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Economy of Switzerland vs Syria compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Switzerland has a GDP of $937B compared to $20B for Syria, ranking 20/197 and 129/197 by economy size, respectively.

Switzerland has $351B in government debt (37.5% of GDP), compared to $18.4B (30% of GDP) in Syria.

Switzerland vs Syria GDP by year

Switzerland
Syria
1x
Year GDP, current $
Switzerland Syria
2024 $936,564,198,049 -
2023 $894,424,821,645 $19,993,439,950
2022 $828,508,926,958 $23,622,827,080
2021 $815,309,330,987 $14,353,205,678
2020 $741,999,406,006 $12,047,752,036
2019 $721,369,112,727 $22,583,045,060
2018 $725,568,717,468 $21,497,782,868
2017 $695,200,833,086 $16,369,843,352
2016 $687,895,460,903 $12,597,854,877
2015 $694,118,186,380 $16,466,863,117
2014 $726,537,808,338 $21,502,061,466
2013 $706,234,937,371 $21,361,254,635
2012 $686,420,221,558 $43,190,318,033
2011 $715,888,126,682 $67,539,428,159
2010 $598,851,028,907 $61,390,830,875
2009 $554,212,916,092 $54,111,735,629
2008 $567,267,767,519 $52,557,913,569
2007 $490,740,715,595 $40,465,318,382
2006 $441,634,672,197 $33,751,788,856
2005 $418,284,865,885 $28,858,965,517
2004 $403,912,891,033 $25,086,950,495
2003 $362,075,086,508 $21,828,144,686
2002 $309,301,422,430 $20,669,357,462
2001 $286,582,672,434 $20,237,024,725
2000 $279,216,033,870 $18,937,052,543
1999 $297,873,643,323 $15,873,875,969
1998 $303,459,014,347 $15,200,846,154
1997 $294,788,198,856 $14,505,233,463
1996 $340,103,959,547 $13,789,560,878
1995 $352,835,806,342 $11,396,706,587
1994 $301,375,055,202 $10,122,020,000
1993 $272,237,527,071 $13,695,962,055
1992 $279,921,425,828 $13,253,565,861
1991 $268,901,693,863 $12,981,833,333
1990 $265,763,573,999 $12,308,624,418
1989 $208,105,846,934 $9,853,395,762
1988 $215,540,625,299 $10,577,041,645
1987 $199,236,370,038 $11,356,215,543
1986 $159,089,921,063 $13,293,205,278
1985 $110,980,314,192 $16,403,539,893
1984 $109,455,312,168 $17,503,078,174
1983 $114,634,358,535 $17,589,277,143
1982 $115,043,365,512 $16,298,929,011
1981 $112,244,805,519 $15,518,201,335
1980 $122,557,843,886 $13,062,420,382
1979 $114,970,094,425 $9,929,681,529
1978 $102,280,472,036 $9,275,200,458
1977 $73,135,771,167 $7,696,011,396
1976 $68,476,524,644 $7,633,528,867
1975 $65,466,081,819 $6,826,980,444
1974 $57,103,011,446 $5,159,557,148
1973 $49,550,006,320 $3,239,487,516
1972 $36,844,318,854 $3,059,681,698
1971 $30,040,171,751 $2,589,851,325
1970 $24,998,066,773 $2,140,384,010
1969 $22,442,043,274 $2,245,011,515
1968 $20,712,102,794 $1,753,746,430
1967 $19,397,044,714 $1,580,229,799
1966 $18,019,402,374 $1,342,287,553
1965 $16,780,226,225 $1,472,036,540
1964 $15,833,133,858 $1,339,494,267
1963 $14,283,872,299 $1,200,447,408
1962 $12,989,649,694 $1,110,565,881
1961 $11,713,348,834 $945,244,972
1960 $10,412,232,621 $857,704,413

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

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

GDP per capita in Switzerland vs Syria by year

Switzerland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Syria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Switzerland Syria
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $103,998 $96,498 - -
2023 $100,624 $95,142 $847 $4,650
2022 $94,395 $94,421 $1,052 $4,772
2021 $93,665 $81,001 $664 $4,593
2020 $85,898 $72,998 $572 $3,738
2019 $84,122 $73,732 $1,110 $3,502
2018 $85,217 $70,689 $1,098 $3,456
2017 $82,254 $68,194 $852 $3,265
2016 $82,153 $67,351 $656 -
2015 $83,806 $65,265 $848 -
2014 $88,725 $63,417 $1,061 -
2013 $87,304 $61,656 $986 -
2012 $85,836 $59,441 $1,898 -
2011 $90,477 $57,494 $2,952 -
2010 $76,531 $54,426 $2,731 -
2009 $71,568 $52,999 $2,462 -
2008 $74,175 $53,809 $2,429 -
2007 $64,989 $50,928 $1,938 -
2006 $59,011 $46,266 $1,719 -
2005 $56,243 $41,525 $1,534 -
2004 $54,659 $40,171 $1,368 -
2003 $49,336 $38,732 $1,220 -
2002 $42,459 $38,705 $1,183 -
2001 $39,639 $37,819 $1,187 -
2000 $38,865 $36,703 $1,138 -
1999 $41,696 $34,743 $978 -
1998 $42,681 $33,860 $961 -
1997 $41,584 $32,736 $941 -
1996 $48,093 $31,509 $918 -
1995 $50,114 $30,842 $780 -
1994 $43,092 $30,265 $712 -
1993 $39,237 $29,495 $993 -
1992 $40,714 $29,113 $990 -
1991 $39,544 $28,792 $1,000 -
1990 $39,575 $28,461 $978 -
1989 $31,309 - $809 -
1988 $32,690 - $898 -
1987 $30,441 - $997 -
1986 $24,460 - $1,208 -
1985 $17,152 - $1,544 -
1984 $16,991 - $1,706 -
1983 $17,859 - $1,776 -
1982 $18,000 - $1,703 -
1981 $17,665 - $1,676 -
1980 $19,394 - $1,458 -
1979 $18,266 - $1,146 -
1978 $16,282 - $1,108 -
1977 $11,644 - $951 -
1976 $10,865 - $976 -
1975 $10,328 - $904 -
1974 $9,005 - $707 -
1973 $7,856 - $459 -
1972 $5,885 - $448 -
1971 $4,835 - $393 -
1970 $4,044 - $335 -
1969 $3,657 - $364 -
1968 $3,413 - $293.3 -
1967 $3,237 - $272.9 -
1966 $3,045 - $239.3 -
1965 $2,865 - $270.8 -
1964 $2,735 - $254.2 -
1963 $2,508 - $234.9 -
1962 $2,330 - $223.9 -
1961 $2,155 - $196.3 -
1960 $1,954 - $183.5 -

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

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

Switzerland's GDP per capita is $103,998, ranking 5/197, compared to $847 in Syria, ranking 185/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Switzerland ranks 8th at $96,498, while Syria ranks 160th at $4,650.

Economic indicators

Switzerland Syria
Gross domestic product
$937B
2024
$20B
2023
GDP rank
20/197
2024
129/197
2023
GDP growth
1.3%
2023-2024
-1.21%
2022-2023
GDP per capita
$103,998
2024
$847
2023
GDP per capita rank
5/197
2024
185/197
2023
GDP per capita, PPP
$96,498
2024
$4,650
2023
GDP per capita PPP rank
8/197
2024
160/197
2023
Government debt
$351B
2024
$18.4B
2010
Debt-to-GDP ratio
37.5%
2024
30%
2010
Government debt per person
$39,021
2024
$820
2010
Government debt per person rank
15/185
2024
148/185
2010
Average annual personal income after taxes
$85,867
2026
$730
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$1.97T
2024
n/a
Number of millionaires
1,119,000
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
42
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
26.6%
2022
21.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2022
3.8%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
31.9%
2024
28.6%
2010
Consumer prices inflation
1.06%
2023-2024
13.4%
2018-2019
Central bank interest rate
0%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
4.34%
2024
8.61%
2010
Population
9107866
26829400

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Switzerland
Spending

Debt
Syria
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Switzerland Syria
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 31.9% 37.5% - -
2023 32.1% 38.7% - -
2022 31.6% 37.2% - -
2021 34.4% 41% - -
2020 37% 43.2% - -
2019 32% 39.6% - -
2018 31.7% 39.8% - -
2017 32.4% 41.8% - -
2016 32.4% 40.9% - -
2015 32.5% 42.2% - -
2014 32.2% 42.1% - -
2013 32.5% 41.9% - -
2012 31.7% 42.6% - -
2011 31.4% 41.9% - -
2010 31.4% 41.5% 28.6% 30%
2009 31.8% 43.1% 26.7% 31.2%
2008 30% 44.8% 22.9% 37.3%
2007 29.4% 44.8% 25.7% 42.7%
2006 30.5% 48.5% 26.3% 45%
2005 32.4% 54.9% 28.2% 50.7%
2004 33.1% 57.8% 31.3% 113%
2003 33.2% 56.9% 32.6% 133.4%
2002 34.1% 57.7% 28.5% 132.4%
2001 31.6% 51.1% 28% 144.5%
2000 32.2% 52.2% 27.4% 152.1%
1999 33.2% 52.7% 28% 147.7%
1998 32.7% 55.9% 28.8% 151.2%
1997 32.9% 53.7% 29% 147.6%
1996 33% 51.3% 27.7% 141.5%
1995 32.4% 50% 29.8% 152.6%
1994 32.5% 47.1% 30.3% 163%
1993 32.5% 44.4% 29.4% 171.9%
1992 31.3% 39.5% 34.2% 173.6%
1991 29.5% 35.1% 34.3% 182.4%
1990 27.6% 33.3% 28.3% 189.8%
1989 30% 32.5% - -
1988 30.3% 35% - -
1987 29.8% 36.5% - -
1986 29.8% 37.6% - -
1985 30.1% 39.1% - -
1984 30.4% 39.8% - -
1983 31.2% 40.2% - -
1982 30.5% 40% - -
1981 29.4% 40.8% - -
1980 29.9% 43.9% - -
1979 30.5% 44.6% - -
1978 30.4% 46.6% - -
1977 31% 46.9% - -
1976 31.6% 46.7% - -
1975 29.3% 42.3% - -
1974 27.5% 38.4% - -
1973 26.5% 37% - -
1972 25.7% 38% - -
1971 25.4% 38.7% - -
1970 25.8% 38.9% - -
1969 9.45% 7.08% - -
1968 8.87% 6.99% - -
1967 8.68% 7.26% - -
1966 8.95% 7.62% - -
1965 8.33% 8.28% - -
1964 8.85% 9.43% - -
1963 8.2% 10.8% - -
1962 8.1% 12% - -
1961 7.97% 14% - -
1960 7.11% 16.2% - -

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/switzerland/syria | CC BY

In 2024, Switzerland's government spending was $299B, accounting for 31.9% of its GDP, while Syria spent $17.6B, or 28.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 37.5% in Switzerland and 30% in Syria, ranking 141/185 and 157/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Switzerland

Syria
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Switzerland Syria
2024 0.58% -
2023 0.12% -
2022 1.19% -
2021 -0.29% -
2020 -3.01% -
2019 1.34% -
2018 1.29% -
2017 1.13% -
2016 0.24% -
2015 0.55% -
2014 -0.25% -
2013 -0.43% -
2012 0.24% -
2011 0.68% -
2010 0.35% -7.79%
2009 0.5% -2.89%
2008 1.93% -2.86%
2007 1.57% -2.99%
2006 0.85% -1.12%
2005 -0.65% -4.41%
2004 -1.39% -4.18%
2003 -1.36% -2.7%
2002 -1.75% -2.02%
2001 0.21% 2.3%
2000 0.28% -1.36%
1999 -1.57% -1.47%
1998 -1.31% -2.81%
1997 -2.33% -1.78%
1996 -2.01% -2.83%
1995 -1.86% -3.81%
1994 -2.59% -6%
1993 -3.15% -4.96%
1992 -2.96% -7.26%
1991 -1.85% -6.57%
1990 -0.05% -3.92%
1989 0.2% -
1988 0.42% -
1987 0.78% -
1986 0.93% -
1985 -0.25% -
1984 -0.52% -
1983 -1.23% -
1982 -1.21% -
1981 -0.54% -
1980 -1.34% -
1979 -1.79% -
1978 -1.12% -
1977 -1.64% -
1976 -1.89% -
1975 -0.93% -
1974 -1.01% -
1973 -0.93% -
1972 -1.39% -
1971 -1.41% -
1970 -1.44% -
1969 -0.98% -
1968 -0.73% -
1967 -1.07% -
1966 -0.87% -
1965 0.05% -
1964 0.77% -
1963 0.25% -
1962 0.95% -
1961 0.34% -
1960 1.95% -
1959 0.72% -
1958 0.59% -
1957 0.66% -
1956 2.24% -
1955 1.1% -
1954 1.44% -
1953 0.38% -
1952 -1.17% -
1951 -0.36% -
1950 1.49% -
1949 0.04% -
1948 1.37% -
1947 1.27% -
1946 0.52% -
1945 -7.57% -
1944 -9.37% -
1943 -8.55% -
1942 -7.28% -
1941 -8.78% -
1940 -10% -
1939 -5.05% -
1938 -1.53% -
1937 -0.17% -
1936 -0.33% -
1935 -0.23% -
1934 -0.33% -
1933 -0.88% -
1932 -0.3% -
1931 0.03% -
1930 0.07% -
1929 0.22% -
1928 - -
1927 - -
1926 - -
1925 - -
1924 - -
1923 - -
1922 - -
1921 - -
1920 - -
1919 - -
1918 - -
1917 - -
1916 - -
1915 - -
1914 - -
1913 -0.12% -
1912 0.03% -
1911 -0.006% -
1910 -0.14% -
1909 -0.78% -
1908 -0.1% -
1907 -0.02% -
1906 0.15% -
1905 0.41% -
1904 0.002% -
1903 0.09% -
1902 0.02% -
1901 -0.14% -
1900 -0.07% -
1899 0.1% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1899–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2010, Switzerland's government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $2.12B, equivalent to 0.35% of GDP. This compares to Syria's deficit of $4.78B, or 7.79% of GDP.

Over the past 21 years, Switzerland recorded a fiscal deficit in 14 of those years, while Syria ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, Switzerland posted an annual deficit equal to 0.91% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.4% of GDP for Syria.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Switzerland

Syria
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Switzerland Syria
2024 1.06% -
2023 2.14% -
2022 2.84% -
2021 0.58% -
2020 -0.73% -
2019 0.36% 13.4%
2018 0.94% 0.94%
2017 0.53% 18.1%
2016 -0.43% 47.7%
2015 -1.14% 38.5%
2014 -0.01% 10.9%
2013 -0.22% 40%
2012 -0.69% 36.7%
2011 0.23% 4.75%
2010 0.69% 4.4%
2009 -0.48% 2.92%
2008 2.43% 15.7%
2007 0.73% 3.91%
2006 1.06% 10%
2005 1.17% 7.24%
2004 0.8% 4.43%
2003 0.64% 5.8%
2002 0.64% -0.13%
2001 0.99% 3%
2000 1.56% -3.85%
1999 0.81% -3.7%
1998 0.02% -0.8%
1997 0.52% 1.89%

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

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

Over the past 23 years, Switzerland has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 0.48%, compared with 11.4% in Syria. In 2019, inflation was 1.06% in Switzerland and 13.4% in Syria.

Top exports between countries

Switzerland
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $11.5M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $986K
Machinery & equipment $316K
Textiles & consumer goods $38K
Miscellaneous $30K
Animal & marine products $15K
Precious metals & jewellery $8K
Raw materials & minerals $3K
Metals $1K
Syria
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $399K
Textiles & consumer goods $147K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $104K
Chemicals & pharma $42K
Wood & paper products $26K
Animal & marine products $18K
Metals $5K
Raw agricultural goods $4K
Precious metals & jewellery $1K

Balance of trade

Switzerland Syria
Current account balance
$72B
2024
-$367M
2010
Current account balance ranking
10/190
2024
103/190
2010
Current account balance, % of GDP
+7.69%
2024
-0.6%
2010
Goods imports
$371B
2024
$15.9B
2010
Goods exports
$502B
2024
$12.3B
2010
Service imports
$203B
2024
$3.53B
2010
Service exports
$186B
2024
$7.33B
2010
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
61.9%
2024
28.8%
2022
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
72.2%
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.

Switzerland Syria
Economic freedom 83.7 51.2
Economic freedom ranking 2/197 155/197
Property rights 94.4 4
Government integrity 93.3 3.6
Judicial effectiveness 98.3 3.7
Tax burden 70.9 87.3
Government spending 69.5 78.5
Fiscal health 97.2 13.8
Business freedom 86.3 33.8
Labor freedom 60 37.2
Monetary freedom 82.3 80
Trade freedom 87 47
Investment freedom 85 0
Financial freedom 80 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Switzerland
Syria
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Switzerland Syria
2026 83.7 -
2025 83.7 -
2024 83 -
2023 83.8 -
2022 84.2 -
2021 81.9 -
2020 82 -
2019 81.9 -
2018 81.7 -
2017 81.5 -
2016 81 -
2015 80.5 -
2014 81.6 -
2013 81 -
2012 81.1 51.2
2011 81.9 51.3
2010 81.1 49.4
2009 79.4 51.3
2008 79.5 47.2
2007 78 48.3
2006 78.9 51.2
2005 79.3 46.3
2004 79.5 40.6
2003 79 41.3
2002 79.3 36.3
2001 76 36.6
2000 76.8 37.2
1999 79.1 39
1998 79 42.2
1997 78.6 43
1996 76.8 42.3

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Switzerland is 83.7, ranking 2/197, 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

Switzerland Syria
Services, % of GDP
72%
2024
44.9%
2022
Industry, % of GDP
24.7%
2024
12%
2022
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.63%
2024
43.1%
2022
GNI, Atlas method
$857B
2024
$18.2B
2023
GNI per capita, PPP
$93,420
2024
$4,480
2023
Total reserves including gold
$909B
2024
$20.6B
2010
Total reserves ranking
4/177
2024
62/177
2010
Net foreign direct investment
$59.7B
2024
-$1.47B
2010
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$108B
2024
$0
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$27.9B
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
0.15%
2023
Poverty at national poverty lines
15.8%
2021
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/switzerland/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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1899–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2010–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. 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.