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Economy of Cyprus vs Syria compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Cyprus has a GDP of $37.6B compared to $20B for Syria, ranking 103/197 and 129/197 by economy size, respectively.

Cyprus has $24.5B in government debt (65.1% of GDP), compared to $18.4B (30% of GDP) in Syria.

Cyprus vs Syria GDP by year

Cyprus
Syria
1x
Year GDP, current $
Cyprus Syria
2024 $37,634,533,332 -
2023 $35,075,423,857 $19,993,439,950
2022 $31,218,038,929 $23,622,827,080
2021 $30,372,642,502 $14,353,205,678
2020 $25,555,093,854 $12,047,752,036
2019 $26,196,667,100 $22,583,045,060
2018 $25,754,001,368 $21,497,782,868
2017 $22,946,570,629 $16,369,843,352
2016 $21,046,462,281 $12,597,854,877
2015 $19,909,278,417 $16,466,863,117
2014 $23,225,918,260 $21,502,061,466
2013 $23,959,712,861 $21,361,254,635
2012 $25,047,436,975 $43,190,318,033
2011 $27,641,549,302 $67,539,428,159
2010 $25,799,940,078 $61,390,830,875
2009 $26,048,179,949 $54,111,735,629
2008 $27,844,646,258 $52,557,913,569
2007 $23,968,727,074 $40,465,318,382
2006 $20,072,754,987 $33,751,788,856
2005 $18,433,412,511 $28,858,965,517
2004 $17,320,551,250 $25,086,950,495
2003 $14,547,329,558 $21,828,144,686
2002 $11,420,228,846 $20,669,357,462
2001 $10,397,898,907 $20,237,024,725
2000 $9,985,847,314 $18,937,052,543
1999 $10,497,907,228 $15,873,875,969
1998 $10,248,618,778 $15,200,846,154
1997 $9,547,816,420 $14,505,233,463
1996 $10,011,914,680 $13,789,560,878
1995 $9,933,137,128 $11,396,706,587
1994 $7,425,703,929 $10,122,020,000
1993 $6,590,291,048 $13,695,962,055
1992 $6,912,150,456 $13,253,565,861
1991 $5,770,197,348 $12,981,833,333
1990 $5,591,130,218 $12,308,624,418
1989 $4,563,482,604 $9,853,395,762
1988 $4,278,792,597 $10,577,041,645
1987 $3,704,813,886 $11,356,215,543
1986 $3,090,734,463 $13,293,205,278
1985 $2,430,411,900 $16,403,539,893
1984 $2,278,248,953 $17,503,078,174
1983 $2,160,364,071 $17,589,277,143
1982 $2,159,242,417 $16,298,929,011
1981 $2,087,496,374 $15,518,201,335
1980 $2,154,311,277 $13,062,420,382
1979 $1,288,699,776 $9,929,681,529
1978 $964,024,364 $9,275,200,458
1977 $734,876,021 $7,696,011,396
1976 $576,090,074 $7,633,528,867
1975 $489,912,574 $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/cyprus/syria | CC BY

GDP per capita in Cyprus vs Syria by year

Cyprus
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Syria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Cyprus Syria
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $27,707 $63,007 - -
2023 $26,079 $59,875 $847 $4,650
2022 $23,448 $55,876 $1,052 $4,772
2021 $23,057 $47,633 $664 $4,593
2020 $19,624 $42,569 $572 $3,738
2019 $20,360 $44,394 $1,110 $3,502
2018 $20,267 $40,262 $1,098 $3,456
2017 $18,295 $37,768 $852 $3,265
2016 $17,013 $35,247 $656 -
2015 $16,326 $31,380 $848 -
2014 $19,326 $29,893 $1,061 -
2013 $20,238 $30,416 $986 -
2012 $21,493 $31,924 $1,898 -
2011 $24,110 $33,406 $2,952 -
2010 $22,876 $33,502 $2,731 -
2009 $23,480 $33,901 $2,462 -
2008 $25,522 $34,830 $2,429 -
2007 $22,344 $32,888 $1,938 -
2006 $19,037 $30,009 $1,719 -
2005 $17,790 $27,763 $1,534 -
2004 $17,016 $25,942 $1,368 -
2003 $14,553 $24,278 $1,220 -
2002 $11,636 $23,556 $1,183 -
2001 $10,785 $22,866 $1,187 -
2000 $10,537 $21,296 $1,138 -
1999 $11,273 $19,663 $978 -
1998 $11,206 $18,760 $961 -
1997 $10,637 $17,781 $941 -
1996 $11,373 $17,320 $918 -
1995 $11,514 $17,096 $780 -
1994 $8,791 $15,735 $712 -
1993 $7,978 $14,852 $993 -
1992 $8,530 $14,759 $990 -
1991 $7,222 $13,546 $1,000 -
1990 $7,092 $13,348 $978 -
1989 $5,870 - $809 -
1988 $5,584 - $898 -
1987 $4,908 - $997 -
1986 $4,159 - $1,208 -
1985 $3,324 - $1,544 -
1984 $3,167 - $1,706 -
1983 $3,055 - $1,776 -
1982 $3,100 - $1,703 -
1981 $3,030 - $1,676 -
1980 $3,154 - $1,458 -
1979 $1,902 - $1,146 -
1978 $1,434 - $1,108 -
1977 $1,102 - $951 -
1976 $870 - $976 -
1975 $743 - $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/cyprus/syria | CC BY

Cyprus' GDP per capita is $27,707, ranking 45/197, compared to $847 in Syria, ranking 185/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Cyprus ranks 29th at $63,007, while Syria ranks 160th at $4,650.

Economic indicators

Cyprus Syria
Gross domestic product
$37.6B
2024
$20B
2023
GDP rank
103/197
2024
129/197
2023
GDP growth
3.94%
2023-2024
-1.21%
2022-2023
GDP per capita
$27,707
2024
$847
2023
GDP per capita rank
45/197
2024
185/197
2023
GDP per capita, PPP
$63,007
2024
$4,650
2023
GDP per capita PPP rank
29/197
2024
160/197
2023
Government debt
$24.5B
2024
$18.4B
2010
Debt-to-GDP ratio
65.1%
2024
30%
2010
Government debt per person
$18,034
2024
$820
2010
Government debt per person rank
34/185
2024
148/185
2010
Average annual personal income after taxes
$25,384
2026
$730
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$10.9B
2024
n/a
Number of billionaires
10
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
26.3%
2023
21.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
3.6%
2023
3.8%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
40%
2024
28.6%
2010
Consumer prices inflation
1.8%
2023-2024
13.4%
2018-2019
Unemployment rate
4.87%
2024
8.61%
2010
Population
1386362
26829400

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Cyprus
Spending

Debt
Syria
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Cyprus Syria
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 40% 65.1% - -
2023 42% 73.6% - -
2022 38% 81.1% - -
2021 42.6% 96.5% - -
2020 45.9% 113.6% - -
2019 40.3% 92.3% - -
2018 44.3% 100.7% - -
2017 38.4% 96.4% - -
2016 39.6% 106.8% - -
2015 43% 111.6% - -
2014 52.1% 113% - -
2013 42.1% 102.7% - -
2012 41.9% 79.2% - -
2011 42.1% 64.8% - -
2010 41.7% 55.3% 28.6% 30%
2009 41.9% 52.8% 26.7% 31.2%
2008 38.2% 44.1% 22.9% 37.3%
2007 37.6% 53.1% 25.7% 42.7%
2006 39.1% 59% 26.3% 45%
2005 39.7% 64% 28.2% 50.7%
2004 38.6% 64.7% 31.3% 113%
2003 40.4% 63% 32.6% 133.4%
2002 37.4% 61% 28.5% 132.4%
2001 35.7% 57.5% 28% 144.5%
2000 35% 56% 27.4% 152.1%
1999 34.3% 55.7% 28% 147.7%
1998 34.4% 55% 28.8% 151.2%
1997 34.2% 53.5% 29% 147.6%
1996 32.4% 48.8% 27.7% 141.5%
1995 30.4% 46.7% 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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Cyprus' government spending was $15B, accounting for 40% of its GDP, while Syria spent $17.6B, or 28.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 65.1% in Cyprus and 30% in Syria, ranking 68/185 and 157/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Cyprus

Syria
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Cyprus Syria
2024 4.28% -
2023 1.7% -
2022 2.65% -
2021 -1.64% -
2020 -5.57% -
2019 1.03% -
2018 -3.36% -
2017 2.13% -
2016 0.45% -
2015 -0.77% -
2014 -8.8% -
2013 -5.16% -
2012 -5.55% -
2011 -5.65% -
2010 -4.68% -7.79%
2009 -5.43% -2.89%
2008 0.87% -2.86%
2007 3.23% -2.99%
2006 -1.04% -1.12%
2005 -2.22% -4.41%
2004 -3.71% -4.18%
2003 -5.91% -2.7%
2002 -4.13% -2.02%
2001 -2.11% 2.3%
2000 -2.24% -1.36%
1999 -4.05% -1.47%
1998 -3.85% -2.81%
1997 -4.82% -1.78%
1996 -2.96% -2.83%
1995 -0.71% -3.81%
1994 - -6%
1993 - -4.96%
1992 - -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/cyprus/syria | CC BY

In 2010, Cyprus' government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.21B, equivalent to 4.68% of GDP. This compares to Syria's deficit of $4.78B, or 7.79% of GDP.

Over the past 16 years, Cyprus recorded a fiscal deficit in 14 of those years, while Syria ran a deficit in 15 years. On average, Cyprus posted an annual deficit equal to 2.74% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.67% of GDP for Syria.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Cyprus

Syria
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Cyprus Syria
2024 1.8% -
2023 3.54% -
2022 8.4% -
2021 2.45% -
2020 -0.64% -
2019 0.25% 13.4%
2018 1.44% 0.94%
2017 0.53% 18.1%
2016 -1.43% 47.7%
2015 -2.1% 38.5%
2014 -1.35% 10.9%
2013 -0.4% 40%
2012 2.39% 36.7%
2011 3.29% 4.75%
2010 2.43% 4.4%
2009 0.33% 2.92%
2008 4.67% 15.7%
2007 2.37% 3.91%
2006 2.3% 10%
2005 2.56% 7.24%
2004 2.29% 4.43%
2003 4.14% 5.8%
2002 2.8% -0.13%
2001 1.97% 3%
2000 4.14% -3.85%
1999 1.63% -3.7%
1998 2.23% -0.8%
1997 3.61% 1.89%

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

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

Over the past 23 years, Cyprus has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.74%, compared with 11.4% in Syria. In 2019, inflation was 1.8% in Cyprus and 13.4% in Syria.

Top exports between countries

Cyprus
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $862K
Machinery & equipment $699K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $648K
Raw agricultural goods $101K
Animal & marine products $6K
Textiles & consumer goods $1K
Syria
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $24.4M
Wood & paper products $1.78M
Textiles & consumer goods $1.52M
Machinery & equipment $1.43M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $561K
Chemicals & pharma $440K
Raw agricultural goods $428K
Metals $188K
Miscellaneous $24K
Weapons & explosives $4K

Balance of trade

Cyprus Syria
Current account balance
-$3.07B
2024
-$367M
2010
Current account balance ranking
157/190
2024
103/190
2010
Current account balance, % of GDP
-8.16%
2024
-0.6%
2010
Goods imports
$11.9B
2024
$15.9B
2010
Goods exports
$4.43B
2024
$12.3B
2010
Service imports
$23.2B
2024
$3.53B
2010
Service exports
$32.1B
2024
$7.33B
2010
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
93.4%
2024
28.8%
2022
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
97%
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.

Cyprus Syria
Economic freedom 74.1 51.2
Economic freedom ranking 21/197 155/197
Property rights 85.1 4
Government integrity 59.7 3.6
Judicial effectiveness 89.8 3.7
Tax burden 80.8 87.3
Government spending 52.1 78.5
Fiscal health 91.5 13.8
Business freedom 82.3 33.8
Labor freedom 60.3 37.2
Monetary freedom 78.7 80
Trade freedom 79.4 47
Investment freedom 70 0
Financial freedom 60 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Cyprus
Syria
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Cyprus Syria
2026 74.1 -
2025 73.2 -
2024 72.2 -
2023 72.3 -
2022 72.9 -
2021 71.4 -
2020 70.1 -
2019 68.1 -
2018 67.8 -
2017 67.9 -
2016 68.7 -
2015 67.9 -
2014 67.6 -
2013 69 -
2012 71.8 51.2
2011 73.3 51.3
2010 70.9 49.4
2009 70.8 51.3
2008 71.3 47.2
2007 71.7 48.3
2006 71.8 51.2
2005 71.9 46.3
2004 74.1 40.6
2003 73.3 41.3
2002 73 36.3
2001 71 36.6
2000 67.2 37.2
1999 67.8 39
1998 68.2 42.2
1997 67.9 43
1996 67.7 42.3

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Cyprus is 74.1, ranking 21/197, 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

Cyprus Syria
Services, % of GDP
76.5%
2024
44.9%
2022
Industry, % of GDP
11.1%
2024
12%
2022
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.16%
2024
43.1%
2022
GNI, Atlas method
$32B
2024
$18.2B
2023
GNI per capita, PPP
$56,200
2024
$4,480
2023
Total reserves including gold
$2.09B
2024
$20.6B
2010
Total reserves ranking
124/177
2024
62/177
2010
Net foreign direct investment
-$5.49B
2024
-$1.47B
2010
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$50.4B
2024
$0
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$55.9B
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
0.15%
2023
Poverty at national poverty lines
13.9%
2021
35.2%
2007
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
20.7%
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/cyprus/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 (2010–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)

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.