Updated
Overview
Iran has 17 times the population of Ireland: 92.42 million people against 5.48 million (2025).
Ireland's economy is 2.0 times the size of Iran's, at $721.70B versus $362.68B.
Per person, Ireland is the wealthier of the two: $131,592 against $3,924 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Iran | Ireland | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $362.68B | Higher: $721.70B | 2025 | $436.91B / $577.39B |
| GDP per capita | $3,924 | Higher: $131,592 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | -2.8% | Higher: 12.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 42.2% | Lower: 2.2% | 2025 | 32.5% / 2.1% |
| Unemployment | 8.3% | Lower: 4.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | — | 85 | — / 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | — | $5,697 | — / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $1,264 | Higher: $2,579 | 2023 / 2025 | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 92.42 million | 5.48 million | 2025 | 89.18 million / 5.23 million |
| Population growth | 0.9% | 1.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 34.0 yrs | 39.0 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.67 | 1.60 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 77.9 yrs | Higher: 83.0 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 77% | 65% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 85% | Higher: 97% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 1,648,195 km² | 70,273 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 56.1/km² | 78.0/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 793 Mt | Lower: 33 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 8.7 t | Lower: 6.3 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $7.89B | $1.33B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.0% | 0.2% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 650,000 | 9,000 | 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
Ireland grew while the other economy contracted: 12.3% against -2.8%.
Inflation is a serious concern in Iran at 42.2%, while the other economy sits at 2.2%.
People and society
Iran is the younger society: median age 34.0 versus 39.0 years.
Life expectancy is 5.2 years longer in Ireland (83.0 vs 77.9).
Iran is considerably more urbanized: 77% of people live in cities, against 65%.
Internet adoption is higher in Ireland (97% vs 85% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Iran is 23 times the size of Ireland: 1,648,195 km² versus 70,273 km².
Military
Iran spends 5.9 times as much on defence as Ireland: $7.89B versus $1.33B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Iran carries the heavier military burden: 2.0% of GDP versus 0.2%.
Iran fields the larger armed forces: 650,000 personnel against 9,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Iran bigger than Ireland?
- Iran is larger by land area. Iran covers 1,648,195 km² while Ireland covers 70,273 km², so Iran is 23 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Iran or Ireland?
- Iran has the larger population: 92.42 million versus 5.48 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Iran richer than Ireland?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Ireland is richer: $131,592 against $3,924. Total GDP tells the same story: $362.68B for Iran versus $721.70B for Ireland.
- Who spends more on their military, Iran or Ireland?
- Iran spends more: $7.89B versus $1.33B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).