Iran, Islamic Republic of vs South Africa: Government spending vs. GDP
Iran, Islamic Republic of
68.40 billion constant 2015 US$
in 2025
South Africa
71.62 billion constant 2015 US$
in 2025
Iran, Islamic Republic of rank
32nd
South Africa rank
29th
Government spending vs. GDP over time
- Iran, Islamic Republic of
- South Africa
How they compare
South Africa currently reports 71.62 billion constant 2015 US$ against 68.40 billion constant 2015 US$ in Iran, Islamic Republic of, a difference of 3.22 billion constant 2015 US$.
The two have swapped places 4 times across 66 shared years of data; in 1960 it was South Africa ahead.
Iran, Islamic Republic of ranks 32nd and South Africa ranks 29th of 166 countries.
Across the 7 decades both report, Iran, Islamic Republic of averaged higher in 4 and South Africa in 3.
Head to head by decade
| Decade | Iran, Islamic Republic of | South Africa | Difference | Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 8.40 billion constant 2015 US$ | 11.05 billion constant 2015 US$ | 2.65 billion constant 2015 US$ | South Africa |
| 1970s | 46.85 billion constant 2015 US$ | 19.90 billion constant 2015 US$ | 26.95 billion constant 2015 US$ | Iran, Islamic Republic of |
| 1980s | 48.22 billion constant 2015 US$ | 31.38 billion constant 2015 US$ | 16.85 billion constant 2015 US$ | Iran, Islamic Republic of |
| 1990s | 46.48 billion constant 2015 US$ | 38.40 billion constant 2015 US$ | 8.08 billion constant 2015 US$ | Iran, Islamic Republic of |
| 2000s | 58.89 billion constant 2015 US$ | 48.27 billion constant 2015 US$ | 10.62 billion constant 2015 US$ | Iran, Islamic Republic of |
| 2010s | 61.93 billion constant 2015 US$ | 64.97 billion constant 2015 US$ | 3.05 billion constant 2015 US$ | South Africa |
| 2020s | 66.57 billion constant 2015 US$ | 70.88 billion constant 2015 US$ | 4.32 billion constant 2015 US$ | South Africa |
Averages of every year both report within each decade.
Frequently asked questions
- Which has higher government spending vs. gdp, Iran, Islamic Republic of or South Africa?
- South Africa, at 71.62 billion constant 2015 US$ against 68.40 billion constant 2015 US$ in Iran, Islamic Republic of as of 2025.
- What is the difference in government spending vs. gdp between Iran, Islamic Republic of and South Africa?
- 3.22 billion constant 2015 US$, with South Africa ahead.
- How many years of comparable data are there for Iran, Islamic Republic of and South Africa?
- 66 years are reported by both, from 1960 to 2025.
- How do Iran, Islamic Republic of and South Africa rank globally for government spending vs. gdp?
- Iran, Islamic Republic of ranks 32nd and South Africa ranks 29th of 166 countries.
- Where does this data come from?
- National statistical organizations and central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates (2026) β processed by Our World in Data, published as Government spending vs. GDP. Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.
Individual pages
About this data
General government final consumption expenditure includes all government current expenditures for purchases of goods and services (including compensation of employees). Both measures are expressed in constant 2015 US$.