Updated
Overview
Iran has 33% more people than the United Kingdom: 92.42 million against 69.49 million (2025).
The United Kingdom's economy is 11 times the size of Iran's, at $4.00T versus $362.68B.
Per person, the United Kingdom is the wealthier of the two: $57,602 against $3,924 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Iran | United Kingdom | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $362.68B | Higher: $4.00T | 2025 | $436.91B / $3.64T |
| GDP per capita | $3,924 | Higher: $57,602 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | -2.8% | Higher: 1.4% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 42.2% | Lower: 3.9% | 2025 | 32.5% / 3.3% |
| Unemployment | 8.3% | Lower: 4.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | — | 89 | — / 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | — | $3,567 | — / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $1,264 | Higher: $2,532 | 2023 / 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | — | $7.40 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 92.42 million | 69.49 million | 2025 | 89.18 million / 68.75 million |
| Population growth | 0.9% | 0.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 34.0 yrs | 40.1 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.67 | 1.54 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 77.9 yrs | Higher: 81.4 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 77% | 83% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 85% | Higher: 95% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 1,648,195 km² | 242,900 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 56.1/km² | 286.1/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 793 Mt | Lower: 313 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 8.7 t | Lower: 4.5 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $7.89B | $81.76B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.0% | 2.3% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 650,000 | 153,000 | 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
The United Kingdom grew while the other economy contracted: 1.4% against -2.8%.
Inflation is a serious concern in Iran at 42.2%, while the other economy sits at 3.9%.
People and society
Iran is the younger society: median age 34.0 versus 40.1 years.
Life expectancy is 3.5 years longer in the United Kingdom (81.4 vs 77.9).
Internet adoption is higher in the United Kingdom (95% vs 85% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Iran is 6.8 times the size of the United Kingdom: 1,648,195 km² versus 242,900 km².
The United Kingdom is far more densely settled: 286 people per km² against 56.
Military
The United Kingdom spends 10 times as much on defence as Iran: $81.76B versus $7.89B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Iran fields the larger armed forces: 650,000 personnel against 153,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Iran bigger than the United Kingdom?
- Iran is larger by land area. Iran covers 1,648,195 km² while the United Kingdom covers 242,900 km², so Iran is 6.8 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Iran or the United Kingdom?
- Iran has the larger population: 92.42 million versus 69.49 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Iran richer than the United Kingdom?
- Measured by GDP per capita, the United Kingdom is richer: $57,602 against $3,924. Total GDP tells the same story: $362.68B for Iran versus $4.00T for the United Kingdom.
- Who spends more on their military, Iran or the United Kingdom?
- The United Kingdom spends more: $81.76B versus $7.89B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).