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Economy of Singapore vs Syria compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Singapore has a GDP of $547B compared to $20B for Syria, ranking 28/197 and 129/197 by economy size, respectively.

Singapore has $950B in government debt (173.5% 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
2024 $547,386,645,892 -
2023 $505,439,514,078 $19,993,439,950
2022 $509,017,841,147 $23,622,827,080
2021 $436,591,382,250 $14,353,205,678
2020 $349,165,858,545 $12,047,752,036
2019 $376,161,998,830 $22,583,045,060
2018 $377,123,710,561 $21,497,782,868
2017 $343,673,334,902 $16,369,843,352
2016 $319,646,468,521 $12,597,854,877
2015 $307,998,545,269 $16,466,863,117
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 $67,539,428,159
2010 $239,807,980,591 $61,390,830,875
2009 $194,150,283,772 $54,111,735,629
2008 $193,617,323,539 $52,557,913,569
2007 $180,941,701,358 $40,465,318,382
2006 $148,627,286,361 $33,751,788,856
2005 $127,807,848,728 $28,858,965,517
2004 $115,033,593,101 $25,086,950,495
2003 $97,646,401,096 $21,828,144,686
2002 $92,538,372,870 $20,669,357,462
2001 $89,793,790,670 $20,237,024,725
2000 $96,076,539,926 $18,937,052,543
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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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
2024 $90,674 $150,689 - -
2023 $85,412 $143,786 $847 $4,650
2022 $90,299 $143,095 $1,052 $4,772
2021 $80,056 $132,617 $664 $4,593
2020 $61,410 $101,518 $572 $3,738
2019 $65,952 $105,335 $1,110 $3,502
2018 $66,882 $103,963 $1,098 $3,456
2017 $61,236 $95,744 $852 $3,265
2016 $57,006 $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 $1,183 -
2001 $21,700 $43,109 $1,187 -
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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Singapore's GDP per capita is $90,674, 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
$547B
2024
$20B
2023
GDP rank
28/197
2024
129/197
2023
GDP growth
4.39%
2023-2024
-1.21%
2022-2023
GDP per capita
$90,674
2024
$847
2023
GDP per capita rank
7/197
2024
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
$950B
2024
$18.4B
2010
Debt-to-GDP ratio
173.5%
2024
30%
2010
Government debt per person
$157,326
2024
$820
2010
Government debt per person rank
1/185
2024
148/185
2010
Average annual personal income after taxes
$52,793
2026
$730
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$638B
2024
n/a
Number of millionaires
331,000
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
49
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10% n/a
21.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
3.8%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
14.6%
2024
28.6%
2010
Consumer prices inflation
2.39%
2023-2024
13.4%
2018-2019
Unemployment rate
2.74%
2024
8.61%
2010
Population
6125852
26829400

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
2024 14.6% 173.5% - -
2023 14.8% 172.8% - -
2022 15% 154.3% - -
2021 15.6% 141.7% - -
2020 24.1% 148.2% - -
2019 14% 127.9% - -
2018 13.9% 109.4% - -
2017 13.6% 107.6% - -
2016 15.3% 106.3% - -
2015 14.4% 102.2% - -
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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Singapore's government spending was $79.7B, accounting for 14.6% of its GDP, while Syria spent $17.6B, or 28.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 173.5% in Singapore and 30% in Syria, ranking 4/185 and 157/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Singapore

Syria
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Singapore Syria
2024 4.44% -
2023 3.47% -
2022 1.21% -
2021 1.13% -
2020 -6.73% -
2019 3.77% -
2018 3.68% -
2017 5.24% -
2016 3.25% -
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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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
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 (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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 2.39% in Singapore and 13.4% in Syria.

Top exports between countries

Singapore
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.91M
Chemicals & pharma $1.07M
Machinery & equipment $569K
Animal & marine products $157K
Raw materials & minerals $124K
Textiles & consumer goods $47K
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
$96B
2024
-$367M
2010
Current account balance ranking
8/190
2024
103/190
2010
Current account balance, % of GDP
+17.5%
2024
-0.6%
2010
Goods imports
$435B
2024
$15.9B
2010
Goods exports
$583B
2024
$12.3B
2010
Service imports
$351B
2024
$3.53B
2010
Service exports
$396B
2024
$7.33B
2010
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
143.6%
2024
28.8%
2022
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
178.8%
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.

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 2026-03-09).

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
73%
2024
44.9%
2022
Industry, % of GDP
21.4%
2024
12%
2022
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.03%
2024
43.1%
2022
GNI, Atlas method
$451B
2024
$18.2B
2023
GNI per capita, PPP
$126,190
2024
$4,480
2023
Total reserves including gold
$384B
2024
$20.6B
2010
Total reserves ranking
9/177
2024
62/177
2010
Net foreign direct investment
-$96.7B
2024
-$1.47B
2010
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$152B
2024
$0
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$55.3B
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
22.2%
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/singapore/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 (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. TradeMap (2010–2024, 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.