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Economy of Bulgaria vs Syria compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Bulgaria has a GDP of $131B compared to $20B for Syria, ranking 63/197 and 134/197 by economy size, respectively.

Bulgaria has $35.4B in government debt (27.1% of GDP), compared to $18.4B (30% of GDP) in Syria.

Bulgaria vs Syria GDP by year

Bulgaria
Syria
1x
Year GDP, current $
Bulgaria Syria
2025 $130,777,235,530 -
2024 $113,349,149,167 -
2023 $102,204,457,335 $19,993,439,950
2022 $90,510,784,778 $23,737,634,644
2021 $84,378,926,047 $14,892,885,528
2020 $70,490,478,088 $12,501,503,673
2019 $68,511,235,459 $22,583,046,645
2018 $66,100,606,677 $21,497,779,248
2017 $59,170,671,046 $16,369,842,725
2016 $53,932,152,154 $12,597,854,088
2015 $50,768,512,173 $16,466,861,435
2014 $57,083,817,240 $21,502,061,466
2013 $55,822,115,861 $21,361,254,635
2012 $54,299,825,600 $43,190,318,033
2011 $57,684,243,980 $67,539,433,544
2010 $50,691,645,231 $61,390,833,273
2009 $52,026,461,290 $54,111,721,044
2008 $54,483,464,293 $52,557,913,397
2007 $44,433,521,725 $40,465,331,020
2006 $34,382,295,487 $33,751,812,959
2005 $29,870,182,425 $28,858,937,499
2004 $26,159,078,743 $25,086,910,448
2003 $21,146,038,619 $21,828,144,686
2002 $16,403,880,783 $20,786,986,580
2001 $14,184,170,319 $20,078,599,626
2000 $13,246,669,554 $18,937,031,610
1999 $13,637,793,854 $15,873,875,969
1998 $15,031,821,788 $15,200,846,154
1997 $11,316,706,412 $14,505,233,463
1996 $12,295,588,924 $13,789,560,878
1995 $18,992,388,645 $11,396,706,587
1994 $9,709,230,161 $10,122,020,000
1993 $10,832,041,595 $13,695,962,055
1992 $8,602,874,120 $13,253,565,861
1991 $7,628,764,750 $12,981,833,333
1990 $20,726,605,649 $12,308,624,418
1989 $21,746,286,447 $9,853,395,762
1988 $23,003,003,708 $10,577,041,645
1987 $28,428,718,531 $11,356,215,543
1986 $20,261,546,635 $13,293,205,278
1985 $17,562,270,447 $16,403,539,893
1984 $17,410,894,971 $17,503,078,174
1983 $16,959,180,922 $17,589,277,143
1982 $19,803,624,625 $16,298,929,011
1981 $20,055,685,481 $15,518,201,335
1980 $20,039,544,133 $13,062,420,382
1979 - $9,929,681,529
1978 - $9,275,200,458
1977 - $7,696,011,396
1976 - $7,633,528,867
1975 - $6,826,980,444
1974 - $5,159,557,148
1973 - $3,239,487,516
1972 - $3,059,681,698
1971 - $2,589,851,325
1970 - $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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Bulgaria vs Syria by year

Bulgaria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Syria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Bulgaria Syria
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $20,328 - - -
2024 $17,597 $41,969 - -
2023 $15,854 $38,829 $847 $4,650
2022 $14,000 $36,320 $1,057 $4,772
2021 $12,967 $30,959 $689 $4,593
2020 $10,761 $27,352 $594 $3,738
2019 $10,354 $26,766 $1,110 $3,502
2018 $9,850 $23,998 $1,098 $3,456
2017 $8,697 $22,317 $852 $3,265
2016 $7,823 $20,746 $656 -
2015 $7,269 $18,896 $848 -
2014 $8,070 $17,991 $1,061 -
2013 $7,796 $16,894 $986 -
2012 $7,432 $16,327 $1,898 -
2011 $7,850 $15,747 $2,952 -
2010 $6,854 $14,954 $2,731 -
2009 $6,989 $14,188 $2,462 -
2008 $7,272 $14,347 $2,429 -
2007 $5,889 $12,822 $1,938 -
2006 $4,523 $11,406 $1,719 -
2005 $3,900 $10,291 $1,534 -
2004 $3,390 $9,200 $1,368 -
2003 $2,720 $8,416 $1,220 -
2002 $2,093 $7,786 $1,190 -
2001 $1,771 $6,960 $1,178 -
2000 $1,621 $6,424 $1,138 -
1999 $1,661 $5,808 $978 -
1998 $1,821 $6,178 $961 -
1997 $1,361 $5,751 $941 -
1996 $1,470 $6,849 $918 -
1995 $2,259 $7,743 $780 -
1994 $1,150 $7,338 $712 -
1993 $1,279 $7,032 $993 -
1992 $1,007 $6,917 $990 -
1991 $884 $7,215 $1,000 -
1990 $2,377 $7,548 $978 -
1989 $2,450 - $809 -
1988 $2,561 - $898 -
1987 $3,169 - $997 -
1986 $2,262 - $1,208 -
1985 $1,960 - $1,544 -
1984 $1,943 - $1,706 -
1983 $1,897 - $1,776 -
1982 $2,221 - $1,703 -
1981 $2,256 - $1,676 -
1980 $2,261 - $1,458 -
1979 - - $1,146 -
1978 - - $1,108 -
1977 - - $951 -
1976 - - $976 -
1975 - - $904 -
1974 - - $707 -
1973 - - $459 -
1972 - - $448 -
1971 - - $393 -
1970 - - $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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Bulgaria's GDP per capita is $20,328, ranking 58/197, compared to $847 in Syria, ranking 185/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Bulgaria ranks 54th at $41,969, while Syria ranks 160th at $4,650.

Economic indicators

Bulgaria Syria
Gross domestic product
$131B
2025
$20B
2023
GDP rank
63/197
2025
134/197
2023
GDP growth
3.1%
2024-2025
-1.85%
2022-2023
GDP per capita
$20,328
2025
$847
2023
GDP per capita rank
58/197
2025
185/197
2023
GDP per capita, PPP
$41,969
2024
$4,650
2023
GDP per capita PPP rank
54/197
2024
160/197
2023
Government debt
$35.4B
2025
$18.4B
2010
Debt-to-GDP ratio
27.1%
2025
30%
2010
Government debt per person
$5,507
2025
$820
2010
Government debt per person rank
79/185
2025
150/185
2010
Average annual personal income after taxes
$16,126
2026
$693
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$11.2B
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
2
2026
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
31.1%
2023
20.9%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2023
3.8%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
38.9%
2025
28.6%
2010
Consumer prices inflation
3.5%
2024-2025
13.4%
2018-2019
Central bank interest rate
1.81%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
3.5%
2025
14.9%
2011
Population
6390149
26956472

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Bulgaria
Spending

Debt
Syria
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Bulgaria Syria
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 38.9% 27.1% - -
2024 36.3% 23.8% - -
2023 37.5% 22.9% - -
2022 37.6% 22.5% - -
2021 38.5% 23.9% - -
2020 37.7% 22.7% - -
2019 36.1% 18.4% - -
2018 34.4% 20.1% - -
2017 32% 22.9% - -
2016 32.7% 27% - -
2015 37.3% 25.4% - -
2014 37.1% 26.3% - -
2013 35.5% 17.2% - -
2012 32.5% 16.5% - -
2011 32% 14.3% - -
2010 34.6% 14.1% 28.6% 30%
2009 33.8% 14.5% 26.7% 31.2%
2008 33.5% 14.7% 22.9% 37.3%
2007 33.1% 17.6% 25.7% 42.7%
2006 32.5% 22.6% 26.3% 45%
2005 34% 28.5% 28.2% 50.7%
2004 34.6% 37.8% 31.3% 113%
2003 35.8% 45.4% 32.6% 133.4%
2002 35.1% 53.4% 28.5% 132.4%
2001 36.5% 67.1% 28% 144.5%
2000 37.1% 73.3% 27.4% 152.1%
1999 36.2% 78.7% 28% 147.7%
1998 30.6% 67.3% 28.8% 151.2%
1997 32.9% 88.4% 29% 147.6%
1996 44% 113.8% 27.7% 141.5%
1995 45.4% 72% 29.8% 152.6%
1994 - - 30.3% 163%
1993 - - 29.4% 171.9%
1992 - - 34.2% 173.6%
1991 - - 34.3% 182.4%
1990 - - 28.3% 189.8%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1995–1997, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Bulgaria's government spending was $50.8B, accounting for 38.9% of its GDP, while Syria spent $17.6B, or 28.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 27.1% in Bulgaria and 30% in Syria, ranking 164/185 and 155/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Bulgaria

Syria
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Bulgaria Syria
2025 -3.01% -
2024 -3.01% -
2023 -3.04% -
2022 -0.8% -
2021 -2.8% -
2020 -2.92% -
2019 -0.96% -
2018 0.12% -
2017 0.82% -
2016 1.54% -
2015 -2.77% -
2014 -3.65% -
2013 -1.75% -
2012 -0.43% -
2011 -1.83% -
2010 -3.77% -7.79%
2009 -0.86% -2.89%
2008 2.73% -2.86%
2007 3.09% -2.99%
2006 3.22% -1.12%
2005 2.19% -4.41%
2004 1.59% -4.18%
2003 0.003% -2.7%
2002 -0.61% -2.02%
2001 -0.58% 2.3%
2000 -0.6% -1.36%
1999 0.15% -1.47%
1998 1.08% -2.81%
1997 0.83% -1.78%
1996 -10.1% -2.83%
1995 -7.98% -3.81%
1994 - -6%
1993 - -4.96%
1992 - -7.26%
1991 - -6.57%
1990 - -3.92%
1989 - -
1988 - -
1987 - -
1986 - -
1985 - -
1984 - -
1983 - -
1982 - -
1981 - -
1980 - -
1979 - -
1978 - -
1977 - -
1976 - -
1975 - -
1974 - -
1973 - -
1972 - -
1971 - -
1970 - -
1969 - -
1968 - -
1967 - -
1966 - -
1965 - -
1964 - -
1963 - -
1962 - -
1961 - -
1960 - -
1959 - -
1958 - -
1957 - -
1956 - -
1955 - -
1954 - -
1953 - -
1952 - -
1951 - -
1950 - -
1949 - -
1948 - -
1947 - -
1946 - -
1945 - -
1944 0% -
1943 0% -
1942 -0.3% -
1941 3.96% -
1940 0.75% -
1939 0.72% -
1938 1% -
1937 1.41% -
1936 1.17% -
1935 1.34% -
1934 -0.12% -
1933 -0.56% -
1932 -2.14% -
1931 -3.07% -
1930 -5.48% -
1929 -6.67% -
1928 -1.09% -
1927 -0.02% -
1926 -0.25% -
1925 -0.97% -
1924 1.26% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1924–1997, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2010, Bulgaria's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.91B, equivalent to 3.77% of GDP. This compares to Syria's deficit of $4.78B, or 7.79% of GDP.

Over the past 16 years, Bulgaria recorded a fiscal deficit in 7 of those years, while Syria ran a deficit in 15 years. On average, Bulgaria posted an annual deficit equal to 0.6% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.67% of GDP for Syria.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Bulgaria

Syria
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Bulgaria Syria
2025 3.5% -
2024 2.6% -
2023 8.6% -
2022 13% -
2021 2.8% -
2020 1.2% -
2019 2.5% 13.4%
2018 2.6% 0.94%
2017 1.2% 18.1%
2016 -1.3% 47.7%
2015 -1.1% 38.5%
2014 -1.6% 10.9%
2013 0.4% 40%
2012 2.4% 36.7%
2011 3.4% 4.75%
2010 3% 4.4%
2009 2.5% 2.92%
2008 12% 15.7%
2007 7.6% 3.91%
2006 7.4% 10%
2005 6% 7.24%
2004 6.1% 4.43%
2003 2.3% 5.8%
2002 5.8% -0.13%
2001 7.4% 3%
2000 10.3% -3.85%
1999 2.6% -3.7%
1998 18.7% -0.8%
1997 1,061% 1.89%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2019, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 23 years, Bulgaria has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 50.5%, compared with 11.4% in Syria. In 2019, inflation was 3.5% in Bulgaria and 13.4% in Syria.

Top exports between countries

Bulgaria
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $5.98M
Chemicals & pharma $2.14M
Machinery & equipment $1.15M
Raw agricultural goods $768K
Raw materials & minerals $505K
Metals $299K
Textiles & consumer goods $222K
Miscellaneous $35K
Wood & paper products $26K
Syria
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $30.8M
Textiles & consumer goods $3.79M
Chemicals & pharma $294K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $128K
Wood & paper products $104K
Raw agricultural goods $76K
Metals $60K
Machinery & equipment $57K
Miscellaneous $19K
Precious metals & jewellery $4K

Balance of trade

Bulgaria Syria
Current account balance
-$7.64B
2025
-$367M
2010
Current account balance ranking
170/190
2025
99/190
2010
Current account balance, % of GDP
-5.84%
2025
-0.6%
2010
Goods imports
$58.5B
2025
$15.9B
2010
Goods exports
$47.9B
2025
$12.3B
2010
Service imports
$9.42B
2025
$3.53B
2010
Service exports
$18.6B
2025
$7.33B
2010
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
51.8%
2025
28.7%
2022
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
50.7%
2025
6.78%
2022

Economic freedom indices

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

Bulgaria Syria
Economic freedom 68.9 51.2
Economic freedom ranking 44/197 155/197
Property rights 75.8 4
Government integrity 48.4 3.6
Judicial effectiveness 58.5 3.7
Tax burden 89.1 87.3
Government spending 58.4 78.5
Fiscal health 90.4 13.8
Business freedom 78.2 33.8
Labor freedom 62.4 37.2
Monetary freedom 75.8 80
Trade freedom 79.4 47
Investment freedom 60 0
Financial freedom 50 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Bulgaria
Syria
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Bulgaria Syria
2026 68.9 -
2025 68.8 -
2024 68.5 -
2023 69.3 -
2022 71 -
2021 70.4 -
2020 70.2 -
2019 69 -
2018 68.3 -
2017 67.9 -
2016 65.9 -
2015 66.8 -
2014 65.7 -
2013 65 -
2012 64.7 51.2
2011 64.9 51.3
2010 62.3 49.4
2009 64.6 51.3
2008 63.7 47.2
2007 62.7 48.3
2006 64.1 51.2
2005 62.3 46.3
2004 59.2 40.6
2003 57 41.3
2002 57.1 36.3
2001 51.9 36.6
2000 47.3 37.2
1999 46.2 39
1998 45.7 42.2
1997 47.6 43
1996 48.6 42.3
1995 50 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Bulgaria is 68.9, ranking 44/197, 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

Bulgaria Syria
Services, % of GDP
63.3%
2025
44.7%
2022
Industry, % of GDP
21.2%
2025
11.9%
2022
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.47%
2025
42.9%
2022
GNI, Atlas method
$114B
2025
$18.2B
2023
GNI per capita, PPP
$42,170
2025
$4,480
2023
Total reserves including gold
$47.1B
2025
$20.6B
2010
Total reserves ranking
51/177
2025
66/177
2010
Net foreign direct investment
-$3.37B
2025
-$1.47B
2010
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$3.05B
2024
$0
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$1.21B
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
6.8%
2024
0.15%
2023
Poverty at national poverty lines
21.7%
2023
35.2%
2007
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
21.7%
2025
16%
1969

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1924–1997, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2010–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)

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.