Updated
Overview
Iran has 2.0 times the population of Argentina: 92.42 million people against 45.85 million (2025).
Argentina's economy is about 90% larger than Iran's, at $683.10B versus $362.68B.
Per person, Argentina is the wealthier of the two: $14,898 against $3,924 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Iran | Argentina | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $362.68B | Higher: $683.10B | 2025 | $436.91B / $633.27B |
| GDP per capita | $3,924 | Higher: $14,898 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | -2.8% | Higher: 4.4% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 42.2% | 219.9% | 2025 / 2024 | 32.5% / — |
| Unemployment | 8.3% | Lower: 7.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | — | 46 | — / 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | — | $811 | — / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | Higher: $1,264 | $297 | 2023 / 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | — | $5.91 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 92.42 million | 45.85 million | 2025 | 89.18 million / 45.42 million |
| Population growth | 0.9% | 0.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 34.0 yrs | 32.9 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.67 | 1.50 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 77.9 yrs | 77.5 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 77% | 92% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 85% | Higher: 90% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 1,648,195 km² | 2,780,400 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 56.1/km² | 16.5/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 793 Mt | Lower: 171 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 8.7 t | Lower: 3.7 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $7.89B | $4.18B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.0% | 0.6% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 650,000 | 103,000 | 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
Argentina grew while the other economy contracted: 4.4% against -2.8%.
Inflation is a serious concern in Argentina at 219.9%, while the other economy sits at 42.2%.
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 34.0 (Iran) and 32.9 (Argentina).
Argentina is considerably more urbanized: 92% of people live in cities, against 77%.
Geography
By land area, Iran is 41% smaller than Argentina: 1,648,195 km² versus 2,780,400 km².
Iran is far more densely settled: 56 people per km² against 16.
Military
Iran spends about 90% more on defence than Argentina: $7.89B versus $4.18B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Iran carries the heavier military burden: 2.0% of GDP versus 0.6%.
Iran fields the larger armed forces: 650,000 personnel against 103,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Iran bigger than Argentina?
- Argentina is larger by land area. Iran covers 1,648,195 km² while Argentina covers 2,780,400 km², so Argentina is 69% larger than the other.
- Which has more people, Iran or Argentina?
- Iran has the larger population: 92.42 million versus 45.85 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Iran richer than Argentina?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Argentina is richer: $14,898 against $3,924. Total GDP tells the same story: $362.68B for Iran versus $683.10B for Argentina.
- Who spends more on their military, Iran or Argentina?
- Iran spends more: $7.89B versus $4.18B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).