The following is a comparison between Saudi Arabia and Iran, the two largest countries in the Middle East. Let’s read.
Saudi Arabia and Iran – country comparison
GDP
Saudi Arabia has a larger economy and a higher GDP per capita than Iran. Both countries have significant oil and natural gas industries that play an important role in their economies. The table below compares the GDP and GDP per capita of Saudi Arabia and Iran.
| 2025 (IMF) | Saudi Arabia | Iran |
|---|---|---|
| Currency | Saudi Riyal | Iranian Rial |
| GDP (nominal, USD) | $1.28 trillion | $371.2 billion |
| GDP per capita (nominal, USD) | $35.46 thousand | $4.26 thousand |
| GDP (PPP, international $) | $2.73 trillion | $1.85 trillion |
| GDP per capita (PPP, international $) | $75.79 thousand | $21.2 thousand |
Population
Iran is both more populous and more densely populated than Saudi Arabia. The table below compares the population, total fertility rate (TFR), and percentage of the population in different age groups in the two countries.
| 2025 estimate | Saudi Arabia | Iran |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 34.6 million | 92.4 million |
| Population aged 0-14 | 24% | 22% |
| Population aged 15-64 | 73% | 69% |
| Population aged 65 and older | 3% | 9% |
| Total fertility rate, per woman | 2.3 | 1.7 |
Life
| Saudi Arabia | Iran | |
|---|---|---|
| Life expectancy at birth (2023/UN) | 78.73 | 77.65 |
| Human Development Index rank (2023) | 37th | 75th |
| Human Development Index value | 0.900 | 0.799 |
Overview
Saudi Arabia is roughly 1.3 times larger than Iran. It covers approximately 2.15 million sq km, while Iran has an area of about 1.65 million sq km.
| Saudi Arabia | Iran | |
|---|---|---|
| Area | approximately 2.15 million sq km | approximately 1.65 million sq km |
| Population | 34.6 million (2025 estimate) | 92.4 million (2025 estimate) |
| Capital city | Riyadh | Tehran |
| Largest city | Riyadh | Tehran |
| Most spoken language | Arabic | Persian |
| Most popular sport | Football (Soccer) | Football (Soccer) |
Geography
| Saudi Arabia | Iran | |
|---|---|---|
| Region | Middle East | Middle East |
| Forest cover (2023) | 0.5% | 6.6% |
| Total number of time zones | 1 | 1 |
| Bordering countries | Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen | Iraq, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, and Pakistan |
| Highest mountain peak | Jabal Sawda (3,015 m/9,892 ft) | Mount Damavand (5,609 m/18,402 ft) |
| Largest island | Farasan Island | Qeshm Island |
| Largest lake | – | Lake Urmia |
| Number of provinces | 13 | 31 |
| Largest province | Eastern Province | Kerman Province |
| Coastline with | Red Sea and Persian Gulf (Arabian Gulf) | Caspian Sea, Gulf of Oman, and Persian Gulf (Arabian Gulf) |
| Approximate coastline length | 2,650 km | 2,800 km |
(Also read: USA and China – country comparison | USA vs China)
Tourism
| Saudi Arabia | Iran | |
|---|---|---|
| International tourist arrivals | 29.7 million (2024) | 7 million (2024) |
| Number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites | 8 | 29 |
| Popular places to visit | Riyadh, Jeddah, Makkah, Elephant Rock, Madinah, AlUla, Hegra, etc. | Tehran, Persepolis, Isfahan, Shiraz, Tabriz, Yazd, Kashan, Mashhad, etc. |
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