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Economy of Bahrain vs Syria compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Bahrain has a GDP of $47.1B compared to $20B for Syria, ranking 96/197 and 129/197 by economy size, respectively.

Bahrain has $62.8B in government debt (133.4% of GDP), compared to $18.4B (30% of GDP) in Syria.

Bahrain vs Syria GDP by year

Bahrain
Syria
1x
Year GDP, current $
Bahrain Syria
2024 $47,109,734,309 -
2023 $46,192,260,638 $19,993,439,950
2022 $46,458,191,489 $23,622,827,080
2021 $40,840,212,766 $14,353,205,678
2020 $35,837,632,979 $12,047,752,036
2019 $40,446,808,511 $22,583,045,060
2018 $39,567,978,723 $21,497,782,868
2017 $37,204,813,830 $16,369,843,352
2016 $33,884,680,851 $12,597,854,877
2015 $32,523,297,872 $16,466,863,117
2014 $34,772,526,596 $21,502,061,466
2013 $33,823,324,468 $21,361,254,635
2012 $31,963,404,255 $43,190,318,033
2011 $29,914,680,851 $67,539,428,159
2010 $26,805,984,043 $61,390,830,875
2009 $22,938,218,085 $54,111,735,629
2008 $25,710,904,255 $52,557,913,569
2007 $21,730,000,000 $40,465,318,382
2006 $18,504,760,638 $33,751,788,856
2005 $15,968,723,404 $28,858,965,517
2004 $13,150,159,574 $25,086,950,495
2003 $11,074,813,830 $21,828,144,686
2002 $9,593,510,638 $20,669,357,462
2001 $8,976,196,809 $20,237,024,725
2000 $9,062,898,936 $18,937,052,543
1999 $7,528,469,149 $15,873,875,969
1998 $7,031,309,043 $15,200,846,154
1997 $7,219,407,713 $14,505,233,463
1996 $6,938,166,755 $13,789,560,878
1995 $6,651,180,851 $11,396,706,587
1994 $6,330,627,926 $10,122,020,000
1993 $5,913,001,064 $13,695,962,055
1992 $5,402,232,447 $13,253,565,861
1991 $5,248,911,170 $12,981,833,333
1990 $4,809,511,005 $12,308,624,418
1989 $4,393,093,963 $9,853,395,762
1988 $4,209,834,173 $10,577,041,645
1987 $3,856,922,694 $11,356,215,543
1986 $3,470,746,843 $13,293,205,278
1985 $4,152,376,484 $16,403,539,893
1984 $4,440,874,566 $17,503,078,174
1983 $4,247,030,468 $17,589,277,143
1982 $4,145,421,080 $16,298,929,011
1981 $3,943,109,532 $15,518,201,335
1980 $3,493,834,468 $13,062,420,382
1979 $2,710,160,739 $9,929,681,529
1978 $2,272,042,965 $9,275,200,458
1977 $1,989,060,283 $7,696,011,396
1976 $1,581,709,519 $7,633,528,867
1975 $1,099,107,601 $6,826,980,444
1974 $1,042,176,884 $5,159,557,148
1973 $761,132,545 $3,239,487,516
1972 $534,081,184 $3,059,681,698
1971 $422,181,562 $2,589,851,325
1970 $391,577,364 $2,140,384,010
1969 - $2,245,011,515
1968 - $1,753,746,430
1967 - $1,580,229,799
1966 - $1,342,287,553
1965 - $1,472,036,540
1964 - $1,339,494,267
1963 - $1,200,447,408
1962 - $1,110,565,881
1961 - $945,244,972
1960 - $857,704,413

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

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

GDP per capita in Bahrain vs Syria by year

Bahrain
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Syria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Bahrain Syria
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $29,654 $66,941 - -
2023 $29,290 $64,171 $847 $4,650
2022 $30,471 $61,678 $1,052 $4,772
2021 $27,148 $54,955 $664 $4,593
2020 $24,343 $53,436 $572 $3,738
2019 $27,260 $56,600 $1,110 $3,502
2018 $26,324 $51,993 $1,098 $3,456
2017 $24,785 $50,185 $852 $3,265
2016 $23,800 $47,429 $656 -
2015 $23,734 $48,034 $848 -
2014 $26,452 $54,299 $1,061 -
2013 $26,990 $56,310 $986 -
2012 $26,439 $56,713 $1,898 -
2011 $25,033 $52,677 $2,952 -
2010 $21,819 $49,255 $2,731 -
2009 $19,465 $48,626 $2,462 -
2008 $23,299 $50,330 $2,429 -
2007 $20,908 $49,347 $1,938 -
2006 $19,267 $48,009 $1,719 -
2005 $17,966 $47,268 $1,534 -
2004 $15,964 $46,317 $1,368 -
2003 $14,486 $45,427 $1,220 -
2002 $13,501 $45,091 $1,183 -
2001 $13,573 $46,162 $1,187 -
2000 $14,214 $45,688 $1,138 -
1999 $12,123 $43,561 $978 -
1998 $11,625 $42,281 $961 -
1997 $12,255 $40,965 $941 -
1996 $12,092 $40,106 $918 -
1995 $11,901 $38,839 $780 -
1994 $11,629 $37,579 $712 -
1993 $11,152 $37,870 $993 -
1992 $10,460 $33,648 $990 -
1991 $10,434 $31,657 $1,000 -
1990 $9,343 $26,902 $978 -
1989 $8,833 - $809 -
1988 $8,772 - $898 -
1987 $8,333 - $997 -
1986 $7,777 - $1,208 -
1985 $9,649 - $1,544 -
1984 $10,697 - $1,706 -
1983 $10,599 - $1,776 -
1982 $10,712 - $1,703 -
1981 $10,557 - $1,676 -
1980 $9,733 - $1,458 -
1979 $7,891 - $1,146 -
1978 $6,926 - $1,108 -
1977 $6,358 - $951 -
1976 $5,310 - $976 -
1975 $3,880 - $904 -
1974 $3,874 - $707 -
1973 $2,981 - $459 -
1972 $2,206 - $448 -
1971 $1,830 - $393 -
1970 $1,742 - $335 -
1969 - - $364 -
1968 - - $293.3 -
1967 - - $272.9 -
1966 - - $239.3 -
1965 - - $270.8 -
1964 - - $254.2 -
1963 - - $234.9 -
1962 - - $223.9 -
1961 - - $196.3 -
1960 - - $183.5 -

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

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

Bahrain's GDP per capita is $29,654, ranking 42/197, compared to $847 in Syria, ranking 185/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Bahrain ranks 26th at $66,941, while Syria ranks 160th at $4,650.

Economic indicators

Bahrain Syria
Gross domestic product
$47.1B
2024
$20B
2023
GDP rank
96/197
2024
129/197
2023
GDP growth
2.6%
2023-2024
-1.21%
2022-2023
GDP per capita
$29,654
2024
$847
2023
GDP per capita rank
42/197
2024
185/197
2023
GDP per capita, PPP
$66,941
2024
$4,650
2023
GDP per capita PPP rank
26/197
2024
160/197
2023
Government debt
$62.8B
2024
$18.4B
2010
Debt-to-GDP ratio
133.4%
2024
30%
2010
Government debt per person
$39,552
2024
$820
2010
Government debt per person rank
14/185
2024
148/185
2010
Average annual personal income after taxes
$23,253
2026
$730
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$20.4B
2024
n/a
Income share by richest 10% n/a
21.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
3.8%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
29.1%
2024
28.6%
2010
Consumer prices inflation
0.92%
2023-2024
13.4%
2018-2019
Central bank interest rate
4.25%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
1.2%
2012
8.61%
2010
Population
1669503
26829400

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Bahrain
Spending

Debt
Syria
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Bahrain Syria
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 29.1% 133.4% - -
2023 29.1% 123% - -
2022 28.4% 111.6% - -
2021 30.6% 122.3% - -
2020 34.6% 125.7% - -
2019 31.2% 97.1% - -
2018 32.1% 90.4% - -
2017 30.7% 84% - -
2016 33.3% 77.4% - -
2015 34.8% 63.2% - -
2014 27.3% 42.6% - -
2013 32% 42.3% - -
2012 31.1% 34.8% - -
2011 30.2% 31.6% - -
2010 31.1% 28.8% 28.6% 30%
2009 24.6% 20.5% 26.7% 31.2%
2008 22.7% 12.1% 22.9% 37.3%
2007 22.4% 15.7% 25.7% 42.7%
2006 23.1% 19.4% 26.3% 45%
2005 23.9% 23.2% 28.2% 50.7%
2004 25% 28.2% 31.3% 113%
2003 28.1% 31.1% 32.6% 133.4%
2002 30.6% 27.2% 28.5% 132.4%
2001 26.5% 25% 28% 144.5%
2000 22.2% 24.7% 27.4% 152.1%
1999 27.1% 24.7% 28% 147.7%
1998 25.7% 20% 28.8% 151.2%
1997 31% 14.8% 29% 147.6%
1996 22.7% 13.1% 27.7% 141.5%
1995 25.1% 13.6% 29.8% 152.6%
1994 26.1% 5.62% 30.3% 163%
1993 26.7% 5.95% 29.4% 171.9%
1992 29.4% 6.45% 34.2% 173.6%
1991 28.5% 6.71% 34.3% 182.4%
1990 32.4% 7.24% 28.3% 189.8%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Bahrain's government spending was $13.7B, accounting for 29.1% of its GDP, while Syria spent $17.6B, or 28.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 133.4% in Bahrain and 30% in Syria, ranking 9/185 and 157/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Bahrain

Syria
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Bahrain Syria
2024 -10.6% -
2023 -9.67% -
2022 -6.02% -
2021 -10.6% -
2020 -17.3% -
2019 -8.57% -
2018 -11.3% -
2017 -13.4% -
2016 -16.6% -
2015 -17.5% -
2014 -3.32% -
2013 -8.55% -
2012 -5.77% -
2011 -4.9% -
2010 -9.29% -7.79%
2009 -5.36% -2.89%
2008 4.08% -2.86%
2007 1.52% -2.99%
2006 2.24% -1.12%
2005 2.8% -4.41%
2004 0.24% -4.18%
2003 -1.7% -2.7%
2002 -3.27% -2.02%
2001 0.7% 2.3%
2000 7.33% -1.36%
1999 -4.85% -1.47%
1998 -5.49% -2.81%
1997 -6.39% -1.78%
1996 0.24% -2.83%
1995 -3.99% -3.81%
1994 -5.18% -6%
1993 -2.77% -4.96%
1992 -5.41% -7.26%
1991 -3.47% -6.57%
1990 -6.79% -3.92%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2010, Bahrain's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $2.49B, equivalent to 9.29% of GDP. This compares to Syria's deficit of $4.78B, or 7.79% of GDP.

Over the past 21 years, Bahrain recorded a fiscal deficit in 13 of those years, while Syria ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, Bahrain posted an annual deficit equal to 2.13% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.4% of GDP for Syria.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Bahrain

Syria
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Bahrain Syria
2024 0.92% -
2023 0.07% -
2022 3.63% -
2021 -0.61% -
2020 -2.32% -
2019 1.01% 13.4%
2018 2.09% 0.94%
2017 1.39% 18.1%
2016 2.79% 47.7%
2015 1.85% 38.5%
2014 2.65% 10.9%
2013 3.3% 40%
2012 2.76% 36.7%
2011 -0.4% 4.75%
2010 1.96% 4.4%
2009 2.8% 2.92%
2008 3.53% 15.7%
2007 3.26% 3.91%
2006 2.01% 10%
2005 2.59% 7.24%
2004 2.35% 4.43%
2003 1.59% 5.8%
2002 -0.5% -0.13%
2001 -1.21% 3%
2000 -0.7% -3.85%
1999 -1.29% -3.7%
1998 -0.37% -0.8%
1997 2.43% 1.89%

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

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

Over the past 23 years, Bahrain has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.56%, compared with 11.4% in Syria. In 2019, inflation was 0.92% in Bahrain and 13.4% in Syria.

Top exports between countries

Bahrain
Export category Export value
Metals $881K
Chemicals & pharma $129K
Animal & marine products $98K
Machinery & equipment $74K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $60K
Raw agricultural goods $55K
Textiles & consumer goods $33K
Miscellaneous $1K
Syria
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $3.14M
Chemicals & pharma $1.38M
Metals $1.26M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.14M
Animal & marine products $998K
Textiles & consumer goods $542K
Machinery & equipment $167K
Raw materials & minerals $141K
Wood & paper products $118K
Miscellaneous $14K

Balance of trade

Bahrain Syria
Current account balance
$2.28B
2024
-$367M
2010
Current account balance ranking
44/190
2024
103/190
2010
Current account balance, % of GDP
+4.84%
2024
-0.6%
2010
Goods imports
$20.7B
2024
$15.9B
2010
Goods exports
$24.3B
2024
$12.3B
2010
Service imports
$12.4B
2024
$3.53B
2010
Service exports
$17B
2024
$7.33B
2010
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
70.1%
2024
28.8%
2022
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
87.7%
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.

Bahrain Syria
Economic freedom 65.7 51.2
Economic freedom ranking 63/197 155/197
Property rights 60.9 4
Government integrity 45.9 3.6
Judicial effectiveness 30 3.7
Tax burden 99.9 87.3
Government spending 75 78.5
Fiscal health 0 13.8
Business freedom 75.9 33.8
Labor freedom 55.5 37.2
Monetary freedom 88.8 80
Trade freedom 86.8 47
Investment freedom 90 0
Financial freedom 80 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Bahrain
Syria
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Bahrain Syria
2026 65.7 -
2025 65.6 -
2024 63.4 -
2023 62.5 -
2022 62 -
2021 69.9 -
2020 66.3 -
2019 66.4 -
2018 67.7 -
2017 68.5 -
2016 74.3 -
2015 73.4 -
2014 75.1 -
2013 75.5 -
2012 75.2 51.2
2011 77.7 51.3
2010 76.3 49.4
2009 74.8 51.3
2008 72.2 47.2
2007 71.2 48.3
2006 71.6 51.2
2005 71.2 46.3
2004 75.1 40.6
2003 76.3 41.3
2002 75.6 36.3
2001 75.9 36.6
2000 75.7 37.2
1999 75.2 39
1998 75.6 42.2
1997 76.1 43
1996 76.4 42.3
1995 76.2 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Bahrain is 65.7, ranking 63/197, 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

Bahrain Syria
Services, % of GDP
53.2%
2024
44.9%
2022
Industry, % of GDP
42.3%
2024
12%
2022
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.25%
2024
43.1%
2022
GNI, Atlas method
$44.6B
2024
$18.2B
2023
GNI per capita, PPP
$62,230
2024
$4,480
2023
Total reserves including gold
$4.95B
2024
$20.6B
2010
Total reserves ranking
102/177
2024
62/177
2010
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.43B
2024
-$1.47B
2010
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$2.7B
2024
$0
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$275M
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
28.4%
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/bahrain/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) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. TradeMap (2010–2023, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. 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.