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Economy of Kiribati vs Syria compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Kiribati has a GDP of $349M compared to $20B for Syria, ranking 192/197 and 134/197 by economy size, respectively.

Kiribati has $27.8M in government debt (7.95% of GDP), compared to $18.4B (30% of GDP) in Syria.

Kiribati vs Syria GDP by year

Kiribati
Syria
1x
Year GDP, current $
Kiribati Syria
2025 $349,227,254 -
2024 $343,153,235 -
2023 $291,657,338 $19,993,439,950
2022 $271,214,375 $23,737,634,644
2021 $285,451,584 $14,892,885,528
2020 $220,909,307 $12,501,503,673
2019 $216,891,541 $22,583,046,645
2018 $233,859,230 $21,497,779,248
2017 $223,029,865 $16,369,842,725
2016 $206,467,819 $12,597,854,088
2015 $191,559,399 $16,466,861,435
2014 $200,287,282 $21,502,061,466
2013 $201,730,861 $21,361,254,635
2012 $207,001,546 $43,190,318,033
2011 $195,970,140 $67,539,433,544
2010 $165,458,433 $61,390,833,273
2009 $140,177,384 $54,111,721,044
2008 $147,017,895 $52,557,913,397
2007 $138,054,946 $40,465,331,020
2006 $112,338,353 $33,751,812,959
2005 $113,895,437 $28,858,937,499
2004 $104,085,892 $25,086,910,448
2003 $96,105,619 $21,828,144,686
2002 $74,743,869 $20,786,986,580
2001 $64,935,850 $20,078,599,626
2000 $74,910,527 $18,937,031,610
1999 $77,323,978 $15,873,875,969
1998 $74,905,706 $15,200,846,154
1997 $80,205,807 $14,505,233,463
1996 $81,456,854 $13,789,560,878
1995 $68,596,395 $11,396,706,587
1994 $67,055,334 $10,122,020,000
1993 $58,953,596 $13,695,962,055
1992 $61,491,369 $13,253,565,861
1991 $41,247,792 $12,981,833,333
1990 $36,534,295 $12,308,624,418
1989 $37,645,319 $9,853,395,762
1988 $38,278,810 $10,577,041,645
1987 $29,554,413 $11,356,215,543
1986 $25,993,009 $13,293,205,278
1985 $26,126,615 $16,403,539,893
1984 $34,394,167 $17,503,078,174
1983 $31,000,546 $17,589,277,143
1982 $32,742,713 $16,298,929,011
1981 $35,267,489 $15,518,201,335
1980 $33,157,723 $13,062,420,382
1979 $34,466,197 $9,929,681,529
1978 $36,563,965 $9,275,200,458
1977 $31,335,459 $7,696,011,396
1976 $33,246,817 $7,633,528,867
1975 $44,547,454 $6,826,980,444
1974 $69,256,489 $5,159,557,148
1973 $25,645,040 $3,239,487,516
1972 $15,314,346 $3,059,681,698
1971 $12,356,134 $2,589,851,325
1970 $11,560,877 $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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Kiribati vs Syria by year

Kiribati
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Syria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Kiribati Syria
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $2,559 - - -
2024 $2,551 $3,702 - -
2023 $2,201 $3,486 $847 $4,650
2022 $2,079 $3,329 $1,057 $4,772
2021 $2,224 $3,020 $689 $4,593
2020 $1,752 $2,711 $594 $3,738
2019 $1,750 $2,763 $1,110 $3,502
2018 $1,916 $2,672 $1,098 $3,456
2017 $1,854 $2,562 $852 $3,265
2016 $1,743 $2,463 $656 -
2015 $1,640 $2,311 $848 -
2014 $1,737 $2,084 $1,061 -
2013 $1,772 $2,049 $986 -
2012 $1,844 $1,896 $1,898 -
2011 $1,771 $1,786 $2,952 -
2010 $1,522 $1,724 $2,731 -
2009 $1,317 $1,718 $2,462 -
2008 $1,411 $1,735 $2,429 -
2007 $1,353 $1,792 $1,938 -
2006 $1,123 $1,728 $1,719 -
2005 $1,162 $1,617 $1,534 -
2004 $1,083 $1,579 $1,368 -
2003 $1,021 $1,578 $1,220 -
2002 $810 $1,605 $1,190 -
2001 $719 $1,591 $1,178 -
2000 $845 $1,638 $1,138 -
1999 $887 $1,526 $978 -
1998 $874 $1,593 $961 -
1997 $953 $1,535 $941 -
1996 $986 $1,519 $918 -
1995 $844 $1,518 $780 -
1994 $838 $1,469 $712 -
1993 $748 $1,431 $993 -
1992 $792 $1,421 $990 -
1991 $540 $1,139 $1,000 -
1990 $488 $1,192 $978 -
1989 $515 - $809 -
1988 $536 - $898 -
1987 $424 - $997 -
1986 $382 - $1,208 -
1985 $393 - $1,544 -
1984 $527 - $1,706 -
1983 $483 - $1,776 -
1982 $519 - $1,703 -
1981 $568 - $1,676 -
1980 $542 - $1,458 -
1979 $573 - $1,146 -
1978 $611 - $1,108 -
1977 $520 - $951 -
1976 $548 - $976 -
1975 $730 - $904 -
1974 $1,131 - $707 -
1973 $422 - $459 -
1972 $256.2 - $448 -
1971 $210.7 - $393 -
1970 $201 - $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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Kiribati's GDP per capita is $2,559, ranking 152/197, compared to $847 in Syria, ranking 185/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Kiribati ranks 169th at $3,702, while Syria ranks 160th at $4,650.

Economic indicators

Kiribati Syria
Gross domestic product
$349M
2025
$20B
2023
GDP rank
192/197
2025
134/197
2023
GDP growth
4.22%
2024-2025
-1.85%
2022-2023
GDP per capita
$2,559
2025
$847
2023
GDP per capita rank
152/197
2025
185/197
2023
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,702
2024
$4,650
2023
GDP per capita PPP rank
169/197
2024
160/197
2023
Government debt
$27.8M
2025
$18.4B
2010
Debt-to-GDP ratio
7.95%
2025
30%
2010
Government debt per person
$203.4
2025
$820
2010
Government debt per person rank
181/185
2025
150/185
2010
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,170
2026
$693
2026
Income share by richest 10%
20.9%
2023
20.9%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
4.4%
2023
3.8%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
88.2%
2025
28.6%
2010
Consumer prices inflation
6.5%
2024-2025
13.4%
2018-2019
Unemployment rate
2.79%
2023
14.9%
2011
Population
139471
26956472

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Kiribati
Spending

Debt
Syria
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Kiribati Syria
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 88.2% 7.95% - -
2024 86.1% 8.9% - -
2023 94.4% 11.3% - -
2022 87.2% 16.2% - -
2021 84% 17.3% - -
2020 102.2% 21% - -
2019 108.3% 18.5% - -
2018 108.8% 19% - -
2017 92.1% 20.2% - -
2016 99% 21.2% - -
2015 90.9% 18.8% - -
2014 101.2% 8.97% - -
2013 78% 8.86% - -
2012 83.9% 8.13% - -
2011 80.9% 8.8% - -
2010 75.7% 9.43% 28.6% 30%
2009 74.7% 10.3% 26.7% 31.2%
2008 79.4% 13.9% 22.9% 37.3%
2007 77.3% 11.1% 25.7% 42.7%
2006 82.1% 12.9% 26.3% 45%
2005 95.6% 12.1% 28.2% 50.7%
2004 103.8% 13.6% 31.3% 113%
2003 84.4% 12.3% 32.6% 133.4%
2002 96.9% 13.3% 28.5% 132.4%
2001 101.3% 17% 28% 144.5%
2000 66% 12.7% 27.4% 152.1%
1999 77.6% 11.8% 28% 147.7%
1998 74.7% 9.81% 28.8% 151.2%
1997 70.9% 10.7% 29% 147.6%
1996 68.4% 11% 27.7% 141.5%
1995 69.6% 12.3% 29.8% 152.6%
1994 54.6% 12.3% 30.3% 163%
1993 55.3% 10.9% 29.4% 171.9%
1992 65.9% 7.31% 34.2% 173.6%
1991 82.1% 8.43% 34.3% 182.4%
1990 105.5% 7.72% 28.3% 189.8%

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

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

In 2025, Kiribati's government spending was $308M, accounting for 88.2% of its GDP, while Syria spent $17.6B, or 28.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 7.95% in Kiribati and 30% in Syria, ranking 182/185 and 155/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Kiribati

Syria
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Kiribati Syria
2025 -14.5% -
2024 -14.1% -
2023 1.81% -
2022 -18.2% -
2021 -10.8% -
2020 3.57% -
2019 10.8% -
2018 5.18% -
2017 34.1% -
2016 20.1% -
2015 42.5% -
2014 35% -
2013 11.8% -
2012 -5.43% -
2011 -17.6% -
2010 -7.8% -7.79%
2009 -8.56% -2.89%
2008 -15.8% -2.86%
2007 -12.5% -2.99%
2006 -12.3% -1.12%
2005 -9.96% -4.41%
2004 -19.2% -4.18%
2003 -8.93% -2.7%
2002 3.13% -2.02%
2001 -10.9% 2.3%
2000 -0.03% -1.36%
1999 -1.81% -1.47%
1998 14.6% -2.81%
1997 5.92% -1.78%
1996 -20.2% -2.83%
1995 -5.14% -3.81%
1994 0.74% -6%
1993 6.27% -4.96%
1992 0.79% -7.26%
1991 3.87% -6.57%
1990 -4.62% -3.92%

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

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

In 2010, Kiribati's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $12.9M, equivalent to 7.8% of GDP. This compares to Syria's deficit of $4.78B, or 7.79% of GDP.

Over the past 21 years, Kiribati recorded a fiscal deficit in 14 of those years, while Syria ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, Kiribati posted an annual deficit equal to 4.88% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.4% of GDP for Syria.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Kiribati

Syria
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Kiribati Syria
2025 6.5% -
2024 2.5% -
2023 9.3% -
2022 5.3% -
2021 2.1% -
2020 2.6% -
2019 -1.8% 13.4%
2018 0.6% 0.94%
2017 0.4% 18.1%
2016 1.9% 47.7%
2015 0.6% 38.5%
2014 2.1% 10.9%
2013 -1.5% 40%
2012 -3% 36.7%
2011 1.5% 4.75%
2010 -3.9% 4.4%
2009 9.8% 2.92%
2008 13.7% 15.7%
2007 3.6% 3.91%
2006 -1% 10%
2005 -0.4% 7.24%
2004 -0.7% 4.43%
2003 1.6% 5.8%
2002 3.2% -0.13%
2001 6% 3%
2000 0.4% -3.85%
1999 1.8% -3.7%
1998 3.7% -0.8%
1997 2.6% 1.89%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2019, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 23 years, Kiribati has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.79%, compared with 11.4% in Syria. In 2019, inflation was 6.5% in Kiribati and 13.4% in Syria.

Balance of trade

Kiribati Syria
Current account balance
-$61.3M
2025
-$367M
2010
Current account balance ranking
77/190
2025
99/190
2010
Current account balance, % of GDP
-17.6%
2025
-0.6%
2010
Goods imports
$270M
2025
$15.9B
2010
Goods exports
$17.3M
2025
$12.3B
2010
Service imports
$110M
2025
$3.53B
2010
Service exports
$8.63M
2025
$7.33B
2010
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
97.6%
2024
28.7%
2022
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
4.52%
2024
6.78%
2022

Economic freedom indices

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

Kiribati Syria
Economic freedom 50.8 51.2
Economic freedom ranking 158/197 155/197
Property rights 69.6 4
Government integrity 50.5 3.6
Judicial effectiveness 54.6 3.7
Tax burden 72.6 87.3
Government spending 0 78.5
Fiscal health 19.8 13.8
Business freedom 60.2 33.8
Labor freedom 65.3 37.2
Monetary freedom 76.7 80
Trade freedom 80 47
Investment freedom 30 0
Financial freedom 30 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Kiribati
Syria
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Kiribati Syria
2026 50.8 -
2025 50.9 -
2024 51.3 -
2023 58.8 -
2022 59.2 -
2021 44.4 -
2020 45.2 -
2019 47.3 -
2018 50.8 -
2017 50.9 -
2016 46.2 -
2015 46.4 -
2014 46.3 -
2013 45.9 -
2012 46.9 51.2
2011 44.8 51.3
2010 43.7 49.4
2009 45.7 51.3
2008 - 47.2
2007 - 48.3
2006 - 51.2
2005 - 46.3
2004 - 40.6
2003 - 41.3
2002 - 36.3
2001 - 36.6
2000 - 37.2
1999 - 39
1998 - 42.2
1997 - 43
1996 - 42.3

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Kiribati is 50.8, ranking 158/197, 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

Kiribati Syria
Services, % of GDP
70.3%
2024
44.7%
2022
Industry, % of GDP
11.8%
2024
11.9%
2022
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
23.2%
2024
42.9%
2022
GNI, Atlas method
$537M
2025
$18.2B
2023
GNI per capita, PPP
$6,080
2025
$4,480
2023
Total reserves including gold n/a
$20.6B
2010
Total reserves ranking n/a
66/177
2010
Net foreign direct investment
-$4.14M
2025
-$1.47B
2010
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$8.07M
2024
$0
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$16.4K
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
0.15%
2023
Poverty at national poverty lines
5.5%
2023
35.2%
2007
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
29.9%
2024
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/kiribati/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 (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. 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.