Iran vs Iraq population
In 2025 Iran has 1.97× as many people as Iraq: 92.4 million against 47 million. The difference is 45.4 million.
Iraq is 51% the size of Iran.
How the two compare
In 2025 Iran has 1.97× as many people as Iraq: 92.4 million against 47 million. The difference is 45.4 million. Iraq is 51% the size of Iran. Together they hold 1.7% of the 8.19 billion counted here.
Then and now
In 1960 the order was Iran ahead, 21.5 million to 7.02 million, a ratio of 3.06×. Since then Iran has grown 4.3× and Iraq 6.7×, averaging 2.27% and 2.97% a year.
The lines never cross between 1960 and 2050: Iran stays ahead throughout, and the gap narrows by 2050.
Towards 2050
Projected to 2050, Iran reaches 102 million (10.2% more than today) and Iraq reaches 71.9 million (53% more). By then the ratio is 1.42× in favour of Iran.
Land and people
Land changes the picture: Iran has 1,622,500 km² and 57 people per km², Iraq has 434,130 km² and 108 per km². Iraq is 1.9× more densely settled.
Behind the totals, fertility is 1.68 in Iran and 3.22 in Iraq; life expectancy is 77.9 against 72.4 years; 8.6% against 3.4% of people are 65 or older. The younger the population, the longer it keeps growing after birth rates fall.
Where the numbers come from
Figures are the World Bank's "Population estimates and projections" series, built from United Nations and national statistics. Values up to 2025 are estimates; 2026–2050 are projections that assume current fertility, mortality and migration trends continue, so they are not forecasts of events such as wars or policy changes. Territories are listed as the World Bank lists them, and a small number of places have gaps in some years.
How the numbers are taken. Total population from the World Bank's population estimates and projections (built from United Nations and national statistics). Values to 2025 are estimates; 2026–2050 are projections that continue current fertility, mortality and migration trends. Sources and limits.