Iran vs Pakistan
Every indicator for Iran and Pakistan side by side, with the percentage gap between them. Sources are listed at the bottom of the page.
| Indicator | Iran | Pakistan | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population (2025) (people) | 92,417,681 | 255,219,554 | −63.8% |
| GDP (nominal) (billion $) | 363 | 407 | −10.8% |
| GDP per capita ($) | 3,924 | 1,596 | +145.9% |
| Life expectancy (years) | 77.9 | 67.8 | — |
| Area (km²) | 1,745,150 | 796,100 | +119.2% |
| Population density (people/km²) | 53 | 321 | −83.5% |
| Median age (years) | 33.8 | 20.6 | — |
| Internet usage (%) | 85.3 | 57.3 | — |
| Unemployment rate (%) | 8.3 | 5.4 | — |
| Inflation (%) | 42.2 | 3.5 | — |
| Urban population (%) | 77.4 | 39.5 | — |
| Military expenditure (2024) (million $) | 7,892 | 10,166 | −22.4% |
| Military expenditure as a share of GDP (%) | 2.01 | 2.67 | −24.7% |
| Military expenditure as a share of government spending (%) | 12.55 | 13.83 | −9.3% |
| Military expenditure per capita ($) | 85 | 40 | +114.4% |
| Armed forces personnel (2020) (people) | 650,000 | 943,000 | −31.1% |
| Armed forces per 1,000 people (people) | 7.0 | 3.7 | +90.4% |
| Armed forces as a share of the labor force (%) | 2.35 | 1.25 | +88.0% |
The difference column shows the percentage gap of Iran relative to Pakistan; a positive value favors Iran. Interpret it in context — for unemployment, a lower value is better.
At a glance
Pakistan is higher on 7 of the 12 indicators, while Iran leads on the remaining 5. The widest separation is in population density, about 6.1 times; they are closest on military expenditure as a share of government spending.
Key differences
- Pakistan's population density (321) is about 6.1 times Iran's (53).
- Pakistan's population (2025) (255,219,554) is about 2.8 times Iran's (92,417,681).
- Iran's gdp per capita (3,924) is about 2.5 times Pakistan's (1,596).
- Iran's area (1,745,150) is about 2.2 times Pakistan's (796,100).
- Iran's military expenditure per capita (85) is about 2.1 times Pakistan's (40).
Frequently asked questions
Where do Iran and Pakistan differ most?
Where are Iran and Pakistan most alike?
On how many indicators is Iran ahead of Pakistan?
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 Iran or Pakistan.
Iran profile →
All statistics, series, and details.
Pakistan profile →
All statistics, series, and details.