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Economy of Syria vs Tanzania compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Syria has a GDP of $20B compared to $78.8B for Tanzania, ranking 129/197 and 82/197 by economy size, respectively.

Syria has $18.4B in government debt (30% of GDP), compared to $39.3B (49.9% of GDP) in Tanzania.

Syria vs Tanzania GDP by year

Syria
Tanzania
1x
Year GDP, current $
Syria Tanzania
2024 - $78,844,405,385
2023 $19,993,439,950 $79,030,935,627
2022 $23,622,827,080 $75,749,121,843
2021 $14,353,205,678 $70,655,628,148
2020 $12,047,752,036 $66,068,737,786
2019 $22,583,045,060 $61,026,731,926
2018 $21,497,782,868 $57,003,712,892
2017 $16,369,843,352 $53,274,884,533
2016 $12,597,854,877 $49,774,409,374
2015 $16,466,863,117 $47,413,919,817
2014 $21,502,061,466 $49,986,726,461
2013 $21,361,254,635 $45,648,857,242
2012 $43,190,318,033 $39,650,394,363
2011 $67,539,428,159 $34,657,140,096
2010 $61,390,830,875 $32,012,892,919
2009 $54,111,735,629 $29,400,573,554
2008 $52,557,913,569 $27,947,821,398
2007 $40,465,318,382 $21,860,434,823
2006 $33,751,788,856 $18,619,859,795
2005 $28,858,965,517 $18,395,383,647
2004 $25,086,950,495 $16,673,062,473
2003 $21,828,144,686 $15,211,487,709
2002 $20,669,357,462 $14,129,651,896
2001 $20,237,024,725 $13,563,990,022
2000 $18,937,052,543 $13,371,767,082
1999 $15,873,875,969 $12,704,334,196
1998 $15,200,846,154 $12,172,790,056
1997 $14,505,233,463 $11,158,197,942
1996 $13,789,560,878 $9,433,528,150
1995 $11,396,706,587 $7,631,431,840
1994 $10,122,020,000 $6,550,480,484
1993 $13,695,962,055 $6,182,872,708
1992 $13,253,565,861 $6,681,997,469
1991 $12,981,833,333 $7,197,768,159
1990 $12,308,624,418 $6,184,384,225
1989 $9,853,395,762 $6,418,799,007
1988 $10,577,041,645 $7,406,614,407
1987 $11,356,215,543 $7,824,193,222
1986 $13,293,205,278 $10,840,864,521
1985 $16,403,539,893 $15,328,295,175
1984 $17,503,078,174 $12,906,635,133
1983 $17,589,277,143 $14,049,883,809
1982 $16,298,929,011 $13,927,383,240
1981 $15,518,201,335 $13,161,540,378
1980 $13,062,420,382 $11,409,228,087
1979 $9,929,681,529 $9,804,637,491
1978 $9,275,200,458 $9,261,675,710
1977 $7,696,011,396 $7,732,598,995
1976 $7,633,528,867 $6,472,511,988
1975 $6,826,980,444 $5,729,917,840
1974 $5,159,557,148 $4,977,337,978
1973 $3,239,487,516 $4,144,104,535
1972 $3,059,681,698 $3,472,787,266
1971 $2,589,851,325 $3,050,673,517
1970 $2,140,384,010 $2,851,419,386
1969 $2,245,011,515 $5,142,066,811
1968 $1,753,746,430 $4,895,251,824
1967 $1,580,229,799 $4,565,132,048
1966 $1,342,287,553 $4,377,998,825
1965 $1,472,036,540 $3,817,226,546
1964 $1,339,494,267 $3,748,840,925
1963 $1,200,447,408 $3,456,579,293
1962 $1,110,565,881 $3,101,589,993
1961 $945,244,972 $2,826,179,031
1960 $857,704,413 $2,651,729,807

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

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

GDP per capita in Syria vs Tanzania by year

Syria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Tanzania
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Syria Tanzania
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 - - $1,150 $4,221
2023 $847 $4,650 $1,186 $4,019
2022 $1,052 $4,772 $1,171 $3,800
2021 $664 $4,593 $1,125 $3,493
2020 $572 $3,738 $1,084 $3,291
2019 $1,110 $3,502 $1,031 $2,982
2018 $1,098 $3,456 $992 $2,728
2017 $852 $3,265 $957 $2,472
2016 $656 - $925 $2,435
2015 $848 - $911 $2,317
2014 $1,061 - $993 $2,221
2013 $986 - $935 $2,176
2012 $1,898 - $837 $2,083
2011 $2,952 - $753 $2,211
2010 $2,731 - $715 $2,069
2009 $2,462 - $674 $1,972
2008 $2,429 - $657 $1,908
2007 $1,938 - $528 $1,820
2006 $1,719 - $462 $1,707
2005 $1,534 - $469 $1,598
2004 $1,368 - $438 $1,482
2003 $1,220 - $410 $1,379
2002 $1,183 - $391 $1,302
2001 $1,187 - $385 $1,229
2000 $1,138 - $390 $1,164
1999 $978 - $382 $1,120
1998 $961 - $375 $1,082
1997 $941 - $353 $1,059
1996 $918 - $305 $1,026
1995 $780 - $251.2 $981
1994 $712 - $222.5 $958
1993 $993 - $218.2 $959
1992 $990 - $243.4 $955
1991 $1,000 - $268.8 $952
1990 $978 - $236.9 $925
1989 $809 - $252.3 -
1988 $898 - $299 -
1987 $997 - $326 -
1986 $1,208 - $466 -
1985 $1,544 - $681 -
1984 $1,706 - $593 -
1983 $1,776 - $667 -
1982 $1,703 - $683 -
1981 $1,676 - $665 -
1980 $1,458 - $595 -
1979 $1,146 - $527 -
1978 $1,108 - $515 -
1977 $951 - $446 -
1976 $976 - $387 -
1975 $904 - $355 -
1974 $707 - $320 -
1973 $459 - $276.1 -
1972 $448 - $239.8 -
1971 $393 - $218.4 -
1970 $335 - $211.3 -
1969 $364 - $394 -
1968 $293.3 - $388 -
1967 $272.9 - $374 -
1966 $239.3 - $370 -
1965 $270.8 - $333 -
1964 $254.2 - $337 -
1963 $234.9 - $320 -
1962 $223.9 - $295.7 -
1961 $196.3 - $277.4 -
1960 $183.5 - $267.8 -

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

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

Syria's GDP per capita is $847, ranking 185/197, compared to $1,150 in Tanzania, ranking 170/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Syria ranks 160th at $4,650, while Tanzania ranks 165th at $4,221.

Economic indicators

Syria Tanzania
Gross domestic product
$20B
2023
$78.8B
2024
GDP rank
129/197
2023
82/197
2024
GDP growth
-1.21%
2022-2023
5.53%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$847
2023
$1,150
2024
GDP per capita rank
185/197
2023
170/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$4,650
2023
$4,221
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
160/197
2023
165/197
2024
Government debt
$18.4B
2010
$39.3B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
30%
2010
49.9%
2024
Government debt per person
$820
2010
$573
2024
Government debt per person rank
148/185
2010
160/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$730
2026
$2,309
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$7.32B
2024
Number of billionaires n/a
1
2025
Income share by richest 10%
21.1%
2022
33.1%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
3.8%
2022
2.9%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
28.6%
2010
19.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
13.4%
2018-2019
3.06%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
6%
2024
Unemployment rate
8.61%
2010
2.43%
2024
Population
26829400
73145892

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Syria
Spending

Debt
Tanzania
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Syria Tanzania
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 - - 19.1% 49.9%
2023 - - 19% 47.8%
2022 - - 19.1% 44.9%
2021 - - 18.4% 43.4%
2020 - - 17.4% 41.3%
2019 - - 17.3% 40.4%
2018 - - 17.3% 42%
2017 - - 16.4% 40.1%
2016 - - 16.9% 39.8%
2015 - - 17.2% 39.5%
2014 - - 17.3% 36.4%
2013 - - 18.8% 32.7%
2012 - - 19.6% 30%
2011 - - 19% 28.4%
2010 28.6% 30% 19.8% 27.6%
2009 26.7% 31.2% 19.6% 23.9%
2008 22.9% 37.3% 18.1% 21.6%
2007 25.7% 42.7% 17.8% 23.8%
2006 26.3% 45% 17.6% 17.4%
2005 28.2% 50.7% 18.3% 25.4%
2004 31.3% 113% 17% 44.5%
2003 32.6% 133.4% 15.4% 44.4%
2002 28.5% 132.4% 13.6% 47.4%
2001 28% 144.5% 12.4% 50.8%
2000 27.4% 152.1% 12.3% 55.4%
1999 28% 147.7% 12.8% 62.9%
1998 28.8% 151.2% 11.4% 62.2%
1997 29% 147.6% 12.8% 73.4%
1996 27.7% 141.5% 13.4% 89.6%
1995 29.8% 152.6% 15.6% 111.1%
1994 30.3% 163% 16.8% 126%
1993 29.4% 171.9% 16.4% 129.2%
1992 34.2% 173.6% 17.6% 117.6%
1991 34.3% 182.4% 14.2% 106.5%
1990 28.3% 189.8% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1991–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Syria's government spending was $17.6B, accounting for 28.6% of its GDP, while Tanzania spent $15.1B, or 19.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 30% in Syria and 49.9% in Tanzania, ranking 157/185 and 109/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Syria

Tanzania
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Syria Tanzania
2024 - -3.03%
2023 - -3.67%
2022 - -3.92%
2021 - -3.55%
2020 - -2.56%
2019 - -2.06%
2018 - -2.01%
2017 - -1.14%
2016 - -2.08%
2015 - -3.17%
2014 - -2.91%
2013 - -3.76%
2012 - -4%
2011 - -3.51%
2010 -7.79% -4.74%
2009 -2.89% -4.46%
2008 -2.86% -1.92%
2007 -2.99% -1.44%
2006 -1.12% -3.38%
2005 -4.41% -3.28%
2004 -4.18% -2.43%
2003 -2.7% -1.77%
2002 -2.02% -0.73%
2001 2.3% -0.41%
2000 -1.36% -0.73%
1999 -1.47% -1.14%
1998 -2.81% 0.13%
1997 -1.78% -0.03%
1996 -2.83% 1.57%
1995 -3.81% -2.12%
1994 -6% -3.74%
1993 -4.96% -2.02%
1992 -7.26% -4.96%
1991 -6.57% 0.6%
1990 -3.92% -

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

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

In 2010, Syria's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $4.78B, equivalent to 7.79% of GDP. This compares to Tanzania's deficit of $1.52B, or 4.74% of GDP.

Over the past 20 years, Syria recorded a fiscal deficit in 19 of those years, while Tanzania ran a deficit in 17 years. On average, Syria posted an annual deficit equal to 3.38% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.85% of GDP for Tanzania.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Syria

Tanzania
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Syria Tanzania
2024 - 3.06%
2023 - 3.8%
2022 - 4.35%
2021 - 3.69%
2020 - 3.29%
2019 13.4% 3.46%
2018 0.94% 3.49%
2017 18.1% 5.32%
2016 47.7% 5.17%
2015 38.5% 5.59%
2014 10.9% 6.13%
2013 40% 7.87%
2012 36.7% 16%
2011 4.75% 12.7%
2010 4.4% 6.2%
2009 2.92% 12.1%
2008 15.7% 10.3%
2007 3.91% 7.03%
2006 10% 7.25%
2005 7.24% 5.03%
2004 4.43% 4.74%
2003 5.8% 5.3%
2002 -0.13% 5.32%
2001 3% 5.15%
2000 -3.85% 5.92%
1999 -3.7% 7.89%
1998 -0.8% 12.8%
1997 1.89% 16.1%

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

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

Over the past 23 years, Syria has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 11.4%, compared with 7.69% in Tanzania. In 2019, inflation was 13.4% in Syria and 3.06% in Tanzania.

Top exports between countries

Syria
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $1.36M
Textiles & consumer goods $313K
Metals $245K
Chemicals & pharma $166K
Wood & paper products $78K
Precious metals & jewellery $5K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $3K
Raw materials & minerals $2K
Miscellaneous $1K
Tanzania
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $63K

Balance of trade

Syria Tanzania
Current account balance
-$367M
2010
-$2.38B
2024
Current account balance ranking
103/190
2010
147/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-0.6%
2010
-3.02%
2024
Goods imports
$15.9B
2010
$14.2B
2024
Goods exports
$12.3B
2010
$9.12B
2024
Service imports
$3.53B
2010
$2.8B
2024
Service exports
$7.33B
2010
$6.85B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.8%
2022
21.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
6.81%
2022
19.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

The indices of economic freedom below are issued by the Heritage Foundation. Higher scores indicate stronger economic health.

Syria Tanzania
Economic freedom 51.2 59
Economic freedom ranking 155/197 106/197
Property rights 4 45.2
Government integrity 3.6 40.9
Judicial effectiveness 3.7 29.6
Tax burden 87.3 80.4
Government spending 78.5 89.1
Fiscal health 13.8 75
Business freedom 33.8 48.1
Labor freedom 37.2 62.3
Monetary freedom 80 73.4
Trade freedom 47 58.8
Investment freedom 0 55
Financial freedom 20 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Syria
Tanzania
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Syria Tanzania
2026 - 59
2025 - 59.3
2024 - 59.1
2023 - 60
2022 - 59.5
2021 - 61.3
2020 - 61.7
2019 - 60.2
2018 - 59.9
2017 - 58.6
2016 - 58.5
2015 - 57.5
2014 - 57.8
2013 - 57.9
2012 51.2 57
2011 51.3 57
2010 49.4 58.3
2009 51.3 58.3
2008 47.2 56.5
2007 48.3 56.8
2006 51.2 58.5
2005 46.3 56.3
2004 40.6 60.1
2003 41.3 56.9
2002 36.3 58.3
2001 36.6 54.9
2000 37.2 56
1999 39 60
1998 42.2 59.6
1997 43 59.3
1996 42.3 57.5
1995 - 57.3

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Syria is 51.2, ranking 155/197, compared to 59 for Tanzania, ranking 106/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Syria Tanzania
Services, % of GDP
44.9%
2022
29.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
12%
2022
28.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
43.1%
2022
23.3%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$18.2B
2023
$80.2B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$4,480
2023
$4,130
2024
Total reserves including gold
$20.6B
2010
$5.05B
2018
Total reserves ranking
62/177
2010
101/177
2018
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.47B
2010
-$1.72B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$1.72B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.15%
2023
2.57%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
35.2%
2007
26.4%
2018
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
16%
1969
39.8%
2024

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/tanzania | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1991–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  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.