Updated
Overview
Iran has 2.2 times the population of Canada: 92.42 million people against 41.65 million (2025).
Canada's economy is 6.4 times the size of Iran's, at $2.32T versus $362.68B.
Per person, Canada is the wealthier of the two: $55,698 against $3,924 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Iran | Canada | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $362.68B | Higher: $2.32T | 2025 | $436.91B / $2.24T |
| GDP per capita | $3,924 | Higher: $55,698 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | -2.8% | Higher: 1.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 42.2% | Lower: 2.1% | 2025 | 32.5% / 2.4% |
| Unemployment | 8.3% | Lower: 6.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | — | 83 | — / 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | — | $4,121 | — / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $1,264 | Higher: $2,106 | 2023 / 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | — | $5.81 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 92.42 million | 41.65 million | 2025 | 89.18 million / 39.19 million |
| Population growth | 0.9% | 0.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 34.0 yrs | 40.6 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.67 | 1.33 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 77.9 yrs | Higher: 82.1 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 77% | 83% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 85% | Higher: 94% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 1,648,195 km² | 9,984,670 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 56.1/km² | 4.2/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 793 Mt | Lower: 533 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 8.7 t | 13.4 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $7.89B | $29.35B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.0% | 1.3% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 650,000 | 72,000 | 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
Canada grew while the other economy contracted: 1.7% against -2.8%.
Inflation is a serious concern in Iran at 42.2%, while the other economy sits at 2.1%.
People and society
Iran is the younger society: median age 34.0 versus 40.6 years.
Life expectancy is 4.3 years longer in Canada (82.1 vs 77.9).
Geography
By land area, Iran is 83% smaller than Canada: 1,648,195 km² versus 9,984,670 km².
Iran is far more densely settled: 56 people per km² against 4.
Military
Canada spends 3.7 times as much on defence as Iran: $29.35B versus $7.89B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Iran fields the larger armed forces: 650,000 personnel against 72,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Iran bigger than Canada?
- Canada is larger by land area. Iran covers 1,648,195 km² while Canada covers 9,984,670 km², so Canada is 6.1 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Iran or Canada?
- Iran has the larger population: 92.42 million versus 41.65 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Iran richer than Canada?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Canada is richer: $55,698 against $3,924. Total GDP tells the same story: $362.68B for Iran versus $2.32T for Canada.
- Who spends more on their military, Iran or Canada?
- Canada spends more: $29.35B versus $7.89B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).