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Economy of Egypt vs Syria compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Egypt has a GDP of $389B compared to $20B for Syria, ranking 41/197 and 129/197 by economy size, respectively.

Egypt has $354B in government debt (90.9% of GDP), compared to $18.4B (30% of GDP) in Syria.

Egypt vs Syria GDP by year

Egypt
Syria
1x
Year GDP, current $
Egypt Syria
2024 $389,059,911,004 -
2023 $395,926,075,163 $19,993,439,950
2022 $476,747,720,365 $23,622,827,080
2021 $424,671,765,456 $14,353,205,678
2020 $383,817,841,547 $12,047,752,036
2019 $318,678,815,490 $22,583,045,060
2018 $262,588,632,527 $21,497,782,868
2017 $248,362,771,739 $16,369,843,352
2016 $332,441,717,791 $12,597,854,877
2015 $329,366,576,819 $16,466,863,117
2014 $305,595,408,895 $21,502,061,466
2013 $288,434,108,527 $21,361,254,635
2012 $279,116,666,667 $43,190,318,033
2011 $235,989,672,978 $67,539,428,159
2010 $218,983,666,062 $61,390,830,875
2009 $189,147,005,445 $54,111,735,629
2008 $162,818,181,818 $52,557,913,569
2007 $130,437,828,371 $40,465,318,382
2006 $107,426,086,957 $33,751,788,856
2005 $89,660,339,660 $28,858,965,517
2004 $78,782,467,532 $25,086,950,495
2003 $80,288,461,538 $21,828,144,686
2002 $85,146,067,416 $20,669,357,462
2001 $96,684,636,119 $20,237,024,725
2000 $99,838,543,960 $18,937,052,543
1999 $90,710,704,807 $15,873,875,969
1998 $84,828,807,556 $15,200,846,154
1997 $78,436,578,171 $14,505,233,463
1996 $67,629,716,981 $13,789,560,878
1995 $60,159,245,060 $11,396,706,587
1994 $51,897,983,393 $10,122,020,000
1993 $46,578,631,453 $13,695,962,055
1992 $41,855,986,519 $13,253,565,861
1991 $37,387,836,491 $12,981,833,333
1990 $42,978,914,311 $12,308,624,418
1989 $39,756,299,050 $9,853,395,762
1988 $34,980,124,929 $10,577,041,645
1987 $40,455,616,654 $11,356,215,543
1986 $41,253,507,951 $13,293,205,278
1985 $39,053,502,251 $16,403,539,893
1984 $33,971,188,992 $17,503,078,174
1983 $30,966,239,814 $17,589,277,143
1982 $27,655,172,414 $16,298,929,011
1981 $22,136,081,081 $15,518,201,335
1980 $21,669,908,176 $13,062,420,382
1979 $18,020,571,429 $9,929,681,529
1978 $14,811,704,063 $9,275,200,458
1977 $14,400,806,876 $7,696,011,396
1976 $13,315,988,083 $7,633,528,867
1975 $11,632,178,869 $6,826,980,444
1974 $9,228,963,225 $5,159,557,148
1973 $10,098,534,613 $3,239,487,516
1972 $9,299,638,056 $3,059,681,698
1971 $8,609,283,346 $2,589,851,325
1970 $8,042,200,452 $2,140,384,010
1969 $6,524,455,206 $2,245,011,515
1968 $5,932,242,991 $1,753,746,430
1967 $5,605,484,299 $1,580,229,799
1966 $5,278,005,612 $1,342,287,553
1965 $4,948,667,540 $1,472,036,540
1964 $4,709,245,762 $1,339,494,267
1963 $4,187,146,232 $1,200,447,408
1962 $4,035,462,027 $1,110,565,881
1961 $4,494,575,611 $945,244,972
1960 $4,206,270,352 $857,704,413

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Egypt vs Syria by year

Egypt
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Syria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Egypt Syria
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $3,338 $19,094 - -
2023 $3,457 $18,525 $847 $4,650
2022 $4,233 $17,527 $1,052 $4,772
2021 $3,827 $15,579 $664 $4,593
2020 $3,511 $15,232 $572 $3,738
2019 $2,963 $13,364 $1,110 $3,502
2018 $2,485 $12,329 $1,098 $3,456
2017 $2,395 $11,125 $852 $3,265
2016 $3,271 $10,666 $656 -
2015 $3,307 $10,903 $848 -
2014 $3,133 $10,256 $1,061 -
2013 $3,026 $10,511 $986 -
2012 $2,996 $10,342 $1,898 -
2011 $2,591 $8,988 $2,952 -
2010 $2,455 $8,838 $2,731 -
2009 $2,162 $8,465 $2,462 -
2008 $1,896 $8,191 $2,429 -
2007 $1,548 $7,641 $1,938 -
2006 $1,299 $7,079 $1,719 -
2005 $1,106 $6,554 $1,534 -
2004 $991 $6,207 $1,368 -
2003 $1,031 $5,928 $1,220 -
2002 $1,117 $5,753 $1,183 -
2001 $1,295 $5,650 $1,187 -
2000 $1,366 $5,452 $1,138 -
1999 $1,268 $5,121 $978 -
1998 $1,213 $4,869 $961 -
1997 $1,146 $4,661 $941 -
1996 $1,009 $4,434 $918 -
1995 $916 $4,235 $780 -
1994 $807 $4,048 $712 -
1993 $740 $3,895 $993 -
1992 $681 $3,784 $990 -
1991 $623 $3,627 $1,000 -
1990 $736 $3,566 $978 -
1989 $701 - $809 -
1988 $634 - $898 -
1987 $754 - $997 -
1986 $790 - $1,208 -
1985 $770 - $1,544 -
1984 $690 - $1,706 -
1983 $648 - $1,776 -
1982 $596 - $1,703 -
1981 $490 - $1,676 -
1980 $493 - $1,458 -
1979 $421 - $1,146 -
1978 $355 - $1,108 -
1977 $353 - $951 -
1976 $335 - $976 -
1975 $299.2 - $904 -
1974 $243.1 - $707 -
1973 $272.2 - $459 -
1972 $256.5 - $448 -
1971 $243 - $393 -
1970 $232.3 - $335 -
1969 $193 - $364 -
1968 $179.8 - $293.3 -
1967 $174.1 - $272.9 -
1966 $168.1 - $239.3 -
1965 $161.6 - $270.8 -
1964 $157.7 - $254.2 -
1963 $143.9 - $234.9 -
1962 $142.4 - $223.9 -
1961 $162.8 - $196.3 -
1960 $156.4 - $183.5 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Egypt's GDP per capita is $3,338, ranking 138/197, compared to $847 in Syria, ranking 185/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Egypt ranks 99th at $19,094, while Syria ranks 160th at $4,650.

Economic indicators

Egypt Syria
Gross domestic product
$389B
2024
$20B
2023
GDP rank
41/197
2024
129/197
2023
GDP growth
2.4%
2023-2024
-1.21%
2022-2023
GDP per capita
$3,338
2024
$847
2023
GDP per capita rank
138/197
2024
185/197
2023
GDP per capita, PPP
$19,094
2024
$4,650
2023
GDP per capita PPP rank
99/197
2024
160/197
2023
Government debt
$354B
2024
$18.4B
2010
Debt-to-GDP ratio
90.9%
2024
30%
2010
Government debt per person
$3,036
2024
$820
2010
Government debt per person rank
99/185
2024
148/185
2010
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,948
2026
$730
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$42.6B
2024
n/a
Number of billionaires
5
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
24.6%
2021
21.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
4.2%
2021
3.8%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
22.9%
2024
28.6%
2010
Consumer prices inflation
28.3%
2023-2024
13.4%
2018-2019
Central bank interest rate
21%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
5.95%
2024
8.61%
2010
Population
120697176
26829400

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Egypt
Spending

Debt
Syria
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Egypt Syria
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 22.9% 90.9% - -
2023 22.7% 95.9% - -
2022 24.9% 88.5% - -
2021 25.5% 89.9% - -
2020 25.7% 86.2% - -
2019 26.9% 80.1% - -
2018 28.6% 87.9% - -
2017 30.6% 97.8% - -
2016 31% 91.6% - -
2015 31.3% 83.8% - -
2014 33.9% 80.9% - -
2013 32.9% 79.8% - -
2012 29.2% 69.9% - -
2011 30.5% 72.8% - -
2010 31.4% 69.6% 28.6% 30%
2009 32.5% 69.5% 26.7% 31.2%
2008 32.7% 66.8% 22.9% 37.3%
2007 31.3% 76.3% 25.7% 42.7%
2006 34.5% 85.9% 26.3% 45%
2005 30.3% 98.3% 28.2% 50.7%
2004 30.1% 96.5% 31.3% 113%
2003 30.6% 97.1% 32.6% 133.4%
2002 30.9% 85.8% 28.5% 132.4%
2001 27.9% 79.1% 28% 144.5%
2000 26% 71.7% 27.4% 152.1%
1999 26.3% 72.4% 28% 147.7%
1998 - 73.8% 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/egypt/syria | CC BY

In 2024, Egypt's government spending was $89.2B, accounting for 22.9% of its GDP, while Syria spent $17.6B, or 28.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 90.9% in Egypt and 30% in Syria, ranking 31/185 and 157/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Egypt

Syria
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Egypt Syria
2024 -7.12% -
2023 -5.77% -
2022 -5.74% -
2021 -6.96% -
2020 -7.47% -
2019 -7.6% -
2018 -8.97% -
2017 -9.9% -
2016 -11.8% -
2015 -10.4% -
2014 -10.7% -
2013 -12.3% -
2012 -9.47% -
2011 -9.6% -
2010 -7.45% -7.79%
2009 -6.2% -2.89%
2008 -6.05% -2.86%
2007 -4.9% -2.99%
2006 -7.35% -1.12%
2005 -6.69% -4.41%
2004 -5.76% -4.18%
2003 -5.73% -2.7%
2002 -6.77% -2.02%
2001 -1.07% 2.3%
2000 1.32% -1.36%
1999 2.14% -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/egypt/syria | CC BY

In 2010, Egypt's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $16.3B, equivalent to 7.45% of GDP. This compares to Syria's deficit of $4.78B, or 7.79% of GDP.

Over the past 12 years, Egypt recorded a fiscal deficit in 10 of those years, while Syria ran a deficit in 11 years. On average, Egypt posted an annual deficit equal to 4.54% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.63% of GDP for Syria.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Egypt

Syria
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Egypt Syria
2024 28.3% -
2023 33.9% -
2022 13.9% -
2021 5.21% -
2020 5.04% -
2019 9.15% 13.4%
2018 14.4% 0.94%
2017 29.5% 18.1%
2016 13.8% 47.7%
2015 10.4% 38.5%
2014 10.1% 10.9%
2013 9.47% 40%
2012 7.11% 36.7%
2011 10.1% 4.75%
2010 11.3% 4.4%
2009 11.8% 2.92%
2008 18.3% 15.7%
2007 9.32% 3.91%
2006 7.64% 10%
2005 4.87% 7.24%
2004 11.3% 4.43%
2003 4.51% 5.8%
2002 2.74% -0.13%
2001 2.27% 3%
2000 2.68% -3.85%
1999 3.08% -3.7%
1998 3.87% -0.8%
1997 4.63% 1.89%

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

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

Over the past 23 years, Egypt has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 9.23%, compared with 11.4% in Syria. In 2019, inflation was 28.3% in Egypt and 13.4% in Syria.

Top exports between countries

Egypt
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $160M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $38M
Chemicals & pharma $37.9M
Metals $35.4M
Textiles & consumer goods $24.2M
Raw materials & minerals $19.2M
Wood & paper products $8.02M
Machinery & equipment $3.83M
Animal & marine products $486K
Miscellaneous $328K
Syria
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $159M
Raw agricultural goods $77.3M
Raw materials & minerals $76.9M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $27.3M
Machinery & equipment $25.6M
Chemicals & pharma $18.3M
Metals $3.19M
Wood & paper products $610K
Animal & marine products $322K
Miscellaneous $168K

Balance of trade

Egypt Syria
Current account balance
-$22.3B
2024
-$367M
2010
Current account balance ranking
184/190
2024
103/190
2010
Current account balance, % of GDP
-5.72%
2024
-0.6%
2010
Goods imports
$72.9B
2024
$15.9B
2010
Goods exports
$34.8B
2024
$12.3B
2010
Service imports
$27.5B
2024
$3.53B
2010
Service exports
$29.6B
2024
$7.33B
2010
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
23.2%
2024
28.8%
2022
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
16.4%
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.

Egypt Syria
Economic freedom 50.3 51.2
Economic freedom ranking 160/197 155/197
Property rights 35.5 4
Government integrity 27.1 3.6
Judicial effectiveness 24 3.7
Tax burden 85.7 87.3
Government spending 83.4 78.5
Fiscal health 21.8 13.8
Business freedom 51.4 33.8
Labor freedom 43.1 37.2
Monetary freedom 56 80
Trade freedom 60.2 47
Investment freedom 65 0
Financial freedom 50 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Egypt
Syria
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Egypt Syria
2026 50.3 -
2025 50.9 -
2024 49.7 -
2023 49.6 -
2022 49.1 -
2021 55.7 -
2020 54 -
2019 52.5 -
2018 53.4 -
2017 52.6 -
2016 56 -
2015 55.2 -
2014 52.9 -
2013 54.8 -
2012 57.9 51.2
2011 59.1 51.3
2010 59 49.4
2009 58 51.3
2008 58.5 47.2
2007 54.4 48.3
2006 53.2 51.2
2005 55.8 46.3
2004 55.5 40.6
2003 55.3 41.3
2002 54.1 36.3
2001 51.5 36.6
2000 51.7 37.2
1999 58 39
1998 55.8 42.2
1997 54.5 43
1996 52 42.3
1995 45.7 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Egypt is 50.3, ranking 160/197, 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

Egypt Syria
Services, % of GDP
48.9%
2024
44.9%
2022
Industry, % of GDP
32.6%
2024
12%
2022
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
13.7%
2024
43.1%
2022
GNI, Atlas method
$409B
2024
$18.2B
2023
GNI per capita, PPP
$18,230
2024
$4,480
2023
Total reserves including gold
$44.9B
2024
$20.6B
2010
Total reserves ranking
44/177
2024
62/177
2010
Net foreign direct investment
-$46.1B
2024
-$1.47B
2010
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$46.6B
2024
$0
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$508M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
8.86%
2024
0.15%
2023
Poverty at national poverty lines
33.5%
2021
35.2%
2007
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
13%
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/egypt/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 (1995–2026, 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.