Iran, Islamic Republic of Government Debt to GDP
General government gross debt as % of GDP GGXWDG_NGDP
Iran, Islamic Republic of's government debt to gdp was 35.58% in 2025, ranked 139th globally. This represents a 4.7% increase from 2024. Data from IMF WEO, covering 1996–2025.
Overview
Iran, Islamic Republic of's government debt to gdp stood at 35.58% in 2025, a rise of +1.59% from 2024. The IMF projects 35.58% by 2025. Iran, Islamic Republic of ranked 139th globally.
Iran’s government debt-to‑GDP ratio has risen modestly over the past three decades, moving from 29.34 % in 1996 to 35.58 % in 2025, placing the country 139th in the world. The ratio peaked at 47.10 % in 2020, a surge driven by heightened fiscal pressures and sanctions‑related revenue shortfalls, before falling to a historic low of 10.18 % in 2013 during a period of relatively restrained public spending. Compared with peers of similar rank, Iran’s 2025 level is close to Belarus’s 35.78 % and Oman’s 35.05 %, indicating that its debt burden is broadly aligned with other middle‑income economies facing external constraints. The post‑2020 decline suggests a gradual rebalancing of fiscal accounts, yet the modest upward trajectory since 2013 implies that any resurgence of sanctions or a slowdown in oil revenue could again push the ratio higher. Continued diversification of revenue sources and prudent debt management will be critical to keep the debt‑to‑GDP ratio on a downward path.
Data & projection
| Year | Government Debt to GDP | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2030* IMF | 39.30% | - | - |
| 2029* IMF | 38.63% | - | - |
| 2028* IMF | 37.47% | - | - |
| 2027* IMF | 36.65% | - | - |
| 2026* IMF | 36.39% | - | - |
| 2025* IMF | 35.58% | - | - |
| 2025 | 35.58% | +1.59% | #139 |
| 2024 | 33.99% | +4.35% | #41 |
| 2023 | 29.64% | −4.81% | #31 |
| 2022 | 34.45% | −5.46% | #40 |
| 2021 | 39.91% | −7.19% | #41 |
| 2020 | 47.10% | +2.48% | #66 |
| 2019 | 44.62% | +3.03% | #84 |
| 2018 | 41.59% | −1.60% | #75 |
| 2017 | 43.18% | −2.76% | #79 |
| 2016 | 45.95% | +13.88% | #91 |
| 2015 | 32.07% | +21.16% | #54 |
| 2014 | 10.90% | +0.72% | #14 |
| 2013 | 10.18% | −1.56% | #14 |
| 2012 | 11.75% | +1.13% | #17 |
| 2011 | 10.62% | −2.15% | #16 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Iran, Islamic Republic of matched the Stagflation Risk pattern in 2019. Historically, 38% of countries showing this pattern (117 out of 307) saw government debt to gdp improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Iran, Islamic Republic of's government debt to gdp was 35.58% in 2025. Ranked 139th globally. This represents a 4.7% increase from the previous year.
Iran, Islamic Republic of's government debt to gdp peaked at 47.10% in 2020.
The lowest government debt to gdp in Iran, Islamic Republic of was 10.18% in 2013.
Iran, Islamic Republic of ranks 139th globally in government debt to gdp as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is GGXWDG_NGDP. Data sourced from IMF WEO.
Iran, Islamic Republic of's government debt to gdp is projected to reach 35.58% by 2025 based on IMF projection.
The government debt to gdp of Iran, Islamic Republic of in 2025 was 35.58%. This ranks 139th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_iran-islamic-republic-of_government-debt-to-gdp,
title = {Iran, Islamic Republic of Government Debt to GDP},
url = {https://historysaid.com/iran-islamic-republic-of/government-debt-to-gdp/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}