Updated
Overview
Iran has 4.7 times the population of Chile: 92.42 million people against 19.86 million (2025).
Their economies are close in size: $362.68B for Iran and $357.37B for Chile.
Per person, Chile is the wealthier of the two: $17,995 against $3,924 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Iran | Chile | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $362.68B | $357.37B | 2025 | $436.91B / $330.27B |
| GDP per capita | $3,924 | Higher: $17,995 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | -2.8% | Higher: 2.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 42.2% | Lower: 4.2% | 2025 | 32.5% / 4.3% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 8.3% | 9.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | — | 48 | — / 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | — | $1,024 | — / 2024 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | Higher: $1,264 | $530 | 2023 / 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | — | $5.41 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 92.42 million | 19.86 million | 2025 | 89.18 million / 19.09 million |
| Population growth | 0.9% | 0.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 34.0 yrs | 36.9 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.67 | 1.13 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 77.9 yrs | Higher: 81.4 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 77% | 89% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 85% | Higher: 96% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 1,648,195 km² | 756,102 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 56.1/km² | 26.3/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 793 Mt | Lower: 79 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 8.7 t | Lower: 4.0 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $7.89B | $5.11B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.0% | 1.6% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 650,000 | 114,000 | 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
Chile grew while the other economy contracted: 2.5% against -2.8%.
Inflation is a serious concern in Iran at 42.2%, while the other economy sits at 4.2%.
People and society
Iran is the younger society: median age 34.0 versus 36.9 years.
Life expectancy is 3.5 years longer in Chile (81.4 vs 77.9).
Chile is considerably more urbanized: 89% of people live in cities, against 77%.
Internet adoption is higher in Chile (96% vs 85% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Iran is 2.2 times the size of Chile: 1,648,195 km² versus 756,102 km².
Iran is far more densely settled: 56 people per km² against 26.
Military
Iran spends about 55% more on defence than Chile: $7.89B versus $5.11B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Iran fields the larger armed forces: 650,000 personnel against 114,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Iran bigger than Chile?
- Iran is larger by land area. Iran covers 1,648,195 km² while Chile covers 756,102 km², so Iran is 2.2 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Iran or Chile?
- Iran has the larger population: 92.42 million versus 19.86 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Iran richer than Chile?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Chile is richer: $17,995 against $3,924. Total GDP tells a different story: $362.68B for Iran versus $357.37B for Chile.
- Who spends more on their military, Iran or Chile?
- Iran spends more: $7.89B versus $5.11B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).