Updated
Overview
Brazil has 2.3 times the population of Iran: 212.81 million people against 92.42 million (2025).
Brazil's economy is 6.3 times the size of Iran's, at $2.28T versus $362.68B.
Per person, Brazil is the wealthier of the two: $10,713 against $3,924 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Brazil | Iran | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $2.28T | $362.68B | 2025 | $2.18T / $436.91B |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $10,713 | $3,924 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 2.3% | -2.8% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 5.0% | 42.2% | 2025 | 4.4% / 32.5% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 6.0% | 8.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 46 | — | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $607 | — | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $262 | Higher: $1,264 | 2024 / 2023 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $4.71 | — | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 212.81 million | 92.42 million | 2025 | 221.36 million / 89.18 million |
| Population growth | 0.4% | 0.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 34.8 yrs | 34.0 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.60 | 1.67 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 76.0 yrs | Higher: 77.9 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 88% | 77% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 84% | Higher: 85% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 8,515,767 km² | 1,648,195 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 25.0/km² | 56.1/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | Lower: 483 Mt | 793 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 2.3 t | 8.7 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $20.95B | $7.89B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.0% | 2.0% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 762,000 | 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
Brazil grew while the other economy contracted: 2.3% against -2.8%.
Inflation is a serious concern in Iran at 42.2%, while the other economy sits at 5.0%.
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 34.8 (Brazil) and 34.0 (Iran).
Life expectancy is 1.8 years longer in Iran (77.9 vs 76.0).
Brazil is considerably more urbanized: 88% of people live in cities, against 77%.
Geography
By land area, Brazil is 5.2 times the size of Iran: 8,515,767 km² versus 1,648,195 km².
Iran is far more densely settled: 56 people per km² against 25.
Military
Brazil spends 2.7 times as much on defence as Iran: $20.95B versus $7.89B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Iran carries the heavier military burden: 2.0% of GDP versus 1.0%.
Brazil fields the larger armed forces: 762,000 personnel against 650,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Brazil bigger than Iran?
- Brazil is larger by land area. Brazil covers 8,515,767 km² while Iran covers 1,648,195 km², so Brazil is 5.2 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Brazil or Iran?
- Brazil has the larger population: 212.81 million versus 92.42 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Brazil richer than Iran?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Brazil is richer: $10,713 against $3,924. Total GDP tells the same story: $2.28T for Brazil versus $362.68B for Iran.
- Who spends more on their military, Brazil or Iran?
- Brazil spends more: $20.95B versus $7.89B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).