Updated
Overview
Bangladesh has about 90% more people than Iran: 175.69 million against 92.42 million (2025).
Bangladesh's economy is 26% larger than Iran's, at $456.32B versus $362.68B.
Per person, Iran is the wealthier of the two: $3,924 against $2,597 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Bangladesh | Iran | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $456.32B | $362.68B | 2025 | $450.12B / $436.91B |
| GDP per capita | $2,597 | Higher: $3,924 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 3.5% | -2.8% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 8.8% | 42.2% | 2025 | 10.5% / 32.5% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 3.8% | 8.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 25 | — | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $134 | — | 2024 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $108 | Higher: $1,264 | 2024 / 2023 | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 175.69 million | 92.42 million | 2025 | 174.37 million / 89.18 million |
| Population growth | 1.2% | 0.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 26.0 yrs | 34.0 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 2.11 | 1.67 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 74.9 yrs | Higher: 77.9 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 33% | 77% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 53% | Higher: 85% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 147,570 km² | 1,648,195 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 1190.5/km² | 56.1/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | Lower: 108 Mt | 793 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 0.6 t | 8.7 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $4.03B | $7.89B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 0.9% | 2.0% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 227,000 | 650,000 | 2020 | — / — |
Sources by row: World Bank WDI, IMF WEO, UN WPP 2024, ILOSTAT, The Economist. Emphasis marks the stronger figure where one direction is meaningfully better.
Reading the numbers
Economy
Bangladesh grew while the other economy contracted: 3.5% against -2.8%.
Inflation is a serious concern in Iran at 42.2%, while the other economy sits at 8.8%.
People and society
Bangladesh is the younger society: median age 26.0 versus 34.0 years.
Life expectancy is 2.9 years longer in Iran (77.9 vs 74.9).
Iran is considerably more urbanized: 77% of people live in cities, against 33%.
Internet adoption is higher in Iran (85% vs 53% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Bangladesh is only about 1/11 the size of Iran: 147,570 km² versus 1,648,195 km².
Bangladesh is far more densely settled: 1191 people per km² against 56.
Military
Iran spends 2.0 times as much on defence as Bangladesh: $7.89B versus $4.03B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Iran carries the heavier military burden: 2.0% of GDP versus 0.9%.
Iran fields the larger armed forces: 650,000 personnel against 227,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Bangladesh bigger than Iran?
- Iran is larger by land area. Bangladesh covers 147,570 km² while Iran covers 1,648,195 km², so Iran is 11 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Bangladesh or Iran?
- Bangladesh has the larger population: 175.69 million versus 92.42 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Bangladesh richer than Iran?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Iran is richer: $3,924 against $2,597. Total GDP tells a different story: $456.32B for Bangladesh versus $362.68B for Iran.
- Who spends more on their military, Bangladesh or Iran?
- Iran spends more: $7.89B versus $4.03B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).