Skip to content

Economy of Djibouti vs Syria compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Djibouti has a GDP of $4.62B compared to $20B for Syria, ranking 164/197 and 134/197 by economy size, respectively.

Djibouti has $1.49B in government debt (32.1% of GDP), compared to $18.4B (30% of GDP) in Syria.

Djibouti vs Syria GDP by year

Djibouti
Syria
1x
Year GDP, current $
Djibouti Syria
2025 $4,624,533,092 -
2024 $4,152,145,940 -
2023 $3,898,447,007 $19,993,439,950
2022 $3,562,814,909 $23,737,634,644
2021 $3,392,796,953 $14,892,885,528
2020 $3,144,136,197 $12,501,503,673
2019 $3,088,851,450 $22,583,046,645
2018 $2,913,464,658 $21,497,779,248
2017 $2,762,581,334 $16,369,842,725
2016 $2,604,955,229 $12,597,854,088
2015 $2,424,391,785 $16,466,861,435
2014 $2,220,637,966 $21,502,061,466
2013 $2,044,440,443 $21,361,254,635
2012 $1,353,632,942 $43,190,318,033
2011 $1,239,144,502 $67,539,433,544
2010 $1,128,611,700 $61,390,833,273
2009 $1,049,110,685 $54,111,721,044
2008 $999,105,339 $52,557,913,397
2007 $847,918,929 $40,465,331,020
2006 $768,873,684 $33,751,812,959
2005 $708,633,195 $28,858,937,499
2004 $666,072,102 $25,086,910,448
2003 $622,044,666 $21,828,144,686
2002 $591,122,040 $20,786,986,580
2001 $572,417,441 $20,078,599,626
2000 $551,230,862 $18,937,031,610
1999 $536,080,148 $15,873,875,969
1998 $514,267,869 $15,200,846,154
1997 $502,675,542 $14,505,233,463
1996 $494,004,648 $13,789,560,878
1995 $497,723,961 $11,396,706,587
1994 $491,689,221 $10,122,020,000
1993 $466,048,469 $13,695,962,055
1992 $478,058,305 $13,253,565,861
1991 $462,421,999 $12,981,833,333
1990 $452,328,087 $12,308,624,418
1989 $409,220,087 $9,853,395,762
1988 $395,794,539 $10,577,041,645
1987 $373,371,738 $11,356,215,543
1986 - $13,293,205,278
1985 $340,989,528 $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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Djibouti vs Syria by year

Djibouti
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Syria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Djibouti Syria
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $3,906 - - -
2024 $3,553 $7,810 - -
2023 $3,381 $7,226 $847 $4,650
2022 $3,133 $6,621 $1,057 $4,772
2021 $3,026 $5,960 $689 $4,593
2020 $2,845 $5,527 $594 $3,738
2019 $2,837 $5,398 $1,110 $3,502
2018 $2,718 $5,083 $1,098 $3,456
2017 $2,619 $4,677 $852 $3,265
2016 $2,510 $4,432 $656 -
2015 $2,376 $4,264 $848 -
2014 $2,215 $3,978 $1,061 -
2013 $2,076 $3,762 $986 -
2012 $1,400 - $1,898 -
2011 $1,306 - $2,952 -
2010 $1,213 - $2,731 -
2009 $1,151 - $2,462 -
2008 $1,119 - $2,429 -
2007 $970 - $1,938 -
2006 $898 - $1,719 -
2005 $844 - $1,534 -
2004 $806 - $1,368 -
2003 $765 - $1,220 -
2002 $743 - $1,190 -
2001 $742 - $1,178 -
2000 $738 - $1,138 -
1999 $740 - $978 -
1998 $735 - $961 -
1997 $748 - $941 -
1996 $762 - $918 -
1995 $786 - $780 -
1994 $785 - $712 -
1993 $759 - $993 -
1992 $764 - $990 -
1991 $733 - $1,000 -
1990 $780 - $978 -
1989 $782 - $809 -
1988 $817 - $898 -
1987 $822 - $997 -
1986 - - $1,208 -
1985 $847 - $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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Djibouti's GDP per capita is $3,906, ranking 136/197, compared to $847 in Syria, ranking 185/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Djibouti ranks 143rd at $7,810, while Syria ranks 160th at $4,650.

Economic indicators

Djibouti Syria
Gross domestic product
$4.62B
2025
$20B
2023
GDP rank
164/197
2025
134/197
2023
GDP growth
6.5%
2024-2025
-1.85%
2022-2023
GDP per capita
$3,906
2025
$847
2023
GDP per capita rank
136/197
2025
185/197
2023
GDP per capita, PPP
$7,810
2024
$4,650
2023
GDP per capita PPP rank
143/197
2024
160/197
2023
Government debt
$1.49B
2025
$18.4B
2010
Debt-to-GDP ratio
32.1%
2025
30%
2010
Government debt per person
$1,255
2025
$820
2010
Government debt per person rank
135/185
2025
150/185
2010
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,942
2026
$693
2026
Income share by richest 10%
32.3%
2017
20.9%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
1.9%
2017
3.8%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
19.5%
2025
28.6%
2010
Consumer prices inflation
-0.3%
2024-2025
13.4%
2018-2019
Unemployment rate
38.8%
2025
14.9%
2011
Population
1207325
26956472

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Djibouti
Spending

Debt
Syria
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Djibouti Syria
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 19.5% 32.1% - -
2024 21.3% 34% - -
2023 21.6% 35.6% - -
2022 21% 38.3% - -
2021 23.1% 40.3% - -
2020 25.8% 42.1% - -
2019 24.9% 41.1% - -
2018 25.9% 47.5% - -
2017 23.9% 48% - -
2016 25.9% 45.9% - -
2015 42% 40.3% - -
2014 29% 26.9% - -
2013 26.8% 24.6% - -
2012 26.5% 25% - -
2011 25.3% 25.7% - -
2010 26.6% 27.9% 28.6% 30%
2009 31% 29.5% 26.7% 31.2%
2008 28.8% 59.3% 22.9% 37.3%
2007 26.6% 56.6% 25.7% 42.7%
2006 23.8% 58.3% 26.3% 45%
2005 26.2% 60.3% 28.2% 50.7%
2004 26.7% 65.3% 31.3% 113%
2003 25.8% 66.3% 32.6% 133.4%
2002 23.4% 63.7% 28.5% 132.4%
2001 21% 58.1% 28% 144.5%
2000 23.2% 58.1% 27.4% 152.1%
1999 23.5% 58.5% 28% 147.7%
1998 24% 55.2% 28.8% 151.2%
1997 25% 56% 29% 147.6%
1996 23.7% 53.1% 27.7% 141.5%
1995 27% 50.9% 29.8% 152.6%
1994 30.9% - 30.3% 163%
1993 35.3% - 29.4% 171.9%
1992 34.9% - 34.2% 173.6%
1991 27.7% - 34.3% 182.4%
1990 30.2% - 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 (1995–2008, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Djibouti's government spending was $904M, accounting for 19.5% of its GDP, while Syria spent $17.6B, or 28.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 32.1% in Djibouti and 30% in Syria, ranking 150/185 and 155/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Djibouti

Syria
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Djibouti Syria
2025 -0.7% -
2024 -2.69% -
2023 -3.47% -
2022 -1.48% -
2021 -3.05% -
2020 -2.58% -
2019 -0.98% -
2018 -1.98% -
2017 -0.21% -
2016 -0.76% -
2015 -15.5% -
2014 -6.92% -
2013 -0.34% -
2012 -2.04% -
2011 -1.18% -
2010 -1.04% -7.79%
2009 -3.88% -2.89%
2008 0.62% -2.86%
2007 -1.88% -2.99%
2006 0.26% -1.12%
2005 -1.18% -4.41%
2004 -3.67% -4.18%
2003 -4.13% -2.7%
2002 -4.56% -2.02%
2001 -3.61% 2.3%
2000 -3.97% -1.36%
1999 -5.2% -1.47%
1998 -3.59% -2.81%
1997 -2.86% -1.78%
1996 -1.77% -2.83%
1995 -5.13% -3.81%
1994 -4.97% -6%
1993 -7.1% -4.96%
1992 -6.13% -7.26%
1991 -0.86% -6.57%
1990 -3.25% -3.92%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2010, Djibouti's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $11.8M, equivalent to 1.04% of GDP. This compares to Syria's deficit of $4.78B, or 7.79% of GDP.

Over the past 21 years, Djibouti recorded a fiscal deficit in 19 of those years, while Syria ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, Djibouti posted an annual deficit equal to 3.23% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.4% of GDP for Syria.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Djibouti

Syria
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Djibouti Syria
2025 -0.3% -
2024 2.1% -
2023 1.4% -
2022 5.2% -
2021 1.2% -
2020 1.8% -
2019 3.3% 13.4%
2018 0.1% 0.94%
2017 0.6% 18.1%
2016 2.4% 47.7%
2015 -0.5% 38.5%
2014 1.3% 10.9%
2013 1.1% 40%
2012 4.2% 36.7%
2011 5.2% 4.75%
2010 2.5% 4.4%
2009 5.6% 2.92%
2008 8.7% 15.7%
2007 5.9% 3.91%
2006 3.5% 10%
2005 3.3% 7.24%
2004 2.4% 4.43%
2003 1.6% 5.8%
2002 1.4% -0.13%
2001 1.9% 3%
2000 1.2% -3.85%
1999 -0.4% -3.7%
1998 2.2% -0.8%
1997 2.5% 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/djibouti/syria | CC BY

Over the past 23 years, Djibouti has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.61%, compared with 11.4% in Syria. In 2019, inflation was -0.3% in Djibouti and 13.4% in Syria.

Top exports between countries

Djibouti
Export category Export value
Syria
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $944K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $556K
Chemicals & pharma $367K
Metals $250K
Wood & paper products $89K
Machinery & equipment $56K

Balance of trade

Djibouti Syria
Current account balance
$610M
2024
-$367M
2010
Current account balance ranking
55/190
2024
99/190
2010
Current account balance, % of GDP
+14.7%
2024
-0.6%
2010
Goods imports
$4.04B
2024
$15.9B
2010
Goods exports
$4.08B
2024
$12.3B
2010
Service imports
$730M
2024
$3.53B
2010
Service exports
$1.17B
2024
$7.33B
2010
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
95.8%
2025
28.7%
2022
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
110.5%
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.

Djibouti Syria
Economic freedom 56.3 51.2
Economic freedom ranking 122/197 155/197
Property rights 30.4 4
Government integrity 27.9 3.6
Judicial effectiveness 28.6 3.7
Tax burden 83.5 87.3
Government spending 86.7 78.5
Fiscal health 87.7 13.8
Business freedom 52.9 33.8
Labor freedom 57.5 37.2
Monetary freedom 70.6 80
Trade freedom 49.8 47
Investment freedom 50 0
Financial freedom 50 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Djibouti
Syria
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Djibouti Syria
2026 56.3 -
2025 55.7 -
2024 55.8 -
2023 56.1 -
2022 55.3 -
2021 56.2 -
2020 52.9 -
2019 47.1 -
2018 45.1 -
2017 46.7 -
2016 56 -
2015 57.5 -
2014 55.9 -
2013 53.9 -
2012 53.9 51.2
2011 54.5 51.3
2010 51 49.4
2009 51.3 51.3
2008 51.2 47.2
2007 52.4 48.3
2006 53.2 51.2
2005 55.2 46.3
2004 55.6 40.6
2003 55.7 41.3
2002 57.8 36.3
2001 58.3 36.6
2000 55.1 37.2
1999 57.1 39
1998 55.9 42.2
1997 54.5 43
1996 - 42.3

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Djibouti is 56.3, ranking 122/197, 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

Djibouti Syria
Services, % of GDP
75.7%
2025
44.7%
2022
Industry, % of GDP
16.6%
2025
11.9%
2022
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.27%
2025
42.9%
2022
GNI, Atlas method
$4.69B
2025
$18.2B
2023
GNI per capita, PPP
$8,660
2025
$4,480
2023
Total reserves including gold
$656M
2025
$20.6B
2010
Total reserves ranking
149/177
2025
66/177
2010
Net foreign direct investment
-$67.8M
2024
-$1.47B
2010
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$67.8M
2024
$0
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.27%
2024
0.15%
2023
Poverty at national poverty lines
23%
2020
35.2%
2007
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
1.55%
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/djibouti/syria | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

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 (1996–2026, 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 (1995–2008, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2010, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, 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.