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Economy of Guinea-Bissau vs Syria compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Guinea-Bissau has a GDP of $2.22B compared to $20B for Syria, ranking 176/197 and 129/197 by economy size, respectively.

Guinea-Bissau has $1.82B in government debt (82.2% of GDP), compared to $18.4B (30% of GDP) in Syria.

Guinea-Bissau vs Syria GDP by year

Guinea-Bissau
Syria
1x
Year GDP, current $
Guinea-Bissau Syria
2024 $2,218,393,805 -
2023 $2,127,688,181 $19,993,439,950
2022 $1,859,601,384 $23,622,827,080
2021 $1,908,094,558 $14,353,205,678
2020 $1,705,057,581 $12,047,752,036
2019 $1,596,227,316 $22,583,045,060
2018 $1,554,133,594 $21,497,782,868
2017 $1,469,978,606 $16,369,843,352
2016 $1,245,074,264 $12,597,854,877
2015 $1,152,384,167 $16,466,863,117
2014 $1,135,250,721 $21,502,061,466
2013 $1,109,682,824 $21,361,254,635
2012 $1,049,412,177 $43,190,318,033
2011 $1,157,074,319 $67,539,428,159
2010 $940,112,539 $61,390,830,875
2009 $890,167,833 $54,111,735,629
2008 $952,667,544 $52,557,913,569
2007 $753,162,998 $40,465,318,382
2006 $634,781,901 $33,751,788,856
2005 $639,776,041 $28,858,965,517
2004 $582,169,841 $25,086,950,495
2003 $553,614,800 $21,828,144,686
2002 $466,773,711 $20,669,357,462
2001 $412,610,872 $20,237,024,725
2000 $391,345,597 $18,937,052,543
1999 $579,365,780 $15,873,875,969
1998 $591,034,143 $15,200,846,154
1997 $698,107,222 $14,505,233,463
1996 $702,965,148 $13,789,560,878
1995 $660,195,402 $11,396,706,587
1994 $612,502,085 $10,122,020,000
1993 $615,779,519 $13,695,962,055
1992 $588,309,271 $13,253,565,861
1991 $668,470,891 $12,981,833,333
1990 $634,187,269 $12,308,624,418
1989 $554,072,303 $9,853,395,762
1988 $427,514,322 $10,577,041,645
1987 $451,893,375 $11,356,215,543
1986 $338,524,233 $13,293,205,278
1985 $373,959,151 $16,403,539,893
1984 $359,980,491 $17,503,078,174
1983 $425,225,177 $17,589,277,143
1982 $430,284,022 $16,298,929,011
1981 $402,230,865 $15,518,201,335
1980 $287,648,258 $13,062,420,382
1979 $308,143,183 $9,929,681,529
1978 $318,876,550 $9,275,200,458
1977 $298,871,675 $7,696,011,396
1976 $292,152,321 $7,633,528,867
1975 $283,311,997 $6,826,980,444
1974 $256,769,730 $5,159,557,148
1973 $232,331,281 $3,239,487,516
1972 $227,986,203 $3,059,681,698
1971 $204,167,297 $2,589,851,325
1970 $204,670,551 $2,140,384,010
1969 - $2,245,011,515
1968 - $1,753,746,430
1967 - $1,580,229,799
1966 - $1,342,287,553
1965 - $1,472,036,540
1964 - $1,339,494,267
1963 - $1,200,447,408
1962 - $1,110,565,881
1961 - $945,244,972
1960 - $857,704,413

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

GeoRank.org/economy/guinea-bissau/syria | CC BY

GDP per capita in Guinea-Bissau vs Syria by year

Guinea-Bissau
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Syria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Guinea-Bissau Syria
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,008 $3,119 - -
2023 $988 $2,990 $847 $4,650
2022 $883 $2,789 $1,052 $4,772
2021 $927 $2,523 $664 $4,593
2020 $847 $2,340 $572 $3,738
2019 $811 $2,247 $1,110 $3,502
2018 $809 $2,058 $1,098 $3,456
2017 $783 $2,082 $852 $3,265
2016 $680 $1,824 $656 -
2015 $645 $1,730 $848 -
2014 $652 $1,456 $1,061 -
2013 $654 $1,416 $986 -
2012 $635 $1,402 $1,898 -
2011 $720 $1,472 $2,952 -
2010 $600 $1,370 $2,731 -
2009 $583 $1,315 $2,462 -
2008 $640 $1,309 $2,429 -
2007 $519 $1,260 $1,938 -
2006 $449 $1,226 $1,719 -
2005 $463 $1,187 $1,534 -
2004 $431 $1,105 $1,368 -
2003 $420 $1,089 $1,220 -
2002 $362 $1,095 $1,183 -
2001 $327 $1,064 $1,187 -
2000 $317 $1,014 $1,138 -
1999 $479 $1,001 $978 -
1998 $498 $861 $961 -
1997 $599 $1,118 $941 -
1996 $615 $1,052 $918 -
1995 $589 $945 $780 -
1994 $561 $909 $712 -
1993 $582 $890 $993 -
1992 $574 $880 $990 -
1991 $672 $877 $1,000 -
1990 $651 $824 $978 -
1989 $578 - $809 -
1988 $454 - $898 -
1987 $488 - $997 -
1986 $371 - $1,208 -
1985 $417 - $1,544 -
1984 $407 - $1,706 -
1983 $489 - $1,776 -
1982 $503 - $1,703 -
1981 $477 - $1,676 -
1980 $347 - $1,458 -
1979 $376 - $1,146 -
1978 $403 - $1,108 -
1977 $403 - $951 -
1976 $421 - $976 -
1975 $435 - $904 -
1974 $419 - $707 -
1973 $392 - $459 -
1972 $389 - $448 -
1971 $348 - $393 -
1970 $350 - $335 -
1969 - - $364 -
1968 - - $293.3 -
1967 - - $272.9 -
1966 - - $239.3 -
1965 - - $270.8 -
1964 - - $254.2 -
1963 - - $234.9 -
1962 - - $223.9 -
1961 - - $196.3 -
1960 - - $183.5 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/guinea-bissau/syria | CC BY

Guinea-Bissau's GDP per capita is $1,008, ranking 177/197, compared to $847 in Syria, ranking 185/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Guinea-Bissau ranks 179th at $3,119, while Syria ranks 160th at $4,650.

Economic indicators

Guinea-Bissau Syria
Gross domestic product
$2.22B
2024
$20B
2023
GDP rank
176/197
2024
129/197
2023
GDP growth
4.15%
2023-2024
-1.21%
2022-2023
GDP per capita
$1,008
2024
$847
2023
GDP per capita rank
177/197
2024
185/197
2023
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,119
2024
$4,650
2023
GDP per capita PPP rank
179/197
2024
160/197
2023
Government debt
$1.82B
2024
$18.4B
2010
Debt-to-GDP ratio
82.2%
2024
30%
2010
Government debt per person
$828
2024
$820
2010
Government debt per person rank
146/185
2024
148/185
2010
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,711
2026
$730
2026
Income share by richest 10%
26.1%
2021
21.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
3.4%
2021
3.8%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
20.4%
2024
28.6%
2010
Consumer prices inflation
3.7%
2023-2024
13.4%
2018-2019
Unemployment rate
2.67%
2022
8.61%
2010
Population
2311915
26829400

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Guinea-Bissau
Spending

Debt
Syria
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Guinea-Bissau Syria
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 20.4% 82.2% - -
2023 21.9% 79.4% - -
2022 21.3% 80.7% - -
2021 25% 78.8% - -
2020 25% 77.6% - -
2019 18.8% 65.1% - -
2018 19.5% 59.1% - -
2017 18.1% 51.8% - -
2016 20.5% 59.1% - -
2015 21.5% 56.3% - -
2014 23% 60.1% - -
2013 12.4% 49.6% - -
2012 13% 47.4% - -
2011 17.3% 45.6% - -
2010 18.5% 61.7% 28.6% 30%
2009 20.6% 148.3% 26.7% 31.2%
2008 21.8% 148.8% 22.9% 37.3%
2007 23.7% 164% 25.7% 42.7%
2006 19.8% 190.4% 26.3% 45%
2005 20.2% 203.7% 28.2% 50.7%
2004 23% 202% 31.3% 113%
2003 17% 183.4% 32.6% 133.4%
2002 14.1% 197.5% 28.5% 132.4%
2001 19.1% 204.4% 28% 144.5%
2000 23.5% 217.1% 27.4% 152.1%
1999 12.1% 109.9% 28% 147.7%
1998 8.72% 109.1% 28.8% 151.2%
1997 12.7% 94.3% 29% 147.6%
1996 8.93% 117.3% 27.7% 141.5%
1995 8.14% 103.3% 29.8% 152.6%
1994 18.4% 105.5% 30.3% 163%
1993 13.1% 112.4% 29.4% 171.9%
1992 10.1% 85.3% 34.2% 173.6%
1991 9.19% 88.9% 34.3% 182.4%
1990 - - 28.3% 189.8%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1991–1996, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/guinea-bissau/syria | CC BY

In 2024, Guinea-Bissau's government spending was $452M, accounting for 20.4% of its GDP, while Syria spent $17.6B, or 28.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 82.2% in Guinea-Bissau and 30% in Syria, ranking 41/185 and 157/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Guinea-Bissau

Syria
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Guinea-Bissau Syria
2024 -7.26% -
2023 -8.15% -
2022 -6.06% -
2021 -5.88% -
2020 -9.64% -
2019 -3.86% -
2018 -4.76% -
2017 -1.32% -
2016 -5.34% -
2015 -3.16% -
2014 -2.44% -
2013 -1.67% -
2012 -2.12% -
2011 -1.35% -
2010 -0.23% -7.79%
2009 2.68% -2.89%
2008 -0.73% -2.86%
2007 -8.77% -2.99%
2006 -4.57% -1.12%
2005 -4.96% -4.41%
2004 -5.92% -4.18%
2003 -5.63% -2.7%
2002 -3.7% -2.02%
2001 -1.83% 2.3%
2000 -2.8% -1.36%
1999 -4.06% -1.47%
1998 -5.95% -2.81%
1997 -2.56% -1.78%
1996 3.48% -2.83%
1995 2.45% -3.81%
1994 -5.54% -6%
1993 -0.34% -4.96%
1992 -0.25% -7.26%
1991 1.61% -6.57%
1990 - -3.92%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/guinea-bissau/syria | CC BY

In 2010, Guinea-Bissau's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $2.12M, equivalent to 0.23% of GDP. This compares to Syria's deficit of $4.78B, or 7.79% of GDP.

Over the past 20 years, Guinea-Bissau recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while Syria ran a deficit in 19 years. On average, Guinea-Bissau posted an annual deficit equal to 2.38% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.38% of GDP for Syria.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Guinea-Bissau

Syria
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Guinea-Bissau Syria
2024 3.7% -
2023 7.2% -
2022 7.9% -
2021 3.3% -
2020 1.5% -
2019 0.3% 13.4%
2018 0.4% 0.94%
2017 -0.2% 18.1%
2016 2.7% 47.7%
2015 1.5% 38.5%
2014 -1% 10.9%
2013 0.8% 40%
2012 2.1% 36.7%
2011 5.1% 4.75%
2010 1.1% 4.4%
2009 -1.6% 2.92%
2008 10.4% 15.7%
2007 4.6% 3.91%
2006 2% 10%
2005 3.4% 7.24%
2004 0.8% 4.43%
2003 -3.5% 5.8%
2002 3.3% -0.13%
2001 3.3% 3%
2000 8.6% -3.85%
1999 -2.1% -3.7%
1998 8.1% -0.8%
1997 49.1% 1.89%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2019, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/guinea-bissau/syria | CC BY

Over the past 23 years, Guinea-Bissau has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.31%, compared with 11.4% in Syria. In 2019, inflation was 3.7% in Guinea-Bissau and 13.4% in Syria.

Top exports between countries

Guinea-Bissau
Export category Export value
Syria
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $6K

Balance of trade

Guinea-Bissau Syria
Current account balance
-$160M
2023
-$367M
2010
Current account balance ranking
95/190
2023
103/190
2010
Current account balance, % of GDP
-7.53%
2023
-0.6%
2010
Goods imports
$403M
2023
$15.9B
2010
Goods exports
$240M
2023
$12.3B
2010
Service imports
$189M
2023
$3.53B
2010
Service exports
$44.8M
2023
$7.33B
2010
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
27%
2024
28.8%
2022
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
11.8%
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.

Guinea-Bissau Syria
Economic freedom 43.2 51.2
Economic freedom ranking 181/197 155/197
Property rights 28.4 4
Government integrity 21 3.6
Judicial effectiveness 13.2 3.7
Tax burden 89 87.3
Government spending 86.5 78.5
Fiscal health 6.5 13.8
Business freedom 34.6 33.8
Labor freedom 55.9 37.2
Monetary freedom 75.9 80
Trade freedom 47 47
Investment freedom 30 0
Financial freedom 30 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Guinea-Bissau
Syria
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Guinea-Bissau Syria
2026 43.2 -
2025 43.6 -
2024 42.7 -
2023 44.6 -
2022 46 -
2021 54.9 -
2020 53.3 -
2019 54 -
2018 56.9 -
2017 56.1 -
2016 51.8 -
2015 52 -
2014 51.3 -
2013 51.1 -
2012 50.1 51.2
2011 46.5 51.3
2010 43.6 49.4
2009 45.4 51.3
2008 44.4 47.2
2007 46.1 48.3
2006 46.5 51.2
2005 46 46.3
2004 42.6 40.6
2003 43.1 41.3
2002 42.3 36.3
2001 42.5 36.6
2000 34.7 37.2
1999 33.5 39
1998 - 42.2
1997 - 43
1996 - 42.3

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/guinea-bissau/syria | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Guinea-Bissau is 43.2, ranking 181/197, 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

Guinea-Bissau Syria
Services, % of GDP
37.9%
2024
44.9%
2022
Industry, % of GDP
15.6%
2024
12%
2022
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
42.2%
2024
43.1%
2022
GNI, Atlas method
$2.18B
2024
$18.2B
2023
GNI per capita, PPP
$3,140
2024
$4,480
2023
Total reserves including gold n/a
$20.6B
2010
Total reserves ranking n/a
62/177
2010
Net foreign direct investment
-$24.8M
2023
-$1.47B
2010
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$26.7M
2024
$0
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$389K
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.75%
2024
0.15%
2023
Poverty at national poverty lines
50.5%
2021
35.2%
2007
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
24.9%
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/guinea-bissau/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 (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1991–1996, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  8. TradeMap (2010, retrieved 2026-02-08)

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.