Updated
Overview
Iran has about 80% more people than South Korea: 92.42 million against 51.68 million (2025).
South Korea's economy is 5.2 times the size of Iran's, at $1.87T versus $362.68B.
Per person, South Korea is the wealthier of the two: $36,227 against $3,924 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Iran | South Korea | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $362.68B | Higher: $1.87T | 2025 | $436.91B / $1.71T |
| GDP per capita | $3,924 | Higher: $36,227 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | -2.8% | Higher: 1.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 42.2% | Lower: 2.1% | 2025 | 32.5% / 2.3% |
| Unemployment | 8.3% | Lower: 2.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | — | 57 | — / 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | — | $3,168 | — / 2022 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $1,264 | Higher: $1,511 | 2023 / 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | — | $3.84 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 92.42 million | 51.68 million | 2025 | 89.18 million / 51.49 million |
| Population growth | 0.9% | -0.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 34.0 yrs | 45.6 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.67 | 0.75 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 77.9 yrs | Higher: 83.6 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 77% | 81% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 85% | Higher: 98% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 1,648,195 km² | 100,210 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 56.1/km² | 515.8/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 793 Mt | Lower: 584 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 8.7 t | 11.3 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $7.89B | $47.57B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.0% | 2.6% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 650,000 | 569,000 | 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 Korea grew while the other economy contracted: 1.0% against -2.8%.
Inflation is a serious concern in Iran at 42.2%, while the other economy sits at 2.1%.
People and society
Iran is the far younger society: median age 34.0 versus 45.6 years.
Life expectancy is 5.8 years longer in South Korea (83.6 vs 77.9).
Internet adoption is higher in South Korea (98% vs 85% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Iran is 16 times the size of South Korea: 1,648,195 km² versus 100,210 km².
South Korea is far more densely settled: 516 people per km² against 56.
Military
South Korea spends 6.0 times as much on defence as Iran: $47.57B versus $7.89B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Iran fields the larger armed forces: 650,000 personnel against 569,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Iran bigger than South Korea?
- Iran is larger by land area. Iran covers 1,648,195 km² while South Korea covers 100,210 km², so Iran is 16 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Iran or South Korea?
- Iran has the larger population: 92.42 million versus 51.68 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Iran richer than South Korea?
- Measured by GDP per capita, South Korea is richer: $36,227 against $3,924. Total GDP tells the same story: $362.68B for Iran versus $1.87T for South Korea.
- Who spends more on their military, Iran or South Korea?
- South Korea spends more: $47.57B versus $7.89B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).