Updated
Overview
Iran has 15 times the population of Denmark: 92.42 million people against 6.01 million (2025).
Denmark's economy is 28% larger than Iran's, at $462.53B versus $362.68B.
Per person, Denmark is the wealthier of the two: $76,970 against $3,924 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Iran | Denmark | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $362.68B | Higher: $462.53B | 2025 | $436.91B / $429.46B |
| GDP per capita | $3,924 | Higher: $76,970 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | -2.8% | Higher: 2.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 42.2% | Lower: 1.9% | 2025 | 32.5% / 1.4% |
| Unemployment | 8.3% | Lower: 5.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | — | 92 | — / 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | — | $6,992 | — / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $1,264 | — | 2023 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | — | $7.04 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 92.42 million | 6.01 million | 2025 | 89.18 million / 6.05 million |
| Population growth | 0.9% | 0.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 34.0 yrs | 41.3 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.67 | 1.52 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 77.9 yrs | Higher: 82.3 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 77% | 89% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 85% | Higher: 100% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 1,648,195 km² | 43,094 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 56.1/km² | 139.4/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 793 Mt | Lower: 28 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 8.7 t | Lower: 4.7 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $7.89B | $9.96B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.0% | 2.4% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 650,000 | 15,000 | 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
Denmark grew while the other economy contracted: 2.9% against -2.8%.
Inflation is a serious concern in Iran at 42.2%, while the other economy sits at 1.9%.
People and society
Iran is the younger society: median age 34.0 versus 41.3 years.
Life expectancy is 4.4 years longer in Denmark (82.3 vs 77.9).
Denmark is considerably more urbanized: 89% of people live in cities, against 77%.
Internet adoption is higher in Denmark (100% vs 85% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Iran is 38 times the size of Denmark: 1,648,195 km² versus 43,094 km².
Denmark is far more densely settled: 139 people per km² against 56.
Military
Denmark spends 26% more on defence than Iran: $9.96B versus $7.89B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Iran fields the larger armed forces: 650,000 personnel against 15,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Iran bigger than Denmark?
- Iran is larger by land area. Iran covers 1,648,195 km² while Denmark covers 43,094 km², so Iran is 38 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Iran or Denmark?
- Iran has the larger population: 92.42 million versus 6.01 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Iran richer than Denmark?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Denmark is richer: $76,970 against $3,924. Total GDP tells the same story: $362.68B for Iran versus $462.53B for Denmark.
- Who spends more on their military, Iran or Denmark?
- Denmark spends more: $9.96B versus $7.89B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).