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Economy of East Timor vs Syria compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

East Timor has a GDP of $1.87B compared to $20B for Syria, ranking 181/197 and 129/197 by economy size, respectively.

East Timor has $249M in government debt (13.3% of GDP), compared to $18.4B (30% of GDP) in Syria.

East Timor vs Syria GDP by year

East Timor
Syria
1x
Year GDP, current $
East Timor Syria
2024 $1,865,608,515 -
2023 $2,079,767,170 $19,993,439,950
2022 $3,208,599,889 $23,622,827,080
2021 $3,625,024,341 $14,353,205,678
2020 $2,162,619,241 $12,047,752,036
2019 $2,032,550,389 $22,583,045,060
2018 $1,555,988,614 $21,497,782,868
2017 $1,584,878,440 $16,369,843,352
2016 $1,640,464,612 $12,597,854,877
2015 $1,590,282,371 $16,466,863,117
2014 $1,447,535,183 $21,502,061,466
2013 $1,395,727,421 $21,361,254,635
2012 $1,160,555,040 $43,190,318,033
2011 $1,042,534,598 $67,539,428,159
2010 $881,909,347 $61,390,830,875
2009 $726,937,836 $54,111,735,629
2008 $648,523,571 $52,557,913,569
2007 $542,795,447 $40,465,318,382
2006 $453,792,415 $33,751,788,856
2005 $462,267,954 $28,858,965,517
2004 $440,771,962 $25,086,950,495
2003 $490,439,116 $21,828,144,686
2002 $469,455,491 $20,669,357,462
2001 $477,359,253 $20,237,024,725
2000 $366,924,277 $18,937,052,543
1999 $225,357,600 $15,873,875,969
1998 $325,729,800 $15,200,846,154
1997 $319,972,700 $14,505,233,463
1996 $306,956,900 $13,789,560,878
1995 $262,819,900 $11,396,706,587
1994 $239,040,500 $10,122,020,000
1993 $216,914,400 $13,695,962,055
1992 $187,891,500 $13,253,565,861
1991 $147,713,000 $12,981,833,333
1990 $128,210,142 $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/east-timor/syria | CC BY

GDP per capita in East Timor vs Syria by year

East Timor
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Syria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
East Timor Syria
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,332 $4,423 - -
2023 $1,502 $4,807 $847 $4,650
2022 $2,343 $5,730 $1,052 $4,772
2021 $2,685 $6,825 $664 $4,593
2020 $1,631 $6,132 $572 $3,738
2019 $1,562 $4,557 $1,110 $3,502
2018 $1,219 $3,561 $1,098 $3,456
2017 $1,266 $3,463 $852 $3,265
2016 $1,336 $3,391 $656 -
2015 $1,320 $3,108 $848 -
2014 $1,225 $2,860 $1,061 -
2013 $1,205 $2,566 $986 -
2012 $1,023 $2,386 $1,898 -
2011 $939 $2,066 $2,952 -
2010 $813 $1,955 $2,731 -
2009 $687 $1,810 $2,462 -
2008 $628 $1,675 $2,429 -
2007 $540 $1,516 $1,938 -
2006 $465 $1,377 $1,719 -
2005 $487 $1,435 $1,534 -
2004 $474 $1,379 $1,368 -
2003 $535 $1,355 $1,220 -
2002 $534 $1,417 $1,183 -
2001 $588 $1,619 $1,187 -
2000 $492 $1,483 $1,138 -
1999 $270 $819 $978 -
1998 $346 $1,108 $961 -
1997 $349 $1,149 $941 -
1996 $344 $1,116 $918 -
1995 $303 $1,043 $780 -
1994 $283.1 $985 $712 -
1993 $264.1 $925 $993 -
1992 $235.1 $843 $990 -
1991 $189.8 $766 $1,000 -
1990 $168.6 $685 $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/east-timor/syria | CC BY

East Timor's GDP per capita is $1,332, ranking 167/197, compared to $847 in Syria, ranking 185/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), East Timor ranks 163rd at $4,423, while Syria ranks 160th at $4,650.

Economic indicators

East Timor Syria
Gross domestic product
$1.87B
2024
$20B
2023
GDP rank
181/197
2024
129/197
2023
GDP growth
-9.1%
2023-2024
-1.21%
2022-2023
GDP per capita
$1,332
2024
$847
2023
GDP per capita rank
167/197
2024
185/197
2023
GDP per capita, PPP
$4,423
2024
$4,650
2023
GDP per capita PPP rank
163/197
2024
160/197
2023
Government debt
$249M
2024
$18.4B
2010
Debt-to-GDP ratio
13.3%
2024
30%
2010
Government debt per person
$177.5
2024
$820
2010
Government debt per person rank
182/185
2024
148/185
2010
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,440
2026
$730
2026
Income share by richest 10%
24%
2014
21.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
4%
2014
3.8%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
90.8%
2024
28.6%
2010
Consumer prices inflation
2.1%
2023-2024
13.4%
2018-2019
Unemployment rate
1.54%
2022
8.61%
2010
Population
1441764
26829400

Spending and national debt comparison by year

East Timor
Spending

Debt
Syria
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
East Timor Syria
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 90.8% 13.3% - -
2023 78.6% 12.4% - -
2022 59.9% 7.9% - -
2021 45.7% 6.53% - -
2020 61.7% 10.1% - -
2019 68.8% 9.51% - -
2018 85.5% 9.31% - -
2017 87.3% 6.71% - -
2016 112.2% 4.71% - -
2015 98.1% 2.95% - -
2014 111% 1.52% - -
2013 96.1% 0.46% - -
2012 129.3% 0.002% - -
2011 133.3% 0% - -
2010 121.3% 0% 28.6% 30%
2009 121.8% 0% 26.7% 31.2%
2008 122.4% 0% 22.9% 37.3%
2007 75.8% 0% 25.7% 42.7%
2006 59.8% 0% 26.3% 45%
2005 58.3% 0% 28.2% 50.7%
2004 74.2% 0% 31.3% 113%
2003 80.1% 0% 32.6% 133.4%
2002 93.5% 0% 28.5% 132.4%
2001 95.7% 0% 28% 144.5%
2000 - - 27.4% 152.1%
1999 - - 28% 147.7%
1998 - - 28.8% 151.2%
1997 - - 29% 147.6%
1996 - - 27.7% 141.5%
1995 - - 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/east-timor/syria | CC BY

In 2024, East Timor's government spending was $1.69B, accounting for 90.8% of its GDP, while Syria spent $17.6B, or 28.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 13.3% in East Timor and 30% in Syria, ranking 178/185 and 157/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
East Timor

Syria
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
East Timor Syria
2024 -43.5% -
2023 -34.7% -
2022 -29.5% -
2021 -20.1% -
2020 -18.9% -
2019 -25.4% -
2018 -26.9% -
2017 -33.8% -
2016 -55.7% -
2015 -33.2% -
2014 -37.5% -
2013 -14.4% -
2012 -38.7% -
2011 -25.4% -
2010 -19.8% -7.79%
2009 -17.2% -2.89%
2008 -18.6% -2.86%
2007 -29.9% -2.99%
2006 41% -1.12%
2005 -10.5% -4.41%
2004 -7.48% -4.18%
2003 -8.24% -2.7%
2002 -7.64% -2.02%
2001 3.24% 2.3%
2000 - -1.36%
1999 - -1.47%
1998 - -2.81%
1997 - -1.78%
1996 - -2.83%
1995 - -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/east-timor/syria | CC BY

In 2010, East Timor's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $175M, equivalent to 19.8% of GDP. This compares to Syria's deficit of $4.78B, or 7.79% of GDP.

Over the past 10 years, East Timor recorded a fiscal deficit in 8 of those years, while Syria ran a deficit in 9 years. On average, East Timor posted an annual deficit equal to 7.5% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.87% of GDP for Syria.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
East Timor

Syria
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
East Timor Syria
2024 2.1% -
2023 8.4% -
2022 7% -
2021 3.8% -
2020 0.5% -
2019 0.9% 13.4%
2018 2.3% 0.94%
2017 0.5% 18.1%
2016 -1.5% 47.7%
2015 0.6% 38.5%
2014 0.8% 10.9%
2013 9.5% 40%
2012 10.9% 36.7%
2011 13.2% 4.75%
2010 5.2% 4.4%
2009 -0.2% 2.92%
2008 7.4% 15.7%
2007 8.6% 3.91%
2006 5.2% 10%
2005 1.6% 7.24%
2004 2.2% 4.43%
2003 8% 5.8%
2002 4.1% -0.13%
2001 3.6% 3%
2000 - -3.85%
1999 - -3.7%
1998 - -0.8%
1997 - 1.89%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (2001–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2019, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/east-timor/syria | CC BY

Over the past 19 years, East Timor has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.36%, compared with 14.1% in Syria. In 2019, inflation was 2.1% in East Timor and 13.4% in Syria.

Balance of trade

East Timor Syria
Current account balance
-$587M
2024
-$367M
2010
Current account balance ranking
108/190
2024
103/190
2010
Current account balance, % of GDP
-31.5%
2024
-0.6%
2010
Goods imports
$839M
2024
$15.9B
2010
Goods exports
$196M
2024
$12.3B
2010
Service imports
$432M
2024
$3.53B
2010
Service exports
$82.1M
2024
$7.33B
2010
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
84.9%
2024
28.8%
2022
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
10.6%
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.

East Timor Syria
Economic freedom 47.9 51.2
Economic freedom ranking 173/197 155/197
Property rights 43.5 4
Government integrity 43.9 3.6
Judicial effectiveness 34.5 3.7
Tax burden 97.1 87.3
Government spending 0 78.5
Fiscal health 19.6 13.8
Business freedom 62.7 33.8
Labor freedom 56.5 37.2
Monetary freedom 72.2 80
Trade freedom 79.8 47
Investment freedom 45 0
Financial freedom 20 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

East Timor
Syria
1x
Year Economic freedom index
East Timor Syria
2026 47.9 -
2025 47.9 -
2024 50.2 -
2023 47.2 -
2022 46.3 -
2021 44.7 -
2020 45.9 -
2019 44.2 -
2018 48.1 -
2017 46.3 -
2016 45.8 -
2015 45.5 -
2014 43.2 -
2013 43.7 -
2012 43.3 51.2
2011 42.8 51.3
2010 45.8 49.4
2009 50.5 51.3
2008 - 47.2
2007 - 48.3
2006 - 51.2
2005 - 46.3
2004 - 40.6
2003 - 41.3
2002 - 36.3
2001 - 36.6
2000 - 37.2
1999 - 39
1998 - 42.2
1997 - 43
1996 - 42.3

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

GeoRank.org/economy/east-timor/syria | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for East Timor is 47.9, ranking 173/197, 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

East Timor Syria
Services, % of GDP
71.6%
2024
44.9%
2022
Industry, % of GDP
11.8%
2024
12%
2022
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
20.2%
2024
43.1%
2022
GNI, Atlas method
$2.31B
2024
$18.2B
2023
GNI per capita, PPP
$5,040
2024
$4,480
2023
Total reserves including gold
$737M
2024
$20.6B
2010
Total reserves ranking
147/177
2024
62/177
2010
Net foreign direct investment
-$211M
2024
-$1.47B
2010
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$216M
2024
$0
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$4.5M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.23%
2024
0.15%
2023
Poverty at national poverty lines
41.8%
2014
35.2%
2007
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
30.1%
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/east-timor/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. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  6. 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.