United States vs Iraq

Every indicator for United States and Iraq side by side, with the percentage gap between them. Sources are listed at the bottom of the page.

Indicator comparison
IndicatorUnited StatesIraqDifference
Population (2025) (people)341,784,85747,020,774+626.9%
GDP (nominal) (billion $)30,770254+12,014.2%
GDP per capita ($)90,0275,410+1,564.1%
Life expectancy (years)78.972.4—
Area (km²)9,831,510435,050+2,159.9%
Population density (people/km²)35108−67.8%
Median age (years)38.321.5—
Internet usage (%)94.781.5—
Unemployment rate (%)4.215.5—
Inflation (%)2.90.3—
Urban population (%)80.269.9—
Military expenditure (2024) (million $)997,3096,179+16,040.3%
Military expenditure as a share of GDP (%)3.422.36+44.9%
Military expenditure as a share of government spending (%)9.114.87+87.1%
Military expenditure per capita ($)2,918131+2,120.5%
Armed forces personnel (2020) (people)1,395,000459,000+203.9%
Armed forces per 1,000 people (people)4.19.8−58.2%
Armed forces as a share of the labor force (%)0.844.40−80.9%

The difference column shows the percentage gap of United States relative to Iraq; a positive value favors United States. Interpret it in context — for unemployment, a lower value is better.

At a glance

United States is higher on 9 of the 12 indicators, while Iraq leads on the remaining 3. The widest separation is in military expenditure (2024), about 161 times; they are closest on military expenditure as a share of gdp.

Key differences

  • Military expenditure (2024) shows the widest gap of all: United States stands at 997,309 against Iraq's 6,179 — roughly 161 times as much.
  • GDP (nominal) shows the widest gap of all: United States stands at 30,770 against Iraq's 254 — roughly 121 times as much.
  • Area shows the widest gap of all: United States stands at 9,831,510 against Iraq's 435,050 — roughly 23 times as much.
  • Military expenditure per capita shows the widest gap of all: United States stands at 2,918 against Iraq's 131 — roughly 22 times as much.
  • GDP per capita shows the widest gap of all: United States stands at 90,027 against Iraq's 5,410 — roughly 17 times as much.

Frequently asked questions

Where do United States and Iraq differ most?
In military expenditure (2024). United States records 997,309 against Iraq's 6,179 — a ratio of roughly 161 to one.
Where are United States and Iraq most alike?
In military expenditure as a share of gdp, at 3.42 and 2.36 — a gap of only %45.
On how many indicators is United States ahead of Iraq?
United States is higher on 9 of the 12 ratio-scale indicators and Iraq on 3. A higher number is not automatically better, though — population density, for instance, is a characteristic rather than an advantage.
United States and Iraq — core indicators
0100 M200 M300 M400 MPopulation (2025)GDP (nominal)GDP per capitaAreaPopulation (2025) — United States: 341,784,857GDP (nominal) — United States: 30,770GDP per capita — United States: 90,027Area — United States: 9,831,510Population (2025) — Iraq: 47,020,774GDP (nominal) — Iraq: 254GDP per capita — Iraq: 5,410Area — Iraq: 435,050
United StatesIraq

The indicators use different scales, so the chart is a rough visual comparison only; use the table for exact figures.

Other comparisons involving United States or Iraq.

Data sourcesUN World Population Prospects, IMF, World Bank, SIPRI