Bangladesh vs Iran
Population, economy and geography side by side
Bangladesh has 84.6 million more people than Iran (178 million vs 93.2 million in 2026). Iran is 12.5 times larger by land area. GDP per capita is higher in Iran ($3,924 vs $2,597). People live longer on average in Iran (77.9 vs 74.9 years).
| Bangladesh | Iran | |
|---|---|---|
| Population (2026) | 177,818,044 | 93,168,497 |
| Yearly population change | +1.21% | +0.81% |
| Population 2050 (projected) | 215 million | 102 million |
| Land area | 130,170 km² | 1,622,500 km² |
| Density | 1,366/km² | 57/km² |
| GDP | $456 billion (2025) | $363 billion (2025) |
| GDP per capita | $2,597 (2025) | $3,924 (2025) |
| Life expectancy | 74.9 years | 77.9 years |
| Births per woman | 2.14 | 1.68 |
| Urban population | 33% | 77% |
| Capital | Dhaka | Tehran |
| Currency | Bangladeshi taka (BDT) | Iranian rial (IRR) |
| Calling code | +880 | +98 |
Share of world population: Bangladesh 2.15%, Iran 1.12%.
Frequently asked questions
Which has a bigger population, Bangladesh or Iran?
Bangladesh: about 178 million people versus 93.2 million in Iran (2026).
Is Bangladesh bigger than Iran?
By land area, Iran is larger: 1,622,500 km² versus 130,170 km².
Which economy is bigger, Bangladesh or Iran?
Bangladesh, with a GDP of $456 billion versus $363 billion (World Bank, current US$).
Sources: World Bank Open Data — World Development Indicators and Population Estimates and Projections (CC BY 4.0); Wikidata (CC0). Retrieved 2026-10-22. GDP in current US dollars (World Bank, latest available year).