Updated
Overview
Iran has 10 times the population of Switzerland: 92.42 million people against 9.09 million (2025).
Switzerland's economy is 2.9 times the size of Iran's, at $1.04T versus $362.68B.
Per person, Switzerland is the wealthier of the two: $114,769 against $3,924 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Iran | Switzerland | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $362.68B | Higher: $1.04T | 2025 | $436.91B / $936.56B |
| GDP per capita | $3,924 | Higher: $114,769 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | -2.8% | Higher: 1.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 42.2% | Lower: 0.2% | 2025 | 32.5% / 1.1% |
| Unemployment | 8.3% | Lower: 4.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | — | 112 | — / 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | — | $7,309 | — / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $1,264 | Higher: $4,784 | 2023 / 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | — | $9.04 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 92.42 million | 9.09 million | 2025 | 89.18 million / 8.93 million |
| Population growth | 0.9% | 1.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 34.0 yrs | 42.9 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.67 | 1.44 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 77.9 yrs | Higher: 84.4 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 77% | 86% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 85% | Higher: 97% | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 1,648,195 km² | 41,284 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 56.1/km² | 220.2/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 793 Mt | Lower: 32 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 8.7 t | Lower: 3.6 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $7.89B | $6.72B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.0% | 0.7% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 650,000 | 20,000 | 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
Switzerland grew while the other economy contracted: 1.3% against -2.8%.
Inflation is a serious concern in Iran at 42.2%, while the other economy sits at 0.2%.
People and society
Iran is the far younger society: median age 34.0 versus 42.9 years.
Life expectancy is 6.6 years longer in Switzerland (84.4 vs 77.9).
Internet adoption is higher in Switzerland (97% vs 85% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Iran is 40 times the size of Switzerland: 1,648,195 km² versus 41,284 km².
Switzerland is far more densely settled: 220 people per km² against 56.
Military
Defence budgets are of similar magnitude: $7.89B (Iran) and $6.72B (Switzerland).
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 20,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Iran bigger than Switzerland?
- Iran is larger by land area. Iran covers 1,648,195 km² while Switzerland covers 41,284 km², so Iran is 40 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Iran or Switzerland?
- Iran has the larger population: 92.42 million versus 9.09 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Iran richer than Switzerland?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Switzerland is richer: $114,769 against $3,924. Total GDP tells the same story: $362.68B for Iran versus $1.04T for Switzerland.
- Who spends more on their military, Iran or Switzerland?
- Iran spends more: $7.89B versus $6.72B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).