Updated
Overview
Iran has 2.5 times the population of Poland: 92.42 million people against 36.44 million (2025).
Poland's economy is 2.9 times the size of Iran's, at $1.04T versus $362.68B.
Per person, Poland is the wealthier of the two: $28,420 against $3,924 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Iran | Poland | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $362.68B | Higher: $1.04T | 2025 | $436.91B / $914.70B |
| GDP per capita | $3,924 | Higher: $28,420 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | -2.8% | Higher: 3.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 42.2% | Lower: 3.8% | 2025 | 32.5% / 3.8% |
| Unemployment | 8.3% | Lower: 3.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | — | 52 | — / 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | — | $2,302 | — / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | Higher: $1,264 | $1,241 | 2023 / 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | — | $6.22 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 92.42 million | 36.44 million | 2025 | 89.18 million / 38.75 million |
| Population growth | 0.9% | -0.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 34.0 yrs | 42.5 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.67 | 1.31 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 77.9 yrs | Higher: 78.4 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 77% | 60% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 85% | Higher: 89% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 1,648,195 km² | 312,679 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 56.1/km² | 116.5/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 793 Mt | Lower: 273 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 8.7 t | Lower: 7.1 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $7.89B | $38.00B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.0% | 4.2% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 650,000 | 189,000 | 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
Poland grew while the other economy contracted: 3.6% against -2.8%.
Inflation is a serious concern in Iran at 42.2%, while the other economy sits at 3.8%.
People and society
Iran is the far younger society: median age 34.0 versus 42.5 years.
Iran is considerably more urbanized: 77% of people live in cities, against 60%.
Geography
By land area, Iran is 5.3 times the size of Poland: 1,648,195 km² versus 312,679 km².
Poland is far more densely settled: 117 people per km² against 56.
Military
Poland spends 4.8 times as much on defence as Iran: $38.00B versus $7.89B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Poland carries the heavier military burden: 4.2% of GDP versus 2.0%.
Iran fields the larger armed forces: 650,000 personnel against 189,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Iran bigger than Poland?
- Iran is larger by land area. Iran covers 1,648,195 km² while Poland covers 312,679 km², so Iran is 5.3 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Iran or Poland?
- Iran has the larger population: 92.42 million versus 36.44 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Iran richer than Poland?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Poland is richer: $28,420 against $3,924. Total GDP tells the same story: $362.68B for Iran versus $1.04T for Poland.
- Who spends more on their military, Iran or Poland?
- Poland spends more: $38.00B versus $7.89B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).