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Economy of Greece vs Syria compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Greece has a GDP of $256B compared to $20B for Syria, ranking 53/197 and 129/197 by economy size, respectively.

Greece has $397B in government debt (154.8% of GDP), compared to $18.4B (30% of GDP) in Syria.

Greece vs Syria GDP by year

Greece
Syria
1x
Year GDP, current $
Greece Syria
2024 $256,238,371,778 -
2023 $242,946,187,738 $19,993,439,950
2022 $217,990,189,601 $23,622,827,080
2021 $218,303,801,895 $14,353,205,678
2020 $191,362,985,555 $12,047,752,036
2019 $207,305,649,887 $22,583,045,060
2018 $213,298,873,494 $21,497,782,868
2017 $200,381,103,984 $16,369,843,352
2016 $193,097,239,006 $12,597,854,877
2015 $194,567,373,678 $16,466,863,117
2014 $233,911,581,521 $21,502,061,466
2013 $236,556,279,641 $21,361,254,635
2012 $238,841,140,018 $43,190,318,033
2011 $283,228,079,776 $67,539,428,159
2010 $296,417,644,404 $61,390,830,875
2009 $326,829,054,686 $54,111,735,629
2008 $351,121,399,546 $52,557,913,569
2007 $314,226,996,944 $40,465,318,382
2006 $269,073,415,334 $33,751,788,856
2005 $242,315,668,619 $28,858,965,517
2004 $234,979,615,898 $25,086,950,495
2003 $196,930,509,813 $21,828,144,686
2002 $150,253,800,086 $20,669,357,462
2001 $132,050,474,720 $20,237,024,725
2000 $125,760,166,225 $18,937,052,543
1999 $137,131,371,955 $15,873,875,969
1998 $139,612,812,176 $15,200,846,154
1997 $138,766,067,640 $14,505,233,463
1996 $142,502,984,145 $13,789,560,878
1995 $134,974,613,914 $11,396,706,587
1994 $114,980,063,202 $10,122,020,000
1993 $107,295,704,518 $13,695,962,055
1992 $114,608,178,405 $13,253,565,861
1991 $103,680,863,713 $12,981,833,333
1990 $96,529,587,274 $12,308,624,418
1989 $78,067,933,277 $9,853,395,762
1988 $75,200,610,137 $10,577,041,645
1987 $64,739,630,096 $11,356,215,543
1986 $55,595,445,472 $13,293,205,278
1985 $47,155,741,426 $16,403,539,893
1984 $47,352,146,312 $17,503,078,174
1983 $48,741,397,059 $17,589,277,143
1982 $53,858,346,939 $16,298,929,011
1981 $51,618,456,335 $15,518,201,335
1980 $56,039,256,595 $13,062,420,382
1979 $53,724,121,435 $9,929,681,529
1978 $43,654,480,519 $9,275,200,458
1977 $35,673,080,481 $7,696,011,396
1976 $30,719,552,239 $7,633,528,867
1975 $28,129,128,587 $6,826,980,444
1974 $24,998,715,909 $5,159,557,148
1973 $22,037,019,563 $3,239,487,516
1972 $16,650,659,091 $3,059,681,698
1971 $14,388,806,818 $2,589,851,325
1970 $12,957,113,636 $2,140,384,010
1969 $11,454,106,327 $2,245,011,515
1968 $9,950,331,206 $1,753,746,430
1967 $9,146,592,856 $1,580,229,799
1966 $8,472,021,467 $1,342,287,553
1965 $7,582,209,670 $1,472,036,540
1964 $6,576,906,345 $1,339,494,267
1963 $5,813,285,627 $1,200,447,408
1962 $5,140,542,929 $1,110,565,881
1961 $4,892,397,431 $945,244,972
1960 $4,274,890,307 $857,704,413

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

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

GDP per capita in Greece vs Syria by year

Greece
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Syria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Greece Syria
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $24,626 $44,327 - -
2023 $23,344 $42,711 $847 $4,650
2022 $20,887 $39,612 $1,052 $4,772
2021 $20,655 $33,531 $664 $4,593
2020 $17,887 $29,533 $572 $3,738
2019 $19,335 $31,927 $1,110 $3,502
2018 $19,873 $29,792 $1,098 $3,456
2017 $18,632 $28,682 $852 $3,265
2016 $17,919 $27,505 $656 -
2015 $17,981 $26,608 $848 -
2014 $21,475 $26,450 $1,061 -
2013 $21,573 $25,731 $986 -
2012 $21,624 $24,583 $1,898 -
2011 $25,505 $25,693 $2,952 -
2010 $26,653 $27,839 $2,731 -
2009 $29,425 $29,963 $2,462 -
2008 $31,696 $30,441 $2,429 -
2007 $28,441 $28,896 $1,938 -
2006 $24,416 $28,076 $1,719 -
2005 $22,054 $25,004 $1,534 -
2004 $21,449 $24,826 $1,368 -
2003 $18,021 $23,253 $1,220 -
2002 $13,782 $21,985 $1,183 -
2001 $12,157 $20,304 $1,187 -
2000 $11,638 $18,820 $1,138 -
1999 $12,743 $17,758 $978 -
1998 $13,023 $17,434 $961 -
1997 $13,016 $16,630 $941 -
1996 $13,433 $15,778 $918 -
1995 $12,779 $15,218 $780 -
1994 $10,937 $14,667 $712 -
1993 $10,257 $14,150 $993 -
1992 $11,021 $14,130 $990 -
1991 $10,047 $13,824 $1,000 -
1990 $9,467 $13,126 $978 -
1989 $7,738 - $809 -
1988 $7,492 - $898 -
1987 $6,474 - $997 -
1986 $5,578 - $1,208 -
1985 $4,747 - $1,544 -
1984 $4,785 - $1,706 -
1983 $4,950 - $1,776 -
1982 $5,502 - $1,703 -
1981 $5,305 - $1,676 -
1980 $5,812 - $1,458 -
1979 $5,627 - $1,146 -
1978 $4,629 - $1,108 -
1977 $3,832 - $951 -
1976 $3,343 - $976 -
1975 $3,109 - $904 -
1974 $2,789 - $707 -
1973 $2,468 - $459 -
1972 $1,873 - $448 -
1971 $1,629 - $393 -
1970 $1,474 - $335 -
1969 $1,306 - $364 -
1968 $1,138 - $293.3 -
1967 $1,053 - $272.9 -
1966 $984 - $239.3 -
1965 $887 - $270.8 -
1964 $773 - $254.2 -
1963 $686 - $234.9 -
1962 $608 - $223.9 -
1961 $583 - $196.3 -
1960 $513 - $183.5 -

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

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

Greece's GDP per capita is $24,626, ranking 49/197, compared to $847 in Syria, ranking 185/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Greece ranks 52nd at $44,327, while Syria ranks 160th at $4,650.

Economic indicators

Greece Syria
Gross domestic product
$256B
2024
$20B
2023
GDP rank
53/197
2024
129/197
2023
GDP growth
2.09%
2023-2024
-1.21%
2022-2023
GDP per capita
$24,626
2024
$847
2023
GDP per capita rank
49/197
2024
185/197
2023
GDP per capita, PPP
$44,327
2024
$4,650
2023
GDP per capita PPP rank
52/197
2024
160/197
2023
Government debt
$397B
2024
$18.4B
2010
Debt-to-GDP ratio
154.8%
2024
30%
2010
Government debt per person
$38,119
2024
$820
2010
Government debt per person rank
16/185
2024
148/185
2010
Average annual personal income after taxes
$14,396
2026
$730
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$83.2B
2024
n/a
Number of billionaires
16
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
26%
2023
21.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2.7%
2023
3.8%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
48%
2024
28.6%
2010
Consumer prices inflation
2.74%
2023-2024
13.4%
2018-2019
Unemployment rate
10%
2024
8.61%
2010
Population
10181414
26829400

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Greece
Spending

Debt
Syria
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Greece Syria
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 48% 154.8% - -
2023 49.5% 165.2% - -
2022 52.8% 178.4% - -
2021 56.7% 197.8% - -
2020 59.3% 209.9% - -
2019 47.6% 183.7% - -
2018 48.6% 189.6% - -
2017 48.5% 182.6% - -
2016 50.3% 183.7% - -
2015 51.9% 180% - -
2014 51.5% 182.8% - -
2013 53% 180.5% - -
2012 54.9% 164.3% - -
2011 55.1% 175.1% - -
2010 53.1% 147.8% 28.6% 30%
2009 54.8% 128.5% 26.7% 31.2%
2008 51.5% 110.9% 22.9% 37.3%
2007 47.8% 104.6% 25.7% 42.7%
2006 45.9% 105.3% 26.3% 45%
2005 46.6% 109.9% 28.2% 50.7%
2004 48.8% 105.5% 31.3% 113%
2003 47.9% 104.3% 32.6% 133.4%
2002 47.1% 107.9% 28.5% 132.4%
2001 47.5% 110.5% 28% 144.5%
2000 48.2% 108.9% 27.4% 152.1%
1999 48% 102.8% 28% 147.7%
1998 46.7% 100.8% 28.8% 151.2%
1997 45.1% 102.6% 29% 147.6%
1996 46.1% 103.7% 27.7% 141.5%
1995 46.6% 100.4% 29.8% 152.6%
1994 36.9% 99.7% 30.3% 163%
1993 38.6% 101.7% 29.4% 171.9%
1992 36.9% 81.1% 34.2% 173.6%
1991 35.2% 75.7% 34.3% 182.4%
1990 38.5% 74.2% 28.3% 189.8%
1989 34.8% 60.7% - -
1988 33.8% 57.9% - -
1987 34% 53.2% - -
1986 33.8% 47.8% - -
1985 34.2% 47.3% - -
1984 32% 40.6% - -
1983 30.2% 34.1% - -
1982 28.7% 29.7% - -
1981 28.1% 27.1% - -
1980 24.5% 22.8% - -
1979 24.1% 22.7% - -
1978 30.1% 32.3% - -
1977 30.1% 24.5% - -
1976 29.1% 23.7% - -
1975 28.7% 24.1% - -
1974 25.3% 22.5% - -
1973 24.3% 22% - -
1972 26.8% 26.5% - -
1971 25.8% 25% - -
1970 25.2% 24.7% - -
1969 29.7% 25.8% - -
1968 26.3% 23% - -
1967 24.6% 21.1% - -
1966 22.8% 19% - -
1965 21.7% 16.5% - -
1964 20.4% 21.3% - -
1963 19.5% 22.6% - -
1962 19.7% 16.6% - -
1961 19.3% 14.4% - -
1960 20% 13.4% - -

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

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

In 2024, Greece's government spending was $123B, accounting for 48% of its GDP, while Syria spent $17.6B, or 28.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 154.8% in Greece and 30% in Syria, ranking 7/185 and 157/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Greece

Syria
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Greece Syria
2024 1.34% -
2023 -1.35% -
2022 -2.46% -
2021 -7.58% -
2020 -10.3% -
2019 -0.09% -
2018 0.78% -
2017 1.05% -
2016 0.28% -
2015 -3.03% -
2014 -4.29% -
2013 -4.06% -
2012 -6.94% -
2011 -10.5% -
2010 -11.4% -7.79%
2009 -15.4% -2.89%
2008 -10.3% -2.86%
2007 -6.81% -2.99%
2006 -6.04% -1.12%
2005 -6.33% -4.41%
2004 -9.05% -4.18%
2003 -8.05% -2.7%
2002 -6.2% -2.02%
2001 -5.64% 2.3%
2000 -4.21% -1.36%
1999 -6.02% -1.47%
1998 -6.48% -2.81%
1997 -6.25% -1.78%
1996 -8.35% -2.83%
1995 -9.87% -3.81%
1994 -8.48% -6%
1993 -11.5% -4.96%
1992 -10.6% -7.26%
1991 -9.63% -6.57%
1990 -13.3% -3.92%
1989 -11.9% -
1988 -9.63% -
1987 -8.09% -
1986 -8.62% -
1985 -9.56% -
1984 -7.19% -
1983 -6.17% -
1982 -5.49% -
1981 -7.08% -
1980 -2.5% -
1979 -2.34% -
1978 -5.39% -
1977 -5.21% -
1976 -5.05% -
1975 -5.3% -
1974 -4.39% -
1973 -3.71% -
1972 -4.16% -
1971 -3.32% -
1970 -3.24% -
1969 -6.65% -
1968 -3.39% -
1967 -2.59% -
1966 -2.17% -
1965 -2.55% -
1964 -2.89% -
1963 -2.25% -
1962 -2.4% -
1961 -2.69% -
1960 -3.3% -
1959 -2.77% -
1958 -2.27% -
1957 -2.45% -
1956 -0.39% -
1955 -3.57% -
1954 -2.87% -
1953 -3.01% -
1952 -7.21% -
1951 -11.5% -
1950 -12.7% -
1949 -10.4% -
1948 -7.65% -
1947 - -
1946 - -
1945 - -
1944 - -
1943 - -
1942 - -
1941 - -
1940 - -
1939 0.48% -
1938 1.78% -
1937 1.06% -
1936 0.95% -
1935 0.72% -
1934 0.88% -
1933 -2.79% -
1932 -1.78% -
1931 -4% -
1930 -2.23% -
1929 -18.7% -
1928 -0.27% -
1927 2.65% -
1926 - -
1925 - -
1924 - -
1923 - -
1922 - -
1921 - -
1920 - -
1919 - -
1918 - -
1917 - -
1916 - -
1915 - -
1914 - -
1913 -8.96% -
1912 -7.43% -
1911 -4.61% -
1910 -1.53% -
1909 -2.64% -
1908 -1.54% -
1907 -1.23% -
1906 0.66% -
1905 0.91% -
1904 -0.04% -
1903 -0.22% -
1902 -1.67% -
1901 0.1% -
1900 0.41% -
1899 0.86% -
1898 -34.5% -
1897 -8.46% -
1896 0.82% -
1895 0.37% -
1894 2.91% -
1893 0.14% -
1892 -2.28% -
1891 -6.48% -
1890 -11.2% -
1889 -15.7% -
1888 -3.59% -
1887 -4.88% -
1886 -11.5% -
1885 -12.1% -
1884 -7.16% -
1883 -2.42% -
1882 -1.69% -
1881 -14.5% -
1880 -13.5% -

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/greece/syria | CC BY

In 2010, Greece's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $33.9B, equivalent to 11.4% of GDP. This compares to Syria's deficit of $4.78B, or 7.79% of GDP.

Over the past 21 years, Greece recorded a fiscal deficit in 21 of those years, while Syria ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, Greece posted an annual deficit equal to 8.57% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.4% of GDP for Syria.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Greece

Syria
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Greece Syria
2024 2.74% -
2023 3.46% -
2022 9.65% -
2021 1.22% -
2020 -1.25% -
2019 0.25% 13.4%
2018 0.63% 0.94%
2017 1.12% 18.1%
2016 -0.83% 47.7%
2015 -1.74% 38.5%
2014 -1.31% 10.9%
2013 -0.92% 40%
2012 1.5% 36.7%
2011 3.33% 4.75%
2010 4.71% 4.4%
2009 1.21% 2.92%
2008 4.15% 15.7%
2007 2.9% 3.91%
2006 3.2% 10%
2005 3.55% 7.24%
2004 2.9% 4.43%
2003 3.53% 5.8%
2002 3.63% -0.13%
2001 3.37% 3%
2000 3.15% -3.85%
1999 2.64% -3.7%
1998 4.77% -0.8%
1997 5.54% 1.89%

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

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

Over the past 23 years, Greece has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.23%, compared with 11.4% in Syria. In 2019, inflation was 2.74% in Greece and 13.4% in Syria.

Top exports between countries

Greece
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $1.39M
Raw agricultural goods $544K
Machinery & equipment $258K
Textiles & consumer goods $235K
Raw materials & minerals $187K
Miscellaneous $91K
Animal & marine products $86K
Metals $78K
Wood & paper products $35K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $4K
Syria
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $38.9M
Metals $4.93M
Textiles & consumer goods $2.91M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.2M
Raw agricultural goods $624K
Chemicals & pharma $436K
Machinery & equipment $288K
Wood & paper products $83K
Miscellaneous $37K
Precious metals & jewellery $6K

Balance of trade

Greece Syria
Current account balance
-$18.2B
2024
-$367M
2010
Current account balance ranking
182/190
2024
103/190
2010
Current account balance, % of GDP
-7.11%
2024
-0.6%
2010
Goods imports
$91.2B
2024
$15.9B
2010
Goods exports
$52.6B
2024
$12.3B
2010
Service imports
$31.1B
2024
$3.53B
2010
Service exports
$55.8B
2024
$7.33B
2010
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
47.7%
2024
28.8%
2022
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
42.1%
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.

Greece Syria
Economic freedom 63.2 51.2
Economic freedom ranking 82/197 155/197
Property rights 78 4
Government integrity 54.8 3.6
Judicial effectiveness 68 3.7
Tax burden 59.9 87.3
Government spending 24.7 78.5
Fiscal health 78.9 13.8
Business freedom 77.8 33.8
Labor freedom 59.7 37.2
Monetary freedom 72.6 80
Trade freedom 79.4 47
Investment freedom 55 0
Financial freedom 50 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Greece
Syria
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Greece Syria
2026 63.2 -
2025 60.6 -
2024 55.1 -
2023 56.9 -
2022 61.5 -
2021 60.9 -
2020 59.9 -
2019 57.7 -
2018 57.3 -
2017 55 -
2016 53.2 -
2015 54 -
2014 55.7 -
2013 55.4 -
2012 55.4 51.2
2011 60.3 51.3
2010 62.7 49.4
2009 60.8 51.3
2008 60.6 47.2
2007 58.7 48.3
2006 60.1 51.2
2005 59 46.3
2004 59.1 40.6
2003 58.8 41.3
2002 59.1 36.3
2001 63.4 36.6
2000 61 37.2
1999 61 39
1998 60.6 42.2
1997 59.6 43
1996 60.5 42.3
1995 61.2 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Greece is 63.2, ranking 82/197, 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

Greece Syria
Services, % of GDP
68%
2024
44.9%
2022
Industry, % of GDP
15%
2024
12%
2022
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
3.77%
2024
43.1%
2022
GNI, Atlas method
$236B
2024
$18.2B
2023
GNI per capita, PPP
$43,340
2024
$4,480
2023
Total reserves including gold
$15.2B
2024
$20.6B
2010
Total reserves ranking
67/177
2024
62/177
2010
Net foreign direct investment
-$4.52B
2024
-$1.47B
2010
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$6.74B
2024
$0
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$2.22B
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
0.15%
2023
Poverty at national poverty lines
18.8%
2021
35.2%
2007
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
18.3%
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/greece/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)

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.