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Economy of Spain vs Syria compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Spain has a GDP of $1.73T compared to $20B for Syria, ranking 15/197 and 129/197 by economy size, respectively.

Spain has $1.75T in government debt (101.6% of GDP), compared to $18.4B (30% of GDP) in Syria.

Spain vs Syria GDP by year

Spain
Syria
1x
Year GDP, current $
Spain Syria
2024 $1,725,671,652,742 -
2023 $1,619,481,980,720 $19,993,439,950
2022 $1,448,850,658,407 $23,622,827,080
2021 $1,461,244,901,853 $14,353,205,678
2020 $1,289,783,836,971 $12,047,752,036
2019 $1,403,496,387,686 $22,583,045,060
2018 $1,431,642,809,327 $21,497,782,868
2017 $1,321,754,088,819 $16,369,843,352
2016 $1,243,015,667,917 $12,597,854,877
2015 $1,206,164,777,553 $16,466,863,117
2014 $1,380,244,561,362 $21,502,061,466
2013 $1,362,186,923,158 $21,361,254,635
2012 $1,330,994,811,670 $43,190,318,033
2011 $1,487,568,659,241 $67,539,428,159
2010 $1,427,989,078,917 $61,390,830,875
2009 $1,496,587,590,848 $54,111,735,629
2008 $1,636,115,447,613 $52,557,913,569
2007 $1,476,746,276,855 $40,465,318,382
2006 $1,261,846,683,275 $33,751,788,856
2005 $1,154,667,551,776 $28,858,965,517
2004 $1,069,829,382,515 $25,086,950,495
2003 $907,963,217,058 $21,828,144,686
2002 $708,938,227,244 $20,669,357,462
2001 $627,798,682,379 $20,237,024,725
2000 $598,102,854,756 $18,937,052,543
1999 $634,394,904,387 $15,873,875,969
1998 $618,731,484,575 $15,200,846,154
1997 $589,739,772,727 $14,505,233,463
1996 $642,251,412,058 $13,789,560,878
1995 $614,170,002,669 $11,396,706,587
1994 $530,183,651,720 $10,122,020,000
1993 $524,700,572,624 $13,695,962,055
1992 $630,465,353,486 $13,253,565,861
1991 $576,753,902,322 $12,981,833,333
1990 $536,175,326,477 $12,308,624,418
1989 $414,460,794,097 $9,853,395,762
1988 $375,891,716,898 $10,577,041,645
1987 $318,520,253,335 $11,356,215,543
1986 $251,141,555,186 $13,293,205,278
1985 $180,664,322,896 $16,403,539,893
1984 $171,979,977,230 $17,503,078,174
1983 $170,829,074,246 $17,589,277,143
1982 $195,856,752,991 $16,298,929,011
1981 $202,663,023,968 $15,518,201,335
1980 $232,600,556,974 $13,062,420,382
1979 $214,448,666,336 $9,929,681,529
1978 $160,484,969,618 $9,275,200,458
1977 $132,354,665,936 $7,696,011,396
1976 $118,422,534,195 $7,633,528,867
1975 $114,695,060,870 $6,826,980,444
1974 $97,204,522,642 $5,159,557,148
1973 $78,583,355,226 $3,239,487,516
1972 $59,090,176,029 $3,059,681,698
1971 $46,586,119,760 $2,589,851,325
1970 $40,963,715,237 $2,140,384,010
1969 $37,090,689,288 $2,245,011,515
1968 $32,394,326,464 $1,753,746,430
1967 $32,570,905,397 $1,580,229,799
1966 $29,559,436,183 $1,342,287,553
1965 $25,479,619,607 $1,472,036,540
1964 $21,966,876,027 $1,339,494,267
1963 $19,631,714,760 $1,200,447,408
1962 $16,609,632,791 $1,110,565,881
1961 $14,238,126,760 $945,244,972
1960 $12,424,514,014 $857,704,413

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

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

GDP per capita in Spain vs Syria by year

Spain
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Syria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Spain Syria
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $35,327 $57,965 - -
2023 $33,493 $55,682 $847 $4,650
2022 $30,319 $51,399 $1,052 $4,772
2021 $30,799 $44,252 $664 $4,593
2020 $27,234 $39,328 $572 $3,738
2019 $29,787 $44,043 $1,110 $3,502
2018 $30,602 $41,015 $1,098 $3,456
2017 $28,381 $39,825 $852 $3,265
2016 $26,756 $37,613 $656 -
2015 $25,982 $35,229 $848 -
2014 $29,708 $33,761 $1,061 -
2013 $29,229 $32,614 $986 -
2012 $28,456 $31,870 $1,898 -
2011 $31,825 $32,016 $2,952 -
2010 $30,659 $31,805 $2,731 -
2009 $32,280 $32,218 $2,462 -
2008 $35,603 $33,350 $2,429 -
2007 $32,652 $32,536 $1,938 -
2006 $28,422 $30,749 $1,719 -
2005 $26,451 $27,630 $1,534 -
2004 $24,925 $26,160 $1,368 -
2003 $21,522 $25,057 $1,220 -
2002 $17,111 $24,378 $1,183 -
2001 $15,368 $22,952 $1,187 -
2000 $14,743 $21,582 $1,138 -
1999 $15,708 $19,938 $978 -
1998 $15,382 $19,083 $961 -
1997 $14,722 $17,903 $941 -
1996 $16,101 $16,971 $918 -
1995 $15,461 $16,276 $780 -
1994 $13,406 $15,582 $712 -
1993 $13,330 $14,973 $993 -
1992 $16,101 $14,855 $990 -
1991 $14,801 $14,461 $1,000 -
1990 $13,795 $13,676 $978 -
1989 $10,674 - $809 -
1988 $9,696 - $898 -
1987 $8,234 - $997 -
1986 $6,509 - $1,208 -
1985 $4,696 - $1,544 -
1984 $4,487 - $1,706 -
1983 $4,475 - $1,776 -
1982 $5,156 - $1,703 -
1981 $5,367 - $1,676 -
1980 $6,204 - $1,458 -
1979 $5,766 - $1,146 -
1978 $4,353 - $1,108 -
1977 $3,625 - $951 -
1976 $3,277 - $976 -
1975 $3,208 - $904 -
1974 $2,748 - $707 -
1973 $2,246 - $459 -
1972 $1,708 - $448 -
1971 $1,361 - $393 -
1970 $1,211 - $335 -
1969 $1,109 - $364 -
1968 $978 - $293.3 -
1967 $997 - $272.9 -
1966 $916 - $239.3 -
1965 $797 - $270.8 -
1964 $695 - $254.2 -
1963 $627 - $234.9 -
1962 $535 - $223.9 -
1961 $463 - $196.3 -
1960 $408 - $183.5 -

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

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

Spain's GDP per capita is $35,327, ranking 32/197, compared to $847 in Syria, ranking 185/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Spain ranks 34th at $57,965, while Syria ranks 160th at $4,650.

Economic indicators

Spain Syria
Gross domestic product
$1.73T
2024
$20B
2023
GDP rank
15/197
2024
129/197
2023
GDP growth
3.46%
2023-2024
-1.21%
2022-2023
GDP per capita
$35,327
2024
$847
2023
GDP per capita rank
32/197
2024
185/197
2023
GDP per capita, PPP
$57,965
2024
$4,650
2023
GDP per capita PPP rank
34/197
2024
160/197
2023
Government debt
$1.75T
2024
$18.4B
2010
Debt-to-GDP ratio
101.6%
2024
30%
2010
Government debt per person
$35,909
2024
$820
2010
Government debt per person rank
20/185
2024
148/185
2010
Average annual personal income after taxes
$25,470
2026
$730
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$754B
2024
n/a
Number of millionaires
1,202,000
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
34
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
24.5%
2023
21.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2.2%
2023
3.8%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
45.3%
2024
28.6%
2010
Consumer prices inflation
2.77%
2023-2024
13.4%
2018-2019
Unemployment rate
11.3%
2024
8.61%
2010
Population
48806901
26829400

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Spain
Spending

Debt
Syria
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Spain Syria
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 45.3% 101.6% - -
2023 45.5% 105.1% - -
2022 46.4% 109.2% - -
2021 49.5% 115.6% - -
2020 51.4% 119.2% - -
2019 42% 97.6% - -
2018 41.5% 99.7% - -
2017 41% 101.1% - -
2016 42.1% 102% - -
2015 43.7% 102.4% - -
2014 45.1% 104.4% - -
2013 46.2% 100% - -
2012 49.2% 89.6% - -
2011 45.9% 69.5% - -
2010 45.8% 60.3% 28.6% 30%
2009 46.1% 53.1% 26.7% 31.2%
2008 41.3% 39.6% 22.9% 37.3%
2007 39.2% 35.7% 25.7% 42.7%
2006 38.4% 39% 26.3% 45%
2005 38.4% 42.4% 28.2% 50.7%
2004 38.8% 45.3% 31.3% 113%
2003 38.4% 47.7% 32.6% 133.4%
2002 38.6% 51.2% 28.5% 132.4%
2001 38.4% 54.1% 28% 144.5%
2000 39.1% 57.8% 27.4% 152.1%
1999 40% 60.9% 28% 147.7%
1998 41% 62.4% 28.8% 151.2%
1997 41.5% 64.3% 29% 147.6%
1996 42.9% 65.4% 27.7% 141.5%
1995 44.1% 61.6% 29.8% 152.6%
1994 44.8% 57% 30.3% 163%
1993 46.3% 54.6% 29.4% 171.9%
1992 43.9% 44.1% 34.2% 173.6%
1991 42.6% 41.9% 34.3% 182.4%
1990 41.1% 41.3% 28.3% 189.8%
1989 32.1% 39.2% - -
1988 28.6% 38.2% - -
1987 31.1% 42.1% - -
1986 28.4% 36.5% - -
1985 27.6% 31.5% - -
1984 27% 18.3% - -
1983 26% 13.4% - -
1982 21.5% 12% - -
1981 18.1% 10.9% - -
1980 16.3% 10.2% - -
1979 14.3% 9.88% - -
1978 14.3% 9.93% - -
1977 12.8% 8.75% - -
1976 11.5% 8.21% - -
1975 11.4% 11.9% - -
1974 11.4% 13.6% - -
1973 9.88% 16.3% - -
1972 12.5% 17.6% - -
1971 14% 17.9% - -
1970 12.3% 19.2% - -
1969 12.3% 18.8% - -
1968 12.8% 18.3% - -
1967 12.5% 17.6% - -
1966 11.8% 17.7% - -
1965 14% 18.1% - -
1964 12.7% 19.5% - -
1963 12.4% 21% - -
1962 10.6% 24.4% - -
1961 9.97% 26.7% - -
1960 11% 29.4% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Spain's government spending was $782B, accounting for 45.3% of its GDP, while Syria spent $17.6B, or 28.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 101.6% in Spain and 30% in Syria, ranking 21/185 and 157/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Spain

Syria
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Spain Syria
2024 -3.15% -
2023 -3.52% -
2022 -4.63% -
2021 -6.66% -
2020 -10% -
2019 -3.04% -
2018 -2.58% -
2017 -3.1% -
2016 -4.26% -
2015 -5.26% -
2014 -6.07% -
2013 -7.49% -
2012 -11.5% -
2011 -9.69% -
2010 -9.49% -7.79%
2009 -11.2% -2.89%
2008 -4.56% -2.86%
2007 1.88% -2.99%
2006 2.12% -1.12%
2005 1.23% -4.41%
2004 -0.1% -4.18%
2003 -0.37% -2.7%
2002 -0.32% -2.02%
2001 -0.45% 2.3%
2000 -1.16% -1.36%
1999 -1.24% -1.47%
1998 -2.63% -2.81%
1997 -3.86% -1.78%
1996 -5.87% -2.83%
1995 -6.79% -3.81%
1994 -6.31% -6%
1993 -6.89% -4.96%
1992 -4.26% -7.26%
1991 -4.58% -6.57%
1990 -3.9% -3.92%
1989 -3.24% -
1988 -2.95% -
1987 -3.52% -
1986 -5.18% -
1985 -6.04% -
1984 -5.25% -
1983 -4.77% -
1982 -5.76% -
1981 -2.88% -
1980 -2.55% -
1979 -1.51% -
1978 -1.63% -
1977 -0.24% -
1976 0.43% -
1975 0.26% -
1974 0.11% -
1973 1.09% -
1972 0.24% -
1971 -0.96% -
1970 0.09% -
1969 -0.06% -
1968 -0.55% -
1967 -0.32% -
1966 0.07% -
1965 -0.04% -
1964 0.18% -
1963 -0.54% -
1962 1.27% -
1961 1.9% -
1960 0.69% -
1959 0.54% -
1958 0.23% -
1957 1.13% -
1956 -0.05% -
1955 0.6% -
1954 0.7% -
1953 1.02% -
1952 0.81% -
1951 -0.24% -
1950 -0.44% -
1949 -0.35% -
1948 -1.21% -
1947 -1.09% -
1946 -2.24% -
1945 -4.56% -
1944 -5.44% -
1943 -7.73% -
1942 -2.48% -
1941 -4.34% -
1940 -3.54% -
1939 - -
1938 - -
1937 - -
1936 - -
1935 -0.49% -
1934 -1.17% -
1933 -0.72% -
1932 -0.3% -
1931 0.1% -
1930 0.3% -
1929 -0.07% -
1928 -0.31% -
1927 -0.54% -
1926 -0.65% -
1925 -1.19% -
1924 -1.76% -
1923 -1.89% -
1922 -2.26% -
1921 -3.33% -
1920 -2.4% -
1919 -1.82% -
1918 -1.8% -
1917 -1.49% -
1916 -1.15% -
1915 -2.97% -
1914 -1.04% -
1913 -0.09% -
1912 -0.33% -
1911 0.19% -
1910 0.09% -
1909 -0.29% -
1908 0.59% -
1907 0.66% -
1906 0.91% -
1905 0.71% -
1904 0.52% -
1903 0.28% -
1902 0.74% -
1901 0.69% -
1900 1.04% -
1899 2.75% -
1898 0.13% -
1897 -0.64% -
1896 0.46% -
1895 0.83% -
1894 -0.08% -
1893 0.87% -
1892 -0.67% -
1891 -0.41% -
1890 -0.4% -
1889 -0.38% -
1888 -0.97% -
1887 -0.73% -
1886 -0.08% -
1885 -0.78% -
1884 -0.23% -
1883 -0.38% -
1882 0.38% -
1881 0.08% -
1880 -0.02% -
1879 -0.52% -
1878 -0.08% -
1877 0.11% -
1876 0.1% -
1875 -1.42% -
1874 -0.1% -
1873 2.22% -
1872 -2.27% -
1871 -2.64% -
1870 -3.42% -
1869 -2.64% -
1868 -1.46% -
1867 -0.79% -
1866 -0.83% -
1865 -1.84% -
1864 -2.48% -
1863 -1.55% -
1862 -1.76% -
1861 -1.77% -
1860 -0.94% -
1859 0.39% -
1858 -0.44% -
1857 -0.41% -
1856 -0.46% -
1855 -0.76% -
1854 -0.32% -
1853 -0.02% -
1852 -0.11% -
1851 -0.25% -
1850 0.31% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1850–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2010, Spain's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $135B, equivalent to 9.49% of GDP. This compares to Syria's deficit of $4.78B, or 7.79% of GDP.

Over the past 21 years, Spain recorded a fiscal deficit in 18 of those years, while Syria ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, Spain posted an annual deficit equal to 3.28% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.4% of GDP for Syria.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Spain

Syria
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Spain Syria
2024 2.77% -
2023 3.53% -
2022 8.39% -
2021 3.09% -
2020 -0.32% -
2019 0.7% 13.4%
2018 1.67% 0.94%
2017 1.96% 18.1%
2016 -0.2% 47.7%
2015 -0.5% 38.5%
2014 -0.15% 10.9%
2013 1.41% 40%
2012 2.45% 36.7%
2011 3.2% 4.75%
2010 1.8% 4.4%
2009 -0.29% 2.92%
2008 4.08% 15.7%
2007 2.79% 3.91%
2006 3.52% 10%
2005 3.37% 7.24%
2004 3.04% 4.43%
2003 3.04% 5.8%
2002 3.07% -0.13%
2001 3.59% 3%
2000 3.43% -3.85%
1999 2.31% -3.7%
1998 1.83% -0.8%
1997 1.97% 1.89%

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

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

Over the past 23 years, Spain has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.09%, compared with 11.4% in Syria. In 2019, inflation was 2.77% in Spain and 13.4% in Syria.

Top exports between countries

Spain
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $14.8M
Raw materials & minerals $6.52M
Textiles & consumer goods $5.76M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $3.4M
Machinery & equipment $3.36M
Raw agricultural goods $2.86M
Wood & paper products $2.46M
Miscellaneous $2.05M
Animal & marine products $563K
Metals $456K
Syria
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $224M
Textiles & consumer goods $4.02M
Chemicals & pharma $2.76M
Raw agricultural goods $2.12M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.15M
Metals $117K
Machinery & equipment $92K
Wood & paper products $15K
Animal & marine products $10K
Miscellaneous $3K

Balance of trade

Spain Syria
Current account balance
$54.9B
2024
-$367M
2010
Current account balance ranking
13/190
2024
103/190
2010
Current account balance, % of GDP
+3.18%
2024
-0.6%
2010
Goods imports
$456B
2024
$15.9B
2010
Goods exports
$419B
2024
$12.3B
2010
Service imports
$111B
2024
$3.53B
2010
Service exports
$220B
2024
$7.33B
2010
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
32.9%
2024
28.8%
2022
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
37.1%
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.

Spain Syria
Economic freedom 66.8 51.2
Economic freedom ranking 59/197 155/197
Property rights 88 4
Government integrity 64.2 3.6
Judicial effectiveness 74.3 3.7
Tax burden 58.2 87.3
Government spending 37.3 78.5
Fiscal health 57.3 13.8
Business freedom 82.6 33.8
Labor freedom 61.7 37.2
Monetary freedom 78.2 80
Trade freedom 79.4 47
Investment freedom 60 0
Financial freedom 60 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Spain
Syria
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Spain Syria
2026 66.8 -
2025 66.3 -
2024 63.3 -
2023 65 -
2022 68.2 -
2021 69.9 -
2020 66.9 -
2019 65.7 -
2018 65.1 -
2017 63.6 -
2016 68.5 -
2015 67.6 -
2014 67.2 -
2013 68 -
2012 69.1 51.2
2011 70.2 51.3
2010 69.6 49.4
2009 70.1 51.3
2008 69.1 47.2
2007 69.2 48.3
2006 68.2 51.2
2005 67 46.3
2004 68.9 40.6
2003 68.8 41.3
2002 68.8 36.3
2001 68.1 36.6
2000 65.9 37.2
1999 65.1 39
1998 62.6 42.2
1997 59.6 43
1996 59.6 42.3
1995 62.8 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Spain is 66.8, ranking 59/197, 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

Spain Syria
Services, % of GDP
68.9%
2024
44.9%
2022
Industry, % of GDP
19.5%
2024
12%
2022
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.75%
2024
43.1%
2022
GNI, Atlas method
$1.64T
2024
$18.2B
2023
GNI per capita, PPP
$57,670
2024
$4,480
2023
Total reserves including gold
$108B
2024
$20.6B
2010
Total reserves ranking
26/177
2024
62/177
2010
Net foreign direct investment
$28.7B
2024
-$1.47B
2010
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$42.8B
2024
$0
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$71.5B
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
0.15%
2023
Poverty at national poverty lines
20.2%
2022
35.2%
2007
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
21.2%
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/spain/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) | Public Finances in Modern History (1850–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
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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.