Updated
Overview
Iran has 2.0 times the population of Iraq: 92.42 million people against 47.02 million (2025).
Iran's economy is about 45% larger than Iraq's, at $362.68B versus $254.37B.
Per person, Iraq is the wealthier of the two: $5,410 against $3,924 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Iran | Iraq | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $362.68B | $254.37B | 2025 | $436.91B / $279.64B |
| GDP per capita | $3,924 | Higher: $5,410 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | -2.8% | Higher: -2.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 42.2% | Lower: 0.3% | 2025 | 32.5% / 4.4% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 8.3% | 15.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | — | 38 | — / 2024 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | Higher: $1,264 | $269 | 2023 / 2024 | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 92.42 million | 47.02 million | 2025 | 89.18 million / 42.92 million |
| Population growth | 0.9% | 2.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 34.0 yrs | 20.8 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.67 | 3.17 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 77.9 yrs | 72.4 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 77% | 70% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 85% | 81% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 1,648,195 km² | 438,317 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 56.1/km² | 107.3/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 793 Mt | Lower: 234 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 8.7 t | Lower: 5.1 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $7.89B | $6.18B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.0% | 2.4% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 650,000 | 459,000 | 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
Both economies contracted, Iraq less sharply: -2.2% against -2.8%.
Inflation is a serious concern in Iran at 42.2%, while the other economy sits at 0.3%.
People and society
Iraq is the far younger society: median age 20.8 versus 34.0 years.
Life expectancy is 5.4 years longer in Iran (77.9 vs 72.4).
Geography
By land area, Iran is 3.8 times the size of Iraq: 1,648,195 km² versus 438,317 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Military
Iran spends 28% more on defence than Iraq: $7.89B versus $6.18B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Iran fields the larger armed forces: 650,000 personnel against 459,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Iran bigger than Iraq?
- Iran is larger by land area. Iran covers 1,648,195 km² while Iraq covers 438,317 km², so Iran is 3.8 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Iran or Iraq?
- Iran has the larger population: 92.42 million versus 47.02 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Iran richer than Iraq?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Iraq is richer: $5,410 against $3,924. Total GDP tells a different story: $362.68B for Iran versus $254.37B for Iraq.
- Who spends more on their military, Iran or Iraq?
- Iran spends more: $7.89B versus $6.18B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).