Iran vs Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia scores 76.5 in the NationsTree Index (15th in the world) and Iran scores 51.6 (80th), a gap of 24.9 points. Their trees are 25 m and 35 m tall; tree height grows with real GDP and is adjusted by the index.

Iran has 2.5 times the population of Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia has 23% more land area than Iran. The economy of Saudi Arabia is 50% larger than that of Iran (GDP at purchasing power parity). Population: Iran 92.4 million and Saudi Arabia 37.0 million (2025).

GDP per person at purchasing power parity is $73,784 in Saudi Arabia and $19,699 in Iran (2025, international dollars). People in Saudi Arabia live on average 1.1 years longer (79.0 vs 77.9 years).

Of 33 indicators reported by both countries, Iran ranks higher in the world on 9 and Saudi Arabia on 24. Iran is clearly stronger in natural resources and main industries. Saudi Arabia is clearly stronger in institutions & safety, economy and tourism.

As a nation, Iran is the older of the two (statehood since 550 BC, 2,575 years), compared with Saudi Arabia (since 1727). Over the last five years Saudi Arabia improved faster (direction score 100 vs 41 out of 100).