India vs Iran
Every indicator for India and Iran side by side, with the percentage gap between them. Sources are listed at the bottom of the page.
| Indicator | India | Iran | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population (2025) (people) | 1,463,865,525 | 92,417,681 | +1,484.0% |
| GDP (nominal) (billion $) | 3,956 | 363 | +989.8% |
| GDP per capita ($) | 2,702 | 3,924 | −31.1% |
| Life expectancy (years) | 72.2 | 77.9 | — |
| Area (km²) | 3,287,260 | 1,745,150 | +88.4% |
| Population density (people/km²) | 445 | 53 | +740.9% |
| Median age (years) | 28.4 | 33.8 | — |
| Internet usage (%) | 70.0 | 85.3 | — |
| Unemployment rate (%) | 4.2 | 8.3 | — |
| Inflation (%) | 2.4 | 42.2 | — |
| Urban population (%) | 35.7 | 77.4 | — |
| Military expenditure (2024) (million $) | 86,126 | 7,892 | +991.3% |
| Military expenditure as a share of GDP (%) | 2.27 | 2.01 | +12.9% |
| Military expenditure as a share of government spending (%) | 7.63 | 12.55 | −39.2% |
| Military expenditure per capita ($) | 59 | 85 | −31.1% |
| Armed forces personnel (2020) (people) | 3,068,000 | 650,000 | +372.0% |
| Armed forces per 1,000 people (people) | 2.1 | 7.0 | −70.2% |
| Armed forces as a share of the labor force (%) | 0.58 | 2.35 | −75.3% |
The difference column shows the percentage gap of India relative to Iran; a positive value favors India. Interpret it in context — for unemployment, a lower value is better.
At a glance
India is higher on 7 of the 12 indicators, while Iran leads on the remaining 5. The widest separation is in population (2025), about 16 times; they are closest on military expenditure as a share of gdp.
Key differences
- Population (2025) shows the widest gap of all: India stands at 1,463,865,525 against Iran's 92,417,681 — roughly 16 times as much.
- Military expenditure (2024) shows the widest gap of all: India stands at 86,126 against Iran's 7,892 — roughly 11 times as much.
- GDP (nominal) shows the widest gap of all: India stands at 3,956 against Iran's 363 — roughly 11 times as much.
- India's population density (445) is about 8.4 times Iran's (53).
- India's armed forces personnel (2020) (3,068,000) is about 4.7 times Iran's (650,000).
Frequently asked questions
Where do India and Iran differ most?
In population (2025). India records 1,463,865,525 against Iran's 92,417,681 — a ratio of roughly 16 to one.
Where are India and Iran most alike?
In military expenditure as a share of gdp, at 2.27 and 2.01 — a gap of only %13.
On how many indicators is India ahead of Iran?
India is higher on 7 of the 12 ratio-scale indicators and Iran on 5. A higher number is not automatically better, though — population density, for instance, is a characteristic rather than an advantage.
IndiaIran
The indicators use different scales, so the chart is a rough visual comparison only; use the table for exact figures.
Related comparisons
Other comparisons involving India or Iran.
India profile →
All statistics, series, and details.
Iran profile →
All statistics, series, and details.
Data sourcesUN World Population Prospects, IMF, World Bank, SIPRI