Updated
Overview
Iran has 30 times the population of Armenia: 92.42 million people against 3.09 million (2025).
Iran's economy is 12 times the size of Armenia's, at $362.68B versus $29.24B.
Per person, Armenia is the wealthier of the two: $9,474 against $3,924 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Iran | Armenia | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $362.68B | $29.24B | 2025 | $436.91B / $25.79B |
| GDP per capita | $3,924 | Higher: $9,474 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | -2.8% | Higher: 7.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 42.2% | Lower: 3.3% | 2025 | 32.5% / 0.3% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 8.3% | 12.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | — | 38 | — / 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | — | $405 | — / 2023 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | Higher: $1,264 | $191 | 2023 / 2024 | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 92.42 million | 3.09 million | 2025 | 89.18 million / 2.96 million |
| Population growth | 0.9% | 1.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 34.0 yrs | 36.6 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.67 | 1.71 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 77.9 yrs | Higher: 78.3 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 77% | 66% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 85% | 81% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 1,648,195 km² | 29,743 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 56.1/km² | 103.8/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 793 Mt | Lower: 7.43 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 8.7 t | Lower: 2.5 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $7.89B | $1.42B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.0% | 5.5% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 650,000 | 47,000 | 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
Armenia grew while the other economy contracted: 7.2% against -2.8%.
Inflation is a serious concern in Iran at 42.2%, while the other economy sits at 3.3%.
People and society
Iran is the younger society: median age 34.0 versus 36.6 years.
Iran is considerably more urbanized: 77% of people live in cities, against 66%.
Geography
By land area, Iran is 55 times the size of Armenia: 1,648,195 km² versus 29,743 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Military
Iran spends 5.6 times as much on defence as Armenia: $7.89B versus $1.42B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Armenia carries the heavier military burden: 5.5% of GDP versus 2.0%.
Iran fields the larger armed forces: 650,000 personnel against 47,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Iran bigger than Armenia?
- Iran is larger by land area. Iran covers 1,648,195 km² while Armenia covers 29,743 km², so Iran is 55 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Iran or Armenia?
- Iran has the larger population: 92.42 million versus 3.09 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Iran richer than Armenia?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Armenia is richer: $9,474 against $3,924. Total GDP tells a different story: $362.68B for Iran versus $29.24B for Armenia.
- Who spends more on their military, Iran or Armenia?
- Iran spends more: $7.89B versus $1.42B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).