Updated
Overview
Iran has 15 times the population of Singapore: 92.42 million people against 6.11 million (2025).
Singapore's economy is about 65% larger than Iran's, at $603.87B versus $362.68B.
Per person, Singapore is the wealthier of the two: $98,814 against $3,924 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Iran | Singapore | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $362.68B | Higher: $603.87B | 2025 | $436.91B / $547.39B |
| GDP per capita | $3,924 | Higher: $98,814 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | -2.8% | Higher: 5.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 42.2% | Lower: 0.9% | 2025 | 32.5% / 2.4% |
| Unemployment | 8.3% | Lower: 2.8% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | — | 60 | — / 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | — | $3,483 | — / 2021 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $1,264 | — | 2023 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | — | $5.77 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 92.42 million | 6.11 million | 2025 | 89.18 million / 6.08 million |
| Population growth | 0.9% | 1.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 34.0 yrs | 36.2 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.67 | 0.96 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 77.9 yrs | Higher: 83.3 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 77% | 100% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 85% | Higher: 94% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 1,648,195 km² | 719 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 56.1/km² | 8499.5/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 793 Mt | Lower: 54 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 8.7 t | 9.2 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $7.89B | $15.06B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.0% | 2.8% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 650,000 | 59,000 | 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
Singapore grew while the other economy contracted: 5.0% against -2.8%.
Inflation is a serious concern in Iran at 42.2%, while the other economy sits at 0.9%.
People and society
Iran is the younger society: median age 34.0 versus 36.2 years.
Life expectancy is 5.5 years longer in Singapore (83.3 vs 77.9).
Singapore is considerably more urbanized: 100% of people live in cities, against 77%.
Geography
By land area, Iran is 2,292 times the size of Singapore: 1,648,195 km² versus 719 km².
Singapore is far more densely settled: 8500 people per km² against 56.
Military
Singapore spends about 90% more on defence than Iran: $15.06B versus $7.89B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Singapore carries the heavier military burden: 2.8% of GDP versus 2.0%.
Iran fields the larger armed forces: 650,000 personnel against 59,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Iran bigger than Singapore?
- Iran is larger by land area. Iran covers 1,648,195 km² while Singapore covers 719 km², so Iran is 2,292 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Iran or Singapore?
- Iran has the larger population: 92.42 million versus 6.11 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Iran richer than Singapore?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Singapore is richer: $98,814 against $3,924. Total GDP tells the same story: $362.68B for Iran versus $603.87B for Singapore.
- Who spends more on their military, Iran or Singapore?
- Singapore spends more: $15.06B versus $7.89B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).