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Economy of Iran vs Zimbabwe compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Iran has a GDP of $475B compared to $41.5B for Zimbabwe, ranking 34/197 and 102/197 by economy size, respectively.

Iran has $162B in government debt (34% of GDP), compared to $30.3B (73% of GDP) in Zimbabwe.

Iran vs Zimbabwe GDP by year

Iran
Zimbabwe
1x
Year GDP, current $
Iran Zimbabwe
2024 $475,252,089,215 $41,539,411,516
2023 $457,510,482,317 $35,871,779,681
2022 $422,662,261,526 $40,757,561,709
2021 $407,350,685,583 $41,287,673,690
2020 $280,934,329,280 $31,980,334,561
2019 $347,988,400,958 $33,357,695,635
2018 $411,903,303,606 $34,141,666,667
2017 $510,239,893,418 $51,035,657,371
2016 $478,618,064,871 $20,559,250,000
2015 $409,191,686,497 $19,973,250,000
2014 $462,284,793,281 $19,505,500,000
2013 $500,399,839,840 $19,100,750,000
2012 $644,019,315,004 $17,123,500,000
2011 $629,082,257,472 $14,109,000,000
2010 $487,069,570,464 $12,047,750,000
2009 $414,059,094,949 $9,670,750,000
2008 $406,070,949,554 $4,418,000,000
2007 $349,736,591,832 $5,294,750,000
2006 $265,602,187,404 $5,446,750,000
2005 $224,970,371,325 $5,758,250,000
2004 $187,754,571,248 $5,808,500,000
2003 $151,911,222,119 $5,730,500,000
2002 $128,626,917,504 $6,345,250,000
2001 $126,878,750,296 $6,780,750,000
2000 $109,591,707,802 $6,693,250,000
1999 $113,848,450,088 $6,861,500,000
1998 $110,276,913,363 $6,405,250,000
1997 $113,919,163,421 $8,534,000,000
1996 $120,403,931,885 $8,557,500,000
1995 $96,419,225,744 $7,115,000,000
1994 $71,841,461,173 $6,894,250,000
1993 $63,743,623,232 $6,567,250,000
1992 $119,768,691,217 $6,755,000,000
1991 $131,637,664,958 $8,646,000,000
1990 $124,813,263,926 $8,788,301,546
1989 $120,496,362,916 $8,290,553,535
1988 $123,057,861,334 $7,818,774,177
1987 $134,009,995,923 $6,744,657,033
1986 $209,094,561,833 $6,220,698,247
1985 $180,183,629,600 $5,640,137,575
1984 $162,276,728,620 $6,355,369,172
1983 $156,365,156,618 $7,768,031,182
1982 $125,948,756,439 $8,544,060,905
1981 $100,499,312,750 $8,015,464,252
1980 $94,362,275,580 $6,682,278,300
1979 $90,391,877,326 $5,180,102,910
1978 $77,994,316,621 $4,353,822,343
1977 $80,600,122,702 $4,366,610,469
1976 $68,055,295,081 $4,320,576,877
1975 $51,776,222,350 $4,373,532,601
1974 $46,209,092,072 $3,984,194,614
1973 $27,081,698,250 $3,311,043,292
1972 $17,153,463,263 $2,679,096,597
1971 $13,731,802,833 $2,179,828,710
1970 $10,976,245,154 $1,885,168,339
1969 $9,743,089,607 $1,748,891,294
1968 $8,623,172,960 $1,480,355,355
1967 $7,555,383,690 $1,397,715,282
1966 $6,789,938,672 $1,282,403,936
1965 $6,197,319,929 $1,312,105,394
1964 $5,379,845,648 $1,217,759,447
1963 $4,928,628,018 $1,160,103,724
1962 $4,693,566,416 $1,118,172,226
1961 $4,426,949,095 $1,097,206,526
1960 $4,199,134,390 $1,053,528,036

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

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

GDP per capita in Iran vs Zimbabwe by year

Iran
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Zimbabwe
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Iran Zimbabwe
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $5,190 $19,874 $2,497 $5,928
2023 $5,049 $18,917 $2,195 $5,791
2022 $4,721 $17,546 $2,536 $5,396
2021 $4,605 $15,884 $2,614 $4,827
2020 $3,203 $15,119 $2,060 $4,179
2019 $3,997 $13,928 $2,184 $4,166
2018 $4,783 $15,324 $2,271 $3,993
2017 $6,001 $15,719 $3,445 $10,756
2016 $5,711 $15,195 $1,408 $4,275
2015 $4,953 $14,274 $1,387 $4,046
2014 $5,672 $16,065 $1,373 $3,903
2013 $6,223 $16,215 $1,363 $3,784
2012 $8,114 $17,021 $1,239 $3,472
2011 $8,026 $19,275 $1,038 $3,047
2010 $6,291 $18,628 $902 $2,661
2009 $5,416 $17,615 $736 $2,233
2008 $5,377 $17,549 $341 $1,987
2007 $4,688 $17,384 $414 $2,396
2006 $3,619 $15,907 $431 $2,454
2005 $3,132 $15,016 $461 $2,496
2004 $2,672 $14,425 $470 $2,591
2003 $2,209 $13,755 $468 $2,708
2002 $1,891 $12,554 $525 $3,238
2001 $1,881 $11,533 $566 $3,533
2000 $1,650 $11,187 $563 $3,429
1999 $1,740 $10,489 $582 $3,491
1998 $1,709 $10,285 $552 $3,527
1997 $1,790 $10,101 $751 $3,457
1996 $1,915 $9,916 $767 $3,372
1995 $1,550 $9,255 $648 $3,051
1994 $1,168 $8,951 $634 $3,012
1993 $1,038 $8,933 $605 $2,703
1992 $1,957 $8,888 $631 $2,651
1991 $2,194 $8,580 $831 $2,930
1990 $2,138 $7,566 $867 $2,757
1989 $2,125 - $840 -
1988 $2,234 - $816 -
1987 $2,513 - $726 -
1986 $4,064 - $693 -
1985 $3,634 - $649 -
1984 $3,395 - $757 -
1983 $3,397 - $959 -
1982 $2,845 - $1,096 -
1981 $2,393 - $1,069 -
1980 $2,368 - $949 -
1979 $2,352 - $779 -
1978 $2,101 - $665 -
1977 $2,243 - $677 -
1976 $1,954 - $687 -
1975 $1,532 - $717 -
1974 $1,409 - $674 -
1973 $851 - $579 -
1972 $555 - $483 -
1971 $457 - $406 -
1970 $377 - $361 -
1969 $345 - $346 -
1968 $314 - $302 -
1967 $283.7 - $294.4 -
1966 $262.9 - $278.7 -
1965 $247.5 - $294.3 -
1964 $221.7 - $281.9 -
1963 $209.6 - $277.1 -
1962 $205.8 - $275.7 -
1961 $200.1 - $279.2 -
1960 $195.6 - $276.6 -

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

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

Iran's GDP per capita is $5,190, ranking 119/197, compared to $2,497 in Zimbabwe, ranking 148/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Iran ranks 97th at $19,874, while Zimbabwe ranks 154th at $5,928.

Economic indicators

Iran Zimbabwe
Gross domestic product
$475B
2024
$41.5B
2024
GDP rank
34/197
2024
102/197
2024
GDP growth
3.66%
2023-2024
1.74%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$5,190
2024
$2,497
2024
GDP per capita rank
119/197
2024
148/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$19,874
2024
$5,928
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
97/197
2024
154/197
2024
Government debt
$162B
2024
$30.3B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
34%
2024
73%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,764
2024
$1,824
2024
Government debt per person rank
122/185
2024
121/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,964
2026
$2,897
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$172B
2024
$2.46B
1999
Number of billionaires n/a
1
2025
Income share by richest 10%
28.2%
2023
40.5%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
2.8%
2023
1.9%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
14.2%
2024
12.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
32.5%
2023-2024
736%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
23%
2023
35%
2024
Unemployment rate
7.63%
2024
12.1%
2024
Population
93468444
17361868

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Iran
Spending

Debt
Zimbabwe
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Iran Zimbabwe
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 14.2% 34% 12.9% 73%
2023 12.8% 29.6% 15.5% 76.1%
2022 12.8% 34.5% 14.4% 66.8%
2021 13.4% 39.9% 12.8% 39.9%
2020 12.1% 47.1% 9.27% 56.8%
2019 13.6% 44.6% 9.36% 53.9%
2018 14.8% 41.6% 13.9% 33%
2017 16.4% 43.2% 19.8% 49%
2016 16.3% 45.9% 16.6% 35.1%
2015 14.1% 32.1% 14.7% 34.1%
2014 12.3% 10.9% 14.1% 29.2%
2013 11.5% 10.2% 14.7% 26.4%
2012 11.4% 11.7% 14.6% 27.2%
2011 14.6% 10.6% 16.2% 30%
2010 14.1% 12.8% 12.8% 33.2%
2009 15.7% 11.5% 7.93% 39.7%
2008 16.8% 10.6% 2.54% 41.3%
2007 14.2% 13.5% 3.43% 30.2%
2006 18.7% 15.2% 5.72% 26.7%
2005 17.9% 18.3% 10.5% 22.4%
2004 15.1% 21.1% - -
2003 15.7% 21.9% - -
2002 15.6% 23.4% - -
2001 13.6% 21% - -
2000 13.3% 18.2% - -
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/zimbabwe | CC BY

In 2024, Iran's government spending was $67.5B, accounting for 14.2% of its GDP, while Zimbabwe spent $5.37B, or 12.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 34% in Iran and 73% in Zimbabwe, ranking 147/185 and 50/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Iran

Zimbabwe
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Iran Zimbabwe
2024 -3.83% -1.06%
2023 -2.54% -3.9%
2022 -2.64% -3.3%
2021 -3.01% -2.24%
2020 -4.87% -0.34%
2019 -4.3% -1.72%
2018 -1.59% -3.81%
2017 -1.55% -7.37%
2016 -1.7% -4.63%
2015 -1.3% -1.45%
2014 -0.91% -0.71%
2013 -0.72% -0.69%
2012 -0.5% -0.13%
2011 -0.66% -1.72%
2010 -0.84% -0.11%
2009 -3.3% -1.39%
2008 -4.39% -1.2%
2007 -2.41% -1.67%
2006 -4.91% -1.4%
2005 -2.44% -3.46%
2004 -2.45% -
2003 -2.76% -
2002 -2.88% -
2001 0.02% -
2000 5.42% -
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/zimbabwe | 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 Zimbabwe's deficit of $438M, or 1.06% of GDP.

Over the past 20 years, Iran recorded a fiscal deficit in 20 of those years, while Zimbabwe ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, Iran posted an annual deficit equal to 2.42% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.11% of GDP for Zimbabwe.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Iran

Zimbabwe
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Iran Zimbabwe
2024 32.5% 736%
2023 44.6% 667%
2022 43.5% 193.4%
2021 43.4% 98.5%
2020 30.6% 557%
2019 39.9% 255.3%
2018 18% 10.6%
2017 8.04% 0.9%
2016 7.25% -1.6%
2015 12.5% -2.4%
2014 16.6% -0.2%
2013 36.6% 1.6%
2012 27.3% 3.7%
2011 26.3% 3.5%
2010 10.1% 3%
2009 13.6% 6.2%
2008 25.4% 157%
2007 17.3% -72.7%
2006 10% 33%
2005 13.4% -31.5%
2004 14.8% 113.6%
2003 16.5% -8.6%
2002 14.3% -34.4%
2001 11.3% -37.2%
2000 14.5% 4.5%
1999 20.1% -13.4%
1998 17.9% -28%
1997 17.3% -1%

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/zimbabwe | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Iran has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 21.6%, compared with 93.4% in Zimbabwe. In 2024, inflation was 32.5% in Iran and 736% in Zimbabwe.

Top exports between countries

Iran
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $232K
Textiles & consumer goods $16K
Raw agricultural goods $2K
Wood & paper products $1K
Zimbabwe
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Iran Zimbabwe
Current account balance
$12.5B
2000
$501M
2024
Current account balance ranking
22/190
2000
62/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+11.4%
2000
+1.21%
2024
Goods imports
$15.2B
2000
$9.06B
2024
Goods exports
$28.3B
2000
$7.79B
2024
Service imports
$2.3B
2000
$1.66B
2024
Service exports
$1.38B
2000
$457M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.5%
2024
23.4%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
23.6%
2024
18%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Iran Zimbabwe
Economic freedom 41.8 35.2
Economic freedom ranking 185/197 190/197
Property rights 20.2 19.4
Government integrity 16.2 20.7
Judicial effectiveness 18.7 16.8
Tax burden 81.3 73.6
Government spending 94.7 93.9
Fiscal health 83.3 52.4
Business freedom 37.4 42
Labor freedom 41.8 33.3
Monetary freedom 42.2 0
Trade freedom 55.8 50.4
Investment freedom 5 10
Financial freedom 5 10

Economic freedom comparison by year

Iran
Zimbabwe
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Iran Zimbabwe
2026 41.8 35.2
2025 42.5 35.1
2024 41.2 38.2
2023 42.2 39
2022 42.4 33.1
2021 47.2 39.5
2020 49.2 43.1
2019 51.1 40.4
2018 50.9 44
2017 50.5 44
2016 43.5 38.2
2015 41.8 37.6
2014 40.3 35.5
2013 43.2 28.6
2012 42.3 26.3
2011 42.1 22.1
2010 43.4 21.4
2009 44.6 22.7
2008 45 29.5
2007 45 32
2006 45 33.5
2005 50.5 35.2
2004 42.8 34.4
2003 43.2 36.7
2002 36.4 36.7
2001 35.9 38.8
2000 36.1 48.7
1999 36.8 47.2
1998 36 44.6
1997 34.5 48
1996 36.1 46.7
1995 - 48.5

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Iran is 41.8, ranking 185/197, compared to 35.2 for Zimbabwe, ranking 190/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Iran Zimbabwe
Services, % of GDP
49.8%
2024
50.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
36.1%
2024
35%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
10.8%
2024
8.69%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$469B
2024
$39.9B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$19,820
2024
$5,870
2024
Total reserves including gold
$7.69B
1982
$485M
2024
Total reserves ranking
85/177
1982
157/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$39M
2000
-$465M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.45B
2024
$465M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$89.4M
2024
$131M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.08%
2024
3.44%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
18.7%
2020
38.3%
2019
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
44.3%
2024
8.85%
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/zimbabwe | 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.