Labor share of gross domestic product (GDP) in Iran

Iran: Labor share of gross domestic product (GDP) was 39.8% in 2020. ▲ Rising

Latest (2020)
39.8%
Change on year
up 2.8%
World rank
156th
of 187 countries
All-time high
42.5%
in 2015
All-time low
31.9%
in 2007
Years of data
17
2004–2020

Labor share of gross domestic product (GDP) in Iran, 2004–2020

0102030402004201220202004: 36.1 %2005: 35.9 %2006: 35.8 %2007: 31.9 %2008: 33.1 %2009: 35.9 %2010: 35 %2011: 36.9 %2012: 38.5 %2013: 37.2 %2014: 38.1 %2015: 42.5 %2016: 40.8 %2017: 41.2 %2018: 39.1 %2019: 38.7 %2020: 39.8 %

Source: International Labour Organization – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in %.

Analysis

In 2020, labor share of gross domestic product (gdp) in Iran stood at 39.8%.

That represents a change of up 2.8% on the previous year and up 13.7% over ten years.

Over the whole period, labor share of gross domestic product (gdp) in Iran peaked at 42.5% in 2015 and was at its lowest, 31.9%, in 2007.

That places Iran 156th out of 187 countries with data for 2020, putting it in the bottom quarter.

The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 17 years of available data.

Labor share of gross domestic product (GDP) in Iran, year by year

Annual values for Labor share of gross domestic product (GDP) in Iran, 2004 to 2020.
Year % Change
2004 36.1% —
2005 35.9% -0.6%
2006 35.8% -0.3%
2007 31.9% -10.9%
2008 33.1% +3.8%
2009 35.9% +8.5%
2010 35.0% -2.5%
2011 36.9% +5.4%
2012 38.5% +4.3%
2013 37.2% -3.4%
2014 38.1% +2.4%
2015 42.5% +11.5%
2016 40.8% -4.0%
2017 41.2% +1.0%
2018 39.1% -5.1%
2019 38.7% -1.0%
2020 39.8% +2.8%

Iran compared with similar countries

  • Iran's 39.8% is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 45.7%, 87% of the median. (53 countries reporting)
  • Iran's 39.8% is below the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 42.8%, 93% of the median. (23 countries reporting)

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s 34.8% 31.9% 36.1% 6
2010s 38.8% 35.0% 42.5% 10
2020s 39.8% 39.8% 39.8% 1

Countries ranked near Iran

  1. 153 Bahamas 40.3% compare
  2. 153 Kuwait 40.3% compare
  3. 155 Mali 40.2% compare
  4. 156 United Arab Emirates 39.8% compare
  5. 158 Algeria 39.5% compare
  6. 158 Burundi 39.5% compare
  7. 158 Yemen 39.5% compare

See the full ranking of 187 places →

More work & labour data for Iran

All data for Iran →

Frequently asked questions

What is labor share of gross domestic product (gdp) in Iran?
Labor share of gross domestic product (gdp) in Iran was 39.8% in 2020, according to International Labour Organization – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
What is the highest labor share of gross domestic product (gdp) recorded in Iran?
The highest recorded value was 42.5% in 2015.
What is the lowest labor share of gross domestic product (gdp) recorded in Iran?
The lowest recorded value was 31.9% in 2007.
How does Iran rank for labor share of gross domestic product (gdp)?
Iran ranks 156th out of 187 countries with data for 2020.
Is labor share of gross domestic product (gdp) rising or falling in Iran?
Over the last ten years it is up 13.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
Where does this Iran data come from?
The figures come from International Labour Organization – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Labor share of gross domestic product (GDP). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Labor share of gross domestic product (GDP) in Iran. Statizoid, drawing on International Labour Organization – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Retrieved 25 September 2026, from https://labour.statizoid.com/stat/labor-share-of-gdp/iran-islamic-rep/

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About this data

Indicator
Labor share of gross domestic product (GDP)
Unit
%
Source
International Labour Organization – with minor processing by Our World in Data
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)
Coverage
187 places, 3,644 data points, 2004–2025
Last refreshed

Labour share of GDP (%).