Dominican Republic vs Iran Comparison

Country Comparison
Dominican Republic Flag

Dominican Republic

11.5M (2025)

VS
Iran Flag

Iran

92.4M (2025)

Comprehensive comparison across 9 categories and 44 indicators

Loading countries...

No countries found

Loading countries...

No countries found
Dominican Republic Flag

Dominican Republic

Population: 11.5M (2025) Area: 48.7K km² GDP: $127.8B (2025)
Capital: Santo Domingo
Continent: North America
Official Languages: Spanish
Currency: DOP
HDI: 0.776 (89.)
Iran Flag

Iran

Population: 92.4M (2025) Area: 1.6M km² GDP: $341B (2025)
Capital: Tehran
Continent: Asia
Official Languages: Persian
Currency: IRR
HDI: 0.799 (75.)

Geography and Demographics

Dominican Republic
Iran
Area
48.7K km²
1.6M km²
Total population
11.5M (2025)
92.4M (2025)
Population density
235 people/km² (2025)
53.2 people/km² (2025)
Average age
28.3 (2025)
34 (2025)

Economy and Finance

Dominican Republic
Iran
Total GDP
$127.8B (2025)
$341B (2025)
GDP per capita
$11,740 (2025)
$3,900 (2025)
Inflation rate
4.3% (2025)
43.3% (2025)
Growth rate
4.0% (2025)
0.3% (2025)
Minimum wage
$290 (2025)
$215 (2024)
Tourism revenue
$12.1B (2025)
$6B (2025)
Unemployment rate
5.6% (2025)
9.2% (2025)
Public debt
57.5% (2025)
36.0% (2025)
Trade balance
-$1.4K (2025)
-$934 (2025)

Quality of Life and Health

Dominican Republic
Iran
Human development
0.776 (89.)
0.799 (75.)
Happiness index
5,846 (76.)
5,093 (99.)
Health Exp. per Cap. ($)
$462 (5%)
$238 (5.3%)
Life expectancy
74 (2025)
78.1 (2025)
Safety index
60.3 (122.)
58.2 (128.)

Education and Technology

Dominican Republic
Iran
Education Exp. (% GDP)
4.2% (2025)
2.9% (2025)
Literacy rate
94.6% (2025)
86.2% (2025)
Primary school completion
94.6% (2025)
86.2% (2025)
Internet usage
89.4% (2025)
83.2% (2025)
Internet speed
46.21 Mbps (109.)
18.18 Mbps (142.)

Environment and Sustainability

Dominican Republic
Iran
Renewable energy
40.5% (2025)
13.7% (2025)
Carbon emissions per capita
32 kg per capita (2025)
785 kg per capita (2025)
Forest area
44.7% (2025)
6.6% (2025)
Freshwater resources
24 km³ (2025)
137 km³ (2025)
Air quality
20.37 µg/m³ PM2.5 (2025)
28.42 µg/m³ PM2.5 (2025)

Military Power

Dominican Republic
Iran
Military expenditure
$1.1B (2025)
$5.9B (2025)
Military power rank
3,506 (85.)
35,537 (24.)

Governance and Politics

Dominican Republic
Iran
Democracy index
6.62 (2024)
1.96 (2024)
Corruption perception
38 (90.)
23 (151.)
Political stability
0.2 (91.)
-1.7 (177.)
Press freedom
75.6 (22.)
18 (174.)

Infrastructure and Services

Dominican Republic
Iran
Clean water access
96.8% (2025)
97.7% (2025)
Electricity access
100.0% (2025)
100.0% (2025)
Electricity price
0.15 $/kWh (2025)
0.02 $/kWh (2025)
Paved Roads
No data
88 % (2025)
Traffic deaths (per 100K)
77.01 /100K (2025)
20.21 /100K (2025)
Retirement age
60 (2025)
60 (2025)

Tourism and International Relations

Dominican Republic
Iran
Passport power
47.03 (2025)
33.39 (2025)
Tourist arrivals
7.2M (2022)
1.6M (2020)
Tourism revenue
$12.1B (2025)
$6B (2025)
World heritage sites
1 (2025)
28 (2025)

Comparison Result

Dominican Republic
Dominican Republic Flag
27.0

Superior Fields

Leader
Dominican Republic
Iran
Iran Flag
16.0

Superior Fields

* This score reflects overall livability and quality of life, not just economic or military strength

GDP Comparison

Total GDP

$127.8B (2025)
Dominican Republic
vs
$341B (2025)
Iran
Difference: %167

GDP per Capita

$11,740 (2025)
Dominican Republic
vs
$3,900 (2025)
Iran
Difference: %201

Comparison Evaluation

Dominican Republic Flag

Dominican Republic Evaluation

Dominican Republic outperforms with: • Dominican Republic has 3.0x higher GDP per capita • Dominican Republic has 4.4x higher population density • Dominican Republic has 4.2x higher press freedom index • Dominican Republic has 3.4x higher democracy index
Iran Flag

Iran Evaluation

While Iran ranks lower overall compared to Dominican Republic, specific areas demonstrate competitive advantages:

Iran demonstrates advantages in: • Iran has 33.9x higher land area • Iran has 8.0x higher population • Iran has 2.7x higher GDP • Iran has 5.5x higher military spending

Overall Evaluation

Final Conclusion

Iran vs. Dominican Republic: The Persian Powerhouse and the Caribbean Crossroads

A Tale of Ancient Identity and New World Energy

Pairing Iran and the Dominican Republic is like comparing an ancient, stoic philosopher with a young, charismatic dance instructor. Iran is a nation of profound historical weight, a civilization that has long contemplated its place in the world, defined by deep-rooted traditions and geopolitical gravitas. The Dominican Republic is a nation of vibrant, infectious energy, a cultural crossroads in the Caribbean whose identity is expressed through music, baseball, and a passion for life. One is a story of enduring legacy; the other is a story of dynamic fusion.

The Most Striking Contrasts

The Source of National Pride: Iran’s pride is rooted in 3,000 years of Persian history—its empires, its poets like Hafez and Rumi, and its unique theological identity. The Dominican Republic’s pride is more immediate and visceral: it’s the rhythm of merengue and bachata, its world-class baseball players, and its stunning beaches that attract millions.

Social Atmosphere: Social interactions in Iran tend to be formal, layered, and guided by a complex system of etiquette known as *Taarof*. The Dominican Republic is the opposite: interactions are famously warm, informal, loud, and expressive. It’s a culture of hugs, easy smiles, and conversations that quickly feel like family gatherings.

Economic Drivers: Iran is an oil-based, industrial economy, focused on self-sufficiency and its massive domestic market. The Dominican Republic has the largest economy in the Caribbean, driven by tourism, services, manufacturing (in free trade zones), and agriculture (sugar, tobacco, coffee). One is a resource giant; the other is a service and tourism hub.

Practical Advice

If You Want to Start a Business:

Choose Iran for: Large-scale industrial and technological ventures. The country's size and educated population offer immense potential for businesses in manufacturing, software development, and engineering, provided you can navigate its unique environment.

Choose the Dominican Republic for: Tourism, real estate, and trade logistics. Its strategic location, stable growth, and welcoming attitude to foreign investment make it a powerhouse for hotels, restaurants, import/export businesses, and near-shore manufacturing.

If You Want to Settle Down:

Iran is for you if: You seek a life of cultural depth and historical significance. If you value tradition, strong family bonds, and a society that prioritizes community over individualism, Iran offers a profound and enriching experience.

The Dominican Republic is for you if: You crave a life of sunshine, social energy, and vibrant culture. If you want to live in a place where the beach is never far, music is always in the air, and life is lived with passion and a smile, this is your island.

The Tourist Experience

A tour of Iran is an intellectual and spiritual journey. It’s about marveling at the genius of Persian architecture, walking through ancient cities, and engaging in deep conversations over tea. It’s a trip that enriches your mind.

A tour of the Dominican Republic is a celebration of life. It’s about dancing the night away in Santo Domingo, relaxing at a luxurious all-inclusive resort in Punta Cana, and hiking to stunning waterfalls in the interior. It’s a trip that recharges your spirit.

Conclusion: Which World Do You Choose?

The choice between Iran and the Dominican Republic is a choice of rhythm. Iran moves to a slow, deliberate, ancient rhythm, a melody played over millennia. The Dominican Republic moves to a fast, infectious, modern beat, a fusion of African, European, and Taíno influences. Do you want to live in a timeless poem or an unending dance?

🏆 The Final Verdict

Winner: For economic dynamism in its region and a vibrant, accessible lifestyle, the Dominican Republic is a clear winner. For historical significance and cultural uniqueness, Iran is in a class of its own.
Practical Decision: If you're an entrepreneur in tourism or a retiree looking for an affordable, sunny paradise with a lively social scene, the DR is an excellent choice. If you're a scholar, an artist, or someone seeking to understand one of the world's great civilizations, Iran is a mandatory destination.

💡 The Surprise Fact

Iran is famous for its pistachios and saffron, luxury agricultural products rooted in ancient traditions. The Dominican Republic is one of the world's top producers of premium cigars and organic cocoa, products that have become symbols of Caribbean luxury and craftsmanship.

Other Country Comparisons

Data Disclaimer: Projected data (future years) are estimates based on mathematical models. Actual values may differ. Learn about our methodology →

Data Sources

Comparison data is aggregated from multiple authoritative international organizations:

World Bank Open Data - Development and economic indicators
UN Data - Population and demographic statistics
IMF Data Portal - International financial statistics
WHO Data - Global health statistics
OECD Statistics - Economic and social data
Our Methodology - Learn how we process and analyze data

Comments (0)

You must log in to comment

Log In