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Economy of Singapore vs Syria compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Singapore has a GDP of $604B compared to $20B for Syria, ranking 28/197 and 134/197 by economy size, respectively.

Singapore has $1.03T in government debt (171.3% of GDP), compared to $18.4B (30% of GDP) in Syria.

Singapore vs Syria GDP by year

Singapore
Syria
1x
Year GDP, current $
Singapore Syria
2025 $603,869,516,999 -
2024 $572,877,260,178 -
2023 $511,181,761,244 $19,993,439,950
2022 $514,252,535,239 $23,737,634,644
2021 $441,110,903,525 $14,892,885,528
2020 $351,226,533,656 $12,501,503,673
2019 $376,827,390,962 $22,583,046,645
2018 $377,976,367,877 $21,497,779,248
2017 $344,795,119,214 $16,369,842,725
2016 $320,759,207,439 $12,597,854,088
2015 $307,998,545,269 $16,466,861,435
2014 $314,863,580,758 $21,502,061,466
2013 $307,576,360,585 $21,361,254,635
2012 $295,092,888,077 $43,190,318,033
2011 $279,356,499,090 $67,539,433,544
2010 $239,807,980,591 $61,390,833,273
2009 $194,150,283,772 $54,111,721,044
2008 $193,617,323,539 $52,557,913,397
2007 $180,941,701,358 $40,465,331,020
2006 $148,627,286,361 $33,751,812,959
2005 $127,807,848,728 $28,858,937,499
2004 $115,033,593,101 $25,086,910,448
2003 $97,646,401,096 $21,828,144,686
2002 $92,538,372,870 $20,786,986,580
2001 $89,793,790,670 $20,078,599,626
2000 $96,076,539,926 $18,937,031,610
1999 $86,286,849,755 $15,873,875,969
1998 $85,728,207,782 $15,200,846,154
1997 $100,123,787,215 $14,505,233,463
1996 $96,293,086,513 $13,789,560,878
1995 $87,812,540,788 $11,396,706,587
1994 $73,688,724,431 $10,122,020,000
1993 $60,603,815,716 $13,695,962,055
1992 $52,131,320,033 $13,253,565,861
1991 $45,466,164,978 $12,981,833,333
1990 $36,144,336,769 $12,308,624,418
1989 $30,465,364,739 $9,853,395,762
1988 $25,371,462,488 $10,577,041,645
1987 $20,919,215,578 $11,356,215,543
1986 $18,586,746,057 $13,293,205,278
1985 $19,156,532,746 $16,403,539,893
1984 $19,749,361,098 $17,503,078,174
1983 $17,784,112,150 $17,589,277,143
1982 $16,084,252,378 $16,298,929,011
1981 $14,175,228,844 $15,518,201,335
1980 $11,896,256,783 $13,062,420,382
1979 $9,296,921,724 $9,929,681,529
1978 $7,517,176,355 $9,275,200,458
1977 $6,618,585,074 $7,696,011,396
1976 $6,327,077,974 $7,633,528,867
1975 $5,633,673,930 $6,826,980,444
1974 $5,221,534,956 $5,159,557,148
1973 $3,696,213,333 $3,239,487,516
1972 $2,721,440,981 $3,059,681,698
1971 $2,263,785,444 $2,589,851,325
1970 $1,920,574,150 $2,140,384,010
1969 $1,659,893,768 $2,245,011,515
1968 $1,425,706,091 $1,753,746,430
1967 $1,238,035,816 $1,580,229,799
1966 $1,096,425,608 $1,342,287,553
1965 $974,644,096 $1,472,036,540
1964 $894,153,311 $1,339,494,267
1963 $917,608,012 $1,200,447,408
1962 $826,239,212 $1,110,565,881
1961 $764,629,788 $945,244,972
1960 $704,751,700 $857,704,413

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

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

GDP per capita in Singapore vs Syria by year

Singapore
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Syria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Singapore Syria
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $98,814 - - -
2024 $94,897 $150,689 - -
2023 $86,383 $143,786 $847 $4,650
2022 $91,228 $143,095 $1,057 $4,772
2021 $80,885 $132,617 $689 $4,593
2020 $61,773 $101,518 $594 $3,738
2019 $66,069 $105,335 $1,110 $3,502
2018 $67,033 $103,963 $1,098 $3,456
2017 $61,436 $95,744 $852 $3,265
2016 $57,204 $89,902 $656 -
2015 $55,646 $87,156 $848 -
2014 $57,565 $84,555 $1,061 -
2013 $56,967 $83,088 $986 -
2012 $55,548 $82,108 $1,898 -
2011 $53,891 $80,052 $2,952 -
2010 $47,237 $75,401 $2,731 -
2009 $38,927 $66,213 $2,462 -
2008 $40,009 $67,735 $2,429 -
2007 $39,433 $68,805 $1,938 -
2006 $33,768 $64,061 $1,719 -
2005 $29,961 $58,822 $1,534 -
2004 $27,608 $54,384 $1,368 -
2003 $23,730 $48,778 $1,220 -
2002 $22,160 $45,083 $1,190 -
2001 $21,700 $43,109 $1,178 -
2000 $23,853 $43,781 $1,138 -
1999 $21,797 $39,949 $978 -
1998 $21,829 $37,560 $961 -
1997 $26,376 $39,286 $941 -
1996 $26,233 $36,873 $918 -
1995 $24,915 $35,090 $780 -
1994 $21,552 $33,058 $712 -
1993 $18,290 $30,062 $993 -
1992 $16,136 $27,022 $990 -
1991 $14,502 $25,530 $1,000 -
1990 $11,862 $23,815 $978 -
1989 $10,395 - $809 -
1988 $8,914 - $898 -
1987 $7,539 - $997 -
1986 $6,800 - $1,208 -
1985 $7,002 - $1,544 -
1984 $7,228 - $1,706 -
1983 $6,633 - $1,776 -
1982 $6,078 - $1,703 -
1981 $5,597 - $1,676 -
1980 $4,928 - $1,458 -
1979 $3,901 - $1,146 -
1978 $3,194 - $1,108 -
1977 $2,846 - $951 -
1976 $2,759 - $976 -
1975 $2,490 - $904 -
1974 $2,342 - $707 -
1973 $1,685 - $459 -
1972 $1,264 - $448 -
1971 $1,071 - $393 -
1970 $926 - $335 -
1969 $813 - $364 -
1968 $709 - $293.3 -
1967 $626 - $272.9 -
1966 $567 - $239.3 -
1965 $517 - $270.8 -
1964 $486 - $254.2 -
1963 $511 - $234.9 -
1962 $472 - $223.9 -
1961 $449 - $196.3 -
1960 $428 - $183.5 -

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

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

Singapore's GDP per capita is $98,814, ranking 7/197, compared to $847 in Syria, ranking 185/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Singapore ranks 2nd at $150,689, while Syria ranks 160th at $4,650.

Economic indicators

Singapore Syria
Gross domestic product
$604B
2025
$20B
2023
GDP rank
28/197
2025
134/197
2023
GDP growth
5.03%
2024-2025
-1.85%
2022-2023
GDP per capita
$98,814
2025
$847
2023
GDP per capita rank
7/197
2025
185/197
2023
GDP per capita, PPP
$150,689
2024
$4,650
2023
GDP per capita PPP rank
2/197
2024
160/197
2023
Government debt
$1.03T
2025
$18.4B
2010
Debt-to-GDP ratio
171.3%
2025
30%
2010
Government debt per person
$169,228
2025
$820
2010
Government debt per person rank
1/185
2025
150/185
2010
Average annual personal income after taxes
$51,296
2026
$693
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$824B
2025
n/a
Number of millionaires
244,000
2026
n/a
Number of billionaires
55
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
15.5%
2025
28.6%
2010
Consumer prices inflation
0.9%
2024-2025
13.4%
2018-2019
Unemployment rate
3.26%
2025
14.9%
2011
Population
6167445
26956472

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Singapore
Spending

Debt
Syria
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Singapore Syria
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 15.5% 171.3% - -
2024 14.3% 166% - -
2023 14.6% 170.4% - -
2022 14.9% 153.3% - -
2021 15.4% 139.9% - -
2020 24% 147.1% - -
2019 14% 127.7% - -
2018 13.9% 109.2% - -
2017 13.6% 107.3% - -
2016 15.2% 105.9% - -
2015 14.4% 102.1% - -
2014 12.6% 97.7% - -
2013 10.9% 98.2% - -
2012 9.83% 106.7% - -
2011 9.66% 103.1% - -
2010 10.2% 98.7% 28.6% 30%
2009 15.9% 101.7% 26.7% 31.2%
2008 14% 97.9% 22.9% 37.3%
2007 9.01% 87.8% 25.7% 42.7%
2006 12.3% 86.5% 26.3% 45%
2005 12.4% 92.7% 28.2% 50.7%
2004 14.1% 95.7% 31.3% 113%
2003 15.6% 99.1% 32.6% 133.4%
2002 15.9% 96.3% 28.5% 132.4%
2001 18.2% 94.5% 28% 144.5%
2000 16.1% 82.3% 27.4% 152.1%
1999 15.9% 85.3% 28% 147.7%
1998 18.1% 84.6% 28.8% 151.2%
1997 14.5% 70.8% 29% 147.6%
1996 18.1% 71.3% 27.7% 141.5%
1995 13.8% 69.8% 29.8% 152.6%
1994 11.7% 70.7% 30.3% 163%
1993 14.5% 71.2% 29.4% 171.9%
1992 14.5% 79% 34.2% 173.6%
1991 15.9% 76.4% 34.3% 182.4%
1990 15.1% 73.5% 28.3% 189.8%

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

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

In 2025, Singapore's government spending was $93.3B, accounting for 15.5% of its GDP, while Syria spent $17.6B, or 28.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 171.3% in Singapore and 30% in Syria, ranking 5/185 and 155/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Singapore

Syria
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Singapore Syria
2025 4.16% -
2024 3.79% -
2023 3.42% -
2022 1.2% -
2021 1.11% -
2020 -6.68% -
2019 3.76% -
2018 3.67% -
2017 5.23% -
2016 3.24% -
2015 2.86% -
2014 4.6% -
2013 5.96% -
2012 7.34% -
2011 7.96% -
2010 5.68% -7.79%
2009 -0.09% -2.89%
2008 3.59% -2.86%
2007 7.12% -2.99%
2006 2.16% -1.12%
2005 2.56% -4.41%
2004 2.06% -4.18%
2003 0.68% -2.7%
2002 2.23% -2.02%
2001 1.2% 2.3%
2000 4.59% -1.36%
1999 5.2% -1.47%
1998 2.41% -2.81%
1997 5.66% -1.78%
1996 1.98% -2.83%
1995 4.8% -3.81%
1994 7.9% -6%
1993 4.36% -4.96%
1992 2.7% -7.26%
1991 0.68% -6.57%
1990 1.97% -3.92%

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

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

In 2010, Singapore's government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $13.6B, equivalent to 5.68% of GDP. This compares to Syria's deficit of $4.78B, or 7.79% of GDP.

Over the past 21 years, Singapore recorded a fiscal deficit in 1 of those years, while Syria ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, Singapore posted an annual surplus equal to 3.31% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.4% of GDP for Syria.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Singapore

Syria
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Singapore Syria
2025 0.9% -
2024 2.39% -
2023 4.83% -
2022 6.13% -
2021 2.32% -
2020 -0.17% -
2019 0.57% 13.4%
2018 0.44% 0.94%
2017 0.58% 18.1%
2016 -0.53% 47.7%
2015 -0.52% 38.5%
2014 1.03% 10.9%
2013 2.36% 40%
2012 4.58% 36.7%
2011 5.25% 4.75%
2010 2.83% 4.4%
2009 0.59% 2.92%
2008 6.64% 15.7%
2007 2.11% 3.91%
2006 0.97% 10%
2005 0.43% 7.24%
2004 1.66% 4.43%
2003 0.51% 5.8%
2002 -0.39% -0.13%
2001 1% 3%
2000 1.36% -3.85%
1999 0.02% -3.7%
1998 -0.27% -0.8%
1997 2% 1.89%

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

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

Over the past 23 years, Singapore has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.44%, compared with 11.4% in Syria. In 2019, inflation was 0.9% in Singapore and 13.4% in Syria.

Top exports between countries

Singapore
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $1.05M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $938K
Machinery & equipment $312K
Raw materials & minerals $295K
Animal & marine products $157K
Textiles & consumer goods $48K
Raw agricultural goods $35K
Metals $2K
Syria
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $277K
Textiles & consumer goods $15K
Chemicals & pharma $9K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $8K

Balance of trade

Singapore Syria
Current account balance
$101B
2025
-$367M
2010
Current account balance ranking
8/190
2025
99/190
2010
Current account balance, % of GDP
+16.7%
2025
-0.6%
2010
Goods imports
$475B
2025
$15.9B
2010
Goods exports
$652B
2025
$12.3B
2010
Service imports
$385B
2025
$3.53B
2010
Service exports
$422B
2025
$7.33B
2010
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
142.5%
2025
28.7%
2022
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
177.9%
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.

Singapore Syria
Economic freedom 84.4 51.2
Economic freedom ranking 1/197 155/197
Property rights 89.2 4
Government integrity 86.1 3.6
Judicial effectiveness 58.3 3.7
Tax burden 89.5 87.3
Government spending 93.4 78.5
Fiscal health 80 13.8
Business freedom 90.6 33.8
Labor freedom 77 37.2
Monetary freedom 83.5 80
Trade freedom 95 47
Investment freedom 90 0
Financial freedom 80 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Singapore
Syria
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Singapore Syria
2026 84.4 -
2025 84.1 -
2024 83.5 -
2023 83.9 -
2022 84.4 -
2021 89.7 -
2020 89.4 -
2019 89.4 -
2018 88.8 -
2017 88.6 -
2016 87.8 -
2015 89.4 -
2014 89.4 -
2013 88 -
2012 87.5 51.2
2011 87.2 51.3
2010 86.1 49.4
2009 87.1 51.3
2008 87.3 47.2
2007 87.1 48.3
2006 88 51.2
2005 88.6 46.3
2004 88.9 40.6
2003 88.2 41.3
2002 87.4 36.3
2001 87.8 36.6
2000 87.7 37.2
1999 86.9 39
1998 87 42.2
1997 87.3 43
1996 86.5 42.3
1995 86.3 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Singapore is 84.4, ranking 1/197, 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

Singapore Syria
Services, % of GDP
71.6%
2025
44.7%
2022
Industry, % of GDP
22.7%
2025
11.9%
2022
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.02%
2025
42.9%
2022
GNI, Atlas method
$500B
2025
$18.2B
2023
GNI per capita, PPP
$135,750
2025
$4,480
2023
Total reserves including gold
$432B
2025
$20.6B
2010
Total reserves ranking
11/177
2025
66/177
2010
Net foreign direct investment
-$64.9B
2025
-$1.47B
2010
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$135B
2024
$0
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$63.6B
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
22.5%
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/singapore/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 (1995–2026, 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.