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Economy of Belarus vs Syria compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Belarus has a GDP of $76B compared to $20B for Syria, ranking 83/197 and 129/197 by economy size, respectively.

Belarus has $33.7B in government debt (42.9% of GDP), compared to $18.4B (30% of GDP) in Syria.

The chart below compares the two countries' GDP growth in both current (nominal) and constant dollars, accounting for inflation over time.

Belarus
GDP, current $

GDP, constant 2015 $
Syria
GDP, current $

GDP, constant 2015 $
Year GDP
Belarus Syria
Current $ Constant $ Current $ Constant $
1960 - - $857,704,413 $2,416,812,218
1961 - - $945,244,972 $2,678,627,030
1962 - - $1,110,565,881 $3,335,461,124
1963 - - $1,200,447,408 $3,046,852,122
1964 - - $1,339,494,267 $3,329,336,867
1965 - - $1,472,036,540 $3,405,890,769
1966 - - $1,342,287,553 $3,145,031,364
1967 - - $1,580,229,799 $3,404,738,073
1968 - - $1,753,746,430 $3,531,703,487
1969 - - $2,245,011,515 $4,194,530,603
1970 - - $2,140,384,010 $4,119,161,060
1971 - - $2,589,851,325 $4,488,065,486
1972 - - $3,059,681,698 $5,639,735,188
1973 - - $3,239,487,516 $5,049,263,095
1974 - - $5,159,557,148 $6,351,759,533
1975 - - $6,826,980,444 $7,390,372,324
1976 - - $7,633,528,867 $8,296,021,554
1977 - - $7,696,011,396 $8,146,733,163
1978 - - $9,275,200,458 $8,956,729,450
1979 - - $9,929,681,529 $9,036,264,207
1980 - - $13,062,420,382 $10,347,255,986
1981 - - $15,518,201,335 $11,149,721,268
1982 - - $16,298,929,011 $11,460,696,656
1983 - - $17,589,277,143 $11,726,623,777
1984 - - $17,503,078,174 $10,834,153,805
1985 - - $16,403,539,893 $11,847,234,654
1986 - - $13,293,205,278 $10,905,032,498
1987 - - $11,356,215,543 $11,088,485,935
1988 - - $10,577,041,645 $13,085,648,672
1989 - - $9,853,395,762 $11,299,813,273
1990 $17,389,558,233 $29,435,120,618 $12,308,624,418 $11,722,376,107
1991 $18,404,907,975 $29,081,900,435 $12,981,833,333 $12,621,068,342
1992 $16,939,790,094 $26,290,037,656 $13,253,565,861 $14,258,373,042
1993 $16,275,073,527 $24,291,994,261 $13,695,962,055 $15,135,390,679
1994 $14,931,435,232 $21,449,829,995 $10,122,020,000 $16,227,110,829
1995 $13,972,683,274 $19,219,047,590 $11,396,706,587 $17,367,323,301
1996 $14,756,846,154 $19,757,181,802 $13,789,560,878 $19,073,761,706
1997 $14,130,585,516 $22,009,501,596 $14,505,233,463 $20,031,990,206
1998 $15,221,352,699 $23,858,297,858 $15,200,846,154 $21,391,221,744
1999 $12,138,243,081 $24,669,479,794 $15,873,875,969 $20,631,095,403
2000 $12,736,780,455 $26,100,310,428 $18,937,052,543 $20,770,487,870
2001 $12,354,820,144 $27,333,629,973 $20,237,024,725 $20,988,014,510
2002 $14,594,900,945 $28,712,684,737 $20,669,357,462 $21,818,055,209
2003 $17,825,444,724 $30,734,974,395 $21,828,144,686 $23,389,922,826
2004 $23,141,566,293 $34,254,050,014 $25,086,950,495 $25,004,519,711
2005 $30,210,091,837 $37,473,931,238 $28,858,965,517 $26,558,570,073
2006 $36,961,894,281 $41,221,322,382 $33,751,788,856 $27,898,767,456
2007 $45,275,711,996 $44,766,358,828 $40,465,318,382 $29,481,908,620
2008 $60,752,106,347 $49,332,527,214 $52,557,913,569 $30,801,717,185
2009 $50,873,167,326 $49,431,189,908 $54,111,735,629 $32,622,727,886
2010 $57,231,904,543 $53,262,115,562 $61,390,830,875 $34,316,469,201
2011 $61,762,382,328 $56,218,149,512 $67,539,428,159 $35,294,489,549
2012 $65,685,890,439 $57,178,272,623 $43,190,318,033 $25,998,267,919
2013 $75,527,558,966 $57,749,323,055 $21,361,254,635 $19,160,700,666
2014 $78,813,069,121 $58,702,836,384 $21,502,061,466 $17,185,167,298
2015 $56,454,769,845 $56,454,769,845 $16,466,863,117 $16,466,863,117
2016 $47,723,545,321 $55,028,470,324 $12,597,854,877 $15,412,063,258
2017 $54,725,405,751 $56,421,892,170 $16,369,843,352 $15,300,590,613
2018 $60,031,026,576 $58,198,729,041 $21,497,782,868 $15,513,754,781
2019 $64,410,170,653 $59,040,547,745 $22,583,045,060 $15,703,131,996
2020 $61,371,673,345 $58,643,356,622 $12,047,752,036 $15,593,656,904
2021 $69,673,747,132 $60,073,587,235 $14,353,205,678 $15,882,796,970
2022 $73,775,179,925 $57,275,121,700 $23,622,827,080 $15,999,183,136
2023 $72,478,760,370 $59,638,602,548 $19,993,439,950 $15,806,030,725
2024 $75,961,865,472 $62,030,020,173 - -

Economic indicators

Belarus Syria
Gross domestic product
$76B
2024
$20B
2023
GDP rank
83/197
2024
129/197
2023
GDP growth
4.81%
2023-2024
-15.4%
2022-2023
GDP per capita
$8,317
2024
$847
2023
GDP per capita rank
95/197
2024
184/197
2023
GDP per capita, PPP
$33,006
2024
$4,650
2023
Government debt
$33.7B
2024
$18.4B
2010
Debt-to-GDP ratio
42.9%
2025
30%
2010
Government debt per person
$3,691
2024
$820
2010
Government debt per person rank
94/185
2024
148/185
2010
Average annual personal income after taxes
$6,343
2025
$731
2025
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$6.01B
2024
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
20.7%
2020
21.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
4.5%
2020
3.8%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
41.3%
2025
28.6%
2010
Consumer prices inflation
7%
2024-2025
13.4%
2018-2019
Central bank interest rate
9.75%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
3.46%
2023
8.61%
2010
Population
9074112
26304877

GDP per capita in Belarus vs Syria

Belarus' GDP per capita is $8,317, ranking 95/197, compared to $847 in Syria, ranking 184/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Belarus ranks 68th at $33,006, while Syria ranks 160th at $4,650.

Belarus
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Syria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Year Current $
Belarus Syria
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
1960 - - $183.5 -
1961 - - $196.3 -
1962 - - $223.9 -
1963 - - $234.9 -
1964 - - $254.2 -
1965 - - $270.8 -
1966 - - $239.3 -
1967 - - $272.9 -
1968 - - $293.3 -
1969 - - $364 -
1970 - - $335 -
1971 - - $393 -
1972 - - $448 -
1973 - - $459 -
1974 - - $707 -
1975 - - $904 -
1976 - - $976 -
1977 - - $951 -
1978 - - $1,108 -
1979 - - $1,146 -
1980 - - $1,458 -
1981 - - $1,676 -
1982 - - $1,703 -
1983 - - $1,776 -
1984 - - $1,706 -
1985 - - $1,544 -
1986 - - $1,208 -
1987 - - $997 -
1988 - - $898 -
1989 - - $809 -
1990 $1,707 $5,220 $978 -
1991 $1,805 $5,330 $1,000 -
1992 $1,658 $4,917 $990 -
1993 $1,590 $4,641 $993 -
1994 $1,460 $4,190 $712 -
1995 $1,371 $3,846 $780 -
1996 $1,453 $4,039 $918 -
1997 $1,397 $4,596 $941 -
1998 $1,511 $5,061 $961 -
1999 $1,211 $5,331 $978 -
2000 $1,276 $5,796 $1,138 -
2001 $1,244 $6,238 $1,187 -
2002 $1,479 $6,697 $1,183 -
2003 $1,820 $7,362 $1,220 -
2004 $2,378 $8,483 $1,368 -
2005 $3,126 $9,637 $1,534 -
2006 $3,848 $10,995 $1,719 -
2007 $4,735 $12,320 $1,938 -
2008 $6,376 $13,886 $2,429 -
2009 $5,352 $14,034 $2,462 -
2010 $6,035 $15,339 $2,731 -
2011 $6,528 $16,563 $2,952 -
2012 $6,953 $18,115 $1,898 -
2013 $7,998 $19,014 $986 -
2014 $8,341 $19,038 $1,061 -
2015 $5,967 $18,134 $848 -
2016 $5,040 $17,832 $656 -
2017 $5,786 $18,414 $852 $3,265
2018 $6,360 $20,026 $1,098 $3,456
2019 $6,838 $22,302 $1,110 $3,502
2020 $6,543 $24,872 $572 $3,738
2021 $7,490 $27,611 $664 $4,593
2022 $7,995 $28,429 $1,052 $4,772
2023 $7,897 $30,834 $847 $4,650
2024 $8,317 $33,006 - -

Spending and national debt comparison

In 2024, Belarus' government spending was $31.1B, accounting for 41.3% of its GDP, while Syria's spent $17.6B, or 28.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 42.9% in Belarus and 30% in Syria, ranking 127/185 and 159/185, respectively.

Belarus
Government spending

Government debt
Syria
Government spending

Government debt
Year % of GDP
Belarus Syria
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
1990 - - 28.3% 189.8%
1991 - - 34.3% 182.4%
1992 - - 34.2% 173.6%
1993 - - 29.4% 171.9%
1994 - - 30.3% 163%
1995 - - 29.8% 152.6%
1996 - - 27.7% 141.5%
1997 - - 29% 147.6%
1998 - - 28.8% 151.2%
1999 - - 28% 147.7%
2000 - - 27.4% 152.1%
2001 42.4% - 28% 144.5%
2002 43.8% - 28.5% 132.4%
2003 43.5% - 32.6% 133.4%
2004 44% 9.22% 31.3% 113%
2005 45% 8.12% 28.2% 50.7%
2006 47.2% 12.3% 26.3% 45%
2007 49.2% 15.8% 25.7% 42.7%
2008 60% 20.3% 22.9% 37.3%
2009 51.7% 32.5% 26.7% 31.2%
2010 44.3% 36.8% 28.6% 30%
2011 40.3% 58.2% - -
2012 38.9% 36.9% - -
2013 40.8% 36.9% - -
2014 38.8% 38.8% - -
2015 41.8% 53% - -
2016 40.7% 53.5% - -
2017 39% 53.2% - -
2018 37.8% 47.5% - -
2019 37.4% 41% - -
2020 38% 47.5% - -
2021 36.7% 41.2% - -
2022 38% 40.8% - -
2023 40.3% 40.7% - -
2024 41% 44.4% - -
2025 41.3% 42.9% - -

Government deficit by year

In 2010, Belarus' government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was -$2.4B, equivalent to -4.19% of GDP. This compares to Syria's deficit of -$4.78B, or -7.79% of GDP.

Over the past 10 years, Belarus recorded a fiscal deficit in 10 of those years, while Syria ran a deficit in 9 years. On average, Belarus posted an annual deficit equal to -7.09% of GDP, compared to deficit of -2.87% of GDP for Syria.

Deficit/surplus
Belarus

Syria
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Belarus Syria
1990 - -3.92%
1991 - -6.57%
1992 - -7.26%
1993 - -4.96%
1994 - -6%
1995 - -3.81%
1996 - -2.83%
1997 - -1.78%
1998 - -2.81%
1999 - -1.47%
2000 - -1.36%
2001 -4.74% 2.3%
2002 -7.81% -2.02%
2003 -6.74% -2.7%
2004 -7.06% -4.18%
2005 -6.71% -4.41%
2006 -7.71% -1.12%
2007 -7.82% -2.99%
2008 -10.9% -2.86%
2009 -7.23% -2.89%
2010 -4.19% -7.79%
2011 -2.81% -
2012 0.36% -
2013 -0.98% -
2014 0.09% -
2015 -2.96% -
2016 -1.66% -
2017 -0.34% -
2018 1.8% -
2019 0.91% -
2020 -2.87% -
2021 -0.22% -
2022 -2.04% -
2023 0.71% -
2024 0.75% -
2025 0.24% -

Inflation comparison by year

Over the past 24 years, Belarus has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 43.9%, compared with 11.3% in Syria. In 2019, inflation was 7% in Belarus and 13.4% in Syria.

Inflation
Belarus

Syria
Year Inflation
Belarus Syria Belarus Syria
1996 52.7% 8.25%
1997 63.8% 1.89%
1998 73% -0.8%
1999 293.7% -3.7%
2000 168.6% -3.85%
2001 61.1% 3%
2002 42.6% -0.13%
2003 28.4% 5.8%
2004 18.1% 4.43%
2005 10.3% 7.24%
2006 7% 10%
2007 8.4% 3.91%
2008 14.8% 15.7%
2009 13% 2.92%
2010 7.7% 4.4%
2011 53.2% 4.75%
2012 59.2% 36.7%
2013 18.3% 40%
2014 18.1% 10.9%
2015 13.5% 38.5%
2016 11.8% 47.7%
2017 6% 18.1%
2018 4.9% 0.94%
2019 5.6% 13.4%
2020 5.5% -
2021 9.5% -
2022 15.2% -
2023 5% -
2024 5.7% -
2025 7% -

Top exports between countries

Belarus
Export category Export value
Transport & tourism services $4.65M
Business & finance services $3.39M
Animal & marine products $2.93M
Chemicals & pharma $707K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $482K
Government & miscellaneous services $357K
Wood & paper products $176K
Raw agricultural goods $91K
Machinery & equipment $86K
IT & IP services $27K
Syria
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $4.5M
Textiles & consumer goods $177K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $84K
Raw agricultural goods $71K
Metals $61K
Machinery & equipment $19K
Miscellaneous $11K
Wood & paper products $4K

Balance of trade

Belarus Syria
Current account balance
-$1.94B
2024
-$367M
2010
Current account balance ranking
141/189
2024
100/189
2010
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.56%
2024
-0.6%
2010
Goods imports
$44.2B
2024
$15.9B
2010
Goods exports
$39.5B
2024
$12.3B
2010
Service imports
$6.82B
2024
$3.53B
2010
Service exports
$10.1B
2024
$7.33B
2010
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
66.9%
2024
28.8%
2022
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
65.1%
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.

Belarus Syria
Economic freedom 48.9 51.2
Economic freedom ranking 168/197 155/197
Property rights 20.9 2.6
Government integrity 28.8 3.3
Judicial effectiveness 10.5 3.7
Tax burden 89.3 86.2
Government spending 55.6 78.5
Fiscal health 96.2 13.8
Business freedom 50.9 35
Labor freedom 48 46.5
Monetary freedom 67.2 60.6
Trade freedom 69.2 47
Investment freedom 30 0
Financial freedom 20 20

Economic freedom by year comparison

The Economic Freedom Index for Belarus is 48.9, ranking 168/197, compared to 51.2 for Syria, ranking 155/197. The chart below displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Belarus
Syria
Year Economic freedom index
Belarus Syria
1995 40.4 -
1996 38.7 42.3
1997 39.8 43
1998 38 42.2
1999 35.4 39
2000 41.3 37.2
2001 38 36.6
2002 39 36.3
2003 39.7 41.3
2004 43.1 40.6
2005 46.7 46.3
2006 47.5 51.2
2007 47 48.3
2008 45.3 47.2
2009 45 51.3
2010 48.7 49.4
2011 47.9 51.3
2012 49 51.2
2013 48 -
2014 50.1 -
2015 49.8 -
2016 48.8 -
2017 58.6 -
2018 58.1 -
2019 57.9 -
2020 61.7 -
2021 61 -
2022 53 -
2023 51 -
2024 48.4 -
2025 48.9 -

More economic indicators

Belarus Syria
Services, % of GDP
49.7%
2024
44.9%
2022
Industry, % of GDP
30.7%
2024
12%
2022
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
6.87%
2024
43.1%
2022
GNI, Atlas method
$75.2B
2024
$18.2B
2023
GNI per capita, PPP
$32,220
2024
$4,480
2023
Total reserves including gold
$8.91B
2024
$20.6B
2010
Total reserves ranking
82/177
2024
62/177
2010
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.57B
2024
-$1.47B
2010
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.74B
2024
$804M
2011
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$170M
2024
$0
1989
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
11.3%
2023
0.15%
2023
Poverty at national poverty lines
3.9%
2022
35.2%
2007
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
25.8%
2024
16%
1969

GDP per capita map

GDP per capita

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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.