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Economy of South Sudan vs Syria compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

South Sudan has a GDP of $12B compared to $20B for Syria, ranking 149/197 and 129/197 by economy size, respectively.

South Sudan has $7.04B in government debt (50.7% of GDP), compared to $18.4B (30% of GDP) in Syria.

South Sudan vs Syria GDP by year

South Sudan
Syria
1x
Year GDP, current $
South Sudan Syria
2023 - $19,993,439,950
2022 - $23,622,827,080
2021 - $14,353,205,678
2020 - $12,047,752,036
2019 - $22,583,045,060
2018 - $21,497,782,868
2017 - $16,369,843,352
2016 - $12,597,854,877
2015 $11,997,800,760 $16,466,863,117
2014 $13,962,212,847 $21,502,061,466
2013 $18,426,469,017 $21,361,254,635
2012 $11,931,472,169 $43,190,318,033
2011 $14,907,308,933 $67,539,428,159
2010 $14,602,072,411 $61,390,830,875
2009 $12,231,264,525 $54,111,735,629
2008 $14,586,253,383 $52,557,913,569
2007 - $40,465,318,382
2006 - $33,751,788,856
2005 - $28,858,965,517
2004 - $25,086,950,495
2003 - $21,828,144,686
2002 - $20,669,357,462
2001 - $20,237,024,725
2000 - $18,937,052,543
1999 - $15,873,875,969
1998 - $15,200,846,154
1997 - $14,505,233,463
1996 - $13,789,560,878
1995 - $11,396,706,587
1994 - $10,122,020,000
1993 - $13,695,962,055
1992 - $13,253,565,861
1991 - $12,981,833,333
1990 - $12,308,624,418
1989 - $9,853,395,762
1988 - $10,577,041,645
1987 - $11,356,215,543
1986 - $13,293,205,278
1985 - $16,403,539,893
1984 - $17,503,078,174
1983 - $17,589,277,143
1982 - $16,298,929,011
1981 - $15,518,201,335
1980 - $13,062,420,382
1979 - $9,929,681,529
1978 - $9,275,200,458
1977 - $7,696,011,396
1976 - $7,633,528,867
1975 - $6,826,980,444
1974 - $5,159,557,148
1973 - $3,239,487,516
1972 - $3,059,681,698
1971 - $2,589,851,325
1970 - $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 (1960–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/south-sudan/syria | CC BY

GDP per capita in South Sudan vs Syria by year

South Sudan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Syria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
South Sudan Syria
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2023 - - $847 $4,650
2022 - - $1,052 $4,772
2021 - - $664 $4,593
2020 - - $572 $3,738
2019 - - $1,110 $3,502
2018 - - $1,098 $3,456
2017 - - $852 $3,265
2016 - - $656 -
2015 $1,080 $1,155 $848 -
2014 $1,243 $1,373 $1,061 -
2013 $1,650 $1,917 $986 -
2012 $1,109 $1,417 $1,898 -
2011 $1,449 $2,718 $2,952 -
2010 $1,498 $2,948 $2,731 -
2009 $1,323 $2,911 $2,462 -
2008 $1,654 $2,887 $2,429 -
2007 - - $1,938 -
2006 - - $1,719 -
2005 - - $1,534 -
2004 - - $1,368 -
2003 - - $1,220 -
2002 - - $1,183 -
2001 - - $1,187 -
2000 - - $1,138 -
1999 - - $978 -
1998 - - $961 -
1997 - - $941 -
1996 - - $918 -
1995 - - $780 -
1994 - - $712 -
1993 - - $993 -
1992 - - $990 -
1991 - - $1,000 -
1990 - - $978 -
1989 - - $809 -
1988 - - $898 -
1987 - - $997 -
1986 - - $1,208 -
1985 - - $1,544 -
1984 - - $1,706 -
1983 - - $1,776 -
1982 - - $1,703 -
1981 - - $1,676 -
1980 - - $1,458 -
1979 - - $1,146 -
1978 - - $1,108 -
1977 - - $951 -
1976 - - $976 -
1975 - - $904 -
1974 - - $707 -
1973 - - $459 -
1972 - - $448 -
1971 - - $393 -
1970 - - $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 (1960–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/south-sudan/syria | CC BY

South Sudan's GDP per capita is $1,080, ranking 175/197, compared to $847 in Syria, ranking 185/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), South Sudan ranks 197th at $1,155, while Syria ranks 160th at $4,650.

Economic indicators

South Sudan Syria
Gross domestic product
$12B
2015
$20B
2023
GDP rank
149/197
2015
129/197
2023
GDP growth
-10.8%
2014-2015
-1.21%
2022-2023
GDP per capita
$1,080
2015
$847
2023
GDP per capita rank
175/197
2015
185/197
2023
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,155
2015
$4,650
2023
GDP per capita PPP rank
197/197
2015
160/197
2023
Government debt
$7.04B
2015
$18.4B
2010
Debt-to-GDP ratio
50.7%
2024
30%
2010
Government debt per person
$633
2015
$820
2010
Government debt per person rank
158/185
2015
148/185
2010
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,305
2026
$730
2026
Income share by richest 10%
33%
2016
21.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
1.8%
2016
3.8%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
18.1%
2024
28.6%
2010
Consumer prices inflation
91.4%
2023-2024
13.4%
2018-2019
Central bank interest rate
15%
2023
n/a
Unemployment rate
12.3%
2008
8.61%
2010
Population
12507858
26829400

Spending and national debt comparison by year

South Sudan
Spending

Debt
Syria
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
South Sudan Syria
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 18.1% 50.7% - -
2023 21.4% 51.9% - -
2022 29.4% 37.3% - -
2021 44.1% 50.2% - -
2020 34.1% 49% - -
2019 47.9% 43.1% - -
2018 54.5% 77.6% - -
2017 97% 178.3% - -
2016 66.5% 164.7% - -
2015 34% 58.6% - -
2014 35.8% 37.7% - -
2013 25.3% 17.6% - -
2012 31.6% 8.91% - -
2011 20.8% - - -
2010 - - 28.6% 30%
2009 - - 26.7% 31.2%
2008 - - 22.9% 37.3%
2007 - - 25.7% 42.7%
2006 - - 26.3% 45%
2005 - - 28.2% 50.7%
2004 - - 31.3% 113%
2003 - - 32.6% 133.4%
2002 - - 28.5% 132.4%
2001 - - 28% 144.5%
2000 - - 27.4% 152.1%
1999 - - 28% 147.7%
1998 - - 28.8% 151.2%
1997 - - 29% 147.6%
1996 - - 27.7% 141.5%
1995 - - 29.8% 152.6%
1994 - - 30.3% 163%
1993 - - 29.4% 171.9%
1992 - - 34.2% 173.6%
1991 - - 34.3% 182.4%
1990 - - 28.3% 189.8%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/south-sudan/syria | CC BY

In 2015, South Sudan's government spending was $4.08B, accounting for 18.1% of its GDP, while Syria spent $17.6B, or 28.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 50.7% in South Sudan and 30% in Syria, ranking 105/185 and 157/185, respectively.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
South Sudan

Syria
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
South Sudan Syria
2024 91.4% -
2023 2.38% -
2022 -6.69% -
2021 10.5% -
2020 29.7% -
2019 87.2% 13.4%
2018 83.5% 0.94%
2017 187.9% 18.1%
2016 380% 47.7%
2015 52.8% 38.5%
2014 1.67% 10.9%
2013 -0.06% 40%
2012 45.5% 36.7%
2011 46.9% 4.75%
2010 1.17% 4.4%
2009 5.01% 2.92%
2008 - 15.7%
2007 - 3.91%
2006 - 10%
2005 - 7.24%
2004 - 4.43%
2003 - 5.8%
2002 - -0.13%
2001 - 3%
2000 - -3.85%
1999 - -3.7%
1998 - -0.8%
1997 - 1.89%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/south-sudan/syria | CC BY

Over the past 11 years, South Sudan has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 81%, compared with 19.8% in Syria. In 2019, inflation was 91.4% in South Sudan and 13.4% in Syria.

Balance of trade

South Sudan Syria
Current account balance
$578M
2023
-$367M
2010
Current account balance ranking
60/190
2023
103/190
2010
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.17%
2015
-0.6%
2010
Goods imports
$2.25B
2023
$15.9B
2010
Goods exports
$4.01B
2023
$12.3B
2010
Service imports
$2.19B
2023
$3.53B
2010
Service exports
$484M
2023
$7.33B
2010
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.9%
2015
28.8%
2022
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
36.7%
2015
6.81%
2022

Economic freedom indices

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

South Sudan Syria
Economic freedom 41 51.2
Economic freedom ranking 186/197 155/197
Property rights n/a 4
Government integrity n/a 3.6
Judicial effectiveness n/a 3.7
Tax burden n/a 87.3
Government spending n/a 78.5
Fiscal health n/a 13.8
Business freedom n/a 33.8
Labor freedom n/a 37.2
Monetary freedom n/a 80
Trade freedom n/a 47
Investment freedom n/a 0
Financial freedom n/a 20

Other economic metrics

South Sudan Syria
Services, % of GDP
56.6%
2015
44.9%
2022
Industry, % of GDP
33.1%
2015
12%
2022
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
10.4%
2015
43.1%
2022
GNI, Atlas method
$11.7B
2015
$18.2B
2023
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,010
2015
$4,480
2023
Total reserves including gold
$72.9M
2023
$20.6B
2010
Total reserves ranking
175/177
2023
62/177
2010
Net foreign direct investment
$2.21M
2019
-$1.47B
2010
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$83.4M
2024
$0
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
0.15%
2023
Poverty at national poverty lines
66%
2020
35.2%
2007
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
5.75%
2015
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/south-sudan/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. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2012–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  6. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  7. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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.