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Economy of France vs Syria compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

France has a GDP of $3.16T compared to $20B for Syria, ranking 7/197 and 129/197 by economy size, respectively.

France has $3.58T in government debt (113.1% of GDP), compared to $18.4B (30% of GDP) in Syria.

France vs Syria GDP by year

France
Syria
1x
Year GDP, current $
France Syria
2024 $3,160,442,622,465 -
2023 $3,056,250,648,138 $19,993,439,950
2022 $2,794,788,137,067 $23,622,827,080
2021 $2,966,433,692,008 $14,353,205,678
2020 $2,647,926,055,110 $12,047,752,036
2019 $2,722,793,515,172 $22,583,045,060
2018 $2,781,576,320,884 $21,497,782,868
2017 $2,588,868,323,335 $16,369,843,352
2016 $2,470,407,619,777 $12,597,854,877
2015 $2,442,483,452,643 $16,466,863,117
2014 $2,861,236,112,552 $21,502,061,466
2013 $2,816,077,607,875 $21,361,254,635
2012 $2,683,007,095,787 $43,190,318,033
2011 $2,870,408,553,990 $67,539,428,159
2010 $2,646,230,027,988 $61,390,830,875
2009 $2,700,075,882,519 $54,111,735,629
2008 $2,926,802,941,586 $52,557,913,569
2007 $2,655,816,911,867 $40,465,318,382
2006 $2,317,861,544,691 $33,751,788,856
2005 $2,192,146,403,028 $28,858,965,517
2004 $2,109,792,297,237 $25,086,950,495
2003 $1,835,095,983,049 $21,828,144,686
2002 $1,492,427,756,382 $20,669,357,462
2001 $1,370,376,677,299 $20,237,024,725
2000 $1,360,959,069,477 $18,937,052,543
1999 $1,486,915,879,702 $15,873,875,969
1998 $1,496,906,382,032 $15,200,846,154
1997 $1,449,392,222,971 $14,505,233,463
1996 $1,598,889,216,566 $13,789,560,878
1995 $1,595,219,345,512 $11,396,706,587
1994 $1,385,822,778,828 $10,122,020,000
1993 $1,314,383,368,080 $13,695,962,055
1992 $1,389,663,073,110 $13,253,565,861
1991 $1,258,961,748,634 $12,981,833,333
1990 $1,257,649,439,827 $12,308,624,418
1989 $1,016,742,237,302 $9,853,395,762
1988 $1,010,827,662,152 $10,577,041,645
1987 $926,320,855,615 $11,356,215,543
1986 $764,946,585,851 $13,293,205,278
1985 $547,220,981,165 $16,403,539,893
1984 $525,033,325,828 $17,503,078,174
1983 $553,356,312,936 $17,589,277,143
1982 $578,152,310,610 $16,298,929,011
1981 $609,184,791,792 $15,518,201,335
1980 $694,529,183,483 $13,062,420,382
1979 $608,218,624,730 $9,929,681,529
1978 $501,724,418,605 $9,275,200,458
1977 $406,401,711,688 $7,696,011,396
1976 $368,363,152,144 $7,633,528,867
1975 $357,324,307,786 $6,826,980,444
1974 $282,739,225,314 $5,159,557,148
1973 $261,970,536,240 $3,239,487,516
1972 $201,738,881,664 $3,059,681,698
1971 $164,694,210,962 $2,589,851,325
1970 $147,312,861,698 $2,140,384,010
1969 $140,660,914,841 $2,245,011,515
1968 $128,710,572,572 $1,753,746,430
1967 $118,088,635,381 $1,580,229,799
1966 $109,306,730,313 $1,342,287,553
1965 $100,927,668,584 $1,472,036,540
1964 $93,424,179,943 $1,339,494,267
1963 $84,227,606,650 $1,200,447,408
1962 $75,196,980,365 $1,110,565,881
1961 $67,158,050,215 $945,244,972
1960 $61,959,085,885 $857,704,413

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

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

GDP per capita in France vs Syria by year

France
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Syria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
France Syria
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $46,103 $62,557 - -
2023 $44,700 $60,839 $847 $4,650
2022 $40,989 $57,043 $1,052 $4,772
2021 $43,725 $52,517 $664 $4,593
2020 $39,170 $49,482 $572 $3,738
2019 $40,408 $51,130 $1,110 $3,502
2018 $41,418 $46,381 $1,098 $3,456
2017 $38,687 $44,469 $852 $3,265
2016 $37,024 $42,880 $656 -
2015 $36,702 $40,905 $848 -
2014 $43,148 $40,218 $1,061 -
2013 $42,669 $39,583 $986 -
2012 $40,864 $37,671 $1,898 -
2011 $43,930 $37,510 $2,952 -
2010 $40,695 $35,908 $2,731 -
2009 $41,728 $34,685 $2,462 -
2008 $45,465 $35,053 $2,429 -
2007 $41,486 $34,066 $1,938 -
2006 $36,432 $32,424 $1,719 -
2005 $34,696 $30,431 $1,534 -
2004 $33,645 $28,921 $1,368 -
2003 $29,480 $28,024 $1,220 -
2002 $24,145 $28,350 $1,183 -
2001 $22,332 $27,347 $1,187 -
2000 $22,341 $26,007 $1,138 -
1999 $24,576 $24,204 $978 -
1998 $24,869 $23,263 $961 -
1997 $24,169 $22,190 $941 -
1996 $26,758 $21,268 $918 -
1995 $26,792 $20,701 $780 -
1994 $23,360 $19,892 $712 -
1993 $22,239 $19,094 $993 -
1992 $23,615 $18,801 $990 -
1991 $21,501 $18,198 $1,000 -
1990 $21,586 $17,475 $978 -
1989 $17,547 - $809 -
1988 $17,550 - $898 -
1987 $16,176 - $997 -
1986 $13,430 - $1,208 -
1985 $9,657 - $1,544 -
1984 $9,312 - $1,706 -
1983 $9,862 - $1,776 -
1982 $10,360 - $1,703 -
1981 $10,956 - $1,676 -
1980 $12,565 - $1,458 -
1979 $11,063 - $1,146 -
1978 $9,167 - $1,108 -
1977 $7,459 - $951 -
1976 $6,792 - $976 -
1975 $6,617 - $904 -
1974 $5,261 - $707 -
1973 $4,907 - $459 -
1972 $3,809 - $448 -
1971 $3,137 - $393 -
1970 $2,833 - $335 -
1969 $2,729 - $364 -
1968 $2,518 - $293.3 -
1967 $2,328 - $272.9 -
1966 $2,173 - $239.3 -
1965 $2,024 - $270.8 -
1964 $1,891 - $254.2 -
1963 $1,723 - $234.9 -
1962 $1,554 - $223.9 -
1961 $1,402 - $196.3 -
1960 $1,307 - $183.5 -

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

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

France's GDP per capita is $46,103, ranking 27/197, compared to $847 in Syria, ranking 185/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), France ranks 30th at $62,557, while Syria ranks 160th at $4,650.

Economic indicators

France Syria
Gross domestic product
$3.16T
2024
$20B
2023
GDP rank
7/197
2024
129/197
2023
GDP growth
1.19%
2023-2024
-1.21%
2022-2023
GDP per capita
$46,103
2024
$847
2023
GDP per capita rank
27/197
2024
185/197
2023
GDP per capita, PPP
$62,557
2024
$4,650
2023
GDP per capita PPP rank
30/197
2024
160/197
2023
Government debt
$3.58T
2024
$18.4B
2010
Debt-to-GDP ratio
113.1%
2024
30%
2010
Government debt per person
$52,165
2024
$820
2010
Government debt per person rank
8/185
2024
148/185
2010
Average annual personal income after taxes
$35,669
2026
$730
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.37T
2018
n/a
Number of millionaires
2,897,000
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
52
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
25%
2023
21.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
3%
2023
3.8%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
57.2%
2024
28.6%
2010
Consumer prices inflation
2%
2023-2024
13.4%
2018-2019
Unemployment rate
7.44%
2024
8.61%
2010
Population
68788006
26829400

Spending and national debt comparison by year

France
Spending

Debt
Syria
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
France Syria
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 57.2% 113.1% - -
2023 56.8% 109.6% - -
2022 58.4% 111.4% - -
2021 59.5% 112.8% - -
2020 61.7% 114.9% - -
2019 55.3% 98.1% - -
2018 56.4% 98.5% - -
2017 57.7% 98.7% - -
2016 57.4% 98.1% - -
2015 57.6% 96.9% - -
2014 58.4% 96.1% - -
2013 58.6% 94.5% - -
2012 57.9% 91.7% - -
2011 57% 88.7% - -
2010 57.7% 86.3% 28.6% 30%
2009 58% 84.1% 26.7% 31.2%
2008 54.3% 69.8% 22.9% 37.3%
2007 53.6% 65.5% 25.7% 42.7%
2006 53.7% 65.4% 26.3% 45%
2005 54.3% 68.2% 28.2% 50.7%
2004 54% 66.9% 31.3% 113%
2003 54.4% 65.4% 32.6% 133.4%
2002 53.9% 61.3% 28.5% 132.4%
2001 52.8% 59.3% 28% 144.5%
2000 52.6% 59.7% 27.4% 152.1%
1999 53.7% 61.4% 28% 147.7%
1998 54% 62.1% 28.8% 151.2%
1997 55.6% 62% 29% 147.6%
1996 56% 60.6% 27.7% 141.5%
1995 56% 57.8% 29.8% 152.6%
1994 55.9% 51.6% 30.3% 163%
1993 56.5% 48.2% 29.4% 171.9%
1992 54% 41.7% 34.2% 173.6%
1991 52.7% 37.8% 34.3% 182.4%
1990 51.6% 36.8% 28.3% 189.8%
1989 48.9% 34% - -
1988 50.1% 33.3% - -
1987 50.7% 33.4% - -
1986 51.3% 31.1% - -
1985 51.9% 30.6% - -
1984 51.2% 29% - -
1983 50.2% 26.6% - -
1982 49.9% 25.3% - -
1981 48.5% 22% - -
1980 46% 20.7% - -
1979 44.9% 21.1% - -
1978 44.7% 21.2% - -
1977 21.4% 15% - -
1976 21.7% 15.1% - -
1975 22% 16.1% - -
1974 19.9% 15.4% - -
1973 19.7% 15.8% - -
1972 19.8% 17.7% - -
1971 20% 20.1% - -
1970 20.5% 21% - -
1969 21.5% 14.4% - -
1968 22.7% 15.8% - -
1967 21.4% 16.1% - -
1966 21.4% 15.3% - -
1965 21.1% 17.6% - -
1964 21% 19.6% - -
1963 22.6% 22.2% - -
1962 21.7% 23.6% - -
1961 21.9% 26.3% - -
1960 22.2% 28.5% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, France's government spending was $1.81T, accounting for 57.2% of its GDP, while Syria spent $17.6B, or 28.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 113.1% in France and 30% in Syria, ranking 14/185 and 157/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
France

Syria
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
France Syria
2024 -5.77% -
2023 -5.44% -
2022 -4.74% -
2021 -6.58% -
2020 -8.93% -
2019 -2.39% -
2018 -2.32% -
2017 -3.36% -
2016 -3.76% -
2015 -3.89% -
2014 -4.57% -
2013 -4.94% -
2012 -5.17% -
2011 -5.3% -
2010 -7.16% -7.79%
2009 -7.38% -2.89%
2008 -3.5% -2.86%
2007 -2.99% -2.99%
2006 -2.66% -1.12%
2005 -3.5% -4.41%
2004 -3.55% -4.18%
2003 -4.09% -2.7%
2002 -3.18% -2.02%
2001 -1.42% 2.3%
2000 -1.32% -1.36%
1999 -1.55% -1.47%
1998 -2.39% -2.81%
1997 -3.71% -1.78%
1996 -3.89% -2.83%
1995 -5.11% -3.81%
1994 -5.46% -6%
1993 -6.4% -4.96%
1992 -4.64% -7.26%
1991 -2.89% -6.57%
1990 -2.45% -3.92%
1989 -1.9% -
1988 -2.7% -
1987 -2.13% -
1986 -3.3% -
1985 -3.08% -
1984 -2.8% -
1983 -2.58% -
1982 -2.91% -
1981 -2.39% -
1980 -0.27% -
1979 -0.36% -
1978 -1.73% -
1977 0.9% -
1976 1.01% -
1975 -0.28% -
1974 3.05% -
1973 1.97% -
1972 1.94% -
1971 -0.13% -
1970 0.02% -
1969 -0.49% -
1968 -2.54% -
1967 -0.8% -
1966 -0.57% -
1965 -0.07% -
1964 -0.25% -
1963 -2.24% -
1962 -1.53% -
1961 -1.36% -
1960 -1.95% -
1959 0.56% -
1958 0.08% -
1957 -1.99% -
1956 -2.62% -
1955 -1.04% -
1954 -0.78% -
1953 -4.79% -
1952 -6.82% -
1951 -4.42% -
1950 -5.56% -
1949 -7.31% -
1948 -9.11% -
1947 -7.6% -
1946 -8.1% -
1945 - -
1944 - -
1943 - -
1942 - -
1941 - -
1940 - -
1939 - -
1938 - -
1937 -6.89% -
1936 -4.76% -
1935 -4.22% -
1934 -4.31% -
1933 -4.96% -
1932 -1.86% -
1931 -2.06% -
1930 -1.65% -
1929 1.48% -
1928 1.13% -
1927 -0.04% -
1926 -0.02% -
1925 -0.87% -
1924 - -
1923 - -
1922 - -
1921 - -
1920 - -
1919 - -
1918 - -
1917 - -
1916 - -
1915 - -
1914 - -
1913 0.05% -
1912 0.23% -
1911 0.31% -
1910 -0.12% -
1909 -0.11% -
1908 -0.15% -
1907 0.23% -
1906 -0.04% -
1905 0.18% -
1904 0.3% -
1903 0.21% -
1902 -0.37% -
1901 -0.39% -
1900 0.21% -
1899 0.21% -
1898 0.29% -
1897 0.01% -
1896 -0.03% -
1895 -0.07% -
1894 -0.08% -
1893 -0.3% -
1892 -0.03% -
1891 0.36% -
1890 0.31% -
1889 0.09% -
1888 0.18% -
1887 -0.07% -
1886 -0.5% -
1885 -0.59% -
1884 -0.35% -
1883 -0.23% -
1882 -0.15% -
1881 0.64% -
1880 0.65% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1880–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2010, France's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $189B, equivalent to 7.16% of GDP. This compares to Syria's deficit of $4.78B, or 7.79% of GDP.

Over the past 21 years, France recorded a fiscal deficit in 21 of those years, while Syria ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, France posted an annual deficit equal to 3.77% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.4% of GDP for Syria.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
France

Syria
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
France Syria
2024 2% -
2023 4.88% -
2022 5.22% -
2021 1.64% -
2020 0.48% -
2019 1.11% 13.4%
2018 1.85% 0.94%
2017 1.03% 18.1%
2016 0.18% 47.7%
2015 0.04% 38.5%
2014 0.51% 10.9%
2013 0.86% 40%
2012 1.95% 36.7%
2011 2.11% 4.75%
2010 1.53% 4.4%
2009 0.09% 2.92%
2008 2.81% 15.7%
2007 1.49% 3.91%
2006 1.68% 10%
2005 1.75% 7.24%
2004 2.14% 4.43%
2003 2.1% 5.8%
2002 1.92% -0.13%
2001 1.63% 3%
2000 1.68% -3.85%
1999 0.54% -3.7%
1998 0.65% -0.8%
1997 1.2% 1.89%

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

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

Over the past 23 years, France has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.34%, compared with 11.4% in Syria. In 2019, inflation was 2% in France and 13.4% in Syria.

Top exports between countries

France
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $19.3M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $7.36M
Raw agricultural goods $5.54M
Machinery & equipment $1.56M
Animal & marine products $1.4M
Raw materials & minerals $1.09M
Miscellaneous $1M
Textiles & consumer goods $459K
Metals $53K
Wood & paper products $28K
Syria
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $467M
Textiles & consumer goods $11.2M
Chemicals & pharma $3.33M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.39M
Raw agricultural goods $1.01M
Machinery & equipment $516K
Metals $387K
Wood & paper products $318K
Miscellaneous $56K
Precious metals & jewellery $36K

Balance of trade

France Syria
Current account balance
$2.69B
2024
-$367M
2010
Current account balance ranking
42/190
2024
103/190
2010
Current account balance, % of GDP
+0.09%
2024
-0.6%
2010
Goods imports
$733B
2024
$15.9B
2010
Goods exports
$668B
2024
$12.3B
2010
Service imports
$341B
2024
$3.53B
2010
Service exports
$403B
2024
$7.33B
2010
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
34.2%
2024
28.8%
2022
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
33.9%
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.

France Syria
Economic freedom 64.6 51.2
Economic freedom ranking 72/197 155/197
Property rights 91.2 4
Government integrity 73.4 3.6
Judicial effectiveness 84.7 3.7
Tax burden 54.6 87.3
Government spending 0.9 78.5
Fiscal health 34.8 13.8
Business freedom 78.4 33.8
Labor freedom 59.1 37.2
Monetary freedom 73.2 80
Trade freedom 79.4 47
Investment freedom 75 0
Financial freedom 70 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

France
Syria
1x
Year Economic freedom index
France Syria
2026 64.6 -
2025 64.4 -
2024 62.5 -
2023 63.6 -
2022 65.9 -
2021 65.7 -
2020 66 -
2019 63.8 -
2018 63.9 -
2017 63.3 -
2016 62.3 -
2015 62.5 -
2014 63.5 -
2013 64.1 -
2012 63.2 51.2
2011 64.6 51.3
2010 64.2 49.4
2009 63.3 51.3
2008 64.7 47.2
2007 62.1 48.3
2006 61.1 51.2
2005 60.5 46.3
2004 60.9 40.6
2003 59.2 41.3
2002 58 36.3
2001 58 36.6
2000 57.4 37.2
1999 59.1 39
1998 58.9 42.2
1997 59.1 43
1996 63.7 42.3
1995 64.4 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for France is 64.6, ranking 72/197, 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

France Syria
Services, % of GDP
70.9%
2024
44.9%
2022
Industry, % of GDP
17.2%
2024
12%
2022
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.3%
2024
43.1%
2022
GNI, Atlas method
$3.1T
2024
$18.2B
2023
GNI per capita, PPP
$63,880
2024
$4,480
2023
Total reserves including gold
$283B
2024
$20.6B
2010
Total reserves ranking
13/177
2024
62/177
2010
Net foreign direct investment
-$10.3B
2024
-$1.47B
2010
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$52.1B
2024
$0
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$41.7B
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
0.15%
2023
Poverty at national poverty lines
15.6%
2021
35.2%
2007
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
21.5%
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/france/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) | Public Finances in Modern History (1880–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2010–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)

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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.