Eritrea has a GDP of $2.07B compared to $20B for Syria, ranking 179/197 and 129/197 by economy size, respectively.
Eritrea has $3.54B in government debt (260.4% of GDP), compared to $18.4B (30% of GDP) in Syria.
Eritrea vs Syria GDP by year
| Year | GDP, current $ | |
|---|---|---|
Eritrea
|
Syria
|
|
| 2023 | - | $19,993,439,950 |
| 2022 | - | $23,622,827,080 |
| 2021 | - | $14,353,205,678 |
| 2020 | - | $12,047,752,036 |
| 2019 | - | $22,583,045,060 |
| 2018 | - | $21,497,782,868 |
| 2017 | - | $16,369,843,352 |
| 2016 | - | $12,597,854,877 |
| 2015 | - | $16,466,863,117 |
| 2014 | - | $21,502,061,466 |
| 2013 | - | $21,361,254,635 |
| 2012 | - | $43,190,318,033 |
| 2011 | $2,065,001,626 | $67,539,428,159 |
| 2010 | $1,589,515,447 | $61,390,830,875 |
| 2009 | $1,856,695,551 | $54,111,735,629 |
| 2008 | $1,380,188,800 | $52,557,913,569 |
| 2007 | $1,317,974,491 | $40,465,318,382 |
| 2006 | $1,211,161,880 | $33,751,788,856 |
| 2005 | $1,098,424,686 | $28,858,965,517 |
| 2004 | $1,109,054,005 | $25,086,950,495 |
| 2003 | $870,248,268 | $21,828,144,686 |
| 2002 | $729,321,680 | $20,669,357,462 |
| 2001 | $752,371,689 | $20,237,024,725 |
| 2000 | $706,370,816 | $18,937,052,543 |
| 1999 | $688,918,537 | $15,873,875,969 |
| 1998 | $745,523,117 | $15,200,846,154 |
| 1997 | $686,490,090 | $14,505,233,463 |
| 1996 | $693,535,954 | $13,789,560,878 |
| 1995 | $578,015,625 | $11,396,706,587 |
| 1994 | $531,688,312 | $10,122,020,000 |
| 1993 | $467,872,715 | $13,695,962,055 |
| 1992 | $477,101,652 | $13,253,565,861 |
| 1991 | - | $12,981,833,333 |
| 1990 | - | $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 (1960–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/economy/eritrea/syria | CC BY 
GDP per capita in Eritrea vs Syria by year
| Year | Current $ | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Eritrea
|
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 | - | - | $572 | $3,738 |
| 2019 | - | - | $1,110 | $3,502 |
| 2018 | - | - | $1,098 | $3,456 |
| 2017 | - | - | $852 | $3,265 |
| 2016 | - | - | $656 | - |
| 2015 | - | - | $848 | - |
| 2014 | - | - | $1,061 | - |
| 2013 | - | - | $986 | - |
| 2012 | - | - | $1,898 | - |
| 2011 | $689 | $1,742 | $2,952 | - |
| 2010 | $540 | $1,599 | $2,731 | - |
| 2009 | $643 | $1,577 | $2,462 | - |
| 2008 | $490 | $1,547 | $2,429 | - |
| 2007 | $480 | $1,727 | $1,938 | - |
| 2006 | $448 | $1,682 | $1,719 | - |
| 2005 | $413 | $1,674 | $1,534 | - |
| 2004 | $427 | $1,621 | $1,368 | - |
| 2003 | $349 | $1,621 | $1,220 | - |
| 2002 | $305 | $1,702 | $1,183 | - |
| 2001 | $325 | $1,684 | $1,187 | - |
| 2000 | $314 | $1,558 | $1,138 | - |
| 1999 | $311 | $1,597 | $978 | - |
| 1998 | $342 | $1,598 | $961 | - |
| 1997 | $319 | $1,573 | $941 | - |
| 1996 | $326 | $1,449 | $918 | - |
| 1995 | $285.4 | $1,369 | $780 | - |
| 1994 | $277.8 | $1,379 | $712 | - |
| 1993 | $252.1 | $1,149 | $993 | - |
| 1992 | $265.2 | $1,021 | $990 | - |
| 1991 | - | - | $1,000 | - |
| 1990 | - | - | $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 (1960–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/economy/eritrea/syria | CC BY
Eritrea's GDP per capita is $689, ranking 188/197, compared to $847 in Syria, ranking 185/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Eritrea ranks 191st at $1,742, while Syria ranks 160th at $4,650.
Economic indicators
|
Eritrea
|
Syria
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Gross domestic product |
$2.07B
2011 |
$20B
2023 |
| GDP rank |
179/197
2011 |
129/197
2023 |
| GDP growth |
8.68%
2010-2011 |
-1.21%
2022-2023 |
| GDP per capita |
$689
2011 |
$847
2023 |
| GDP per capita rank |
188/197
2011 |
185/197
2023 |
| GDP per capita, PPP |
$1,742
2011 |
$4,650
2023 |
| GDP per capita PPP rank |
191/197
2011 |
160/197
2023 |
| Government debt |
$3.54B
2011 |
$18.4B
2010 |
| Debt-to-GDP ratio |
260.4%
2019 |
30%
2010 |
| Government debt per person |
$1,182
2011 |
$820
2010 |
| Government debt per person rank |
136/185
2011 |
148/185
2010 |
| Average annual personal income after taxes |
$1,129
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 |
31.3%
2019 |
28.6%
2010 |
| Consumer prices inflation |
1.3%
2018-2019 |
13.4%
2018-2019 |
| Unemployment rate |
5.8%
2017 |
8.61%
2010 |
| Population |
3700586
|
26829400
|
Spending and national debt comparison by year
| Year | % of GDP | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Eritrea
|
Syria
|
|||
| Government spending | Government debt | Government spending | Government debt | |
| 2019 | 31.3% | 260.4% | - | - |
| 2018 | 26.4% | 267.1% | - | - |
| 2017 | 42.5% | 290.4% | - | - |
| 2016 | 30.9% | 251.2% | - | - |
| 2015 | 31.1% | 271.4% | - | - |
| 2014 | 21.6% | 204.5% | - | - |
| 2013 | 32.7% | 232.4% | - | - |
| 2012 | 33.3% | 171.6% | - | - |
| 2011 | 32.3% | 171.6% | - | - |
| 2010 | 42.4% | 201.8% | 28.6% | 30% |
| 2009 | 44.9% | 207.1% | 26.7% | 31.2% |
| 2008 | 69.4% | 259.7% | 22.9% | 37.3% |
| 2007 | 51.2% | 201.3% | 25.7% | 42.7% |
| 2006 | 50.5% | 199% | 26.3% | 45% |
| 2005 | 76.6% | 205.4% | 28.2% | 50.7% |
| 2004 | 57.1% | 193.5% | 31.3% | 113% |
| 2003 | 58.1% | 264% | 32.6% | 133.4% |
| 2002 | 60.1% | 243.4% | 28.5% | 132.4% |
| 2001 | 59.5% | 238.6% | 28% | 144.5% |
| 2000 | 84.7% | 219.1% | 27.4% | 152.1% |
| 1999 | 106.1% | - | 28% | 147.7% |
| 1998 | 88% | - | 28.8% | 151.2% |
| 1997 | 60.1% | - | 29% | 147.6% |
| 1996 | 68.6% | - | 27.7% | 141.5% |
| 1995 | 81.2% | - | 29.8% | 152.6% |
| 1994 | 50.4% | - | 30.3% | 163% |
| 1993 | 67.2% | - | 29.4% | 171.9% |
| 1992 | 32.7% | - | 34.2% | 173.6% |
| 1991 | - | - | 34.3% | 182.4% |
| 1990 | - | - | 28.3% | 189.8% |
Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2019, retrieved 2026-02-20).
GeoRank.org/economy/eritrea/syria | CC BY
In 2011, Eritrea's government spending was $666M, accounting for 31.3% of its GDP, while Syria spent $17.6B, or 28.6% of GDP.
Debt-to-GDP ratio is 260.4% in Eritrea and 30% in Syria, ranking 2/185 and 157/185, respectively.
Government deficit by year
| Year | Deficit/surplus, % of GDP | |
|---|---|---|
|
Eritrea
|
Syria
|
|
| 2019 | 2.72% | - |
| 2018 | 5.22% | - |
| 2017 | -5.74% | - |
| 2016 | -1.44% | - |
| 2015 | -2.77% | - |
| 2014 | -0.12% | - |
| 2013 | -7.62% | - |
| 2012 | -5.21% | - |
| 2011 | -5.5% | - |
| 2010 | -16.5% | -7.79% |
| 2009 | -22.2% | -2.89% |
| 2008 | -38% | -2.86% |
| 2007 | -19.8% | -2.99% |
| 2006 | -15.5% | -1.12% |
| 2005 | -31% | -4.41% |
| 2004 | -7.65% | -4.18% |
| 2003 | 6.23% | -2.7% |
| 2002 | -13.3% | -2.02% |
| 2001 | -9.62% | 2.3% |
| 2000 | -25.4% | -1.36% |
| 1999 | -59.7% | -1.47% |
| 1998 | -40.3% | -2.81% |
| 1997 | -5.65% | -1.78% |
| 1996 | -18.4% | -2.83% |
| 1995 | -22.9% | -3.81% |
| 1994 | 8.69% | -6% |
| 1993 | 4.22% | -4.96% |
| 1992 | 6.85% | -7.26% |
| 1991 | - | -6.57% |
| 1990 | - | -3.92% |
Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2019, retrieved 2026-02-20).
GeoRank.org/economy/eritrea/syria | CC BY
In 2010, Eritrea's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $263M, equivalent to 16.5% of GDP. This compares to Syria's deficit of $4.78B, or 7.79% of GDP.
Over the past 19 years, Eritrea recorded a fiscal deficit in 15 of those years, while Syria ran a deficit in 18 years. On average, Eritrea posted an annual deficit equal to 16.8% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.21% of GDP for Syria.
Inflation comparison by year
| Year | Consumer prices inflation | |
|---|---|---|
|
Eritrea
|
Syria
|
|
| 2019 | 1.3% | 13.4% |
| 2018 | -14.4% | 0.94% |
| 2017 | -13.3% | 18.1% |
| 2016 | -5.6% | 47.7% |
| 2015 | 28.5% | 38.5% |
| 2014 | 8.4% | 10.9% |
| 2013 | 6.3% | 40% |
| 2012 | 6% | 36.7% |
| 2011 | 5.9% | 4.75% |
| 2010 | 10.3% | 4.4% |
| 2009 | 33.9% | 2.92% |
| 2008 | 22.2% | 15.7% |
| 2007 | 9.4% | 3.91% |
| 2006 | 7.7% | 10% |
| 2005 | 12.5% | 7.24% |
| 2004 | 25.1% | 4.43% |
| 2003 | 22.7% | 5.8% |
| 2002 | 16.9% | -0.13% |
| 2001 | 14.6% | 3% |
| 2000 | 19.9% | -3.85% |
| 1999 | 8.4% | -3.7% |
| 1998 | 9.5% | -0.8% |
| 1997 | 3.7% | 1.89% |
Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2019, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2019, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/economy/eritrea/syria | CC BY
Over the past 23 years, Eritrea has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 10.4%, compared with 11.4% in Syria. In 2019, inflation was 1.3% in Eritrea and 13.4% in Syria.
Top exports between countries
Balance of trade
|
Eritrea
|
Syria
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
Current account balance
|
-$105M
2000 |
-$367M
2010 |
| Current account balance ranking |
89/190
2000 |
103/190
2010 |
| Current account balance, % of GDP |
-14.8%
2000 |
-0.6%
2010 |
| Goods imports |
$471M
2000 |
$15.9B
2010 |
| Goods exports |
$36.8M
2000 |
$12.3B
2010 |
| Service imports |
$28.5M
2000 |
$3.53B
2010 |
| Service exports |
$60.9M
2000 |
$7.33B
2010 |
| Imports of goods and services, % of GDP |
29.2%
2011 |
28.8%
2022 |
| Exports of goods and services, % of GDP |
18.2%
2011 |
6.81%
2022 |
Economic freedom indices
The indices of economic freedom below are issued by the Heritage Foundation. Higher scores indicate stronger economic health.
|
Eritrea
|
Syria
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Economic freedom | 39.6 | 51.2 |
| Economic freedom ranking | 188/197 | 155/197 |
| Property rights | 4.8 | 4 |
| Government integrity | 10.9 | 3.6 |
| Judicial effectiveness | 5.5 | 3.7 |
| Tax burden | 80.3 | 87.3 |
| Government spending | 62.3 | 78.5 |
| Fiscal health | 69 | 13.8 |
| Business freedom | 30.7 | 33.8 |
| Labor freedom | 43.4 | 37.2 |
| Monetary freedom | 80 | 80 |
| Trade freedom | 68.4 | 47 |
| Investment freedom | 0 | 0 |
| Financial freedom | 20 | 20 |
Economic freedom comparison by year
| Year | Economic freedom index | |
|---|---|---|
|
Eritrea
|
Syria
|
|
| 2026 | 39.6 | - |
| 2025 | 38.6 | - |
| 2024 | 39.5 | - |
| 2023 | 39.5 | - |
| 2022 | 39.7 | - |
| 2021 | 42.3 | - |
| 2020 | 38.5 | - |
| 2019 | 38.9 | - |
| 2018 | 41.7 | - |
| 2017 | 42.2 | - |
| 2016 | 42.7 | - |
| 2015 | 38.9 | - |
| 2014 | 38.5 | - |
| 2013 | 36.3 | - |
| 2012 | 36.2 | 51.2 |
| 2011 | 36.7 | 51.3 |
| 2010 | 35.3 | 49.4 |
| 2009 | 38.5 | 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/eritrea/syria | CC BY
The Economic Freedom Index for Eritrea is 39.6, ranking 188/197, 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
|
Eritrea
|
Syria
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Services, % of GDP | n/a |
44.9%
2022 |
| Industry, % of GDP |
21.8%
2009 |
12%
2022 |
| Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP |
14.1%
2009 |
43.1%
2022 |
|
GNI, Atlas method
|
$1.94B
2011 |
$18.2B
2023 |
| GNI per capita, PPP |
$1,720
2011 |
$4,480
2023 |
| Total reserves including gold |
$192M
2019 |
$20.6B
2010 |
| Total reserves ranking |
170/177
2019 |
62/177
2010 |
|
Net foreign direct investment
|
-$27.9M
2000 |
-$1.47B
2010 |
|
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
|
-$27.9M
2024 |
$0
2024 |
|
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
|
$0
2024 |
$0
2024 |
|
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
|
1.07%
2011 |
0.15%
2023 |
| Poverty at national poverty lines |
50%
2020 |
35.2%
2007 |
|
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
|
12.6%
2011 |
16%
1969 |
GDP per capita map
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/eritrea/syria | CC BY
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Data sources:
- World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
- International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2019, retrieved 2026-02-20)
- The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
- U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
- TradeMap (2010, retrieved 2026-02-08)
- Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2017–2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)
- United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
- 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.