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Economy of Cuba vs Syria compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Cuba has a GDP of $107B compared to $20B for Syria, ranking 69/197 and 129/197 by economy size, respectively.

Cuba vs Syria GDP by year

Cuba
Syria
1x
Year GDP, current $
Cuba Syria
2023 - $19,993,439,950
2022 - $23,622,827,080
2021 - $14,353,205,678
2020 $107,352,000,000 $12,047,752,036
2019 $103,427,600,000 $22,583,045,060
2018 $100,050,036,100 $21,497,782,868
2017 $96,850,649,700 $16,369,843,352
2016 $91,370,407,900 $12,597,854,877
2015 $87,132,800,000 $16,466,863,117
2014 $80,656,100,000 $21,502,061,466
2013 $77,148,000,000 $21,361,254,635
2012 $73,141,000,000 $43,190,318,033
2011 $68,990,000,000 $67,539,428,159
2010 $59,562,962,963 $61,390,830,875
2009 $57,481,481,481 $54,111,735,629
2008 $56,302,129,630 $52,557,913,569
2007 $54,262,870,370 $40,465,318,382
2006 $48,835,925,926 $33,751,788,856
2005 $42,643,836,100 $28,858,965,517
2004 $38,203,000,000 $25,086,950,495
2003 $35,901,200,000 $21,828,144,686
2002 $33,590,500,000 $20,669,357,462
2001 $31,682,400,000 $20,237,024,725
2000 $30,565,400,000 $18,937,052,543
1999 $28,364,615,200 $15,873,875,969
1998 $25,736,331,200 $15,200,846,154
1997 $25,365,908,100 $14,505,233,463
1996 $25,017,368,700 $13,789,560,878
1995 $30,429,803,651 $11,396,706,587
1994 $28,448,326,757 $10,122,020,000
1993 $22,367,254,865 $13,695,962,055
1992 $22,085,858,243 $13,253,565,861
1991 $24,316,556,026 $12,981,833,333
1990 $28,645,436,569 $12,308,624,418
1989 $27,023,468,666 $9,853,395,762
1988 $27,458,999,472 $10,577,041,645
1987 $25,213,935,012 $11,356,215,543
1986 $24,226,574,634 $13,293,205,278
1985 $22,920,490,774 $16,403,539,893
1984 $24,039,383,608 $17,503,078,174
1983 $22,204,940,512 $17,589,277,143
1982 $20,953,510,235 $16,298,929,011
1981 $20,150,254,096 $15,518,201,335
1980 $19,912,889,861 $13,062,420,382
1979 $19,584,443,288 $9,929,681,529
1978 $17,844,705,325 $9,275,200,458
1977 $14,206,158,675 $7,696,011,396
1976 $13,789,579,903 $7,633,528,867
1975 $13,027,415,244 $6,826,980,444
1974 $11,405,957,317 $5,159,557,148
1973 $9,987,709,650 $3,239,487,516
1972 $8,135,150,892 $3,059,681,698
1971 $6,914,658,400 $2,589,851,325
1970 $5,693,005,200 $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 (1960–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Cuba vs Syria by year

Cuba
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Syria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Cuba Syria
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2023 - - $847 $4,650
2022 - - $1,052 $4,772
2021 - - $664 $4,593
2020 $9,605 - $572 $3,738
2019 $9,232 - $1,110 $3,502
2018 $8,911 - $1,098 $3,456
2017 $8,611 - $852 $3,265
2016 $8,111 $12,300 $656 -
2015 $7,728 - $848 -
2014 $7,147 - $1,061 -
2013 $6,828 - $986 -
2012 $6,471 - $1,898 -
2011 $6,104 - $2,952 -
2010 $5,272 $10,200 $2,731 -
2009 $5,089 $9,700 $2,462 -
2008 $4,986 $9,500 $2,429 -
2007 $4,807 $11,000 $1,938 -
2006 $4,330 $4,000 $1,719 -
2005 $3,786 $3,500 $1,534 -
2004 $3,399 $3,000 $1,368 -
2003 $3,203 $2,900 $1,220 -
2002 $3,005 $2,300 $1,183 -
2001 $2,843 - $1,187 -
2000 $2,751 $1,700 $1,138 -
1999 $2,562 $1,700 $978 -
1998 $2,332 - $961 -
1997 $2,306 - $941 -
1996 $2,282 - $918 -
1995 $2,785 - $780 -
1994 $2,613 - $712 -
1993 $2,063 - $993 -
1992 $2,048 - $990 -
1991 $2,269 - $1,000 -
1990 $2,694 - $978 -
1989 $2,566 - $809 -
1988 $2,632 - $898 -
1987 $2,440 - $997 -
1986 $2,365 - $1,208 -
1985 $2,257 - $1,544 -
1984 $2,386 - $1,706 -
1983 $2,222 - $1,776 -
1982 $2,114 - $1,703 -
1981 $2,046 - $1,676 -
1980 $2,031 - $1,458 -
1979 $2,006 - $1,146 -
1978 $1,837 - $1,108 -
1977 $1,472 - $951 -
1976 $1,441 - $976 -
1975 $1,374 - $904 -
1974 $1,217 - $707 -
1973 $1,079 - $459 -
1972 $892 - $448 -
1971 $770 - $393 -
1970 $645 - $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 (1960–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06); Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (1999–2016, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

Cuba's GDP per capita is $9,605, ranking 86/197, compared to $847 in Syria, ranking 185/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Cuba ranks 124th at $12,300, while Syria ranks 160th at $4,650.

Economic indicators

Cuba Syria
Gross domestic product
$107B
2020
$20B
2023
GDP rank
69/197
2020
129/197
2023
GDP growth
-1.06%
2023-2024
-1.21%
2022-2023
GDP per capita
$9,605
2020
$847
2023
GDP per capita rank
86/197
2020
185/197
2023
GDP per capita, PPP
$12,300
2016
$4,650
2023
GDP per capita PPP rank
124/197
2016
160/197
2023
Government debt n/a
$18.4B
2010
Debt-to-GDP ratio n/a
30%
2010
Government debt per person n/a
$820
2010
Government debt per person rank n/a
148/185
2010
Average annual personal income after taxes
$3,075
2026
$730
2026
Income share by richest 10% n/a
21.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
3.8%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
49%
2025
28.6%
2010
Consumer prices inflation
5.5%
2019-2020
13.4%
2018-2019
Unemployment rate
1.7%
2018
8.61%
2010
Population
10894785
26829400

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Cuba

Syria
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Cuba Syria
2020 5.5% -
2019 5.5% 13.4%
2018 5.5% 0.94%
2017 - 18.1%
2016 4.5% 47.7%
2015 4.4% 38.5%
2014 - 10.9%
2013 6% 40%
2012 5.5% 36.7%
2011 4.7% 4.75%
2010 0.7% 4.4%
2009 -0.5% 2.92%
2008 3.4% 15.7%
2007 3.1% 3.91%
2006 5% 10%
2005 7% 7.24%
2004 3.1% 4.43%
2003 4.1% 5.8%
2002 7.1% -0.13%
2001 - 3%
2000 - -3.85%
1999 0.3% -3.7%
1998 - -0.8%
1997 - 1.89%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2019, retrieved 2026-04-06); Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (1999–2020, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

Over the past 21 years, Cuba has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.08%, compared with 12.4% in Syria. In 2019, inflation was 5.5% in Cuba and 13.4% in Syria.

Top exports between countries

Cuba
Export category Export value
Syria
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $119K

Balance of trade

Cuba Syria
Current account balance n/a
-$367M
2010
Current account balance ranking n/a
103/190
2010
Current account balance, % of GDP n/a
-0.6%
2010
Goods imports n/a
$15.9B
2010
Goods exports n/a
$12.3B
2010
Service imports n/a
$3.53B
2010
Service exports n/a
$7.33B
2010
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
82.4%
2024
28.8%
2022
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
42.5%
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.

Cuba Syria
Economic freedom 25.2 51.2
Economic freedom ranking 195/197 155/197
Property rights 27.7 4
Government integrity 33 3.6
Judicial effectiveness 16 3.7
Tax burden 51.9 87.3
Government spending 0 78.5
Fiscal health 0 13.8
Business freedom 41.4 33.8
Labor freedom 20 37.2
Monetary freedom 20 80
Trade freedom 72.8 47
Investment freedom 10 0
Financial freedom 10 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Cuba
Syria
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Cuba Syria
2026 25.2 -
2025 25.4 -
2024 25.7 -
2023 24.3 -
2022 29.5 -
2021 28.1 -
2020 26.9 -
2019 27.8 -
2018 31.9 -
2017 33.9 -
2016 29.8 -
2015 29.6 -
2014 28.7 -
2013 28.5 -
2012 28.3 51.2
2011 27.7 51.3
2010 26.7 49.4
2009 27.9 51.3
2008 27.5 47.2
2007 28.6 48.3
2006 29.3 51.2
2005 35.5 46.3
2004 34.4 40.6
2003 35.1 41.3
2002 32.4 36.3
2001 31.6 36.6
2000 31.3 37.2
1999 29.7 39
1998 28.2 42.2
1997 27.8 43
1996 27.8 42.3
1995 27.8 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Cuba is 25.2, ranking 195/197, 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

Cuba Syria
Services, % of GDP
73.4%
2024
44.9%
2022
Industry, % of GDP
23.8%
2024
12%
2022
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.24%
2024
43.1%
2022
GNI, Atlas method
$101B
2019
$18.2B
2023
GNI per capita, PPP n/a
$4,480
2023
Total reserves including gold
$144M
1960
$20.6B
2010
Total reserves ranking
173/177
1960
62/177
2010
Net foreign direct investment n/a
-$1.47B
2010
Net inflows of foreign direct investment n/a
$0
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
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
9.87%
2020
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/cuba/syria | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  3. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  4. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (1999–2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2010, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  8. TradeMap (2010, retrieved 2026-02-08)

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.