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Economy of Syria vs Ukraine compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Syria has a GDP of $20B compared to $191B for Ukraine, ranking 129/197 and 57/197 by economy size, respectively.

Syria has $18.4B in government debt (30% of GDP), compared to $171B (89.7% of GDP) in Ukraine.

Syria vs Ukraine GDP by year

Syria
Ukraine
1x
Year GDP, current $
Syria Ukraine
2024 - $190,741,262,415
2023 $19,993,439,950 $181,221,517,869
2022 $23,622,827,080 $161,989,520,721
2021 $14,353,205,678 $199,765,859,571
2020 $12,047,752,036 $156,617,722,013
2019 $22,583,045,060 $153,883,047,510
2018 $21,497,782,868 $130,891,088,294
2017 $16,369,843,352 $112,090,505,082
2016 $12,597,854,877 $93,355,869,404
2015 $16,466,863,117 $91,030,967,789
2014 $21,502,061,466 $133,503,871,862
2013 $21,361,254,635 $190,498,811,460
2012 $43,190,318,033 $182,591,753,828
2011 $67,539,428,159 $169,333,835,202
2010 $61,390,830,875 $141,209,170,427
2009 $54,111,735,629 $121,552,153,444
2008 $52,557,913,569 $188,110,390,660
2007 $40,465,318,382 $148,733,861,386
2006 $33,751,788,856 $111,884,752,475
2005 $28,858,965,517 $89,238,865,119
2004 $25,086,950,495 $67,220,154,164
2003 $21,828,144,686 $52,010,355,753
2002 $20,669,357,462 $43,956,163,612
2001 $20,237,024,725 $39,309,580,983
2000 $18,937,052,543 $32,375,083,935
1999 $15,873,875,969 $31,580,639,554
1998 $15,200,846,154 $41,882,523,345
1997 $14,505,233,463 $50,151,531,592
1996 $13,789,560,878 $44,558,831,005
1995 $11,396,706,587 $48,213,856,469
1994 $10,122,020,000 $52,549,580,265
1993 $13,695,962,055 $65,648,559,903
1992 $13,253,565,861 $73,945,908,384
1991 $12,981,833,333 $77,350,733,982
1990 $12,308,624,418 $81,393,558,423
1989 $9,853,395,762 $82,709,161,099
1988 $10,577,041,645 $74,703,517,903
1987 $11,356,215,543 $64,087,694,038
1986 $13,293,205,278 -
1985 $16,403,539,893 -
1984 $17,503,078,174 -
1983 $17,589,277,143 -
1982 $16,298,929,011 -
1981 $15,518,201,335 -
1980 $13,062,420,382 -
1979 $9,929,681,529 -
1978 $9,275,200,458 -
1977 $7,696,011,396 -
1976 $7,633,528,867 -
1975 $6,826,980,444 -
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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Syria vs Ukraine by year

Syria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Ukraine
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Syria Ukraine
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 - - $5,038 $18,550
2023 $847 $4,650 $4,803 $17,665
2022 $1,052 $4,772 $3,946 $14,770
2021 $664 $4,593 $4,510 $17,846
2020 $572 $3,738 $3,505 $15,541
2019 $1,110 $3,502 $3,423 $14,217
2018 $1,098 $3,456 $2,895 $12,555
2017 $852 $3,265 $2,467 $11,536
2016 $656 - $2,047 $10,865
2015 $848 - $1,988 $9,922
2014 $1,061 - $2,904 $10,494
2013 $986 - $4,130 $10,904
2012 $1,898 - $3,951 $9,552
2011 $2,952 - $3,657 $9,127
2010 $2,731 - $3,040 $8,453
2009 $2,462 - $2,607 $7,995
2008 $2,429 - $4,018 $9,324
2007 $1,938 - $3,160 $8,900
2006 $1,719 - $2,366 $7,971
2005 $1,534 - $1,875 $7,142
2004 $1,368 - $1,401 $6,663
2003 $1,220 - $1,076 $5,764
2002 $1,183 - $903 $5,123
2001 $1,187 - $800 $4,747
2000 $1,138 - $653 $4,228
1999 $978 - $632 $3,871
1998 $961 - $831 $3,794
1997 $941 - $987 $3,794
1996 $918 - $870 $3,812
1995 $780 - $933 $4,124
1994 $712 - $1,009 $4,565
1993 $993 - $1,254 $5,766
1992 $990 - $1,413 $6,568
1991 $1,000 - $1,483 $7,148
1990 $978 - $1,564 $7,591
1989 $809 - $1,593 -
1988 $898 - $1,444 -
1987 $997 - $1,244 -
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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Syria's GDP per capita is $847, ranking 185/197, compared to $5,038 in Ukraine, ranking 120/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Syria ranks 160th at $4,650, while Ukraine ranks 101st at $18,550.

Economic indicators

Syria Ukraine
Gross domestic product
$20B
2023
$191B
2024
GDP rank
129/197
2023
57/197
2024
GDP growth
-1.21%
2022-2023
2.91%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$847
2023
$5,038
2024
GDP per capita rank
185/197
2023
120/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$4,650
2023
$18,550
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
160/197
2023
101/197
2024
Government debt
$18.4B
2010
$171B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
30%
2010
89.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$820
2010
$4,520
2024
Government debt per person rank
148/185
2010
86/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$730
2026
$5,370
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$4.42B
2018
Number of billionaires n/a
7
2025
Income share by richest 10%
21.1%
2022
21.7%
2020
Income share by poorest 10%
3.8%
2022
4.3%
2020
Government expenditure, % of GDP
28.6%
2010
71.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
13.4%
2018-2019
6.5%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
15.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
8.61%
2010
9.83%
2021
Population
26829400
40125599

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Syria
Spending

Debt
Ukraine
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Syria Ukraine
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 - - 71.3% 89.7%
2023 - - 73.4% 81.2%
2022 - - 65.4% 77.7%
2021 - - 40.5% 48.9%
2020 - - 45.6% 60.5%
2019 - - 41.5% 50.5%
2018 - - 41.9% 60.4%
2017 - - 41.7% 71.6%
2016 - - 40.8% 79.5%
2015 - - 43% 79.3%
2014 - - 44.8% 70.3%
2013 - - 48.1% 40.5%
2012 - - 49% 37.5%
2011 - - 45.7% 36.9%
2010 28.6% 30% 49.2% 40.6%
2009 26.7% 31.2% 48.6% 35.4%
2008 22.9% 37.3% 47.1% 20.4%
2007 25.7% 42.7% 43.7% 12.3%
2006 26.3% 45% 44.6% 14.8%
2005 28.2% 50.7% 44.2% 17.7%
2004 31.3% 113% 41.6% 24.8%
2003 32.6% 133.4% 38.9% 29.4%
2002 28.5% 132.4% 37.9% 33.6%
2001 28% 144.5% 36.7% 36.7%
2000 27.4% 152.1% 35.5% 43.8%
1999 28% 147.7% 25.8% 59%
1998 28.8% 151.2% 37.1% 46.5%
1997 29% 147.6% 40.8% 28.9%
1996 27.7% 141.5% 36.9% 24.4%
1995 29.8% 152.6% 41.3% 30.2%
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); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1995–1996, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Syria's government spending was $17.6B, accounting for 28.6% of its GDP, while Ukraine spent $136B, or 71.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 30% in Syria and 89.7% in Ukraine, ranking 157/185 and 33/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Syria

Ukraine
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Syria Ukraine
2024 - -17.2%
2023 - -19.3%
2022 - -15.6%
2021 - -3.97%
2020 - -5.92%
2019 - -2.08%
2018 - -2.12%
2017 - -2.36%
2016 - -2.46%
2015 - -1.16%
2014 - -4.46%
2013 - -4.78%
2012 - -4.31%
2011 - -2.76%
2010 -7.79% -5.77%
2009 -2.89% -6.27%
2008 -2.86% -3.14%
2007 -2.99% -1.97%
2006 -1.12% -1.36%
2005 -4.41% -2.28%
2004 -4.18% -4.41%
2003 -2.7% -0.89%
2002 -2.02% -1.84%
2001 2.3% -3.03%
2000 -1.36% -3.19%
1999 -1.47% 4.95%
1998 -2.81% -2.69%
1997 -1.78% -5.37%
1996 -2.83% -3.09%
1995 -3.81% -4.72%
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/ukraine | 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 Ukraine's deficit of $8.15B, or 5.77% of GDP.

Over the past 16 years, Syria recorded a fiscal deficit in 15 of those years, while Ukraine ran a deficit in 15 years. On average, Syria posted an annual deficit equal to 2.67% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.82% of GDP for Ukraine.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Syria

Ukraine
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Syria Ukraine
2024 - 6.5%
2023 - 12.9%
2022 - 20.2%
2021 - 9.4%
2020 - 2.7%
2019 13.4% 7.9%
2018 0.94% 10.9%
2017 18.1% 14.4%
2016 47.7% 13.9%
2015 38.5% 48.7%
2014 10.9% 12.1%
2013 40% -0.3%
2012 36.7% 0.6%
2011 4.75% 8%
2010 4.4% 9.4%
2009 2.92% 15.9%
2008 15.7% 25.2%
2007 3.91% 12.8%
2006 10% 9.1%
2005 7.24% 13.5%
2004 4.43% 9%
2003 5.8% 5.2%
2002 -0.13% 0.8%
2001 3% 12%
2000 -3.85% 28.2%
1999 -3.7% 22.7%
1998 -0.8% 10.6%
1997 1.89% 15.9%

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/ukraine | CC BY

Over the past 23 years, Syria has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 11.4%, compared with 13.3% in Ukraine. In 2019, inflation was 13.4% in Syria and 6.5% in Ukraine.

Top exports between countries

Syria
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $37.9M
Raw materials & minerals $21.5M
Raw agricultural goods $2.64M
Chemicals & pharma $503K
Animal & marine products $462K
Wood & paper products $254K
Miscellaneous $72K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $68K
Machinery & equipment $54K
Metals $5K
Ukraine
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $7.31M
Raw agricultural goods $1.14M
Chemicals & pharma $92K
Animal & marine products $47K

Balance of trade

Syria Ukraine
Current account balance
-$367M
2010
-$15.1B
2024
Current account balance ranking
103/190
2010
179/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-0.6%
2010
-7.94%
2024
Goods imports
$15.9B
2010
$72.3B
2024
Goods exports
$12.3B
2010
$39.3B
2024
Service imports
$3.53B
2010
$22.9B
2024
Service exports
$7.33B
2010
$17.3B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.8%
2022
48.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
6.81%
2022
29.4%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Syria Ukraine
Economic freedom 51.2 54.1
Economic freedom ranking 155/197 135/197
Property rights 4 21.6
Government integrity 3.6 35
Judicial effectiveness 3.7 28.2
Tax burden 87.3 83.7
Government spending 78.5 0
Fiscal health 13.8 3.9
Business freedom 33.8 57.4
Labor freedom 37.2 46.9
Monetary freedom 80 65.7
Trade freedom 47 73
Investment freedom 0 35
Financial freedom 20 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Syria
Ukraine
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Syria Ukraine
2022 - 54.1
2021 - 56.2
2020 - 54.9
2019 - 52.3
2018 - 51.9
2017 - 48.1
2016 - 46.8
2015 - 46.9
2014 - 49.3
2013 - 46.3
2012 51.2 46.1
2011 51.3 45.8
2010 49.4 46.4
2009 51.3 48.8
2008 47.2 51
2007 48.3 51.5
2006 51.2 54.4
2005 46.3 55.8
2004 40.6 53.7
2003 41.3 51.1
2002 36.3 48.2
2001 36.6 48.5
2000 37.2 47.8
1999 39 43.7
1998 42.2 40.4
1997 43 43.5
1996 42.3 40.6
1995 - 39.9

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2022, retrieved 2026-03-09).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Syria is 51.2, ranking 155/197, compared to 54.1 for Ukraine, ranking 135/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Syria Ukraine
Services, % of GDP
44.9%
2022
60.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
12%
2022
19%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
43.1%
2022
7.11%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$18.2B
2023
$184B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$4,480
2023
$18,560
2024
Total reserves including gold
$20.6B
2010
$43.8B
2024
Total reserves ranking
62/177
2010
46/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.47B
2010
-$3.71B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$4.02B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$305M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.15%
2023
5.42%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
35.2%
2007
23.2%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
16%
1969
18.6%
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/ukraine | 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 (2010–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1995–1996, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  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.