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Economy of Germany vs Syria compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Germany has a GDP of $4.69T compared to $20B for Syria, ranking 3/197 and 129/197 by economy size, respectively.

Germany has $2.97T in government debt (63.5% of GDP), compared to $18.4B (30% of GDP) in Syria.

Germany vs Syria GDP by year

Germany
Syria
1x
Year GDP, current $
Germany Syria
2024 $4,685,592,577,805 -
2023 $4,562,207,532,490 $19,993,439,950
2022 $4,201,021,706,479 $23,622,827,080
2021 $4,355,251,953,411 $14,353,205,678
2020 $3,941,398,957,074 $12,047,752,036
2019 $3,959,894,794,039 $22,583,045,060
2018 $4,055,433,215,302 $21,497,782,868
2017 $3,765,351,626,106 $16,369,843,352
2016 $3,536,787,895,179 $12,597,854,877
2015 $3,425,099,578,746 $16,466,863,117
2014 $3,964,870,735,761 $21,502,061,466
2013 $3,807,023,797,051 $21,361,254,635
2012 $3,596,483,233,406 $43,190,318,033
2011 $3,823,575,803,794 $67,539,428,159
2010 $3,467,093,769,667 $61,390,830,875
2009 $3,478,545,516,684 $54,111,735,629
2008 $3,808,197,720,125 $52,557,913,569
2007 $3,484,056,680,855 $40,465,318,382
2006 $3,046,308,753,671 $33,751,788,856
2005 $2,893,393,187,362 $28,858,965,517
2004 $2,852,317,768,062 $25,086,950,495
2003 $2,534,715,518,349 $21,828,144,686
2002 $2,102,350,798,306 $20,669,357,462
2001 $1,966,381,496,642 $20,237,024,725
2000 $1,966,980,701,145 $18,937,052,543
1999 $2,213,873,468,587 $15,873,875,969
1998 $2,247,760,364,566 $15,200,846,154
1997 $2,218,790,886,533 $14,505,233,463
1996 $2,506,576,553,158 $13,789,560,878
1995 $2,593,053,091,306 $11,396,706,587
1994 $2,215,282,632,277 $10,122,020,000
1993 $2,078,954,217,438 $13,695,962,055
1992 $2,141,377,582,968 $13,253,565,861
1991 $1,875,792,575,133 $12,981,833,333
1990 $1,778,162,195,860 $12,308,624,418
1989 $1,404,092,925,205 $9,853,395,762
1988 $1,406,367,016,372 $10,577,041,645
1987 $1,302,932,318,825 $11,356,215,543
1986 $1,050,092,624,516 $13,293,205,278
1985 $735,218,723,093 $16,403,539,893
1984 $727,767,760,979 $17,503,078,174
1983 $773,507,930,295 $17,589,277,143
1982 $779,421,633,755 $16,298,929,011
1981 $803,404,797,058 $15,518,201,335
1980 $953,772,499,462 $13,062,420,382
1979 $884,574,218,333 $9,929,681,529
1978 $743,182,891,918 $9,275,200,458
1977 $602,698,323,086 $7,696,011,396
1976 $521,658,712,133 $7,633,528,867
1975 $492,434,094,920 $6,826,980,444
1974 $446,934,971,657 $5,159,557,148
1973 $399,833,571,167 $3,239,487,516
1972 $300,899,944,795 $3,059,681,698
1971 $250,900,942,397 $2,589,851,325
1970 $216,629,229,947 $2,140,384,010
1969 $177,733,486,326 $2,245,011,515
1968 $156,527,292,653 $1,753,746,430
1967 $145,100,667,773 $1,580,229,799
1966 $143,304,275,684 $1,342,287,553
1965 $134,774,688,191 $1,472,036,540
1964 $123,330,404,665 $1,339,494,267
1963 $112,232,503,744 $1,200,447,408
1962 $105,895,435,234 $1,110,565,881
1961 $96,558,204,043 $945,244,972
1960 $84,619,845,881 $857,704,413

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

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

GDP per capita in Germany vs Syria by year

Germany
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Syria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Germany Syria
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $56,104 $73,552 - -
2023 $54,777 $71,684 $847 $4,650
2022 $50,507 $69,049 $1,052 $4,772
2021 $52,349 $62,531 $664 $4,593
2020 $47,395 $58,686 $572 $3,738
2019 $47,656 $59,271 $1,110 $3,502
2018 $48,916 $56,273 $1,098 $3,456
2017 $45,554 $54,110 $852 $3,265
2016 $42,949 $51,570 $656 -
2015 $41,930 $48,545 $848 -
2014 $48,960 $47,939 $1,061 -
2013 $47,207 $45,889 $986 -
2012 $44,718 $44,229 $1,898 -
2011 $47,631 $43,398 $2,952 -
2010 $42,397 $39,726 $2,731 -
2009 $42,472 $37,574 $2,462 -
2008 $46,379 $38,444 $2,429 -
2007 $42,351 $36,914 $1,938 -
2006 $36,980 $34,741 $1,719 -
2005 $35,084 $32,314 $1,534 -
2004 $34,567 $31,753 $1,368 -
2003 $30,711 $30,301 $1,220 -
2002 $25,487 $29,514 $1,183 -
2001 $23,878 $28,674 $1,187 -
2000 $23,926 $27,474 $1,138 -
1999 $26,965 $26,518 $978 -
1998 $27,396 $25,446 $961 -
1997 $27,047 $24,649 $941 -
1996 $30,600 $24,169 $918 -
1995 $31,747 $23,631 $780 -
1994 $27,202 $22,869 $712 -
1993 $25,617 $21,900 $993 -
1992 $26,560 $21,746 $990 -
1991 $23,443 $21,001 $1,000 -
1990 $22,386 $19,468 $978 -
1989 $17,829 - $809 -
1988 $17,997 - $898 -
1987 $16,739 - $997 -
1986 $13,511 - $1,208 -
1985 $9,464 - $1,544 -
1984 $9,347 - $1,706 -
1983 $9,900 - $1,776 -
1982 $9,950 - $1,703 -
1981 $10,246 - $1,676 -
1980 $12,183 - $1,458 -
1979 $11,322 - $1,146 -
1978 $9,517 - $1,108 -
1977 $7,711 - $951 -
1976 $6,659 - $976 -
1975 $6,259 - $904 -
1974 $5,660 - $707 -
1973 $5,065 - $459 -
1972 $3,824 - $448 -
1971 $3,204 - $393 -
1970 $2,771 - $335 -
1969 $2,281 - $364 -
1968 $2,025 - $293.3 -
1967 $1,886 - $272.9 -
1966 $1,871 - $239.3 -
1965 $1,774 - $270.8 -
1964 $1,637 - $254.2 -
1963 $1,502 - $234.9 -
1962 $1,431 - $223.9 -
1961 $1,316 - $196.3 -
1960 $1,162 - $183.5 -

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

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

Germany's GDP per capita is $56,104, ranking 19/197, compared to $847 in Syria, ranking 185/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Germany ranks 20th at $73,552, while Syria ranks 160th at $4,650.

Economic indicators

Germany Syria
Gross domestic product
$4.69T
2024
$20B
2023
GDP rank
3/197
2024
129/197
2023
GDP growth
-0.5%
2023-2024
-1.21%
2022-2023
GDP per capita
$56,104
2024
$847
2023
GDP per capita rank
19/197
2024
185/197
2023
GDP per capita, PPP
$73,552
2024
$4,650
2023
GDP per capita PPP rank
20/197
2024
160/197
2023
Government debt
$2.97T
2024
$18.4B
2010
Debt-to-GDP ratio
63.5%
2024
30%
2010
Government debt per person
$35,606
2024
$820
2010
Government debt per person rank
21/185
2024
148/185
2010
Average annual personal income after taxes
$41,775
2026
$730
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.04T
2024
n/a
Number of millionaires
2,675,000
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
171
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
25%
2020
21.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2020
3.8%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
49.4%
2024
28.6%
2010
Consumer prices inflation
2.26%
2023-2024
13.4%
2018-2019
Unemployment rate
3.37%
2024
8.61%
2010
Population
82575542
26829400

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Germany
Spending

Debt
Syria
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Germany Syria
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 49.4% 63.5% - -
2023 48.1% 62.4% - -
2022 48.6% 64.4% - -
2021 50.7% 68% - -
2020 51.1% 68% - -
2019 45.5% 58.7% - -
2018 44.7% 60.8% - -
2017 44.5% 64% - -
2016 44.7% 68.3% - -
2015 44.5% 71.2% - -
2014 44.5% 74.5% - -
2013 45.2% 77.5% - -
2012 45.1% 79.8% - -
2011 45.3% 78.5% - -
2010 48.1% 81% 28.6% 30%
2009 48.3% 72.4% 26.7% 31.2%
2008 44.4% 65.2% 22.9% 37.3%
2007 43.5% 63.7% 25.7% 42.7%
2006 45.3% 66.4% 26.3% 45%
2005 46.9% 67.1% 28.2% 50.7%
2004 47% 65% 31.3% 113%
2003 48.5% 63.3% 32.6% 133.4%
2002 48.2% 59.8% 28.5% 132.4%
2001 47.7% 58.1% 28% 144.5%
2000 48.1% 59.2% 27.4% 152.1%
1999 48.5% 60.3% 28% 147.7%
1998 48.3% 59.4% 28.8% 151.2%
1997 48.8% 58.8% 29% 147.6%
1996 49.6% 57.7% 27.7% 141.5%
1995 55.2% 54.9% 29.8% 152.6%
1994 48.3% 47.5% 30.3% 163%
1993 48.3% 45.1% 29.4% 171.9%
1992 47.4% 41.4% 34.2% 173.6%
1991 46.5% 39% 34.3% 182.4%
1990 44.7% 40.7% 28.3% 189.8%
1989 44.3% 39.2% - -
1988 45.6% 40.5% - -
1987 46% 40.1% - -
1986 45.7% 39.1% - -
1985 46.6% 39.2% - -
1984 47.2% 38.7% - -
1983 47.9% 38% - -
1982 49.1% 36.4% - -
1981 49% 33.6% - -
1980 48.2% 30.1% - -
1979 47.4% 28.2% - -
1978 47.7% 27.4% - -
1977 49% 26% - -
1976 49.4% 25.1% - -
1975 50.3% 23.7% - -
1974 46% 18.5% - -
1973 42.4% 17.3% - -
1972 41.8% 18% - -
1971 40.9% 17.7% - -
1970 39.5% 17.7% - -
1969 29.7% 20.3% - -
1968 28.5% 22.5% - -
1967 28.8% 22.5% - -
1966 28.3% 19.8% - -
1965 28.4% 18.7% - -
1964 29% 18.2% - -
1963 29.1% 18.1% - -
1962 29.2% 17.6% - -
1961 28.8% 18.7% - -
1960 22.9% 18.4% - -

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

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

In 2024, Germany's government spending was $2.32T, accounting for 49.4% of its GDP, while Syria spent $17.6B, or 28.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 63.5% in Germany and 30% in Syria, ranking 72/185 and 157/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Germany

Syria
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Germany Syria
2024 -2.66% -
2023 -2.49% -
2022 -1.91% -
2021 -3.17% -
2020 -4.38% -
2019 1.33% -
2018 1.88% -
2017 1.34% -
2016 1.13% -
2015 0.91% -
2014 0.73% -
2013 0.12% -
2012 -0.05% -
2011 -0.84% -
2010 -4.42% -7.79%
2009 -3.18% -2.89%
2008 -0.26% -2.86%
2007 0.15% -2.99%
2006 -1.76% -1.12%
2005 -3.37% -4.41%
2004 -3.42% -4.18%
2003 -3.83% -2.7%
2002 -4.09% -2.02%
2001 -3.12% 2.3%
2000 -1.71% -1.36%
1999 -1.87% -1.47%
1998 -2.65% -2.81%
1997 -3.03% -1.78%
1996 -3.64% -2.83%
1995 -9.44% -3.81%
1994 -2.54% -6%
1993 -3.11% -4.96%
1992 -2.63% -7.26%
1991 -3.21% -6.57%
1990 -1.94% -3.92%
1989 0.08% -
1988 -2.02% -
1987 -1.85% -
1986 -1.18% -
1985 -1.18% -
1984 -2.04% -
1983 -2.95% -
1982 -3.56% -
1981 -4.03% -
1980 -3.02% -
1979 -2.71% -
1978 -2.62% -
1977 -2.56% -
1976 -3.5% -
1975 -5.78% -
1974 -1.69% -
1973 1.14% -
1972 -0.37% -
1971 0.16% -
1970 0.53% -
1969 -0.43% -
1968 1.39% -
1967 2.73% -
1966 1.76% -
1965 2.26% -
1964 1.49% -
1963 1.43% -
1962 0.49% -
1961 -0.12% -
1960 -0.34% -
1959 0.77% -
1958 1.77% -
1957 1.99% -
1956 0.59% -
1955 -1.41% -
1954 -0.37% -
1953 -0.13% -
1952 0% -
1951 1.15% -
1950 1.81% -
1949 - -
1948 - -
1947 - -
1946 - -
1945 - -
1944 - -
1943 - -
1942 - -
1941 - -
1940 - -
1939 - -
1938 - -
1937 - -
1936 - -
1935 - -
1934 -0.64% -
1933 -0.43% -
1932 -1.11% -
1931 -1.03% -
1930 -1.52% -
1929 -0.9% -
1928 -1.47% -
1927 -0.44% -
1926 -1.3% -
1925 0.34% -
1924 - -
1923 - -
1922 - -
1921 - -
1920 - -
1919 - -
1918 - -
1917 - -
1916 - -
1915 - -
1914 - -
1913 0.007% -
1912 -0.26% -
1911 0.06% -
1910 -0.21% -
1909 0.11% -
1908 -0.11% -
1907 -0.14% -
1906 0.76% -
1905 1.21% -
1904 0.41% -
1903 0.88% -
1902 0.08% -
1901 0.91% -
1900 0.27% -
1899 0.6% -
1898 0.47% -
1897 0.39% -
1896 0.63% -
1895 0.47% -
1894 0.44% -
1893 0.42% -
1892 -0.24% -
1891 1.18% -
1890 0.12% -
1889 1.16% -
1888 0.62% -
1887 0.88% -
1886 0.23% -
1885 0.21% -
1884 0.23% -
1883 0.55% -
1882 0.41% -
1881 0.12% -
1880 -0.13% -

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

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

In 2010, Germany's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $153B, equivalent to 4.42% of GDP. This compares to Syria's deficit of $4.78B, or 7.79% of GDP.

Over the past 21 years, Germany recorded a fiscal deficit in 20 of those years, while Syria ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, Germany posted an annual deficit equal to 3% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.4% of GDP for Syria.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Germany

Syria
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Germany Syria
2024 2.26% -
2023 5.95% -
2022 6.87% -
2021 3.07% -
2020 0.14% -
2019 1.45% 13.4%
2018 1.73% 0.94%
2017 1.51% 18.1%
2016 0.49% 47.7%
2015 0.51% 38.5%
2014 0.91% 10.9%
2013 1.5% 40%
2012 2.01% 36.7%
2011 2.08% 4.75%
2010 1.1% 4.4%
2009 0.31% 2.92%
2008 2.63% 15.7%
2007 2.3% 3.91%
2006 1.58% 10%
2005 1.55% 7.24%
2004 1.67% 4.43%
2003 1.03% 5.8%
2002 1.42% -0.13%
2001 1.98% 3%
2000 1.44% -3.85%
1999 0.59% -3.7%
1998 0.91% -0.8%
1997 1.94% 1.89%

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

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

Over the past 23 years, Germany has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.42%, compared with 11.4% in Syria. In 2019, inflation was 2.26% in Germany and 13.4% in Syria.

Top exports between countries

Germany
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $17.1M
Machinery & equipment $14.2M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $4.38M
Wood & paper products $3.14M
Miscellaneous $1.82M
Raw materials & minerals $1.74M
Metals $1.5M
Raw agricultural goods $1.26M
Textiles & consumer goods $735K
Animal & marine products $84K
Syria
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $1.4B
Textiles & consumer goods $39.5M
Metals $19M
Raw agricultural goods $6.65M
Animal & marine products $2.98M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.56M
Chemicals & pharma $1.42M
Machinery & equipment $1.39M
Wood & paper products $108K
Miscellaneous $107K

Balance of trade

Germany Syria
Current account balance
$270B
2024
-$367M
2010
Current account balance ranking
2/190
2024
103/190
2010
Current account balance, % of GDP
+5.77%
2024
-0.6%
2010
Goods imports
$1.21T
2024
$15.9B
2010
Goods exports
$1.47T
2024
$12.3B
2010
Service imports
$548B
2024
$3.53B
2010
Service exports
$470B
2024
$7.33B
2010
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
37.7%
2024
28.8%
2022
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
41.4%
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.

Germany Syria
Economic freedom 71.7 51.2
Economic freedom ranking 30/197 155/197
Property rights 95.5 4
Government integrity 84.5 3.6
Judicial effectiveness 94.6 3.7
Tax burden 60.5 87.3
Government spending 28.8 78.5
Fiscal health 83.1 13.8
Business freedom 79.8 33.8
Labor freedom 52.2 37.2
Monetary freedom 72.5 80
Trade freedom 79.4 47
Investment freedom 60 0
Financial freedom 70 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Germany
Syria
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Germany Syria
2026 71.7 -
2025 71.6 -
2024 72.1 -
2023 73.7 -
2022 76.1 -
2021 72.5 -
2020 73.5 -
2019 73.5 -
2018 74.2 -
2017 73.8 -
2016 74.4 -
2015 73.8 -
2014 73.4 -
2013 72.8 -
2012 71 51.2
2011 71.8 51.3
2010 71.1 49.4
2009 70.5 51.3
2008 70.6 47.2
2007 70.8 48.3
2006 70.8 51.2
2005 68.1 46.3
2004 69.5 40.6
2003 69.7 41.3
2002 70.4 36.3
2001 69.5 36.6
2000 65.7 37.2
1999 65.6 39
1998 64.3 42.2
1997 67.5 43
1996 69.1 42.3
1995 69.8 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Germany is 71.7, ranking 30/197, 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

Germany Syria
Services, % of GDP
64%
2024
44.9%
2022
Industry, % of GDP
25.6%
2024
12%
2022
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.91%
2024
43.1%
2022
GNI, Atlas method
$4.6T
2024
$18.2B
2023
GNI per capita, PPP
$76,180
2024
$4,480
2023
Total reserves including gold
$378B
2024
$20.6B
2010
Total reserves ranking
10/177
2024
62/177
2010
Net foreign direct investment
$32.6B
2024
-$1.47B
2010
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$47.6B
2024
$0
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$80.2B
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
0.15%
2023
Poverty at national poverty lines
14.8%
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/germany/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 (1880–1990, 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)

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.