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Economy of Syria vs Turkey compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Syria has a GDP of $20B compared to $1.36T for Turkey, ranking 129/197 and 17/197 by economy size, respectively.

Syria has $18.4B in government debt (30% of GDP), compared to $327B (24% of GDP) in Turkey.

Syria vs Turkey GDP by year

Syria
Turkey
1x
Year GDP, current $
Syria Turkey
2024 - $1,359,123,768,774
2023 $19,993,439,950 $1,141,242,864,657
2022 $23,622,827,080 $926,097,476,914
2021 $14,353,205,678 $839,938,668,172
2020 $12,047,752,036 $733,628,247,119
2019 $22,583,045,060 $775,853,144,223
2018 $21,497,782,868 $788,356,985,774
2017 $16,369,843,352 $863,874,522,365
2016 $12,597,854,877 $870,818,016,910
2015 $16,466,863,117 $865,460,050,684
2014 $21,502,061,466 $942,343,431,929
2013 $21,361,254,635 $962,167,643,589
2012 $43,190,318,033 $885,327,622,479
2011 $67,539,428,159 $844,192,507,381
2010 $61,390,830,875 $782,545,664,268
2009 $54,111,735,629 $653,894,449,921
2008 $52,557,913,569 $775,415,944,333
2007 $40,465,318,382 $685,228,481,017
2006 $33,751,788,856 $559,668,118,237
2005 $28,858,965,517 $508,314,210,213
2004 $25,086,950,495 $410,156,784,496
2003 $21,828,144,686 $315,392,899,922
2002 $20,669,357,462 $240,778,008,474
2001 $20,237,024,725 $202,195,080,239
2000 $18,937,052,543 $274,748,463,179
1999 $15,873,875,969 $256,673,939,248
1998 $15,200,846,154 $276,035,372,655
1997 $14,505,233,463 $263,817,553,748
1996 $13,789,560,878 $250,366,965,174
1995 $11,396,706,587 $234,699,627,004
1994 $10,122,020,000 $130,650,447,499
1993 $13,695,962,055 $180,415,757,852
1992 $13,253,565,861 $159,104,772,992
1991 $12,981,833,333 $151,034,731,544
1990 $12,308,624,418 $150,655,500,192
1989 $9,853,395,762 $107,127,191,329
1988 $10,577,041,645 $90,875,175,809
1987 $11,356,215,543 $87,190,081,680
1986 $13,293,205,278 $75,673,037,037
1985 $16,403,539,893 $67,232,758,621
1984 $17,503,078,174 $59,937,602,180
1983 $17,589,277,143 $61,803,555,556
1982 $16,298,929,011 $64,369,325,153
1981 $15,518,201,335 $71,180,180,180
1980 $13,062,420,382 $68,823,684,211
1979 $9,929,681,529 $89,616,129,032
1978 $9,275,200,458 $65,912,500,000
1977 $7,696,011,396 $58,683,333,333
1976 $7,633,528,867 $51,450,000,000
1975 $6,826,980,444 $46,042,857,143
1974 $5,159,557,148 $35,414,285,714
1973 $3,239,487,516 $26,000,000,000
1972 $3,059,681,698 $20,650,000,000
1971 $2,589,851,325 $16,166,666,667
1970 $2,140,384,010 $17,863,636,364
1969 $2,245,011,515 $19,466,666,667
1968 $1,753,746,430 $17,500,000,000
1967 $1,580,229,799 $15,644,444,444
1966 $1,342,287,553 $14,100,000,000
1965 $1,472,036,540 $11,966,666,667
1964 $1,339,494,267 $11,177,777,778
1963 $1,200,447,408 $10,355,555,556
1962 $1,110,565,881 $8,922,222,222
1961 $945,244,972 $7,988,888,889
1960 $857,704,413 $7,566,666,667

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

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

GDP per capita in Syria vs Turkey by year

Syria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Turkey
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Syria Turkey
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 - - $15,893 $45,639
2023 $847 $4,650 $13,375 $42,786
2022 $1,052 $4,772 $10,898 $39,564
2021 $664 $4,593 $9,982 $32,106
2020 $572 $3,738 $8,798 $29,209
2019 $1,110 $3,502 $9,395 $29,016
2018 $1,098 $3,456 $9,684 $28,640
2017 $852 $3,265 $10,756 $28,354
2016 $656 - $10,984 $26,731
2015 $848 - $11,065 $25,890
2014 $1,061 - $12,209 $24,193
2013 $986 - $12,636 $22,475
2012 $1,898 - $11,777 $20,739
2011 $2,952 - $11,374 $19,717
2010 $2,731 - $10,699 $17,466
2009 $2,462 - $9,077 $15,560
2008 $2,429 - $10,913 $16,142
2007 $1,938 - $9,767 $14,951
2006 $1,719 - $7,990 $13,555
2005 $1,534 - $7,332 $11,803
2004 $1,368 - $5,980 $10,759
2003 $1,220 - $4,650 $9,474
2002 $1,183 - $3,591 $9,154
2001 $1,187 - $3,052 $9,014
2000 $1,138 - $4,199 $9,326
1999 $978 - $3,974 $8,470
1998 $961 - $4,331 $8,763
1997 $941 - $4,197 $11,514
1996 $918 - $4,041 $10,624
1995 $780 - $3,846 $9,962
1994 $712 - $2,176 $9,253
1993 $993 - $3,058 $9,751
1992 $990 - $2,744 $8,969
1991 $1,000 - $2,649 $8,418
1990 $978 - $2,690 $8,208
1989 $809 - $1,949 -
1988 $898 - $1,686 -
1987 $997 - $1,650 -
1986 $1,208 - $1,461 -
1985 $1,544 - $1,326 -
1984 $1,706 - $1,209 -
1983 $1,776 - $1,276 -
1982 $1,703 - $1,360 -
1981 $1,676 - $1,537 -
1980 $1,458 - $1,516 -
1979 $1,146 - $2,013 -
1978 $1,108 - $1,510 -
1977 $951 - $1,372 -
1976 $976 - $1,228 -
1975 $904 - $1,122 -
1974 $707 - $881 -
1973 $459 - $661 -
1972 $448 - $537 -
1971 $393 - $431 -
1970 $335 - $488 -
1969 $364 - $544 -
1968 $293.3 - $501 -
1967 $272.9 - $459 -
1966 $239.3 - $425 -
1965 $270.8 - $370 -
1964 $254.2 - $354 -
1963 $234.9 - $337 -
1962 $223.9 - $298.2 -
1961 $196.3 - $274.4 -
1960 $183.5 - $267.1 -

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

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

Syria's GDP per capita is $847, ranking 185/197, compared to $15,893 in Turkey, ranking 66/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Syria ranks 160th at $4,650, while Turkey ranks 51st at $45,639.

Economic indicators

Syria Turkey
Gross domestic product
$20B
2023
$1.36T
2024
GDP rank
129/197
2023
17/197
2024
GDP growth
-1.21%
2022-2023
3.33%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$847
2023
$15,893
2024
GDP per capita rank
185/197
2023
66/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$4,650
2023
$45,639
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
160/197
2023
51/197
2024
Government debt
$18.4B
2010
$327B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
30%
2010
24%
2024
Government debt per person
$820
2010
$3,820
2024
Government debt per person rank
148/185
2010
92/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$730
2026
$10,928
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$379B
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
60,787
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
32
2025
Income share by richest 10%
21.1%
2022
35.2%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
3.8%
2022
2.1%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
28.6%
2010
32.6%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
13.4%
2018-2019
58.5%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
38%
2025
Unemployment rate
8.61%
2010
8.71%
2024
Population
26829400
86002379

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Syria
Spending

Debt
Turkey
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Syria Turkey
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 - - 32.6% 24%
2023 - - 32.5% 28.7%
2022 - - 26.8% 30.2%
2021 - - 30.5% 39.4%
2020 - - 34% 38.7%
2019 - - 34.8% 31.8%
2018 - - 33.9% 29.5%
2017 - - 32.4% 27.6%
2016 - - 33.8% 27.7%
2015 - - 32.4% 27.1%
2014 - - 32.5% 28.2%
2013 - - 33.5% 30.8%
2012 - - 34% 32.1%
2011 - - 32.6% 35.7%
2010 28.6% 30% 35.2% 39.2%
2009 26.7% 31.2% 37% 42.9%
2008 22.9% 37.3% 33.5% 37.5%
2007 25.7% 42.7% 32.7% 37.5%
2006 26.3% 45% 33.4% 44%
2005 28.2% 50.7% 32% 50%
2004 31.3% 113% 34.5% 57%
2003 32.6% 133.4% 38.3% 65%
2002 28.5% 132.4% 40.9% 71.3%
2001 28% 144.5% 43.9% 75.3%
2000 27.4% 152.1% 39.4% 51.2%
1999 28% 147.7% 32.7% 52.1%
1998 28.8% 151.2% 27.9% 36.5%
1997 29% 147.6% 26.4% 32.5%
1996 27.7% 141.5% 24.5% 35.5%
1995 29.8% 152.6% 19.4% 34.6%
1994 30.3% 163% 20.5% 39.2%
1993 29.4% 171.9% 22% 29.1%
1992 34.2% 173.6% 18.6% 29.2%
1991 34.3% 182.4% 18.2% 28.4%
1990 28.3% 189.8% 14.1% 25.8%
1989 - - 13.8% 33.5%
1988 - - 12.9% 38.6%
1987 - - 13.3% 40.3%
1986 - - 12.1% 38.2%
1985 - - 18% 44.3%
1984 - - 14.1% 42.6%
1983 - - 14.9% 32.7%
1982 - - 19.2% 33.4%
1981 - - 24% 32%
1980 - - 25.5% 22.4%
1979 - - 28.3% 23.6%
1978 - - 27.6% 25.8%
1977 - - 27.8% 24%
1976 - - 23.3% 20.4%
1975 - - 22% 20.2%
1974 - - 19% 19%
1973 - - 21.8% 23.1%
1972 - - 21.9% 30.1%
1971 - - 24.8% 34.4%
1970 - - 22.7% 39.8%
1969 - - 20.5% 33.2%
1968 - - 19% 33.2%
1967 - - 20.1% 33.3%
1966 - - 18.9% 33.4%
1965 - - 19% 33.4%
1964 - - 18.9% 25.7%
1963 - - 17.5% 27.6%
1962 - - 15.7% 28.8%
1961 - - 22.9% 28.9%
1960 - - 15.6% 19.9%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Syria's government spending was $17.6B, accounting for 28.6% of its GDP, while Turkey spent $444B, or 32.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 30% in Syria and 24% in Turkey, ranking 157/185 and 170/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Syria

Turkey
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Syria Turkey
2024 - -4.57%
2023 - -5.22%
2022 - -1.1%
2021 - -2.98%
2020 - -4.64%
2019 - -4.69%
2018 - -3.1%
2017 - -1.87%
2016 - -1.68%
2015 - -0.51%
2014 - -0.96%
2013 - -1.21%
2012 - -1.78%
2011 - -0.35%
2010 -7.79% -2.99%
2009 -2.89% -5.14%
2008 -2.86% -2.13%
2007 -2.99% -1.37%
2006 -1.12% -0.22%
2005 -4.41% -0.75%
2004 -4.18% -4.11%
2003 -2.7% -7.55%
2002 -2.02% -11.3%
2001 2.3% -11.6%
2000 -1.36% -8.36%
1999 -1.47% -13.8%
1998 -2.81% -9.84%
1997 -1.78% -10.1%
1996 -2.83% -10.7%
1995 -3.81% -5.95%
1994 -6% -6.04%
1993 -4.96% -8.84%
1992 -7.26% -6.73%
1991 -6.57% -6.86%
1990 -3.92% -3.65%
1989 - -3.87%
1988 - -3.2%
1987 - -3.47%
1986 - -2.43%
1985 - -5.84%
1984 - -3.77%
1983 - -1.45%
1982 - -1.61%
1981 - -1.5%
1980 - -3.67%
1979 - -3.06%
1978 - -1.83%
1977 - -5.1%
1976 - -0.6%
1975 - -0.19%
1974 - -1.02%
1973 - -0.98%
1972 - -0.13%
1971 - -3.05%
1970 - 0.14%
1969 - -1.45%
1968 - -0.62%
1967 - 0.1%
1966 - -0.66%
1965 - -1.18%
1964 - -0.84%
1963 - 0%
1962 - -0.16%
1961 - -1%
1960 - -0.83%
1959 - -0.78%
1958 - -0.45%
1957 - -0.66%
1956 - -0.84%
1955 - -0.85%
1954 - -1.12%
1953 - -0.12%
1952 - -0.1%
1951 - 0.48%
1950 - -0.53%
1949 - 0.81%
1948 - 0.84%
1947 - -
1946 - -
1945 - 1.01%
1944 - -
1943 - 0.22%
1942 - -
1941 - -
1940 - -
1939 - -
1938 - 1.18%
1937 - -
1936 - 1.43%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1936–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/syria/turkey | 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 Turkey's deficit of $23.4B, or 2.99% of GDP.

Over the past 21 years, Syria recorded a fiscal deficit in 20 of those years, while Turkey ran a deficit in 21 years. On average, Syria posted an annual deficit equal to 3.4% of GDP, compared to deficit of 6.58% of GDP for Turkey.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Syria

Turkey
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Syria Turkey
2024 - 58.5%
2023 - 53.9%
2022 - 72.3%
2021 - 19.6%
2020 - 12.3%
2019 13.4% 15.2%
2018 0.94% 16.3%
2017 18.1% 11.1%
2016 47.7% 7.78%
2015 38.5% 7.67%
2014 10.9% 8.85%
2013 40% 7.49%
2012 36.7% 8.89%
2011 4.75% 6.47%
2010 4.4% 8.57%
2009 2.92% 6.25%
2008 15.7% 10.4%
2007 3.91% 8.76%
2006 10% 9.6%
2005 7.24% 8.18%
2004 4.43% 8.6%
2003 5.8% 21.6%
2002 -0.13% 45%
2001 3% 54.4%
2000 -3.85% 54.9%
1999 -3.7% 64.9%
1998 -0.8% 84.6%
1997 1.89% 85.7%

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

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

Over the past 23 years, Syria has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 11.4%, compared with 24.4% in Turkey. In 2019, inflation was 13.4% in Syria and 58.5% in Turkey.

Top exports between countries

Syria
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $331M
Textiles & consumer goods $226M
Chemicals & pharma $21M
Raw agricultural goods $16.3M
Metals $15.5M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $9.86M
Machinery & equipment $5.68M
Animal & marine products $2.11M
Wood & paper products $1.73M
Miscellaneous $382K
Turkey
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $570M
Raw agricultural goods $404M
Raw materials & minerals $340M
Chemicals & pharma $203M
Metals $203M
Machinery & equipment $162M
Textiles & consumer goods $139M
Animal & marine products $84.4M
Wood & paper products $55.7M
Miscellaneous $22.8M

Balance of trade

Syria Turkey
Current account balance
-$367M
2010
-$10.2B
2024
Current account balance ranking
103/190
2010
176/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-0.6%
2010
-0.75%
2024
Goods imports
$15.9B
2010
$314B
2024
Goods exports
$12.3B
2010
$257B
2024
Service imports
$3.53B
2010
$53.3B
2024
Service exports
$7.33B
2010
$115B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.8%
2022
27%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
6.81%
2022
27.6%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Syria Turkey
Economic freedom 51.2 55
Economic freedom ranking 155/197 129/197
Property rights 4 36.4
Government integrity 3.6 35.3
Judicial effectiveness 3.7 23.5
Tax burden 87.3 72
Government spending 78.5 71.8
Fiscal health 13.8 77.8
Business freedom 33.8 61.6
Labor freedom 37.2 44.3
Monetary freedom 80 36.5
Trade freedom 47 71
Investment freedom 0 70
Financial freedom 20 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Syria
Turkey
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Syria Turkey
2026 - 55
2025 - 56.1
2024 - 56.2
2023 - 56.9
2022 - 56.9
2021 - 64
2020 - 64.4
2019 - 64.6
2018 - 65.4
2017 - 65.2
2016 - 62.1
2015 - 63.2
2014 - 64.9
2013 - 62.9
2012 51.2 62.5
2011 51.3 64.2
2010 49.4 63.8
2009 51.3 61.6
2008 47.2 59.9
2007 48.3 57.4
2006 51.2 57
2005 46.3 50.6
2004 40.6 52.8
2003 41.3 51.9
2002 36.3 54.2
2001 36.6 60.6
2000 37.2 63.4
1999 39 59.2
1998 42.2 60.9
1997 43 60.8
1996 42.3 56.7
1995 - 58.4

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Syria is 51.2, ranking 155/197, compared to 55 for Turkey, ranking 129/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Syria Turkey
Services, % of GDP
44.9%
2022
57.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
12%
2022
25.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
43.1%
2022
5.82%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$18.2B
2023
$1.15T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$4,480
2023
$45,110
2024
Total reserves including gold
$20.6B
2010
$155B
2024
Total reserves ranking
62/177
2010
21/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.47B
2010
-$5.13B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$11.7B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$6.61B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.15%
2023
6.67%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
35.2%
2007
13.6%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
16%
1969
30.7%
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/turkey | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1936–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  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.