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Economy of Gabon vs Syria compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Gabon has a GDP of $20.9B compared to $20B for Syria, ranking 127/197 and 129/197 by economy size, respectively.

Gabon has $15.2B in government debt (72.7% of GDP), compared to $18.4B (30% of GDP) in Syria.

Gabon vs Syria GDP by year

Gabon
Syria
1x
Year GDP, current $
Gabon Syria
2024 $20,895,684,426 -
2023 $19,388,372,071 $19,993,439,950
2022 $20,440,655,695 $23,622,827,080
2021 $19,444,935,097 $14,353,205,678
2020 $15,342,236,164 $12,047,752,036
2019 $16,874,405,465 $22,583,045,060
2018 $16,867,326,402 $21,497,782,868
2017 $14,929,487,485 $16,369,843,352
2016 $14,023,890,265 $12,597,854,877
2015 $14,383,107,763 $16,466,863,117
2014 $18,203,966,896 $21,502,061,466
2013 $17,595,744,798 $21,361,254,635
2012 $17,170,464,016 $43,190,318,033
2011 $18,210,307,744 $67,539,428,159
2010 $14,372,593,020 $61,390,830,875
2009 $12,113,699,068 $54,111,735,629
2008 $15,571,348,344 $52,557,913,569
2007 $12,455,409,587 $40,465,318,382
2006 $10,327,598,306 $33,751,788,856
2005 $9,582,783,991 $28,858,965,517
2004 $7,770,219,008 $25,086,950,495
2003 $6,511,903,365 $21,828,144,686
2002 $5,335,451,100 $20,669,357,462
2001 $5,023,265,413 $20,237,024,725
2000 $5,080,483,629 $18,937,052,543
1999 $4,662,992,036 $15,873,875,969
1998 $4,483,417,310 $15,200,846,154
1997 $5,326,817,115 $14,505,233,463
1996 $5,694,040,003 $13,789,560,878
1995 $4,958,845,648 $11,396,706,587
1994 $4,190,819,344 $10,122,020,000
1993 $4,378,645,081 $13,695,962,055
1992 $5,592,390,827 $13,253,565,861
1991 $5,402,919,785 $12,981,833,333
1990 $5,952,293,765 $12,308,624,418
1989 $4,186,411,464 $9,853,395,762
1988 $3,834,503,376 $10,577,041,645
1987 $3,281,797,043 $11,356,215,543
1986 $3,403,638,189 $13,293,205,278
1985 $3,339,914,757 $16,403,539,893
1984 $3,561,451,561 $17,503,078,174
1983 $3,391,275,732 $17,589,277,143
1982 $3,618,007,841 $16,298,929,011
1981 $3,862,269,121 $15,518,201,335
1980 $4,279,637,942 $13,062,420,382
1979 $3,030,251,120 $9,929,681,529
1978 $2,389,479,272 $9,275,200,458
1977 $2,809,349,069 $7,696,011,396
1976 $3,009,409,974 $7,633,528,867
1975 $2,157,592,940 $6,826,980,444
1974 $1,544,216,002 $5,159,557,148
1973 $722,780,701 $3,239,487,516
1972 $430,508,359 $3,059,681,698
1971 $381,687,073 $2,589,851,325
1970 $323,802,476 $2,140,384,010
1969 $318,124,701 $2,245,011,515
1968 $294,468,564 $1,753,746,430
1967 $271,543,680 $1,580,229,799
1966 $245,849,781 $1,342,287,553
1965 $226,474,286 $1,472,036,540
1964 $215,679,855 $1,339,494,267
1963 $154,480,244 $1,200,447,408
1962 $182,796,536 $1,110,565,881
1961 $167,637,907 $945,244,972
1960 $141,468,978 $857,704,413

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

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

GDP per capita in Gabon vs Syria by year

Gabon
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Syria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Gabon Syria
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $8,230 $21,510 - -
2023 $7,803 $20,756 $847 $4,650
2022 $8,409 $19,993 $1,052 $4,772
2021 $8,181 $18,524 $664 $4,593
2020 $6,606 $14,477 $572 $3,738
2019 $7,441 $15,950 $1,110 $3,502
2018 $7,624 $15,432 $1,098 $3,456
2017 $6,922 $14,797 $852 $3,265
2016 $6,677 $13,998 $656 -
2015 $7,047 $14,306 $848 -
2014 $9,201 $14,854 $1,061 -
2013 $9,198 $14,498 $986 -
2012 $9,297 $14,620 $1,898 -
2011 $10,219 $14,784 $2,952 -
2010 $8,357 $14,015 $2,731 -
2009 $7,291 $13,384 $2,462 -
2008 $9,689 $13,734 $2,429 -
2007 $8,004 $14,391 $1,938 -
2006 $6,847 $13,637 $1,719 -
2005 $6,548 $14,028 $1,534 -
2004 $5,466 $13,638 $1,368 -
2003 $4,711 $13,564 $1,220 -
2002 $3,966 $13,369 $1,183 -
2001 $3,836 $13,556 $1,187 -
2000 $3,983 $13,326 $1,138 -
1999 $3,751 $13,629 $978 -
1998 $3,700 $15,138 $961 -
1997 $4,509 $14,837 $941 -
1996 $4,943 $14,147 $918 -
1995 $4,415 $13,750 $780 -
1994 $3,828 $13,164 $712 -
1993 $4,106 $12,757 $993 -
1992 $5,386 $12,312 $990 -
1991 $5,345 $12,760 $1,000 -
1990 $6,051 $11,952 $978 -
1989 $4,374 - $809 -
1988 $4,119 - $898 -
1987 $3,624 - $997 -
1986 $3,865 - $1,208 -
1985 $3,898 - $1,544 -
1984 $4,273 - $1,706 -
1983 $4,182 - $1,776 -
1982 $4,584 - $1,703 -
1981 $5,026 - $1,676 -
1980 $5,718 - $1,458 -
1979 $4,155 - $1,146 -
1978 $3,360 - $1,108 -
1977 $4,048 - $951 -
1976 $4,441 - $976 -
1975 $3,258 - $904 -
1974 $2,384 - $707 -
1973 $1,140 - $459 -
1972 $693 - $448 -
1971 $627 - $393 -
1970 $543 - $335 -
1969 $545 - $364 -
1968 $515 - $293.3 -
1967 $482 - $272.9 -
1966 $443 - $239.3 -
1965 $415 - $270.8 -
1964 $400 - $254.2 -
1963 $290.7 - $234.9 -
1962 $348 - $223.9 -
1961 $323 - $196.3 -
1960 $276.1 - $183.5 -

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

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

Gabon's GDP per capita is $8,230, ranking 93/197, compared to $847 in Syria, ranking 185/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Gabon ranks 90th at $21,510, while Syria ranks 160th at $4,650.

Economic indicators

Gabon Syria
Gross domestic product
$20.9B
2024
$20B
2023
GDP rank
127/197
2024
129/197
2023
GDP growth
3.39%
2023-2024
-1.21%
2022-2023
GDP per capita
$8,230
2024
$847
2023
GDP per capita rank
93/197
2024
185/197
2023
GDP per capita, PPP
$21,510
2024
$4,650
2023
GDP per capita PPP rank
90/197
2024
160/197
2023
Government debt
$15.2B
2024
$18.4B
2010
Debt-to-GDP ratio
72.7%
2024
30%
2010
Government debt per person
$5,985
2024
$820
2010
Government debt per person rank
75/185
2024
148/185
2010
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,368
2026
$730
2026
Income share by richest 10%
27.7%
2017
21.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2.2%
2017
3.8%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
24.8%
2024
28.6%
2010
Consumer prices inflation
1.17%
2023-2024
13.4%
2018-2019
Unemployment rate
20.4%
2010
8.61%
2010
Population
2663339
26829400

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Gabon
Spending

Debt
Syria
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Gabon Syria
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 24.8% 72.7% - -
2023 21.5% 70.6% - -
2022 19.7% 65.6% - -
2021 17.3% 72.9% - -
2020 19.8% 83% - -
2019 17.4% 59.8% - -
2018 17.1% 62.3% - -
2017 18.1% 62.9% - -
2016 21.8% 64.5% - -
2015 22.3% 44.7% - -
2014 23.8% 34.1% - -
2013 34.7% 31.1% - -
2012 23.9% 21.4% - -
2011 22.1% 21.4% - -
2010 23.1% 21.3% 28.6% 30%
2009 22.6% 26% 26.7% 31.2%
2008 18.9% 20.1% 22.9% 37.3%
2007 19.4% 39.2% 25.7% 42.7%
2006 21.1% 34.9% 26.3% 45%
2005 20.8% 41.7% 28.2% 50.7%
2004 20.9% 60.3% 31.3% 113%
2003 21.2% 70.2% 32.6% 133.4%
2002 25.7% 81.1% 28.5% 132.4%
2001 27.8% 81% 28% 144.5%
2000 20.3% 72.5% 27.4% 152.1%
1999 25.5% 73.1% 28% 147.7%
1998 45.5% 87.6% 28.8% 151.2%
1997 29.7% 57% 29% 147.6%
1996 22.2% 64.5% 27.7% 141.5%
1995 25.1% 73.4% 29.8% 152.6%
1994 23.9% 71.3% 30.3% 163%
1993 26.9% 90.1% 29.4% 171.9%
1992 26.5% 87.9% 34.2% 173.6%
1991 25.1% 89.3% 34.3% 182.4%
1990 22.6% 90% 28.3% 189.8%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Gabon's government spending was $5.18B, accounting for 24.8% of its GDP, while Syria spent $17.6B, or 28.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 72.7% in Gabon and 30% in Syria, ranking 51/185 and 157/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Gabon

Syria
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Gabon Syria
2024 -3.84% -
2023 1.79% -
2022 -0.89% -
2021 -1.93% -
2020 -2.19% -
2019 2.13% -
2018 -0.21% -
2017 -1.7% -
2016 -4.71% -
2015 -1.12% -
2014 5.98% -
2013 -3.07% -
2012 6.2% -
2011 1.41% -
2010 2.7% -7.79%
2009 6.77% -2.89%
2008 11% -2.86%
2007 8.06% -2.99%
2006 8.67% -1.12%
2005 7.98% -4.41%
2004 6.99% -4.18%
2003 7.75% -2.7%
2002 3.72% -2.02%
2001 4.07% 2.3%
2000 11.1% -1.36%
1999 1.11% -1.47%
1998 -13.1% -2.81%
1997 1.41% -1.78%
1996 2.12% -2.83%
1995 2.64% -3.81%
1994 -1.53% -6%
1993 -5.35% -4.96%
1992 -4.9% -7.26%
1991 -2.03% -6.57%
1990 -3.83% -3.92%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2010, Gabon's government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $388M, equivalent to 2.7% of GDP. This compares to Syria's deficit of $4.78B, or 7.79% of GDP.

Over the past 21 years, Gabon recorded a fiscal deficit in 6 of those years, while Syria ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, Gabon posted an annual surplus equal to 2.64% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.4% of GDP for Syria.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Gabon

Syria
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Gabon Syria
2024 1.17% -
2023 3.63% -
2022 4.23% -
2021 1.09% -
2020 1.35% -
2019 2.46% 13.4%
2018 4.75% 0.94%
2017 2.65% 18.1%
2016 2.11% 47.7%
2015 -0.34% 38.5%
2014 4.69% 10.9%
2013 0.51% 40%
2012 2.65% 36.7%
2011 1.26% 4.75%
2010 1.46% 4.4%
2009 1.89% 2.92%
2008 5.26% 15.7%
2007 5.03% 3.91%
2006 -1.41% 10%
2005 3.71% 7.24%
2004 0.41% 4.43%
2003 2.24% 5.8%
2002 0.04% -0.13%
2001 2.14% 3%
2000 0.5% -3.85%
1999 -1.94% -3.7%
1998 1.45% -0.8%
1997 3.97% 1.89%

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

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

Over the past 23 years, Gabon has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.98%, compared with 11.4% in Syria. In 2019, inflation was 1.17% in Gabon and 13.4% in Syria.

Top exports between countries

Gabon
Export category Export value
Wood & paper products $48K
Syria
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $774K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $57K
Machinery & equipment $23K
Metals $23K
Raw materials & minerals $4K

Balance of trade

Gabon Syria
Current account balance
$141M
2015
-$367M
2010
Current account balance ranking
66/190
2015
103/190
2010
Current account balance, % of GDP
+0.98%
2015
-0.6%
2010
Goods imports
$3.17B
2015
$15.9B
2010
Goods exports
$5.11B
2015
$12.3B
2010
Service imports
$1.88B
2015
$3.53B
2010
Service exports
$277M
2015
$7.33B
2010
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
27.5%
2024
28.8%
2022
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
64.6%
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.

Gabon Syria
Economic freedom 56.6 51.2
Economic freedom ranking 120/197 155/197
Property rights 30 4
Government integrity 22.6 3.6
Judicial effectiveness 19.9 3.7
Tax burden 76.5 87.3
Government spending 85.5 78.5
Fiscal health 87.9 13.8
Business freedom 63.6 33.8
Labor freedom 55.4 37.2
Monetary freedom 80.9 80
Trade freedom 57.4 47
Investment freedom 60 0
Financial freedom 40 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Gabon
Syria
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Gabon Syria
2026 56.6 -
2025 56.3 -
2024 56.9 -
2023 56.1 -
2022 55.8 -
2021 58.1 -
2020 56.7 -
2019 56.3 -
2018 58 -
2017 58.6 -
2016 59 -
2015 58.3 -
2014 57.8 -
2013 57.8 -
2012 56.4 51.2
2011 56.7 51.3
2010 55.4 49.4
2009 55 51.3
2008 54.2 47.2
2007 54.8 48.3
2006 56.1 51.2
2005 54.8 46.3
2004 57.1 40.6
2003 58.7 41.3
2002 58 36.3
2001 55 36.6
2000 58.2 37.2
1999 60.5 39
1998 59.2 42.2
1997 58.8 43
1996 55.7 42.3
1995 57.5 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Gabon is 56.6, ranking 120/197, 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

Gabon Syria
Services, % of GDP
36.8%
2024
44.9%
2022
Industry, % of GDP
52.9%
2024
12%
2022
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
6.56%
2024
43.1%
2022
GNI, Atlas method
$19.8B
2024
$18.2B
2023
GNI per capita, PPP
$20,400
2024
$4,480
2023
Total reserves including gold
$1.45B
2023
$20.6B
2010
Total reserves ranking
136/177
2023
62/177
2010
Net foreign direct investment
-$25.3M
2015
-$1.47B
2010
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.14B
2024
$0
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$33.8M
2019
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.67%
2024
0.15%
2023
Poverty at national poverty lines
33.4%
2017
35.2%
2007
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
19.1%
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/gabon/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 (2010–2021, 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.