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Economy of Finland vs Syria compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Finland has a GDP of $317B compared to $20B for Syria, ranking 48/197 and 134/197 by economy size, respectively.

Finland has $283B in government debt (89.3% of GDP), compared to $18.4B (30% of GDP) in Syria.

Finland vs Syria GDP by year

Finland
Syria
1x
Year GDP, current $
Finland Syria
2025 $317,039,368,820 -
2024 $298,729,432,712 -
2023 $295,191,741,637 $19,993,439,950
2022 $280,253,099,309 $23,737,634,644
2021 $294,223,210,496 $14,892,885,528
2020 $270,000,311,606 $12,501,503,673
2019 $267,014,821,129 $22,583,046,645
2018 $273,869,255,596 $21,497,779,248
2017 $253,846,138,440 $16,369,842,725
2016 $238,777,818,793 $12,597,854,088
2015 $233,210,733,506 $16,466,861,435
2014 $273,478,528,955 $21,502,061,466
2013 $270,268,036,626 $21,361,254,635
2012 $257,443,384,493 $43,190,318,033
2011 $275,126,915,516 $67,539,433,544
2010 $249,429,613,683 $61,390,833,273
2009 $253,480,783,439 $54,111,721,044
2008 $285,698,662,071 $52,557,913,397
2007 $256,360,251,538 $40,465,331,020
2006 $217,044,068,234 $33,751,812,959
2005 $204,859,368,791 $28,858,937,499
2004 $197,458,297,640 $25,086,910,448
2003 $171,612,867,736 $21,828,144,686
2002 $140,360,963,812 $20,786,986,580
2001 $129,519,672,869 $20,078,599,626
2000 $125,967,821,111 $18,937,031,610
1999 $135,234,241,918 $15,873,875,969
1998 $133,990,876,725 $15,200,846,154
1997 $126,862,902,302 $14,505,233,463
1996 $131,991,975,149 $13,789,560,878
1995 $134,060,457,516 $11,396,706,587
1994 $103,182,697,780 $10,122,020,000
1993 $89,112,105,756 $13,695,962,055
1992 $112,537,828,511 $13,253,565,861
1991 $127,794,441,994 $12,981,833,333
1990 $141,446,120,355 $12,308,624,418
1989 $118,991,270,611 $9,853,395,762
1988 $109,039,090,263 $10,577,041,645
1987 $91,564,993,913 $11,356,215,543
1986 $73,511,611,541 $13,293,205,278
1985 $55,856,676,899 $16,403,539,893
1984 $52,870,993,273 $17,503,078,174
1983 $50,956,447,481 $17,589,277,143
1982 $52,784,013,815 $16,298,929,011
1981 $52,440,066,134 $15,518,201,335
1980 $53,649,984,061 $13,062,420,382
1979 $44,469,218,440 $9,929,681,529
1978 $36,259,392,058 $9,275,200,458
1977 $33,502,784,418 $7,696,011,396
1976 $31,852,352,670 $7,633,528,867
1975 $29,475,251,333 $6,826,980,444
1974 $24,851,036,710 $5,159,557,148
1973 $19,474,098,335 $3,239,487,516
1972 $14,744,499,570 $3,059,681,698
1971 $12,528,522,307 $2,589,851,325
1970 $11,358,529,162 $2,140,384,010
1969 $10,177,524,839 $2,245,011,515
1968 $8,916,565,041 $1,753,746,430
1967 $9,468,272,357 $1,580,229,799
1966 $9,306,142,172 $1,342,287,553
1965 $8,680,393,839 $1,472,036,540
1964 $7,848,987,793 $1,339,494,267
1963 $6,958,916,548 $1,200,447,408
1962 $6,407,796,043 $1,110,565,881
1961 $5,984,433,774 $945,244,972
1960 $5,279,481,824 $857,704,413

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Finland vs Syria by year

Finland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Syria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Finland Syria
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $56,149 - - -
2024 $53,156 $65,378 - -
2023 $52,865 $63,415 $847 $4,650
2022 $50,441 $62,133 $1,057 $4,772
2021 $53,099 $56,790 $689 $4,593
2020 $48,829 $53,297 $594 $3,738
2019 $48,358 $52,276 $1,110 $3,502
2018 $49,654 $49,249 $1,098 $3,456
2017 $46,085 $47,235 $852 $3,265
2016 $43,451 $44,562 $656 -
2015 $42,560 $42,258 $848 -
2014 $50,074 $41,547 $1,061 -
2013 $49,691 $41,326 $986 -
2012 $47,552 $40,739 $1,898 -
2011 $51,060 $40,846 $2,952 -
2010 $46,506 $38,946 $2,731 -
2009 $47,478 $37,988 $2,462 -
2008 $53,769 $40,081 $2,429 -
2007 $48,473 $37,843 $1,938 -
2006 $41,214 $34,440 $1,719 -
2005 $39,050 $32,048 $1,534 -
2004 $37,768 $31,195 $1,368 -
2003 $32,920 $29,043 $1,220 -
2002 $26,989 $28,596 $1,190 -
2001 $24,965 $27,798 $1,178 -
2000 $24,336 $26,783 $1,138 -
1999 $26,180 $24,762 $978 -
1998 $26,000 $23,570 $961 -
1997 $24,682 $21,787 $941 -
1996 $25,757 $20,067 $918 -
1995 $26,246 $19,568 $780 -
1994 $20,278 $18,458 $712 -
1993 $17,589 $17,458 $993 -
1992 $22,320 $17,271 $990 -
1991 $25,489 $17,563 $1,000 -
1990 $28,366 $18,149 $978 -
1989 $23,969 - $809 -
1988 $22,044 - $898 -
1987 $18,565 - $997 -
1986 $14,947 - $1,208 -
1985 $11,394 - $1,544 -
1984 $10,830 - $1,706 -
1983 $10,494 - $1,776 -
1982 $10,935 - $1,703 -
1981 $10,925 - $1,676 -
1980 $11,225 - $1,458 -
1979 $9,333 - $1,146 -
1978 $7,629 - $1,108 -
1977 $7,070 - $951 -
1976 $6,740 - $976 -
1975 $6,256 - $904 -
1974 $5,298 - $707 -
1973 $4,174 - $459 -
1972 $3,178 - $448 -
1971 $2,716 - $393 -
1970 $2,466 - $335 -
1969 $2,201 - $364 -
1968 $1,927 - $293.3 -
1967 $2,056 - $272.9 -
1966 $2,032 - $239.3 -
1965 $1,902 - $270.8 -
1964 $1,726 - $254.2 -
1963 $1,538 - $234.9 -
1962 $1,427 - $223.9 -
1961 $1,341 - $196.3 -
1960 $1,192 - $183.5 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Finland's GDP per capita is $56,149, ranking 22/197, compared to $847 in Syria, ranking 185/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Finland ranks 27th at $65,378, while Syria ranks 160th at $4,650.

Economic indicators

Finland Syria
Gross domestic product
$317B
2025
$20B
2023
GDP rank
48/197
2025
134/197
2023
GDP growth
0.17%
2024-2025
-1.85%
2022-2023
GDP per capita
$56,149
2025
$847
2023
GDP per capita rank
22/197
2025
185/197
2023
GDP per capita, PPP
$65,378
2024
$4,650
2023
GDP per capita PPP rank
27/197
2024
160/197
2023
Government debt
$283B
2025
$18.4B
2010
Debt-to-GDP ratio
89.3%
2025
30%
2010
Government debt per person
$50,138
2025
$820
2010
Government debt per person rank
11/185
2025
150/185
2010
Average annual personal income after taxes
$36,402
2026
$693
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$20.3B
2004
n/a
Number of billionaires
7
2026
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
22.5%
2023
20.9%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
3.7%
2023
3.8%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
57.6%
2025
28.6%
2010
Consumer prices inflation
0.34%
2024-2025
13.4%
2018-2019
Unemployment rate
9.7%
2025
14.9%
2011
Population
5647947
26956472

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Finland
Spending

Debt
Syria
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Finland Syria
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 57.6% 89.3% - -
2024 57.8% 82.4% - -
2023 56% 77% - -
2022 52.6% 74% - -
2021 55.2% 73.1% - -
2020 56.5% 75.3% - -
2019 52.6% 65.3% - -
2018 52.7% 65.3% - -
2017 52.8% 66.6% - -
2016 55.1% 68.6% - -
2015 55.7% 68.8% - -
2014 57.6% 64.8% - -
2013 57.1% 60.8% - -
2012 55.7% 57.9% - -
2011 53.8% 52% - -
2010 54% 50.1% 28.6% 30%
2009 54.1% 41.5% 26.7% 31.2%
2008 47.9% 32.6% 22.9% 37.3%
2007 46.7% 33.9% 25.7% 42.7%
2006 48.3% 38% 26.3% 45%
2005 49.2% 39.9% 28.2% 50.7%
2004 48.2% 42.6% 31.3% 113%
2003 48.3% 42.7% 32.6% 133.4%
2002 47.5% 40.1% 28.5% 132.4%
2001 46.2% 40.9% 28% 144.5%
2000 46.9% 42.4% 27.4% 152.1%
1999 49.9% 44% 28% 147.7%
1998 51.3% 46.8% 28.8% 151.2%
1997 54.9% 52.2% 29% 147.6%
1996 58.5% 55.4% 27.7% 141.5%
1995 60% 55.2% 29.8% 152.6%
1994 62.2% 56.2% 30.3% 163%
1993 63.7% 54.2% 29.4% 171.9%
1992 60.8% 39.3% 34.2% 173.6%
1991 55.8% 21.9% 34.3% 182.4%
1990 47.1% 13.9% 28.3% 189.8%
1989 44.4% 14.3% - -
1988 46.4% 16.5% - -
1987 47.8% 17.6% - -
1986 46.9% 16.4% - -
1985 46.3% 15.8% - -
1984 44.4% 15.2% - -
1983 44.4% 15.4% - -
1982 42.7% 13.9% - -
1981 41% 11.5% - -
1980 40.1% 10.9% - -
1979 40.3% 11% - -
1978 41.3% 10.7% - -
1977 41.7% 8.22% - -
1976 39.8% 7.09% - -
1975 38.6% 6.76% - -
1974 22.9% 2.97% - -
1973 21.8% 4.42% - -
1972 20.4% 6.46% - -
1971 22.8% 7.94% - -
1970 21.9% 9.19% - -
1969 22.2% 10.8% - -
1968 25.5% 13.9% - -
1967 23.5% 14.2% - -
1966 23.3% 13.7% - -
1965 23.2% 13% - -
1964 22.8% 12.5% - -
1963 21.6% 12.2% - -
1962 23.9% 10.3% - -
1961 22.7% 9.12% - -
1960 22.5% 9.96% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Finland's government spending was $183B, accounting for 57.6% of its GDP, while Syria spent $17.6B, or 28.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 89.3% in Finland and 30% in Syria, ranking 31/185 and 155/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Finland

Syria
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Finland Syria
2025 -3.88% -
2024 -4.4% -
2023 -2.89% -
2022 -0.18% -
2021 -2.69% -
2020 -5.53% -
2019 -0.93% -
2018 -0.87% -
2017 -0.63% -
2016 -1.7% -
2015 -2.43% -
2014 -2.99% -
2013 -2.52% -
2012 -2.15% -
2011 -1.01% -
2010 -2.57% -7.79%
2009 -2.48% -2.89%
2008 4.18% -2.86%
2007 5.12% -2.99%
2006 3.93% -1.12%
2005 2.59% -4.41%
2004 2.16% -4.18%
2003 2.34% -2.7%
2002 3.97% -2.02%
2001 4.89% 2.3%
2000 6.73% -1.36%
1999 1.6% -1.47%
1998 1.54% -2.81%
1997 -1.33% -1.78%
1996 -3.37% -2.83%
1995 -5.98% -3.81%
1994 -6.41% -6%
1993 -8.09% -4.96%
1992 -4.88% -7.26%
1991 0.3% -6.57%
1990 6.63% -3.92%
1989 6.73% -
1988 5.09% -
1987 1.63% -
1986 3.83% -
1985 3.33% -
1984 3.23% -
1983 1.52% -
1982 3.06% -
1981 5.11% -
1980 3.7% -
1979 3.41% -
1978 3.83% -
1977 6.27% -
1976 7.65% -
1975 4.96% -
1974 -0.03% -
1973 1.48% -
1972 -0.18% -
1971 0.15% -
1970 1.06% -
1969 0.94% -
1968 -1.69% -
1967 -0.26% -
1966 -1.08% -
1965 -1.67% -
1964 -1.35% -
1963 -2.5% -
1962 -2.37% -
1961 -3.03% -
1960 -0.52% -
1959 -0.12% -
1958 -1.73% -
1957 0.08% -
1956 -1.14% -
1955 -1% -
1954 -0.17% -
1953 0.02% -
1952 -1.24% -
1951 1.1% -
1950 -0.26% -
1949 -2.77% -
1948 1.88% -
1947 -5.99% -
1946 -15.3% -
1945 -6.35% -
1944 -21.5% -
1943 -14.2% -
1942 -16.4% -
1941 -35.8% -
1940 -36.9% -
1939 -9.76% -
1938 -1.48% -
1937 -4.44% -
1936 -3.75% -
1935 -3.81% -
1934 -2.81% -
1933 -1.63% -
1932 -2.61% -
1931 -2.32% -
1930 -1.94% -
1929 -0.78% -
1928 -2.07% -
1927 -0.32% -
1926 -2.9% -
1925 -2.92% -
1924 0.04% -
1923 -2.3% -
1922 0.62% -
1921 -2.59% -
1920 -2.6% -
1919 -7.49% -
1918 -11.4% -
1917 -1.27% -
1916 1.48% -
1915 -0.29% -
1914 -1.15% -
1913 -0.25% -
1912 0.33% -
1911 -0.14% -
1910 -0.3% -
1909 -2.64% -
1908 -1.92% -
1907 0.24% -
1906 0.86% -
1905 -1.28% -
1904 -1.63% -
1903 -0.3% -
1902 -1.74% -
1901 -2.13% -
1900 -0.52% -
1899 -1% -
1898 -4.55% -
1897 -0.37% -
1896 -0.56% -
1895 -1.21% -
1894 -0.62% -
1893 0% -
1892 0.82% -
1891 0.16% -
1890 0.17% -
1889 0.18% -
1888 -0.59% -
1887 -1.46% -
1886 0% -
1885 -1.2% -
1884 -0.2% -
1883 0% -
1882 0.2% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1882–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2010, Finland's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $6.42B, equivalent to 2.57% of GDP. This compares to Syria's deficit of $4.78B, or 7.79% of GDP.

Over the past 21 years, Finland recorded a fiscal deficit in 8 of those years, while Syria ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, Finland posted an annual surplus equal to 0.52% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.4% of GDP for Syria.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Finland

Syria
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Finland Syria
2025 0.34% -
2024 1.57% -
2023 6.25% -
2022 7.12% -
2021 2.19% -
2020 0.29% -
2019 1.02% 13.4%
2018 1.08% 0.94%
2017 0.75% 18.1%
2016 0.36% 47.7%
2015 -0.21% 38.5%
2014 1.04% 10.9%
2013 1.48% 40%
2012 2.81% 36.7%
2011 3.42% 4.75%
2010 1.18% 4.4%
2009 -0% 2.92%
2008 4.07% 15.7%
2007 2.51% 3.91%
2006 1.57% 10%
2005 0.62% 7.24%
2004 0.19% 4.43%
2003 0.88% 5.8%
2002 1.57% -0.13%
2001 2.58% 3%
2000 3.04% -3.85%
1999 1.16% -3.7%
1998 1.4% -0.8%
1997 1.19% 1.89%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 23 years, Finland has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.47%, compared with 11.4% in Syria. In 2019, inflation was 0.34% in Finland and 13.4% in Syria.

Top exports between countries

Finland
Export category Export value
Wood & paper products $1.28M
Machinery & equipment $306K
Metals $112K
Raw materials & minerals $109K
Chemicals & pharma $16K
Textiles & consumer goods $12K
Syria
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $1.16M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $233K
Textiles & consumer goods $62K
Chemicals & pharma $46K
Machinery & equipment $12K
Raw agricultural goods $2K

Balance of trade

Finland Syria
Current account balance
$4.23B
2025
-$367M
2010
Current account balance ranking
33/190
2025
99/190
2010
Current account balance, % of GDP
+1.34%
2025
-0.6%
2010
Goods imports
$81.3B
2025
$15.9B
2010
Goods exports
$90.7B
2025
$12.3B
2010
Service imports
$48.9B
2025
$3.53B
2010
Service exports
$43.6B
2025
$7.33B
2010
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
41.1%
2025
28.7%
2022
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
42.3%
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.

Finland Syria
Economic freedom 76.6 51.2
Economic freedom ranking 15/197 155/197
Property rights 99.9 4
Government integrity 95.4 3.6
Judicial effectiveness 96.4 3.7
Tax burden 68.4 87.3
Government spending 7.9 78.5
Fiscal health 76.3 13.8
Business freedom 85.3 33.8
Labor freedom 65.4 37.2
Monetary freedom 80.3 80
Trade freedom 79.4 47
Investment freedom 85 0
Financial freedom 80 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Finland
Syria
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Finland Syria
2026 76.6 -
2025 77 -
2024 76.3 -
2023 77.1 -
2022 78.3 -
2021 76.1 -
2020 75.7 -
2019 74.9 -
2018 74.1 -
2017 74 -
2016 72.6 -
2015 73.4 -
2014 73.4 -
2013 74 -
2012 72.3 51.2
2011 74 51.3
2010 73.8 49.4
2009 74.5 51.3
2008 74.6 47.2
2007 74 48.3
2006 72.9 51.2
2005 71 46.3
2004 73.4 40.6
2003 73.7 41.3
2002 73.6 36.3
2001 69.7 36.6
2000 64.3 37.2
1999 63.9 39
1998 63.5 42.2
1997 65.2 43
1996 63.7 42.3

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Finland is 76.6, ranking 15/197, 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

Finland Syria
Services, % of GDP
62.1%
2025
44.7%
2022
Industry, % of GDP
22.5%
2025
11.9%
2022
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.61%
2025
42.9%
2022
GNI, Atlas method
$312B
2025
$18.2B
2023
GNI per capita, PPP
$66,300
2025
$4,480
2023
Total reserves including gold
$22.5B
2025
$20.6B
2010
Total reserves ranking
64/177
2025
66/177
2010
Net foreign direct investment
$6.97B
2025
-$1.47B
2010
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$8.74B
2024
$0
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$12.5B
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
0.15%
2023
Poverty at national poverty lines
12.2%
2022
35.2%
2007
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
21.9%
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/finland/syria | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1882–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2010–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, 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.