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Economy of Portugal vs Syria compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Portugal has a GDP of $313B compared to $20B for Syria, ranking 46/197 and 129/197 by economy size, respectively.

Portugal has $297B in government debt (94.9% of GDP), compared to $18.4B (30% of GDP) in Syria.

Portugal vs Syria GDP by year

Portugal
Syria
1x
Year GDP, current $
Portugal Syria
2024 $313,271,185,085 -
2023 $292,323,800,949 $19,993,439,950
2022 $256,898,677,175 $23,622,827,080
2021 $256,055,879,091 $14,353,205,678
2020 $229,618,773,423 $12,047,752,036
2019 $240,115,970,063 $22,583,045,060
2018 $242,092,894,543 $21,497,782,868
2017 $220,862,990,767 $16,369,843,352
2016 $206,305,431,242 $12,597,854,877
2015 $199,038,523,120 $16,466,863,117
2014 $230,078,616,300 $21,502,061,466
2013 $226,677,408,292 $21,361,254,635
2012 $216,536,676,772 $43,190,318,033
2011 $245,426,767,676 $67,539,428,159
2010 $238,443,864,993 $61,390,830,875
2009 $244,667,762,836 $54,111,735,629
2008 $263,416,394,624 $52,557,913,569
2007 $240,496,147,317 $40,465,318,382
2006 $208,756,449,276 $33,751,788,856
2005 $197,253,876,705 $28,858,965,517
2004 $189,382,122,532 $25,086,950,495
2003 $165,226,175,537 $21,828,144,686
2002 $134,795,565,549 $20,669,357,462
2001 $121,604,107,165 $20,237,024,725
2000 $118,605,192,877 $18,937,052,543
1999 $127,470,385,557 $15,873,875,969
1998 $123,946,327,916 $15,200,846,154
1997 $117,016,535,163 $14,505,233,463
1996 $122,630,089,680 $13,789,560,878
1995 $118,122,007,430 $11,396,706,587
1994 $99,688,641,304 $10,122,020,000
1993 $95,009,751,901 $13,695,962,055
1992 $107,592,098,307 $13,253,565,861
1991 $89,233,599,278 $12,981,833,333
1990 $78,713,860,217 $12,308,624,418
1989 $60,594,092,182 $9,853,395,762
1988 $56,347,250,696 $10,577,041,645
1987 $48,182,925,857 $11,356,215,543
1986 $38,745,901,354 $13,293,205,278
1985 $27,115,807,742 $16,403,539,893
1984 $25,217,969,050 $17,503,078,174
1983 $27,239,650,742 $17,589,277,143
1982 $30,527,754,793 $16,298,929,011
1981 $31,977,276,873 $15,518,201,335
1980 $32,896,519,824 $13,062,420,382
1979 $26,622,819,672 $9,929,681,529
1978 $23,487,614,051 $9,275,200,458
1977 $21,439,523,311 $7,696,011,396
1976 $20,332,831,565 $7,633,528,867
1975 $19,347,607,843 $6,826,980,444
1974 $17,512,391,476 $5,159,557,148
1973 $15,090,564,186 $3,239,487,516
1972 $11,239,117,865 $3,059,681,698
1971 $9,201,604,240 $2,589,851,325
1970 $8,108,235,704 $2,140,384,010
1969 $7,287,555,035 $2,245,011,515
1968 $6,644,693,214 $1,753,746,430
1967 $6,002,607,030 $1,580,229,799
1966 $5,370,108,031 $1,342,287,553
1965 $4,901,711,248 $1,472,036,540
1964 $4,429,202,657 $1,339,494,267
1963 $4,084,251,593 $1,200,447,408
1962 $3,835,883,663 $1,110,565,881
1961 $3,573,719,085 $945,244,972
1960 $3,339,150,158 $857,704,413

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

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

GDP per capita in Portugal vs Syria by year

Portugal
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Syria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Portugal Syria
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $29,292 $51,680 - -
2023 $27,635 $49,353 $847 $4,650
2022 $24,621 $45,250 $1,052 $4,772
2021 $24,711 $38,658 $664 $4,593
2020 $22,299 $35,967 $572 $3,738
2019 $23,343 $37,866 $1,110 $3,502
2018 $23,541 $34,897 $1,098 $3,456
2017 $21,442 $32,971 $852 $3,265
2016 $19,980 $31,589 $656 -
2015 $19,216 $29,608 $848 -
2014 $22,121 $28,765 $1,061 -
2013 $21,676 $27,966 $986 -
2012 $20,593 $26,476 $1,898 -
2011 $23,247 $26,803 $2,952 -
2010 $22,552 $27,292 $2,731 -
2009 $23,151 $26,472 $2,462 -
2008 $24,949 $26,666 $2,429 -
2007 $22,811 $25,738 $1,938 -
2006 $19,839 $24,677 $1,719 -
2005 $18,780 $22,725 $1,534 -
2004 $18,064 $21,476 $1,368 -
2003 $15,798 $20,850 $1,220 -
2002 $12,937 $20,357 $1,183 -
2001 $11,735 $19,529 $1,187 -
2000 $11,526 $18,883 $1,138 -
1999 $12,475 $17,718 $978 -
1998 $12,199 $16,688 $961 -
1997 $11,576 $15,789 $941 -
1996 $12,185 $14,922 $918 -
1995 $11,781 $14,406 $780 -
1994 $9,977 $13,578 $712 -
1993 $9,535 $13,202 $993 -
1992 $10,811 $13,182 $990 -
1991 $8,959 $12,739 $1,000 -
1990 $7,885 $11,780 $978 -
1989 $6,056 - $809 -
1988 $5,624 - $898 -
1987 $4,804 - $997 -
1986 $3,862 - $1,208 -
1985 $2,705 - $1,544 -
1984 $2,523 - $1,706 -
1983 $2,735 - $1,776 -
1982 $3,080 - $1,703 -
1981 $3,246 - $1,676 -
1980 $3,368 - $1,458 -
1979 $2,756 - $1,146 -
1978 $2,457 - $1,108 -
1977 $2,267 - $951 -
1976 $2,173 - $976 -
1975 $2,128 - $904 -
1974 $2,000 - $707 -
1973 $1,748 - $459 -
1972 $1,302 - $448 -
1971 $1,065 - $393 -
1970 $934 - $335 -
1969 $832 - $364 -
1968 $752 - $293.3 -
1967 $676 - $272.9 -
1966 $601 - $239.3 -
1965 $545 - $270.8 -
1964 $490 - $254.2 -
1963 $452 - $234.9 -
1962 $426 - $223.9 -
1961 $400 - $196.3 -
1960 $377 - $183.5 -

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

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

Portugal's GDP per capita is $29,292, ranking 44/197, compared to $847 in Syria, ranking 185/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Portugal ranks 42nd at $51,680, while Syria ranks 160th at $4,650.

Economic indicators

Portugal Syria
Gross domestic product
$313B
2024
$20B
2023
GDP rank
46/197
2024
129/197
2023
GDP growth
2.14%
2023-2024
-1.21%
2022-2023
GDP per capita
$29,292
2024
$847
2023
GDP per capita rank
44/197
2024
185/197
2023
GDP per capita, PPP
$51,680
2024
$4,650
2023
GDP per capita PPP rank
42/197
2024
160/197
2023
Government debt
$297B
2024
$18.4B
2010
Debt-to-GDP ratio
94.9%
2024
30%
2010
Government debt per person
$27,807
2024
$820
2010
Government debt per person rank
27/185
2024
148/185
2010
Average annual personal income after taxes
$16,747
2026
$730
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$61.9B
2018
n/a
Number of millionaires
171,797
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
1
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
26.9%
2023
21.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2.7%
2023
3.8%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
42.8%
2024
28.6%
2010
Consumer prices inflation
2.42%
2023-2024
13.4%
2018-2019
Unemployment rate
6.43%
2024
8.61%
2010
Population
10667081
26829400

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Portugal
Spending

Debt
Syria
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Portugal Syria
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 42.8% 94.9% - -
2023 42.3% 97.7% - -
2022 43.9% 111.2% - -
2021 47.3% 123.9% - -
2020 49.1% 134.1% - -
2019 42.5% 116.1% - -
2018 43.3% 121.1% - -
2017 45.5% 126% - -
2016 44.9% 131.2% - -
2015 48.2% 131% - -
2014 51.7% 132.5% - -
2013 50% 130.8% - -
2012 48.8% 128.6% - -
2011 50% 114% - -
2010 51.9% 100.1% 28.6% 30%
2009 50.3% 87.8% 26.7% 31.2%
2008 45.5% 75.6% 22.9% 37.3%
2007 44.5% 72.7% 25.7% 42.7%
2006 45.1% 73.7% 26.3% 45%
2005 46.8% 72.2% 28.2% 50.7%
2004 46.1% 67.1% 31.3% 113%
2003 45.4% 63.9% 32.6% 133.4%
2002 44.2% 60% 28.5% 132.4%
2001 44.1% 57.4% 28% 144.5%
2000 42.8% 54.2% 27.4% 152.1%
1999 42.5% 55.4% 28% 147.7%
1998 42.6% 55.6% 28.8% 151.2%
1997 42.4% 58.7% 29% 147.6%
1996 43% 63.3% 27.7% 141.5%
1995 42.6% 62.2% 29.8% 152.6%
1994 42.8% 60.4% 30.3% 163%
1993 46.5% 57.2% 29.4% 171.9%
1992 48.2% 58.1% 34.2% 173.6%
1991 45.9% 63.9% 34.3% 182.4%
1990 42.2% 60.2% 28.3% 189.8%
1989 36.2% 55.4% - -
1988 36.2% 56.8% - -
1987 37.5% 57.2% - -
1986 38.9% 59.8% - -
1985 37.5% 59.4% - -
1984 34.6% 51.3% - -
1983 34.7% 46.7% - -
1982 35.8% 43% - -
1981 35.3% 39.3% - -
1980 32.4% 31% - -
1979 30.8% 35.2% - -
1978 31.7% 31.4% - -
1977 35.1% 26.9% - -
1976 38.2% 24.5% - -
1975 31.9% 19.2% - -
1974 25.8% 13.5% - -
1973 25.7% 13.6% - -
1972 22.8% 14.5% - -
1971 15.5% 15.7% - -
1970 15.5% 16.5% - -
1969 14.9% 16.8% - -
1968 14.3% 17.2% - -
1967 14.1% 18.5% - -
1966 14.4% 20.2% - -
1965 13.4% 20.4% - -
1964 13.9% 21.9% - -
1963 14.6% 20.8% - -
1962 14.5% 18.7% - -
1961 14.6% 17.1% - -
1960 14.3% 16.4% - -

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/portugal/syria | CC BY

In 2024, Portugal's government spending was $134B, accounting for 42.8% of its GDP, while Syria spent $17.6B, or 28.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 94.9% in Portugal and 30% in Syria, ranking 27/185 and 157/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Portugal

Syria
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Portugal Syria
2024 0.7% -
2023 1.21% -
2022 -0.31% -
2021 -2.83% -
2020 -5.75% -
2019 0.12% -
2018 -0.43% -
2017 -3% -
2016 -1.94% -
2015 -4.37% -
2014 -7.32% -
2013 -5.21% -
2012 -6.2% -
2011 -7.73% -
2010 -11.4% -7.79%
2009 -9.87% -2.89%
2008 -3.81% -2.86%
2007 -2.91% -2.99%
2006 -4.07% -1.12%
2005 -6.11% -4.41%
2004 -5.99% -4.18%
2003 -5.66% -2.7%
2002 -3.73% -2.02%
2001 -4.73% 2.3%
2000 -3.35% -1.36%
1999 -2.99% -1.47%
1998 -4.3% -2.81%
1997 -3.65% -1.78%
1996 -4.63% -2.83%
1995 -5.14% -3.81%
1994 -7.37% -6%
1993 -8.06% -4.96%
1992 -5.19% -7.26%
1991 -7.93% -6.57%
1990 -6.82% -3.92%
1989 -2.86% -
1988 -3.52% -
1987 -6.79% -
1986 -7.45% -
1985 -8.35% -
1984 -5.23% -
1983 -4.86% -
1982 -7.02% -
1981 -8.34% -
1980 -6.92% -
1979 -6.08% -
1978 -7.15% -
1977 -7.5% -
1976 -10.2% -
1975 -7.1% -
1974 -3.2% -
1973 -5.39% -
1972 -7.72% -
1971 -0.23% -
1970 -0.24% -
1969 -1.53% -
1968 -1.24% -
1967 -0.46% -
1966 -2% -
1965 -0.03% -
1964 -1.93% -
1963 -3.33% -
1962 -1.69% -
1961 -3.17% -
1960 -3.13% -
1959 -1.73% -
1958 -0.52% -
1957 0.08% -
1956 -0.18% -
1955 -0.31% -
1954 -0.58% -
1953 -0.35% -
1952 -0.34% -
1951 0.94% -
1950 -0.83% -
1949 -0.46% -
1948 -2.04% -
1947 -1.65% -
1946 -2.32% -
1945 -2.38% -
1944 -1.44% -
1943 0.03% -
1942 -0.35% -
1941 -0.08% -
1940 -1.74% -
1939 -0.73% -
1938 -0.08% -
1937 -0.09% -
1936 0.08% -
1935 0.75% -
1934 0.6% -
1933 -0.07% -
1932 -0.03% -
1931 0.04% -
1930 0.79% -
1929 1.86% -
1928 0.2% -
1927 -2.27% -
1926 -4.21% -
1925 -1.48% -
1924 -3.16% -
1923 -3.47% -
1922 -10% -
1921 -6.5% -
1920 -5.66% -
1919 -8.83% -
1918 -8.3% -
1917 -5.49% -
1916 - -
1915 - -
1914 - -
1913 -0.34% -
1912 -0.02% -
1911 -0.73% -
1910 -0.19% -
1909 -0.82% -
1908 -0.56% -
1907 -0.69% -
1906 -0.45% -
1905 -0.75% -
1904 -0.26% -
1903 -0.91% -
1902 -0.5% -
1901 -0.69% -
1900 -0.35% -
1899 -0.77% -
1898 -0.5% -
1897 -0.93% -
1896 -1.35% -
1895 -0.2% -
1894 -0.16% -
1893 -0.02% -
1892 -0.8% -
1891 -2.15% -
1890 -2.01% -
1889 -1.95% -
1888 -2.14% -
1887 -0.67% -
1886 -1.43% -
1885 -1.68% -
1884 -1.48% -
1883 -1.1% -
1882 -0.39% -
1881 -1.2% -
1880 -1.63% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1880–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2010, Portugal's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $27.2B, equivalent to 11.4% of GDP. This compares to Syria's deficit of $4.78B, or 7.79% of GDP.

Over the past 21 years, Portugal recorded a fiscal deficit in 21 of those years, while Syria ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, Portugal posted an annual deficit equal to 5.61% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.4% of GDP for Syria.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Portugal

Syria
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Portugal Syria
2024 2.42% -
2023 4.31% -
2022 7.83% -
2021 1.27% -
2020 -0.01% -
2019 0.34% 13.4%
2018 0.99% 0.94%
2017 1.37% 18.1%
2016 0.61% 47.7%
2015 0.49% 38.5%
2014 -0.28% 10.9%
2013 0.27% 40%
2012 2.77% 36.7%
2011 3.65% 4.75%
2010 1.4% 4.4%
2009 -0.84% 2.92%
2008 2.59% 15.7%
2007 2.45% 3.91%
2006 3.11% 10%
2005 2.28% 7.24%
2004 2.37% 4.43%
2003 3.22% 5.8%
2002 3.6% -0.13%
2001 4.37% 3%
2000 2.85% -3.85%
1999 2.34% -3.7%
1998 2.57% -0.8%
1997 2.34% 1.89%

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

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

Over the past 23 years, Portugal has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.95%, compared with 11.4% in Syria. In 2019, inflation was 2.42% in Portugal and 13.4% in Syria.

Top exports between countries

Portugal
Export category Export value
Wood & paper products $5.96M
Raw agricultural goods $3.14M
Chemicals & pharma $535K
Textiles & consumer goods $168K
Metals $88K
Machinery & equipment $33K
Raw materials & minerals $7K
Syria
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $5.34M
Raw materials & minerals $2.06M
Chemicals & pharma $106K
Raw agricultural goods $38K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $18K

Balance of trade

Portugal Syria
Current account balance
$6.51B
2024
-$367M
2010
Current account balance ranking
28/190
2024
103/190
2010
Current account balance, % of GDP
+2.08%
2024
-0.6%
2010
Goods imports
$109B
2024
$15.9B
2010
Goods exports
$81.4B
2024
$12.3B
2010
Service imports
$27.9B
2024
$3.53B
2010
Service exports
$62.7B
2024
$7.33B
2010
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
43.9%
2024
28.8%
2022
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
45.8%
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.

Portugal Syria
Economic freedom 71.2 51.2
Economic freedom ranking 33/197 155/197
Property rights 88.9 4
Government integrity 63.4 3.6
Judicial effectiveness 90.1 3.7
Tax burden 60.6 87.3
Government spending 44.6 78.5
Fiscal health 82 13.8
Business freedom 83.1 33.8
Labor freedom 54.8 37.2
Monetary freedom 77.7 80
Trade freedom 79.4 47
Investment freedom 70 0
Financial freedom 60 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Portugal
Syria
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Portugal Syria
2026 71.2 -
2025 70.5 -
2024 68.7 -
2023 69.5 -
2022 70.8 -
2021 67.5 -
2020 67 -
2019 65.3 -
2018 63.4 -
2017 62.6 -
2016 65.1 -
2015 65.3 -
2014 63.5 -
2013 63.1 -
2012 63 51.2
2011 64 51.3
2010 64.4 49.4
2009 64.9 51.3
2008 63.9 47.2
2007 64 48.3
2006 62.9 51.2
2005 62.4 46.3
2004 64.9 40.6
2003 64.9 41.3
2002 65.4 36.3
2001 66 36.6
2000 65.5 37.2
1999 65.6 39
1998 65 42.2
1997 63.6 43
1996 64.5 42.3
1995 62.4 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Portugal is 71.2, ranking 33/197, 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

Portugal Syria
Services, % of GDP
66.3%
2024
44.9%
2022
Industry, % of GDP
18.7%
2024
12%
2022
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.02%
2024
43.1%
2022
GNI, Atlas method
$288B
2024
$18.2B
2023
GNI per capita, PPP
$50,730
2024
$4,480
2023
Total reserves including gold
$42.4B
2024
$20.6B
2010
Total reserves ranking
48/177
2024
62/177
2010
Net foreign direct investment
-$6.64B
2024
-$1.47B
2010
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$13.5B
2024
$0
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$6.84B
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
0.15%
2023
Poverty at national poverty lines
16.4%
2021
35.2%
2007
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
20.4%
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/portugal/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 (1880–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, 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.