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Economy of Sri Lanka vs Syria compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Sri Lanka has a GDP of $99B compared to $20B for Syria, ranking 72/197 and 129/197 by economy size, respectively.

Sri Lanka has $99.8B in government debt (100.8% of GDP), compared to $18.4B (30% of GDP) in Syria.

Sri Lanka vs Syria GDP by year

Sri Lanka
Syria
1x
Year GDP, current $
Sri Lanka Syria
2024 $98,963,185,510 -
2023 $83,716,142,582 $19,993,439,950
2022 $74,143,020,263 $23,622,827,080
2021 $88,556,698,938 $14,353,205,678
2020 $84,335,574,582 $12,047,752,036
2019 $88,998,706,297 $22,583,045,060
2018 $94,450,015,983 $21,497,782,868
2017 $94,369,350,286 $16,369,843,352
2016 $88,000,211,172 $12,597,854,877
2015 $85,090,301,052 $16,466,863,117
2014 $82,531,125,191 $21,502,061,466
2013 $76,976,203,829 $21,361,254,635
2012 $70,447,217,164 $43,190,318,033
2011 $67,753,285,897 $67,539,428,159
2010 $58,636,049,434 $61,390,830,875
2009 $42,066,224,093 $54,111,735,629
2008 $40,713,826,215 $52,557,913,569
2007 $32,350,238,760 $40,465,318,382
2006 $28,267,410,543 $33,751,788,856
2005 $24,405,791,045 $28,858,965,517
2004 $20,662,525,941 $25,086,950,495
2003 $18,881,765,437 $21,828,144,686
2002 $16,536,535,647 $20,669,357,462
2001 $15,749,753,805 $20,237,024,725
2000 $16,595,882,819 $18,937,052,543
1999 $15,711,933,513 $15,873,875,969
1998 $15,760,736,956 $15,200,846,154
1997 $15,091,913,884 $14,505,233,463
1996 $13,897,738,375 $13,789,560,878
1995 $13,029,697,561 $11,396,706,587
1994 $11,717,604,209 $10,122,020,000
1993 $10,338,679,636 $13,695,962,055
1992 $9,703,011,636 $13,253,565,861
1991 $9,000,362,582 $12,981,833,333
1990 $8,032,551,173 $12,308,624,418
1989 $6,987,267,684 $9,853,395,762
1988 $6,978,371,581 $10,577,041,645
1987 $6,682,167,120 $11,356,215,543
1986 $6,405,210,564 $13,293,205,278
1985 $5,978,460,972 $16,403,539,893
1984 $6,043,474,843 $17,503,078,174
1983 $5,167,913,302 $17,589,277,143
1982 $4,768,765,017 $16,298,929,011
1981 $4,415,844,156 $15,518,201,335
1980 $4,024,621,900 $13,062,420,382
1979 $3,364,611,432 $9,929,681,529
1978 $2,733,183,857 $9,275,200,458
1977 $4,104,509,583 $7,696,011,396
1976 $3,591,319,857 $7,633,528,867
1975 $3,791,298,146 $6,826,980,444
1974 $3,574,586,466 $5,159,557,148
1973 $2,875,625,000 $3,239,487,516
1972 $2,553,936,348 $3,059,681,698
1971 $2,369,308,600 $2,589,851,325
1970 $2,296,470,588 $2,140,384,010
1969 $1,965,546,218 $2,245,011,515
1968 $1,801,344,538 $1,753,746,430
1967 $1,859,465,021 $1,580,229,799
1966 $1,751,470,588 $1,342,287,553
1965 $1,698,319,328 $1,472,036,540
1964 $1,309,747,899 $1,339,494,267
1963 $1,240,672,269 $1,200,447,408
1962 $1,434,156,379 $1,110,565,881
1961 $1,444,327,731 $945,244,972
1960 $1,409,873,950 $857,704,413

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

GeoRank.org/economy/sri-lanka/syria | CC BY

GDP per capita in Sri Lanka vs Syria by year

Sri Lanka
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Syria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Sri Lanka Syria
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $4,516 $15,633 - -
2023 $3,799 $14,456 $847 $4,650
2022 $3,343 $14,194 $1,052 $4,772
2021 $3,997 $14,316 $664 $4,593
2020 $3,848 $12,941 $572 $3,738
2019 $4,082 $14,113 $1,110 $3,502
2018 $4,359 $14,178 $1,098 $3,456
2017 $4,399 $13,610 $852 $3,265
2016 $4,149 $13,079 $656 -
2015 $4,058 $12,227 $848 -
2014 $3,972 $11,721 $1,061 -
2013 $3,739 $11,253 $986 -
2012 $3,328 $10,249 $1,898 -
2011 $3,225 $9,076 $2,952 -
2010 $2,808 $8,234 $2,731 -
2009 $2,027 $7,576 $2,462 -
2008 $1,974 $7,317 $2,429 -
2007 $1,579 $6,820 $1,938 -
2006 $1,389 $6,261 $1,719 -
2005 $1,207 $5,679 $1,534 -
2004 $1,029 $5,216 $1,368 -
2003 $946 $4,850 $1,220 -
2002 $835 $4,522 $1,183 -
2001 $804 $4,328 $1,187 -
2000 $860 $4,368 $1,138 -
1999 $829 $4,103 $978 -
1998 $848 $3,952 $961 -
1997 $827 $3,804 $941 -
1996 $776 $3,582 $918 -
1995 $742 $3,454 $780 -
1994 $678 $3,260 $712 -
1993 $607 $3,067 $993 -
1992 $580 $2,851 $990 -
1991 $546 $2,713 $1,000 -
1990 $491 $2,527 $978 -
1989 $430 - $809 -
1988 $434 - $898 -
1987 $420 - $997 -
1986 $407 - $1,208 -
1985 $385 - $1,544 -
1984 $391 - $1,706 -
1983 $336 - $1,776 -
1982 $312 - $1,703 -
1981 $292.5 - $1,676 -
1980 $271.1 - $1,458 -
1979 $230.8 - $1,146 -
1978 $191 - $1,108 -
1977 $292.1 - $951 -
1976 $260.3 - $976 -
1975 $279.8 - $904 -
1974 $268.7 - $707 -
1973 $220.2 - $459 -
1972 $199.4 - $448 -
1971 $188.8 - $393 -
1970 $186.9 - $335 -
1969 $163.6 - $364 -
1968 $153.5 - $293.3 -
1967 $162.3 - $272.9 -
1966 $156.6 - $239.3 -
1965 $155.6 - $270.8 -
1964 $122.9 - $254.2 -
1963 $119.4 - $234.9 -
1962 $141.4 - $223.9 -
1961 $145.9 - $196.3 -
1960 $145.9 - $183.5 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/sri-lanka/syria | CC BY

Sri Lanka's GDP per capita is $4,516, ranking 124/197, compared to $847 in Syria, ranking 185/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Sri Lanka ranks 111th at $15,633, while Syria ranks 160th at $4,650.

Economic indicators

Sri Lanka Syria
Gross domestic product
$99B
2024
$20B
2023
GDP rank
72/197
2024
129/197
2023
GDP growth
5.01%
2023-2024
-1.21%
2022-2023
GDP per capita
$4,516
2024
$847
2023
GDP per capita rank
124/197
2024
185/197
2023
GDP per capita, PPP
$15,633
2024
$4,650
2023
GDP per capita PPP rank
111/197
2024
160/197
2023
Government debt
$99.8B
2024
$18.4B
2010
Debt-to-GDP ratio
100.8%
2024
30%
2010
Government debt per person
$4,554
2024
$820
2010
Government debt per person rank
85/185
2024
148/185
2010
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,874
2026
$730
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$19.5B
2024
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
30.8%
2019
21.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2019
3.8%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
19.3%
2024
28.6%
2010
Consumer prices inflation
-0.43%
2023-2024
13.4%
2018-2019
Central bank interest rate
7.75%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
4.67%
2023
8.61%
2010
Population
22185425
26829400

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Sri Lanka
Spending

Debt
Syria
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Sri Lanka Syria
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 19.3% 100.8% - -
2023 19.5% 110.4% - -
2022 18.6% 115.9% - -
2021 20% 102.7% - -
2020 22.1% 96.9% - -
2019 19.5% 82.6% - -
2018 17.5% 83.6% - -
2017 17.9% 72.3% - -
2016 18.2% 75% - -
2015 19.3% 76.3% - -
2014 17.2% 69.6% - -
2013 16.6% 69.5% - -
2012 17.3% 67.5% - -
2011 19.1% 69.4% - -
2010 19.3% 68.7% 28.6% 30%
2009 21% 72.8% 26.7% 31.2%
2008 19.1% 68.8% 22.9% 37.3%
2007 19.9% 71.8% 25.7% 42.7%
2006 20.5% 74.3% 26.3% 45%
2005 20.1% 76.6% 28.2% 50.7%
2004 19.3% 86.5% 31.3% 113%
2003 19.3% 86.5% 32.6% 133.4%
2002 20.8% 96.3% 28.5% 132.4%
2001 22.4% 84.4% 28% 144.5%
2000 21.7% 79.2% 27.4% 152.1%
1999 20.5% 77.7% 28% 147.7%
1998 21.4% 74.2% 28.8% 151.2%
1997 21.4% 70.1% 29% 147.6%
1996 23.1% 76.2% 27.7% 141.5%
1995 24.8% 77.8% 29.8% 152.6%
1994 24.1% 77.9% 30.3% 163%
1993 23.2% 79.2% 29.4% 171.9%
1992 23% 77.9% 34.2% 173.6%
1991 26.4% 80.5% 34.3% 182.4%
1990 25.4% 78.9% 28.3% 189.8%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/sri-lanka/syria | CC BY

In 2024, Sri Lanka's government spending was $19.1B, accounting for 19.3% of its GDP, while Syria spent $17.6B, or 28.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 100.8% in Sri Lanka and 30% in Syria, ranking 23/185 and 157/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Sri Lanka

Syria
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Sri Lanka Syria
2024 -5.64% -
2023 -8.32% -
2022 -10.2% -
2021 -11.7% -
2020 -13.4% -
2019 -7.52% -
2018 -4.96% -
2017 -5.1% -
2016 -5% -
2015 -6.64% -
2014 -5.99% -
2013 -5% -
2012 -5.44% -
2011 -6.01% -
2010 -6.73% -7.79%
2009 -8.33% -2.89%
2008 -5.93% -2.86%
2007 -5.81% -2.99%
2006 -5.91% -1.12%
2005 -5.93% -4.41%
2004 -6.32% -4.18%
2003 -6.15% -2.7%
2002 -6.9% -2.02%
2001 -8.48% 2.3%
2000 -7.78% -1.36%
1999 -5.58% -1.47%
1998 -6.79% -2.81%
1997 -5.71% -1.78%
1996 -6.89% -2.83%
1995 -7.11% -3.81%
1994 -7.41% -6%
1993 -5.77% -4.96%
1992 -4.95% -7.26%
1991 -7.97% -6.57%
1990 -6.39% -3.92%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/sri-lanka/syria | CC BY

In 2010, Sri Lanka's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $3.94B, equivalent to 6.73% of GDP. This compares to Syria's deficit of $4.78B, or 7.79% of GDP.

Over the past 21 years, Sri Lanka recorded a fiscal deficit in 21 of those years, while Syria ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, Sri Lanka posted an annual deficit equal to 6.61% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.4% of GDP for Syria.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Sri Lanka

Syria
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Sri Lanka Syria
2024 -0.43% -
2023 16.5% -
2022 49.7% -
2021 7.01% -
2020 6.15% -
2019 3.53% 13.4%
2018 2.14% 0.94%
2017 7.7% 18.1%
2016 3.96% 47.7%
2015 3.77% 38.5%
2014 3.18% 10.9%
2013 6.91% 40%
2012 7.54% 36.7%
2011 6.72% 4.75%
2010 6.22% 4.4%
2009 3.46% 2.92%
2008 22.6% 15.7%
2007 15.8% 3.91%
2006 10% 10%
2005 11.6% 7.24%
2004 7.58% 4.43%
2003 6.31% 5.8%
2002 9.55% -0.13%
2001 14.2% 3%
2000 6.18% -3.85%
1999 4.69% -3.7%
1998 9.36% -0.8%
1997 9.57% 1.89%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/sri-lanka/syria | CC BY

Over the past 23 years, Sri Lanka has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 7.94%, compared with 11.4% in Syria. In 2019, inflation was -0.43% in Sri Lanka and 13.4% in Syria.

Top exports between countries

Sri Lanka
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $45.3M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $192K
Raw materials & minerals $188K
Textiles & consumer goods $91K
Wood & paper products $19K
Chemicals & pharma $15K
Syria
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $48K
Metals $2K
Chemicals & pharma $1K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1K

Balance of trade

Sri Lanka Syria
Current account balance
$1.21B
2024
-$367M
2010
Current account balance ranking
53/190
2024
103/190
2010
Current account balance, % of GDP
+1.22%
2024
-0.6%
2010
Goods imports
$18.8B
2024
$15.9B
2010
Goods exports
$12.8B
2024
$12.3B
2010
Service imports
$3.48B
2024
$3.53B
2010
Service exports
$6.91B
2024
$7.33B
2010
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
22.5%
2024
28.8%
2022
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
19.9%
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.

Sri Lanka Syria
Economic freedom 50.3 51.2
Economic freedom ranking 162/197 155/197
Property rights 47.3 4
Government integrity 37.3 3.6
Judicial effectiveness 47.2 3.7
Tax burden 77 87.3
Government spending 89 78.5
Fiscal health 0 13.8
Business freedom 60.1 33.8
Labor freedom 54.3 37.2
Monetary freedom 65.9 80
Trade freedom 65.6 47
Investment freedom 30 0
Financial freedom 30 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Sri Lanka
Syria
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Sri Lanka Syria
2026 50.3 -
2025 49.4 -
2024 49.2 -
2023 52.2 -
2022 53.3 -
2021 55.7 -
2020 57.4 -
2019 56.4 -
2018 57.8 -
2017 57.4 -
2016 59.9 -
2015 58.6 -
2014 60 -
2013 60.7 -
2012 58.3 51.2
2011 57.1 51.3
2010 54.6 49.4
2009 56 51.3
2008 58.4 47.2
2007 59.4 48.3
2006 58.7 51.2
2005 61 46.3
2004 61.6 40.6
2003 62.5 41.3
2002 64 36.3
2001 66 36.6
2000 63.2 37.2
1999 64 39
1998 64.6 42.2
1997 65.5 43
1996 62.5 42.3
1995 60.6 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/sri-lanka/syria | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Sri Lanka is 50.3, ranking 162/197, 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

Sri Lanka Syria
Services, % of GDP
57.5%
2024
44.9%
2022
Industry, % of GDP
25.5%
2024
12%
2022
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
8.3%
2024
43.1%
2022
GNI, Atlas method
$84.6B
2024
$18.2B
2023
GNI per capita, PPP
$15,240
2024
$4,480
2023
Total reserves including gold
$6.09B
2024
$20.6B
2010
Total reserves ranking
92/177
2024
62/177
2010
Net foreign direct investment
-$651M
2024
-$1.47B
2010
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$761M
2024
$0
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$110M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
4.98%
2024
0.15%
2023
Poverty at national poverty lines
14.3%
2019
35.2%
2007
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
27%
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/sri-lanka/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.