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Economy of Switzerland vs Syria compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Switzerland has a GDP of $1.04T compared to $20B for Syria, ranking 20/197 and 134/197 by economy size, respectively.

Switzerland has $411B in government debt (39.4% 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
2025 $1,043,529,899,251 -
2024 $969,919,786,395 -
2023 $928,435,275,852 $19,993,439,950
2022 $858,479,038,994 $23,737,634,644
2021 $840,710,023,481 $14,892,885,528
2020 $756,096,180,222 $12,501,503,673
2019 $736,384,764,157 $22,583,046,645
2018 $740,766,531,454 $21,497,779,248
2017 $706,660,443,624 $16,369,842,725
2016 $698,607,778,795 $12,597,854,088
2015 $706,199,008,879 $16,466,861,435
2014 $741,168,119,617 $21,502,061,466
2013 $718,748,402,260 $21,361,254,635
2012 $697,882,536,677 $43,190,318,033
2011 $727,231,637,102 $67,539,433,544
2010 $609,999,593,542 $61,390,833,273
2009 $563,659,557,945 $54,111,721,044
2008 $574,703,945,157 $52,557,913,397
2007 $498,993,845,385 $40,465,331,020
2006 $448,364,681,767 $33,751,812,959
2005 $424,511,048,024 $28,858,937,499
2004 $409,012,909,530 $25,086,910,448
2003 $366,563,952,625 $21,828,144,686
2002 $313,930,961,761 $20,786,986,580
2001 $290,160,142,214 $20,078,599,626
2000 $282,327,351,966 $18,937,031,610
1999 $301,911,268,140 $15,873,875,969
1998 $306,907,741,068 $15,200,846,154
1997 $298,868,250,534 $14,505,233,463
1996 $345,373,647,249 $13,789,560,878
1995 $358,152,520,085 $11,396,706,587
1994 $305,916,331,798 $10,122,020,000
1993 $276,339,744,180 $13,695,962,055
1992 $284,139,428,246 $13,253,565,861
1991 $272,953,645,746 $12,981,833,333
1990 $269,768,238,555 $12,308,624,418
1989 $211,241,694,480 $9,853,395,762
1988 $218,788,504,066 $10,577,041,645
1987 $202,238,567,597 $11,356,215,543
1986 $161,487,171,049 $13,293,205,278
1985 $112,652,623,418 $16,403,539,893
1984 $111,104,641,869 $17,503,078,174
1983 $116,361,728,836 $17,589,277,143
1982 $116,776,899,473 $16,298,929,011
1981 $113,936,168,924 $15,518,201,335
1980 $124,404,609,417 $13,062,420,382
1979 $116,702,524,208 $9,929,681,529
1978 $103,821,687,919 $9,275,200,458
1977 $74,237,819,014 $7,696,011,396
1976 $69,508,364,538 $7,633,528,867
1975 $66,452,559,176 $6,826,980,444
1974 $57,963,469,607 $5,159,557,148
1973 $50,296,651,921 $3,239,487,516
1972 $37,399,508,287 $3,059,681,698
1971 $30,492,832,676 $2,589,851,325
1970 $25,374,750,743 $2,140,384,010
1969 $22,780,211,812 $2,245,011,515
1968 $21,024,203,656 $1,753,746,430
1967 $19,689,329,510 $1,580,229,799
1966 $18,290,928,227 $1,342,287,553
1965 $17,033,079,428 $1,472,036,540
1964 $16,071,715,835 $1,339,494,267
1963 $14,499,109,270 $1,200,447,408
1962 $13,185,384,691 $1,110,565,881
1961 $11,889,851,950 $945,244,972
1960 $10,569,129,806 $857,704,413

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

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
2025 $114,769 - - -
2024 $107,702 $96,498 - -
2023 $104,450 $95,142 $847 $4,650
2022 $97,809 $94,421 $1,057 $4,772
2021 $96,583 $81,001 $689 $4,593
2020 $87,530 $72,998 $594 $3,738
2019 $85,873 $73,732 $1,110 $3,502
2018 $87,002 $70,689 $1,098 $3,456
2017 $83,610 $68,194 $852 $3,265
2016 $83,432 $67,351 $656 -
2015 $85,265 $65,265 $848 -
2014 $90,512 $63,417 $1,061 -
2013 $88,851 $61,656 $986 -
2012 $87,270 $59,441 $1,898 -
2011 $91,910 $57,494 $2,952 -
2010 $77,956 $54,426 $2,731 -
2009 $72,788 $52,999 $2,462 -
2008 $75,148 $53,809 $2,429 -
2007 $66,082 $50,928 $1,938 -
2006 $59,910 $46,266 $1,719 -
2005 $57,080 $41,525 $1,534 -
2004 $55,350 $40,171 $1,368 -
2003 $49,947 $38,732 $1,220 -
2002 $43,094 $38,705 $1,190 -
2001 $40,134 $37,819 $1,178 -
2000 $39,298 $36,703 $1,138 -
1999 $42,261 $34,743 $978 -
1998 $43,166 $33,860 $961 -
1997 $42,160 $32,736 $941 -
1996 $48,838 $31,509 $918 -
1995 $50,869 $30,842 $780 -
1994 $43,741 $30,265 $712 -
1993 $39,828 $29,495 $993 -
1992 $41,327 $29,113 $990 -
1991 $40,140 $28,792 $1,000 -
1990 $40,171 $28,461 $978 -
1989 $31,780 - $809 -
1988 $33,183 - $898 -
1987 $30,899 - $997 -
1986 $24,828 - $1,208 -
1985 $17,411 - $1,544 -
1984 $17,247 - $1,706 -
1983 $18,128 - $1,776 -
1982 $18,271 - $1,703 -
1981 $17,931 - $1,676 -
1980 $19,686 - $1,458 -
1979 $18,541 - $1,146 -
1978 $16,528 - $1,108 -
1977 $11,819 - $951 -
1976 $11,029 - $976 -
1975 $10,484 - $904 -
1974 $9,140 - $707 -
1973 $7,974 - $459 -
1972 $5,973 - $448 -
1971 $4,908 - $393 -
1970 $4,105 - $335 -
1969 $3,712 - $364 -
1968 $3,465 - $293.3 -
1967 $3,286 - $272.9 -
1966 $3,091 - $239.3 -
1965 $2,908 - $270.8 -
1964 $2,776 - $254.2 -
1963 $2,546 - $234.9 -
1962 $2,366 - $223.9 -
1961 $2,188 - $196.3 -
1960 $1,984 - $183.5 -

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

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

Switzerland's GDP per capita is $114,769, 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
$1.04T
2025
$20B
2023
GDP rank
20/197
2025
134/197
2023
GDP growth
1.3%
2024-2025
-1.85%
2022-2023
GDP per capita
$114,769
2025
$847
2023
GDP per capita rank
5/197
2025
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
$411B
2025
$18.4B
2010
Debt-to-GDP ratio
39.4%
2025
30%
2010
Government debt per person
$45,239
2025
$820
2010
Government debt per person rank
12/185
2025
150/185
2010
Average annual personal income after taxes
$89,347
2026
$693
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.51T
2025
n/a
Number of millionaires
944,000
2026
n/a
Number of billionaires
45
2026
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
26.6%
2022
20.9%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2022
3.8%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
31.2%
2025
28.6%
2010
Consumer prices inflation
0.15%
2024-2025
13.4%
2018-2019
Central bank interest rate
0%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
4.84%
2025
14.9%
2011
Population
9155878
26956472

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
2025 31.2% 39.4% - -
2024 31.3% 40.5% - -
2023 30.9% 37.3% - -
2022 30.5% 35.9% - -
2021 33.4% 39.7% - -
2020 36.3% 42.4% - -
2019 31.3% 38.8% - -
2018 31.1% 39% - -
2017 31.9% 41.1% - -
2016 31.9% 40.3% - -
2015 31.9% 41.4% - -
2014 31.5% 41.2% - -
2013 32% 41.2% - -
2012 31.1% 41.9% - -
2011 31% 41.2% - -
2010 30.9% 40.7% 28.6% 30%
2009 31.2% 42.4% 26.7% 31.2%
2008 29.6% 44.2% 22.9% 37.3%
2007 29% 44% 25.7% 42.7%
2006 30.1% 47.7% 26.3% 45%
2005 31.9% 54.1% 28.2% 50.7%
2004 32.6% 57.1% 31.3% 113%
2003 32.8% 56.2% 32.6% 133.4%
2002 33.6% 56.9% 28.5% 132.4%
2001 31.2% 50.5% 28% 144.5%
2000 31.9% 51.7% 27.4% 152.1%
1999 32.8% 52% 28% 147.7%
1998 32.3% 55.3% 28.8% 151.2%
1997 32.5% 52.9% 29% 147.6%
1996 32.5% 50.6% 27.7% 141.5%
1995 32% 49.3% 29.8% 152.6%
1994 32% 46.4% 30.3% 163%
1993 31.9% 43.7% 29.4% 171.9%
1992 30.8% 38.9% 34.2% 173.6%
1991 29% 34.6% 34.3% 182.4%
1990 27.2% 32.8% 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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Switzerland's government spending was $326B, accounting for 31.2% of its GDP, while Syria spent $17.6B, or 28.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 39.4% in Switzerland and 30% in Syria, ranking 136/185 and 155/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Switzerland

Syria
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Switzerland Syria
2025 0.45% -
2024 0.53% -
2023 0.12% -
2022 1.15% -
2021 -0.28% -
2020 -2.96% -
2019 1.31% -
2018 1.26% -
2017 1.11% -
2016 0.23% -
2015 0.54% -
2014 -0.24% -
2013 -0.42% -
2012 0.23% -
2011 0.67% -
2010 0.35% -7.79%
2009 0.49% -2.89%
2008 1.91% -2.86%
2007 1.55% -2.99%
2006 0.83% -1.12%
2005 -0.64% -4.41%
2004 -1.37% -4.18%
2003 -1.34% -2.7%
2002 -1.72% -2.02%
2001 0.2% 2.3%
2000 0.28% -1.36%
1999 -1.55% -1.47%
1998 -1.29% -2.81%
1997 -2.3% -1.78%
1996 -1.98% -2.83%
1995 -1.83% -3.81%
1994 -2.55% -6%
1993 -3.1% -4.96%
1992 -2.92% -7.26%
1991 -1.82% -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 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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 0.9% 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
2025 0.15% -
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 (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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 0.15% in Switzerland and 13.4% in Syria.

Top exports between countries

Switzerland
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $1.65M
Chemicals & pharma $833K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $338K
Wood & paper products $266K
Textiles & consumer goods $91K
Animal & marine products $15K
Miscellaneous $14K
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
$72.9B
2025
-$367M
2010
Current account balance ranking
11/190
2025
99/190
2010
Current account balance, % of GDP
+6.98%
2025
-0.6%
2010
Goods imports
$508B
2025
$15.9B
2010
Goods exports
$617B
2025
$12.3B
2010
Service imports
$214B
2025
$3.53B
2010
Service exports
$195B
2025
$7.33B
2010
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
69.1%
2025
28.7%
2022
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
78.1%
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.

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 2026-07-08).

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
71.7%
2025
44.7%
2022
Industry, % of GDP
25%
2025
11.9%
2022
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.64%
2025
42.9%
2022
GNI, Atlas method
$1T
2025
$18.2B
2023
GNI per capita, PPP
$101,690
2025
$4,480
2023
Total reserves including gold
$1.08T
2025
$20.6B
2010
Total reserves ranking
4/177
2025
66/177
2010
Net foreign direct investment
$37.6B
2025
-$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
29.5%
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/switzerland/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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1899–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2010–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, 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.