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Economy of Australia vs Syria compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Australia has a GDP of $1.76T compared to $20B for Syria, ranking 14/197 and 129/197 by economy size, respectively.

Australia has $891B in government debt (50.7% of GDP), compared to $18.4B (30% of GDP) in Syria.

Australia vs Syria GDP by year

Australia
Syria
1x
Year GDP, current $
Australia Syria
2024 $1,757,022,451,653 -
2023 $1,734,451,264,656 $19,993,439,950
2022 $1,695,627,535,476 $23,622,827,080
2021 $1,560,617,493,203 $14,353,205,678
2020 $1,333,336,461,648 $12,047,752,036
2019 $1,398,349,602,956 $22,583,045,060
2018 $1,433,144,978,762 $21,497,782,868
2017 $1,330,890,554,614 $16,369,843,352
2016 $1,211,588,128,418 $12,597,854,877
2015 $1,356,805,839,936 $16,466,863,117
2014 $1,474,677,007,566 $21,502,061,466
2013 $1,583,737,461,925 $21,361,254,635
2012 $1,552,728,401,402 $43,190,318,033
2011 $1,402,939,868,653 $67,539,428,159
2010 $1,152,566,632,022 $61,390,830,875
2009 $931,761,689,771 $54,111,735,629
2008 $1,058,448,244,064 $52,557,913,569
2007 $856,603,595,823 $40,465,318,382
2006 $749,708,370,333 $33,751,788,856
2005 $696,811,489,613 $28,858,965,517
2004 $615,643,050,221 $25,086,950,495
2003 $468,517,181,130 $21,828,144,686
2002 $396,436,967,263 $20,669,357,462
2001 $380,360,222,861 $20,237,024,725
2000 $416,901,962,163 $18,937,052,543
1999 $390,347,787,943 $15,873,875,969
1998 $400,361,527,505 $15,200,846,154
1997 $436,321,902,767 $14,505,233,463
1996 $401,962,517,479 $13,789,560,878
1995 $368,725,126,225 $11,396,706,587
1994 $323,269,456,935 $10,122,020,000
1993 $312,568,858,910 $13,695,962,055
1992 $325,982,966,981 $13,253,565,861
1991 $326,416,407,861 $12,981,833,333
1990 $311,840,666,465 $12,308,624,418
1989 $300,264,309,002 $9,853,395,762
1988 $236,461,079,970 $10,577,041,645
1987 $189,726,707,253 $11,356,215,543
1986 $182,707,050,923 $13,293,205,278
1985 $180,861,108,959 $16,403,539,893
1984 $193,749,932,078 $17,503,078,174
1983 $177,523,719,680 $17,589,277,143
1982 $194,323,071,831 $16,298,929,011
1981 $177,151,979,566 $15,518,201,335
1980 $150,200,557,103 $13,062,420,382
1979 $135,093,718,051 $9,929,681,529
1978 $118,660,813,780 $9,275,200,458
1977 $110,504,702,914 $7,696,011,396
1976 $105,209,354,856 $7,633,528,867
1975 $97,440,939,506 $6,826,980,444
1974 $89,086,219,602 $5,159,557,148
1973 $63,923,126,201 $3,239,487,516
1972 $52,117,990,654 $3,059,681,698
1971 $45,283,847,245 $2,589,851,325
1970 $41,395,206,623 $2,140,384,010
1969 $36,738,245,878 $2,245,011,515
1968 $32,763,365,242 $1,753,746,430
1967 $30,487,524,878 $1,580,229,799
1966 $27,349,284,376 $1,342,287,553
1965 $26,014,244,162 $1,472,036,540
1964 $23,835,843,814 $1,339,494,267
1963 $21,573,443,452 $1,200,447,408
1962 $19,953,923,193 $1,110,565,881
1961 $19,713,123,154 $945,244,972
1960 $18,635,682,982 $857,704,413

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/australia/syria | CC BY

GDP per capita in Australia vs Syria by year

Australia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Syria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Australia Syria
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $64,604 $72,111 - -
2023 $65,058 $72,273 $847 $4,650
2022 $65,170 $66,103 $1,052 $4,772
2021 $60,759 $58,327 $664 $4,593
2020 $51,983 $54,184 $572 $3,738
2019 $55,195 $52,886 $1,110 $3,502
2018 $57,410 $50,371 $1,098 $3,456
2017 $54,118 $48,565 $852 $3,265
2016 $50,084 $47,446 $656 -
2015 $56,970 $46,465 $848 -
2014 $62,817 $47,109 $1,061 -
2013 $68,477 $46,123 $986 -
2012 $68,301 $43,007 $1,898 -
2011 $62,799 $42,153 $2,952 -
2010 $52,314 $39,504 $2,731 -
2009 $42,955 $40,434 $2,462 -
2008 $49,811 $37,616 $2,429 -
2007 $41,128 $36,708 $1,938 -
2006 $36,659 $34,890 $1,719 -
2005 $34,535 $33,090 $1,534 -
2004 $30,886 $31,815 $1,368 -
2003 $23,758 $30,167 $1,220 -
2002 $20,335 $29,080 $1,183 -
2001 $19,734 $27,688 $1,187 -
2000 $21,909 $26,585 $1,138 -
1999 $20,750 $25,531 $978 -
1998 $21,516 $24,386 $961 -
1997 $23,683 $23,142 $941 -
1996 $22,056 $22,134 $918 -
1995 $20,479 $21,050 $780 -
1994 $18,156 $20,174 $712 -
1993 $17,725 $19,220 $993 -
1992 $18,650 $18,259 $990 -
1991 $18,885 $17,839 $1,000 -
1990 $18,274 $17,385 $978 -
1989 $17,858 - $809 -
1988 $14,303 - $898 -
1987 $11,666 - $997 -
1986 $11,406 - $1,208 -
1985 $11,455 - $1,544 -
1984 $12,436 - $1,706 -
1983 $11,532 - $1,776 -
1982 $12,798 - $1,703 -
1981 $11,871 - $1,676 -
1980 $10,223 - $1,458 -
1979 $9,308 - $1,146 -
1978 $8,264 - $1,108 -
1977 $7,786 - $951 -
1976 $7,497 - $976 -
1975 $7,014 - $904 -
1974 $6,492 - $707 -
1973 $4,778 - $459 -
1972 $3,955 - $448 -
1971 $3,500 - $393 -
1970 $3,310 - $335 -
1969 $2,996 - $364 -
1968 $2,728 - $293.3 -
1967 $2,584 - $272.9 -
1966 $2,347 - $239.3 -
1965 $2,284 - $270.8 -
1964 $2,134 - $254.2 -
1963 $1,970 - $234.9 -
1962 $1,858 - $223.9 -
1961 $1,880 - $196.3 -
1960 $1,813 - $183.5 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/australia/syria | CC BY

Australia's GDP per capita is $64,604, ranking 14/197, compared to $847 in Syria, ranking 185/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Australia ranks 22nd at $72,111, while Syria ranks 160th at $4,650.

Economic indicators

Australia Syria
Gross domestic product
$1.76T
2024
$20B
2023
GDP rank
14/197
2024
129/197
2023
GDP growth
1.37%
2023-2024
-1.21%
2022-2023
GDP per capita
$64,604
2024
$847
2023
GDP per capita rank
14/197
2024
185/197
2023
GDP per capita, PPP
$72,111
2024
$4,650
2023
GDP per capita PPP rank
22/197
2024
160/197
2023
Government debt
$891B
2024
$18.4B
2010
Debt-to-GDP ratio
50.7%
2024
30%
2010
Government debt per person
$32,764
2024
$820
2010
Government debt per person rank
22/185
2024
148/185
2010
Average annual personal income after taxes
$49,463
2026
$730
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$1.74T
2024
n/a
Number of millionaires
1,904,000
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
47
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
25.5%
2020
21.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2.7%
2020
3.8%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
38.9%
2024
28.6%
2010
Consumer prices inflation
3.16%
2023-2024
13.4%
2018-2019
Central bank interest rate
3.6%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
3.94%
2024
8.61%
2010
Population
27799169
26829400

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Australia
Spending

Debt
Syria
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Australia Syria
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 38.9% 50.7% - -
2023 37.6% 49.6% - -
2022 37.6% 50.2% - -
2021 41.8% 55.5% - -
2020 44.4% 57.1% - -
2019 38.9% 46.7% - -
2018 36.9% 41.8% - -
2017 36.8% 41.2% - -
2016 37.3% 40.6% - -
2015 37.3% 37.7% - -
2014 36.7% 34% - -
2013 36.4% 30.5% - -
2012 36.5% 27.5% - -
2011 36.3% 24% - -
2010 37% 20.3% 28.6% 30%
2009 37.8% 16.6% 26.7% 31.2%
2008 35.1% 11.7% 22.9% 37.3%
2007 34.3% 9.67% 25.7% 42.7%
2006 34.5% 9.94% 26.3% 45%
2005 34.6% 10.9% 28.2% 50.7%
2004 34.8% 11.9% 31.3% 113%
2003 34.9% 13.2% 32.6% 133.4%
2002 34.9% 15% 28.5% 132.4%
2001 35.6% 17.1% 28% 144.5%
2000 35.2% 19.5% 27.4% 152.1%
1999 36.2% 22.5% 28% 147.7%
1998 34.6% 23.7% 28.8% 151.2%
1997 32.8% 25.9% 29% 147.6%
1996 33.5% 29.3% 27.7% 141.5%
1995 33.7% 31.1% 29.8% 152.6%
1994 33.7% 31.7% 30.3% 163%
1993 34.1% 30.7% 29.4% 171.9%
1992 34.1% 27.6% 34.2% 173.6%
1991 33.1% 21.6% 34.3% 182.4%
1990 30.5% 16.4% 28.3% 189.8%
1989 34.5% 17% - -
1988 34.6% 20.5% - -
1987 36% 25.2% - -
1986 38.4% 25.5% - -
1985 38.7% 24% - -
1984 38.4% 22.3% - -
1983 37% 21% - -
1982 36.7% 16.8% - -
1981 33.4% 19.1% - -
1980 33.2% 21.2% - -
1979 32.5% 22.8% - -
1978 33.2% 24.7% - -
1977 34.1% 23.6% - -
1976 33.3% 22.9% - -
1975 33% 23.6% - -
1974 30.9% 22.3% - -
1973 26.6% 27.3% - -
1972 27% 30.7% - -
1971 26.1% 32.2% - -
1970 25.3% 34.9% - -
1969 24.7% 36.7% - -
1968 25.3% 39.4% - -
1967 26.4% 40.5% - -
1966 25.6% 42.4% - -
1965 25.8% 43.7% - -
1964 23.5% 44.9% - -
1963 23% 47.5% - -
1962 22.7% 50.2% - -
1961 23.3% 49.3% - -
1960 21.8% 48.3% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/australia/syria | CC BY

In 2024, Australia's government spending was $684B, accounting for 38.9% of its GDP, while Syria spent $17.6B, or 28.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 50.7% in Australia and 30% in Syria, ranking 104/185 and 157/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Australia

Syria
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Australia Syria
2024 -2.25% -
2023 -1.27% -
2022 -2.21% -
2021 -6.37% -
2020 -8.73% -
2019 -4.41% -
2018 -1.26% -
2017 -1.72% -
2016 -2.42% -
2015 -2.79% -
2014 -2.92% -
2013 -2.81% -
2012 -3.51% -
2011 -4.53% -
2010 -5.12% -7.79%
2009 -4.56% -2.89%
2008 -1.1% -2.86%
2007 1.47% -2.99%
2006 1.77% -1.12%
2005 1.71% -4.41%
2004 1.32% -4.18%
2003 1.05% -2.7%
2002 0.19% -2.02%
2001 -0.03% 2.3%
2000 1.25% -1.36%
1999 0.67% -1.47%
1998 -0.25% -2.81%
1997 -0.49% -1.78%
1996 -1.46% -2.83%
1995 -2.6% -3.81%
1994 -3.79% -6%
1993 -4.73% -4.96%
1992 -4.74% -7.26%
1991 -2.79% -6.57%
1990 -0.23% -3.92%
1989 -1.29% -
1988 -0.77% -
1987 -1.66% -
1986 -3.5% -
1985 -5.24% -
1984 -5.48% -
1983 -5.66% -
1982 -5.19% -
1981 -3.25% -
1980 -2.87% -
1979 -2.32% -
1978 -4.19% -
1977 -4.39% -
1976 -3.44% -
1975 -3.47% -
1974 -2.46% -
1973 0.16% -
1972 -0.97% -
1971 -0.23% -
1970 -0.23% -
1969 0.53% -
1968 -0.7% -
1967 -1.65% -
1966 -1.77% -
1965 -1.46% -
1964 0.19% -
1963 -0.26% -
1962 -0.38% -
1961 -0.78% -
1960 0.47% -
1959 0.06% -
1958 -0.25% -
1957 -0.33% -
1956 1% -
1955 0.08% -
1954 -0.27% -
1953 -0.86% -
1952 -0.44% -
1951 1.85% -
1950 4.29% -
1949 0.72% -
1948 2% -
1947 -0.45% -
1946 -4.09% -
1945 -8.87% -
1944 -11.8% -
1943 -12.4% -
1942 -5.17% -
1941 -2.14% -
1940 0.51% -
1939 0.77% -
1938 0.24% -
1937 0.28% -
1936 0.17% -
1935 0.24% -
1934 0.28% -
1933 0.28% -
1932 0.02% -
1931 -0.8% -
1930 -1% -
1929 -0.53% -
1928 -0.69% -
1927 -0.5% -
1926 -0.31% -
1925 -0.26% -
1924 -0.5% -
1923 -0.33% -
1922 -0.94% -
1921 -2% -
1920 -2.43% -
1919 -4.8% -
1918 -4.36% -
1917 -4.99% -
1916 -3.47% -
1915 -1.11% -
1914 -0.29% -
1913 0% -
1912 0.12% -
1911 0.39% -
1910 0.39% -
1909 0.37% -
1908 -0.15% -
1907 0.41% -
1906 0.23% -
1905 0.11% -
1904 -0.13% -
1903 -0.02% -
1902 0.16% -
1901 1.46% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1901–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/australia/syria | CC BY

In 2010, Australia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $59B, equivalent to 5.12% of GDP. This compares to Syria's deficit of $4.78B, or 7.79% of GDP.

Over the past 21 years, Australia recorded a fiscal deficit in 13 of those years, while Syria ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, Australia posted an annual deficit equal to 1.07% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.4% of GDP for Syria.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Australia

Syria
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Australia Syria
2024 3.16% -
2023 5.6% -
2022 6.59% -
2021 2.86% -
2020 0.85% -
2019 1.61% 13.4%
2018 1.91% 0.94%
2017 1.95% 18.1%
2016 1.28% 47.7%
2015 1.51% 38.5%
2014 2.49% 10.9%
2013 2.45% 40%
2012 1.76% 36.7%
2011 3.3% 4.75%
2010 2.92% 4.4%
2009 1.77% 2.92%
2008 4.35% 15.7%
2007 2.33% 3.91%
2006 3.56% 10%
2005 2.69% 7.24%
2004 2.34% 4.43%
2003 2.73% 5.8%
2002 2.98% -0.13%
2001 4.41% 3%
2000 4.46% -3.85%
1999 1.48% -3.7%
1998 0.86% -0.8%
1997 0.22% 1.89%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/australia/syria | CC BY

Over the past 23 years, Australia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.41%, compared with 11.4% in Syria. In 2019, inflation was 3.16% in Australia and 13.4% in Syria.

Top exports between countries

Australia
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $943K
Wood & paper products $347K
Chemicals & pharma $51K
Machinery & equipment $45K
Miscellaneous $33K
Precious metals & jewellery $2K
Syria
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $841K
Machinery & equipment $483K
Metals $327K
Textiles & consumer goods $155K
Raw agricultural goods $80K
Raw materials & minerals $69K
Chemicals & pharma $50K
Wood & paper products $46K
Precious metals & jewellery $13K
Miscellaneous $7K

Balance of trade

Australia Syria
Current account balance
-$34.8B
2024
-$367M
2010
Current account balance ranking
187/190
2024
103/190
2010
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.98%
2024
-0.6%
2010
Goods imports
$297B
2024
$15.9B
2010
Goods exports
$341B
2024
$12.3B
2010
Service imports
$109B
2024
$3.53B
2010
Service exports
$84.1B
2024
$7.33B
2010
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
22.5%
2024
28.8%
2022
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
24.6%
2024
6.81%
2022

Economic freedom indices

The indices of economic freedom below are issued by the Heritage Foundation. Higher scores indicate stronger economic health.

Australia Syria
Economic freedom 80.1 51.2
Economic freedom ranking 5/197 155/197
Property rights 88.2 4
Government integrity 88.1 3.6
Judicial effectiveness 96.3 3.7
Tax burden 61.8 87.3
Government spending 56.6 78.5
Fiscal health 89 13.8
Business freedom 92.3 33.8
Labor freedom 61.5 37.2
Monetary freedom 77.2 80
Trade freedom 89.8 47
Investment freedom 80 0
Financial freedom 80 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Australia
Syria
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Australia Syria
2026 80.1 -
2025 79.3 -
2024 76.2 -
2023 74.8 -
2022 77.7 -
2021 82.4 -
2020 82.6 -
2019 80.9 -
2018 80.9 -
2017 81 -
2016 80.3 -
2015 81.4 -
2014 82 -
2013 82.6 -
2012 83.1 51.2
2011 82.5 51.3
2010 82.6 49.4
2009 82.6 51.3
2008 82.2 47.2
2007 81.1 48.3
2006 79.9 51.2
2005 79 46.3
2004 77.9 40.6
2003 77.4 41.3
2002 77.3 36.3
2001 77.4 36.6
2000 77.1 37.2
1999 76.4 39
1998 75.6 42.2
1997 75.5 43
1996 74 42.3
1995 74.1 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/australia/syria | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Australia is 80.1, ranking 5/197, compared to 51.2 for Syria, ranking 155/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Australia Syria
Services, % of GDP
66.1%
2024
44.9%
2022
Industry, % of GDP
25.5%
2024
12%
2022
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.04%
2024
43.1%
2022
GNI, Atlas method
$1.7T
2024
$18.2B
2023
GNI per capita, PPP
$69,600
2024
$4,480
2023
Total reserves including gold
$60.4B
2024
$20.6B
2010
Total reserves ranking
39/177
2024
62/177
2010
Net foreign direct investment
-$39.2B
2024
-$1.47B
2010
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$53.4B
2024
$0
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$13.9B
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
0.15%
2023
Poverty at national poverty lines n/a
35.2%
2007
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
24.3%
2024
16%
1969

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/australia/syria | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1901–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2010–2023, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)

Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) — you’re free to copy, share, remix, adapt, and use even commercially as long as you give appropriate credit and clearly indicate if you made changes. Other sources may be subject to different license terms.

The current account balance is the sum of net trade in goods and services, net earnings from cross-border investments, and net transfer payments. It reflects a country's economic transactions with the rest of the world and is a fundamental component of the balance of payments. A surplus indicates that a country exports more than it imports, while a deficit shows the opposite.

Gross National Income (GNI) measures a country's total income. It encompasses income earned by residents, businesses, and foreign sources, defined as employee compensation and investment profits. GNI adds product taxes not included elsewhere and subtracts subsidies. It accounts for income from residents working abroad but excludes earnings from foreigners within the country.

A negative value for Net Foreign Direct Investment indicates a country is a net receiver of investments, as foreign inflows exceed outflows after Balance of Payments adjustments. A positive value indicates a net provider, with outflows exceeding inflows. Inflows are credits (increasing foreign claims on domestic assets), while outflows are debits (increasing domestic assets abroad).

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net inflows) shows how much capital foreign investors bring into a country after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of overseas companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in the reporting country. A positive number means more capital entered the country than was withdrawn, while a negative number means foreign investors pulled out more than they invested.

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net outflows) shows how much capital residents of a country invest abroad after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of domestic companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in other countries. A positive number means more capital was invested abroad than withdrawn, while a negative number means residents pulled back more than they invested.

Principal and interest payments to the IMF in currency, goods, or services on long-term debt expressed as a share of GNI.

Formerly gross domestic investment, gross capital formation measures the share of a country’s economic output invested in fixed assets, including buildings, machinery, and infrastructure. It indicates how much of the economy is devoted to building productive capacity.