Iran vs Saudi Arabia: Population Comparison 2025
Regional powers with contrasting demographics. Iran's fertility collapse vs Saudi youth bulge.
Iran
Saudi Arabia
Population Pyramids Comparison
Total Population
Iran
92.4M
Saudi Arabia
34.6M
Youth (0-14)
Iran
22.0%
Saudi Arabia
23.6%
Elderly (65+)
Iran
8.6%
Saudi Arabia
3.1%
Demographic Analysis: Iran vs Saudi Arabia
In 2025, Iran has a population of 92M, while Saudi Arabia has 35M. This represents a difference of 58M, with Iran having 2.7 times the population of the other. Iran ranks #17 globally by population size, while Saudi Arabia ranks #48.
The median age reveals significant demographic differences: Iran has a median age of 35.0 years, compared to 30.6 years in Saudi Arabia. This 4.4-year difference indicates that Iran has a significantly older population, with important implications for workforce dynamics, healthcare needs, and economic development. The dependency ratio in Iran is 44.1%, while in Saudi Arabia it is 36.4%, showing the relative burden of non-working age populations on the workforce.
Gender balance differs between the two countries: Iran has a sex ratio of 103.25 males per female, while Saudi Arabia has 152.69. Saudi Arabia shows a higher proportion of males, which can affect marriage markets, labor force composition, and social dynamics. These ratios reflect various factors including sex-selective practices, differential mortality rates, and migration patterns.
Comprehensive Demographic Comparison 2025
| Indicator | Iran | Saudi Arabia | Difference / Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population Metrics | |||
| Total Population (2025) | 92M | 35M | 2.7x larger |
| World Population Ranking | #17 | #48 | 31 places apart |
| Population Growth Rate (5-year) | +1.05% | +2.21% | 1.16pp difference |
| Projected Growth (2025-2050) | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00pp difference |
| Age Structure | |||
| Median Age | 35.0 years | 30.6 years | 4.4 years older |
| Youth (0-14) Population | 22.0% | 23.6% | 1.6pp difference |
| Working Age (15-64) Population | 69.4% | 73.3% | 3.9pp difference |
| Elderly (65+) Population | 8.6% | 3.1% | 5.5pp difference |
| Youth Bulge (15-29) | 19.9% | 25.0% | 5.1pp difference |
| Prime Workforce (25-54) | 47.0% | 52.7% | 5.6pp difference |
| Demographic Indicators | |||
| Total Dependency Ratio | 44.1% | 36.4% | 7.7pp difference |
| Child Dependency Ratio | 31.7% | 32.2% | 0.5pp difference |
| Old-Age Dependency Ratio | 12.4% | 4.2% | 8.2pp difference |
| Sex Ratio (males per 100 females) | 103.2 | 152.7 | 49.4 difference |
| Total Fertility Rate | 1.70 children/woman | 2.28 children/woman | 0.58 difference |
| Estimated Birth Rate | 12.8 per 1,000 | 15.7 per 1,000 | 2.9 difference |
| Aging Index (65+/0-14) | 39.0% | 12.9% | 26.0pp difference |
| Population Pyramid Type | stationary | stationary | Same type |
📊 Understanding the Population Difference Chart
This visualization shows where and by how much the populations differ between Iran and Saudi Arabia for each age group, split by gender:
Left Side (Males)
Blue = Iran has more males
Green = Saudi Arabia has more males
Right Side (Females)
Pink = Iran has more females
Orange = Saudi Arabia has more females
💡 How to Read: Each age group shows up to 2 bars - one on the left (male difference) and one on the right (female difference). The bar's color tells you which country has more people, and the bar's length shows by how much. For example, if you see a green bar on the left, it means Saudi Arabia has more males in that age group.
Notable Differences (>20% variance):
Population Difference
57.9M
Iran larger
Growth Since 1950
Iran
+459.7%
Saudi Arabia
+1929.4%
Population Ratio
1 : 0.37
Iran : Saudi Arabia
| Metric | Iran | Saudi Arabia | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Population | 92.4M | 34.6M | +167.4% |
| Median Age | 35.0 years | 30.6 years | +4.4 |
| Youth Population (0-14) | 20.4M 22.0% | 8.2M 23.6% | +149.3% |
| Working Age (15-64) | 64.1M 69.4% | 25.3M 73.3% | +153.1% |
| Elderly Population (65+) | 7.9M 8.6% | 1.1M 3.1% | +650.6% |
| Total Dependency Ratio | 44.1 per 100 | 36.4 per 100 | +7.7 |
| Youth Dependency Ratio | 31.7 per 100 | 32.2 per 100 | -0.5 |
| Old-Age Dependency Ratio | 12.4 per 100 | 4.2 per 100 | +8.2 |
| Sex Ratio | 103.2 M/100F | 152.7 M/100F | -49.4 |
| Population Structure Type | Stationary | Stationary | Same |
Total Population
Iran
92.4M
Saudi Arabia
34.6M
Median Age
Iran
35.0 years
Saudi Arabia
30.6 years
Youth Population (0-14)
Iran
20.4M
22.0%
Saudi Arabia
8.2M
23.6%
Working Age (15-64)
Iran
64.1M
69.4%
Saudi Arabia
25.3M
73.3%
Elderly Population (65+)
Iran
7.9M
8.6%
Saudi Arabia
1.1M
3.1%
Total Dependency Ratio
Iran
44.1 per 100
Saudi Arabia
36.4 per 100
Youth Dependency Ratio
Iran
31.7 per 100
Saudi Arabia
32.2 per 100
Old-Age Dependency Ratio
Iran
12.4 per 100
Saudi Arabia
4.2 per 100
Sex Ratio
Iran
103.2 M/100F
Saudi Arabia
152.7 M/100F
Note: Dependency ratios represent the number of dependents (youth + elderly) per 100 working-age individuals. Higher ratios indicate greater economic burden on the working population.
Note: The replacement fertility rate of 2.1 is the level at which a population exactly replaces itself from one generation to the next.Both countries are experiencing demographic transitions as they develop economically. Countries below 2.1 face potential population decline without immigration, while those above 2.1 continue growing naturally.
Historic Milestone: 2023
Saudi Arabia became the world's most populous country, ending Iran's centuries-long reign