Updated
Overview
Iran has 8.7 times the population of Sweden: 92.42 million people against 10.60 million (2025).
Sweden's economy is about 85% larger than Iran's, at $669.00B versus $362.68B.
Per person, Sweden is the wealthier of the two: $63,133 against $3,924 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Iran | Sweden | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $362.68B | Higher: $669.00B | 2025 | $436.91B / $610.12B |
| GDP per capita | $3,924 | Higher: $63,133 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | -2.8% | Higher: 1.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 42.2% | Lower: 0.7% | 2025 | 32.5% / 2.8% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 8.3% | 8.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | — | 87 | — / 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | — | $4,783 | — / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $1,264 | — | 2023 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | — | $7.16 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 92.42 million | 10.60 million | 2025 | 89.18 million / 10.64 million |
| Population growth | 0.9% | 0.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 34.0 yrs | 40.3 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.67 | 1.44 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 77.9 yrs | Higher: 84.1 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 77% | 89% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 85% | Higher: 96% | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 1,648,195 km² | 450,295 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 56.1/km² | 23.5/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 793 Mt | Lower: 38 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 8.7 t | Lower: 3.6 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $7.89B | $12.04B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.0% | 2.0% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 650,000 | 15,000 | 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
Sweden grew while the other economy contracted: 1.5% against -2.8%.
Inflation is a serious concern in Iran at 42.2%, while the other economy sits at 0.7%.
People and society
Iran is the younger society: median age 34.0 versus 40.3 years.
Life expectancy is 6.2 years longer in Sweden (84.1 vs 77.9).
Sweden is considerably more urbanized: 89% of people live in cities, against 77%.
Internet adoption is higher in Sweden (96% vs 85% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Iran is 3.7 times the size of Sweden: 1,648,195 km² versus 450,295 km².
Iran is far more densely settled: 56 people per km² against 24.
Military
Sweden spends about 55% more on defence than Iran: $12.04B versus $7.89B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Iran fields the larger armed forces: 650,000 personnel against 15,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Iran bigger than Sweden?
- Iran is larger by land area. Iran covers 1,648,195 km² while Sweden covers 450,295 km², so Iran is 3.7 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Iran or Sweden?
- Iran has the larger population: 92.42 million versus 10.60 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Iran richer than Sweden?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Sweden is richer: $63,133 against $3,924. Total GDP tells the same story: $362.68B for Iran versus $669.00B for Sweden.
- Who spends more on their military, Iran or Sweden?
- Sweden spends more: $12.04B versus $7.89B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).