Updated
Overview
Iran has about 45% more people than South Africa: 92.42 million against 64.75 million (2025).
South Africa's economy is 18% larger than Iran's, at $427.18B versus $362.68B.
Per person, South Africa is the wealthier of the two: $6,598 against $3,924 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Iran | South Africa | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $362.68B | Higher: $427.18B | 2025 | $436.91B / $400.26B |
| GDP per capita | $3,924 | Higher: $6,598 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | -2.8% | Higher: 1.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 42.2% | Lower: 3.2% | 2025 | 32.5% / 4.4% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 8.3% | 32.4% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | — | 41 | — / 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | — | $485 | — / 2020 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | Higher: $1,264 | $261 | 2023 / 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | — | $3.49 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 92.42 million | 64.75 million | 2025 | 89.18 million / 61.09 million |
| Population growth | 0.9% | 1.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 34.0 yrs | 28.7 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.67 | 2.19 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 77.9 yrs | 66.3 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 77% | 64% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 85% | 78% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 1,648,195 km² | 1,221,037 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 56.1/km² | 53.0/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 793 Mt | Lower: 440 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 8.7 t | Lower: 6.9 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $7.89B | $2.84B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.0% | 0.7% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 650,000 | 89,000 | 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
South Africa grew while the other economy contracted: 1.1% against -2.8%.
Inflation is a serious concern in Iran at 42.2%, while the other economy sits at 3.2%.
People and society
South Africa is the younger society: median age 28.7 versus 34.0 years.
Life expectancy is 11.5 years longer in Iran (77.9 vs 66.3).
Iran is considerably more urbanized: 77% of people live in cities, against 64%.
Geography
By land area, Iran is 35% larger than South Africa: 1,648,195 km² versus 1,221,037 km².
Military
Iran spends 2.8 times as much on defence as South Africa: $7.89B versus $2.84B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Iran carries the heavier military burden: 2.0% of GDP versus 0.7%.
Iran fields the larger armed forces: 650,000 personnel against 89,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Iran bigger than South Africa?
- Iran is larger by land area. Iran covers 1,648,195 km² while South Africa covers 1,221,037 km², so Iran is 35% larger than the other.
- Which has more people, Iran or South Africa?
- Iran has the larger population: 92.42 million versus 64.75 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Iran richer than South Africa?
- Measured by GDP per capita, South Africa is richer: $6,598 against $3,924. Total GDP tells the same story: $362.68B for Iran versus $427.18B for South Africa.
- Who spends more on their military, Iran or South Africa?
- Iran spends more: $7.89B versus $2.84B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).