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Economy of Sudan vs Syria compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Sudan has a GDP of $60.2B compared to $20B for Syria, ranking 91/197 and 134/197 by economy size, respectively.

Sudan has $113B in government debt (187.6% of GDP), compared to $18.4B (30% of GDP) in Syria.

Sudan vs Syria GDP by year

Sudan
Syria
1x
Year GDP, current $
Sudan Syria
2025 $60,162,634,574 -
2024 $49,672,435,513 -
2023 $39,898,289,821 $19,993,439,950
2022 $51,666,875,363 $23,737,634,644
2021 $34,229,513,775 $14,892,885,528
2020 $27,034,593,750 $12,501,503,673
2019 $32,338,079,165 $22,583,046,645
2018 $32,333,780,383 $21,497,779,248
2017 $41,283,617,976 $16,369,842,725
2016 $42,630,376,000 $12,597,854,088
2015 $51,726,758,677 $16,466,861,435
2014 $49,516,748,618 $21,502,061,466
2013 $43,024,018,082 $21,361,254,635
2012 $37,632,919,967 $43,190,318,033
2011 $55,018,567,211 $67,539,433,544
2010 $58,962,978,034 $61,390,833,273
2009 $51,621,044,077 $54,111,721,044
2008 $64,833,083,257 $52,557,913,397
2007 $59,440,139,775 $40,465,331,020
2006 $45,263,831,634 $33,751,812,959
2005 $35,182,711,988 $28,858,937,499
2004 $26,646,007,251 $25,086,910,448
2003 $21,355,298,460 $21,828,144,686
2002 $18,137,128,388 $20,786,986,580
2001 $15,716,361,792 $20,078,599,626
2000 $12,257,299,147 $18,937,031,610
1999 $10,682,028,340 $15,873,875,969
1998 $11,250,221,537 $15,200,846,154
1997 $11,681,175,864 $14,505,233,463
1996 $9,018,300,725 $13,789,560,878
1995 $13,830,363,900 $11,396,706,587
1994 $12,793,794,737 $10,122,020,000
1993 $8,881,005,436 $13,695,962,055
1992 $7,031,933,492 $13,253,565,861
1991 $44,171,194,366 $12,981,833,333
1990 $33,641,222,222 $12,308,624,418
1989 $21,408,111,111 $9,853,395,762
1988 $14,372,555,556 $10,577,041,645
1987 $12,093,333,333 $11,356,215,543
1986 $10,092,200,000 $13,293,205,278
1985 $8,075,259,600 $16,403,539,893
1984 $10,447,615,385 $17,503,078,174
1983 $8,230,153,846 $17,589,277,143
1982 $8,732,542,274 $16,298,929,011
1981 $10,753,888,154 $15,518,201,335
1980 $8,951,800,000 $13,062,420,382
1979 $8,418,407,787 $9,929,681,529
1978 $8,128,719,315 $9,275,200,458
1977 $7,499,005,639 $7,696,011,396
1976 $6,013,210,816 $7,633,528,867
1975 $4,823,090,192 $6,826,980,444
1974 $3,958,931,660 $5,159,557,148
1973 $3,077,254,460 $3,239,487,516
1972 $2,483,055,722 $3,059,681,698
1971 $2,288,340,041 $2,589,851,325
1970 $2,100,229,759 $2,140,384,010
1969 $1,847,501,441 $2,245,011,515
1968 $1,677,771,401 $1,753,746,430
1967 $1,607,409,539 $1,580,229,799
1966 $1,484,491,676 $1,342,287,553
1965 $1,446,869,619 $1,472,036,540
1964 $1,388,282,600 $1,339,494,267
1963 $1,351,234,926 $1,200,447,408
1962 $1,328,259,625 $1,110,565,881
1961 $1,222,860,429 $945,244,972
1960 $1,126,364,162 $857,704,413

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

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

GDP per capita in Sudan vs Syria by year

Sudan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Syria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Sudan Syria
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $1,165 - - -
2024 $985 $2,116 - -
2023 $797 $2,421 $847 $4,650
2022 $1,046 $3,355 $1,057 $4,772
2021 $712 $3,249 $689 $4,593
2020 $578 $3,349 $594 $3,738
2019 $710 $3,914 $1,110 $3,502
2018 $731 $4,199 $1,098 $3,456
2017 $967 $4,252 $852 $3,265
2016 $1,033 $4,470 $656 -
2015 $1,292 $4,217 $848 -
2014 $1,275 $4,261 $1,061 -
2013 $1,139 $3,725 $986 -
2012 $1,019 $3,710 $1,898 -
2011 $1,522 $4,112 $2,952 -
2010 $1,665 $3,806 $2,731 -
2009 $1,493 $3,732 $2,462 -
2008 $1,928 $3,938 $2,429 -
2007 $1,814 $3,836 $1,938 -
2006 $1,415 $3,637 $1,719 -
2005 $1,125 $3,407 $1,534 -
2004 $872 $3,215 $1,368 -
2003 $714 $3,058 $1,220 -
2002 $621 $2,898 $1,190 -
2001 $551 $2,769 $1,178 -
2000 $441 $2,616 $1,138 -
1999 $394 $2,475 $978 -
1998 $425 $2,428 $961 -
1997 $453 $2,358 $941 -
1996 $357 $2,006 $918 -
1995 $561 $1,902 $780 -
1994 $532 $1,805 $712 -
1993 $379 $1,794 $993 -
1992 $307 $1,710 $990 -
1991 $1,966 $1,599 $1,000 -
1990 $1,528 $1,468 $978 -
1989 $992 - $809 -
1988 $680 - $898 -
1987 $584 - $997 -
1986 $497 - $1,208 -
1985 $406 - $1,544 -
1984 $534 - $1,706 -
1983 $431 - $1,776 -
1982 $472 - $1,703 -
1981 $605 - $1,676 -
1980 $525 - $1,458 -
1979 $515 - $1,146 -
1978 $518 - $1,108 -
1977 $497 - $951 -
1976 $413 - $976 -
1975 $343 - $904 -
1974 $291.5 - $707 -
1973 $235.8 - $459 -
1972 $198.2 - $448 -
1971 $189 - $393 -
1970 $179.6 - $335 -
1969 $163.5 - $364 -
1968 $153.7 - $293.3 -
1967 $152.4 - $272.9 -
1966 $145.6 - $239.3 -
1965 $146.8 - $270.8 -
1964 $145.7 - $254.2 -
1963 $146.6 - $234.9 -
1962 $148.9 - $223.9 -
1961 $141.6 - $196.3 -
1960 $134.7 - $183.5 -

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

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

Sudan's GDP per capita is $1,165, ranking 175/197, compared to $847 in Syria, ranking 185/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Sudan ranks 185th at $2,116, while Syria ranks 160th at $4,650.

Economic indicators

Sudan Syria
Gross domestic product
$60.2B
2025
$20B
2023
GDP rank
91/197
2025
134/197
2023
GDP growth
3.06%
2024-2025
-1.85%
2022-2023
GDP per capita
$1,165
2025
$847
2023
GDP per capita rank
175/197
2025
185/197
2023
GDP per capita, PPP
$2,116
2024
$4,650
2023
GDP per capita PPP rank
185/197
2024
160/197
2023
Government debt
$113B
2025
$18.4B
2010
Debt-to-GDP ratio
187.6%
2025
30%
2010
Government debt per person
$2,184
2025
$820
2010
Government debt per person rank
117/185
2025
150/185
2010
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,787
2026
$693
2026
Income share by richest 10%
27.8%
2014
20.9%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
3.2%
2014
3.8%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
5.99%
2025
28.6%
2010
Consumer prices inflation
138.8%
2021-2022
13.4%
2018-2019
Unemployment rate
7.53%
2022
14.9%
2011
Population
54156832
26956472

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Sudan
Spending

Debt
Syria
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Sudan Syria
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 5.99% 187.6% - -
2024 6.39% 262.6% - -
2023 8.23% 261.2% - -
2022 17.9% 189% - -
2021 9.84% 191.3% - -
2020 10.9% 278.8% - -
2019 18.7% 216.5% - -
2018 16.8% 209.8% - -
2017 12.8% 149.5% - -
2016 9.98% 109.9% - -
2015 12.4% 93.2% - -
2014 13.5% 84.4% - -
2013 15.3% 105.8% - -
2012 16.5% 117.7% - -
2011 18.2% 78.1% - -
2010 17.4% 74.6% 28.6% 30%
2009 18.8% 71% 26.7% 31.2%
2008 19.7% 55.8% 22.9% 37.3%
2007 19.6% 53.7% 25.7% 42.7%
2006 18.8% 63.7% 26.3% 45%
2005 19.7% 75.5% 28.2% 50.7%
2004 16.5% 97.8% 31.3% 113%
2003 12.5% 117.4% 32.6% 133.4%
2002 10.5% 121.7% 28.5% 132.4%
2001 9.87% 125.6% 28% 144.5%
2000 10.4% 143.2% 27.4% 152.1%
1999 8.4% 160.5% 28% 147.7%
1998 7.79% 179.7% 28.8% 151.2%
1997 7.38% 167.7% 29% 147.6%
1996 9.31% 220.9% 27.7% 141.5%
1995 12.9% 239% 29.8% 152.6%
1994 19.6% 386% 30.3% 163%
1993 23.7% 285.9% 29.4% 171.9%
1992 50.4% 495% 34.2% 173.6%
1991 45.7% - 34.3% 182.4%
1990 31% - 28.3% 189.8%

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

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

In 2025, Sudan's government spending was $3.61B, accounting for 5.99% of its GDP, while Syria spent $17.6B, or 28.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 187.6% in Sudan and 30% in Syria, ranking 4/185 and 155/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Sudan

Syria
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Sudan Syria
2025 -3.1% -
2024 -3.46% -
2023 -3.7% -
2022 -2.15% -
2021 -0.29% -
2020 -6.04% -
2019 -10.8% -
2018 -7.92% -
2017 -6.07% -
2016 -3.92% -
2015 -3.87% -
2014 -4.72% -
2013 -5.76% -
2012 -7.37% -
2011 -2.33% -
2010 0.11% -7.79%
2009 -3.8% -2.89%
2008 0.49% -2.86%
2007 -2.84% -2.99%
2006 -1.32% -1.12%
2005 -1.88% -4.41%
2004 0.16% -4.18%
2003 0.77% -2.7%
2002 -0.69% -2.02%
2001 -0.77% 2.3%
2000 -0.7% -1.36%
1999 -0.8% -1.47%
1998 -0.56% -2.81%
1997 -0.59% -1.78%
1996 -2.61% -2.83%
1995 -3.48% -3.81%
1994 -3.03% -6%
1993 -8.04% -4.96%
1992 -24.5% -7.26%
1991 -26.5% -6.57%
1990 -16.2% -3.92%

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

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

In 2010, Sudan's government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $65.2M, equivalent to 0.11% of GDP. This compares to Syria's deficit of $4.78B, or 7.79% of GDP.

Over the past 21 years, Sudan recorded a fiscal deficit in 17 of those years, while Syria ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, Sudan posted an annual deficit equal to 4.61% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.4% of GDP for Syria.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Sudan

Syria
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Sudan Syria
2022 138.8% -
2021 359% -
2020 163.3% -
2019 51% 13.4%
2018 63.3% 0.94%
2017 32.4% 18.1%
2016 17.8% 47.7%
2015 16.9% 38.5%
2014 36.9% 10.9%
2013 36.5% 40%
2012 35.6% 36.7%
2011 18.1% 4.75%
2010 13% 4.4%
2009 11.3% 2.92%
2008 14.3% 15.7%
2007 14.8% 3.91%
2006 7.2% 10%
2005 8.51% 7.24%
2004 9.66% 4.43%
2003 6.49% 5.8%
2002 22.2% -0.13%
2001 1.94% 3%
2000 7.12% -3.85%
1999 17.2% -3.7%
1998 24.6% -0.8%
1997 47.2% 1.89%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2022, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 23 years, Sudan has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 22.3%, compared with 11.4% in Syria. In 2019, inflation was 138.8% in Sudan and 13.4% in Syria.

Top exports between countries

Sudan
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $21.5M
Animal & marine products $91K
Chemicals & pharma $10K
Syria
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Sudan Syria
Current account balance
-$4.44B
2022
-$367M
2010
Current account balance ranking
162/190
2022
99/190
2010
Current account balance, % of GDP
-8.6%
2022
-0.6%
2010
Goods imports
$9.99B
2022
$15.9B
2010
Goods exports
$4.36B
2022
$12.3B
2010
Service imports
$1.59B
2022
$3.53B
2010
Service exports
$1.55B
2022
$7.33B
2010
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
1.28%
2025
28.7%
2022
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
1.1%
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.

Sudan Syria
Economic freedom 32.5 51.2
Economic freedom ranking 191/197 155/197
Property rights 6.5 4
Government integrity 13.8 3.6
Judicial effectiveness 2.4 3.7
Tax burden 84.7 87.3
Government spending 96.5 78.5
Fiscal health 64.6 13.8
Business freedom 27.3 33.8
Labor freedom 33.6 37.2
Monetary freedom 6.2 80
Trade freedom 29.6 47
Investment freedom 5 0
Financial freedom 20 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Sudan
Syria
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Sudan Syria
2026 32.5 -
2025 35.3 -
2024 33.9 -
2023 32.8 -
2022 32 -
2021 39.1 -
2020 45 -
2019 47.7 -
2018 49.4 -
2017 48.8 -
2016 - -
2015 - -
2014 - -
2013 - -
2012 - 51.2
2011 - 51.3
2010 - 49.4
2009 - 51.3
2008 - 47.2
2007 - 48.3
2006 - 51.2
2005 - 46.3
2004 - 40.6
2003 - 41.3
2002 - 36.3
2001 - 36.6
2000 47.2 37.2
1999 39.6 39
1998 38.3 42.2
1997 39.9 43
1996 39.2 42.3
1995 39.4 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Sudan is 32.5, ranking 191/197, 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

Sudan Syria
Services, % of GDP
37%
2025
44.7%
2022
Industry, % of GDP
33.6%
2025
11.9%
2022
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
29.4%
2025
42.9%
2022
GNI, Atlas method
$46.3B
2025
$18.2B
2023
GNI per capita, PPP
$2,140
2025
$4,480
2023
Total reserves including gold
$178M
2017
$20.6B
2010
Total reserves ranking
171/177
2017
66/177
2010
Net foreign direct investment
-$574M
2022
-$1.47B
2010
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$548M
2023
$0
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.42%
2024
0.15%
2023
Poverty at national poverty lines
46.5%
2020
35.2%
2007
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
0.73%
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/sudan/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 (2018, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, 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.