Updated
Overview
Iran has about 85% more people than Spain: 92.42 million against 49.36 million (2025).
Spain's economy is 5.3 times the size of Iran's, at $1.91T versus $362.68B.
Per person, Spain is the wealthier of the two: $38,627 against $3,924 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Iran | Spain | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $362.68B | Higher: $1.91T | 2025 | $436.91B / $1.72T |
| GDP per capita | $3,924 | Higher: $38,627 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | -2.8% | Higher: 2.8% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 42.2% | Lower: 2.7% | 2025 | 32.5% / 2.8% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 8.3% | 10.4% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | — | 65 | — / 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | — | $3,574 | — / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $1,264 | Higher: $1,561 | 2023 / 2025 | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 92.42 million | 49.36 million | 2025 | 89.18 million / 47.28 million |
| Population growth | 0.9% | 1.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 34.0 yrs | 45.9 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.67 | 1.23 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 77.9 yrs | Higher: 83.9 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 77% | 81% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 85% | Higher: 96% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 1,648,195 km² | 505,992 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 56.1/km² | 97.5/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 793 Mt | Lower: 220 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 8.7 t | Lower: 4.6 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $7.89B | $24.62B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.0% | 1.4% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 650,000 | 199,000 | 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
Spain grew while the other economy contracted: 2.8% against -2.8%.
Inflation is a serious concern in Iran at 42.2%, while the other economy sits at 2.7%.
People and society
Iran is the far younger society: median age 34.0 versus 45.9 years.
Life expectancy is 6.0 years longer in Spain (83.9 vs 77.9).
Internet adoption is higher in Spain (96% vs 85% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Iran is 3.3 times the size of Spain: 1,648,195 km² versus 505,992 km².
Military
Spain spends 3.1 times as much on defence as Iran: $24.62B versus $7.89B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Iran fields the larger armed forces: 650,000 personnel against 199,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Iran bigger than Spain?
- Iran is larger by land area. Iran covers 1,648,195 km² while Spain covers 505,992 km², so Iran is 3.3 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Iran or Spain?
- Iran has the larger population: 92.42 million versus 49.36 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Iran richer than Spain?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Spain is richer: $38,627 against $3,924. Total GDP tells the same story: $362.68B for Iran versus $1.91T for Spain.
- Who spends more on their military, Iran or Spain?
- Spain spends more: $24.62B versus $7.89B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).