Updated
Overview
The United States has 3.7 times the population of Iran: 341.78 million people against 92.42 million (2025).
The United States' economy is 85 times the size of Iran's, at $30.77T versus $362.68B.
Per person, the United States is the wealthier of the two: $90,027 against $3,924 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | United States | Iran | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $30.77T | $362.68B | 2025 | $29.18T / $436.91B |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $90,027 | $3,924 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 2.2% | -2.8% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 2.9% | 42.2% | 2024 / 2025 | — / 32.5% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 4.2% | 8.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 100 | — | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $6,273 | — | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $1,257 | Higher: $1,264 | 2026 / 2023 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $6.22 | — | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 341.78 million | 92.42 million | 2025 | 338.02 million / 89.18 million |
| Population growth | 0.5% | 0.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 38.5 yrs | 34.0 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.62 | 1.67 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 78.9 yrs | 77.9 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 80% | 77% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 95% | 85% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 9,833,517 km² | 1,648,195 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 34.8/km² | 56.1/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 4,904 Mt | Lower: 793 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 14.2 t | Lower: 8.7 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $997.31B | $7.89B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 3.4% | 2.0% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 1.4 million | 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
The United States grew while the other economy contracted: 2.2% against -2.8%.
Inflation is a serious concern in Iran at 42.2%, while the other economy sits at 2.9%.
People and society
Iran is the younger society: median age 34.0 versus 38.5 years.
Life expectancy is 1.0 years longer in the United States (78.9 vs 77.9).
Geography
By land area, the United States is 6.0 times the size of Iran: 9,833,517 km² versus 1,648,195 km².
Military
The United States spends 126 times as much on defence as Iran: $997.31B versus $7.89B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, the United States carries the heavier military burden: 3.4% of GDP versus 2.0%.
The United States fields the larger armed forces: 1.4 million personnel against 650,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is the United States bigger than Iran?
- The United States is larger by land area. The United States covers 9,833,517 km² while Iran covers 1,648,195 km², so the United States is 6.0 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, the United States or Iran?
- The United States has the larger population: 341.78 million versus 92.42 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is the United States richer than Iran?
- Measured by GDP per capita, the United States is richer: $90,027 against $3,924. Total GDP tells the same story: $30.77T for the United States versus $362.68B for Iran.
- Who spends more on their military, the United States or Iran?
- The United States spends more: $997.31B versus $7.89B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).