Updated
Overview
Iran has 7.7 times the population of Belgium: 92.42 million people against 11.94 million (2025).
Belgium's economy is 2.0 times the size of Iran's, at $725.47B versus $362.68B.
Per person, Belgium is the wealthier of the two: $60,750 against $3,924 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Iran | Belgium | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $362.68B | Higher: $725.47B | 2025 | $436.91B / $664.56B |
| GDP per capita | $3,924 | Higher: $60,750 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | -2.8% | Higher: 1.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 42.2% | Lower: 2.5% | 2025 | 32.5% / 3.1% |
| Unemployment | 8.3% | Lower: 5.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | — | 81 | — / 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | — | $7,044 | — / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $1,264 | Higher: $2,387 | 2023 / 2025 | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 92.42 million | 11.94 million | 2025 | 89.18 million / 11.96 million |
| Population growth | 0.9% | 0.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 34.0 yrs | 41.9 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.67 | 1.39 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 77.9 yrs | Higher: 82.3 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 77% | 88% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 85% | Higher: 96% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 1,648,195 km² | 30,528 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 56.1/km² | 391.2/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 793 Mt | Lower: 85 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 8.7 t | Lower: 7.3 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $7.89B | $8.56B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.0% | 1.3% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 650,000 | 24,000 | 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
Belgium grew while the other economy contracted: 1.0% against -2.8%.
Inflation is a serious concern in Iran at 42.2%, while the other economy sits at 2.5%.
People and society
Iran is the younger society: median age 34.0 versus 41.9 years.
Life expectancy is 4.4 years longer in Belgium (82.3 vs 77.9).
Belgium is considerably more urbanized: 88% of people live in cities, against 77%.
Internet adoption is higher in Belgium (96% vs 85% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Iran is 54 times the size of Belgium: 1,648,195 km² versus 30,528 km².
Belgium is far more densely settled: 391 people per km² against 56.
Military
Defence budgets are of similar magnitude: $7.89B (Iran) and $8.56B (Belgium).
Iran fields the larger armed forces: 650,000 personnel against 24,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Iran bigger than Belgium?
- Iran is larger by land area. Iran covers 1,648,195 km² while Belgium covers 30,528 km², so Iran is 54 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Iran or Belgium?
- Iran has the larger population: 92.42 million versus 11.94 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Iran richer than Belgium?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Belgium is richer: $60,750 against $3,924. Total GDP tells the same story: $362.68B for Iran versus $725.47B for Belgium.
- Who spends more on their military, Iran or Belgium?
- Belgium spends more: $8.56B versus $7.89B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).