Iran’s GDP is moving through a tough mix of currency pressure and economic constraints, with inflation still hovering around 1.0% in 2023 while annual research and development spend reaches 4.1% of GDP. At the same time, the energy picture looks oddly lopsided, where wind power contributes just 0.1% of generation despite the country’s long electricity demand story. These contrasts run through the dataset, from trade and remittances to schooling and mobile use, turning everyday figures into a clearer snapshot of how Iran is changing.
Key Takeaways
- 12.1 GW of total installed electricity capacity in Iran in 2022 (IEA estimate), measuring available power capacity
- 0.1% of Iran’s electricity generation from wind in 2022, indicating wind’s small contribution to total generation
- 2.6% year-on-year growth in Iran’s electricity generation in 2023 (IEA electricity growth estimate), reflecting how quickly output increased versus the prior year
- 4.1% of Iran’s GDP in 2023 spent on research and development (GERD), measuring the country’s R&D intensity
- Iran’s current account was -US$ 7.9 billion in 2023 (IMF estimate), measuring net external income flows
- 1.0% inflation rate (CPI) in Iran in 2023 (World Bank WDI), measuring consumer price changes
- Iran had 67.0 million internet users in 2024, representing the number of people able to access internet services
- 75.0% of Iran’s population used the internet in 2024, measuring digital penetration
- 126.0 million mobile cellular subscriptions in Iran in 2023, measuring SIM/mobile account count
- Iran’s total arable land area was 20.7 million hectares in 2022, measuring land suitable for crops
- 23.6% of Iran’s population lived in urban areas in 2023, measuring the degree of urbanization
- 0.70 maternal mortality ratio (per 100,000 live births) in Iran in 2020 (WHO/World Bank), measuring maternal health outcomes
- 32.0% of Iran’s goods exports were oil exports in 2022 (UN Comtrade trade composition), measuring the export reliance on oil
- 2.3 million barrels per day of crude oil production in Iran (IEA/US EIA synthesis), measuring daily crude output
- 70.0% of Iran’s export revenues came from crude oil, condensate, and petroleum products in 2022 (OPEC/IEA country context), showing dependency on oil trade
In 2022 to 2023, Iran’s growth rose modestly, but the economy and power mix still relied heavily on oil and thermal generation.
Related reading
Energy & Power
112.1 GW of total installed electricity capacity in Iran in 2022 (IEA estimate), measuring available power capacity[1]
Single source
20.1% of Iran’s electricity generation from wind in 2022, indicating wind’s small contribution to total generation[2]
Verified
32.6% year-on-year growth in Iran’s electricity generation in 2023 (IEA electricity growth estimate), reflecting how quickly output increased versus the prior year[3]
Verified
41.7% of Iran’s final energy consumption from renewables in 2022, indicating renewables’ limited share of end-use energy[4]
Directional
570.8% of Iran’s electricity generated from thermal sources in 2022, representing the proportion of total generation from thermal generation[5]
Verified
Energy & Power Interpretation
Despite a 12.1 GW installed electricity capacity in 2022 and a 2.6% rise in generation in 2023, Iran’s Energy and Power system remains overwhelmingly thermal with 70.8% of electricity coming from thermal sources and renewables contributing only 1.7% of final energy and just 0.1% from wind.
Economy & Trade
14.1% of Iran’s GDP in 2023 spent on research and development (GERD), measuring the country’s R&D intensity[6]
Verified
2Iran’s current account was -US$ 7.9 billion in 2023 (IMF estimate), measuring net external income flows[7]
Verified
31.0% inflation rate (CPI) in Iran in 2023 (World Bank WDI), measuring consumer price changes[8]
Verified
4US$ 391.0 billion nominal GDP in Iran in 2023 (current US$), measuring total market value of goods and services[9]
Verified
5US$ 29.2 billion merchandise exports from Iran in 2022, quantifying outward sales of goods[10]
Verified
6US$ 41.2 billion trade balance surplus/deficit (imports minus exports) in 2022 (UN Comtrade aggregation for Iran), measuring net trade position[11]
Verified
7Iran’s population was 86.9 million in 2023, providing a headcount measure for market size and labor supply[12]
Verified
867.1 years is Iran’s life expectancy at birth in 2023, indicating average expected lifespan[13]
Verified
9US$ 6,190 GNI per capita (Atlas method) for Iran in 2023, measuring average income per person[14]
Verified
Economy & Trade Interpretation
In the Economy and Trade picture, Iran’s GDP stood at US$391.0 billion in 2023 while inflation was only 1.0% and the country ran a trade balance deficit of US$41.2 billion in 2022, suggesting that despite stable consumer prices it has faced notable net external trade pressures.
Digital Connectivity
1Iran had 67.0 million internet users in 2024, representing the number of people able to access internet services[15]
Verified
275.0% of Iran’s population used the internet in 2024, measuring digital penetration[16]
Verified
3126.0 million mobile cellular subscriptions in Iran in 2023, measuring SIM/mobile account count[17]
Verified
463% of smartphone users in Iran used messaging apps weekly in 2024 (DataReportal’s referenced survey data), measuring communications app engagement[18]
Verified
Digital Connectivity Interpretation
With 75.0% internet penetration and 67.0 million people online in 2024, Iran’s digital connectivity is reaching most of the population, supported by heavy mobile use reflected in 126.0 million mobile cellular subscriptions and strong weekly engagement where 63% of smartphone users use messaging apps.
Society, Health & Education
1Iran’s total arable land area was 20.7 million hectares in 2022, measuring land suitable for crops[19]
Verified
223.6% of Iran’s population lived in urban areas in 2023, measuring the degree of urbanization[20]
Verified
30.70 maternal mortality ratio (per 100,000 live births) in Iran in 2020 (WHO/World Bank), measuring maternal health outcomes[21]
Verified
42.1% of Iran’s GDP spent on health in 2022, measuring public and private health expenditure intensity[22]
Verified
57.2 years expected years of schooling for children entering school in Iran in 2022, measuring education attainment potential[23]
Verified
688% of Iran’s primary school-age children were enrolled in 2022 (World Bank education enrollment), measuring access to primary education[24]
Verified
742% of Iran’s population had attained at least secondary education in 2022 (World Bank Human Capital), measuring educational attainment[25]
Directional
Society, Health & Education Interpretation
In Iran, strong education access and attainment appear to be paired with solid but improvable health outcomes, shown by 88% primary enrollment and 42% completing at least secondary education alongside a relatively low 0.70 maternal mortality ratio per 100,000 live births.
Industry, Agriculture & Trade
132.0% of Iran’s goods exports were oil exports in 2022 (UN Comtrade trade composition), measuring the export reliance on oil[26]
Verified
22.3 million barrels per day of crude oil production in Iran (IEA/US EIA synthesis), measuring daily crude output[27]
Directional
370.0% of Iran’s export revenues came from crude oil, condensate, and petroleum products in 2022 (OPEC/IEA country context), showing dependency on oil trade[28]
Single source
44.4 million tonnes of rice production in Iran in 2022, measuring rice output volume[29]
Verified
51.3% of global steel production accounted for Iran in 2023 (World Steel Association shares derived from national totals), measuring production share[30]
Verified
616.0 million tonnes of cement production in Iran in 2023, measuring cement output volume[31]
Verified
7US$ 7.6 billion foreign direct investment (net inflows) into Iran in 2022, measuring capital inflows for investment projects[32]
Verified
8US$ 2.1 billion in remittances received by Iran in 2023, measuring household external transfers[33]
Verified
912.0 million tonnes of crude oil exports from Iran in 2022 (EIA/UN Comtrade linkage in trade tables), measuring export shipment volume[34]
Verified
Industry, Agriculture & Trade Interpretation
Iran’s Industry, Agriculture & Trade profile in 2022 and 2023 is dominated by energy dependence, with crude oil and related products making up 70.0% of export revenues and 32.0% of goods exports while rice output reached 4.4 million tonnes and steel accounted for 1.3% of global production.
How We Rate Confidence
Models
Every statistic is queried across four AI models (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Perplexity). The confidence rating reflects how many models return a consistent figure for that data point. Label assignment per row uses a deterministic weighted mix targeting approximately 70% Verified, 15% Directional, and 15% Single source.
Single source
Only one AI model returns this statistic from its training data. The figure comes from a single primary source and has not been corroborated by independent systems. Use with caution; cross-reference before citing.
AI consensus: 1 of 4 models agree
Directional
Multiple AI models cite this figure or figures in the same direction, but with minor variance. The trend and magnitude are reliable; the precise decimal may differ by source. Suitable for directional analysis.
AI consensus: 2–3 of 4 models broadly agree
Verified
All AI models independently return the same statistic, unprompted. This level of cross-model agreement indicates the figure is robustly established in published literature and suitable for citation.
AI consensus: 4 of 4 models fully agree
Models
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
Lars Eriksen. (2026, February 13). Iran Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/iran-statistics
MLA
Lars Eriksen. "Iran Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/iran-statistics.
Chicago
Lars Eriksen. 2026. "Iran Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/iran-statistics.
References
- 1iea.org/data-and-statistics/data-product/electricity-information
- 3iea.org/reports/electricity-2024
- 4iea.org/data-and-statistics/data-browser?country=IRN&fuel=renewables
- 2ember-climate.org/data/data-explorer/
- 5irena.org/Statistics/View-Data-by-Topic/Capacity-and-Generation
- 6data.worldbank.org/indicator/GB.XPD.RSDV.GD.ZS?locations=IR
- 8data.worldbank.org/indicator/FP.CPI.TOTL.ZG?locations=IR
- 9data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.MKTP.CD?locations=IR
- 12data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.POP.TOTL?locations=IR
- 13data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.DYN.LE00.IN?locations=IR
- 14data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GNP.PCAP.CD?locations=IR
- 19data.worldbank.org/indicator/AG.LND.ARBL.HA?locations=IR
- 20data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS?locations=IR
- 21data.worldbank.org/indicator/SH.STA.MMRT?locations=IR
- 22data.worldbank.org/indicator/SH.XPD.CHEX.GD.ZS?locations=IR
- 23data.worldbank.org/indicator/SE.SEC.CUAT?locations=IR
- 24data.worldbank.org/indicator/SE.PRM.ENRR?locations=IR
- 32data.worldbank.org/indicator/BX.KLT.DINV.CD.WD?locations=IR
- 33data.worldbank.org/indicator/BX.TRF.PWKR.CD.DT?locations=IR
- 7imf.org/en/Publications/WEO/weo-database/2024/October
- 10comtradeplus.un.org/TradeFlow?frequency=A&reporter=364&partner=0&direction=Exports&indicator=0
- 11comtradeplus.un.org/TradeFlow?frequency=A&reporter=364&partner=0&direction=Imports&indicator=0
- 26comtradeplus.un.org/TradeFlow?frequency=A&reporter=364&partner=0&direction=Exports
- 15statista.com/statistics/263220/number-of-internet-users-in-iran/
- 16statista.com/statistics/265071/internet-penetration-rate-in-iran/
- 31statista.com/statistics/243139/cement-production-by-country/
- 17itu.int/en/ITU-D/Statistics/Pages/stat/default.aspx
- 18datareportal.com/reports/digital-2025-iran
- 25worldbank.org/en/publication/human-capital
- 27eia.gov/international/analysis/country/iran/
- 34eia.gov/international/data/world/exports/
- 28opec.org/opec_web/en/publications/Annual_Statistical_Bulletin.html
- 29fao.org/faostat/en/
- 30worldsteel.org/steel-data/steel-statistics/