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Economy of China vs Syria compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

China has a GDP of $19.5T compared to $20B for Syria, ranking 2/197 and 134/197 by economy size, respectively.

China has $19.3T in government debt (99.2% of GDP), compared to $18.4B (30% of GDP) in Syria.

China vs Syria GDP by year

China
Syria
1x
Year GDP, current $
China Syria
2025 $19,498,039,388,043 -
2024 $18,729,668,435,848 -
2023 $18,270,356,654,533 $19,993,439,950
2022 $18,316,765,021,690 $23,737,634,644
2021 $18,201,698,719,564 $14,892,885,528
2020 $14,996,414,166,715 $12,501,503,673
2019 $14,560,167,101,283 $22,583,046,645
2018 $14,147,765,772,964 $21,497,779,248
2017 $12,537,559,062,283 $16,369,842,725
2016 $11,456,024,084,962 $12,597,854,088
2015 $11,280,814,787,469 $16,466,861,435
2014 $10,674,533,168,257 $21,502,061,466
2013 $9,743,124,247,267 $21,361,254,635
2012 $8,673,664,713,189 $43,190,318,033
2011 $7,671,757,207,851 $67,539,433,544
2010 $6,192,564,874,453 $61,390,833,273
2009 $5,189,577,094,998 $54,111,721,044
2008 $4,667,346,414,522 $52,557,913,397
2007 $3,604,055,822,572 $40,465,331,020
2006 $2,791,498,472,804 $33,751,812,959
2005 $2,317,551,298,052 $28,858,937,499
2004 $1,984,196,551,300 $25,086,910,448
2003 $1,683,903,309,844 $21,828,144,686
2002 $1,489,821,682,051 $20,786,986,580
2001 $1,355,036,590,252 $20,078,599,626
2000 $1,223,754,919,971 $18,937,031,610
1999 $1,103,843,203,576 $15,873,875,969
1998 $1,037,134,141,760 $15,200,846,154
1997 $967,753,570,435 $14,505,233,463
1996 $868,523,936,530 $13,789,560,878
1995 $738,190,896,228 $11,396,706,587
1994 $566,929,539,493 $10,122,020,000
1993 $446,557,291,212 $13,695,962,055
1992 $428,502,354,788 $13,253,565,861
1991 $384,510,452,962 $12,981,833,333
1990 $361,560,229,446 $12,308,624,418
1989 $348,380,566,802 $9,853,395,762
1988 $312,888,888,889 $10,577,041,645
1987 $273,455,156,951 $11,356,215,543
1986 $301,310,144,928 $13,293,205,278
1985 $310,064,625,850 $16,403,539,893
1984 $260,442,857,143 $17,503,078,174
1983 $231,130,268,199 $17,589,277,143
1982 $205,480,916,031 $16,298,929,011
1981 $196,218,253,968 $15,518,201,335
1980 $191,487,500,000 $13,062,420,382
1979 $178,573,913,043 $9,929,681,529
1978 $149,788,617,886 $9,275,200,458
1977 $175,226,595,860 $7,696,011,396
1976 $154,196,810,059 $7,633,528,867
1975 $163,687,619,736 $6,826,980,444
1974 $144,418,433,058 $5,159,557,148
1973 $138,764,340,892 $3,239,487,516
1972 $113,871,930,714 $3,059,681,698
1971 $99,959,013,880 $2,589,851,325
1970 $92,752,930,873 $2,140,384,010
1969 $79,847,786,729 $2,245,011,515
1968 $70,980,323,819 $1,753,746,430
1967 $73,011,350,596 $1,580,229,799
1966 $76,854,053,259 $1,342,287,553
1965 $70,565,994,356 $1,472,036,540
1964 $59,821,862,703 $1,339,494,267
1963 $50,812,227,919 $1,200,447,408
1962 $47,310,737,754 $1,110,565,881
1961 $50,162,299,350 $945,244,972
1960 $59,846,235,025 $857,704,413

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in China vs Syria by year

China
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Syria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
China Syria
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $13,862 - - -
2024 $13,293 $27,105 - -
2023 $12,951 $25,179 $847 $4,650
2022 $12,971 $23,032 $1,057 $4,772
2021 $12,887 $20,843 $689 $4,593
2020 $10,627 $18,267 $594 $3,738
2019 $10,343 $17,601 $1,110 $3,502
2018 $10,086 $16,298 $1,098 $3,456
2017 $8,980 $15,022 $852 $3,265
2016 $8,255 $14,157 $656 -
2015 $8,175 $13,463 $848 -
2014 $7,781 $12,942 $1,061 -
2013 $7,147 $12,228 $986 -
2012 $6,405 $11,420 $1,898 -
2011 $5,704 $10,457 $2,952 -
2010 $4,629 $9,411 $2,731 -
2009 $3,898 $8,448 $2,462 -
2008 $3,523 $7,713 $2,429 -
2007 $2,735 $6,935 $1,938 -
2006 $2,129 $5,946 $1,719 -
2005 $1,778 $5,148 $1,534 -
2004 $1,531 $4,505 $1,368 -
2003 $1,307 $4,007 $1,220 -
2002 $1,164 $3,591 $1,190 -
2001 $1,065 $3,258 $1,178 -
2000 $969 $2,964 $1,138 -
1999 $881 $2,690 $978 -
1998 $835 $2,483 $961 -
1997 $787 $2,297 $941 -
1996 $713 $2,088 $918 -
1995 $613 $1,884 $780 -
1994 $476 $1,680 $712 -
1993 $379 $1,471 $993 -
1992 $368 $1,276 $990 -
1991 $334 $1,105 $1,000 -
1990 $319 $991 $978 -
1989 $311 - $809 -
1988 $284 - $898 -
1987 $252.3 - $997 -
1986 $282.4 - $1,208 -
1985 $295 - $1,544 -
1984 $251.2 - $1,706 -
1983 $225.9 - $1,776 -
1982 $203.7 - $1,703 -
1981 $197.4 - $1,676 -
1980 $195.1 - $1,458 -
1979 $184.3 - $1,146 -
1978 $156.7 - $1,108 -
1977 $185.7 - $951 -
1976 $165.7 - $976 -
1975 $178.6 - $904 -
1974 $160.4 - $707 -
1973 $157.3 - $459 -
1972 $132.1 - $448 -
1971 $118.8 - $393 -
1970 $113.3 - $335 -
1969 $100.3 - $364 -
1968 $91.6 - $293.3 -
1967 $96.8 - $272.9 -
1966 $104.5 - $239.3 -
1965 $98.7 - $270.8 -
1964 $85.7 - $254.2 -
1963 $74.5 - $234.9 -
1962 $71.1 - $223.9 -
1961 $76 - $196.3 -
1960 $89.7 - $183.5 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

China's GDP per capita is $13,862, ranking 77/197, compared to $847 in Syria, ranking 185/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), China ranks 77th at $27,105, while Syria ranks 160th at $4,650.

Economic indicators

China Syria
Gross domestic product
$19.5T
2025
$20B
2023
GDP rank
2/197
2025
134/197
2023
GDP growth
4.96%
2024-2025
-1.85%
2022-2023
GDP per capita
$13,862
2025
$847
2023
GDP per capita rank
77/197
2025
185/197
2023
GDP per capita, PPP
$27,105
2024
$4,650
2023
GDP per capita PPP rank
77/197
2024
160/197
2023
Government debt
$19.3T
2025
$18.4B
2010
Debt-to-GDP ratio
99.2%
2025
30%
2010
Government debt per person
$13,756
2025
$820
2010
Government debt per person rank
47/185
2025
150/185
2010
Average annual personal income after taxes
$10,414
2026
$693
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$15.5T
2025
n/a
Number of millionaires
5,305,000
2026
n/a
Number of billionaires
539
2026
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
28.4%
2022
20.9%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2022
3.8%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
32.9%
2025
28.6%
2010
Consumer prices inflation
0%
2024-2025
13.4%
2018-2019
Central bank interest rate
3%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
4.57%
2022
14.9%
2011
Population
1403335670
26956472

Spending and national debt comparison by year

China
Spending

Debt
Syria
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
China Syria
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 32.9% 99.2% - -
2024 32.9% 90.4% - -
2023 32.7% 84.1% - -
2022 32.6% 77.3% - -
2021 31.9% 72.1% - -
2020 34.8% 70.1% - -
2019 33.6% 59.8% - -
2018 32.6% 55.9% - -
2017 32% 53.9% - -
2016 31.7% 50% - -
2015 31% 40.8% - -
2014 28.4% 39.3% - -
2013 28.1% 36.4% - -
2012 27.7% 33.8% - -
2011 26.6% 33.2% - -
2010 24.7% 33.3% 28.6% 30%
2009 25.2% 34% 26.7% 31.2%
2008 22.2% 26.7% 22.9% 37.3%
2007 17.9% 28.7% 25.7% 42.7%
2006 18.1% 25.2% 26.3% 45%
2005 18% 25.9% 28.2% 50.7%
2004 17.6% 26% 31.3% 113%
2003 18% 26.4% 32.6% 133.4%
2002 18.2% 25.6% 28.5% 132.4%
2001 17.2% 24.3% 28% 144.5%
2000 16.1% 22.7% 27.4% 152.1%
1999 14.9% 21.6% 28% 147.7%
1998 12.6% 20.4% 28.8% 151.2%
1997 11.5% 20.4% 29% 147.6%
1996 11% 21.2% 27.7% 141.5%
1995 11.1% 21.4% 29.8% 152.6%
1994 12.4% - 30.3% 163%
1993 13.4% - 29.4% 171.9%
1992 14.6% - 34.2% 173.6%
1991 16.5% - 34.3% 182.4%
1990 18.2% - 28.3% 189.8%
1989 18.6% - - -
1988 20.9% 4.46% - -
1987 23.4% 3.6% - -
1986 25.6% 3.24% - -
1985 25.8% 3.31% - -
1984 26.9% 0.97% - -
1983 28.3% - - -
1982 27.9% - - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, China's government spending was $6.41T, accounting for 32.9% of its GDP, while Syria spent $17.6B, or 28.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 99.2% in China and 30% in Syria, ranking 26/185 and 155/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
China

Syria
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
China Syria
2025 -7.87% -
2024 -7.11% -
2023 -6.71% -
2022 -7.32% -
2021 -5.9% -
2020 -9.56% -
2019 -6% -
2018 -4.2% -
2017 -3.34% -
2016 -3.33% -
2015 -2.5% -
2014 -0.67% -
2013 -0.82% -
2012 -0.3% -
2011 -0.1% -
2010 -0.36% -7.79%
2009 -1.72% -2.89%
2008 -0.02% -2.86%
2007 0.06% -2.99%
2006 -1.13% -1.12%
2005 -1.38% -4.41%
2004 -1.49% -4.18%
2003 -2.36% -2.7%
2002 -2.84% -2.02%
2001 -2.56% 2.3%
2000 -2.81% -1.36%
1999 -2.3% -1.47%
1998 -1.08% -2.81%
1997 -0.73% -1.78%
1996 -0.73% -2.83%
1995 -0.94% -3.81%
1994 -1.68% -6%
1993 -0.89% -4.96%
1992 -1.22% -7.26%
1991 -1.04% -6.57%
1990 -0.72% -3.92%
1989 -0.91% -
1988 -2.22% -
1987 -2.08% -
1986 -1.82% -
1985 -0.45% -
1984 -1.44% -
1983 -1.61% -
1982 -1.33% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2010, China's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $22B, equivalent to 0.36% of GDP. This compares to Syria's deficit of $4.78B, or 7.79% of GDP.

Over the past 21 years, China recorded a fiscal deficit in 20 of those years, while Syria ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, China posted an annual deficit equal to 1.33% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.4% of GDP for Syria.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
China

Syria
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
China Syria
2025 0% -
2024 0.2% -
2023 0.2% -
2022 2% -
2021 0.9% -
2020 2.5% -
2019 2.9% 13.4%
2018 2.1% 0.94%
2017 1.6% 18.1%
2016 2% 47.7%
2015 1.4% 38.5%
2014 2% 10.9%
2013 2.6% 40%
2012 2.6% 36.7%
2011 5.4% 4.75%
2010 3.3% 4.4%
2009 -0.7% 2.92%
2008 5.8% 15.7%
2007 4.8% 3.91%
2006 1.5% 10%
2005 1.8% 7.24%
2004 3.9% 4.43%
2003 1.2% 5.8%
2002 -0.8% -0.13%
2001 0.7% 3%
2000 0.4% -3.85%
1999 -1.4% -3.7%
1998 -0.8% -0.8%
1997 2.8% 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/china/syria | CC BY

Over the past 23 years, China has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.96%, compared with 11.4% in Syria. In 2019, inflation was 0% in China and 13.4% in Syria.

Top exports between countries

China
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $251M
Metals $139M
Textiles & consumer goods $132M
Chemicals & pharma $54M
Raw materials & minerals $40.1M
Raw agricultural goods $18.2M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $17.6M
Miscellaneous $9.91M
Wood & paper products $8.57M
Animal & marine products $818K
Syria
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $49M
Raw agricultural goods $11.4M
Textiles & consumer goods $10.3M
Animal & marine products $7.66M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.75M
Chemicals & pharma $1.17M
Machinery & equipment $151K
Wood & paper products $19K
Metals $10K

Balance of trade

China Syria
Current account balance
$735B
2025
-$367M
2010
Current account balance ranking
1/190
2025
99/190
2010
Current account balance, % of GDP
+3.77%
2025
-0.6%
2010
Goods imports
$2.69T
2025
$15.9B
2010
Goods exports
$3.75T
2025
$12.3B
2010
Service imports
$623B
2025
$3.53B
2010
Service exports
$385B
2025
$7.33B
2010
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
16.9%
2025
28.7%
2022
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
21.1%
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.

China Syria
Economic freedom 48.3 51.2
Economic freedom ranking 170/197 155/197
Property rights 40.9 4
Government integrity 42.3 3.6
Judicial effectiveness 38.6 3.7
Tax burden 69.3 87.3
Government spending 67.8 78.5
Fiscal health 4.4 13.8
Business freedom 68.7 33.8
Labor freedom 57.9 37.2
Monetary freedom 76.1 80
Trade freedom 73.4 47
Investment freedom 20 0
Financial freedom 20 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

China
Syria
1x
Year Economic freedom index
China Syria
2026 48.3 -
2025 49 -
2024 48.5 -
2023 48.3 -
2022 48 -
2021 58.4 -
2020 59.5 -
2019 58.4 -
2018 57.8 -
2017 57.4 -
2016 52 -
2015 52.7 -
2014 52.5 -
2013 51.9 -
2012 51.2 51.2
2011 52 51.3
2010 51 49.4
2009 53.2 51.3
2008 53.1 47.2
2007 52 48.3
2006 53.6 51.2
2005 53.7 46.3
2004 52.5 40.6
2003 52.6 41.3
2002 52.8 36.3
2001 52.6 36.6
2000 56.4 37.2
1999 54.8 39
1998 53.1 42.2
1997 51.7 43
1996 51.3 42.3
1995 52 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for China is 48.3, ranking 170/197, 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

China Syria
Services, % of GDP
57.7%
2025
44.7%
2022
Industry, % of GDP
35.6%
2025
11.9%
2022
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
6.66%
2025
42.9%
2022
GNI, Atlas method
$20T
2025
$18.2B
2023
GNI per capita, PPP
$29,160
2025
$4,480
2023
Total reserves including gold
$3.75T
2025
$20.6B
2010
Total reserves ranking
1/177
2025
66/177
2010
Net foreign direct investment
$77.2B
2025
-$1.47B
2010
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$42.6B
2024
$0
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$192B
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.9%
2024
0.15%
2023
Poverty at national poverty lines
0%
2020
35.2%
2007
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
40.5%
2024
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/china/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. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1989, 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.