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Economy of Iran vs Zambia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Iran has a GDP of $475B compared to $25.3B for Zambia, ranking 34/197 and 116/197 by economy size, respectively.

Iran has $162B in government debt (34% of GDP), compared to $29.1B (114.9% of GDP) in Zambia.

Iran vs Zambia GDP by year

Iran
Zambia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Iran Zambia
2024 $475,252,089,215 $25,303,185,342
2023 $457,510,482,317 $27,577,956,471
2022 $422,662,261,526 $29,163,782,140
2021 $407,350,685,583 $22,096,416,932
2020 $280,934,329,280 $18,137,764,931
2019 $347,988,400,958 $23,308,667,781
2018 $411,903,303,606 $26,311,507,274
2017 $510,239,893,418 $25,873,601,261
2016 $478,618,064,871 $20,958,412,538
2015 $409,191,686,497 $21,251,216,799
2014 $462,284,793,281 $27,141,023,558
2013 $500,399,839,840 $28,037,239,463
2012 $644,019,315,004 $25,503,060,420
2011 $629,082,257,472 $23,459,515,276
2010 $487,069,570,464 $20,265,559,484
2009 $414,059,094,949 $15,328,342,304
2008 $406,070,949,554 $17,910,858,638
2007 $349,736,591,832 $14,056,957,976
2006 $265,602,187,404 $12,756,858,899
2005 $224,970,371,325 $8,331,870,169
2004 $187,754,571,248 $6,221,110,219
2003 $151,911,222,119 $4,901,869,764
2002 $128,626,917,504 $4,193,850,445
2001 $126,878,750,296 $4,094,441,301
2000 $109,591,707,802 $3,600,632,111
1999 $113,848,450,088 $3,404,284,891
1998 $110,276,913,363 $3,537,741,942
1997 $113,919,163,421 $4,303,288,480
1996 $120,403,931,885 $3,597,220,962
1995 $96,419,225,744 $3,806,983,413
1994 $71,841,461,173 $3,656,806,166
1993 $63,743,623,232 $3,273,505,344
1992 $119,768,691,217 $3,182,810,841
1991 $131,637,664,958 $3,376,806,697
1990 $124,813,263,926 $3,288,381,797
1989 $120,496,362,916 $3,994,673,161
1988 $123,057,861,334 $3,728,878,149
1987 $134,009,995,923 $2,265,250,972
1986 $209,094,561,833 $1,664,413,508
1985 $180,183,629,600 $2,252,454,500
1984 $162,276,728,620 $2,719,518,933
1983 $156,365,156,618 $3,321,048,451
1982 $125,948,756,439 $3,871,117,093
1981 $100,499,312,750 $4,008,126,497
1980 $94,362,275,580 $3,884,530,854
1979 $90,391,877,326 $3,353,445,378
1978 $77,994,316,621 $2,811,032,473
1977 $80,600,122,702 $2,515,296,940
1976 $68,055,295,081 $2,742,859,263
1975 $51,776,222,350 $2,442,672,141
1974 $46,209,092,072 $2,910,981,262
1973 $27,081,698,250 $2,434,255,237
1972 $17,153,463,263 $1,872,416,680
1971 $13,731,802,833 $1,653,259,341
1970 $10,976,245,154 $1,788,779,285
1969 $9,743,089,607 $1,926,399,230
1968 $8,623,172,960 $1,573,739,371
1967 $7,555,383,690 $1,340,639,464
1966 $6,789,938,672 $1,238,999,505
1965 $6,197,319,929 $1,061,199,576
1964 $5,379,845,648 $822,639,671
1963 $4,928,628,018 $704,339,719
1962 $4,693,566,416 $679,279,729
1961 $4,426,949,095 $682,359,727
1960 $4,199,134,390 $698,739,721

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

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

GDP per capita in Iran vs Zambia by year

Iran
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Zambia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Iran Zambia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $5,190 $19,874 $1,187 $4,215
2023 $5,049 $18,917 $1,331 $4,077
2022 $4,721 $17,546 $1,447 $3,841
2021 $4,605 $15,884 $1,127 $3,503
2020 $3,203 $15,119 $952 $3,157
2019 $3,997 $13,928 $1,259 $3,361
2018 $4,783 $15,324 $1,464 $3,442
2017 $6,001 $15,719 $1,483 $3,392
2016 $5,711 $15,195 $1,239 $3,313
2015 $4,953 $14,274 $1,296 $3,337
2014 $5,672 $16,065 $1,707 $3,441
2013 $6,223 $16,215 $1,821 $3,477
2012 $8,114 $17,021 $1,710 $3,324
2011 $8,026 $19,275 $1,625 $3,228
2010 $6,291 $18,628 $1,451 $3,098
2009 $5,416 $17,615 $1,136 $2,872
2008 $5,377 $17,549 $1,376 $2,708
2007 $4,688 $17,384 $1,119 $2,555
2006 $3,619 $15,907 $1,052 $2,378
2005 $3,132 $15,016 $711 $2,213
2004 $2,672 $14,425 $549 $2,068
2003 $2,209 $13,755 $446 $1,942
2002 $1,891 $12,554 $394 $1,837
2001 $1,881 $11,533 $397 $1,785
2000 $1,650 $11,187 $359 $1,709
1999 $1,740 $10,489 $350 $1,654
1998 $1,709 $10,285 $373 $1,601
1997 $1,790 $10,101 $466 $1,631
1996 $1,915 $9,916 $400 $1,585
1995 $1,550 $9,255 $433 $1,501
1994 $1,168 $8,951 $426 $1,464
1993 $1,038 $8,933 $391 $1,607
1992 $1,957 $8,888 $389 $1,505
1991 $2,194 $8,580 $423 $1,534
1990 $2,138 $7,566 $422 $1,522
1989 $2,125 - $526 -
1988 $2,234 - $504 -
1987 $2,513 - $315 -
1986 $4,064 - $238.2 -
1985 $3,634 - $332 -
1984 $3,395 - $413 -
1983 $3,397 - $520 -
1982 $2,845 - $627 -
1981 $2,393 - $670 -
1980 $2,368 - $669 -
1979 $2,352 - $595 -
1978 $2,101 - $514 -
1977 $2,243 - $474 -
1976 $1,954 - $533 -
1975 $1,532 - $490 -
1974 $1,409 - $601 -
1973 $851 - $518 -
1972 $555 - $410 -
1971 $457 - $372 -
1970 $377 - $414 -
1969 $345 - $459 -
1968 $314 - $387 -
1967 $283.7 - $341 -
1966 $262.9 - $325 -
1965 $247.5 - $287.4 -
1964 $221.7 - $230 -
1963 $209.6 - $203.2 -
1962 $205.8 - $202.3 -
1961 $200.1 - $209.7 -
1960 $195.6 - $221.6 -

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

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

Iran's GDP per capita is $5,190, ranking 119/197, compared to $1,187 in Zambia, ranking 169/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Iran ranks 97th at $19,874, while Zambia ranks 166th at $4,215.

Economic indicators

Iran Zambia
Gross domestic product
$475B
2024
$25.3B
2024
GDP rank
34/197
2024
116/197
2024
GDP growth
3.66%
2023-2024
3.82%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$5,190
2024
$1,187
2024
GDP per capita rank
119/197
2024
169/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$19,874
2024
$4,215
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
97/197
2024
166/197
2024
Government debt
$162B
2024
$29.1B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
34%
2024
114.9%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,764
2024
$1,365
2024
Government debt per person rank
122/185
2024
134/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,964
2026
$1,349
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$172B
2024
$7.77B
2024
Income share by richest 10%
28.2%
2023
39.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2.8%
2023
1.5%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
14.2%
2024
25.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
32.5%
2023-2024
15%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
23%
2023
14.3%
2025
Unemployment rate
7.63%
2024
5.86%
2023
Population
93468444
22697916

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Iran
Spending

Debt
Zambia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Iran Zambia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 14.2% 34% 25.5% 114.9%
2023 12.8% 29.6% 27.4% 129.1%
2022 12.8% 34.5% 28.2% 99.5%
2021 13.4% 39.9% 30.5% 111%
2020 12.1% 47.1% 34% 140%
2019 13.6% 44.6% 29.8% 103.3%
2018 14.8% 41.6% 27.7% 81.2%
2017 16.4% 43.2% 25% 66.6%
2016 16.3% 45.9% 23.9% 61.2%
2015 14.1% 32.1% 27.6% 61.9%
2014 12.3% 10.9% 24.3% 33.9%
2013 11.5% 10.2% 24% 25.9%
2012 11.4% 11.7% 21.9% 24.9%
2011 14.6% 10.6% 19.5% 20.8%
2010 14.1% 12.8% 18.1% 18.9%
2009 15.7% 11.5% 17.8% 20.5%
2008 16.8% 10.6% 19.5% 19.2%
2007 14.2% 13.5% 19.9% 21.9%
2006 18.7% 15.2% 19.7% 25%
2005 17.9% 18.3% 22.5% 75.7%
2004 15.1% 21.1% 23.3% 129.9%
2003 15.7% 21.9% 27.3% 159.5%
2002 15.6% 23.4% 27.6% 180.2%
2001 13.6% 21% 28% 210.2%
2000 13.3% 18.2% 21.4% 261%
1999 15.7% 22.2% - -
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/zambia | CC BY

In 2024, Iran's government spending was $67.5B, accounting for 14.2% of its GDP, while Zambia spent $6.45B, or 25.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 34% in Iran and 114.9% in Zambia, ranking 147/185 and 13/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Iran

Zambia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Iran Zambia
2024 -3.83% -3.32%
2023 -2.54% -5.48%
2022 -2.64% -7.82%
2021 -3.01% -8.13%
2020 -4.87% -13.8%
2019 -4.3% -9.41%
2018 -1.59% -8.31%
2017 -1.55% -7.5%
2016 -1.7% -5.69%
2015 -1.3% -8.88%
2014 -0.91% -5.43%
2013 -0.72% -6.4%
2012 -0.5% -3.16%
2011 -0.66% -1.78%
2010 -0.84% -2.43%
2009 -3.3% -2.06%
2008 -4.39% -0.67%
2007 -2.41% -1.04%
2006 -4.91% 16.9%
2005 -2.44% -2.37%
2004 -2.45% -2.51%
2003 -2.76% -5.31%
2002 -2.88% -4.5%
2001 0.02% -5.89%
2000 5.42% 1.16%
1999 -0.51% -
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/zambia | 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 Zambia's deficit of $840M, or 3.32% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Iran recorded a fiscal deficit in 23 of those years, while Zambia ran a deficit in 23 years. On average, Iran posted an annual deficit equal to 2.04% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.15% of GDP for Zambia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Iran

Zambia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Iran Zambia
2024 32.5% 15%
2023 44.6% 10.9%
2022 43.5% 11%
2021 43.4% 22%
2020 30.6% 15.7%
2019 39.9% 9.2%
2018 18% 7.5%
2017 8.04% 6.6%
2016 7.25% 17.9%
2015 12.5% 10.1%
2014 16.6% 7.8%
2013 36.6% 7%
2012 27.3% 6.6%
2011 26.3% 8.7%
2010 10.1% 8.5%
2009 13.6% 13.4%
2008 25.4% 12.4%
2007 17.3% 10.7%
2006 10% 9%
2005 13.4% 18.3%
2004 14.8% 18%
2003 16.5% 21.4%
2002 14.3% 22.2%
2001 11.3% 21.4%
2000 14.5% 24.1%
1999 20.1% 23.9%
1998 17.9% 22.7%
1997 17.3% 21.4%

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/zambia | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Iran has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 21.6%, compared with 14.4% in Zambia. In 2024, inflation was 32.5% in Iran and 15% in Zambia.

Top exports between countries

Iran
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $37K
Chemicals & pharma $13K
Metals $8K
Raw agricultural goods $3K
Zambia
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $54K

Balance of trade

Iran Zambia
Current account balance
$12.5B
2000
-$487M
2024
Current account balance ranking
22/190
2000
106/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+11.4%
2000
-1.93%
2024
Goods imports
$15.2B
2000
$10.1B
2024
Goods exports
$28.3B
2000
$11.4B
2024
Service imports
$2.3B
2000
$1.94B
2024
Service exports
$1.38B
2000
$1.38B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.5%
2024
27.6%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
23.6%
2024
35%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Iran Zambia
Economic freedom 41.8 51.9
Economic freedom ranking 185/197 152/197
Property rights 20.2 43.9
Government integrity 16.2 39.3
Judicial effectiveness 18.7 45
Tax burden 81.3 74.3
Government spending 94.7 78.1
Fiscal health 83.3 30.9
Business freedom 37.4 53.4
Labor freedom 41.8 48.8
Monetary freedom 42.2 66.6
Trade freedom 55.8 62.8
Investment freedom 5 40
Financial freedom 5 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Iran
Zambia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Iran Zambia
2026 41.8 51.9
2025 42.5 50.9
2024 41.2 48.4
2023 42.2 47.8
2022 42.4 48.7
2021 47.2 50.4
2020 49.2 53.5
2019 51.1 53.6
2018 50.9 54.3
2017 50.5 55.8
2016 43.5 58.8
2015 41.8 58.7
2014 40.3 60.4
2013 43.2 58.7
2012 42.3 58.3
2011 42.1 59.7
2010 43.4 58
2009 44.6 56.6
2008 45 56.2
2007 45 56.2
2006 45 56.8
2005 50.5 55
2004 42.8 54.9
2003 43.2 55.3
2002 36.4 59.6
2001 35.9 59.5
2000 36.1 62.8
1999 36.8 64.2
1998 36 62.7
1997 34.5 62.1
1996 36.1 59.6
1995 - 55.1

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Iran is 41.8, ranking 185/197, compared to 51.9 for Zambia, ranking 152/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Iran Zambia
Services, % of GDP
49.8%
2024
57.2%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
36.1%
2024
35.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
10.8%
2024
2.83%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$469B
2024
$25.9B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$19,820
2024
$3,850
2024
Total reserves including gold
$7.69B
1982
$4.09B
2024
Total reserves ranking
85/177
1982
106/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$39M
2000
-$1.32B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.45B
2024
$2.36B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$89.4M
2024
$311M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.08%
2024
16.9%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
18.7%
2020
60%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
44.3%
2024
23.8%
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/zambia | 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 (2022–2023, 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.