Updated
Overview
Iran has 3.3 times the population of Australia: 92.42 million people against 27.61 million (2025).
Australia's economy is 5.0 times the size of Iran's, at $1.80T versus $362.68B.
Per person, Australia is the wealthier of the two: $65,130 against $3,924 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Iran | Australia | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $362.68B | Higher: $1.80T | 2025 | $436.91B / $1.75T |
| GDP per capita | $3,924 | Higher: $65,130 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | -2.8% | Higher: 1.4% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 42.2% | Lower: 2.9% | 2025 | 32.5% / 3.2% |
| Unemployment | 8.3% | Lower: 4.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | — | 90 | — / 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | — | $4,436 | — / 2021 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $1,264 | Higher: $2,655 | 2023 / 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | — | $5.95 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 92.42 million | 27.61 million | 2025 | 89.18 million / 27.49 million |
| Population growth | 0.9% | 1.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 34.0 yrs | 38.3 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.67 | 1.64 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 77.9 yrs | Higher: 83.1 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 77% | 88% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 85% | Higher: 96% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 1,648,195 km² | 7,692,024 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 56.1/km² | 3.6/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 793 Mt | Lower: 387 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 8.7 t | 14.5 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $7.89B | $33.82B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.0% | 1.9% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 650,000 | 60,000 | 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
Australia grew while the other economy contracted: 1.4% against -2.8%.
Inflation is a serious concern in Iran at 42.2%, while the other economy sits at 2.9%.
People and society
Iran is the younger society: median age 34.0 versus 38.3 years.
Life expectancy is 5.2 years longer in Australia (83.1 vs 77.9).
Australia is considerably more urbanized: 88% of people live in cities, against 77%.
Internet adoption is higher in Australia (96% vs 85% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Iran is 79% smaller than Australia: 1,648,195 km² versus 7,692,024 km².
Iran is far more densely settled: 56 people per km² against 4.
Military
Australia spends 4.3 times as much on defence as Iran: $33.82B versus $7.89B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Iran fields the larger armed forces: 650,000 personnel against 60,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Iran bigger than Australia?
- Australia is larger by land area. Iran covers 1,648,195 km² while Australia covers 7,692,024 km², so Australia is 4.7 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Iran or Australia?
- Iran has the larger population: 92.42 million versus 27.61 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Iran richer than Australia?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Australia is richer: $65,130 against $3,924. Total GDP tells the same story: $362.68B for Iran versus $1.80T for Australia.
- Who spends more on their military, Iran or Australia?
- Australia spends more: $33.82B versus $7.89B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).