% 42.8%
2018 14.8% 41.6% 39.6% 45.8%
2017 16.4% 43.2% 39.7% 44.7%
2016 16.3% 45.9% 37.2% 49.4%
2015 14.1% 32.1% 37.4% 51.1%
2014 12.3% 10.9% 31.5% 47.4%
2013 11.5% 10.2% 34.3% 48.9%
2012 11.4% 11.7% 32% 60%
2011 14.6% 10.6% 32.6% 51.9%
2010 14.1% 12.8% 28.4% 44.7%
2009 15.7% 11.5% 23.9% 39.7%
2008 16.8% 10.6% 24% 34%
2007 14.2% 13.5% 23.2% 37.8%
2006 18.7% 15.2% 25.6% 39.6%
2005 17.9% 18.3% 19.8% 43.3%
2004 15.1% 21.1% 19.3% 52.2%
2003 15.7% 21.9% 20% 56.2%
2002 15.6% 23.4% 21.3% 60.7%
2001 13.6% 21% 19.1% 53.4%
2000 13.3% 18.2% 20% 43.6%
1999 15.7% 22.2% 18.8% 38.4%
1998 16.9% 29.6% - -
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/tonga | CC BY

In 2024, Iran's government spending was $67.5B, accounting for 14.2% of its GDP, while Tonga spent $285M, or 51.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 34% in Iran and 37% in Tonga, ranking 147/185 and 142/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Iran

Tonga
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Iran Tonga
2024 -3.83% 4.17%
2023 -2.54% 6.14%
2022 -2.64% -0.1%
2021 -3.01% -0.87%
2020 -4.87% 5.25%
2019 -4.3% 3.28%
2018 -1.59% 2.92%
2017 -1.55% 3.58%
2016 -1.7% 1.47%
2015 -1.3% -2.75%
2014 -0.91% 6.38%
2013 -0.72% -1.3%
2012 -0.5% -1.74%
2011 -0.66% -6.02%
2010 -0.84% -1.22%
2009 -3.3% 6.85%
2008 -4.39% 2.14%
2007 -2.41% 5.39%
2006 -4.91% 1.34%
2005 -2.44% 4.23%
2004 -2.45% 4.23%
2003 -2.76% 2.37%
2002 -2.88% 2.59%
2001 0.02% 2.23%
2000 5.42% 1.35%
1999 -0.51% 1.55%
1998 -5.03% -
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/tonga | CC BY

In 2023, Iran's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $11.6B, equivalent to 2.54% of GDP. This compares to Tonga's surplus of $36.3M, or 6.14% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Iran recorded a fiscal deficit in 23 of those years, while Tonga ran a deficit in 7 years. On average, Iran posted an annual deficit equal to 1.91% of GDP, compared to surplus of 1.97% of GDP for Tonga.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Iran

Tonga
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Iran Tonga
2024 32.5% 3.18%
2023 44.6% 6.35%
2022 43.5% 11%
2021 43.4% 5.64%
2020 30.6% -0.35%
2019 39.9% 1.18%
2018 18% 5.03%
2017 8.04% 7.52%
2016 7.25% 2.58%
2015 12.5% -1.05%
2014 16.6% 2.51%
2013 36.6% 0.78%
2012 27.3% 1.15%
2011 26.3% 6.27%
2010 10.1% 3.53%
2009 13.6% 1.43%
2008 25.4% 10.4%
2007 17.3% 5.84%
2006 10% 6.15%
2005 13.4% 8.67%
2004 14.8% 11%
2003 16.5% 11.6%
2002 14.3% 10.4%
2001 11.3% 8.29%
2000 14.5% 6.33%
1999 20.1% 4.46%
1998 17.9% 3.27%
1997 17.3% 2.12%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Iran has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 21.6%, compared with 5.19% in Tonga. In 2024, inflation was 32.5% in Iran and 3.18% in Tonga.

Balance of trade

Iran Tonga
Current account balance
$12.5B
2000
-$43.5M
2024
Current account balance ranking
22/190
2000
83/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+11.4%
2000
-7.93%
2023
Goods imports
$15.2B
2000
$232M
2024
Goods exports
$28.3B
2000
$10.8M
2024
Service imports
$2.3B
2000
$161M
2024
Service exports
$1.38B
2000
$93.6M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.5%
2024
64.9%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
23.6%
2024
14.7%
2023

Economic freedom indices

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

Iran Tonga
Economic freedom 41.8 58.9
Economic freedom ranking 185/197 107/197
Property rights 20.2 71.1
Government integrity 16.2 45.1
Judicial effectiveness 18.7 64.9
Tax burden 81.3 85.6
Government spending 94.7 31
Fiscal health 83.3 97.3
Business freedom 37.4 59.2
Labor freedom 41.8 55.9
Monetary freedom 42.2 61
Trade freedom 55.8 75.4
Investment freedom 5 40
Financial freedom 5 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Iran
Tonga
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Iran Tonga
2026 41.8 58.9
2025 42.5 58.5
2024 41.2 59.2
2023 42.2 60
2022 42.4 60.8
2021 47.2 57.5
2020 49.2 58.8
2019 51.1 57.7
2018 50.9 63.1
2017 50.5 63
2016 43.5 59.6
2015 41.8 59.3
2014 40.3 58.2
2013 43.2 56
2012 42.3 57
2011 42.1 55.8
2010 43.4 53.4
2009 44.6 54.1
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/tonga | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Iran is 41.8, ranking 185/197, compared to 58.9 for Tonga, ranking 107/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Iran Tonga
Services, % of GDP
49.8%
2024
50%
2023
Industry, % of GDP
36.1%
2024
14.9%
2023
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
10.8%
2024
19%
2023
GNI, Atlas method
$469B
2024
$619M
2023
GNI per capita, PPP
$19,820
2024
$8,400
2023
Total reserves including gold
$7.69B
1982
$377M
2024
Total reserves ranking
85/177
1982
163/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$39M
2000
$13.3M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.45B
2024
-$12.1M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$89.4M
2024
$1.25M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.08%
2024
2.76%
2023
Poverty at national poverty lines
18.7%
2020
20.6%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
44.3%
2024
25.9%
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/tonga | 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 (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.