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Economy of Syria vs Tonga compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Syria has a GDP of $20B compared to $591M for Tonga, ranking 129/197 and 191/197 by economy size, respectively.

Syria has $18.4B in government debt (30% of GDP), compared to $256M (37% of GDP) in Tonga.

Syria vs Tonga GDP by year

Syria
Tonga
1x
Year GDP, current $
Syria Tonga
2023 $19,993,439,950 $591,139,749
2022 $23,622,827,080 $556,514,555
2021 $14,353,205,678 $519,306,353
2020 $12,047,752,036 $506,571,468
2019 $22,583,045,060 $506,031,239
2018 $21,497,782,868 $493,530,783
2017 $16,369,843,352 $459,976,850
2016 $12,597,854,877 $420,828,262
2015 $16,466,863,117 $437,525,514
2014 $21,502,061,466 $440,997,738
2013 $21,361,254,635 $451,788,498
2012 $43,190,318,033 $471,122,971
2011 $67,539,428,159 $414,143,828
2010 $61,390,830,875 $366,887,375
2009 $54,111,735,629 $312,415,028
2008 $52,557,913,569 $344,438,844
2007 $40,465,318,382 $298,519,623
2006 $33,751,788,856 $292,232,703
2005 $28,858,965,517 $261,823,805
2004 $25,086,950,495 $230,678,011
2003 $21,828,144,686 $202,246,591
2002 $20,669,357,462 $182,764,281
2001 $20,237,024,725 $181,117,230
2000 $18,937,052,543 $204,848,488
1999 $15,873,875,969 $199,208,718
1998 $15,200,846,154 $191,504,893
1997 $14,505,233,463 $214,991,452
1996 $13,789,560,878 $222,100,576
1995 $11,396,706,587 $208,871,666
1994 $10,122,020,000 $195,990,986
1993 $13,695,962,055 $138,489,884
1992 $13,253,565,861 $137,066,291
1991 $12,981,833,333 $132,201,141
1990 $12,308,624,418 $113,563,822
1989 $9,853,395,762 $106,344,855
1988 $10,577,041,645 $106,657,267
1987 $11,356,215,543 $81,667,133
1986 $13,293,205,278 $68,195,856
1985 $16,403,539,893 $60,058,663
1984 $17,503,078,174 $64,248,355
1983 $17,589,277,143 $60,863,964
1982 $16,298,929,011 $62,068,161
1981 $15,518,201,335 $62,242,013
1980 $13,062,420,382 $53,260,077
1979 $9,929,681,529 $44,667,002
1978 $9,275,200,458 $41,567,472
1977 $7,696,011,396 $34,139,388
1976 $7,633,528,867 $30,036,417
1975 $6,826,980,444 $32,506,742
1974 $5,159,557,148 -
1973 $3,239,487,516 -
1972 $3,059,681,698 -
1971 $2,589,851,325 -
1970 $2,140,384,010 -
1969 $2,245,011,515 -
1968 $1,753,746,430 -
1967 $1,580,229,799 -
1966 $1,342,287,553 -
1965 $1,472,036,540 -
1964 $1,339,494,267 -
1963 $1,200,447,408 -
1962 $1,110,565,881 -
1961 $945,244,972 -
1960 $857,704,413 -

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

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

GDP per capita in Syria vs Tonga by year

Syria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Tonga
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Syria Tonga
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2023 $847 $4,650 $5,652 $7,803
2022 $1,052 $4,772 $5,298 $7,296
2021 $664 $4,593 $4,923 $6,929
2020 $572 $3,738 $4,792 $6,676
2019 $1,110 $3,502 $4,789 $6,473
2018 $1,098 $3,456 $4,675 $6,393
2017 $852 $3,265 $4,366 $6,229
2016 $656 - $3,988 $5,920
2015 $848 - $4,124 $5,472
2014 $1,061 - $4,137 $5,336
2013 $986 - $4,219 $5,120
2012 $1,898 - $4,384 $4,996
2011 $2,952 - $3,850 $4,855
2010 $2,731 - $3,416 $4,465
2009 $2,462 - $2,914 $4,384
2008 $2,429 - $3,218 $4,600
2007 $1,938 - $2,797 $4,316
2006 $1,719 - $2,750 $4,327
2005 $1,534 - $2,478 $4,315
2004 $1,368 - $2,195 $4,235
2003 $1,220 - $1,936 $4,231
2002 $1,183 - $1,759 $4,171
2001 $1,187 - $1,754 $3,955
2000 $1,138 - $1,995 $3,834
1999 $978 - $1,952 $3,636
1998 $961 - $1,889 $3,527
1997 $941 - $2,136 $3,434
1996 $918 - $2,215 $3,410
1995 $780 - $2,084 $3,347
1994 $712 - $1,957 $3,088
1993 $993 - $1,383 $2,882
1992 $990 - $1,370 $2,716
1991 $1,000 - $1,323 $2,652
1990 $978 - $1,139 $2,416
1989 $809 - $1,070 -
1988 $898 - $1,078 -
1987 $997 - $830 -
1986 $1,208 - $696 -
1985 $1,544 - $613 -
1984 $1,706 - $656 -
1983 $1,776 - $621 -
1982 $1,703 - $633 -
1981 $1,676 - $636 -
1980 $1,458 - $545 -
1979 $1,146 - $458 -
1978 $1,108 - $428 -
1977 $951 - $353 -
1976 $976 - $315 -
1975 $904 - $349 -
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/tonga | CC BY

Syria's GDP per capita is $847, ranking 185/197, compared to $5,652 in Tonga, ranking 115/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Syria ranks 160th at $4,650, while Tonga ranks 144th at $7,803.

Economic indicators

Syria Tonga
Gross domestic product
$20B
2023
$591M
2023
GDP rank
129/197
2023
191/197
2023
GDP growth
-1.21%
2022-2023
2.79%
2022-2023
GDP per capita
$847
2023
$5,652
2023
GDP per capita rank
185/197
2023
115/197
2023
GDP per capita, PPP
$4,650
2023
$7,803
2023
GDP per capita PPP rank
160/197
2023
144/197
2023
Government debt
$18.4B
2010
$256M
2023
Debt-to-GDP ratio
30%
2010
37%
2024
Government debt per person
$820
2010
$2,445
2023
Government debt per person rank
148/185
2010
111/185
2023
Average annual personal income after taxes
$730
2026
$3,886
2026
Income share by richest 10%
21.1%
2022
22%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
3.8%
2022
4%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
28.6%
2010
51.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
13.4%
2018-2019
3.18%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
8.61%
2010
1.65%
2023
Population
26829400
103309

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Syria
Spending

Debt
Tonga
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Syria Tonga
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 - - 51.3% 37%
2023 - - 48.2% 43.3%
2022 - - 44.4% 43.2%
2021 - - 44.6% 43%
2020 - - 37.9% 42.6%
2019 - - 39.9% 42.8%
2018 - - 39.6% 45.8%
2017 - - 39.7% 44.7%
2016 - - 37.2% 49.4%
2015 - - 37.4% 51.1%
2014 - - 31.5% 47.4%
2013 - - 34.3% 48.9%
2012 - - 32% 60%
2011 - - 32.6% 51.9%
2010 28.6% 30% 28.4% 44.7%
2009 26.7% 31.2% 23.9% 39.7%
2008 22.9% 37.3% 24% 34%
2007 25.7% 42.7% 23.2% 37.8%
2006 26.3% 45% 25.6% 39.6%
2005 28.2% 50.7% 19.8% 43.3%
2004 31.3% 113% 19.3% 52.2%
2003 32.6% 133.4% 20% 56.2%
2002 28.5% 132.4% 21.3% 60.7%
2001 28% 144.5% 19.1% 53.4%
2000 27.4% 152.1% 20% 43.6%
1999 28% 147.7% 18.8% 38.4%
1998 28.8% 151.2% - -
1997 29% 147.6% - -
1996 27.7% 141.5% - -
1995 29.8% 152.6% - -
1994 30.3% 163% - -
1993 29.4% 171.9% - -
1992 34.2% 173.6% - -
1991 34.3% 182.4% - -
1990 28.3% 189.8% - -

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

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

In 2023, Syria's government spending was $17.6B, accounting for 28.6% of its GDP, while Tonga spent $285M, or 51.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 30% in Syria and 37% in Tonga, ranking 157/185 and 142/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Syria

Tonga
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Syria Tonga
2024 - 4.17%
2023 - 6.14%
2022 - -0.1%
2021 - -0.87%
2020 - 5.25%
2019 - 3.28%
2018 - 2.92%
2017 - 3.58%
2016 - 1.47%
2015 - -2.75%
2014 - 6.38%
2013 - -1.3%
2012 - -1.74%
2011 - -6.02%
2010 -7.79% -1.22%
2009 -2.89% 6.85%
2008 -2.86% 2.14%
2007 -2.99% 5.39%
2006 -1.12% 1.34%
2005 -4.41% 4.23%
2004 -4.18% 4.23%
2003 -2.7% 2.37%
2002 -2.02% 2.59%
2001 2.3% 2.23%
2000 -1.36% 1.35%
1999 -1.47% 1.55%
1998 -2.81% -
1997 -1.78% -
1996 -2.83% -
1995 -3.81% -
1994 -6% -
1993 -4.96% -
1992 -7.26% -
1991 -6.57% -
1990 -3.92% -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/syria/tonga | 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 Tonga's deficit of $4.46M, or 1.22% of GDP.

Over the past 12 years, Syria recorded a fiscal deficit in 11 of those years, while Tonga ran a deficit in 1 years. On average, Syria posted an annual deficit equal to 2.63% of GDP, compared to surplus of 2.75% of GDP for Tonga.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Syria

Tonga
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Syria Tonga
2024 - 3.18%
2023 - 6.35%
2022 - 11%
2021 - 5.64%
2020 - -0.35%
2019 13.4% 1.18%
2018 0.94% 5.03%
2017 18.1% 7.52%
2016 47.7% 2.58%
2015 38.5% -1.05%
2014 10.9% 2.51%
2013 40% 0.78%
2012 36.7% 1.15%
2011 4.75% 6.27%
2010 4.4% 3.53%
2009 2.92% 1.43%
2008 15.7% 10.4%
2007 3.91% 5.84%
2006 10% 6.15%
2005 7.24% 8.67%
2004 4.43% 11%
2003 5.8% 11.6%
2002 -0.13% 10.4%
2001 3% 8.29%
2000 -3.85% 6.33%
1999 -3.7% 4.46%
1998 -0.8% 3.27%
1997 1.89% 2.12%

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

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

Over the past 23 years, Syria has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 11.4%, compared with 5.19% in Tonga. In 2019, inflation was 13.4% in Syria and 3.18% in Tonga.

Balance of trade

Syria Tonga
Current account balance
-$367M
2010
-$43.5M
2024
Current account balance ranking
103/190
2010
83/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-0.6%
2010
-7.93%
2023
Goods imports
$15.9B
2010
$232M
2024
Goods exports
$12.3B
2010
$10.8M
2024
Service imports
$3.53B
2010
$161M
2024
Service exports
$7.33B
2010
$93.6M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.8%
2022
64.9%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
6.81%
2022
14.7%
2023

Economic freedom indices

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

Syria Tonga
Economic freedom 51.2 58.9
Economic freedom ranking 155/197 107/197
Property rights 4 71.1
Government integrity 3.6 45.1
Judicial effectiveness 3.7 64.9
Tax burden 87.3 85.6
Government spending 78.5 31
Fiscal health 13.8 97.3
Business freedom 33.8 59.2
Labor freedom 37.2 55.9
Monetary freedom 80 61
Trade freedom 47 75.4
Investment freedom 0 40
Financial freedom 20 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Syria
Tonga
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Syria Tonga
2026 - 58.9
2025 - 58.5
2024 - 59.2
2023 - 60
2022 - 60.8
2021 - 57.5
2020 - 58.8
2019 - 57.7
2018 - 63.1
2017 - 63
2016 - 59.6
2015 - 59.3
2014 - 58.2
2013 - 56
2012 51.2 57
2011 51.3 55.8
2010 49.4 53.4
2009 51.3 54.1
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 37.2 -
1999 39 -
1998 42.2 -
1997 43 -
1996 42.3 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Syria is 51.2, ranking 155/197, compared to 58.9 for Tonga, ranking 107/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Syria Tonga
Services, % of GDP
44.9%
2022
50%
2023
Industry, % of GDP
12%
2022
14.9%
2023
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
43.1%
2022
19%
2023
GNI, Atlas method
$18.2B
2023
$619M
2023
GNI per capita, PPP
$4,480
2023
$8,400
2023
Total reserves including gold
$20.6B
2010
$377M
2024
Total reserves ranking
62/177
2010
163/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.47B
2010
$13.3M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
-$12.1M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$1.25M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.15%
2023
2.76%
2023
Poverty at national poverty lines
35.2%
2007
20.6%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
16%
1969
25.9%
2023

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/tonga | 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 (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  6. 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.