Skip to content

Economy of Norway vs Syria compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Norway has a GDP of $484B compared to $20B for Syria, ranking 32/197 and 129/197 by economy size, respectively.

Norway has $207B in government debt (42.7% of GDP), compared to $18.4B (30% of GDP) in Syria.

Norway vs Syria GDP by year

Norway
Syria
1x
Year GDP, current $
Norway Syria
2024 $483,592,648,313 -
2023 $482,949,731,777 $19,993,439,950
2022 $596,297,651,036 $23,622,827,080
2021 $503,367,986,030 $14,353,205,678
2020 $367,633,418,887 $12,047,752,036
2019 $408,742,840,909 $22,583,045,060
2018 $439,788,625,884 $21,497,782,868
2017 $401,745,275,035 $16,369,843,352
2016 $370,956,547,619 $12,597,854,877
2015 $388,159,512,246 $16,466,863,117
2014 $501,736,471,833 $21,502,061,466
2013 $526,014,468,085 $21,361,254,635
2012 $512,777,309,841 $43,190,318,033
2011 $501,360,549,669 $67,539,428,159
2010 $431,052,143,940 $61,390,830,875
2009 $387,976,400,617 $54,111,735,629
2008 $464,917,553,191 $52,557,913,569
2007 $402,643,260,488 $40,465,318,382
2006 $346,915,160,682 $33,751,788,856
2005 $309,978,579,744 $28,858,965,517
2004 $265,268,662,473 $25,086,950,495
2003 $229,385,469,337 $21,828,144,686
2002 $195,914,852,576 $20,669,357,462
2001 $174,239,354,071 $20,237,024,725
2000 $171,457,201,936 $18,937,052,543
1999 $162,383,706,021 $15,873,875,969
1998 $154,230,295,158 $15,200,846,154
1997 $161,356,631,888 $14,505,233,463
1996 $163,520,109,151 $13,789,560,878
1995 $152,029,612,325 $11,396,706,587
1994 $127,131,319,429 $10,122,020,000
1993 $120,579,213,713 $13,695,962,055
1992 $130,838,040,068 $13,253,565,861
1991 $121,872,464,483 $12,981,833,333
1990 $119,791,843,060 $12,308,624,418
1989 $102,633,934,391 $9,853,395,762
1988 $101,900,260,856 $10,577,041,645
1987 $94,229,907,236 $11,356,215,543
1986 $78,693,118,044 $13,293,205,278
1985 $65,416,879,914 $16,403,539,893
1984 $62,057,955,033 $17,503,078,174
1983 $61,627,240,831 $17,589,277,143
1982 $62,647,195,538 $16,298,929,011
1981 $63,596,654,761 $15,518,201,335
1980 $64,439,382,896 $13,062,420,382
1979 $53,132,244,624 $9,929,681,529
1978 $46,522,900,254 $9,275,200,458
1977 $41,508,030,431 $7,696,011,396
1976 $35,942,270,686 $7,633,528,867
1975 $32,877,805,200 $6,826,980,444
1974 $27,145,693,810 $5,159,557,148
1973 $22,534,253,703 $3,239,487,516
1972 $17,358,610,850 $3,059,681,698
1971 $14,583,114,840 $2,589,851,325
1970 $12,814,123,115 $2,140,384,010
1969 $11,136,187,440 $2,245,011,515
1968 $10,227,087,165 $1,753,746,430
1967 $9,577,383,653 $1,580,229,799
1966 $8,753,940,267 $1,342,287,553
1965 $8,111,945,661 $1,472,036,540
1964 $7,206,522,122 $1,339,494,267
1963 $6,553,269,536 $1,200,447,408
1962 $6,107,076,929 $1,110,565,881
1961 $5,669,689,210 $945,244,972
1960 $5,197,398,721 $857,704,413

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

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

GDP per capita in Norway vs Syria by year

Norway
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Syria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Norway Syria
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $86,785 $102,038 - -
2023 $87,497 $103,638 $847 $4,650
2022 $109,270 $125,490 $1,052 $4,772
2021 $93,073 $88,984 $664 $4,593
2020 $68,340 $67,111 $572 $3,738
2019 $76,431 $70,940 $1,110 $3,502
2018 $82,793 $70,254 $1,098 $3,456
2017 $76,132 $64,590 $852 $3,265
2016 $70,867 $59,280 $656 -
2015 $74,810 $60,738 $848 -
2014 $97,667 $66,332 $1,061 -
2013 $103,554 $67,378 $986 -
2012 $102,176 $65,774 $1,898 -
2011 $101,222 $62,460 $2,952 -
2010 $88,163 $58,213 $2,731 -
2009 $80,348 $55,648 $2,462 -
2008 $97,504 $62,073 $2,429 -
2007 $85,502 $56,179 $1,938 -
2006 $74,434 $54,358 $1,719 -
2005 $67,047 $47,967 $1,534 -
2004 $57,769 $42,667 $1,368 -
2003 $50,250 $38,680 $1,220 -
2002 $43,171 $38,056 $1,183 -
2001 $38,602 $37,829 $1,187 -
2000 $38,178 $36,994 $1,138 -
1999 $36,393 $30,574 $978 -
1998 $34,803 $28,200 $961 -
1997 $36,629 $28,610 $941 -
1996 $37,322 $26,826 $918 -
1995 $34,876 $24,360 $780 -
1994 $29,316 $23,027 $712 -
1993 $27,964 $21,584 $993 -
1992 $30,524 $20,623 $990 -
1991 $28,597 $19,580 $1,000 -
1990 $28,243 $18,461 $978 -
1989 $24,281 - $809 -
1988 $24,207 - $898 -
1987 $22,506 - $997 -
1986 $18,883 - $1,208 -
1985 $15,754 - $1,544 -
1984 $14,989 - $1,706 -
1983 $14,928 - $1,776 -
1982 $15,225 - $1,703 -
1981 $15,513 - $1,676 -
1980 $15,772 - $1,458 -
1979 $13,047 - $1,146 -
1978 $11,463 - $1,108 -
1977 $10,266 - $951 -
1976 $8,927 - $976 -
1975 $8,204 - $904 -
1974 $6,812 - $707 -
1973 $5,690 - $459 -
1972 $4,414 - $448 -
1971 $3,736 - $393 -
1970 $3,306 - $335 -
1969 $2,894 - $364 -
1968 $2,680 - $293.3 -
1967 $2,531 - $272.9 -
1966 $2,333 - $239.3 -
1965 $2,179 - $270.8 -
1964 $1,951 - $254.2 -
1963 $1,787 - $234.9 -
1962 $1,678 - $223.9 -
1961 $1,571 - $196.3 -
1960 $1,451 - $183.5 -

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

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

Norway's GDP per capita is $86,785, ranking 8/197, compared to $847 in Syria, ranking 185/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Norway ranks 7th at $102,038, while Syria ranks 160th at $4,650.

Economic indicators

Norway Syria
Gross domestic product
$484B
2024
$20B
2023
GDP rank
32/197
2024
129/197
2023
GDP growth
2.1%
2023-2024
-1.21%
2022-2023
GDP per capita
$86,785
2024
$847
2023
GDP per capita rank
8/197
2024
185/197
2023
GDP per capita, PPP
$102,038
2024
$4,650
2023
GDP per capita PPP rank
7/197
2024
160/197
2023
Government debt
$207B
2024
$18.4B
2010
Debt-to-GDP ratio
42.7%
2024
30%
2010
Government debt per person
$37,074
2024
$820
2010
Government debt per person rank
17/185
2024
148/185
2010
Average annual personal income after taxes
$49,765
2026
$730
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$296B
2019
n/a
Number of millionaires
348,000
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
17
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
21.6%
2023
21.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
3.6%
2023
3.8%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
48.5%
2024
28.6%
2010
Consumer prices inflation
3.15%
2023-2024
13.4%
2018-2019
Central bank interest rate
4%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
3.98%
2024
8.61%
2010
Population
5671119
26829400

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Norway
Spending

Debt
Syria
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Norway Syria
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 48.5% 42.7% - -
2023 45.9% 44.1% - -
2022 37.5% 36.1% - -
2021 46.3% 41.6% - -
2020 56.7% 46% - -
2019 50.2% 40.5% - -
2018 47.7% 39.3% - -
2017 49.2% 38.2% - -
2016 50.4% 37.9% - -
2015 48.2% 34.3% - -
2014 45.2% 29.6% - -
2013 43.5% 31.4% - -
2012 42.4% 30.9% - -
2011 43.3% 29.6% - -
2010 44.5% 43% 28.6% 30%
2009 45.6% 42.5% 26.7% 31.2%
2008 39.8% 47.5% 22.9% 37.3%
2007 41% 49.5% 25.7% 42.7%
2006 40.5% 52.6% 26.3% 45%
2005 41.8% 42.3% 28.2% 50.7%
2004 44.7% 43.8% 31.3% 113%
2003 47.6% 43.1% 32.6% 133.4%
2002 46.1% 33.9% 28.5% 132.4%
2001 43.2% 27.2% 28% 144.5%
2000 41.3% 28.7% 27.4% 152.1%
1999 46.4% 25% 28% 147.7%
1998 47.8% 23.6% 28.8% 151.2%
1997 45.5% 25.8% 29% 147.6%
1996 47% 28.4% 27.7% 141.5%
1995 49.3% 32.7% 29.8% 152.6%
1994 49.4% 50.6% 30.3% 163%
1993 50.2% 53.7% 29.4% 171.9%
1992 51.3% 45% 34.2% 173.6%
1991 50% 39.2% 34.3% 182.4%
1990 48.9% 28.9% 28.3% 189.8%
1989 52.2% 30.4% - -
1988 52.6% 30.5% - -
1987 50.5% 31.3% - -
1986 48.1% 37.8% - -
1985 44% 30.2% - -
1984 44.5% 27.8% - -
1983 46.4% 27.4% - -
1982 46.6% 29.7% - -
1981 46.1% 32.9% - -
1980 46.1% 36.8% - -
1979 47.2% 39.6% - -
1978 47.9% 49.9% - -
1977 46.5% 43.8% - -
1976 45.2% 38.5% - -
1975 43.5% 36.7% - -
1974 42.2% 35.4% - -
1973 42.3% 37.7% - -
1972 42.2% 38.9% - -
1971 40.7% 38.5% - -
1970 38.9% 38.6% - -
1969 38% 22.3% - -
1968 36.2% 22.5% - -
1967 34.9% 22.6% - -
1966 33.5% 22.4% - -
1965 32.9% 23% - -
1964 32% 24.2% - -
1963 31.9% 25.3% - -
1962 30.6% 26.7% - -
1961 20.4% 27.7% - -
1960 18% 29.8% - -

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/norway/syria | CC BY

In 2024, Norway's government spending was $234B, accounting for 48.5% of its GDP, while Syria spent $17.6B, or 28.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 42.7% in Norway and 30% in Syria, ranking 127/185 and 157/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Norway

Syria
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Norway Syria
2024 13.2% -
2023 16.6% -
2022 25.5% -
2021 10.3% -
2020 -2.56% -
2019 6.52% -
2018 7.81% -
2017 4.96% -
2016 4.04% -
2015 5.99% -
2014 8.57% -
2013 10.6% -
2012 13.7% -
2011 13.3% -
2010 10.9% -7.79%
2009 10.2% -2.89%
2008 18.5% -2.86%
2007 17% -2.99%
2006 17.9% -1.12%
2005 14.7% -4.41%
2004 10.8% -4.18%
2003 7.2% -2.7%
2002 9.03% -2.02%
2001 13.2% 2.3%
2000 15% -1.36%
1999 5.71% -1.47%
1998 3.07% -2.81%
1997 7.35% -1.78%
1996 6.01% -2.83%
1995 2.96% -3.81%
1994 0.04% -6%
1993 -1.64% -4.96%
1992 -2.07% -7.26%
1991 -0.12% -6.57%
1990 1.95% -3.92%
1989 1.81% -
1988 2.65% -
1987 4.56% -
1986 5.87% -
1985 9.84% -
1984 6.97% -
1983 6.03% -
1982 3.96% -
1981 4.82% -
1980 5.38% -
1979 2.16% -
1978 0.94% -
1977 1.01% -
1976 2.2% -
1975 2.88% -
1974 4.06% -
1973 4.99% -
1972 3.93% -
1971 3.71% -
1970 2.83% -
1969 3.57% -
1968 3.38% -
1967 4.19% -
1966 3.59% -
1965 2.78% -
1964 3.08% -
1963 2.6% -
1962 4% -
1961 -0.7% -
1960 1.42% -
1959 1.89% -
1958 1.7% -
1957 1.55% -
1956 1.22% -
1955 0.82% -
1954 -0.54% -
1953 1.3% -
1952 2.15% -
1951 1.59% -
1950 -0.89% -
1949 -0.72% -
1948 -0.35% -
1947 -4.66% -
1946 -3.82% -
1945 - -
1944 - -
1943 - -
1942 - -
1941 - -
1940 - -
1939 -0.54% -
1938 0.03% -
1937 -0.16% -
1936 -0.7% -
1935 -1.1% -
1934 -0.59% -
1933 -1.29% -
1932 -1.14% -
1931 -1.15% -
1930 -0.46% -
1929 -0.83% -
1928 -0.81% -
1927 -0.76% -
1926 -1.59% -
1925 -1.92% -
1924 -2.96% -
1923 -3.58% -
1922 -4.28% -
1921 -5.47% -
1920 -1.15% -
1919 -2.11% -
1918 -1.17% -
1917 0.2% -
1916 -0.36% -
1915 -2.04% -
1914 -1.09% -
1913 -0.9% -
1912 -0.89% -
1911 -0.05% -
1910 0.3% -
1909 -0.52% -
1908 -0.06% -
1907 0.16% -
1906 -0.59% -
1905 -0.52% -
1904 -0.75% -
1903 -1.12% -
1902 -1.52% -
1901 -1.41% -
1900 -1.99% -
1899 -1.35% -
1898 -1.39% -
1897 -0.63% -
1896 -1.57% -
1895 -1.66% -
1894 -1.13% -
1893 -1.25% -
1892 -0.94% -
1891 -0.44% -
1890 -0.2% -
1889 -0.07% -
1888 -0.23% -
1887 -0.17% -
1886 -0.2% -
1885 -0.005% -
1884 -0.08% -
1883 -0.17% -
1882 -0.62% -
1881 -1.13% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1881–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2010, Norway's government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $46.9B, equivalent to 10.9% of GDP. This compares to Syria's deficit of $4.78B, or 7.79% of GDP.

Over the past 21 years, Norway recorded a fiscal deficit in 3 of those years, while Syria ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, Norway posted an annual surplus equal to 7.99% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.4% of GDP for Syria.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Norway

Syria
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Norway Syria
2024 3.15% -
2023 5.52% -
2022 5.76% -
2021 3.48% -
2020 1.29% -
2019 2.17% 13.4%
2018 2.76% 0.94%
2017 1.88% 18.1%
2016 3.55% 47.7%
2015 2.17% 38.5%
2014 2.04% 10.9%
2013 2.12% 40%
2012 0.7% 36.7%
2011 1.28% 4.75%
2010 2.42% 4.4%
2009 2.2% 2.92%
2008 3.75% 15.7%
2007 0.71% 3.91%
2006 2.33% 10%
2005 1.53% 7.24%
2004 0.45% 4.43%
2003 2.49% 5.8%
2002 1.29% -0.13%
2001 3% 3%
2000 3.09% -3.85%
1999 2.37% -3.7%
1998 2.25% -0.8%
1997 2.57% 1.89%

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

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

Over the past 23 years, Norway has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.14%, compared with 11.4% in Syria. In 2019, inflation was 3.15% in Norway and 13.4% in Syria.

Top exports between countries

Norway
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $642K
Metals $626K
Chemicals & pharma $539K
Wood & paper products $40K
Machinery & equipment $34K
Textiles & consumer goods $30K
Miscellaneous $1K
Syria
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $119K
Machinery & equipment $58K
Textiles & consumer goods $54K
Wood & paper products $21K
Chemicals & pharma $18K
Raw agricultural goods $9K
Miscellaneous $4K
Metals $1K
Precious metals & jewellery $1K
Raw materials & minerals $1K

Balance of trade

Norway Syria
Current account balance
$71.6B
2024
-$367M
2010
Current account balance ranking
11/190
2024
103/190
2010
Current account balance, % of GDP
+14.8%
2024
-0.6%
2010
Goods imports
$97.5B
2024
$15.9B
2010
Goods exports
$162B
2024
$12.3B
2010
Service imports
$63.6B
2024
$3.53B
2010
Service exports
$55.6B
2024
$7.33B
2010
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
33.9%
2024
28.8%
2022
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
47.5%
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.

Norway Syria
Economic freedom 78.8 51.2
Economic freedom ranking 9/197 155/197
Property rights 99.6 4
Government integrity 94.3 3.6
Judicial effectiveness 96.4 3.7
Tax burden 63.3 87.3
Government spending 42 78.5
Fiscal health 96.4 13.8
Business freedom 91.2 33.8
Labor freedom 69.3 37.2
Monetary freedom 72.4 80
Trade freedom 85.6 47
Investment freedom 75 0
Financial freedom 60 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Norway
Syria
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Norway Syria
2026 78.8 -
2025 78.3 -
2024 77.5 -
2023 76.9 -
2022 76.9 -
2021 73.4 -
2020 73.4 -
2019 73 -
2018 74.3 -
2017 74 -
2016 70.8 -
2015 71.8 -
2014 70.9 -
2013 70.5 -
2012 68.8 51.2
2011 70.3 51.3
2010 69.4 49.4
2009 70.2 51.3
2008 68.6 47.2
2007 67.9 48.3
2006 67.9 51.2
2005 64.5 46.3
2004 66.2 40.6
2003 67.2 41.3
2002 67.4 36.3
2001 67.1 36.6
2000 70.1 37.2
1999 68.6 39
1998 68 42.2
1997 65.1 43
1996 65.4 42.3

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Norway is 78.8, ranking 9/197, 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

Norway Syria
Services, % of GDP
51.8%
2024
44.9%
2022
Industry, % of GDP
37%
2024
12%
2022
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.08%
2024
43.1%
2022
GNI, Atlas method
$547B
2024
$18.2B
2023
GNI per capita, PPP
$106,830
2024
$4,480
2023
Total reserves including gold
$81.2B
2024
$20.6B
2010
Total reserves ranking
32/177
2024
62/177
2010
Net foreign direct investment
-$7.83B
2024
-$1.47B
2010
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$12B
2024
$0
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$4.95B
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
0.15%
2023
Poverty at national poverty lines
12.2%
2021
35.2%
2007
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
24.1%
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/norway/syria | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1881–1989, 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.