Skip to content

Economy of Iran vs Syria compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Iran has a GDP of $363B compared to $20B for Syria, ranking 44/197 and 134/197 by economy size, respectively.

Iran has $135B in government debt (37.3% of GDP), compared to $18.4B (30% of GDP) in Syria.

Iran vs Syria GDP by year

Iran
Syria
1x
Year GDP, current $
Iran Syria
2025 $362,682,115,433 -
2024 $475,252,089,215 -
2023 $457,510,482,317 $19,993,439,950
2022 $422,662,261,526 $23,737,634,644
2021 $407,350,685,583 $14,892,885,528
2020 $280,934,329,280 $12,501,503,673
2019 $347,988,400,958 $22,583,046,645
2018 $411,903,303,606 $21,497,779,248
2017 $510,239,893,418 $16,369,842,725
2016 $478,618,064,871 $12,597,854,088
2015 $409,191,686,497 $16,466,861,435
2014 $462,284,793,281 $21,502,061,466
2013 $500,399,839,840 $21,361,254,635
2012 $644,019,315,004 $43,190,318,033
2011 $629,082,257,472 $67,539,433,544
2010 $487,069,570,464 $61,390,833,273
2009 $414,059,094,949 $54,111,721,044
2008 $406,070,949,554 $52,557,913,397
2007 $349,736,591,832 $40,465,331,020
2006 $265,602,187,404 $33,751,812,959
2005 $224,970,371,325 $28,858,937,499
2004 $187,754,571,248 $25,086,910,448
2003 $151,911,222,119 $21,828,144,686
2002 $128,626,917,504 $20,786,986,580
2001 $126,878,750,296 $20,078,599,626
2000 $109,591,707,802 $18,937,031,610
1999 $113,848,450,088 $15,873,875,969
1998 $110,276,913,363 $15,200,846,154
1997 $113,919,163,421 $14,505,233,463
1996 $120,403,931,885 $13,789,560,878
1995 $96,419,225,744 $11,396,706,587
1994 $71,841,461,173 $10,122,020,000
1993 $63,743,623,232 $13,695,962,055
1992 $119,768,691,217 $13,253,565,861
1991 $131,637,664,958 $12,981,833,333
1990 $124,813,263,926 $12,308,624,418
1989 $120,496,362,916 $9,853,395,762
1988 $123,057,861,334 $10,577,041,645
1987 $134,009,995,923 $11,356,215,543
1986 $209,094,561,833 $13,293,205,278
1985 $180,183,629,600 $16,403,539,893
1984 $162,276,728,620 $17,503,078,174
1983 $156,365,156,618 $17,589,277,143
1982 $125,948,756,439 $16,298,929,011
1981 $100,499,312,750 $15,518,201,335
1980 $94,362,275,580 $13,062,420,382
1979 $90,391,877,326 $9,929,681,529
1978 $77,994,316,621 $9,275,200,458
1977 $80,600,122,702 $7,696,011,396
1976 $68,055,295,081 $7,633,528,867
1975 $51,776,222,350 $6,826,980,444
1974 $46,209,092,072 $5,159,557,148
1973 $27,081,698,250 $3,239,487,516
1972 $17,153,463,263 $3,059,681,698
1971 $13,731,802,833 $2,589,851,325
1970 $10,976,245,154 $2,140,384,010
1969 $9,743,089,607 $2,245,011,515
1968 $8,623,172,960 $1,753,746,430
1967 $7,555,383,690 $1,580,229,799
1966 $6,789,938,672 $1,342,287,553
1965 $6,197,319,929 $1,472,036,540
1964 $5,379,845,648 $1,339,494,267
1963 $4,928,628,018 $1,200,447,408
1962 $4,693,566,416 $1,110,565,881
1961 $4,426,949,095 $945,244,972
1960 $4,199,134,390 $857,704,413

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Iran vs Syria by year

Iran
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Syria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Iran Syria
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $3,924 - - -
2024 $5,190 $19,874 - -
2023 $5,049 $18,917 $847 $4,650
2022 $4,721 $17,546 $1,057 $4,772
2021 $4,605 $15,884 $689 $4,593
2020 $3,203 $15,119 $594 $3,738
2019 $3,997 $13,928 $1,110 $3,502
2018 $4,783 $15,324 $1,098 $3,456
2017 $6,001 $15,719 $852 $3,265
2016 $5,711 $15,195 $656 -
2015 $4,953 $14,274 $848 -
2014 $5,672 $16,065 $1,061 -
2013 $6,223 $16,215 $986 -
2012 $8,114 $17,021 $1,898 -
2011 $8,026 $19,275 $2,952 -
2010 $6,291 $18,628 $2,731 -
2009 $5,416 $17,615 $2,462 -
2008 $5,377 $17,549 $2,429 -
2007 $4,688 $17,384 $1,938 -
2006 $3,619 $15,907 $1,719 -
2005 $3,132 $15,016 $1,534 -
2004 $2,672 $14,425 $1,368 -
2003 $2,209 $13,755 $1,220 -
2002 $1,891 $12,554 $1,190 -
2001 $1,881 $11,533 $1,178 -
2000 $1,650 $11,187 $1,138 -
1999 $1,740 $10,489 $978 -
1998 $1,709 $10,285 $961 -
1997 $1,790 $10,101 $941 -
1996 $1,915 $9,916 $918 -
1995 $1,550 $9,255 $780 -
1994 $1,168 $8,951 $712 -
1993 $1,038 $8,933 $993 -
1992 $1,957 $8,888 $990 -
1991 $2,194 $8,580 $1,000 -
1990 $2,138 $7,566 $978 -
1989 $2,125 - $809 -
1988 $2,234 - $898 -
1987 $2,513 - $997 -
1986 $4,064 - $1,208 -
1985 $3,634 - $1,544 -
1984 $3,395 - $1,706 -
1983 $3,397 - $1,776 -
1982 $2,845 - $1,703 -
1981 $2,393 - $1,676 -
1980 $2,368 - $1,458 -
1979 $2,352 - $1,146 -
1978 $2,101 - $1,108 -
1977 $2,243 - $951 -
1976 $1,954 - $976 -
1975 $1,532 - $904 -
1974 $1,409 - $707 -
1973 $851 - $459 -
1972 $555 - $448 -
1971 $457 - $393 -
1970 $377 - $335 -
1969 $345 - $364 -
1968 $314 - $293.3 -
1967 $283.7 - $272.9 -
1966 $262.9 - $239.3 -
1965 $247.5 - $270.8 -
1964 $221.7 - $254.2 -
1963 $209.6 - $234.9 -
1962 $205.8 - $223.9 -
1961 $200.1 - $196.3 -
1960 $195.6 - $183.5 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Iran's GDP per capita is $3,924, ranking 135/197, compared to $847 in Syria, ranking 185/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Iran ranks 97th at $19,874, while Syria ranks 160th at $4,650.

Economic indicators

Iran Syria
Gross domestic product
$363B
2025
$20B
2023
GDP rank
44/197
2025
134/197
2023
GDP growth
-2.83%
2024-2025
-1.85%
2022-2023
GDP per capita
$3,924
2025
$847
2023
GDP per capita rank
135/197
2025
185/197
2023
GDP per capita, PPP
$19,874
2024
$4,650
2023
GDP per capita PPP rank
97/197
2024
160/197
2023
Government debt
$135B
2025
$18.4B
2010
Debt-to-GDP ratio
37.3%
2025
30%
2010
Government debt per person
$1,463
2025
$820
2010
Government debt per person rank
133/185
2025
150/185
2010
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,958
2026
$693
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$186B
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
28.2%
2023
20.9%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2.8%
2023
3.8%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
13.4%
2025
28.6%
2010
Consumer prices inflation
42.2%
2024-2025
13.4%
2018-2019
Central bank interest rate
23%
2023
n/a
Unemployment rate
7.63%
2024
14.9%
2011
Population
93580141
26956472

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Iran
Spending

Debt
Syria
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Iran Syria
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 13.4% 37.3% - -
2024 16% 31.2% - -
2023 12.8% 29.6% - -
2022 12.8% 34.5% - -
2021 13.4% 39.9% - -
2020 12.1% 47.1% - -
2019 13.6% 44.6% - -
2018 14.8% 41.6% - -
2017 16.4% 43.2% - -
2016 16.3% 45.9% - -
2015 14.1% 32.1% - -
2014 12.3% 10.9% - -
2013 11.5% 10.2% - -
2012 11.4% 11.7% - -
2011 14.6% 10.6% - -
2010 14.1% 12.8% 28.6% 30%
2009 15.7% 11.5% 26.7% 31.2%
2008 16.8% 10.6% 22.9% 37.3%
2007 14.2% 13.5% 25.7% 42.7%
2006 18.7% 15.2% 26.3% 45%
2005 17.9% 18.3% 28.2% 50.7%
2004 15.1% 21.1% 31.3% 113%
2003 15.7% 21.9% 32.6% 133.4%
2002 15.6% 23.4% 28.5% 132.4%
2001 13.6% 21% 28% 144.5%
2000 13.3% 18.2% 27.4% 152.1%
1999 15.7% 22.2% 28% 147.7%
1998 16.9% 29.6% 28.8% 151.2%
1997 17.4% 30.9% 29% 147.6%
1996 17.3% 29.3% 27.7% 141.5%
1995 21% 31.2% 29.8% 152.6%
1994 23% 41.7% 30.3% 163%
1993 27.2% 25.6% 29.4% 171.9%
1992 14.4% 25.2% 34.2% 173.6%
1991 14% 29.3% 34.3% 182.4%
1990 16.4% 37% 28.3% 189.8%
1989 20% 48.8% - -
1988 23.6% 53.2% - -
1987 18.6% 48.6% - -
1986 19% 47.4% - -
1985 21.6% 8.73% - -
1984 23.7% 10% - -
1983 27.5% 35.7% - -
1982 29.7% 47.7% - -
1981 33.7% 47.6% - -
1980 35.8% 35.5% - -
1979 - - - -
1978 - - - -
1977 - 9.23% - -
1976 - 6.92% - -
1975 - 8.81% - -
1974 - 6.68% - -
1973 - 12.8% - -
1972 - 12.7% - -
1971 - 14.2% - -
1970 - 14.1% - -
1969 - - - -
1968 23.6% - - -
1967 22.3% - - -
1966 20.5% - - -
1965 16.3% 14.9% - -
1964 15.4% 15.2% - -
1963 14.8% 12.4% - -
1962 15.6% 13.4% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1995, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Iran's government spending was $48.7B, accounting for 13.4% of its GDP, while Syria spent $17.6B, or 28.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 37.3% in Iran and 30% in Syria, ranking 139/185 and 155/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Iran

Syria
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Iran Syria
2025 -5.65% -
2024 -2.68% -
2023 -3.04% -
2022 -2.64% -
2021 -3.01% -
2020 -4.87% -
2019 -4.3% -
2018 -1.59% -
2017 -1.55% -
2016 -1.7% -
2015 -1.3% -
2014 -0.91% -
2013 -0.72% -
2012 -0.5% -
2011 -0.66% -
2010 -0.84% -7.79%
2009 -3.3% -2.89%
2008 -4.39% -2.86%
2007 -2.41% -2.99%
2006 -4.91% -1.12%
2005 -2.44% -4.41%
2004 -2.45% -4.18%
2003 -2.76% -2.7%
2002 -2.88% -2.02%
2001 0.02% 2.3%
2000 5.42% -1.36%
1999 -0.51% -1.47%
1998 -5.03% -2.81%
1997 -1.81% -1.78%
1996 -0.75% -2.83%
1995 -2.63% -3.81%
1994 -3.36% -6%
1993 -5.15% -4.96%
1992 -0.86% -7.26%
1991 -1.64% -6.57%
1990 -1.73% -3.92%
1989 -4.45% -
1988 -10.3% -
1987 -6.84% -
1986 -7.84% -
1985 -3.74% -
1984 -4.02% -
1983 -6.15% -
1982 -5.55% -
1981 -10.7% -
1980 -14.2% -
1979 - -
1978 - -
1977 - -
1976 - -
1975 - -
1974 - -
1973 - -
1972 - -
1971 - -
1970 - -
1969 - -
1968 -4.57% -
1967 -4% -
1966 -2.63% -
1965 -1.23% -
1964 -0.04% -
1963 0.26% -
1962 -1.39% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2010, Iran's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $4.1B, equivalent to 0.84% of GDP. This compares to Syria's deficit of $4.78B, or 7.79% of GDP.

Over the past 21 years, Iran recorded a fiscal deficit in 19 of those years, while Syria ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, Iran posted an annual deficit equal to 2.11% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.4% of GDP for Syria.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Iran

Syria
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Iran Syria
2025 42.2% -
2024 32.5% -
2023 44.6% -
2022 43.5% -
2021 43.4% -
2020 30.6% -
2019 39.9% 13.4%
2018 18% 0.94%
2017 8.04% 18.1%
2016 7.25% 47.7%
2015 12.5% 38.5%
2014 16.6% 10.9%
2013 36.6% 40%
2012 27.3% 36.7%
2011 26.3% 4.75%
2010 10.1% 4.4%
2009 13.6% 2.92%
2008 25.4% 15.7%
2007 17.3% 3.91%
2006 10% 10%
2005 13.4% 7.24%
2004 14.8% 4.43%
2003 16.5% 5.8%
2002 14.3% -0.13%
2001 11.3% 3%
2000 14.5% -3.85%
1999 20.1% -3.7%
1998 17.9% -0.8%
1997 17.3% 1.89%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 23 years, Iran has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 17.8%, compared with 11.4% in Syria. In 2019, inflation was 42.2% in Iran and 13.4% in Syria.

Top exports between countries

Iran
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $59.3M
Chemicals & pharma $33M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $18.5M
Animal & marine products $18.5M
Raw materials & minerals $15.7M
Raw agricultural goods $11.1M
Textiles & consumer goods $6.58M
Metals $6.2M
Miscellaneous $5.74M
Wood & paper products $114K
Syria
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $5.61M
Chemicals & pharma $4.15M
Textiles & consumer goods $2.93M
Machinery & equipment $1.04M
Wood & paper products $577K
Metals $372K
Raw agricultural goods $230K
Precious metals & jewellery $162K
Raw materials & minerals $117K
Miscellaneous $73K

Balance of trade

Iran Syria
Current account balance
$12.5B
2000
-$367M
2010
Current account balance ranking
22/190
2000
99/190
2010
Current account balance, % of GDP
+11.4%
2000
-0.6%
2010
Goods imports
$15.2B
2000
$15.9B
2010
Goods exports
$28.3B
2000
$12.3B
2010
Service imports
$2.3B
2000
$3.53B
2010
Service exports
$1.38B
2000
$7.33B
2010
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
34.5%
2025
28.7%
2022
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
25.8%
2025
6.78%
2022

Economic freedom indices

The indices of economic freedom below are issued by the Heritage Foundation. Higher scores indicate stronger economic health.

Iran Syria
Economic freedom 41.8 51.2
Economic freedom ranking 185/197 155/197
Property rights 20.2 4
Government integrity 16.2 3.6
Judicial effectiveness 18.7 3.7
Tax burden 81.3 87.3
Government spending 94.7 78.5
Fiscal health 83.3 13.8
Business freedom 37.4 33.8
Labor freedom 41.8 37.2
Monetary freedom 42.2 80
Trade freedom 55.8 47
Investment freedom 5 0
Financial freedom 5 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Iran
Syria
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Iran Syria
2026 41.8 -
2025 42.5 -
2024 41.2 -
2023 42.2 -
2022 42.4 -
2021 47.2 -
2020 49.2 -
2019 51.1 -
2018 50.9 -
2017 50.5 -
2016 43.5 -
2015 41.8 -
2014 40.3 -
2013 43.2 -
2012 42.3 51.2
2011 42.1 51.3
2010 43.4 49.4
2009 44.6 51.3
2008 45 47.2
2007 45 48.3
2006 45 51.2
2005 50.5 46.3
2004 42.8 40.6
2003 43.2 41.3
2002 36.4 36.3
2001 35.9 36.6
2000 36.1 37.2
1999 36.8 39
1998 36 42.2
1997 34.5 43
1996 36.1 42.3

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Iran is 41.8, ranking 185/197, 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

Iran Syria
Services, % of GDP
47.1%
2025
44.7%
2022
Industry, % of GDP
39.6%
2025
11.9%
2022
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
10.6%
2025
42.9%
2022
GNI, Atlas method
$429B
2025
$18.2B
2023
GNI per capita, PPP
$19,660
2025
$4,480
2023
Total reserves including gold
$7.69B
1982
$20.6B
2010
Total reserves ranking
89/177
1982
66/177
2010
Net foreign direct investment
-$39M
2000
-$1.47B
2010
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.45B
2024
$0
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$89.4M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.08%
2024
0.15%
2023
Poverty at national poverty lines
18.7%
2020
35.2%
2007
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
41.8%
2025
16%
1969

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1995, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2010–2023, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-07-08)

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.