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Economy of Qatar vs Syria compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Qatar has a GDP of $219B compared to $20B for Syria, ranking 56/197 and 129/197 by economy size, respectively.

Qatar has $90.2B in government debt (41.2% of GDP), compared to $18.4B (30% of GDP) in Syria.

Qatar vs Syria GDP by year

Qatar
Syria
1x
Year GDP, current $
Qatar Syria
2024 $219,162,637,363 -
2023 $217,308,516,484 $19,993,439,950
2022 $235,709,340,659 $23,622,827,080
2021 $179,732,142,857 $14,353,205,678
2020 $144,411,538,462 $12,047,752,036
2019 $176,371,428,571 $22,583,045,060
2018 $183,335,164,835 $21,497,782,868
2017 $161,099,175,824 $16,369,843,352
2016 $151,732,142,857 $12,597,854,877
2015 $161,739,835,165 $16,466,863,117
2014 $206,224,725,275 $21,502,061,466
2013 $198,727,747,253 $21,361,254,635
2012 $186,833,516,484 $43,190,318,033
2011 $167,775,274,725 $67,539,428,159
2010 $123,627,197,802 $61,390,830,875
2009 $97,798,351,648 $54,111,735,629
2008 $115,270,054,945 $52,557,913,569
2007 $79,712,087,912 $40,465,318,382
2006 $60,882,142,857 $33,751,788,856
2005 $44,530,494,505 $28,858,965,517
2004 $31,734,065,934 $25,086,950,495
2003 $23,533,791,209 $21,828,144,686
2002 $19,363,736,264 $20,669,357,462
2001 $17,538,461,538 $20,237,024,725
2000 $17,759,890,110 $18,937,052,543
1999 $12,393,131,868 $15,873,875,969
1998 $10,255,495,027 $15,200,846,154
1997 $11,297,802,115 $14,505,233,463
1996 $9,059,340,385 $13,789,560,878
1995 $8,137,911,978 $11,396,706,587
1994 $7,374,450,769 $10,122,020,000
1993 $7,156,593,654 $13,695,962,055
1992 $7,646,153,984 $13,253,565,861
1991 $6,883,516,484 $12,981,833,333
1990 $7,360,439,423 $12,308,624,418
1989 $6,487,912,088 $9,853,395,762
1988 $6,038,187,033 $10,577,041,645
1987 $5,446,428,681 $11,356,215,543
1986 $5,053,021,951 $13,293,205,278
1985 $6,153,296,456 $16,403,539,893
1984 $6,704,395,824 $17,503,078,174
1983 $6,467,582,308 $17,589,277,143
1982 $7,596,703,214 $16,298,929,011
1981 $8,661,263,764 $15,518,201,335
1980 $7,829,165,262 $13,062,420,382
1979 $5,632,962,997 $9,929,681,529
1978 $4,052,000,413 $9,275,200,458
1977 $3,617,564,638 $7,696,011,396
1976 $3,284,273,987 $7,633,528,867
1975 $2,512,773,166 $6,826,980,444
1974 $2,401,403,227 $5,159,557,148
1973 $793,885,560 $3,239,487,516
1972 $510,262,500 $3,059,681,698
1971 $387,703,106 $2,589,851,325
1970 $301,791,302 $2,140,384,010
1969 - $2,245,011,515
1968 - $1,753,746,430
1967 - $1,580,229,799
1966 - $1,342,287,553
1965 - $1,472,036,540
1964 - $1,339,494,267
1963 - $1,200,447,408
1962 - $1,110,565,881
1961 - $945,244,972
1960 - $857,704,413

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

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

GDP per capita in Qatar vs Syria by year

Qatar
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Syria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Qatar Syria
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $76,689 $126,046 - -
2023 $81,817 $129,368 $847 $4,650
2022 $88,701 $122,921 $1,052 $4,772
2021 $71,752 $116,833 $664 $4,593
2020 $51,684 $82,149 $572 $3,738
2019 $66,841 $107,503 $1,110 $3,502
2018 $71,040 $110,033 $1,098 $3,456
2017 $63,280 $99,358 $852 $3,265
2016 $61,254 $89,935 $656 -
2015 $68,985 $102,546 $848 -
2014 $95,841 $148,389 $1,061 -
2013 $103,697 $169,203 $986 -
2012 $108,470 $180,939 $1,898 -
2011 $103,262 $174,620 $2,952 -
2010 $76,463 $151,646 $2,731 -
2009 $60,786 $125,898 $2,462 -
2008 $80,781 $126,015 $2,429 -
2007 $65,954 $124,056 $1,938 -
2006 $62,582 $127,181 $1,719 -
2005 $53,950 $115,250 $1,534 -
2004 $41,036 $110,958 $1,368 -
2003 $31,602 $94,120 $1,220 -
2002 $27,227 $93,177 $1,183 -
2001 $25,871 $89,805 $1,187 -
2000 $27,535 $88,849 $1,138 -
1999 $20,234 $84,690 $978 -
1998 $17,665 $84,486 $961 -
1997 $20,523 $79,219 $941 -
1996 $17,125 $62,331 $918 -
1995 $15,823 $60,321 $780 -
1994 $14,765 $59,415 $712 -
1993 $14,770 $59,125 $993 -
1992 $16,280 $60,387 $990 -
1991 $15,133 $54,759 $1,000 -
1990 $16,722 $55,659 $978 -
1989 $15,243 - $809 -
1988 $14,682 - $898 -
1987 $13,719 - $997 -
1986 $13,213 - $1,208 -
1985 $16,815 - $1,544 -
1984 $19,272 - $1,706 -
1983 $19,616 - $1,776 -
1982 $24,385 - $1,703 -
1981 $29,505 - $1,676 -
1980 $28,375 - $1,458 -
1979 $21,777 - $1,146 -
1978 $16,757 - $1,108 -
1977 $16,058 - $951 -
1976 $15,710 - $976 -
1975 $13,014 - $904 -
1974 $13,540 - $707 -
1973 $4,905 - $459 -
1972 $3,483 - $448 -
1971 $2,952 - $393 -
1970 $2,594 - $335 -
1969 - - $364 -
1968 - - $293.3 -
1967 - - $272.9 -
1966 - - $239.3 -
1965 - - $270.8 -
1964 - - $254.2 -
1963 - - $234.9 -
1962 - - $223.9 -
1961 - - $196.3 -
1960 - - $183.5 -

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

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

Qatar's GDP per capita is $76,689, ranking 11/197, compared to $847 in Syria, ranking 185/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Qatar ranks 5th at $126,046, while Syria ranks 160th at $4,650.

Economic indicators

Qatar Syria
Gross domestic product
$219B
2024
$20B
2023
GDP rank
56/197
2024
129/197
2023
GDP growth
2.36%
2023-2024
-1.21%
2022-2023
GDP per capita
$76,689
2024
$847
2023
GDP per capita rank
11/197
2024
185/197
2023
GDP per capita, PPP
$126,046
2024
$4,650
2023
GDP per capita PPP rank
5/197
2024
160/197
2023
Government debt
$90.2B
2024
$18.4B
2010
Debt-to-GDP ratio
41.2%
2024
30%
2010
Government debt per person
$31,579
2024
$820
2010
Government debt per person rank
23/185
2024
148/185
2010
Average annual personal income after taxes
$35,660
2026
$730
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$170M
2024
n/a
Number of millionaires
26,163
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
2
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
25.8%
2017
21.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2.6%
2017
3.8%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
26%
2024
28.6%
2010
Consumer prices inflation
1.27%
2023-2024
13.4%
2018-2019
Central bank interest rate
4.1%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
0.13%
2022
8.61%
2010
Population
2999260
26829400

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Qatar
Spending

Debt
Syria
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Qatar Syria
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 26% 41.2% - -
2023 27.3% 43.7% - -
2022 24.3% 42.6% - -
2021 29.4% 58.4% - -
2020 34.7% 72.6% - -
2019 32.5% 62.1% - -
2018 28.9% 52.2% - -
2017 34.7% 51.6% - -
2016 40.1% 46.7% - -
2015 38.6% 35.5% - -
2014 32.3% 24.9% - -
2013 28.3% 30.9% - -
2012 31% 32.1% - -
2011 28.5% 33.5% - -
2010 32% 30.4% 28.6% 30%
2009 36.4% 36% 26.7% 31.2%
2008 23.5% 11.4% 22.9% 37.3%
2007 29.5% 9.37% 25.7% 42.7%
2006 29.5% 13.9% 26.3% 45%
2005 29% 19.1% 28.2% 50.7%
2004 29.9% 30.1% 31.3% 113%
2003 28.5% 38.8% 32.6% 133.4%
2002 31.6% 47.7% 28.5% 132.4%
2001 32.1% 59.2% 28% 144.5%
2000 29.8% 51.6% 27.4% 152.1%
1999 42.4% 81.8% 28% 147.7%
1998 55.1% 76.6% 28.8% 151.2%
1997 47.6% 54.4% 29% 147.6%
1996 55.2% 57.8% 27.7% 141.5%
1995 52.2% 50.2% 29.8% 152.6%
1994 59.8% 54.8% 30.3% 163%
1993 62.8% 46.3% 29.4% 171.9%
1992 54.2% 19.9% 34.2% 173.6%
1991 57.5% 21.8% 34.3% 182.4%
1990 50% 12.6% 28.3% 189.8%

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

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

In 2024, Qatar's government spending was $56.9B, accounting for 26% of its GDP, while Syria spent $17.6B, or 28.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 41.2% in Qatar and 30% in Syria, ranking 130/185 and 157/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Qatar

Syria
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Qatar Syria
2024 0.69% -
2023 5.56% -
2022 10.4% -
2021 0.24% -
2020 -2.13% -
2019 1% -
2018 2.26% -
2017 -6.82% -
2016 -9.2% -
2015 18.4% -
2014 13.4% -
2013 19.3% -
2012 8.55% -
2011 5.24% -
2010 4.6% -7.79%
2009 14.1% -2.89%
2008 9.49% -2.86%
2007 10.3% -2.99%
2006 8.39% -1.12%
2005 9.8% -4.41%
2004 17.7% -4.18%
2003 6.71% -2.7%
2002 7.89% -2.02%
2001 4.48% 2.3%
2000 4.62% -1.36%
1999 -4.35% -1.47%
1998 -7% -2.81%
1997 -9.4% -1.78%
1996 -8.73% -2.83%
1995 -5.78% -3.81%
1994 -11.8% -6%
1993 -9.53% -4.96%
1992 -2.74% -7.26%
1991 -2.57% -6.57%
1990 3.23% -3.92%

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

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

In 2010, Qatar's government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $5.69B, equivalent to 4.6% of GDP. This compares to Syria's deficit of $4.78B, or 7.79% of GDP.

Over the past 21 years, Qatar recorded a fiscal deficit in 9 of those years, while Syria ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, Qatar posted an annual surplus equal to 1.88% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.4% of GDP for Syria.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Qatar

Syria
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Qatar Syria
2024 1.27% -
2023 3.03% -
2022 5% -
2021 2.3% -
2020 -2.54% -
2019 -0.67% 13.4%
2018 0.26% 0.94%
2017 0.39% 18.1%
2016 2.68% 47.7%
2015 1.81% 38.5%
2014 3.35% 10.9%
2013 3.22% 40%
2012 2.32% 36.7%
2011 1.14% 4.75%
2010 -2.43% 4.4%
2009 -4.86% 2.92%
2008 15.1% 15.7%
2007 13.8% 3.91%
2006 11.8% 10%
2005 8.81% 7.24%
2004 6.8% 4.43%
2003 2.26% 5.8%
2002 0.24% -0.13%
2001 1.47% 3%
2000 1.65% -3.85%
1999 2.18% -3.7%
1998 2.95% -0.8%
1997 4.83% 1.89%

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

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

Over the past 23 years, Qatar has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.44%, compared with 11.4% in Syria. In 2019, inflation was 1.27% in Qatar and 13.4% in Syria.

Top exports between countries

Qatar
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $344K
Chemicals & pharma $19K
Syria
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $33.6M
Raw agricultural goods $8.6M
Textiles & consumer goods $6.6M
Machinery & equipment $5.59M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $3.57M
Chemicals & pharma $2.92M
Metals $2.25M
Raw materials & minerals $1.97M
Wood & paper products $829K
Precious metals & jewellery $50K

Balance of trade

Qatar Syria
Current account balance
$37.9B
2024
-$367M
2010
Current account balance ranking
16/190
2024
103/190
2010
Current account balance, % of GDP
+17.3%
2024
-0.6%
2010
Goods imports
$32.6B
2024
$15.9B
2010
Goods exports
$95B
2024
$12.3B
2010
Service imports
$37.1B
2024
$3.53B
2010
Service exports
$30.2B
2024
$7.33B
2010
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
31.6%
2022
28.8%
2022
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
68.6%
2022
6.81%
2022

Economic freedom indices

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

Qatar Syria
Economic freedom 70.2 51.2
Economic freedom ranking 37/197 155/197
Property rights 66.2 4
Government integrity 53.5 3.6
Judicial effectiveness 41.5 3.7
Tax burden 99.9 87.3
Government spending 79.9 78.5
Fiscal health 96.6 13.8
Business freedom 68 33.8
Labor freedom 58.5 37.2
Monetary freedom 76 80
Trade freedom 81.8 47
Investment freedom 60 0
Financial freedom 60 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Qatar
Syria
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Qatar Syria
2026 70.2 -
2025 70.2 -
2024 68.8 -
2023 68.6 -
2022 67.7 -
2021 72 -
2020 72.3 -
2019 72.6 -
2018 72.6 -
2017 73.1 -
2016 70.7 -
2015 70.8 -
2014 71.2 -
2013 71.3 -
2012 71.3 51.2
2011 70.5 51.3
2010 69 49.4
2009 65.8 51.3
2008 62.2 47.2
2007 62.9 48.3
2006 62.4 51.2
2005 63.5 46.3
2004 66.5 40.6
2003 65.9 41.3
2002 61.9 36.3
2001 60 36.6
2000 62 37.2
1999 62 39
1998 - 42.2
1997 - 43
1996 - 42.3

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Qatar is 70.2, ranking 37/197, 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

Qatar Syria
Services, % of GDP
46.1%
2024
44.9%
2022
Industry, % of GDP
58.2%
2024
12%
2022
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.29%
2024
43.1%
2022
GNI, Atlas method
$221B
2024
$18.2B
2023
GNI per capita, PPP
$121,900
2024
$4,480
2023
Total reserves including gold
$54B
2024
$20.6B
2010
Total reserves ranking
40/177
2024
62/177
2010
Net foreign direct investment
$1.1B
2024
-$1.47B
2010
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$460M
2024
$0
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$1.56B
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
30.6%
2022
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/qatar/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. TradeMap (2010–2021, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  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.