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Economy of Jamaica vs Syria compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Jamaica has a GDP of $22.7B compared to $20B for Syria, ranking 125/197 and 134/197 by economy size, respectively.

Jamaica has $15.4B in government debt (67.7% of GDP), compared to $18.4B (30% of GDP) in Syria.

Jamaica vs Syria GDP by year

Jamaica
Syria
1x
Year GDP, current $
Jamaica Syria
2025 $22,704,903,218 -
2024 $22,014,429,051 -
2023 $21,418,797,833 $19,993,439,950
2022 $18,813,516,805 $23,737,634,644
2021 $15,963,885,376 $14,892,885,528
2020 $15,000,214,216 $12,501,503,673
2019 $17,026,269,263 $22,583,046,645
2018 $16,855,447,986 $21,497,779,248
2017 $15,783,583,237 $16,369,842,725
2016 $14,898,999,754 $12,597,854,088
2015 $14,963,589,916 $16,466,861,435
2014 $13,899,217,680 $21,502,061,466
2013 $14,264,205,153 $21,361,254,635
2012 $14,807,086,556 $43,190,318,033
2011 $14,444,661,522 $67,539,433,544
2010 $13,220,549,908 $61,390,833,273
2009 $12,120,458,115 $54,111,721,044
2008 $13,709,401,520 $52,557,913,397
2007 $12,799,600,047 $40,465,331,020
2006 $11,930,179,090 $33,751,812,959
2005 $11,243,865,778 $28,858,937,499
2004 $10,174,664,854 $25,086,910,448
2003 $9,430,234,811 $21,828,144,686
2002 $9,719,009,495 $20,786,986,580
2001 $9,194,727,831 $20,078,599,626
2000 $9,005,064,475 $18,937,031,610
1999 $8,887,057,997 $15,873,875,969
1998 $8,787,195,622 $15,200,846,154
1997 $8,400,041,724 $14,505,233,463
1996 $7,393,891,921 $13,789,560,878
1995 $6,577,520,643 $11,396,706,587
1994 $5,452,558,947 $10,122,020,000
1993 $5,440,075,676 $13,695,962,055
1992 $3,535,460,090 $13,253,565,861
1991 $4,106,207,649 $12,981,833,333
1990 $4,592,208,087 $12,308,624,418
1989 $4,404,937,853 $9,853,395,762
1988 $3,828,342,820 $10,577,041,645
1987 $3,287,007,322 $11,356,215,543
1986 $2,754,549,582 $13,293,205,278
1985 $2,100,239,019 $16,403,539,893
1984 $2,373,564,549 $17,503,078,174
1983 $3,619,262,277 $17,589,277,143
1982 $3,293,496,312 $16,298,929,011
1981 $2,979,027,966 $15,518,201,335
1980 $2,679,379,372 $13,062,420,382
1979 $2,425,064,229 $9,929,681,529
1978 $2,644,527,822 $9,275,200,458
1977 $3,249,733,140 $7,696,011,396
1976 $2,966,042,856 $7,633,528,867
1975 $2,860,442,750 $6,826,980,444
1974 $2,375,122,375 $5,159,557,148
1973 $1,905,917,553 $3,239,487,516
1972 $1,875,146,587 $3,059,681,698
1971 $1,539,861,816 $2,589,851,325
1970 $1,404,720,442 $2,140,384,010
1969 $1,191,239,047 $2,245,011,515
1968 $1,083,839,133 $1,753,746,430
1967 $1,148,014,311 $1,580,229,799
1966 $1,096,759,561 $1,342,287,553
1965 $972,159,611 $1,472,036,540
1964 $897,949,001 $1,339,494,267
1963 $826,706,669 $1,200,447,408
1962 $777,727,689 $1,110,565,881
1961 $748,043,501 $945,244,972
1960 $699,064,380 $857,704,413

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

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

GDP per capita in Jamaica vs Syria by year

Jamaica
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Syria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Jamaica Syria
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $8,003 - - -
2024 $7,754 $12,890 - -
2023 $7,542 $12,651 $847 $4,650
2022 $6,626 $11,888 $1,057 $4,772
2021 $5,626 $10,431 $689 $4,593
2020 $5,299 $9,764 $594 $3,738
2019 $6,031 $10,845 $1,110 $3,502
2018 $5,977 $10,753 $1,098 $3,456
2017 $5,605 $10,466 $852 $3,265
2016 $5,302 $9,948 $656 -
2015 $5,339 $9,476 $848 -
2014 $4,975 $9,210 $1,061 -
2013 $5,124 $9,101 $986 -
2012 $5,341 $8,831 $1,898 -
2011 $5,233 $8,809 $2,952 -
2010 $4,810 $8,521 $2,731 -
2009 $4,428 $8,580 $2,462 -
2008 $5,030 $8,952 $2,429 -
2007 $4,716 $8,893 $1,938 -
2006 $4,417 $8,577 $1,719 -
2005 $4,184 $8,127 $1,534 -
2004 $3,808 $7,854 $1,368 -
2003 $3,550 $7,593 $1,220 -
2002 $3,681 $7,226 $1,190 -
2001 $3,504 $7,019 $1,178 -
2000 $3,453 $6,816 $1,138 -
1999 $3,432 $6,653 $978 -
1998 $3,419 $6,543 $961 -
1997 $3,297 $6,682 $941 -
1996 $2,929 $6,706 $918 -
1995 $2,631 $6,657 $780 -
1994 $2,203 $6,435 $712 -
1993 $2,221 $6,279 $993 -
1992 $1,458 $5,664 $990 -
1991 $1,710 $5,485 $1,000 -
1990 $1,930 $5,106 $978 -
1989 $1,865 - $809 -
1988 $1,632 - $898 -
1987 $1,411 - $997 -
1986 $1,191 - $1,208 -
1985 $917 - $1,544 -
1984 $1,048 - $1,706 -
1983 $1,619 - $1,776 -
1982 $1,494 - $1,703 -
1981 $1,370 - $1,676 -
1980 $1,249 - $1,458 -
1979 $1,144 - $1,146 -
1978 $1,262 - $1,108 -
1977 $1,569 - $951 -
1976 $1,450 - $976 -
1975 $1,417 - $904 -
1974 $1,193 - $707 -
1973 $972 - $459 -
1972 $971 - $448 -
1971 $809 - $393 -
1970 $748 - $335 -
1969 $642 - $364 -
1968 $591 - $293.3 -
1967 $633 - $272.9 -
1966 $612 - $239.3 -
1965 $549 - $270.8 -
1964 $514 - $254.2 -
1963 $480 - $234.9 -
1962 $458 - $223.9 -
1961 $447 - $196.3 -
1960 $424 - $183.5 -

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

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

Jamaica's GDP per capita is $8,003, ranking 98/197, compared to $847 in Syria, ranking 185/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Jamaica ranks 121st at $12,890, while Syria ranks 160th at $4,650.

Economic indicators

Jamaica Syria
Gross domestic product
$22.7B
2025
$20B
2023
GDP rank
125/197
2025
134/197
2023
GDP growth
0.08%
2024-2025
-1.85%
2022-2023
GDP per capita
$8,003
2025
$847
2023
GDP per capita rank
98/197
2025
185/197
2023
GDP per capita, PPP
$12,890
2024
$4,650
2023
GDP per capita PPP rank
121/197
2024
160/197
2023
Government debt
$15.4B
2025
$18.4B
2010
Debt-to-GDP ratio
67.7%
2025
30%
2010
Government debt per person
$5,419
2025
$820
2010
Government debt per person rank
80/185
2025
150/185
2010
Average annual personal income after taxes
$8,390
2026
$693
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$11.6B
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
29.6%
2021
20.9%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2.2%
2021
3.8%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
33.8%
2025
28.6%
2010
Consumer prices inflation
4%
2024-2025
13.4%
2018-2019
Central bank interest rate
5.75%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
3.02%
2023
14.9%
2011
Population
2834177
26956472

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Jamaica
Spending

Debt
Syria
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Jamaica Syria
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 33.8% 67.7% - -
2024 30.1% 62.5% - -
2023 27.7% 66.5% - -
2022 27.1% 70.2% - -
2021 27.6% 86.3% - -
2020 30.1% 101.3% - -
2019 27.5% 87.7% - -
2018 27.5% 88.3% - -
2017 26.9% 95.1% - -
2016 26.5% 106.9% - -
2015 25.9% 115.9% - -
2014 26.1% 134.4% - -
2013 26.3% 135.2% - -
2012 29.1% 140.3% - -
2011 31.2% 135.9% - -
2010 32.3% 137.8% 28.6% 30%
2009 37.7% 138.3% 26.7% 31.2%
2008 33.9% 123.8% 22.9% 37.3%
2007 30.6% 111.6% 25.7% 42.7%
2006 30.1% 114.2% 26.3% 45%
2005 28.6% 121.5% 28.2% 50.7%
2004 30.7% 116.9% 31.3% 113%
2003 31.1% 120.1% 32.6% 133.4%
2002 30.1% 115.4% 28.5% 132.4%
2001 27.8% 105.3% 28% 144.5%
2000 25.7% 89.5% 27.4% 152.1%
1999 27.9% 80.7% 28% 147.7%
1998 27.9% 75.6% 28.8% 151.2%
1997 27.6% 74.4% 29% 147.6%
1996 27.4% 70.2% 27.7% 141.5%
1995 22.1% 85.2% 29.8% 152.6%
1994 19.9% 90.4% 30.3% 163%
1993 19.6% 106.2% 29.4% 171.9%
1992 18.2% 100.4% 34.2% 173.6%
1991 19.9% 175.1% 34.3% 182.4%
1990 22.6% 128.8% 28.3% 189.8%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990–1998, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Jamaica's government spending was $7.68B, accounting for 33.8% of its GDP, while Syria spent $17.6B, or 28.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 67.7% in Jamaica and 30% in Syria, ranking 62/185 and 155/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Jamaica

Syria
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Jamaica Syria
2025 -3.77% -
2024 0.22% -
2023 0.04% -
2022 0.26% -
2021 0.84% -
2020 -2.87% -
2019 0.85% -
2018 1.1% -
2017 0.42% -
2016 -0.18% -
2015 -0.28% -
2014 -0.48% -
2013 0.12% -
2012 -3.97% -
2011 -6.24% -
2010 -6.17% -7.79%
2009 -10.8% -2.89%
2008 -7.32% -2.86%
2007 -3.7% -2.99%
2006 -4.74% -1.12%
2005 -3.22% -4.41%
2004 -4.56% -4.18%
2003 -5.42% -2.7%
2002 -6.55% -2.02%
2001 -4.77% 2.3%
2000 -0.78% -1.36%
1999 -3.41% -1.47%
1998 -5.73% -2.81%
1997 -6.39% -1.78%
1996 -5.25% -2.83%
1995 1.53% -3.81%
1994 2.4% -6%
1993 2.37% -4.96%
1992 2.83% -7.26%
1991 3.14% -6.57%
1990 2.06% -3.92%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2010, Jamaica's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $816M, equivalent to 6.17% of GDP. This compares to Syria's deficit of $4.78B, or 7.79% of GDP.

Over the past 21 years, Jamaica recorded a fiscal deficit in 15 of those years, while Syria ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, Jamaica posted an annual deficit equal to 3.07% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.4% of GDP for Syria.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Jamaica

Syria
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Jamaica Syria
2025 4% -
2024 5.41% -
2023 6.47% -
2022 10.3% -
2021 5.86% -
2020 5.23% -
2019 3.91% 13.4%
2018 3.74% 0.94%
2017 4.38% 18.1%
2016 2.35% 47.7%
2015 3.69% 38.5%
2014 8.27% 10.9%
2013 9.34% 40%
2012 6.87% 36.7%
2011 7.56% 4.75%
2010 12.6% 4.4%
2009 9.59% 2.92%
2008 22% 15.7%
2007 9.24% 3.91%
2006 8.56% 10%
2005 15.1% 7.24%
2004 13.6% 4.43%
2003 10.1% 5.8%
2002 7.08% -0.13%
2001 6.8% 3%
2000 8.17% -3.85%
1999 5.95% -3.7%
1998 8.63% -0.8%
1997 9.66% 1.89%

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

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

Over the past 23 years, Jamaica has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 8.57%, compared with 11.4% in Syria. In 2019, inflation was 4% in Jamaica and 13.4% in Syria.

Balance of trade

Jamaica Syria
Current account balance
$679M
2024
-$367M
2010
Current account balance ranking
53/190
2024
99/190
2010
Current account balance, % of GDP
+3.08%
2024
-0.6%
2010
Goods imports
$6.07B
2024
$15.9B
2010
Goods exports
$1.87B
2024
$12.3B
2010
Service imports
$3.46B
2024
$3.53B
2010
Service exports
$5.26B
2024
$7.33B
2010
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
52.1%
2019
28.7%
2022
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
38%
2019
6.78%
2022

Economic freedom indices

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

Jamaica Syria
Economic freedom 68.2 51.2
Economic freedom ranking 48/197 155/197
Property rights 66.8 4
Government integrity 49.4 3.6
Judicial effectiveness 75.6 3.7
Tax burden 76.3 87.3
Government spending 76 78.5
Fiscal health 92.2 13.8
Business freedom 68.5 33.8
Labor freedom 59.2 37.2
Monetary freedom 74.2 80
Trade freedom 70.4 47
Investment freedom 60 0
Financial freedom 50 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Jamaica
Syria
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Jamaica Syria
2026 68.2 -
2025 68.7 -
2024 68.1 -
2023 68.1 -
2022 67.4 -
2021 69 -
2020 68.5 -
2019 68.6 -
2018 69.1 -
2017 69.5 -
2016 67.5 -
2015 67.7 -
2014 66.7 -
2013 66.8 -
2012 65.1 51.2
2011 65.7 51.3
2010 65.5 49.4
2009 65.2 51.3
2008 65.7 47.2
2007 65.5 48.3
2006 66.4 51.2
2005 67 46.3
2004 66.7 40.6
2003 67 41.3
2002 61.7 36.3
2001 63.7 36.6
2000 65.5 37.2
1999 64.7 39
1998 67.1 42.2
1997 67.7 43
1996 66.7 42.3
1995 64.4 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Jamaica is 68.2, ranking 48/197, 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

Jamaica Syria
Services, % of GDP
59.8%
2025
44.7%
2022
Industry, % of GDP
16.3%
2025
11.9%
2022
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
8.74%
2025
42.9%
2022
GNI, Atlas method
$22.1B
2025
$18.2B
2023
GNI per capita, PPP
$13,090
2025
$4,480
2023
Total reserves including gold
$6.3B
2025
$20.6B
2010
Total reserves ranking
92/177
2025
66/177
2010
Net foreign direct investment
-$304M
2024
-$1.47B
2010
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$305M
2024
$0
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$1.07M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
11.3%
2024
0.15%
2023
Poverty at national poverty lines
8.2%
2023
35.2%
2007
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
22.6%
2019
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/jamaica/syria | CC BY

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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. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990–1998, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. LivingCost (2026, 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.