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Syria economy ranking: GDP & GDP per capita, debt

Updated on by Georank team

Syria ranked 129/197 by economy size with a GDP of $20B and 185/197 by GDP per capita at $847. Syria has $18.4B in government debt, with a debt-to-GDP ratio of 30%.

In 2023, Syria made up 0.02% of the world's economy, compared to 0.06% in 1960.

Syria GDP & GDP growth by year

GDP, current $
Real growth
1x
Year GDP GDP growth
2023 $19,993,439,950 -1.21%
2022 $23,622,827,080 0.73%
2021 $14,353,205,678 1.85%
2020 $12,047,752,036 -0.7%
2019 $22,583,045,060 1.22%
2018 $21,497,782,868 1.39%
2017 $16,369,843,352 -0.72%
2016 $12,597,854,877 -6.41%
2015 $16,466,863,117 -4.18%
2014 $21,502,061,466 -10.3%
2013 $21,361,254,635 -26.3%
2012 $43,190,318,033 -26.3%
2011 $67,539,428,159 2.85%
2010 $61,390,830,875 5.19%
2009 $54,111,735,629 5.91%
2008 $52,557,913,569 4.48%
2007 $40,465,318,382 5.67%
2006 $33,751,788,856 5.05%
2005 $28,858,965,517 6.22%
2004 $25,086,950,495 6.9%
2003 $21,828,144,686 7.2%
2002 $20,669,357,462 3.95%
2001 $20,237,024,725 1.05%
2000 $18,937,052,543 0.68%
1999 $15,873,875,969 -3.55%
1998 $15,200,846,154 6.79%
1997 $14,505,233,463 5.02%
1996 $13,789,560,878 9.83%
1995 $11,396,706,587 7.03%
1994 $10,122,020,000 7.21%
1993 $13,695,962,055 6.15%
1992 $13,253,565,861 13%
1991 $12,981,833,333 7.67%
1990 $12,308,624,418 3.74%
1989 $9,853,395,762 -13.6%
1988 $10,577,041,645 18%
1987 $11,356,215,543 1.68%
1986 $13,293,205,278 -7.95%
1985 $16,403,539,893 9.35%
1984 $17,503,078,174 -7.61%
1983 $17,589,277,143 2.32%
1982 $16,298,929,011 2.79%
1981 $15,518,201,335 7.76%
1980 $13,062,420,382 14.5%
1979 $9,929,681,529 0.89%
1978 $9,275,200,458 9.94%
1977 $7,696,011,396 -1.8%
1976 $7,633,528,867 12.3%
1975 $6,826,980,444 16.4%
1974 $5,159,557,148 25.8%
1973 $3,239,487,516 -10.5%
1972 $3,059,681,698 25.7%
1971 $2,589,851,325 8.96%
1970 $2,140,384,010 -1.8%
1969 $2,245,011,515 18.8%
1968 $1,753,746,430 3.73%
1967 $1,580,229,799 8.26%
1966 $1,342,287,553 -7.66%
1965 $1,472,036,540 2.3%
1964 $1,339,494,267 9.27%
1963 $1,200,447,408 -8.65%
1962 $1,110,565,881 24.5%
1961 $945,244,972 10.8%
1960 $857,704,413 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/syria | CC BY

Syria GDP per capita by year

GDP per capita
GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2023 $847 $4,650
2022 $1,052 $4,772
2021 $664 $4,593
2020 $572 $3,738
2019 $1,110 $3,502
2018 $1,098 $3,456
2017 $852 $3,265
2016 $656 -
2015 $848 -
2014 $1,061 -
2013 $986 -
2012 $1,898 -
2011 $2,952 -
2010 $2,731 -
2009 $2,462 -
2008 $2,429 -
2007 $1,938 -
2006 $1,719 -
2005 $1,534 -
2004 $1,368 -
2003 $1,220 -
2002 $1,183 -
2001 $1,187 -
2000 $1,138 -
1999 $978 -
1998 $961 -
1997 $941 -
1996 $918 -
1995 $780 -
1994 $712 -
1993 $993 -
1992 $990 -
1991 $1,000 -
1990 $978 -
1989 $809 -
1988 $898 -
1987 $997 -
1986 $1,208 -
1985 $1,544 -
1984 $1,706 -
1983 $1,776 -
1982 $1,703 -
1981 $1,676 -
1980 $1,458 -
1979 $1,146 -
1978 $1,108 -
1977 $951 -
1976 $976 -
1975 $904 -
1974 $707 -
1973 $459 -
1972 $448 -
1971 $393 -
1970 $335 -
1969 $364 -
1968 $293.3 -
1967 $272.9 -
1966 $239.3 -
1965 $270.8 -
1964 $254.2 -
1963 $234.9 -
1962 $223.9 -
1961 $196.3 -
1960 $183.5 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/syria | CC BY

Syria has a GDP per capita of $847, ranking 185/197, a GDP per capita based on purchasing power parity (PPP) of $4,650, ranking 160/197, and a median annual after tax income of $730, ranking 197/197.

Syria GDP rankings by year

GDP
GDP per capita
GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Rank
GDP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2023 123 180 156
2022 113 170 153
2021 132 183 152
2020 136 186 155
2019 113 167 156
2018 114 169 155
2017 119 173 159
2016 128 183 -
2015 115 177 -
2014 111 174 -
2013 109 173 -
2012 85 143 -
2011 67 131 -
2010 66 130 -
2009 69 127 -
2008 74 128 -
2007 75 128 -
2006 75 128 -
2005 75 127 -
2004 74 122 -
2003 71 120 -
2002 69 118 -
2001 71 120 -
2000 71 119 -
1999 76 124 -
1998 77 122 -
1997 77 125 -
1996 76 124 -
1995 81 129 -
1994 77 125 -
1993 70 112 -
1992 68 111 -
1991 70 113 -
1990 74 110 -
1989 67 111 -
1988 65 100 -
1987 62 94 -
1986 58 80 -
1985 56 73 -
1984 56 70 -
1983 53 67 -
1982 56 71 -
1981 56 74 -
1980 57 74 -
1979 56 74 -
1978 56 72 -
1977 57 72 -
1976 56 65 -
1975 56 66 -
1974 58 73 -
1973 62 83 -
1972 58 73 -
1971 59 73 -
1970 60 81 -
1969 56 55 -
1968 57 69 -
1967 59 69 -
1966 59 73 -
1965 57 64 -
1964 57 62 -
1963 58 63 -
1962 59 63 -
1961 59 66 -
1960 59 66 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/syria | CC BY

Compared with 2017, in 2023 Syria is ranked 123rd out of 192 by GDP (down from 119th), 180th by GDP per capita (down from 173rd), and 156th by GDP per capita PPP (up from 159th).

Economic indicators

Syria Rank
Gross domestic product
$20B
2023
129/197
GDP growth
-1.21%
2022-2023
184/194
GDP per capita
$847
2023
185/197
GDP per capita, PPP
$4,650
2023
160/197
Government debt
$18.4B
2010
103/185
Debt-to-GDP ratio
30%
2010
157/185
Government debt per person
$820
2010
148/185
Average annual personal income after taxes
$730
2026
197/197
Income share by richest 10%
21.1%
2022
165/169
Income share by poorest 10%
3.8%
2022
20/169
Government expenditure, % of GDP
28.6%
2010
106/195
Consumer prices inflation
13.4%
2018-2019
24/195
Unemployment rate
8.61%
2010
47/196
Population
26829400
57/197

Government spending, deficit, and debt by year

Spending
Debt
Deficit/surplus
1x
Year % of GDP
Government spending Government debt Government deficit/surplus
2010 28.6% 30% -7.79%
2009 26.7% 31.2% -2.89%
2008 22.9% 37.3% -2.86%
2007 25.7% 42.7% -2.99%
2006 26.3% 45% -1.12%
2005 28.2% 50.7% -4.41%
2004 31.3% 113% -4.18%
2003 32.6% 133.4% -2.7%
2002 28.5% 132.4% -2.02%
2001 28% 144.5% 2.3%
2000 27.4% 152.1% -1.36%
1999 28% 147.7% -1.47%
1998 28.8% 151.2% -2.81%
1997 29% 147.6% -1.78%
1996 27.7% 141.5% -2.83%
1995 29.8% 152.6% -3.81%
1994 30.3% 163% -6%
1993 29.4% 171.9% -4.96%
1992 34.2% 173.6% -7.26%
1991 34.3% 182.4% -6.57%
1990 28.3% 189.8% -3.92%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2010, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/syria | CC BY

This chart shows Syria's government spending, budget balance, and debt over time, each expressed as a share of GDP.

Over the past 21 years, Syria recorded a fiscal deficit in 20 of them, with an average annual deficit equal to 3.4% of GDP. In 2010, government spending reached $17.6B (28.6% of GDP), with a deficit of 7.79%.

The national debt reached $18.4B, ranking 103rd out of 185 countries by total size, with a debt-to-GDP ratio of 30%, ranking 157th.

Inflation rate by year

1x
Year Inflation
2019 13.4%
2018 0.94%
2017 18.1%
2016 47.7%
2015 38.5%
2014 10.9%
2013 40%
2012 36.7%
2011 4.75%
2010 4.4%
2009 2.92%
2008 15.7%
2007 3.91%
2006 10%
2005 7.24%
2004 4.43%
2003 5.8%
2002 -0.13%
2001 3%
2000 -3.85%
1999 -3.7%
1998 -0.8%
1997 1.89%
1996 8.25%
1995 7.98%
1994 15.3%
1993 13.2%
1992 11%
1991 9%
1990 19.4%
1989 11.4%
1988 34.6%
1987 59.5%
1986 36.1%
1985 17.3%
1984 9.23%
1983 6.13%
1982 14.3%
1981 18.4%
1980 19.3%
1979 4.55%
1978 4.81%
1977 12%
1976 11.4%
1975 11.5%
1974 15.5%
1973 20.4%
1972 2.1%
1971 5.61%
1970 4.64%
1969 -1.99%
1968 2.85%
1967 6.45%
1966 3.79%
1965 -3.88%
1964 5.4%
1963 1.92%
1962 -3.85%
1961 1.96%
1960 5.12%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2019, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/syria | CC BY

Over the past 20 years, Syria has had an average annual inflation rate of 13.2%. In 2019, inflation was 13.4%. The bar chart above shows consumer price inflation by year.

Balance of trade

Syria Rank
Current account balance
-$367M
2010
103/190
Current account balance, % of GDP
-0.6%
2010
82/190
Goods imports
$15.9B
2010
87/189
Goods exports
$12.3B
2010
94/189
Service imports
$3.53B
2010
101/189
Service exports
$7.33B
2010
80/189
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.8%
2022
133/181
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
6.81%
2022
188/193

Syria top 10 trading partners

Syria's biggest trading partner accounting for 9.96% of all exports and imports is Italy, with a trade balance between the two of +$228M: Syria exports $1.52B worth of goods and services to Italy and imports $1.29B.

Below is the list of the top 10 trade partners of Syria.

Rank Country Trade value Share of total trade Export to Import from Top export to Top import from
1 Italy $2.81B 9.96% $1.52B $1.29B Raw materials & minerals Raw materials & minerals
2 Iraq $2.32B 8.24% $2.29B $30.4M Chemicals & pharma Chemicals & pharma
3 Turkey $2.3B 8.15% $629M $1.67B Raw materials & minerals Raw materials & minerals
4 Germany $2.22B 7.85% $1.48B $739M Raw materials & minerals Machinery & equipment
5 China $1.63B 5.76% $81.4M $1.55B Raw materials & minerals Machinery & equipment
6 Saudi Arabia $1.35B 4.78% $543M $808M Raw agricultural goods Chemicals & pharma
7 Ukraine $1.2B 4.24% $63.5M $1.13B Textiles & consumer goods Metals
8 Russia $1.14B 4.05% $33.3M $1.11B Textiles & consumer goods Raw materials & minerals
9 Egypt $1.13B 4% $389M $740M Textiles & consumer goods Metals
10 South Korea $1.07B 3.78% $141M $925M Raw materials & minerals Machinery & equipment

Top 10 exports

Syria Rank
Raw materials & minerals $5.93B 69/193
Transport & tourism services $2.21B 98/188
Textiles & consumer goods $1.38B 70/193
Raw agricultural goods $1.03B 67/193
Chemicals & pharma $891M 76/193
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $890M 85/192
Animal & marine products $542M 70/192
Metals $291M 105/192
Machinery & equipment $247M 109/193
Business & finance services $144M 120/188

Top 10 imports

Syria Rank
Raw materials & minerals $4.11B 79/193
Machinery & equipment $3.72B 99/193
Transport & tourism services $2.58B 92/188
Metals $2.25B 71/193
Chemicals & pharma $2.14B 84/193
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.76B 77/193
Raw agricultural goods $1.73B 62/193
Textiles & consumer goods $984M 98/193
Wood & paper products $573M 78/193
Animal & marine products $257M 107/193

Economic freedom indices

Syria Rank
Economic freedom 51.2 155/197
Property rights 4 178/182
Government integrity 3.6 182/182
Judicial effectiveness 3.7 179/182
Tax burden 87.3 46/182
Government spending 78.5 71/180
Fiscal health 13.8 160/181
Business freedom 33.8 168/182
Labor freedom 37.2 174/182
Monetary freedom 80 20/180
Trade freedom 47 174/181
Investment freedom 0 180/181
Financial freedom 20 172/181

Economic freedom by year

1x
Year Index
Economic freedom Judicial effectiveness Tax burden Government spending Fiscal health
2026 - 3.7 87.3 - -
2025 - 3.7 - - -
2024 - - - - -
2023 - 6.5 - - -
2022 - - - - -
2021 - 19.7 - - -
2020 - 20.8 - - -
2019 - 24.4 - - -
2018 - 22.1 - - 13.8
2017 - 22.6 - - 0
2016 - - - - -
2015 - - - - -
2014 - - - - -
2013 - - 86.2 - -
2012 51.2 - 84.4 78.5 -
2011 51.3 - 84.6 85.3 -
2010 49.4 - 87 80.2 -
2009 51.3 - 87 74.9 -
2008 47.2 - 86.2 60.3 -
2007 48.3 - 82.4 58.3 -
2006 51.2 - 80.1 67.1 -
2005 46.3 - 82.5 70.4 -
2004 40.6 - 62.7 72.1 -
2003 41.3 - 75.8 71 -
2002 36.3 - 40.4 63.3 -
2001 36.6 - 39.2 65.3 -
2000 37.2 - 39 65.3 -
1999 39 - 39.2 76.5 -
1998 42.2 - 38.2 74.1 -
1997 43 - 38.6 75.3 -
1996 42.3 - 38.6 73.5 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/syria | CC BY

Syria is ranked 137/177 for economic freedom with a score of 51.2, compared to 123/140 and a score of 42.3 in 1996.

Other economic metrics

Syria Rank
Services, % of GDP
44.9%
2022
159/191
Industry, % of GDP
12%
2022
175/194
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
43.1%
2022
2/193
GNI, Atlas method
$18.2B
2023
130/194
GNI per capita, PPP
$4,480
2023
158/191
Total reserves including gold
$20.6B
2010
62/177
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.47B
2010
131/189
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
171/193
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
163/193
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.15%
2023
119/121
Poverty at national poverty lines
35.2%
2007
49/176
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
16%
1969
151/178

Compare Syria vs other countries

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/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 (1990–2010, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. TradeMap (2010–2011, 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.