Updated
Overview
Iran has 29% more people than Thailand: 92.42 million against 71.62 million (2025).
Thailand's economy is about 60% larger than Iran's, at $577.01B versus $362.68B.
Per person, Thailand is the wealthier of the two: $8,057 against $3,924 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Iran | Thailand | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $362.68B | Higher: $577.01B | 2025 | $436.91B / $526.41B |
| GDP per capita | $3,924 | Higher: $8,057 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | -2.8% | Higher: 2.4% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 42.2% | Lower: -0.1% | 2025 | 32.5% / 1.4% |
| Unemployment | 8.3% | Lower: 0.8% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | — | 31 | — / 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | — | $508 | — / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | Higher: $1,264 | $254 | 2023 / 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | — | $4.02 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 92.42 million | 71.62 million | 2025 | 89.18 million / 70.03 million |
| Population growth | 0.9% | -0.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 34.0 yrs | 40.6 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.67 | 1.19 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 77.9 yrs | 76.6 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 77% | 63% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 85% | Higher: 91% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 1,648,195 km² | 513,120 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 56.1/km² | 139.6/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 793 Mt | Lower: 268 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 8.7 t | Lower: 3.7 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $7.89B | $5.52B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.0% | 1.1% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 650,000 | 455,000 | 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
Thailand grew while the other economy contracted: 2.4% against -2.8%.
Inflation is a serious concern in Iran at 42.2%, while the other economy sits at -0.1%.
People and society
Iran is the younger society: median age 34.0 versus 40.6 years.
Life expectancy is 1.3 years longer in Iran (77.9 vs 76.6).
Iran is considerably more urbanized: 77% of people live in cities, against 63%.
Geography
By land area, Iran is 3.2 times the size of Thailand: 1,648,195 km² versus 513,120 km².
Thailand is far more densely settled: 140 people per km² against 56.
Military
Iran spends about 45% more on defence than Thailand: $7.89B versus $5.52B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Iran carries the heavier military burden: 2.0% of GDP versus 1.1%.
Iran fields the larger armed forces: 650,000 personnel against 455,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Iran bigger than Thailand?
- Iran is larger by land area. Iran covers 1,648,195 km² while Thailand covers 513,120 km², so Iran is 3.2 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Iran or Thailand?
- Iran has the larger population: 92.42 million versus 71.62 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Iran richer than Thailand?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Thailand is richer: $8,057 against $3,924. Total GDP tells the same story: $362.68B for Iran versus $577.01B for Thailand.
- Who spends more on their military, Iran or Thailand?
- Iran spends more: $7.89B versus $5.52B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).