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Topic 02 of 18 · Country Index 2026
Iran: Economy & Innovation
What does an economy do for the people inside it?
Iran is placed joint 73rd of 176 countries on economy & innovation in the Country Index 2026, from 3 of its 4 key statistics. Readings behind it: GDP per Capita (PPP) 16,834 (2025); Economic Complexity Index -0.071 (2024).
Share
Economy & Innovation
joint73rd
of 176 countries placed
Placed from 3 of 4 key statistics
- 16,834GDP per Capita (PPP), 2025GDP per capita (constant 2021 international $, PPP)
- —Firms with a Bank Loan or Line of Credit, 2025No reading for this country
- -0.071Economic Complexity Index, 2024ECI score (standardised, roughly −3 to +3)
- 91.06Account Ownership at a Financial Institution, 2024Adults with an account (% of population aged 15+)
01The evidence
The 4 key statistics that decide it
Only these place Iran on economy & innovation — one vote each. Every value is the publisher’s own, read at the edition the Country Index 2026 used — or, for a survey-based key, each country’s latest reading; the grey ticks are every other country it was compared with, lowest on the left.
16,834
GDP per capita (constant 2021 international $, PPP)
Higher is better
Iran: 16,834. Across the 185 countries in this edition, values run from 1,067 (Burundi) to 139,593 (Singapore); the world median is 17,265.
- World median
- 17,265
- Best in Southern Asia
- 24,401 Maldives
- Land neighbours
- Armenia 21,153 · Azerbaijan 22,314 · Iraq 12,192 · Pakistan 5,617 · Turkmenistan 19,314 · Türkiye 37,301
Key 2 of 4
Firms with a Bank Loan or Line of Credit
World Bank Group
Latest reading per country, 2016–2025 · CC BY 4.0
No reading
Firms with a bank loan or line of credit (%)
Higher is better
World Bank Group publishes no reading from 2016–2025 for Iran, so the standing rests on the other keys.
Across the 179 countries at their latest reading, values run from 2.113 (Pakistan) to 88.52 (Israel); the world median is 35.95.
- World median
- 35.95
- Best in Southern Asia
- 57.85 Nepal
- Land neighbours
- Afghanistan 21.54 · Armenia 48.65 · Azerbaijan 36.42 · Iraq 2.252 · Pakistan 2.113 · Turkmenistan 13.7 · Türkiye 26.18
Key 3 of 4
Economic Complexity Index
Growth Lab at Harvard University
2024 edition · data for 2024 · CC0 1.0
-0.071
ECI score (standardised, roughly −3 to +3)
Higher is better
Ranked 87th of 145 by Growth Lab at Harvard University
Iran: -0.071. Across the 145 countries in this edition, values run from -3.53 (Chad) to 1.729 (Japan); the world median is 0.131.
- World median
- 0.131
- Best in Southern Asia
- 0.705 India
- Land neighbours
- Afghanistan -0.818 · Armenia 0.592 · Azerbaijan -0.417 · Iraq -1.463 · Pakistan -0.233 · Turkmenistan -1.202 · Türkiye 0.697
Key 4 of 4
Account Ownership at a Financial Institution
World Bank Group
2024 edition · data for 2024 · CC BY 4.0
91.06
Adults with an account (% of population aged 15+)
Higher is better
Iran: 91.06. Across the 139 countries in this edition, values run from 14.83 (Niger) to 99.85 (Iceland); the world median is 72.83.
- World median
- 72.83
- Best in Southern Asia
- 91.06 Iran
- Land neighbours
- Armenia 71.37 · Azerbaijan 56.3 · Iraq 30.16 · Pakistan 27.3 · Türkiye 81.55
02Over time
Which way Iran is moving
Each key’s published value, edition by edition, beside the world median. The Country Index 2026 is the first edition of the standing, so the standing itself has no history to chart yet.
GDP per Capita (PPP)
GDP per capita (constant 2021 international $, PPP) · higher is better
IranWorld median
Iran rose from 11,643 in 2000 to 16,834 in 2025; the world median went from 10,589 to 17,265.
Every year’s figures
Year Iran World median 2025 16,834 17,265 2024 17,484 18,108 2023 17,045 17,686 2022 16,378 16,933 2021 15,884 16,260 2020 15,382 15,631 2019 14,841 16,761 2018 15,365 16,349 2017 16,168 16,129 2016 15,920 15,512 2015 14,842 14,857 2014 15,263 14,475 2013 14,735 14,681 2012 15,159 14,631 2011 15,948 13,916 2010 15,730 14,101 2009 15,055 13,655 2008 15,091 14,030 2007 15,237 13,755 2006 14,321 12,983 2005 13,936 12,023 2004 13,807 11,608 2003 13,519 11,183 2002 12,583 11,144 2001 11,739 10,907 2000 11,643 10,589 Economic Complexity Index
ECI score (standardised, roughly −3 to +3) · higher is better
IranWorld median
Iran rose from -0.234 in 2000 to -0.071 in 2024; the world median went from 0.016 to 0.131.
Every year’s figures
Year Iran World median 2024 -0.071 0.1310 2023 -0.130 0.0710 2022 0.036 0.0580 2021 -0.007 0.0010 2020 0.087 0.0470 2019 0.021 0.0300 2018 -0.108 -0.0150 2017 -0.170 0.0080 2016 -0.165 -0.0660 2015 -0.171 -0.0600 2014 -0.143 -0.0190 2013 -0.144 0.0140 2012 -0.701 0.0060 2011 -0.369 -0.0140 2010 -0.320 -0.0020 2009 -0.601 0.0990 2008 -0.535 0.0700 2007 -0.410 -0.0080 2006 -0.027 0.0740 2005 0.079 0.0510 2004 0.047 0.0505 2003 -0.109 0.0450 2002 -0.148 0.0100 2001 -0.187 0.0470 2000 -0.234 0.0160 Account Ownership at a Financial Institution
Adults with an account (% of population aged 15+) · higher is better
IranWorld median
Iran rose from 73.68 in 2011 to 91.06 in 2024; the world median went from 37.03 to 72.83.
Every year’s figures
Year Iran World median 2024 91 73 2021 90 74 2017 94 59 2014 92 52 2011 74 37
03In context
Iran beside its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 176 countries on economy & innovation, never a place within the region.
Iran and the countries it borders
Standing among all 176; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.
| Country | Standing | GDP per Capita (PPP)GDP per capita (constant 2021 international $, PPP) | Firms with a Bank Loan or Line of CreditFirms with a bank loan or line of credit (%) | Economic Complexity IndexECI score (standardised, roughly −3 to +3) | Account Ownership at a Financial InstitutionAdults with an account (% of population aged 15+) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Armenia | =57th | 21,153 | 48.65 | 0.592 | 71.37 |
 Türkiyecompare | 64th | 37,301 | 26.18 | 0.697 | 81.55 |
| Iran | =73rd | 16,834 | — | -0.071 | 91.06 |
 Azerbaijan | 99th | 22,314 | 36.42 | -0.417 | 56.3 |
 Turkmenistan | 130th | 19,314 | 13.7 | -1.202 | — |
 Afghanistan | 131st | — | 21.54 | -0.818 | — |
 Pakistancompare | 159th | 5,617 | 2.113 | -0.233 | 27.3 |
 Iraq | 164th | 12,192 | 2.252 | -1.463 | 30.16 |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across Southern Asia
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 176.
Placed either side on economy & innovation
The countries immediately above and below Iran in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where Iran is ahead of the world, and behind
47 more statistics filed under economy & innovation, published in full and deliberately given no vote in the standing. Select a row for the publisher, the rank and the links.
Ahead of the world median10
Statistics on which Iran does better than the middle country measured.
Debt Service on External DebtWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 12.930.28512.93▲ Improved since 2014
Iran: 0.285 · world median 12.93 · Total debt service (% of exports of goods, services and primary income). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.285 to 96.2; lower is better.
Position 109th of 109 · derived, 1st = worst.
External Debt Stocks (% of GNI)World Bank Group · 2024 · world median 43.942.21343.94No real change since 2014
Iran: 2.213 · world median 43.94 · External debt stocks (% of GNI). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 2.213 to 350.57; lower is better.
Position 110th of 110 · derived, 1st = worst.
Interest Payments on External DebtWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 1.4510.0691.451No real change since 2014
Iran: 0.069 · world median 1.451 · Interest payments on external debt (% of GNI). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.069 to 17.92; lower is better.
Position 112th of 112 · derived, 1st = worst.
Informal Output (DGE Model Estimate)World Bank Group (Prospects Group) · 2020 · world median 27.516.1827.5▼ Worsened since 2010
Iran: 16.18 · world median 27.5 · Informal output, model estimate (% of official GDP). World Bank Group (Prospects Group), 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 7.91 to 60.43; lower is better.
Total Factor Productivity LevelGGDC · 2023 · world median 0.6270.8120.627▼ Worsened since 2013
Iran: 0.812 · world median 0.627 · TFP level at current PPPs (USA = 1). Groningen Growth and Development Centre (GGDC), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.052 to 1.192; higher is better.
Researchers per Million InhabitantsUIS · 2024 · world median 701.952,240701.95No earlier reading
Iran: 2,240 · world median 701.95 · Researchers per million inhabitants (full-time equivalent). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1.446 to 18,130; higher is better.
Position 43rd of 145 · derived.
Historical GDP per Capita (Maddison)GGDC · 2022 · world median 12,89018,47312,890No real change since 2012
Iran: 18,473 · world median 12,890 · GDP per capita (2011 international $). Maddison Project, Groningen Growth and Development Centre (GGDC), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 596.39 to 149,171; higher is better.
Position 63rd of 166 · derived.
Government AI Readiness IndexOxford Insights · 2025 · world median 40.1948.3440.19▲ Improved since 2020
Iran: 48.34 · world median 40.19 · AI readiness score (0–100). Oxford Insights, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 12.12 to 88.36; higher is better.
Ranked 76th of 195 by Oxford Insights.
Frontier Technology Readiness IndexUNCTAD · 2023 · world median 0.4850.5440.485▲ Improved since 2013
Iran: 0.544 · world median 0.485 · Frontier Technology Readiness Index (0–1). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 1; higher is better.
Position 72nd of 170 · derived.
Comprehensive Wealth per CapitaWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 46,48647,54546,486No real change since 2010
Iran: 47,545 · world median 46,486 · National comprehensive wealth per person (real chained 2019 US$). World Bank Group, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 4,276 to 1,246,092; higher is better.
Position 74th of 150 · derived.
Behind the world median16
Statistics on which Iran does worse than the middle country measured.
Liner Shipping Connectivity IndexUNCTAD · 2026 · world median 56.2151.4956.21▼ Worsened since 2016
Iran: 51.49 · world median 56.21 · LSCI (index, average Q1 2023 = 100). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 4.13 to 1,319; higher is better.
Ranked 86th of 175 by UNCTAD.
Income Share Held by Lowest 20%World Bank Group · 2023 · world median 7.127.027.12▼ Worsened since 2013
Iran: 7.02 · world median 7.12 · Share of national income held by the poorest fifth (%). World Bank Group, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 3.24 to 11.07; higher is better.
Position 32nd of 60 · derived.
Productive Capacities IndexUNCTAD · 2022 · world median 46.6744.7246.67No real change since 2012
Iran: 44.72 · world median 46.67 · Productive Capacities Index (1–100). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 17.8 to 71.02; higher is better.
Position 114th of 195 · derived.
Gini Index of Disposable Income (SWIID)Frederick Solt, University of Iowa · 2023 · world median 3335.433▼ Worsened since 2013
Iran: 35.4 · world median 33 · Gini index of disposable household income (0–100), SWIID estimate. Frederick Solt, University of Iowa, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 22.3 to 51.2; lower is better.
Position 33rd of 79 · derived, 1st = worst.
Gini IndexWorld Bank Group · 2023 · world median 33.7235.8833.72▼ Worsened since 2013
Iran: 35.88 · world median 33.72 · Gini index (0 = perfect equality, 100 = perfect inequality). World Bank Group, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 23 to 54.58; lower is better.
Position 25th of 60 · derived, 1st = worst.
Palma RatioWorld Bank Group · 2023 · world median 1.3321.5021.332▼ Worsened since 2013
Iran: 1.502 · world median 1.332 · Palma ratio (income share of the richest 10% ÷ share of the poorest 40%). World Bank Group, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.771 to 4.193; lower is better.
Position 24th of 60 · derived, 1st = worst.
Income Share Held by Richest 10%World Bank Group · 2023 · world median 26.1828.1626.18▼ Worsened since 2013
Iran: 28.16 · world median 26.18 · Share of national income or consumption held by the richest tenth (%). World Bank Group, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 18.79 to 43.08; lower is better.
Position 23rd of 60 · derived, 1st = worst.
World Energy Trilemma IndexWorld Energy Council · 2023 · world median 63.859.863.8No earlier reading
Iran: 59.8 · world median 63.8 · Trilemma score (0–100). World Energy Council, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 27.7 to 83.2; higher is better.
Ranked 61st of 99 by World Energy Council.
Livestock Production IndexFAO · 2022 · world median 107.0699.85107.06▼ Worsened since 2012
Iran: 99.85 · world median 107.06 · Livestock production index (2014–2016 = 100). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 35.52 to 190.08; higher is better.
Position 139th of 194 · derived.
Digitally-Deliverable Services ExportsUNCTAD · 2024 · world median 25.4211.725.42▼ Worsened since 2014
Iran: 11.7 · world median 25.42 · Digitally-deliverable services exports (% of services exports). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.377 to 87.15; higher is better.
Position 128th of 170 · derived.
Water-Use EfficiencyFAO · 2023 · world median 16.15.1916.1No real change since 2013
Iran: 5.19 · world median 16.1 · Value added per cubic metre of freshwater withdrawn (constant US$ per m³). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.38 to 1,378; higher is better.
Logistics Performance IndexWorld Bank Group · 2023 · world median 2.92.32.9▼ Worsened since 2016
Iran: 2.3 · world median 2.9 · LPI score (1–5). World Bank Group, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 1.9 to 4.3; higher is better.
Ranked 123rd of 139 by World Bank Group.
Food Production IndexFAO · 2022 · world median 106.0883.89106.08▼ Worsened since 2012
Iran: 83.89 · world median 106.08 · Food production index (2014–2016 = 100). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 71.08 to 177.49; higher is better.
Position 183rd of 195 · derived.
Crop Production IndexFAO · 2022 · world median 106.2377.41106.23▼ Worsened since 2012
Iran: 77.41 · world median 106.23 · Crop production index (2014–2016 = 100). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 53.79 to 189.93; higher is better.
Position 184th of 195 · derived.
Regulatory QualityWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median -0.093-1.525-0.093▼ Worsened since 2015
Iran: -1.525 · world median -0.093 · Regulatory Quality (−2.5 to 2.5). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -2.106 to 2.113; higher is better.
Position 199th of 209 · derived.
GDP GrowthWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 3.396-2.8263.396▼ Worsened since 2015
Iran: -2.826 · world median 3.396 · GDP growth (annual %). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -5.847 to 19.34; higher is better.
Position 185th of 186 · derived.
Level with the median, or no median to compare1
Global Innovation IndexWorld Intellectual Property Organization · 2025 · world median 28.5228.5228.52▼ Worsened since 2022
Iran: 28.52 · world median 28.52 · GII score (0–100). World Intellectual Property Organization, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 11.94 to 65.96; higher is better.
Ranked 70th of 139 by World Intellectual Property Organization.
No better end20
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Gross Capital Formation (% of GDP)World Bank Group · 2025 · world median 22.9341.7722.93Moved since 2015
Iran: 41.77 · world median 22.93 · Gross capital formation (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -3.679 to 45.27.
Position 3rd of 131 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Inflation, GDP DeflatorWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 3.30628.783.306Moved since 2015
Iran: 28.78 · world median 3.306 · Annual change in the GDP implicit deflator (%). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -7.93 to 227.09.
Total Natural Resources Rents (% of GDP)World Bank Group · 2021 · world median 1.70830.451.708Moved since 2011
Iran: 30.45 · world median 1.708 · Natural resources rents (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2021 edition, data for 2021.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 61.03.
Position 9th of 180 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Scholarly ArticlesOurResearch · 2025 · world median 2,24078,0472,240No real change since 2022
Iran: 78,047 · world median 2,240 · Articles with at least one author at an institution in the country (full counting). OpenAlex (OurResearch), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1 to 1,094,890.
Industry Value Added including Construction (% of GDP)World Bank Group · 2025 · world median 24.6539.6424.65Moved since 2015
Iran: 39.64 · world median 24.65 · Industry, including construction, value added (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 2.228 to 75.09.
Position 15th of 158 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Merchant Fleet by Country of OwnershipUNCTAD · 2026 · world median 275.7319,444275.73Moved since 2016
Iran: 19,444 · world median 275.73 · Merchant fleet owned (thousand dead-weight tons). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 397,071.
Terms of Trade IndexUNCTAD · 2025 · world median 103.23119.08103.23Moved since 2015
Iran: 119.08 · world median 103.23 · Terms of trade index (2015 = 100). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 38.2 to 1,448.
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Value Added (% of GDP)World Bank Group · 2025 · world median 6.57210.596.572Moved since 2015
Iran: 10.59 · world median 6.572 · Agriculture, forestry and fishing value added (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.025 to 47.59.
Position 54th of 158 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Complexity Outlook IndexGrowth Lab at Harvard University · 2024 · world median -0.2250.376-0.225Moved since 2014
Iran: 0.376 · world median -0.225 · Complexity Outlook Index (standardised; roughly −2.5 to +3). Growth Lab at Harvard University, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from -1.682 to 2.878.
Container Port TrafficUNCTAD · 2024 · world median 1,827,7882,921,3591,827,788Moved since 2014
Iran: 2,921,359 · world median 1,827,788 · Container port traffic (TEU, twenty-foot equivalent units). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 17,263 to 299,703,800.
Position 45th of 103 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Imports of Goods and Services (% of GDP)World Bank Group · 2025 · world median 41.7234.4941.72Moved since 2015
Iran: 34.49 · world median 41.72 · Imports of goods and services (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1.279 to 196.89.
Position 82nd of 138 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Commodity Export DependenceUNCTAD · 2024 · world median 67.1751.3867.17Moved since 2014
Iran: 51.38 · world median 67.17 · Commodity exports (% of merchandise exports, three-year average). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 4.605 to 99.77.
Statutory Minimum WageILO · 2024 · world median 657.95465.62657.95Moved since 2016
Iran: 465.62 · world median 657.95 · Statutory minimum wage per month (2021 PPP $). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 4.038 to 3,804.
General Government ConsumptionWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 16.2113.2916.21Moved since 2015
Iran: 13.29 · world median 16.21 · General government final consumption expenditure (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 5.445 to 38.94.
Position 88th of 132 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Trade (% of GDP)World Bank Group · 2025 · world median 79.6860.2479.68Moved since 2015
Iran: 60.24 · world median 79.68 · Exports plus imports (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 2.382 to 396.65.
Position 92nd of 138 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Exports of Goods and Services (% of GDP)World Bank Group · 2025 · world median 36.3425.7536.34Moved since 2015
Iran: 25.75 · world median 36.34 · Exports of goods and services (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1.103 to 199.76.
Position 95th of 138 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Household ConsumptionWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 62.0453.6762.04Moved since 2015
Iran: 53.67 · world median 62.04 · Household and NPISH final consumption expenditure (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 25.21 to 133.34.
Position 95th of 131 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Foreign Direct Investment InflowsUNCTAD · 2025 · world median 1.9680.4051.968No real change since 2015
Iran: 0.405 · world median 1.968 · FDI inflows (% of GDP). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -32.97 to 2,221.
Export Concentration IndexUNCTAD · 2025 · world median 0.3060.1260.306Moved since 2015
Iran: 0.126 · world median 0.306 · Export concentration index (0–1, normalised Herfindahl–Hirschman). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.059 to 0.933.
Price Level of Household ConsumptionGGDC · 2023 · world median 0.5230.2950.523Moved since 2013
Iran: 0.295 · world median 0.523 · Price level of household consumption (US output price level in 2021 = 1). Groningen Growth and Development Centre (GGDC), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.177 to 65.54.
No current reading for Iran
Actual Individual Consumption per Capita (PPP) (last 2017), Adjusted Net Savings (last 2000), Average Monthly Earnings of Employees, Business Ready: Operational Efficiency, Business Ready: Public Services, Business Ready: Regulatory Framework, Creative Goods Exports (last 2022), Creative Services Exports (last 2022), Firms Competing Against Informal Firms, Firms with a Bank Loan or Line of Credit, Firms with an International Quality Certification, Foreign Value Added Share of Gross Exports, GNI per Capita (PPP) (last 2024), Gross Savings (% of GDP) (last 2000), ICT Goods Exports (last 2022), ICT Services Exports (last 2018), Management Practices Index, Manufacturing Value Added (% of GDP) (last 2024), New Business Density (last 2020), Research and Development Spending (last 2021), Services Exports (last 2024), Statutory Corporate Income Tax Rate, Tariff Rate, Applied, Weighted Mean, All Products (last 2020) and Tax Revenue (% of GDP). Listed rather than hidden, so the page can be checked against it.
“Position · derived” is this site’s ordering of the published values, 1st = best unless the row says otherwise; the publisher ranks no country on it. Rank, position and standing
05Country Index 2026
Economy & Innovation among Iran’s 15 topics
Economy & Innovation is Iran’s 3rd best-placed topic of 15. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.
- Development & Human Capital48th of 1963/3 keys
- Health & Wellbeingjoint 67th of 2004/4 keys
- Economy & Innovationjoint 73rd of 1763/4 keys
- Poverty & Inequalityjoint 82nd of 1593/3 keys
- Education & Knowledge104th of 1984/4 keys
- Digital & Technologyjoint 109th of 1984/4 keys
- Risk & Resiliencejoint 116th of 1934/4 keys
- Food & Agriculturejoint 122nd of 1843/4 keys
- Mobility & Trade143rd of 1772/4 keys
- Governance & Institutions168th of 1944/4 keys
- Peace & Security165th of 1774/4 keys
- Democracy & Civil Liberties187th of 1984/4 keys
- Work & Labour175th of 1824/4 keys
- Environment & Sustainability180th of 1863/4 keys
- Gender & Equality181st of 1833/4 keys
No standing on Energy: too few of those topics’ key statistics are published for this country.
06The top of the list
Who leads on economy & innovation
The three countries placed highest of 176, and the leaders Iran can most readily be measured against.
1
AustriaWestern Europe
1st of 176 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: chensiyuan · CC BY-SA 4.0, greyscale
2
JapanEastern Asia
2nd of 176 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: JurriaanH · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
3
GermanyWestern Europe
3rd of 176 · 4 of 4 keys
Placed highest nearby
Highest in Asia
Japan2nd4/4 keysHighest in Southern Asia
Bhutan68th2/4 keysThis page
Iran=73rd3/4 keys
Positions out of 176 placed on the topic. A country needs readings on enough keys to be placed, and the top of the list is often held on fewer of them.
07Analysis
Charts and analysis about Iran and economy & innovation
On economy & innovation
China Leads Global High-Technology Exports
The world’s ten largest high-technology exporters as a treemap, with the rest of the world beside them. Each country’s figure is its own most recent year, between 2022 and 2024.
On economy & innovation
India vs Pakistan 2025: Comparison of Hunger Index, Happiness, HDI, Rule of Law, Literacy & GDP
India and Pakistan on six published measures: hunger, happiness, human development, rule of law, literacy and GDP per capita, each from its own publisher and year.
On economy & innovation
Countries in Asia with the highest average salaries 2024
Thirteen Asian countries by gross average monthly wage, each carrying its WORLD rank rather than an Asian one — so the numbers skip, from 11th place to 45th.
08Questions
Iran on economy & innovation: questions answered
Every answer is built from the numbers on this page, so none can say something the page does not.
How does Iran rank on economy & innovation?
Iran is placed joint 73rd of 176 countries on Economy & Innovation in the Country Index 2026, from 3 of its 4 key statistics (GDP per Capita (PPP), Economic Complexity Index and Account Ownership at a Financial Institution). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest GDP per Capita (PPP) figure for Iran?
16,834 in 2025 (gDP per capita (constant 2021 international $, PPP)), according to World Bank Group. The world median in the same edition was 17,265.
What is the latest Economic Complexity Index figure for Iran?
-0.071 in 2024 (eCI score (standardised, roughly −3 to +3)), according to Growth Lab at Harvard University. The world median in the same edition was 0.131.
How does Iran compare with Pakistan on economy & innovation?
Pakistan is placed 159th of 176, and Iran joint 73rd. GDP per Capita (PPP): Pakistan 5,617, Iran 16,834; Economic Complexity Index: Pakistan -0.233, Iran -0.071; Account Ownership at a Financial Institution: Pakistan 27.3, Iran 91.06.
How have Iran’s economy & innovation figures changed?
GDP per Capita (PPP) rose from 11,643 in 2000 to 16,834 in 2025; Economic Complexity Index rose from -0.234 in 2000 to -0.071 in 2024; Account Ownership at a Financial Institution rose from 73.68 in 2011 to 91.06 in 2024.
Which economy & innovation statistics are missing for Iran?
No current reading is published for Iran on Actual Individual Consumption per Capita (PPP), Adjusted Net Savings, Average Monthly Earnings of Employees, Business Ready: Operational Efficiency, Business Ready: Public Services, Business Ready: Regulatory Framework, Creative Goods Exports, Creative Services Exports, Firms Competing Against Informal Firms, Firms with a Bank Loan or Line of Credit, Firms with an International Quality Certification, Foreign Value Added Share of Gross Exports, GNI per Capita (PPP), Gross Savings (% of GDP), ICT Goods Exports, ICT Services Exports, Management Practices Index, Manufacturing Value Added (% of GDP), New Business Density, Research and Development Spending, Services Exports, Statutory Corporate Income Tax Rate, Tariff Rate, Applied, Weighted Mean, All Products and Tax Revenue (% of GDP). They are listed rather than hidden, so the evidence on the page can be checked against it.
09Method
Method, sources and how to cite
What this topic does not measure
The total size of an economy is deliberately left out: a very large economy spread over a very large population is not doing more for each person. Growth rates, trade shares and the structure of output (how much is farming, industry or services) are published here as context, because they describe an economy's shape rather than how well it serves people. Jobs and wages have their own topic, Work & Labour.
How the Economy & Innovation standing is decided
A standing is this site’s ordering, named with its edition — never a publisher’s rank. 4 key statistics vote, one vote each; every country’s published value becomes a place within that key’s own field, the places are averaged, and the average is never published. A country needs 2 of the 4 keys to be placed.
The economy & innovation method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built
The key statistics and their licences
- GDP per Capita (PPP) — World Bank Group, CC BY 4.0
- Firms with a Bank Loan or Line of Credit — World Bank Group, CC BY 4.0
- Economic Complexity Index — Growth Lab at Harvard University, CC0 1.0
- Account Ownership at a Financial Institution — World Bank Group, CC BY 4.0
The other 47 statistics on this page come from 14 publishers, each named beside its numbers, with every edition and licence on the datasets pages.
The standing itself is part of the Country Index 2026, published under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Photographs
Iran’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.
- Iran (banner) — User:Gire 3pich2005 , derived: User:Nastoshka, CC0
- Austria — chensiyuan, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Japan — JurriaanH, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Germany — dronepicr, CC BY 2.0
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). Iran: Economy & Innovation — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/iran/economy