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Economy of Namibia vs Syria compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Namibia has a GDP of $15.1B compared to $20B for Syria, ranking 146/197 and 134/197 by economy size, respectively.

Namibia has $10.6B in government debt (70.2% of GDP), compared to $18.4B (30% of GDP) in Syria.

Namibia vs Syria GDP by year

Namibia
Syria
1x
Year GDP, current $
Namibia Syria
2025 $15,080,340,654 -
2024 $13,641,190,683 -
2023 $12,522,012,874 $19,993,439,950
2022 $12,569,449,123 $23,737,634,644
2021 $12,402,486,184 $14,892,885,528
2020 $10,583,748,542 $12,501,503,673
2019 $12,541,928,303 $22,583,046,645
2018 $13,682,019,076 $21,497,779,248
2017 $12,895,153,371 $16,369,842,725
2016 $10,722,018,732 $12,597,854,088
2015 $11,335,161,084 $16,466,861,435
2014 $12,435,430,970 $21,502,061,466
2013 $12,043,307,277 $21,361,254,635
2012 $13,042,053,592 $43,190,318,033
2011 $12,523,359,441 $67,539,433,544
2010 $11,431,412,421 $61,390,833,273
2009 $8,938,847,189 $54,111,721,044
2008 $8,607,431,497 $52,557,913,397
2007 $8,839,536,476 $40,465,331,020
2006 $8,001,779,551 $33,751,812,959
2005 $7,248,374,838 $28,858,937,499
2004 $6,609,205,995 $25,086,910,448
2003 $4,926,439,384 $21,828,144,686
2002 $3,349,169,826 $20,786,986,580
2001 $3,557,341,215 $20,078,599,626
2000 $3,922,232,165 $18,937,031,610
1999 $3,868,551,730 $15,873,875,969
1998 $3,873,109,866 $15,200,846,154
1997 $4,154,989,950 $14,505,233,463
1996 $3,989,163,197 $13,789,560,878
1995 $3,978,514,206 $11,396,706,587
1994 $3,666,503,530 $10,122,020,000
1993 $3,251,188,833 $13,695,962,055
1992 $3,429,521,699 $13,253,565,861
1991 $2,996,869,281 $12,981,833,333
1990 $2,789,921,854 $12,308,624,418
1989 $2,535,135,798 $9,853,395,762
1988 $2,495,094,746 $10,577,041,645
1987 $2,300,068,217 $11,356,215,543
1986 $1,809,048,527 $13,293,205,278
1985 $1,608,237,350 $16,403,539,893
1984 $1,951,260,038 $17,503,078,174
1983 $2,297,400,688 $17,589,277,143
1982 $2,118,710,248 $16,298,929,011
1981 $2,249,908,578 $15,518,201,335
1980 $2,421,990,338 $13,062,420,382
1979 - $9,929,681,529
1978 - $9,275,200,458
1977 - $7,696,011,396
1976 - $7,633,528,867
1975 - $6,826,980,444
1974 - $5,159,557,148
1973 - $3,239,487,516
1972 - $3,059,681,698
1971 - $2,589,851,325
1970 - $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/namibia/syria | CC BY

GDP per capita in Namibia vs Syria by year

Namibia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Syria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Namibia Syria
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $4,876 - - -
2024 $4,502 $11,687 - -
2023 $4,226 $11,251 $847 $4,650
2022 $4,350 $10,663 $1,057 $4,772
2021 $4,413 $9,709 $689 $4,593
2020 $3,879 $9,354 $594 $3,738
2019 $4,732 $9,609 $1,110 $3,502
2018 $5,309 $9,854 $1,098 $3,456
2017 $5,144 $9,888 $852 $3,265
2016 $4,396 $10,200 $656 -
2015 $4,774 $10,466 $848 -
2014 $5,378 $10,365 $1,061 -
2013 $5,347 $9,699 $986 -
2012 $5,943 $9,364 $1,898 -
2011 $5,835 $9,002 $2,952 -
2010 $5,418 $8,538 $2,731 -
2009 $4,303 $8,079 $2,462 -
2008 $4,205 $8,125 $2,429 -
2007 $4,379 $7,875 $1,938 -
2006 $4,017 $7,374 $1,719 -
2005 $3,686 $6,767 $1,534 -
2004 $3,403 $6,480 $1,368 -
2003 $2,569 $5,693 $1,220 -
2002 $1,772 $5,433 $1,190 -
2001 $1,916 $5,196 $1,178 -
2000 $2,157 $5,129 $1,138 -
1999 $2,178 $4,961 $978 -
1998 $2,235 $4,852 $961 -
1997 $2,460 $4,764 $941 -
1996 $2,423 $4,612 $918 -
1995 $2,483 $4,509 $780 -
1994 $2,356 $4,376 $712 -
1993 $2,155 $4,345 $993 -
1992 $2,347 $4,452 $990 -
1991 $2,117 $4,192 $1,000 -
1990 $2,037 $3,875 $978 -
1989 $1,967 - $809 -
1988 $2,063 - $898 -
1987 $1,969 - $997 -
1986 $1,599 - $1,208 -
1985 $1,466 - $1,544 -
1984 $1,830 - $1,706 -
1983 $2,214 - $1,776 -
1982 $2,097 - $1,703 -
1981 $2,267 - $1,676 -
1980 $2,468 - $1,458 -
1979 - - $1,146 -
1978 - - $1,108 -
1977 - - $951 -
1976 - - $976 -
1975 - - $904 -
1974 - - $707 -
1973 - - $459 -
1972 - - $448 -
1971 - - $393 -
1970 - - $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/namibia/syria | CC BY

Namibia's GDP per capita is $4,876, ranking 125/197, compared to $847 in Syria, ranking 185/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Namibia ranks 128th at $11,687, while Syria ranks 160th at $4,650.

Economic indicators

Namibia Syria
Gross domestic product
$15.1B
2025
$20B
2023
GDP rank
146/197
2025
134/197
2023
GDP growth
1.73%
2024-2025
-1.85%
2022-2023
GDP per capita
$4,876
2025
$847
2023
GDP per capita rank
125/197
2025
185/197
2023
GDP per capita, PPP
$11,687
2024
$4,650
2023
GDP per capita PPP rank
128/197
2024
160/197
2023
Government debt
$10.6B
2025
$18.4B
2010
Debt-to-GDP ratio
70.2%
2025
30%
2010
Government debt per person
$3,425
2025
$820
2010
Government debt per person rank
97/185
2025
150/185
2010
Average annual personal income after taxes
$3,433
2026
$693
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.48B
2024
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
47.2%
2015
20.9%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
1%
2015
3.8%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
39.4%
2025
28.6%
2010
Consumer prices inflation
3.5%
2024-2025
13.4%
2018-2019
Central bank interest rate
6.5%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
19.9%
2018
14.9%
2011
Population
3185686
26956472

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Namibia
Spending

Debt
Syria
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Namibia Syria
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 39.4% 70.2% - -
2024 39.6% 69.8% - -
2023 37% 67.9% - -
2022 36.6% 70.1% - -
2021 39.3% 69.6% - -
2020 41.5% 64.3% - -
2019 37.4% 57.6% - -
2018 36.3% 48.7% - -
2017 38.1% 43.8% - -
2016 41.8% 45.8% - -
2015 43.7% 42.1% - -
2014 41.8% 27.6% - -
2013 38.3% 26.1% - -
2012 35% 24.6% - -
2011 38.5% 27.4% - -
2010 33.5% 16.3% 28.6% 30%
2009 32% 15.9% 26.7% 31.2%
2008 28.4% 19.1% 22.9% 37.3%
2007 26.1% 19.4% 25.7% 42.7%
2006 27.4% 26.1% 26.3% 45%
2005 27.7% 26.9% 28.2% 50.7%
2004 28.4% 29.2% 31.3% 113%
2003 31.1% 27.1% 32.6% 133.4%
2002 29.8% 22.2% 28.5% 132.4%
2001 30.7% 24.4% 28% 144.5%
2000 30.1% 20.9% 27.4% 152.1%
1999 31.8% 21.8% 28% 147.7%
1998 31.3% 19.6% 28.8% 151.2%
1997 30.9% 17.7% 29% 147.6%
1996 30.4% 18.7% 27.7% 141.5%
1995 29.6% 18% 29.8% 152.6%
1994 28.7% 16.4% 30.3% 163%
1993 32.4% 17.2% 29.4% 171.9%
1992 32.8% 14.1% 34.2% 173.6%
1991 33% 11.8% 34.3% 182.4%
1990 30.2% 12.9% 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 (1990–1992, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Namibia's government spending was $5.94B, accounting for 39.4% of its GDP, while Syria spent $17.6B, or 28.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 70.2% in Namibia and 30% in Syria, ranking 57/185 and 155/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Namibia

Syria
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Namibia Syria
2025 -6.46% -
2024 -3.84% -
2023 -3.14% -
2022 -6.33% -
2021 -8.68% -
2020 -8.07% -
2019 -5.49% -
2018 -5.09% -
2017 -4.99% -
2016 -9.3% -
2015 -8.3% -
2014 -6.44% -
2013 -4.69% -
2012 -3.1% -
2011 -7.09% -
2010 -4.98% -7.79%
2009 -0.4% -2.89%
2008 3.48% -2.86%
2007 6.01% -2.99%
2006 3.41% -1.12%
2005 -0.31% -4.41%
2004 -2.67% -4.18%
2003 -4.47% -2.7%
2002 -1.38% -2.02%
2001 -2.01% 2.3%
2000 -0.79% -1.36%
1999 -1.88% -1.47%
1998 -2.76% -2.81%
1997 -2.38% -1.78%
1996 -3.7% -2.83%
1995 -1.74% -3.81%
1994 -0.57% -6%
1993 -2.73% -4.96%
1992 -2.55% -7.26%
1991 -1.59% -6.57%
1990 1.08% -3.92%

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

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

In 2010, Namibia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $569M, equivalent to 4.98% of GDP. This compares to Syria's deficit of $4.78B, or 7.79% of GDP.

Over the past 21 years, Namibia recorded a fiscal deficit in 17 of those years, while Syria ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, Namibia posted an annual deficit equal to 1.09% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.4% of GDP for Syria.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Namibia

Syria
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Namibia Syria
2025 3.5% -
2024 4.2% -
2023 5.9% -
2022 6.1% -
2021 3.6% -
2020 2.2% -
2019 3.7% 13.4%
2018 4.3% 0.94%
2017 6.1% 18.1%
2016 6.7% 47.7%
2015 3.4% 38.5%
2014 5.3% 10.9%
2013 5.6% 40%
2012 6.7% 36.7%
2011 5% 4.75%
2010 4.9% 4.4%
2009 9.5% 2.92%
2008 9.1% 15.7%
2007 6.5% 3.91%
2006 5% 10%
2005 2.3% 7.24%
2004 4.1% 4.43%
2003 7.2% 5.8%
2002 12.7% -0.13%
2001 10.2% 3%
2000 10.2% -3.85%
1999 9.4% -3.7%
1998 6.6% -0.8%
1997 9.7% 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/namibia/syria | CC BY

Over the past 23 years, Namibia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.7%, compared with 11.4% in Syria. In 2019, inflation was 3.5% in Namibia and 13.4% in Syria.

Balance of trade

Namibia Syria
Current account balance
-$1.83B
2024
-$367M
2010
Current account balance ranking
138/190
2024
99/190
2010
Current account balance, % of GDP
-13.4%
2024
-0.6%
2010
Goods imports
$6.77B
2024
$15.9B
2010
Goods exports
$4.67B
2024
$12.3B
2010
Service imports
$2.47B
2024
$3.53B
2010
Service exports
$1.29B
2024
$7.33B
2010
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
63.9%
2025
28.7%
2022
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
44.7%
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.

Namibia Syria
Economic freedom 60.2 51.2
Economic freedom ranking 95/197 155/197
Property rights 63.1 4
Government integrity 51.5 3.6
Judicial effectiveness 67.2 3.7
Tax burden 66.4 87.3
Government spending 57.1 78.5
Fiscal health 60.5 13.8
Business freedom 58 33.8
Labor freedom 62.7 37.2
Monetary freedom 76.1 80
Trade freedom 69.8 47
Investment freedom 50 0
Financial freedom 40 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Namibia
Syria
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Namibia Syria
2026 60.2 -
2025 58.7 -
2024 57.5 -
2023 57.7 -
2022 59.2 -
2021 62.6 -
2020 60.9 -
2019 58.7 -
2018 58.5 -
2017 62.5 -
2016 61.9 -
2015 59.6 -
2014 59.4 -
2013 60.3 -
2012 61.9 51.2
2011 62.7 51.3
2010 62.2 49.4
2009 62.4 51.3
2008 61.4 47.2
2007 63.5 48.3
2006 60.7 51.2
2005 61.4 46.3
2004 62.4 40.6
2003 67.3 41.3
2002 65.1 36.3
2001 64.8 36.6
2000 66.7 37.2
1999 66.1 39
1998 66.1 42.2
1997 61.6 43
1996 - 42.3

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Namibia is 60.2, ranking 95/197, 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

Namibia Syria
Services, % of GDP
55%
2025
44.7%
2022
Industry, % of GDP
28.9%
2025
11.9%
2022
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
6.99%
2025
42.9%
2022
GNI, Atlas method
$13.4B
2025
$18.2B
2023
GNI per capita, PPP
$11,260
2025
$4,480
2023
Total reserves including gold
$3.1B
2025
$20.6B
2010
Total reserves ranking
119/177
2025
66/177
2010
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.89B
2024
-$1.47B
2010
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.93B
2024
$0
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$44.4M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
0.15%
2023
Poverty at national poverty lines
17.4%
2015
35.2%
2007
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
18.7%
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/namibia/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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990–1992, 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.