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Economy of Netherlands vs Syria compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

The Netherlands has a GDP of $1.33T compared to $20B for Syria, ranking 18/197 and 134/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Netherlands has $578B in government debt (43.3% of GDP), compared to $18.4B (30% of GDP) in Syria.

Netherlands vs Syria GDP by year

Netherlands
Syria
1x
Year GDP, current $
Netherlands Syria
2025 $1,332,767,651,100 -
2024 $1,213,936,238,063 -
2023 $1,135,475,867,551 $19,993,439,950
2022 $1,046,540,797,549 $23,737,634,644
2021 $1,054,472,123,450 $14,892,885,528
2020 $932,560,861,701 $12,501,503,673
2019 $928,903,005,576 $22,583,046,645
2018 $929,733,599,797 $21,497,779,248
2017 $848,233,537,846 $16,369,842,725
2016 $797,163,949,290 $12,597,854,088
2015 $775,743,675,303 $16,466,861,435
2014 $901,556,501,756 $21,502,061,466
2013 $883,951,539,007 $21,361,254,635
2012 $845,689,017,066 $43,190,318,033
2011 $913,140,741,333 $67,539,433,544
2010 $852,464,982,433 $61,390,833,273
2009 $878,954,223,140 $54,111,721,044
2008 $957,901,566,041 $52,557,913,397
2007 $853,499,460,873 $40,465,331,020
2006 $737,593,995,289 $33,751,812,959
2005 $688,133,699,636 $28,858,937,499
2004 $661,224,886,143 $25,086,910,448
2003 $582,435,617,082 $21,828,144,686
2002 $475,529,972,123 $20,786,986,580
2001 $432,536,219,669 $20,078,599,626
2000 $417,649,282,154 $18,937,031,610
1999 $447,778,514,140 $15,873,875,969
1998 $438,612,530,549 $15,200,846,154
1997 $417,506,211,882 $14,505,233,463
1996 $451,372,549,020 $13,789,560,878
1995 $452,967,334,614 $11,396,706,587
1994 $379,688,232,232 $10,122,020,000
1993 $354,070,495,966 $13,695,962,055
1992 $363,497,050,125 $13,253,565,861
1991 $327,982,316,124 $12,981,833,333
1990 $318,799,003,994 $12,308,624,418
1989 $258,716,904,292 $9,853,395,762
1988 $262,295,966,105 $10,577,041,645
1987 $245,406,949,521 $11,356,215,543
1986 $201,157,708,221 $13,293,205,278
1985 $144,057,523,222 $16,403,539,893
1984 $144,124,462,912 $17,503,078,174
1983 $153,671,294,109 $17,589,277,143
1982 $158,712,765,536 $16,298,929,011
1981 $164,375,775,854 $15,518,201,335
1980 $195,439,301,707 $13,062,420,382
1979 $179,933,827,310 $9,929,681,529
1978 $156,089,077,205 $9,275,200,458
1977 $127,203,923,857 $7,696,011,396
1976 $109,329,386,564 $7,633,528,867
1975 $100,397,061,694 $6,826,980,444
1974 $87,371,810,804 $5,159,557,148
1973 $71,946,639,603 $3,239,487,516
1972 $54,787,070,173 $3,059,681,698
1971 $44,644,730,576 $2,589,851,325
1970 $38,220,884,519 $2,140,384,010
1969 $34,086,038,090 $2,245,011,515
1968 $30,097,635,751 $1,753,746,430
1967 $27,143,828,099 $1,580,229,799
1966 $24,741,480,717 $1,342,287,553
1965 $22,721,869,808 $1,472,036,540
1964 $20,232,048,553 $1,339,494,267
1963 $17,193,744,109 $1,200,447,408
1962 $15,847,582,341 $1,110,565,881
1961 $14,599,836,396 $945,244,972
1960 $13,282,979,015 $857,704,413

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

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

GDP per capita in Netherlands vs Syria by year

Netherlands
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Syria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Netherlands Syria
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $73,684 - - -
2024 $67,465 $86,174 - -
2023 $63,516 $81,729 $847 $4,650
2022 $59,123 $78,630 $1,057 $4,772
2021 $60,142 $68,574 $689 $4,593
2020 $53,468 $62,597 $594 $3,738
2019 $53,555 $62,345 $1,110 $3,502
2018 $53,955 $58,819 $1,098 $3,456
2017 $49,514 $56,038 $852 $3,265
2016 $46,809 $53,162 $656 -
2015 $45,794 $50,957 $848 -
2014 $53,457 $49,751 $1,061 -
2013 $52,602 $49,622 $986 -
2012 $50,474 $47,653 $1,898 -
2011 $54,702 $47,004 $2,952 -
2010 $51,306 $45,301 $2,731 -
2009 $53,172 $44,959 $2,462 -
2008 $58,247 $46,714 $2,429 -
2007 $52,101 $44,203 $1,938 -
2006 $45,124 $41,208 $1,719 -
2005 $42,165 $37,778 $1,534 -
2004 $40,611 $35,961 $1,368 -
2003 $35,897 $34,286 $1,220 -
2002 $29,447 $34,568 $1,190 -
2001 $26,956 $33,259 $1,178 -
2000 $26,225 $31,895 $1,138 -
1999 $28,319 $29,316 $978 -
1998 $27,924 $27,749 $961 -
1997 $26,745 $26,062 $941 -
1996 $29,064 $24,564 $918 -
1995 $29,301 $23,480 $780 -
1994 $24,683 $22,414 $712 -
1993 $23,156 $21,443 $993 -
1992 $23,939 $20,831 $990 -
1991 $21,764 $20,177 $1,000 -
1990 $21,322 $19,203 $978 -
1989 $17,423 - $809 -
1988 $17,771 - $898 -
1987 $16,734 - $997 -
1986 $13,804 - $1,208 -
1985 $9,941 - $1,544 -
1984 $9,992 - $1,706 -
1983 $10,696 - $1,776 -
1982 $11,089 - $1,703 -
1981 $11,537 - $1,676 -
1980 $13,812 - $1,458 -
1979 $12,817 - $1,146 -
1978 $11,196 - $1,108 -
1977 $9,180 - $951 -
1976 $7,937 - $976 -
1975 $7,346 - $904 -
1974 $6,450 - $707 -
1973 $5,353 - $459 -
1972 $4,110 - $448 -
1971 $3,384 - $393 -
1970 $2,931 - $335 -
1969 $2,647 - $364 -
1968 $2,364 - $293.3 -
1967 $2,155 - $272.9 -
1966 $1,986 - $239.3 -
1965 $1,848 - $270.8 -
1964 $1,668 - $254.2 -
1963 $1,437 - $234.9 -
1962 $1,342 - $223.9 -
1961 $1,254 - $196.3 -
1960 $1,156 - $183.5 -

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

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

The Netherlands' GDP per capita is $73,684, ranking 12/197, compared to $847 in Syria, ranking 185/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Netherlands ranks 11th at $86,174, while Syria ranks 160th at $4,650.

Economic indicators

Netherlands Syria
Gross domestic product
$1.33T
2025
$20B
2023
GDP rank
18/197
2025
134/197
2023
GDP growth
1.78%
2024-2025
-1.85%
2022-2023
GDP per capita
$73,684
2025
$847
2023
GDP per capita rank
12/197
2025
185/197
2023
GDP per capita, PPP
$86,174
2024
$4,650
2023
GDP per capita PPP rank
11/197
2024
160/197
2023
Government debt
$578B
2025
$18.4B
2010
Debt-to-GDP ratio
43.3%
2025
30%
2010
Government debt per person
$31,942
2025
$820
2010
Government debt per person rank
23/185
2025
150/185
2010
Average annual personal income after taxes
$46,674
2026
$693
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$1.1T
2017
n/a
Number of millionaires
1,294,000
2026
n/a
Number of billionaires
13
2026
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
21.4%
2021
20.9%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
3.6%
2021
3.8%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
45.1%
2025
28.6%
2010
Consumer prices inflation
3.26%
2024-2025
13.4%
2018-2019
Unemployment rate
3.9%
2025
14.9%
2011
Population
18243998
26956472

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Netherlands
Spending

Debt
Syria
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Netherlands Syria
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 45.1% 43.3% - -
2024 44.4% 43.7% - -
2023 44% 45.8% - -
2022 43.3% 48.4% - -
2021 45.9% 50.5% - -
2020 47.8% 53.4% - -
2019 42.1% 47.7% - -
2018 42.4% 51.6% - -
2017 42.8% 56% - -
2016 43.9% 60.9% - -
2015 45.3% 63.8% - -
2014 46.7% 67.2% - -
2013 47.5% 67.2% - -
2012 47.6% 65.7% - -
2011 47.8% 61.2% - -
2010 48.9% 58.9% 28.6% 30%
2009 48.4% 56.3% 26.7% 31.2%
2008 44.3% 54.4% 22.9% 37.3%
2007 43.3% 42.7% 25.7% 42.7%
2006 44% 45% 26.3% 45%
2005 43.4% 49.6% 28.2% 50.7%
2004 44.7% 50.1% 31.3% 113%
2003 45.8% 49.8% 32.6% 133.4%
2002 44.8% 48.7% 28.5% 132.4%
2001 44.1% 49.4% 28% 144.5%
2000 43.2% 52.2% 27.4% 152.1%
1999 44.3% 58.6% 28% 147.7%
1998 44.6% 62.7% 28.8% 151.2%
1997 45.7% 65.7% 29% 147.6%
1996 47.3% 71.2% 27.7% 141.5%
1995 53.9% 73% 29.8% 152.6%
1994 49.4% 73.5% 30.3% 163%
1993 50.9% 76.7% 29.4% 171.9%
1992 50.2% 75.6% 34.2% 173.6%
1991 49.6% 74.8% 34.3% 182.4%
1990 48.8% 75% 28.3% 189.8%
1989 54.5% 73.7% - -
1988 56.4% 73.7% - -
1987 58.5% 71.3% - -
1986 57% 68.9% - -
1985 57.3% 67.1% - -
1984 58.1% 61.9% - -
1983 59.1% 58.4% - -
1982 59.1% 52.4% - -
1981 56.8% 46.9% - -
1980 55.2% 43.6% - -
1979 53.7% 39.5% - -
1978 52.3% 38.1% - -
1977 50.6% 34.9% - -
1976 50.8% 35.2% - -
1975 50.8% 36.1% - -
1974 46.4% 36.3% - -
1973 44.6% 38.1% - -
1972 44.9% 41.3% - -
1971 44.6% 43.7% - -
1970 43.2% 46.1% - -
1969 42.1% 48.2% - -
1968 25.4% 54.4% - -
1967 24.1% 55% - -
1966 24.4% 55.6% - -
1965 23.4% 55.8% - -
1964 22.3% 57.1% - -
1963 21.9% 61.7% - -
1962 22.1% 63.8% - -
1961 22.2% 65.9% - -
1960 20.4% 66.7% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, the Netherlands' government spending was $602B, accounting for 45.1% of its GDP, while Syria spent $17.6B, or 28.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 43.3% in the Netherlands and 30% in Syria, ranking 121/185 and 155/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Netherlands

Syria
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Netherlands Syria
2025 -1.84% -
2024 -0.94% -
2023 -0.37% -
2022 0.002% -
2021 -2.26% -
2020 -3.72% -
2019 1.91% -
2018 1.49% -
2017 1.35% -
2016 0.23% -
2015 -1.84% -
2014 -2.17% -
2013 -2.87% -
2012 -3.83% -
2011 -4.42% -
2010 -5.3% -7.79%
2009 -5.06% -2.89%
2008 -0.06% -2.86%
2007 -0.16% -2.99%
2006 0.04% -1.12%
2005 -0.51% -4.41%
2004 -1.82% -4.18%
2003 -3.19% -2.7%
2002 -2.23% -2.02%
2001 -0.47% 2.3%
2000 1.14% -1.36%
1999 0.28% -1.47%
1998 -1.34% -2.81%
1997 -1.6% -1.78%
1996 -1.91% -2.83%
1995 -8.72% -3.81%
1994 -3.53% -6%
1993 -3.13% -4.96%
1992 -3.12% -7.26%
1991 -2.05% -6.57%
1990 -4.08% -3.92%
1989 -5% -
1988 -4.23% -
1987 -5.39% -
1986 -4.62% -
1985 -3.6% -
1984 -5.25% -
1983 -5.47% -
1982 -6.17% -
1981 -4.92% -
1980 -3.95% -
1979 -2.46% -
1978 -2.09% -
1977 -0.75% -
1976 -2.02% -
1975 -2.82% -
1974 -0.26% -
1973 0.54% -
1972 -0.7% -
1971 -1.58% -
1970 -1.52% -
1969 -1.14% -
1968 -3.06% -
1967 -1.97% -
1966 -2.37% -
1965 -1.15% -
1964 -1.2% -
1963 -0.54% -
1962 -1.38% -
1961 -0.38% -
1960 0.9% -
1959 -0.74% -
1958 -0.89% -
1957 0.3% -
1956 -0.83% -
1955 -0.25% -
1954 0.76% -
1953 -2.95% -
1952 2.19% -
1951 2.13% -
1950 0.81% -
1949 2.3% -
1948 - -
1947 - -
1946 - -
1945 - -
1944 - -
1943 - -
1942 - -
1941 - -
1940 - -
1939 -3.19% -
1938 -0.37% -
1937 0.02% -
1936 -0.41% -
1935 -0.69% -
1934 -0.92% -
1933 -2.55% -
1932 -1.97% -
1931 -1.66% -
1930 -0.55% -
1929 -1.16% -
1928 -0.62% -
1927 -0.33% -
1926 -0.78% -
1925 -2.04% -
1924 -3.37% -
1923 -2.62% -
1922 - -
1921 - -
1920 - -
1919 - -
1918 - -
1917 - -
1916 - -
1915 - -
1914 - -
1913 -0.45% -
1912 -0.47% -
1911 -0.13% -
1910 -0.93% -
1909 -0.34% -
1908 -0.57% -
1907 0.03% -
1906 0.16% -
1905 0.1% -
1904 -0.72% -
1903 0.09% -
1902 -0.14% -
1901 0.03% -
1900 0.06% -
1899 -0.13% -
1898 -0.48% -
1897 -0.45% -
1896 0.08% -
1895 -0.06% -
1894 0.12% -
1893 -0.76% -
1892 -1.72% -
1891 -0.06% -
1890 -0.06% -
1889 0.04% -
1888 -0.31% -
1887 -0.37% -
1886 -0.08% -
1885 -0.55% -
1884 0% -
1883 -2.1% -
1882 -1.11% -
1881 -1.06% -
1880 0.21% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1880–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2010, the Netherlands' government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $45.2B, equivalent to 5.3% of GDP. This compares to Syria's deficit of $4.78B, or 7.79% of GDP.

Over the past 21 years, the Netherlands recorded a fiscal deficit in 18 of those years, while Syria ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, the Netherlands posted an annual deficit equal to 2.23% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.4% of GDP for Syria.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Netherlands

Syria
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Netherlands Syria
2025 3.26% -
2024 3.35% -
2023 3.84% -
2022 10% -
2021 2.68% -
2020 1.27% -
2019 2.63% 13.4%
2018 1.7% 0.94%
2017 1.38% 18.1%
2016 0.32% 47.7%
2015 0.6% 38.5%
2014 0.98% 10.9%
2013 2.51% 40%
2012 2.46% 36.7%
2011 2.34% 4.75%
2010 1.28% 4.4%
2009 1.19% 2.92%
2008 2.49% 15.7%
2007 1.61% 3.91%
2006 1.1% 10%
2005 1.69% 7.24%
2004 1.26% 4.43%
2003 2.09% 5.8%
2002 3.29% -0.13%
2001 4.16% 3%
2000 2.36% -3.85%
1999 2.16% -3.7%
1998 1.96% -0.8%
1997 2.11% 1.89%

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

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

Over the past 23 years, the Netherlands has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.9%, compared with 11.4% in Syria. In 2019, inflation was 3.26% in the Netherlands and 13.4% in Syria.

Top exports between countries

Netherlands
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $16.7M
Raw agricultural goods $11.8M
Chemicals & pharma $5.17M
Animal & marine products $3M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $2.41M
Raw materials & minerals $1.91M
Metals $1.38M
Wood & paper products $671K
Textiles & consumer goods $487K
Miscellaneous $24K
Syria
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $393M
Raw agricultural goods $3.16M
Metals $659K
Textiles & consumer goods $286K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $257K
Machinery & equipment $174K
Chemicals & pharma $49K
Wood & paper products $31K
Precious metals & jewellery $4K
Weapons & explosives $1K

Balance of trade

Netherlands Syria
Current account balance
$111B
2024
-$367M
2010
Current account balance ranking
6/190
2024
99/190
2010
Current account balance, % of GDP
+9.14%
2024
-0.6%
2010
Goods imports
$606B
2024
$15.9B
2010
Goods exports
$693B
2024
$12.3B
2010
Service imports
$262B
2024
$3.53B
2010
Service exports
$308B
2024
$7.33B
2010
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
69.5%
2025
28.7%
2022
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
80.7%
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.

Netherlands Syria
Economic freedom 78.5 51.2
Economic freedom ranking 11/197 155/197
Property rights 96 4
Government integrity 86.8 3.6
Judicial effectiveness 96.1 3.7
Tax burden 54 87.3
Government spending 42.2 78.5
Fiscal health 95.9 13.8
Business freedom 85 33.8
Labor freedom 59.3 37.2
Monetary freedom 77 80
Trade freedom 79.4 47
Investment freedom 90 0
Financial freedom 80 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Netherlands
Syria
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Netherlands Syria
2026 78.5 -
2025 78.2 -
2024 77.3 -
2023 78 -
2022 79.5 -
2021 76.8 -
2020 77 -
2019 76.8 -
2018 76.2 -
2017 75.8 -
2016 74.6 -
2015 73.7 -
2014 74.2 -
2013 73.5 -
2012 73.3 51.2
2011 74.7 51.3
2010 75 49.4
2009 77 51.3
2008 77.4 47.2
2007 75.5 48.3
2006 75.4 51.2
2005 72.9 46.3
2004 74.5 40.6
2003 74.6 41.3
2002 75.1 36.3
2001 73 36.6
2000 70.4 37.2
1999 70.2 39
1998 69.2 42.2
1997 70.4 43
1996 69.7 42.3

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the Netherlands is 78.5, ranking 11/197, 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

Netherlands Syria
Services, % of GDP
70.4%
2025
44.7%
2022
Industry, % of GDP
17.7%
2025
11.9%
2022
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.68%
2025
42.9%
2022
GNI, Atlas method
$1.24T
2025
$18.2B
2023
GNI per capita, PPP
$85,480
2025
$4,480
2023
Total reserves including gold
$118B
2025
$20.6B
2010
Total reserves ranking
27/177
2025
66/177
2010
Net foreign direct investment
$11.1B
2024
-$1.47B
2010
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$17.1B
2024
$0
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$5.93B
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
0.15%
2023
Poverty at national poverty lines
14.5%
2021
35.2%
2007
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
19.8%
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/netherlands/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) | Public Finances in Modern History (1880–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, 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 (2010–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)

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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.