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Economy of Papua New Guinea vs Syria compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Papua New Guinea has a GDP of $31.8B compared to $20B for Syria, ranking 110/197 and 129/197 by economy size, respectively.

Papua New Guinea has $16.6B in government debt (52.1% of GDP), compared to $18.4B (30% of GDP) in Syria.

Papua New Guinea vs Syria GDP by year

Papua New Guinea
Syria
1x
Year GDP, current $
Papua New Guinea Syria
2024 $31,800,428,266 -
2023 $30,816,367,067 $19,993,439,950
2022 $31,653,185,953 $23,622,827,080
2021 $26,109,413,521 $14,353,205,678
2020 $23,848,447,850 $12,047,752,036
2019 $24,750,626,030 $22,583,045,060
2018 $24,109,780,708 $21,497,782,868
2017 $22,742,699,138 $16,369,843,352
2016 $20,758,876,953 $12,597,854,877
2015 $21,723,437,010 $16,466,863,117
2014 $23,210,823,987 $21,502,061,466
2013 $21,261,338,065 $21,361,254,635
2012 $21,295,168,666 $43,190,318,033
2011 $17,985,138,066 $67,539,428,159
2010 $14,250,786,675 $61,390,830,875
2009 $11,619,456,449 $54,111,735,629
2008 $11,670,892,801 $52,557,913,569
2007 $9,545,028,944 $40,465,318,382
2006 $8,354,911,041 $33,751,788,856
2005 $4,865,892,972 $28,858,965,517
2004 $3,927,157,867 $25,086,950,495
2003 $3,536,411,824 $21,828,144,686
2002 $2,999,511,040 $20,669,357,462
2001 $3,081,024,212 $20,237,024,725
2000 $3,521,339,699 $18,937,052,543
1999 $3,477,038,204 $15,873,875,969
1998 $3,789,443,015 $15,200,846,154
1997 $4,936,615,299 $14,505,233,463
1996 $5,155,311,077 $13,789,560,878
1995 $4,636,057,476 $11,396,706,587
1994 $5,502,786,070 $10,122,020,000
1993 $4,974,550,286 $13,695,962,055
1992 $4,377,980,510 $13,253,565,861
1991 $3,787,394,958 $12,981,833,333
1990 $3,219,729,083 $12,308,624,418
1989 $3,546,472,566 $9,853,395,762
1988 $3,656,177,881 $10,577,041,645
1987 $3,143,851,794 $11,356,215,543
1986 $2,647,995,602 $13,293,205,278
1985 $2,423,339,172 $16,403,539,893
1984 $2,552,662,617 $17,503,078,174
1983 $2,562,351,551 $17,589,277,143
1982 $2,368,719,683 $16,298,929,011
1981 $2,498,190,847 $15,518,201,335
1980 $2,545,808,456 $13,062,420,382
1979 $2,293,760,511 $9,929,681,529
1978 $1,947,878,831 $9,275,200,458
1977 $1,640,746,619 $7,696,011,396
1976 $1,511,843,235 $7,633,528,867
1975 $1,356,603,608 $6,826,980,444
1974 $1,467,417,672 $5,159,557,148
1973 $1,299,079,410 $3,239,487,516
1972 $858,761,926 $3,059,681,698
1971 $717,750,278 $2,589,851,325
1970 $645,568,215 $2,140,384,010
1969 $551,263,864 $2,245,011,515
1968 $485,184,190 $1,753,746,430
1967 $441,728,183 $1,580,229,799
1966 $390,992,063 $1,342,287,553
1965 $344,176,055 $1,472,036,540
1964 $305,312,049 $1,339,494,267
1963 $275,968,044 $1,200,447,408
1962 $261,184,042 $1,110,565,881
1961 $244,832,039 $945,244,972
1960 $230,496,037 $857,704,413

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

GeoRank.org/economy/papua-new-guinea/syria | CC BY

GDP per capita in Papua New Guinea vs Syria by year

Papua New Guinea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Syria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Papua New Guinea Syria
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $3,007 $4,875 - -
2023 $2,966 $4,668 $847 $4,650
2022 $3,102 $4,420 $1,052 $4,772
2021 $2,608 $3,977 $664 $4,593
2020 $2,430 $3,900 $572 $3,738
2019 $2,576 $4,060 $1,110 $3,502
2018 $2,566 $3,910 $1,098 $3,456
2017 $2,478 $3,923 $852 $3,265
2016 $2,316 $3,813 $656 -
2015 $2,485 $3,670 $848 -
2014 $2,723 $3,500 $1,061 -
2013 $2,561 $3,110 $986 -
2012 $2,635 $3,026 $1,898 -
2011 $2,288 $2,919 $2,952 -
2010 $1,867 $2,912 $2,731 -
2009 $1,569 $2,692 $2,462 -
2008 $1,625 $2,583 $2,429 -
2007 $1,371 $2,622 $1,938 -
2006 $1,238 $2,444 $1,719 -
2005 $744 $2,322 $1,534 -
2004 $621 $2,187 $1,368 -
2003 $577 $2,142 $1,220 -
2002 $506 $2,125 $1,183 -
2001 $538 $2,168 $1,187 -
2000 $636 $2,196 $1,138 -
1999 $650 $2,280 $978 -
1998 $733 $2,285 $961 -
1997 $990 $2,432 $941 -
1996 $1,071 $2,578 $918 -
1995 $998 $2,436 $780 -
1994 $1,228 $2,558 $712 -
1993 $1,151 $2,451 $993 -
1992 $1,051 $2,100 $990 -
1991 $942 $1,869 $1,000 -
1990 $826 $1,703 $978 -
1989 $934 - $809 -
1988 $985 - $898 -
1987 $865 - $997 -
1986 $745 - $1,208 -
1985 $697 - $1,544 -
1984 $750 - $1,706 -
1983 $769 - $1,776 -
1982 $726 - $1,703 -
1981 $781 - $1,676 -
1980 $813 - $1,458 -
1979 $748 - $1,146 -
1978 $648 - $1,108 -
1977 $558 - $951 -
1976 $525 - $976 -
1975 $482 - $904 -
1974 $533 - $707 -
1973 $483 - $459 -
1972 $327 - $448 -
1971 $279.7 - $393 -
1970 $257.6 - $335 -
1969 $225.3 - $364 -
1968 $202.9 - $293.3 -
1967 $189 - $272.9 -
1966 $171.1 - $239.3 -
1965 $153.9 - $270.8 -
1964 $139.5 - $254.2 -
1963 $128.9 - $234.9 -
1962 $124.7 - $223.9 -
1961 $119.7 - $196.3 -
1960 $115.5 - $183.5 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/papua-new-guinea/syria | CC BY

Papua New Guinea's GDP per capita is $3,007, ranking 140/197, compared to $847 in Syria, ranking 185/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Papua New Guinea ranks 159th at $4,875, while Syria ranks 160th at $4,650.

Economic indicators

Papua New Guinea Syria
Gross domestic product
$31.8B
2024
$20B
2023
GDP rank
110/197
2024
129/197
2023
GDP growth
3.8%
2023-2024
-1.21%
2022-2023
GDP per capita
$3,007
2024
$847
2023
GDP per capita rank
140/197
2024
185/197
2023
GDP per capita, PPP
$4,875
2024
$4,650
2023
GDP per capita PPP rank
159/197
2024
160/197
2023
Government debt
$16.6B
2024
$18.4B
2010
Debt-to-GDP ratio
52.1%
2024
30%
2010
Government debt per person
$1,566
2024
$820
2010
Government debt per person rank
129/185
2024
148/185
2010
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,362
2026
$730
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$1.68B
2017
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
31%
2009
21.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
1.9%
2009
3.8%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
20.4%
2024
28.6%
2010
Consumer prices inflation
0.6%
2023-2024
13.4%
2018-2019
Central bank interest rate
5%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
2.69%
2022
8.61%
2010
Population
11002753
26829400

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Papua New Guinea
Spending

Debt
Syria
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Papua New Guinea Syria
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 20.4% 52.1% - -
2023 22.3% 53.9% - -
2022 21.9% 48.2% - -
2021 22% 52.6% - -
2020 23.5% 48.7% - -
2019 21.3% 38.2% - -
2018 20.3% 36.7% - -
2017 18.4% 32.5% - -
2016 20.9% 33.7% - -
2015 22.8% 29.9% - -
2014 27.1% 26.9% - -
2013 27.6% 24.9% - -
2012 22.4% 19.1% - -
2011 19.7% 16.3% - -
2010 18.4% 17.3% 28.6% 30%
2009 24.7% 21.7% 26.7% 31.2%
2008 19.8% 21.6% 22.9% 37.3%
2007 18% 22.2% 25.7% 42.7%
2006 19.4% 26% 26.3% 45%
2005 20.6% 31.6% 28.2% 50.7%
2004 19.4% 37.2% 31.3% 113%
2003 18.7% 40.4% 32.6% 133.4%
2002 20.8% 48.4% 28.5% 132.4%
2001 21.6% 47.7% 28% 144.5%
2000 20.5% 42.3% 27.4% 152.1%
1999 21.4% 41.8% 28% 147.7%
1998 20% 45.7% 28.8% 151.2%
1997 20.6% 43.9% 29% 147.6%
1996 17.6% 37.8% 27.7% 141.5%
1995 17.1% 36.6% 29.8% 152.6%
1994 19.3% 40.1% 30.3% 163%
1993 23.5% 30% 29.4% 171.9%
1992 22.8% 30.4% 34.2% 173.6%
1991 22.4% - 34.3% 182.4%
1990 24.5% - 28.3% 189.8%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1992–1993, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/papua-new-guinea/syria | CC BY

In 2024, Papua New Guinea's government spending was $6.48B, accounting for 20.4% of its GDP, while Syria spent $17.6B, or 28.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 52.1% in Papua New Guinea and 30% in Syria, ranking 100/185 and 157/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Papua New Guinea

Syria
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Papua New Guinea Syria
2024 -3.23% -
2023 -4.34% -
2022 -5.25% -
2021 -6.84% -
2020 -8.85% -
2019 -4.98% -
2018 -2.58% -
2017 -2.47% -
2016 -4.75% -
2015 -4.55% -
2014 -6.27% -
2013 -6.87% -
2012 -1.19% -
2011 2.22% -
2010 3.06% -7.79%
2009 -5.48% -2.89%
2008 2.73% -2.86%
2007 6.9% -2.99%
2006 5.34% -1.12%
2005 2.85% -4.41%
2004 2.03% -4.18%
2003 0.19% -2.7%
2002 -1.75% -2.02%
2001 -1.33% 2.3%
2000 0.3% -1.36%
1999 -1.94% -1.47%
1998 -0.16% -2.81%
1997 0.67% -1.78%
1996 2.05% -2.83%
1995 1.08% -3.81%
1994 -1.01% -6%
1993 -4.9% -4.96%
1992 -4.33% -7.26%
1991 -0.62% -6.57%
1990 -2.04% -3.92%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/papua-new-guinea/syria | CC BY

In 2010, Papua New Guinea's government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $436M, equivalent to 3.06% of GDP. This compares to Syria's deficit of $4.78B, or 7.79% of GDP.

Over the past 21 years, Papua New Guinea recorded a fiscal deficit in 10 of those years, while Syria ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, Papua New Guinea posted an annual surplus equal to 0.17% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.4% of GDP for Syria.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Papua New Guinea

Syria
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Papua New Guinea Syria
2024 0.6% -
2023 2.3% -
2022 5.25% -
2021 4.48% -
2020 4.87% -
2019 3.93% 13.4%
2018 4.37% 0.94%
2017 5.42% 18.1%
2016 6.67% 47.7%
2015 6% 38.5%
2014 5.22% 10.9%
2013 4.96% 40%
2012 4.54% 36.7%
2011 4.44% 4.75%
2010 6.01% 4.4%
2009 6.92% 2.92%
2008 10.8% 15.7%
2007 0.91% 3.91%
2006 2.37% 10%
2005 1.78% 7.24%
2004 2.16% 4.43%
2003 14.7% 5.8%
2002 11.8% -0.13%
2001 9.3% 3%
2000 15.6% -3.85%
1999 14.9% -3.7%
1998 13.6% -0.8%
1997 3.96% 1.89%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/papua-new-guinea/syria | CC BY

Over the past 23 years, Papua New Guinea has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.97%, compared with 11.4% in Syria. In 2019, inflation was 0.6% in Papua New Guinea and 13.4% in Syria.

Balance of trade

Papua New Guinea Syria
Current account balance
$4.77B
2024
-$367M
2010
Current account balance ranking
33/190
2024
103/190
2010
Current account balance, % of GDP
+15%
2024
-0.6%
2010
Goods imports
$4.69B
2024
$15.9B
2010
Goods exports
$13.4B
2024
$12.3B
2010
Service imports
$2.4B
2024
$3.53B
2010
Service exports
$75.2M
2024
$7.33B
2010
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
58.9%
2004
28.8%
2022
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
72.2%
2004
6.81%
2022

Economic freedom indices

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

Papua New Guinea Syria
Economic freedom 54.3 51.2
Economic freedom ranking 134/197 155/197
Property rights 45 4
Government integrity 30.8 3.6
Judicial effectiveness 41.1 3.7
Tax burden 70.9 87.3
Government spending 86.1 78.5
Fiscal health 65.3 13.8
Business freedom 34.2 33.8
Labor freedom 65.1 37.2
Monetary freedom 77.4 80
Trade freedom 80.2 47
Investment freedom 25 0
Financial freedom 30 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Papua New Guinea
Syria
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Papua New Guinea Syria
2026 54.3 -
2025 52.5 -
2024 49.4 -
2023 51.7 -
2022 54.6 -
2021 58.9 -
2020 58.4 -
2019 58.4 -
2018 55.7 -
2017 50.9 -
2016 53.2 -
2015 53.1 -
2014 53.9 -
2013 53.6 -
2012 53.8 51.2
2011 52.6 51.3
2010 53.5 49.4
2009 54.8 51.3
2008 - 47.2
2007 - 48.3
2006 - 51.2
2005 - 46.3
2004 - 40.6
2003 - 41.3
2002 - 36.3
2001 57.2 36.6
2000 55.8 37.2
1999 56.3 39
1998 55.2 42.2
1997 56.7 43
1996 58.6 42.3

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

GeoRank.org/economy/papua-new-guinea/syria | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Papua New Guinea is 54.3, ranking 134/197, 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

Papua New Guinea Syria
Services, % of GDP
41.5%
2024
44.9%
2022
Industry, % of GDP
37.2%
2024
12%
2022
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
17.2%
2024
43.1%
2022
GNI, Atlas method
$30.7B
2024
$18.2B
2023
GNI per capita, PPP
$4,580
2024
$4,480
2023
Total reserves including gold
$3.9B
2023
$20.6B
2010
Total reserves ranking
107/177
2023
62/177
2010
Net foreign direct investment
$968M
2024
-$1.47B
2010
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$198M
2024
$0
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$770M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
19.7%
2024
0.15%
2023
Poverty at national poverty lines
39.9%
2009
35.2%
2007
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
20%
2004
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/papua-new-guinea/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) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1992–1993, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. 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.