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Economy of New Zealand vs Syria compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

New Zealand has a GDP of $260B compared to $20B for Syria, ranking 52/197 and 129/197 by economy size, respectively.

New Zealand has $131B in government debt (50.2% of GDP), compared to $18.4B (30% of GDP) in Syria.

New Zealand vs Syria GDP by year

New Zealand
Syria
1x
Year GDP, current $
New Zealand Syria
2024 $260,172,385,098 -
2023 $255,194,972,673 $19,993,439,950
2022 $249,509,991,440 $23,622,827,080
2021 $253,977,931,815 $14,353,205,678
2020 $213,029,554,654 $12,047,752,036
2019 $213,006,341,102 $22,583,045,060
2018 $211,985,631,173 $21,497,782,868
2017 $206,745,969,246 $16,369,843,352
2016 $189,100,085,275 $12,597,854,877
2015 $178,224,167,088 $16,466,863,117
2014 $201,518,402,787 $21,502,061,466
2013 $191,012,364,177 $21,361,254,635
2012 $176,560,711,239 $43,190,318,033
2011 $168,484,908,960 $67,539,428,159
2010 $146,887,902,524 $61,390,830,875
2009 $121,663,439,315 $54,111,735,629
2008 $133,437,126,590 $52,557,913,569
2007 $137,188,946,866 $40,465,318,382
2006 $111,538,810,713 $33,751,788,856
2005 $114,720,129,550 $28,858,965,517
2004 $103,905,210,084 $25,086,950,495
2003 $88,250,885,550 $21,828,144,686
2002 $66,627,729,311 $20,669,357,462
2001 $53,872,425,917 $20,237,024,725
2000 $52,623,281,957 $18,937,052,543
1999 $58,762,260,626 $15,873,875,969
1998 $56,227,169,851 $15,200,846,154
1997 $66,075,143,415 $14,505,233,463
1996 $70,140,835,299 $13,789,560,878
1995 $63,918,703,507 $11,396,706,587
1994 $55,314,732,279 $10,122,020,000
1993 $46,775,620,817 $13,695,962,055
1992 $41,649,829,860 $13,253,565,861
1991 $42,745,329,732 $12,981,833,333
1990 $45,495,129,385 $12,308,624,418
1989 $43,920,222,525 $9,853,395,762
1988 $45,176,811,594 $10,577,041,645
1987 $40,376,354,070 $11,356,215,543
1986 $30,604,668,357 $13,293,205,278
1985 $24,679,795,396 $16,403,539,893
1984 $21,665,975,319 $17,503,078,174
1983 $24,309,279,706 $17,589,277,143
1982 $24,164,603,059 $16,298,929,011
1981 $24,417,617,184 $15,518,201,335
1980 $23,244,547,385 $13,062,420,382
1979 $20,731,243,113 $9,929,681,529
1978 $18,530,518,395 $9,275,200,458
1977 $15,446,825,318 $7,696,011,396
1976 $13,604,832,424 $7,633,528,867
1975 $12,861,983,284 $6,826,980,444
1974 $13,940,981,798 $5,159,557,148
1973 $12,802,281,898 $3,239,487,516
1972 $9,567,331,065 $3,059,681,698
1971 $7,911,136,757 $2,589,851,325
1970 $6,495,605,331 $2,140,384,010
1969 $5,814,357,709 $2,245,011,515
1968 $5,228,045,415 $1,753,746,430
1967 $6,016,017,227 $1,580,229,799
1966 $5,917,437,693 $1,342,287,553
1965 $5,706,251,400 $1,472,036,540
1964 $7,340,766,415 $1,339,494,267
1963 $6,699,741,645 $1,200,447,408
1962 $6,133,158,532 $1,110,565,881
1961 $5,721,994,864 $945,244,972
1960 $5,536,098,360 $857,704,413

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

GeoRank.org/economy/new-zealand/syria | CC BY

GDP per capita in New Zealand vs Syria by year

New Zealand
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Syria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
New Zealand Syria
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $49,205 $55,551 - -
2023 $49,076 $54,697 $847 $4,650
2022 $49,100 $54,034 $1,052 $4,772
2021 $49,950 $48,249 $664 $4,593
2020 $41,998 $45,513 $572 $3,738
2019 $42,856 $45,278 $1,110 $3,502
2018 $43,257 $42,527 $1,098 $3,456
2017 $42,950 $42,244 $852 $3,265
2016 $40,114 $39,989 $656 -
2015 $38,665 $37,513 $848 -
2014 $44,618 $37,331 $1,061 -
2013 $43,000 $36,263 $986 -
2012 $40,054 $33,055 $1,898 -
2011 $38,432 $32,739 $2,952 -
2010 $33,762 $31,305 $2,731 -
2009 $28,277 $30,746 $2,462 -
2008 $31,325 $29,896 $2,429 -
2007 $32,480 $29,331 $1,938 -
2006 $26,655 $27,732 $1,719 -
2005 $27,751 $25,677 $1,534 -
2004 $25,420 $25,124 $1,368 -
2003 $21,914 $23,996 $1,220 -
2002 $16,874 $23,306 $1,183 -
2001 $13,883 $22,511 $1,187 -
2000 $13,641 $21,500 $1,138 -
1999 $15,322 $20,579 $978 -
1998 $14,738 $19,323 $961 -
1997 $17,474 $19,100 $941 -
1996 $18,794 $18,392 $918 -
1995 $17,400 $17,864 $780 -
1994 $15,280 $17,108 $712 -
1993 $13,094 $15,900 $993 -
1992 $11,793 $14,877 $990 -
1991 $12,230 $14,501 $1,000 -
1990 $13,663 $14,812 $978 -
1989 $13,312 - $809 -
1988 $13,759 - $898 -
1987 $12,331 - $997 -
1986 $9,428 - $1,208 -
1985 $7,601 - $1,544 -
1984 $6,714 - $1,706 -
1983 $7,598 - $1,776 -
1982 $7,656 - $1,703 -
1981 $7,814 - $1,676 -
1980 $7,467 - $1,458 -
1979 $6,668 - $1,146 -
1978 $5,937 - $1,108 -
1977 $4,951 - $951 -
1976 $4,374 - $976 -
1975 $4,172 - $904 -
1974 $4,611 - $707 -
1973 $4,323 - $459 -
1972 $3,295 - $448 -
1971 $2,773 - $393 -
1970 $2,311 - $335 -
1969 $2,097 - $364 -
1968 $1,902 - $293.3 -
1967 $2,208 - $272.9 -
1966 $2,211 - $239.3 -
1965 $2,171 - $270.8 -
1964 $2,839 - $254.2 -
1963 $2,646 - $234.9 -
1962 $2,471 - $223.9 -
1961 $2,365 - $196.3 -
1960 $2,334 - $183.5 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/new-zealand/syria | CC BY

New Zealand's GDP per capita is $49,205, ranking 26/197, compared to $847 in Syria, ranking 185/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), New Zealand ranks 38th at $55,551, while Syria ranks 160th at $4,650.

Economic indicators

New Zealand Syria
Gross domestic product
$260B
2024
$20B
2023
GDP rank
52/197
2024
129/197
2023
GDP growth
1.29%
2023-2024
-1.21%
2022-2023
GDP per capita
$49,205
2024
$847
2023
GDP per capita rank
26/197
2024
185/197
2023
GDP per capita, PPP
$55,551
2024
$4,650
2023
GDP per capita PPP rank
38/197
2024
160/197
2023
Government debt
$131B
2024
$18.4B
2010
Debt-to-GDP ratio
50.2%
2024
30%
2010
Government debt per person
$24,722
2024
$820
2010
Government debt per person rank
28/185
2024
148/185
2010
Average annual personal income after taxes
$37,758
2026
$730
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$92.9B
2024
n/a
Number of billionaires
5
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10% n/a
21.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
3.8%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
41.9%
2024
28.6%
2010
Consumer prices inflation
2.92%
2023-2024
13.4%
2018-2019
Central bank interest rate
2.25%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
4.76%
2024
8.61%
2010
Population
5374272
26829400

Spending and national debt comparison by year

New Zealand
Spending

Debt
Syria
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
New Zealand Syria
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 41.9% 50.2% - -
2023 41.2% 46.9% - -
2022 41.8% 46.9% - -
2021 41.9% 47.5% - -
2020 42% 43.2% - -
2019 38.8% 31.8% - -
2018 36.1% 28.1% - -
2017 35.6% 31.1% - -
2016 36.4% 33.3% - -
2015 37.2% 34.2% - -
2014 37.7% 34.2% - -
2013 38.6% 34.5% - -
2012 39.7% 35.7% - -
2011 42.4% 34.7% - -
2010 42.9% 29.6% 28.6% 30%
2009 40.3% 24.3% 26.7% 31.2%
2008 38.5% 19% 22.9% 37.3%
2007 37.1% 16.3% 25.7% 42.7%
2006 37.9% 18.4% 26.3% 45%
2005 37.1% 20.8% 28.2% 50.7%
2004 36.2% 22.5% 31.3% 113%
2003 36.7% 24.7% 32.6% 133.4%
2002 36.8% 26.4% 28.5% 132.4%
2001 37.2% 28.2% 28% 144.5%
2000 38.3% 30% 27.4% 152.1%
1999 39.3% 32% 28% 147.7%
1998 40.1% 34.5% 28.8% 151.2%
1997 39.3% 34.6% 29% 147.6%
1996 39.9% 37.3% 27.7% 141.5%
1995 41.6% 43.5% 29.8% 152.6%
1994 42.8% 48.9% 30.3% 163%
1993 46.8% 54.6% 29.4% 171.9%
1992 52.5% 58.7% 34.2% 173.6%
1991 53% 58% 34.3% 182.4%
1990 49.6% 55.5% 28.3% 189.8%
1989 47.8% 54.9% - -
1988 46.1% 54.7% - -
1987 46.1% 62.9% - -
1986 46.9% 68.5% - -
1985 46.2% 64.1% - -
1984 40.7% 62.8% - -
1983 41.4% 59.6% - -
1982 39.9% 51.5% - -
1981 39.1% 50.5% - -
1980 38% 52.2% - -
1979 38.4% 52% - -
1978 36.6% 50% - -
1977 30% 44.6% - -
1976 31.6% 47.6% - -
1975 30.1% 41.4% - -
1974 27.3% 39.6% - -
1973 27.1% 44% - -
1972 26.4% 46% - -
1971 26.8% 71.3% - -
1970 24.8% 76.5% - -
1969 25.9% 85.8% - -
1968 26.2% 86.5% - -
1967 26% 59.7% - -
1966 25% 58.2% - -
1965 24.9% 59.6% - -
1964 19.4% 61.8% - -
1963 19.4% 64.5% - -
1962 21.6% 65% - -
1961 21.1% 64.6% - -
1960 25.3% 68.1% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/new-zealand/syria | CC BY

In 2024, New Zealand's government spending was $109B, accounting for 41.9% of its GDP, while Syria spent $17.6B, or 28.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 50.2% in New Zealand and 30% in Syria, ranking 107/185 and 157/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
New Zealand

Syria
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
New Zealand Syria
2024 -3.61% -
2023 -3.54% -
2022 -4.16% -
2021 -3.5% -
2020 -4.35% -
2019 -2.5% -
2018 1.27% -
2017 1.36% -
2016 0.98% -
2015 0.36% -
2014 -0.34% -
2013 -1.29% -
2012 -2.19% -
2011 -4.96% -
2010 -5.51% -7.79%
2009 -1.81% -2.89%
2008 1.47% -2.86%
2007 3.6% -2.99%
2006 4.62% -1.12%
2005 5.13% -4.41%
2004 4.49% -4.18%
2003 3.68% -2.7%
2002 2.55% -2.02%
2001 1.29% 2.3%
2000 0.17% -1.36%
1999 -1.11% -1.47%
1998 -0.48% -2.81%
1997 1.23% -1.78%
1996 2.58% -2.83%
1995 3.7% -3.81%
1994 1.99% -6%
1993 -1.53% -4.96%
1992 -6.27% -7.26%
1991 -6.14% -6.57%
1990 -2.74% -3.92%
1989 -2.16% -
1988 -1.88% -
1987 -3.43% -
1986 -5.33% -
1985 -6.97% -
1984 -8.68% -
1983 -6.64% -
1982 -6.26% -
1981 -6.02% -
1980 -4.9% -
1979 -6.55% -
1978 -3.41% -
1977 -1.09% -
1976 -2.07% -
1975 0.11% -
1974 0.03% -
1973 -0.07% -
1972 0.12% -
1971 0.09% -
1970 -0.05% -
1969 0.17% -
1968 0.03% -
1967 0.02% -
1966 0.09% -
1965 0.26% -
1964 -0.08% -
1963 -0.26% -
1962 0.02% -
1961 0.03% -
1960 0.05% -
1959 0.03% -
1958 -0.02% -
1957 0.32% -
1956 1.33% -
1955 0.73% -
1954 0.22% -
1953 0.43% -
1952 1.73% -
1951 1.17% -
1950 0.78% -
1949 0.53% -
1948 0.36% -
1947 1.07% -
1946 0.31% -
1945 0.32% -
1944 0.59% -
1943 1.24% -
1942 0.56% -
1941 0.64% -
1940 0.13% -
1939 0.34% -
1938 0.38% -
1937 0.23% -
1936 0.17% -
1935 1.19% -
1934 -0.55% -
1933 0.02% -
1932 -1.77% -
1931 -1.12% -
1930 0.09% -
1929 -0.37% -
1928 0.12% -
1927 0.4% -
1926 0.72% -
1925 0.78% -
1924 1.2% -
1923 0.95% -
1922 -0.2% -
1921 3.55% -
1920 1.51% -
1919 2.9% -
1918 4.35% -
1917 3.89% -
1916 1.46% -
1915 0.06% -
1914 0.45% -
1913 0.79% -
1912 0.89% -
1911 1.24% -
1910 0.36% -
1909 0.31% -
1908 1.26% -
1907 1.13% -
1906 0.97% -
1905 1.41% -
1904 1.42% -
1903 0.55% -
1902 0.63% -
1901 1.11% -
1900 1.59% -
1899 1.15% -
1898 1.38% -
1897 0.86% -
1896 0.65% -
1895 0.32% -
1894 0.76% -
1893 1.14% -
1892 0.09% -
1891 0.46% -
1890 0.05% -
1889 0.59% -
1888 -1.64% -
1887 -1.63% -
1886 -0.53% -
1885 -0.47% -
1884 -0.1% -
1883 0.38% -
1882 0.18% -
1881 -2.33% -
1880 -2.39% -
1879 -0.55% -
1878 -0.85% -
1877 -2.53% -
1876 -5.28% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1876–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/new-zealand/syria | CC BY

In 2010, New Zealand's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $8.1B, equivalent to 5.51% of GDP. This compares to Syria's deficit of $4.78B, or 7.79% of GDP.

Over the past 21 years, New Zealand recorded a fiscal deficit in 8 of those years, while Syria ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, New Zealand posted an annual surplus equal to 0.52% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.4% of GDP for Syria.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
New Zealand

Syria
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
New Zealand Syria
2024 2.92% -
2023 5.73% -
2022 7.17% -
2021 3.94% -
2020 1.71% -
2019 1.62% 13.4%
2018 1.6% 0.94%
2017 1.85% 18.1%
2016 0.65% 47.7%
2015 0.29% 38.5%
2014 1.23% 10.9%
2013 1.13% 40%
2012 1.06% 36.7%
2011 4.03% 4.75%
2010 2.3% 4.4%
2009 2.12% 2.92%
2008 3.96% 15.7%
2007 2.38% 3.91%
2006 3.37% 10%
2005 3.04% 7.24%
2004 2.29% 4.43%
2003 1.75% 5.8%
2002 2.68% -0.13%
2001 2.63% 3%
2000 2.62% -3.85%
1999 -0.11% -3.7%
1998 1.27% -0.8%
1997 1.19% 1.89%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/new-zealand/syria | CC BY

Over the past 23 years, New Zealand has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.95%, compared with 11.4% in Syria. In 2019, inflation was 2.92% in New Zealand and 13.4% in Syria.

Top exports between countries

New Zealand
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $3.3M
Animal & marine products $1.44M
Transport & tourism services $200K
Chemicals & pharma $54K
Machinery & equipment $3K
Syria
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $97K
Machinery & equipment $14K
Textiles & consumer goods $10K
Chemicals & pharma $9K
Raw agricultural goods $9K
Weapons & explosives $7K
Metals $1K
Miscellaneous $1K

Balance of trade

New Zealand Syria
Current account balance
-$12.1B
2024
-$367M
2010
Current account balance ranking
178/190
2024
103/190
2010
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.65%
2024
-0.6%
2010
Goods imports
$47.3B
2024
$15.9B
2010
Goods exports
$43.3B
2024
$12.3B
2010
Service imports
$19.5B
2024
$3.53B
2010
Service exports
$18.9B
2024
$7.33B
2010
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
26.4%
2024
28.8%
2022
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
24.8%
2024
6.81%
2022

Economic freedom indices

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

New Zealand Syria
Economic freedom 77.8 51.2
Economic freedom ranking 13/197 155/197
Property rights 85.4 4
Government integrity 90 3.6
Judicial effectiveness 95.9 3.7
Tax burden 66.1 87.3
Government spending 48 78.5
Fiscal health 72.2 13.8
Business freedom 89.1 33.8
Labor freedom 68.6 37.2
Monetary freedom 77.4 80
Trade freedom 90.6 47
Investment freedom 70 0
Financial freedom 80 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

New Zealand
Syria
1x
Year Economic freedom index
New Zealand Syria
2026 77.8 -
2025 78.1 -
2024 77.8 -
2023 78.9 -
2022 80.6 -
2021 83.9 -
2020 84.1 -
2019 84.4 -
2018 84.2 -
2017 83.7 -
2016 81.6 -
2015 82.1 -
2014 81.2 -
2013 81.4 -
2012 82.1 51.2
2011 82.3 51.3
2010 82.1 49.4
2009 82 51.3
2008 80.7 47.2
2007 81.4 48.3
2006 82 51.2
2005 82.3 46.3
2004 81.5 40.6
2003 81.1 41.3
2002 80.7 36.3
2001 81.1 36.6
2000 80.9 37.2
1999 81.7 39
1998 79.2 42.2
1997 79 43
1996 78.1 42.3

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

GeoRank.org/economy/new-zealand/syria | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for New Zealand is 77.8, ranking 13/197, 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

New Zealand Syria
Services, % of GDP
67.4%
2022
44.9%
2022
Industry, % of GDP
19.6%
2022
12%
2022
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
4.57%
2022
43.1%
2022
GNI, Atlas method
$252B
2024
$18.2B
2023
GNI per capita, PPP
$53,600
2024
$4,480
2023
Total reserves including gold
$22.1B
2024
$20.6B
2010
Total reserves ranking
59/177
2024
62/177
2010
Net foreign direct investment
-$878M
2024
-$1.47B
2010
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.76B
2024
$0
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$882M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
0.15%
2023
Poverty at national poverty lines n/a
35.2%
2007
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
22.5%
2024
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/new-zealand/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) | Public Finances in Modern History (1876–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2010–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. 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.