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Economy of Myanmar vs Syria compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Myanmar has a GDP of $74.1B compared to $20B for Syria, ranking 85/197 and 129/197 by economy size, respectively.

Myanmar has $44B in government debt (59.3% of GDP), compared to $18.4B (30% of GDP) in Syria.

Myanmar vs Syria GDP by year

Myanmar
Syria
1x
Year GDP, current $
Myanmar Syria
2024 $74,068,349,524 -
2023 $66,757,619,000 $19,993,439,950
2022 $62,253,049,903 $23,622,827,080
2021 $66,345,291,149 $14,353,205,678
2020 $79,006,113,670 $12,047,752,036
2019 $75,065,106,243 $22,583,045,060
2018 $67,860,515,993 $21,497,782,868
2017 $66,053,040,475 $16,369,843,352
2016 $63,298,361,984 $12,597,854,877
2015 $59,607,290,408 $16,466,863,117
2014 $65,531,374,210 $21,502,061,466
2013 $60,269,732,855 $21,361,254,635
2012 $59,937,796,648 $43,190,318,033
2011 $59,977,326,086 $67,539,428,159
2010 $49,540,813,342 $61,390,830,875
2009 $36,906,181,381 $54,111,735,629
2008 $31,862,554,102 $52,557,913,569
2007 $20,182,477,481 $40,465,318,382
2006 $14,502,553,710 $33,751,788,856
2005 $11,986,972,419 $28,858,965,517
2004 $10,567,354,056 $25,086,950,495
2003 $10,467,109,978 $21,828,144,686
2002 $6,777,632,512 $20,669,357,462
2001 $6,477,790,688 $20,237,024,725
2000 $8,905,066,164 $18,937,052,543
1999 $8,486,832,801 $15,873,875,969
1998 $6,459,461,639 $15,200,846,154
1997 $4,722,288,496 $14,505,233,463
1996 $6,123,556,717 $13,789,560,878
1995 $5,289,174,943 $11,396,706,587
1994 $4,432,257,174 $10,122,020,000
1993 $3,163,020,035 $13,695,962,055
1992 $2,411,552,289 $13,253,565,861
1991 $2,069,832,687 $12,981,833,333
1990 $2,115,193,513 $12,308,624,418
1989 $2,013,448,229 $9,853,395,762
1988 $1,541,088,312 $10,577,041,645
1987 $1,562,448,077 $11,356,215,543
1986 $1,582,873,750 $13,293,205,278
1985 $1,478,908,173 $16,403,539,893
1984 $1,304,063,253 $17,503,078,174
1983 $1,381,573,615 $17,589,277,143
1982 $1,481,165,468 $16,298,929,011
1981 $1,111,000,765 $15,518,201,335
1980 $1,038,225,167 $13,062,420,382
1979 $952,265,043 $9,929,681,529
1978 $935,408,775 $9,275,200,458
1977 $873,579,932 $7,696,011,396
1976 $1,204,699,849 $7,633,528,867
1975 $1,061,107,354 $6,826,980,444
1974 $1,225,589,878 $5,159,557,148
1973 $719,754,655 $3,239,487,516
1972 $662,213,083 $3,059,681,698
1971 $587,448,405 $2,589,851,325
1970 $563,555,631 $2,140,384,010
1969 $571,854,215 $2,245,011,515
1968 $559,956,130 $1,753,746,430
1967 $420,359,036 $1,580,229,799
1966 $293,103,479 $1,342,287,553
1965 $367,053,117 $1,472,036,540
1964 $411,419,906 $1,339,494,267
1963 $598,998,419 $1,200,447,408
1962 $634,528,872 $1,110,565,881
1961 $605,581,577 $945,244,972
1960 $545,098,448 $857,704,413

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

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

GDP per capita in Myanmar vs Syria by year

Myanmar
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Syria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Myanmar Syria
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,359 $5,997 - -
2023 $1,233 $5,953 $847 $4,650
2022 $1,158 $5,732 $1,052 $4,772
2021 $1,243 $5,178 $664 $4,593
2020 $1,490 $5,741 $572 $3,738
2019 $1,426 $6,101 $1,110 $3,502
2018 $1,298 $5,581 $1,098 $3,456
2017 $1,273 $4,706 $852 $3,265
2016 $1,229 $4,460 $656 -
2015 $1,167 $4,459 $848 -
2014 $1,293 $4,376 $1,061 -
2013 $1,199 $4,144 $986 -
2012 $1,203 $3,845 $1,898 -
2011 $1,214 $3,579 $2,952 -
2010 $1,011 $3,348 $2,731 -
2009 $758 $3,040 $2,462 -
2008 $658 $2,748 $2,429 -
2007 $419 $2,459 $1,938 -
2006 $303 $2,153 $1,719 -
2005 $252.7 $1,860 $1,534 -
2004 $224.5 $1,601 $1,368 -
2003 $224.3 $1,385 $1,220 -
2002 $146.6 $1,204 $1,183 -
2001 $141.5 $1,069 $1,187 -
2000 $196.6 $949 $1,138 -
1999 $189.5 $825 $978 -
1998 $146 $742 $961 -
1997 $108 $702 $941 -
1996 $141.9 $661 $918 -
1995 $124.1 $618 $780 -
1994 $105.4 $573 $712 -
1993 $76.2 $529 $993 -
1992 $58.9 $494 $990 -
1991 $51.2 $447 $1,000 -
1990 $53.1 $441 $978 -
1989 $51.3 - $809 -
1988 $39.9 - $898 -
1987 $41.1 - $997 -
1986 $42.4 - $1,208 -
1985 $40.4 - $1,544 -
1984 $36.3 - $1,706 -
1983 $39.3 - $1,776 -
1982 $43 - $1,703 -
1981 $32.8 - $1,676 -
1980 $31.2 - $1,458 -
1979 $29.2 - $1,146 -
1978 $29.3 - $1,108 -
1977 $27.9 - $951 -
1976 $39.2 - $976 -
1975 $35.2 - $904 -
1974 $41.4 - $707 -
1973 $24.8 - $459 -
1972 $23.3 - $448 -
1971 $21.1 - $393 -
1970 $20.7 - $335 -
1969 $21.5 - $364 -
1968 $21.5 - $293.3 -
1967 $16.5 - $272.9 -
1966 $11.8 - $239.3 -
1965 $15.1 - $270.8 -
1964 $17.3 - $254.2 -
1963 $25.8 - $234.9 -
1962 $27.9 - $223.9 -
1961 $27.3 - $196.3 -
1960 $25.1 - $183.5 -

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

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

Myanmar's GDP per capita is $1,359, ranking 165/197, compared to $847 in Syria, ranking 185/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Myanmar ranks 153rd at $5,997, while Syria ranks 160th at $4,650.

Economic indicators

Myanmar Syria
Gross domestic product
$74.1B
2024
$20B
2023
GDP rank
85/197
2024
129/197
2023
GDP growth
-0.97%
2023-2024
-1.21%
2022-2023
GDP per capita
$1,359
2024
$847
2023
GDP per capita rank
165/197
2024
185/197
2023
GDP per capita, PPP
$5,997
2024
$4,650
2023
GDP per capita PPP rank
153/197
2024
160/197
2023
Government debt
$44B
2024
$18.4B
2010
Debt-to-GDP ratio
59.3%
2024
30%
2010
Government debt per person
$806
2024
$820
2010
Government debt per person rank
150/185
2024
148/185
2010
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,646
2026
$730
2026
Income share by richest 10%
25.5%
2017
21.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
3.8%
2017
3.8%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
20.7%
2024
28.6%
2010
Consumer prices inflation
8.83%
2018-2019
13.4%
2018-2019
Unemployment rate
1.48%
2020
8.61%
2010
Population
55292116
26829400

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Myanmar
Spending

Debt
Syria
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Myanmar Syria
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 20.7% 59.3% - -
2023 21.4% 59.1% - -
2022 21.3% 56.1% - -
2021 20.9% 63.4% - -
2020 21.3% 49.1% - -
2019 20.5% 37.6% - -
2018 18.7% 39.9% - -
2017 19.7% 41.9% - -
2016 21.3% 35.7% - -
2015 23.7% 36.6% - -
2014 24.7% 34.5% - -
2013 23.9% 44.8% - -
2012 20% 48% - -
2011 15.6% 49.9% - -
2010 15.8% 54.4% 28.6% 30%
2009 14.4% 56.4% 26.7% 31.2%
2008 14.4% 59.8% 22.9% 37.3%
2007 15.7% 77.4% 25.7% 42.7%
2006 15.6% 103.1% 26.3% 45%
2005 14.6% 119% 28.2% 50.7%
2004 14.6% 126.6% 31.3% 113%
2003 14.3% 146% 32.6% 133.4%
2002 15.3% 190.6% 28.5% 132.4%
2001 19.1% 262% 28% 144.5%
2000 21.4% 164.5% 27.4% 152.1%
1999 22.8% 150.7% 28% 147.7%
1998 25.2% 208.6% 28.8% 151.2%
1997 - - 29% 147.6%
1996 - - 27.7% 141.5%
1995 - - 29.8% 152.6%
1994 - - 30.3% 163%
1993 - - 29.4% 171.9%
1992 - - 34.2% 173.6%
1991 - - 34.3% 182.4%
1990 - - 28.3% 189.8%

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

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

In 2024, Myanmar's government spending was $15.3B, accounting for 20.7% of its GDP, while Syria spent $17.6B, or 28.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 59.3% in Myanmar and 30% in Syria, ranking 81/185 and 157/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Myanmar

Syria
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Myanmar Syria
2024 -5.06% -
2023 -5.18% -
2022 -2.82% -
2021 -2.47% -
2020 -6.5% -
2019 -4.7% -
2018 -2.77% -
2017 -3.42% -
2016 -2.53% -
2015 -4.33% -
2014 -1.06% -
2013 -1.53% -
2012 -2.7% -
2011 -4.82% -
2010 -5.4% -7.79%
2009 -3.55% -2.89%
2008 -2.73% -2.86%
2007 -3.52% -2.99%
2006 -3.42% -1.12%
2005 -3.49% -4.41%
2004 -4.62% -4.18%
2003 -4.24% -2.7%
2002 -4.01% -2.02%
2001 -6.34% 2.3%
2000 -6.03% -1.36%
1999 -4.46% -1.47%
1998 -4.89% -2.81%
1997 - -1.78%
1996 - -2.83%
1995 - -3.81%
1994 - -6%
1993 - -4.96%
1992 - -7.26%
1991 - -6.57%
1990 - -3.92%

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

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

In 2010, Myanmar's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $2.67B, equivalent to 5.4% of GDP. This compares to Syria's deficit of $4.78B, or 7.79% of GDP.

Over the past 13 years, Myanmar recorded a fiscal deficit in 13 of those years, while Syria ran a deficit in 12 years. On average, Myanmar posted an annual deficit equal to 4.36% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.64% of GDP for Syria.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Myanmar

Syria
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Myanmar Syria
2019 8.83% 13.4%
2018 6.87% 0.94%
2017 4.57% 18.1%
2016 6.93% 47.7%
2015 9.45% 38.5%
2014 4.95% 10.9%
2013 5.64% 40%
2012 1.47% 36.7%
2011 5.02% 4.75%
2010 7.72% 4.4%
2009 1.47% 2.92%
2008 26.8% 15.7%
2007 35% 3.91%
2006 20% 10%
2005 9.37% 7.24%
2004 4.53% 4.43%
2003 36.6% 5.8%
2002 57.1% -0.13%
2001 21.1% 3%
2000 -0.11% -3.85%
1999 18.4% -3.7%
1998 51.5% -0.8%
1997 29.7% 1.89%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2019, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 23 years, Myanmar has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 16.2%, compared with 11.4% in Syria. In 2019, inflation was 8.83% in Myanmar and 13.4% in Syria.

Balance of trade

Myanmar Syria
Current account balance
$67.7M
2019
-$367M
2010
Current account balance ranking
71/190
2019
103/190
2010
Current account balance, % of GDP
+0.09%
2019
-0.6%
2010
Goods imports
$13.7B
2019
$15.9B
2010
Goods exports
$10.8B
2019
$12.3B
2010
Service imports
$3.66B
2019
$3.53B
2010
Service exports
$6.68B
2019
$7.33B
2010
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP n/a
28.8%
2022
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
24.3%
2025
6.81%
2022

Economic freedom indices

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

Myanmar Syria
Economic freedom 44.5 51.2
Economic freedom ranking 180/197 155/197
Property rights 5.7 4
Government integrity 18.1 3.6
Judicial effectiveness 3.9 3.7
Tax burden 88.6 87.3
Government spending 86.6 78.5
Fiscal health 62.7 13.8
Business freedom 37.9 33.8
Labor freedom 53.2 37.2
Monetary freedom 57.5 80
Trade freedom 69.4 47
Investment freedom 30 0
Financial freedom 20 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Myanmar
Syria
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Myanmar Syria
2026 44.5 -
2025 43.7 -
2024 42.2 -
2023 46.5 -
2022 49.6 -
2021 55.2 -
2020 54 -
2019 53.6 -
2018 53.9 -
2017 52.5 -
2016 48.7 -
2015 46.9 -
2014 46.5 -
2013 39.2 -
2012 38.7 51.2
2011 37.8 51.3
2010 36.7 49.4
2009 37.7 51.3
2008 39.5 47.2
2007 41 48.3
2006 40 51.2
2005 40.5 46.3
2004 43.6 40.6
2003 44.9 41.3
2002 45.5 36.3
2001 46.1 36.6
2000 47.9 37.2
1999 46.4 39
1998 45.7 42.2
1997 45.4 43
1996 45.1 42.3

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Myanmar is 44.5, ranking 180/197, 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

Myanmar Syria
Services, % of GDP
41.4%
2024
44.9%
2022
Industry, % of GDP
37.8%
2024
12%
2022
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
20.8%
2024
43.1%
2022
GNI, Atlas method
$65.9B
2024
$18.2B
2023
GNI per capita, PPP
$5,890
2024
$4,480
2023
Total reserves including gold
$9.34B
2023
$20.6B
2010
Total reserves ranking
81/177
2023
62/177
2010
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.74B
2019
-$1.47B
2010
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.1B
2024
$0
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.31%
2024
0.15%
2023
Poverty at national poverty lines
24.8%
2017
35.2%
2007
Gross capital formation, % of GDP n/a
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/myanmar/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. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  6. 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.