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Economy of Syria vs Tunisia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Syria has a GDP of $20B compared to $51.3B for Tunisia, ranking 129/197 and 93/197 by economy size, respectively.

Syria has $18.4B in government debt (30% of GDP), compared to $42.8B (83.4% of GDP) in Tunisia.

Syria vs Tunisia GDP by year

Syria
Tunisia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Syria Tunisia
2024 - $51,332,285,657
2023 $19,993,439,950 $48,205,328,303
2022 $23,622,827,080 $44,929,920,093
2021 $14,353,205,678 $47,073,234,359
2020 $12,047,752,036 $42,491,780,918
2019 $22,583,045,060 $41,905,642,419
2018 $21,497,782,868 $42,686,504,460
2017 $16,369,843,352 $42,163,530,591
2016 $12,597,854,877 $44,360,072,680
2015 $16,466,863,117 $45,779,494,042
2014 $21,502,061,466 $50,271,812,921
2013 $21,361,254,635 $48,685,446,414
2012 $43,190,318,033 $47,311,401,813
2011 $67,539,428,159 $48,123,325,825
2010 $61,390,830,875 $46,206,091,938
2009 $54,111,735,629 $43,455,740,497
2008 $52,557,913,569 $44,859,439,902
2007 $40,465,318,382 $38,915,353,867
2006 $33,751,788,856 $34,376,664,601
2005 $28,858,965,517 $32,272,186,695
2004 $25,086,950,495 $31,183,885,241
2003 $21,828,144,686 $27,453,902,261
2002 $20,669,357,462 $23,141,616,605
2001 $20,237,024,725 $22,065,832,449
2000 $18,937,052,543 $21,473,528,161
1999 $15,873,875,969 $22,943,202,175
1998 $15,200,846,154 $21,802,893,587
1997 $14,505,233,463 $20,746,210,354
1996 $13,789,560,878 $19,587,161,807
1995 $11,396,706,587 $18,030,876,599
1994 $10,122,020,000 $15,633,174,304
1993 $13,695,962,055 $14,608,335,608
1992 $13,253,565,861 $15,496,708,060
1991 $12,981,833,333 $13,074,782,609
1990 $12,308,624,418 $12,290,568,182
1989 $9,853,395,762 $10,101,851,745
1988 $10,577,041,645 $10,096,245,762
1987 $11,356,215,543 $9,696,715,911
1986 $13,293,205,278 $9,017,806,654
1985 $16,403,539,893 $8,410,226,053
1984 $17,503,078,174 $8,254,541,195
1983 $17,589,277,143 $8,350,582,748
1982 $16,298,929,011 $8,133,580,052
1981 $15,518,201,335 $8,428,445,294
1980 $13,062,420,382 $8,744,134,354
1979 $9,929,681,529 $7,188,863,904
1978 $9,275,200,458 $5,968,460,080
1977 $7,696,011,396 $5,109,324,009
1976 $7,633,528,867 $4,508,191,942
1975 $6,826,980,444 $4,328,965,588
1974 $5,159,557,148 $3,545,868,575
1973 $3,239,487,516 $2,730,813,385
1972 $3,059,681,698 $2,237,556,149
1971 $2,589,851,325 $1,685,162,272
1970 $2,140,384,010 $1,439,238,095
1969 $2,245,011,515 $1,289,904,762
1968 $1,753,746,430 $1,214,666,667
1967 $1,580,229,799 $1,085,714,286
1966 $1,342,287,553 $1,040,952,381
1965 $1,472,036,540 $991,047,619
1964 $1,339,494,267 $1,025,866,792
1963 $1,200,447,408 $1,026,737,600
1962 $1,110,565,881 $880,027,733
1961 $945,244,972 $866,155,429
1960 $857,704,413 -

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

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

GDP per capita in Syria vs Tunisia by year

Syria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Tunisia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Syria Tunisia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 - - $4,181 $14,521
2023 $847 $4,650 $3,951 $14,041
2022 $1,052 $4,772 $3,707 $13,619
2021 $664 $4,593 $3,907 $12,444
2020 $572 $3,738 $3,549 $11,918
2019 $1,110 $3,502 $3,529 $12,495
2018 $1,098 $3,456 $3,628 $11,841
2017 $852 $3,265 $3,619 $11,289
2016 $656 - $3,848 $10,994
2015 $848 - $4,015 $10,783
2014 $1,061 - $4,459 $10,947
2013 $986 - $4,370 $10,672
2012 $1,898 - $4,297 $10,615
2011 $2,952 - $4,421 $10,436
2010 $2,731 - $4,292 $10,555
2009 $2,462 - $4,080 $10,237
2008 $2,429 - $4,255 $9,975
2007 $1,938 - $3,727 $9,479
2006 $1,719 - $3,323 $8,729
2005 $1,534 - $3,147 $8,117
2004 $1,368 - $3,067 $7,672
2003 $1,220 - $2,726 $7,098
2002 $1,183 - $2,321 $6,715
2001 $1,187 - $2,236 $6,593
2000 $1,138 - $2,199 $6,279
1999 $978 - $2,376 $5,930
1998 $961 - $2,285 $5,579
1997 $941 - $2,202 $5,333
1996 $918 - $2,107 $5,040
1995 $780 - $1,968 $4,686
1994 $712 - $1,733 $4,555
1993 $993 - $1,649 $4,401
1992 $990 - $1,785 $4,292
1991 $1,000 - $1,538 $3,975
1990 $978 - $1,476 $3,780
1989 $809 - $1,239 -
1988 $898 - $1,266 -
1987 $997 - $1,245 -
1986 $1,208 - $1,187 -
1985 $1,544 - $1,135 -
1984 $1,706 - $1,143 -
1983 $1,776 - $1,184 -
1982 $1,703 - $1,177 -
1981 $1,676 - $1,247 -
1980 $1,458 - $1,324 -
1979 $1,146 - $1,113 -
1978 $1,108 - $946 -
1977 $951 - $830 -
1976 $976 - $752 -
1975 $904 - $741 -
1974 $707 - $624 -
1973 $459 - $493 -
1972 $448 - $415 -
1971 $393 - $320 -
1970 $335 - $280.5 -
1969 $364 - $257.7 -
1968 $293.3 - $248.9 -
1967 $272.9 - $228 -
1966 $239.3 - $223.8 -
1965 $270.8 - $217.3 -
1964 $254.2 - $228.5 -
1963 $234.9 - $231.9 -
1962 $223.9 - $201.4 -
1961 $196.3 - $200.7 -
1960 $183.5 - - -

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

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

Syria's GDP per capita is $847, ranking 185/197, compared to $4,181 in Tunisia, ranking 129/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Syria ranks 160th at $4,650, while Tunisia ranks 114th at $14,521.

Economic indicators

Syria Tunisia
Gross domestic product
$20B
2023
$51.3B
2024
GDP rank
129/197
2023
93/197
2024
GDP growth
-1.21%
2022-2023
1.61%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$847
2023
$4,181
2024
GDP per capita rank
185/197
2023
129/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$4,650
2023
$14,521
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
160/197
2023
114/197
2024
Government debt
$18.4B
2010
$42.8B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
30%
2010
83.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$820
2010
$3,487
2024
Government debt per person rank
148/185
2010
94/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$730
2026
$3,951
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$8.3B
2024
Income share by richest 10%
21.1%
2022
27%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
3.8%
2022
3.1%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
28.6%
2010
33.8%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
13.4%
2018-2019
7%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
7.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
8.61%
2010
15.1%
2023
Population
26829400
12437803

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Syria
Spending

Debt
Tunisia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Syria Tunisia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 - - 33.8% 83.4%
2023 - - 35.7% 84%
2022 - - 36.5% 83%
2021 - - 33.2% 79.7%
2020 - - 34.5% 77.7%
2019 - - 29.5% 67.3%
2018 - - 28.7% 72.9%
2017 - - 28.7% 67.1%
2016 - - 27.2% 58.9%
2015 - - 27.4% 52.4%
2014 - - 27.7% 50.7%
2013 - - 30.8% 45.6%
2012 - - 28.3% 49%
2011 - - 27.9% 43.3%
2010 28.6% 30% 24% 38.8%
2009 26.7% 31.2% 24.6% 40.3%
2008 22.9% 37.3% 23.7% 41.4%
2007 25.7% 42.7% 23.3% 42.7%
2006 26.3% 45% 22.9% 45.7%
2005 28.2% 50.7% 23% 50%
2004 31.3% 113% 23% 51.6%
2003 32.6% 133.4% 23.5% 52.6%
2002 28.5% 132.4% 24.1% 51.6%
2001 28% 144.5% 24% 52.2%
2000 27.4% 152.1% 24% 62.9%
1999 28% 147.7% 24% 61.9%
1998 28.8% 151.2% 24.2% 58.2%
1997 29% 147.6% 24.5% 66.6%
1996 27.7% 141.5% 26.7% 66.8%
1995 29.8% 152.6% 26.6% 65.6%
1994 30.3% 163% 25.9% 63.9%
1993 29.4% 171.9% 26.7% 63.8%
1992 34.2% 173.6% 25.7% 62.1%
1991 34.3% 182.4% 27.6% 63.3%
1990 28.3% 189.8% - -

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

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

In 2024, Syria's government spending was $17.6B, accounting for 28.6% of its GDP, while Tunisia spent $17.4B, or 33.8% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 30% in Syria and 83.4% in Tunisia, ranking 157/185 and 40/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Syria

Tunisia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Syria Tunisia
2024 - -5.92%
2023 - -7.03%
2022 - -6.91%
2021 - -7.6%
2020 - -9.06%
2019 - -3.6%
2018 - -4.27%
2017 - -5.61%
2016 - -5.87%
2015 - -4.95%
2014 - -3.11%
2013 - -7.05%
2012 - -4.9%
2011 - -3.19%
2010 -7.79% -0.46%
2009 -2.89% -2.59%
2008 -2.86% -0.62%
2007 -2.99% -2.47%
2006 -1.12% -2.33%
2005 -4.41% -2.59%
2004 -4.18% -2.1%
2003 -2.7% -2.64%
2002 -2.02% -2.55%
2001 2.3% -2.87%
2000 -1.36% -3.22%
1999 -1.47% -3.05%
1998 -2.81% -2.84%
1997 -1.78% -3.7%
1996 -2.83% -5.18%
1995 -3.81% -4.53%
1994 -6% -2.87%
1993 -4.96% -3.22%
1992 -7.26% -3.45%
1991 -6.57% -5.25%
1990 -3.92% -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/syria/tunisia | 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 Tunisia's deficit of $211M, or 0.46% of GDP.

Over the past 20 years, Syria recorded a fiscal deficit in 19 of those years, while Tunisia ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, Syria posted an annual deficit equal to 3.38% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.93% of GDP for Tunisia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Syria

Tunisia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Syria Tunisia
2024 - 7%
2023 - 9.3%
2022 - 8.3%
2021 - 5.7%
2020 - 5.6%
2019 13.4% 6.7%
2018 0.94% 7.3%
2017 18.1% 5.3%
2016 47.7% 3.6%
2015 38.5% 4.4%
2014 10.9% 4.6%
2013 40% 5.3%
2012 36.7% 4.6%
2011 4.75% 3.2%
2010 4.4% 4.4%
2009 2.92% 3.5%
2008 15.7% 4.9%
2007 3.91% 3.4%
2006 10% 4.1%
2005 7.24% 2%
2004 4.43% 3.7%
2003 5.8% 2.7%
2002 -0.13% 2.7%
2001 3% 1.9%
2000 -3.85% 2.8%
1999 -3.7% 2.8%
1998 -0.8% 3.1%
1997 1.89% 3.6%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2019, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 23 years, Syria has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 11.4%, compared with 3.94% in Tunisia. In 2019, inflation was 13.4% in Syria and 7% in Tunisia.

Top exports between countries

Syria
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $20.1M
Raw agricultural goods $7.2M
Machinery & equipment $2.68M
Chemicals & pharma $1.4M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.34M
Wood & paper products $703K
Metals $513K
Raw materials & minerals $186K
Miscellaneous $91K
Precious metals & jewellery $15K
Tunisia
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $1.88M
Wood & paper products $1.71M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.15M
Machinery & equipment $264K
Metals $125K
Chemicals & pharma $45K
Textiles & consumer goods $44K
Animal & marine products $41K

Balance of trade

Syria Tunisia
Current account balance
-$367M
2010
-$775M
2024
Current account balance ranking
103/190
2010
117/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-0.6%
2010
-1.51%
2024
Goods imports
$15.9B
2010
$18.7B
2024
Goods exports
$12.3B
2010
$8.95B
2024
Service imports
$3.53B
2010
$3.92B
2024
Service exports
$7.33B
2010
$11.2B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.8%
2022
56.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
6.81%
2022
50%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Syria Tunisia
Economic freedom 51.2 48.1
Economic freedom ranking 155/197 172/197
Property rights 4 55.7
Government integrity 3.6 42.1
Judicial effectiveness 3.7 39.7
Tax burden 87.3 68.5
Government spending 78.5 62.5
Fiscal health 13.8 16
Business freedom 33.8 59.4
Labor freedom 37.2 55.8
Monetary freedom 80 72.4
Trade freedom 47 54.6
Investment freedom 0 20
Financial freedom 20 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Syria
Tunisia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Syria Tunisia
2026 - 48.1
2025 - 49.1
2024 - 48.8
2023 - 52.9
2022 - 54.2
2021 - 56.6
2020 - 55.8
2019 - 55.4
2018 - 58.9
2017 - 55.7
2016 - 57.6
2015 - 57.7
2014 - 57.3
2013 - 57
2012 51.2 58.6
2011 51.3 58.5
2010 49.4 58.9
2009 51.3 58
2008 47.2 60.1
2007 48.3 60.3
2006 51.2 57.5
2005 46.3 55.4
2004 40.6 58.4
2003 41.3 58.1
2002 36.3 60.2
2001 36.6 60.8
2000 37.2 61.3
1999 39 61.1
1998 42.2 63.9
1997 43 63.8
1996 42.3 63.9
1995 - 63.4

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Syria is 51.2, ranking 155/197, compared to 48.1 for Tunisia, ranking 172/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Syria Tunisia
Services, % of GDP
44.9%
2022
62.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
12%
2022
22.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
43.1%
2022
9.74%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$18.2B
2023
$47.7B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$4,480
2023
$14,230
2024
Total reserves including gold
$20.6B
2010
$9.34B
2024
Total reserves ranking
62/177
2010
80/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.47B
2010
-$725M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$760M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$34.6M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.15%
2023
10.9%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
35.2%
2007
16.6%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
16%
1969
7.86%
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/tunisia | 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. TradeMap (2010–2023, 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.