United States vs Iran

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

Indicator comparison
IndicatorUnited StatesIranDifference
Population (2025) (people)341,784,85792,417,681+269.8%
GDP (nominal) (billion $)30,770363+8,376.6%
GDP per capita ($)90,0273,924+2,194.3%
Life expectancy (years)78.977.9
Area (km²)9,831,5101,745,150+463.4%
Population density (people/km²)3553−34.4%
Median age (years)38.333.8
Internet usage (%)94.785.3
Unemployment rate (%)4.28.3
Inflation (%)2.942.2
Urban population (%)80.277.4
Military expenditure (2024) (million $)997,3097,892+12,537.0%
Military expenditure as a share of GDP (%)3.422.01+70.1%
Military expenditure as a share of government spending (%)9.1112.55−27.4%
Military expenditure per capita ($)2,91885+3,317.0%
Armed forces personnel (2020) (people)1,395,000650,000+114.6%
Armed forces per 1,000 people (people)4.17.0−42.0%
Armed forces as a share of the labor force (%)0.842.35−64.3%

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

Key differences

  • On population (2025), United States is 269.8% higher than Iran.
  • On gdp (nominal), United States is 8,376.6% higher than Iran.
  • On gdp per capita, United States is 2,194.3% higher than Iran.
United States and Iran — core indicators
0100 mn200 mn300 mn400 mnPopulation (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) — Iran: 92.417.681GDP (nominal) — Iran: 363GDP per capita — Iran: 3.924Area — Iran: 1.745.150
United StatesIran

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 Iran.

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