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Economy of Saudi Arabia vs Syria compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Saudi Arabia has a GDP of $1.28T compared to $20B for Syria, ranking 19/197 and 134/197 by economy size, respectively.

Saudi Arabia has $405B in government debt (31.7% of GDP), compared to $18.4B (30% of GDP) in Syria.

Saudi Arabia vs Syria GDP by year

Saudi Arabia
Syria
1x
Year GDP, current $
Saudi Arabia Syria
2025 $1,276,942,933,333 -
2024 $1,254,140,800,000 -
2023 $1,218,584,800,000 $19,993,439,950
2022 $1,239,075,200,000 $23,737,634,644
2021 $982,661,066,667 $14,892,885,528
2020 $767,951,200,000 $12,501,503,673
2019 $888,890,133,333 $22,583,046,645
2018 $886,564,800,000 $21,497,779,248
2017 $741,266,133,333 $16,369,842,725
2016 $689,279,466,667 $12,597,854,088
2015 $693,414,400,000 $16,466,861,435
2014 $787,153,066,667 $21,502,061,466
2013 $769,755,733,333 $21,361,254,635
2012 $751,921,333,333 $43,190,318,033
2011 $680,660,800,000 $67,539,433,544
2010 $528,207,466,667 $61,390,833,273
2009 $429,097,866,667 $54,111,721,044
2008 $519,796,800,000 $52,557,913,397
2007 $415,964,509,673 $40,465,331,020
2006 $376,900,133,511 $33,751,812,959
2005 $328,459,608,764 $28,858,937,499
2004 $258,742,133,333 $25,086,910,448
2003 $215,807,733,333 $21,828,144,686
2002 $189,605,866,667 $20,786,986,580
2001 $184,137,600,000 $20,078,599,626
2000 $189,514,933,333 $18,937,031,610
1999 $161,717,066,667 $15,873,875,969
1998 $146,775,466,667 $15,200,846,154
1997 $165,963,684,913 $14,505,233,463
1996 $158,662,483,311 $13,789,560,878
1995 $143,343,124,166 $11,396,706,587
1994 $135,174,899,866 $10,122,020,000
1993 $132,967,957,276 $13,695,962,055
1992 $137,087,850,467 $13,253,565,861
1991 $132,223,230,975 $12,981,833,333
1990 $117,630,173,565 $12,308,624,418
1989 $95,344,459,279 $9,853,395,762
1988 $88,256,074,766 $10,577,041,645
1987 $85,695,861,148 $11,356,215,543
1986 $86,961,922,765 $13,293,205,278
1985 $103,897,846,494 $16,403,539,893
1984 $119,624,858,116 $17,503,078,174
1983 $129,171,635,311 $17,589,277,143
1982 $153,240,313,858 $16,298,929,011
1981 $184,291,360,139 $15,518,201,335
1980 $164,539,660,725 $13,062,420,382
1979 $111,858,444,786 $9,929,681,529
1978 $80,266,516,687 $9,275,200,458
1977 $74,188,986,586 $7,696,011,396
1976 $64,005,665,722 $7,633,528,867
1975 $46,773,208,643 $6,826,980,444
1974 $45,412,957,746 $5,159,557,148
1973 $14,947,435,499 $3,239,487,516
1972 $9,664,267,087 $3,059,681,698
1971 $7,184,806,909 $2,589,851,325
1970 $5,377,333,333 $2,140,384,010
1969 $4,485,777,644 $2,245,011,515
1968 $4,187,777,711 $1,753,746,430
1967 $3,257,022,223 $1,580,229,799
1966 $2,920,555,557 $1,342,287,553
1965 $2,647,955,558 $1,472,036,540
1964 $2,371,808,713 $1,339,494,267
1963 $2,207,393,172 $1,200,447,408
1962 $2,130,606,532 $1,110,565,881
1961 $1,920,811,284 $945,244,972
1960 $1,748,124,064 $857,704,413

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

GeoRank.org/economy/saudi-arabia/syria | CC BY

GDP per capita in Saudi Arabia vs Syria by year

Saudi Arabia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Syria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Saudi Arabia Syria
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $34,537 - - -
2024 $35,528 $71,375 - -
2023 $36,157 $71,565 $847 $4,650
2022 $38,510 $71,968 $1,057 $4,772
2021 $31,921 $62,690 $689 $4,593
2020 $24,339 $47,518 $594 $3,738
2019 $29,567 $59,560 $1,110 $3,502
2018 $29,360 $59,378 $1,098 $3,456
2017 $23,929 $53,120 $852 $3,265
2016 $22,268 $49,937 $656 -
2015 $23,256 $53,931 $848 -
2014 $27,805 $62,578 $1,061 -
2013 $27,865 $62,203 $986 -
2012 $28,733 $65,034 $1,898 -
2011 $27,127 $64,125 $2,952 -
2010 $22,028 $58,829 $2,731 -
2009 $17,718 $54,787 $2,462 -
2008 $22,320 $57,236 $2,429 -
2007 $18,596 $55,030 $1,938 -
2006 $17,564 $54,639 $1,719 -
2005 $15,976 $53,548 $1,534 -
2004 $13,154 $51,225 $1,368 -
2003 $11,487 $48,078 $1,220 -
2002 $10,586 $45,466 $1,190 -
2001 $10,805 $47,381 $1,178 -
2000 $11,715 $48,644 $1,138 -
1999 $10,452 $47,495 $978 -
1998 $9,836 $48,867 $961 -
1997 $11,545 $48,796 $941 -
1996 $11,472 $48,569 $918 -
1995 $10,786 $48,052 $780 -
1994 $10,602 $48,904 $712 -
1993 $10,885 $49,503 $993 -
1992 $11,730 $50,355 $990 -
1991 $11,847 $49,295 $1,000 -
1990 $11,055 $46,214 $978 -
1989 $9,414 - $809 -
1988 $9,165 - $898 -
1987 $9,386 - $997 -
1986 $10,078 - $1,208 -
1985 $12,745 - $1,544 -
1984 $15,541 - $1,706 -
1983 $17,810 - $1,776 -
1982 $22,454 - $1,703 -
1981 $28,703 - $1,676 -
1980 $27,206 - $1,458 -
1979 $19,612 - $1,146 -
1978 $14,914 - $1,108 -
1977 $14,595 - $951 -
1976 $13,313 - $976 -
1975 $10,266 - $904 -
1974 $10,503 - $707 -
1973 $3,640 - $459 -
1972 $2,474 - $448 -
1971 $1,929 - $393 -
1970 $1,509 - $335 -
1969 $1,313 - $364 -
1968 $1,276 - $293.3 -
1967 $1,032 - $272.9 -
1966 $961 - $239.3 -
1965 $904 - $270.8 -
1964 $840 - $254.2 -
1963 $812 - $234.9 -
1962 $813 - $223.9 -
1961 $760 - $196.3 -
1960 $718 - $183.5 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/saudi-arabia/syria | CC BY

Saudi Arabia's GDP per capita is $34,537, ranking 36/197, compared to $847 in Syria, ranking 185/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Saudi Arabia ranks 24th at $71,375, while Syria ranks 160th at $4,650.

Economic indicators

Saudi Arabia Syria
Gross domestic product
$1.28T
2025
$20B
2023
GDP rank
19/197
2025
134/197
2023
GDP growth
4.5%
2024-2025
-1.85%
2022-2023
GDP per capita
$34,537
2025
$847
2023
GDP per capita rank
36/197
2025
185/197
2023
GDP per capita, PPP
$71,375
2024
$4,650
2023
GDP per capita PPP rank
24/197
2024
160/197
2023
Government debt
$405B
2025
$18.4B
2010
Debt-to-GDP ratio
31.7%
2025
30%
2010
Government debt per person
$10,956
2025
$820
2010
Government debt per person rank
57/185
2025
150/185
2010
Average annual personal income after taxes
$22,010
2026
$693
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.36T
2025
n/a
Number of millionaires
348,000
2026
n/a
Number of billionaires
15
2026
n/a
Income share by richest 10% n/a
20.9%
2022
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
3.8%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
29%
2025
28.6%
2010
Consumer prices inflation
2.08%
2024-2025
13.4%
2018-2019
Central bank interest rate
4.25%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
3.24%
2025
14.9%
2011
Population
37955120
26956472

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Saudi Arabia
Spending

Debt
Syria
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Saudi Arabia Syria
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 29% 31.7% - -
2024 29.2% 25.9% - -
2023 28.3% 23% - -
2022 25.3% 21.3% - -
2021 28.2% 25.5% - -
2020 37.4% 29.7% - -
2019 31.8% 20.3% - -
2018 32.4% 16.8% - -
2017 30.9% 15.9% - -
2016 33.3% 12.2% - -
2015 38.5% 5.47% - -
2014 38.6% 1.5% - -
2013 34.5% 2.08% - -
2012 32.5% 2.97% - -
2011 32.4% 5.31% - -
2010 33% 8.43% 28.6% 30%
2009 37.1% 14% 26.7% 31.2%
2008 26.7% 12.1% 22.9% 37.3%
2007 29.5% 17.1% 25.7% 42.7%
2006 27.3% 25.8% 26.3% 45%
2005 28.2% 37.3% 28.2% 50.7%
2004 31.1% 62.9% 31.3% 113%
2003 33.1% 81.6% 32.6% 133.4%
2002 35.9% 96.4% 28.5% 132.4%
2001 36.9% 93.1% 28% 144.5%
2000 33.1% 86.7% 27.4% 152.1%
1999 30.3% 103% 28% 147.7%
1998 34.5% 101.5% 28.8% 151.2%
1997 35.6% 76.7% 29% 147.6%
1996 33.3% 75.2% 27.7% 141.5%
1995 32.4% 74.2% 29.8% 152.6%
1994 33.8% 67.9% 30.3% 163%
1993 37.7% 58.6% 29.4% 171.9%
1992 41.2% 47.8% 34.2% 173.6%
1991 34.9% 39.4% 34.3% 182.4%
1990 39.3% - 28.3% 189.8%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/saudi-arabia/syria | CC BY

In 2025, Saudi Arabia's government spending was $370B, accounting for 29% of its GDP, while Syria spent $17.6B, or 28.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 31.7% in Saudi Arabia and 30% in Syria, ranking 151/185 and 155/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Saudi Arabia

Syria
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Saudi Arabia Syria
2025 -5.77% -
2024 -2.46% -
2023 -1.77% -
2022 2.24% -
2021 -1.99% -
2020 -10.2% -
2019 -3.96% -
2018 -5.21% -
2017 -8.57% -
2016 -13.2% -
2015 -14.9% -
2014 -3.4% -
2013 5.47% -
2012 11.7% -
2011 11.4% -
2010 4.39% -7.79%
2009 -5.38% -2.89%
2008 29.8% -2.86%
2007 11.8% -2.99%
2006 20.8% -1.12%
2005 18% -4.41%
2004 9.72% -4.18%
2003 1.2% -2.7%
2002 -5.91% -2.02%
2001 -3.91% 2.3%
2000 3.18% -1.36%
1999 -5.99% -1.47%
1998 -8.88% -2.81%
1997 -2.51% -1.78%
1996 -3.25% -2.83%
1995 -5.12% -3.81%
1994 -8.31% -6%
1993 -9.33% -4.96%
1992 -8.12% -7.26%
1991 -3.28% -6.57%
1990 - -3.92%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/saudi-arabia/syria | CC BY

In 2010, Saudi Arabia's government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $23.2B, equivalent to 4.39% of GDP. This compares to Syria's deficit of $4.78B, or 7.79% of GDP.

Over the past 20 years, Saudi Arabia recorded a fiscal deficit in 12 of those years, while Syria ran a deficit in 19 years. On average, Saudi Arabia posted an annual surplus equal to 1.45% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.38% of GDP for Syria.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Saudi Arabia

Syria
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Saudi Arabia Syria
2025 2.08% -
2024 1.69% -
2023 2.33% -
2022 2.47% -
2021 3.06% -
2020 3.37% -
2019 -1.19% 13.4%
2018 2.47% 0.94%
2017 -0.83% 18.1%
2016 2.05% 47.7%
2015 1.22% 38.5%
2014 2.24% 10.9%
2013 3.51% 40%
2012 2.87% 36.7%
2011 5.83% 4.75%
2010 5.34% 4.4%
2009 5.06% 2.92%
2008 9.87% 15.7%
2007 4.17% 3.91%
2006 2.21% 10%
2005 0.48% 7.24%
2004 0.52% 4.43%
2003 0.61% 5.8%
2002 0.25% -0.13%
2001 -1.12% 3%
2000 -1.12% -3.85%
1999 -1.33% -3.7%
1998 -0.37% -0.8%
1997 0.06% 1.89%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/saudi-arabia/syria | CC BY

Over the past 23 years, Saudi Arabia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.86%, compared with 11.4% in Syria. In 2019, inflation was 2.08% in Saudi Arabia and 13.4% in Syria.

Top exports between countries

Saudi Arabia
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $134M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $70.2M
Raw agricultural goods $57.7M
Machinery & equipment $43.7M
Textiles & consumer goods $42.7M
Raw materials & minerals $20M
Metals $13.6M
Wood & paper products $7.11M
Animal & marine products $4.98M
Miscellaneous $3.44M
Syria
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $140M
Animal & marine products $131M
Textiles & consumer goods $130M
Chemicals & pharma $45.1M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $36.9M
Metals $27.1M
Machinery & equipment $16.2M
Wood & paper products $8.67M
Raw materials & minerals $5.21M
Precious metals & jewellery $976K

Balance of trade

Saudi Arabia Syria
Current account balance
-$32.7B
2025
-$367M
2010
Current account balance ranking
185/190
2025
99/190
2010
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.56%
2025
-0.6%
2010
Goods imports
$230B
2025
$15.9B
2010
Goods exports
$311B
2025
$12.3B
2010
Service imports
$129B
2025
$3.53B
2010
Service exports
$69.4B
2025
$7.33B
2010
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.2%
2025
28.7%
2022
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
29.7%
2025
6.78%
2022

Economic freedom indices

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

Saudi Arabia Syria
Economic freedom 65.4 51.2
Economic freedom ranking 65/197 155/197
Property rights 51.4 4
Government integrity 52.7 3.6
Judicial effectiveness 38.2 3.7
Tax burden 99.2 87.3
Government spending 77 78.5
Fiscal health 97.9 13.8
Business freedom 71.2 33.8
Labor freedom 41.8 37.2
Monetary freedom 81.2 80
Trade freedom 73.8 47
Investment freedom 50 0
Financial freedom 50 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Saudi Arabia
Syria
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Saudi Arabia Syria
2026 65.4 -
2025 64.4 -
2024 61.9 -
2023 58.3 -
2022 55.5 -
2021 66 -
2020 62.4 -
2019 60.7 -
2018 59.6 -
2017 64.4 -
2016 62.1 -
2015 62.1 -
2014 62.2 -
2013 60.6 -
2012 62.5 51.2
2011 66.2 51.3
2010 64.1 49.4
2009 64.3 51.3
2008 62.5 47.2
2007 60.9 48.3
2006 63 51.2
2005 63 46.3
2004 60.4 40.6
2003 63.2 41.3
2002 65.3 36.3
2001 62.2 36.6
2000 66.5 37.2
1999 65.5 39
1998 69.3 42.2
1997 68.7 43
1996 68.3 42.3

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/saudi-arabia/syria | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Saudi Arabia is 65.4, ranking 65/197, 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

Saudi Arabia Syria
Services, % of GDP
48.9%
2025
44.7%
2022
Industry, % of GDP
43%
2025
11.9%
2022
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.59%
2025
42.9%
2022
GNI, Atlas method
$1.33T
2025
$18.2B
2023
GNI per capita, PPP
$74,400
2025
$4,480
2023
Total reserves including gold
$505B
2025
$20.6B
2010
Total reserves ranking
8/177
2025
66/177
2010
Net foreign direct investment
-$5.6B
2025
-$1.47B
2010
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$21.3B
2024
$0
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$27.6B
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
31.6%
2025
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/saudi-arabia/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 (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. TradeMap (2010–2025, 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.