Updated
Overview
Iran has 12 times the population of Turkmenistan: 92.42 million people against 7.62 million (2025).
Iran's economy is 7.3 times the size of Turkmenistan's, at $362.68B versus $49.83B.
Per person, Turkmenistan is the wealthier of the two: $6,540 against $3,924 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Iran | Turkmenistan | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $362.68B | $49.83B | 2025 | $436.91B / $64.24B |
| GDP per capita | $3,924 | Higher: $6,540 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | -2.8% | Higher: 6.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 42.2% | Lower: 2.7% | 2025 | 32.5% / 11.5% |
| Unemployment | 8.3% | Lower: 4.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $1,264 | — | 2023 | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 92.42 million | 7.62 million | 2025 | 89.18 million / 5.74 million |
| Population growth | 0.9% | 1.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 34.0 yrs | 26.9 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.67 | 2.63 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 77.9 yrs | 70.2 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 77% | 47% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 85% | 18% | 2024 / 2016 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 1,648,195 km² | 488,100 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 56.1/km² | 15.6/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 793 Mt | Lower: 81 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 8.7 t | 10.8 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $7.89B | $111.92M | 2024 / 1999 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.0% | 2.9% | 2024 / 1999 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 650,000 | 57,000 | 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
Turkmenistan grew while the other economy contracted: 6.3% against -2.8%.
Inflation is a serious concern in Iran at 42.2%, while the other economy sits at 2.7%.
People and society
Turkmenistan is the younger society: median age 26.9 versus 34.0 years.
Life expectancy is 7.7 years longer in Iran (77.9 vs 70.2).
Iran is considerably more urbanized: 77% of people live in cities, against 47%.
Internet adoption is higher in Iran (85% vs 18% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Iran is 3.4 times the size of Turkmenistan: 1,648,195 km² versus 488,100 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Iran is far more densely settled: 56 people per km² against 16.
Military
Iran spends 71 times as much on defence as Turkmenistan: $7.89B versus $111.92M (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Turkmenistan carries the heavier military burden: 2.9% of GDP versus 2.0%.
Iran fields the larger armed forces: 650,000 personnel against 57,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Iran bigger than Turkmenistan?
- Iran is larger by land area. Iran covers 1,648,195 km² while Turkmenistan covers 488,100 km², so Iran is 3.4 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Iran or Turkmenistan?
- Iran has the larger population: 92.42 million versus 7.62 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Iran richer than Turkmenistan?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Turkmenistan is richer: $6,540 against $3,924. Total GDP tells a different story: $362.68B for Iran versus $49.83B for Turkmenistan.
- Who spends more on their military, Iran or Turkmenistan?
- Iran spends more: $7.89B versus $111.92M per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).