Updated
Overview
Iran has 2.1 times the population of Afghanistan: 92.42 million people against 43.84 million (2025).
Iran's economy is 20 times the size of Afghanistan's, at $362.68B versus $17.78B.
Per person, Iran is the wealthier of the two: $3,924 against $417 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Iran | Afghanistan | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $362.68B | $17.78B | 2025 / 2024 | $436.91B / $17.15B |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $3,924 | $417 | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| GDP growth | -2.8% | Higher: 1.9% | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Inflation | 42.2% | Lower: -6.6% | 2025 / 2024 | 32.5% / — |
| Unemployment | Lower: 8.3% | 13.4% | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | — | $172 | — / 2020 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | Higher: $1,264 | $72 | 2023 / 2020 | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 92.42 million | 43.84 million | 2025 | 89.18 million / 49.47 million |
| Population growth | 0.9% | 2.8% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 34.0 yrs | 17.3 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.67 | 4.66 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 77.9 yrs | 66.3 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 77% | 26% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 85% | 16% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 1,648,195 km² | 652,230 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 56.1/km² | 67.2/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 793 Mt | Lower: 11 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 8.7 t | Lower: 0.3 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $7.89B | $278.25M | 2024 / 2021 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.0% | 1.8% | 2024 / 2021 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 650,000 | 165,000 | 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
Afghanistan grew while the other economy contracted: 1.9% against -2.8%.
Inflation is a serious concern in Iran at 42.2%, while the other economy sits at -6.6%.
People and society
Afghanistan is the far younger society: median age 17.3 versus 34.0 years.
Life expectancy is 11.6 years longer in Iran (77.9 vs 66.3).
Iran is considerably more urbanized: 77% of people live in cities, against 26%.
Internet adoption is higher in Iran (85% vs 16% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Iran is 2.5 times the size of Afghanistan: 1,648,195 km² versus 652,230 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Military
Iran spends 28 times as much on defence as Afghanistan: $7.89B versus $278.25M (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Iran fields the larger armed forces: 650,000 personnel against 165,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Iran bigger than Afghanistan?
- Iran is larger by land area. Iran covers 1,648,195 km² while Afghanistan covers 652,230 km², so Iran is 2.5 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Iran or Afghanistan?
- Iran has the larger population: 92.42 million versus 43.84 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Iran richer than Afghanistan?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Iran is richer: $3,924 against $417. Total GDP tells the same story: $362.68B for Iran versus $17.78B for Afghanistan.
- Who spends more on their military, Iran or Afghanistan?
- Iran spends more: $7.89B versus $278.25M per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).