Updated
Overview
Iran has 5.1 times the population of the Netherlands: 92.42 million people against 18.09 million (2025).
The Netherlands' economy is 3.7 times the size of Iran's, at $1.33T versus $362.68B.
Per person, the Netherlands is the wealthier of the two: $73,684 against $3,924 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Iran | Netherlands | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $362.68B | Higher: $1.33T | 2025 | $436.91B / $1.23T |
| GDP per capita | $3,924 | Higher: $73,684 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | -2.8% | Higher: 1.8% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 42.2% | Lower: 3.3% | 2025 | 32.5% / 3.3% |
| Unemployment | 8.3% | Lower: 3.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | — | 84 | — / 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | — | $6,402 | — / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $1,264 | Higher: $2,538 | 2023 / 2025 | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 92.42 million | 18.09 million | 2025 | 89.18 million / 17.83 million |
| Population growth | 0.9% | 0.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 34.0 yrs | 41.5 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.67 | 1.44 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 77.9 yrs | Higher: 82.0 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 77% | 96% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 85% | Higher: 97% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 1,648,195 km² | 41,850 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 56.1/km² | 432.2/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 793 Mt | Lower: 115 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 8.7 t | Lower: 6.3 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $7.89B | $23.18B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.0% | 1.9% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 650,000 | 41,000 | 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
The Netherlands grew while the other economy contracted: 1.8% against -2.8%.
Inflation is a serious concern in Iran at 42.2%, while the other economy sits at 3.3%.
People and society
Iran is the younger society: median age 34.0 versus 41.5 years.
Life expectancy is 4.1 years longer in the Netherlands (82.0 vs 77.9).
The Netherlands is considerably more urbanized: 96% of people live in cities, against 77%.
Internet adoption is higher in the Netherlands (97% vs 85% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Iran is 39 times the size of the Netherlands: 1,648,195 km² versus 41,850 km².
The Netherlands is far more densely settled: 432 people per km² against 56.
Military
The Netherlands spends 2.9 times as much on defence as Iran: $23.18B versus $7.89B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Iran fields the larger armed forces: 650,000 personnel against 41,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Iran bigger than the Netherlands?
- Iran is larger by land area. Iran covers 1,648,195 km² while the Netherlands covers 41,850 km², so Iran is 39 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Iran or the Netherlands?
- Iran has the larger population: 92.42 million versus 18.09 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Iran richer than the Netherlands?
- Measured by GDP per capita, the Netherlands is richer: $73,684 against $3,924. Total GDP tells the same story: $362.68B for Iran versus $1.33T for the Netherlands.
- Who spends more on their military, Iran or the Netherlands?
- The Netherlands spends more: $23.18B versus $7.89B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).