Updated
Overview
Pakistan has 2.8 times the population of Iran: 255.22 million people against 92.42 million (2025).
Pakistan's economy is 12% larger than Iran's, at $407.31B versus $362.68B.
Per person, Iran is the wealthier of the two: $3,924 against $1,596 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Pakistan | Iran | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $407.31B | $362.68B | 2025 | $373.07B / $436.91B |
| GDP per capita | $1,596 | Higher: $3,924 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 3.7% | -2.8% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 3.5% | 42.2% | 2025 | 12.6% / 32.5% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 5.4% | 8.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 24 | — | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $95 | — | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $133 | Higher: $1,264 | 2024 / 2023 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $3.89 | — | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 255.22 million | 92.42 million | 2025 | 257.05 million / 89.18 million |
| Population growth | 1.6% | 0.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 20.6 yrs | 34.0 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 3.50 | 1.67 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 67.8 yrs | Higher: 77.9 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 40% | 77% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 57% | Higher: 85% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 881,912 km² | 1,648,195 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 289.4/km² | 56.1/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | Lower: 180 Mt | 793 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 0.7 t | 8.7 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $10.17B | $7.89B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.7% | 2.0% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 943,000 | 650,000 | 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
Pakistan grew while the other economy contracted: 3.7% against -2.8%.
Inflation is a serious concern in Iran at 42.2%, while the other economy sits at 3.5%.
People and society
Pakistan is the far younger society: median age 20.6 versus 34.0 years.
Life expectancy is 10.1 years longer in Iran (77.9 vs 67.8).
Iran is considerably more urbanized: 77% of people live in cities, against 40%.
Internet adoption is higher in Iran (85% vs 57% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Pakistan is 46% smaller than Iran: 881,912 km² versus 1,648,195 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Pakistan is far more densely settled: 289 people per km² against 56.
Military
Pakistan spends 29% more on defence than Iran: $10.17B versus $7.89B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Pakistan fields the larger armed forces: 943,000 personnel against 650,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Pakistan bigger than Iran?
- Iran is larger by land area. Pakistan covers 881,912 km² while Iran covers 1,648,195 km², so Iran is 87% larger than the other.
- Which has more people, Pakistan or Iran?
- Pakistan has the larger population: 255.22 million versus 92.42 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Pakistan richer than Iran?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Iran is richer: $3,924 against $1,596. Total GDP tells a different story: $407.31B for Pakistan versus $362.68B for Iran.
- Who spends more on their military, Pakistan or Iran?
- Pakistan spends more: $10.17B versus $7.89B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).