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Economy of Nigeria vs Syria compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Nigeria has a GDP of $291B compared to $20B for Syria, ranking 50/197 and 134/197 by economy size, respectively.

Nigeria has $103B in government debt (35.5% of GDP), compared to $18.4B (30% of GDP) in Syria.

Nigeria vs Syria GDP by year

Nigeria
Syria
1x
Year GDP, current $
Nigeria Syria
2025 $290,794,361,542 -
2024 $252,261,880,140 -
2023 $487,387,801,878 $19,993,439,950
2022 $646,950,257,575 $23,737,634,644
2021 $609,147,716,965 $14,892,885,528
2020 $598,586,817,817 $12,501,503,673
2019 $668,219,992,687 $22,583,046,645
2018 $421,739,251,509 $21,497,779,248
2017 $375,745,731,053 $16,369,842,725
2016 $404,649,125,252 $12,597,854,088
2015 $493,026,682,801 $16,466,861,435
2014 $574,183,763,412 $21,502,061,466
2013 $520,117,180,314 $21,361,254,635
2012 $463,971,018,239 $43,190,318,033
2011 $414,466,676,831 $67,539,433,544
2010 $366,990,417,129 $61,390,833,273
2009 $295,008,835,381 $54,111,721,044
2008 $339,476,276,258 $52,557,913,397
2007 $278,260,846,800 $40,465,331,020
2006 $238,454,997,161 $33,751,812,959
2005 $175,670,569,969 $28,858,937,499
2004 $135,764,731,646 $25,086,910,448
2003 $104,738,954,264 $21,828,144,686
2002 $95,054,059,303 $20,786,986,580
2001 $73,557,840,064 $20,078,599,626
2000 $69,171,451,627 $18,937,031,610
1999 $59,145,077,039 $15,873,875,969
1998 $218,416,200,673 $15,200,846,154
1997 $200,850,397,618 $14,505,233,463
1996 $185,730,236,700 $13,789,560,878
1995 $140,919,776,986 $11,396,706,587
1994 $80,399,613,064 $10,122,020,000
1993 $56,721,051,402 $13,695,962,055
1992 $52,058,181,854 $13,253,565,861
1991 $59,526,833,412 $12,981,833,333
1990 $54,035,795,388 $12,308,624,418
1989 $44,003,061,108 $9,853,395,762
1988 $49,648,470,440 $10,577,041,645
1987 $52,676,041,931 $11,356,215,543
1986 $54,805,852,581 $13,293,205,278
1985 $73,745,821,158 $16,403,539,893
1984 $73,484,359,521 $17,503,078,174
1983 $97,094,911,792 $17,589,277,143
1982 $142,769,363,314 $16,298,929,011
1981 $164,475,209,516 $15,518,201,335
1980 $64,201,788,123 $13,062,420,382
1979 $47,259,911,894 $9,929,681,529
1978 $36,527,862,209 $9,275,200,458
1977 $36,035,407,725 $7,696,011,396
1976 $36,308,883,249 $7,633,528,867
1975 $27,778,934,625 $6,826,980,444
1974 $24,846,641,318 $5,159,557,148
1973 $15,162,871,287 $3,239,487,516
1972 $12,274,416,018 $3,059,681,698
1971 $9,181,769,912 $2,589,851,325
1970 $12,546,094,982 $2,140,384,010
1969 $6,634,317,346 $2,245,011,515
1968 $5,200,997,920 $1,753,746,430
1967 $5,203,237,919 $1,580,229,799
1966 $6,366,917,453 $1,342,287,553
1965 $5,874,537,650 $1,472,036,540
1964 $5,552,931,319 $1,339,494,267
1963 $5,165,590,254 $1,200,447,408
1962 $4,909,399,176 $1,110,565,881
1961 $4,467,287,893 $945,244,972
1960 $4,196,174,502 $857,704,413

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

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

GDP per capita in Nigeria vs Syria by year

Nigeria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Syria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Nigeria Syria
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $1,224 - - -
2024 $1,084 $9,087 - -
2023 $2,139 $8,705 $847 $4,650
2022 $2,899 $8,305 $1,057 $4,772
2021 $2,787 $7,588 $689 $4,593
2020 $2,797 $7,415 $594 $3,738
2019 $3,190 $7,551 $1,110 $3,502
2018 $2,058 $7,158 $1,098 $3,456
2017 $1,876 $7,037 $852 $3,265
2016 $2,070 $7,072 $656 -
2015 $2,586 $7,308 $848 -
2014 $3,089 $7,396 $1,061 -
2013 $2,873 $7,004 $986 -
2012 $2,633 $6,671 $1,898 -
2011 $2,418 $6,585 $2,952 -
2010 $2,202 $6,301 $2,731 -
2009 $1,820 $5,927 $2,462 -
2008 $2,154 $5,607 $2,429 -
2007 $1,816 $5,298 $1,938 -
2006 $1,600 $4,975 $1,719 -
2005 $1,211 $4,678 $1,534 -
2004 $962 $4,381 $1,368 -
2003 $763 $4,015 $1,220 -
2002 $712 $3,770 $1,190 -
2001 $566 $3,309 $1,178 -
2000 $547 $3,139 $1,138 -
1999 $481 $3,002 $978 -
1998 $1,822 $3,022 $961 -
1997 $1,720 $2,990 $941 -
1996 $1,633 $2,931 $918 -
1995 $1,272 $2,835 $780 -
1994 $745 $2,853 $712 -
1993 $540 $2,921 $993 -
1992 $509 $2,991 $990 -
1991 $597 $2,870 $1,000 -
1990 $556 $2,840 $978 -
1989 $465 - $809 -
1988 $540 - $898 -
1987 $588 - $997 -
1986 $628 - $1,208 -
1985 $869 - $1,544 -
1984 $890 - $1,706 -
1983 $1,207 - $1,776 -
1982 $1,822 - $1,703 -
1981 $2,162 - $1,676 -
1980 $870 - $1,458 -
1979 $661 - $1,146 -
1978 $527 - $1,108 -
1977 $536 - $951 -
1976 $556 - $976 -
1975 $438 - $904 -
1974 $403 - $707 -
1973 $252.4 - $459 -
1972 $209.5 - $448 -
1971 $160.5 - $393 -
1970 $224.5 - $335 -
1969 $121.4 - $364 -
1968 $97.3 - $293.3 -
1967 $99.5 - $272.9 -
1966 $124.4 - $239.3 -
1965 $117.3 - $270.8 -
1964 $113.3 - $254.2 -
1963 $107.7 - $234.9 -
1962 $104.5 - $223.9 -
1961 $97.1 - $196.3 -
1960 $93.1 - $183.5 -

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

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

Nigeria's GDP per capita is $1,224, ranking 172/197, compared to $847 in Syria, ranking 185/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Nigeria ranks 136th at $9,087, while Syria ranks 160th at $4,650.

Economic indicators

Nigeria Syria
Gross domestic product
$291B
2025
$20B
2023
GDP rank
50/197
2025
134/197
2023
GDP growth
4.01%
2024-2025
-1.85%
2022-2023
GDP per capita
$1,224
2025
$847
2023
GDP per capita rank
172/197
2025
185/197
2023
GDP per capita, PPP
$9,087
2024
$4,650
2023
GDP per capita PPP rank
136/197
2024
160/197
2023
Government debt
$103B
2025
$18.4B
2010
Debt-to-GDP ratio
35.5%
2025
30%
2010
Government debt per person
$434
2025
$820
2010
Government debt per person rank
170/185
2025
150/185
2010
Average annual personal income after taxes
$768
2026
$693
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$86.9B
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
4
2026
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
26.3%
2022
20.9%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
3%
2022
3.8%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
11.7%
2025
28.6%
2010
Consumer prices inflation
23%
2024-2025
13.4%
2018-2019
Central bank interest rate
26.5%
2026
n/a
Unemployment rate
3.45%
2024
14.9%
2011
Population
245016045
26956472

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Nigeria
Spending

Debt
Syria
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Nigeria Syria
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 11.7% 35.5% - -
2024 12% 39.3% - -
2023 10.4% 36.3% - -
2022 10.6% 29.8% - -
2021 9.09% 26.6% - -
2020 8.73% 25.7% - -
2019 8.87% 21.4% - -
2018 9.1% 20.4% - -
2017 8.51% 18% - -
2016 6.93% 17.4% - -
2015 7.85% 14.9% - -
2014 9.49% 15.8% - -
2013 10% 13% - -
2012 10.5% 12.5% - -
2011 12.3% 12.4% - -
2010 11.8% 6.67% 28.6% 30%
2009 11% 6.12% 26.7% 31.2%
2008 10.2% 5.17% 22.9% 37.3%
2007 12.9% 5.76% 25.7% 42.7%
2006 8.75% 6.68% 26.3% 45%
2005 12.6% 13.4% 28.2% 50.7%
2004 13% 25.2% 31.3% 113%
2003 16.5% 29.9% 32.6% 133.4%
2002 13.8% 30.7% 28.5% 132.4%
2001 21.9% 37.7% 28% 144.5%
2000 17.6% 40.9% 27.4% 152.1%
1999 14.9% 46.1% 28% 147.7%
1998 11.2% 15.8% 28.8% 151.2%
1997 9.68% 17.1% 29% 147.6%
1996 7.87% 17.9% 27.7% 141.5%
1995 8.87% 24.2% 29.8% 152.6%
1994 12.1% 39.7% 30.3% 163%
1993 20% 50.4% 29.4% 171.9%
1992 15.9% 49.8% 34.2% 173.6%
1991 13.6% 53.2% 34.3% 182.4%
1990 14.2% 50.9% 28.3% 189.8%

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

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

In 2025, Nigeria's government spending was $34.1B, accounting for 11.7% of its GDP, while Syria spent $17.6B, or 28.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 35.5% in Nigeria and 30% in Syria, ranking 143/185 and 155/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Nigeria

Syria
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Nigeria Syria
2025 -1.76% -
2024 -1.27% -
2023 -3.12% -
2022 -4% -
2021 -3.97% -
2020 -4.03% -
2019 -3.31% -
2018 -3.06% -
2017 -3.85% -
2016 -3.3% -
2015 -2.7% -
2014 -1.72% -
2013 -1.89% -
2012 -0.09% -
2011 0.31% -
2010 -2.96% -7.79%
2009 -3.78% -2.89%
2008 4.05% -2.86%
2007 -0.79% -2.99%
2006 6.22% -1.12%
2005 3.49% -4.41%
2004 3.9% -4.18%
2003 -1.56% -2.7%
2002 0.95% -2.02%
2001 -2.29% 2.3%
2000 2.89% -1.36%
1999 -1.39% -1.47%
1998 -3.47% -2.81%
1997 1.14% -1.78%
1996 3.37% -2.83%
1995 2.52% -3.81%
1994 -2.96% -6%
1993 -6.07% -4.96%
1992 0.94% -7.26%
1991 -1.18% -6.57%
1990 -0.48% -3.92%

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

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

In 2010, Nigeria's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $10.9B, equivalent to 2.96% of GDP. This compares to Syria's deficit of $4.78B, or 7.79% of GDP.

Over the past 21 years, Nigeria recorded a fiscal deficit in 11 of those years, while Syria ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, Nigeria posted an annual surplus equal to 0.12% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.4% of GDP for Syria.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Nigeria

Syria
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Nigeria Syria
2025 23% -
2024 33.2% -
2023 24.7% -
2022 18.8% -
2021 17% -
2020 13.2% -
2019 11.4% 13.4%
2018 12.1% 0.94%
2017 16.5% 18.1%
2016 15.7% 47.7%
2015 9.01% 38.5%
2014 8.05% 10.9%
2013 8.5% 40%
2012 12.2% 36.7%
2011 10.8% 4.75%
2010 13.7% 4.4%
2009 12.5% 2.92%
2008 11.6% 15.7%
2007 5.39% 3.91%
2006 8.23% 10%
2005 17.9% 7.24%
2004 15% 4.43%
2003 14% 5.8%
2002 12.9% -0.13%
2001 18.9% 3%
2000 6.93% -3.85%
1999 6.62% -3.7%
1998 10% -0.8%
1997 8.53% 1.89%

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

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

Over the past 23 years, Nigeria has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 11.6%, compared with 11.4% in Syria. In 2019, inflation was 23% in Nigeria and 13.4% in Syria.

Top exports between countries

Nigeria
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $605K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $180K
Textiles & consumer goods $57K
Syria
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $2.05M
Machinery & equipment $1.5M
Chemicals & pharma $673K
Textiles & consumer goods $588K
Wood & paper products $443K
Raw materials & minerals $218K
Metals $123K
Precious metals & jewellery $3K

Balance of trade

Nigeria Syria
Current account balance
$14B
2025
-$367M
2010
Current account balance ranking
21/190
2025
99/190
2010
Current account balance, % of GDP
+4.83%
2025
-0.6%
2010
Goods imports
$43B
2025
$15.9B
2010
Goods exports
$57.5B
2025
$12.3B
2010
Service imports
$19.6B
2025
$3.53B
2010
Service exports
$5.06B
2025
$7.33B
2010
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
16.9%
1960
28.7%
2022
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
9.24%
1960
6.78%
2022

Economic freedom indices

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

Nigeria Syria
Economic freedom 54.8 51.2
Economic freedom ranking 132/197 155/197
Property rights 29.7 4
Government integrity 23.5 3.6
Judicial effectiveness 34.4 3.7
Tax burden 84.6 87.3
Government spending 96.3 78.5
Fiscal health 83.5 13.8
Business freedom 50.3 33.8
Labor freedom 75.4 37.2
Monetary freedom 56.1 80
Trade freedom 64.4 47
Investment freedom 30 0
Financial freedom 30 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Nigeria
Syria
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Nigeria Syria
2026 54.8 -
2025 53.4 -
2024 53.1 -
2023 53.9 -
2022 54.4 -
2021 58.7 -
2020 57.2 -
2019 57.3 -
2018 58.5 -
2017 57.1 -
2016 57.5 -
2015 55.6 -
2014 54.3 -
2013 55.1 -
2012 56.3 51.2
2011 56.7 51.3
2010 56.8 49.4
2009 55.1 51.3
2008 55.1 47.2
2007 55.6 48.3
2006 48.7 51.2
2005 48.4 46.3
2004 49.2 40.6
2003 49.5 41.3
2002 50.9 36.3
2001 49.6 36.6
2000 53.1 37.2
1999 55.7 39
1998 52.3 42.2
1997 52.8 43
1996 47.4 42.3
1995 47.3 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Nigeria is 54.8, ranking 132/197, 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

Nigeria Syria
Services, % of GDP
58.2%
2025
44.7%
2022
Industry, % of GDP
16.4%
2025
11.9%
2022
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
23%
2025
42.9%
2022
GNI, Atlas method
$324B
2025
$18.2B
2023
GNI per capita, PPP
$9,230
2025
$4,480
2023
Total reserves including gold
$46B
2025
$20.6B
2010
Total reserves ranking
52/177
2025
66/177
2010
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.82B
2025
-$1.47B
2010
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.61B
2024
$0
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$408M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.46%
2024
0.15%
2023
Poverty at national poverty lines
56.2%
2023
35.2%
2007
Gross capital formation, % of GDP n/a
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/nigeria/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 (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. TradeMap (2010–2024, 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.