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Economy of Croatia vs Syria compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Croatia has a GDP of $93B compared to $20B for Syria, ranking 75/197 and 129/197 by economy size, respectively.

Croatia has $53.5B in government debt (57.6% of GDP), compared to $18.4B (30% of GDP) in Syria.

Croatia vs Syria GDP by year

Croatia
Syria
1x
Year GDP, current $
Croatia Syria
2024 $92,983,810,329 -
2023 $85,624,153,964 $19,993,439,950
2022 $71,196,498,671 $23,622,827,080
2021 $69,002,365,163 $14,353,205,678
2020 $57,959,843,541 $12,047,752,036
2019 $61,466,721,186 $22,583,045,060
2018 $61,667,925,219 $21,497,782,868
2017 $56,182,782,586 $16,369,843,352
2016 $52,650,714,172 $12,597,854,877
2015 $50,998,893,385 $16,466,863,117
2014 $59,606,934,501 $21,502,061,466
2013 $59,846,265,182 $21,361,254,635
2012 $57,548,115,904 $43,190,318,033
2011 $62,889,007,657 $67,539,428,159
2010 $58,975,205,417 $61,390,830,875
2009 $62,315,996,675 $54,111,735,629
2008 $68,472,854,617 $52,557,913,569
2007 $59,290,621,398 $40,465,318,382
2006 $49,583,544,860 $33,751,788,856
2005 $45,013,119,282 $28,858,965,517
2004 $41,836,292,157 $25,086,950,495
2003 $35,245,317,002 $21,828,144,686
2002 $26,757,722,429 $20,669,357,462
2001 $23,066,883,850 $20,237,024,725
2000 $22,134,411,297 $18,937,052,543
1999 $23,777,026,779 $15,873,875,969
1998 $25,890,228,430 $15,200,846,154
1997 $24,175,764,812 $14,505,233,463
1996 $24,150,978,347 $13,789,560,878
1995 $22,772,394,547 $11,396,706,587
1994 $15,062,911,617 $10,122,020,000
1993 $11,259,647,874 $13,695,962,055
1992 $10,621,169,291 $13,253,565,861
1991 $18,760,386,775 $12,981,833,333
1990 $25,650,213,280 $12,308,624,418
1989 - $9,853,395,762
1988 - $10,577,041,645
1987 - $11,356,215,543
1986 - $13,293,205,278
1985 - $16,403,539,893
1984 - $17,503,078,174
1983 - $17,589,277,143
1982 - $16,298,929,011
1981 - $15,518,201,335
1980 - $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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Croatia vs Syria by year

Croatia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Syria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Croatia Syria
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $24,050 $49,551 - -
2023 $22,184 $47,760 $847 $4,650
2022 $18,466 $42,125 $1,052 $4,772
2021 $17,789 $36,930 $664 $4,593
2020 $14,808 $31,594 $572 $3,738
2019 $15,564 $33,064 $1,110 $3,502
2018 $15,460 $29,789 $1,098 $3,456
2017 $13,902 $27,888 $852 $3,265
2016 $12,820 $25,803 $656 -
2015 $12,284 $23,750 $848 -
2014 $14,187 $22,706 $1,061 -
2013 $14,135 $22,430 $986 -
2012 $13,508 $21,619 $1,898 -
2011 $14,692 $21,191 $2,952 -
2010 $13,730 $20,139 $2,731 -
2009 $14,475 $20,358 $2,462 -
2008 $15,888 $21,018 $2,429 -
2007 $13,756 $19,568 $1,938 -
2006 $11,501 $17,629 $1,719 -
2005 $10,444 $15,451 $1,534 -
2004 $9,719 $14,686 $1,368 -
2003 $8,190 $13,692 $1,220 -
2002 $6,220 $12,775 $1,183 -
2001 $5,365 $11,653 $1,187 -
2000 $4,954 $10,675 $1,138 -
1999 $5,269 $9,943 $978 -
1998 $5,713 $9,890 $961 -
1997 $5,331 $9,536 $941 -
1996 $5,300 $8,806 $918 -
1995 $4,929 $8,052 $780 -
1994 $3,238 $7,337 $712 -
1993 $2,448 $6,861 $993 -
1992 $2,321 $7,326 $990 -
1991 $4,001 $7,918 $1,000 -
1990 $5,369 $9,526 $978 -
1989 - - $809 -
1988 - - $898 -
1987 - - $997 -
1986 - - $1,208 -
1985 - - $1,544 -
1984 - - $1,706 -
1983 - - $1,776 -
1982 - - $1,703 -
1981 - - $1,676 -
1980 - - $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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Croatia's GDP per capita is $24,050, ranking 50/197, compared to $847 in Syria, ranking 185/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Croatia ranks 46th at $49,551, while Syria ranks 160th at $4,650.

Economic indicators

Croatia Syria
Gross domestic product
$93B
2024
$20B
2023
GDP rank
75/197
2024
129/197
2023
GDP growth
3.83%
2023-2024
-1.21%
2022-2023
GDP per capita
$24,050
2024
$847
2023
GDP per capita rank
50/197
2024
185/197
2023
GDP per capita, PPP
$49,551
2024
$4,650
2023
GDP per capita PPP rank
46/197
2024
160/197
2023
Government debt
$53.5B
2024
$18.4B
2010
Debt-to-GDP ratio
57.6%
2024
30%
2010
Government debt per person
$13,844
2024
$820
2010
Government debt per person rank
42/185
2024
148/185
2010
Average annual personal income after taxes
$20,856
2026
$730
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$27.8B
2024
n/a
Number of billionaires
1
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
23.3%
2023
21.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2023
3.8%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
48%
2024
28.6%
2010
Consumer prices inflation
2.97%
2023-2024
13.4%
2018-2019
Unemployment rate
5.03%
2024
8.61%
2010
Population
3812193
26829400

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Croatia
Spending

Debt
Syria
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Croatia Syria
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 48% 57.6% - -
2023 46.8% 61.8% - -
2022 45% 68.5% - -
2021 48.1% 78.2% - -
2020 53.7% 86.5% - -
2019 44.3% 70.9% - -
2018 44.9% 72.8% - -
2017 44.1% 76.2% - -
2016 45.9% 79.3% - -
2015 47.5% 82.8% - -
2014 48.7% 83.2% - -
2013 47.9% 79.5% - -
2012 47.3% 68.9% - -
2011 48.6% 63.1% - -
2010 48.1% 56.8% 28.6% 30%
2009 49.2% 47.9% 26.7% 31.2%
2008 46.3% 38.9% 22.9% 37.3%
2007 46.3% 37.1% 25.7% 42.7%
2006 44.6% 38.4% 26.3% 45%
2005 46.5% 40.9% 28.2% 50.7%
2004 49% 40% 31.3% 113%
2003 49.6% 37.8% 32.6% 133.4%
2002 49.2% 36.5% 28.5% 132.4%
2001 50.6% 36.6% 28% 144.5%
2000 54.6% 35.4% 27.4% 152.1%
1999 58.9% 30% 28% 147.7%
1998 56.8% 23.3% 28.8% 151.2%
1997 51.7% 22.5% 29% 147.6%
1996 52.1% - 27.7% 141.5%
1995 50.3% - 29.8% 152.6%
1994 45.4% - 30.3% 163%
1993 36% - 29.4% 171.9%
1992 37.1% - 34.2% 173.6%
1991 - - 34.3% 182.4%
1990 - - 28.3% 189.8%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1997, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Croatia's government spending was $44.6B, accounting for 48% of its GDP, while Syria spent $17.6B, or 28.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 57.6% in Croatia and 30% in Syria, ranking 86/185 and 157/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Croatia

Syria
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Croatia Syria
2024 -1.95% -
2023 -0.79% -
2022 0.12% -
2021 -2.58% -
2020 -7.23% -
2019 2.31% -
2018 0.23% -
2017 0.8% -
2016 -1.04% -
2015 -3.53% -
2014 -5.19% -
2013 -5.52% -
2012 -5.46% -
2011 -7.53% -
2010 -6.46% -7.79%
2009 -7.15% -2.89%
2008 -2.34% -2.86%
2007 -2.28% -2.99%
2006 -2.01% -1.12%
2005 -3.24% -4.41%
2004 -6.09% -4.18%
2003 -5.03% -2.7%
2002 -4.9% -2.02%
2001 -4.79% 2.3%
2000 -9.2% -1.36%
1999 -11.1% -1.47%
1998 -6.36% -2.81%
1997 -4.93% -1.78%
1996 -4.41% -2.83%
1995 -4.23% -3.81%
1994 -0.82% -6%
1993 -2.67% -4.96%
1992 -5.69% -7.26%
1991 - -6.57%
1990 - -3.92%

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

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

In 2010, Croatia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $3.81B, equivalent to 6.46% of GDP. This compares to Syria's deficit of $4.78B, or 7.79% of GDP.

Over the past 19 years, Croatia recorded a fiscal deficit in 19 of those years, while Syria ran a deficit in 18 years. On average, Croatia posted an annual deficit equal to 4.93% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.21% of GDP for Syria.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Croatia

Syria
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Croatia Syria
2024 2.97% -
2023 7.94% -
2022 10.8% -
2021 2.55% -
2020 0.15% -
2019 0.77% 13.4%
2018 1.5% 0.94%
2017 1.13% 18.1%
2016 -1.12% 47.7%
2015 -0.46% 38.5%
2014 -0.22% 10.9%
2013 2.22% 40%
2012 3.41% 36.7%
2011 2.27% 4.75%
2010 1.03% 4.4%
2009 2.38% 2.92%
2008 6.08% 15.7%
2007 2.9% 3.91%
2006 3.19% 10%
2005 3.32% 7.24%
2004 2.06% 4.43%
2003 1.77% 5.8%
2002 1.67% -0.13%
2001 3.78% 3%
2000 4.61% -3.85%
1999 4.02% -3.7%
1998 6.4% -0.8%
1997 4.17% 1.89%

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

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

Over the past 23 years, Croatia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.47%, compared with 11.4% in Syria. In 2019, inflation was 2.97% in Croatia and 13.4% in Syria.

Top exports between countries

Croatia
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $96K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $70K
Syria
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $384K
Chemicals & pharma $22K
Machinery & equipment $20K
Wood & paper products $19K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $4K

Balance of trade

Croatia Syria
Current account balance
-$1.05B
2024
-$367M
2010
Current account balance ranking
125/190
2024
103/190
2010
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.13%
2024
-0.6%
2010
Goods imports
$41.5B
2024
$15.9B
2010
Goods exports
$21.9B
2024
$12.3B
2010
Service imports
$8.35B
2024
$3.53B
2010
Service exports
$24.7B
2024
$7.33B
2010
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
54.8%
2024
28.8%
2022
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
50.1%
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.

Croatia Syria
Economic freedom 67.5 51.2
Economic freedom ranking 56/197 155/197
Property rights 81.1 4
Government integrity 52.6 3.6
Judicial effectiveness 71.7 3.7
Tax burden 70 87.3
Government spending 34.9 78.5
Fiscal health 92.2 13.8
Business freedom 79.6 33.8
Labor freedom 58.9 37.2
Monetary freedom 69.9 80
Trade freedom 79.4 47
Investment freedom 60 0
Financial freedom 60 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Croatia
Syria
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Croatia Syria
2026 67.5 -
2025 68.7 -
2024 67.2 -
2023 66.4 -
2022 67.6 -
2021 63.6 -
2020 62.2 -
2019 61.4 -
2018 61 -
2017 59.4 -
2016 59.1 -
2015 61.5 -
2014 60.4 -
2013 61.3 -
2012 60.9 51.2
2011 61.1 51.3
2010 59.2 49.4
2009 55.1 51.3
2008 54.1 47.2
2007 53.4 48.3
2006 53.6 51.2
2005 51.9 46.3
2004 53.1 40.6
2003 53.3 41.3
2002 51.1 36.3
2001 50.7 36.6
2000 53.6 37.2
1999 53.1 39
1998 51.7 42.2
1997 46.7 43
1996 48 42.3

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Croatia is 67.5, ranking 56/197, 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

Croatia Syria
Services, % of GDP
60.8%
2024
44.9%
2022
Industry, % of GDP
19.2%
2024
12%
2022
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.9%
2024
43.1%
2022
GNI, Atlas method
$86B
2024
$18.2B
2023
GNI per capita, PPP
$49,740
2024
$4,480
2023
Total reserves including gold
$3.34B
2024
$20.6B
2010
Total reserves ranking
116/177
2024
62/177
2010
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.88B
2024
-$1.47B
2010
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$4.54B
2024
$0
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$2.79B
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
0.15%
2023
Poverty at national poverty lines
20.3%
2023
35.2%
2007
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
24.4%
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/croatia/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 (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. TradeMap (2010–2021, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  8. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1997, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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.