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Economy of Syria vs United Arab Emirates compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Syria has a GDP of $20B compared to $552B for the United Arab Emirates, ranking 129/197 and 27/197 by economy size, respectively.

Syria has $18.4B in government debt (30% of GDP), compared to $193B (34.9% of GDP) in the United Arab Emirates.

Syria vs United Arab Emirates GDP by year

Syria
United Arab Emirates
1x
Year GDP, current $
Syria UAE
2024 - $552,324,846,835
2023 $19,993,439,950 $522,622,191,967
2022 $23,622,827,080 $511,403,403,676
2021 $14,353,205,678 $422,441,388,700
2020 $12,047,752,036 $357,161,878,829
2019 $22,583,045,060 $433,926,208,305
2018 $21,497,782,868 $440,560,108,918
2017 $16,369,843,352 $403,365,010,211
2016 $12,597,854,877 $381,717,086,453
2015 $16,466,863,117 $381,973,042,886
2014 $21,502,061,466 $424,935,874,745
2013 $21,361,254,635 $409,632,675,289
2012 $43,190,318,033 $392,793,464,942
2011 $67,539,428,159 $368,881,143,635
2010 $61,390,830,875 $307,736,419,333
2009 $54,111,735,629 $253,547,358,747
2008 $52,557,913,569 $315,474,615,739
2007 $40,465,318,382 $257,916,133,424
2006 $33,751,788,856 $222,116,541,865
2005 $28,858,965,517 $180,617,467,965
2004 $25,086,950,495 $147,824,370,320
2003 $21,828,144,686 $124,346,358,067
2002 $20,669,357,462 $109,816,201,498
2001 $20,237,024,725 $103,311,640,572
2000 $18,937,052,543 $104,337,372,362
1999 $15,873,875,969 $84,445,473,111
1998 $15,200,846,154 $75,674,336,283
1997 $14,505,233,463 $78,839,008,445
1996 $13,789,560,878 $73,571,233,996
1995 $11,396,706,587 $65,743,666,576
1994 $10,122,020,000 $59,305,093,980
1993 $13,695,962,055 $55,625,170,253
1992 $13,253,565,861 $54,239,171,888
1991 $12,981,833,333 $51,552,165,622
1990 $12,308,624,418 $50,701,443,748
1989 $9,853,395,762 $41,464,995,914
1988 $10,577,041,645 $36,275,674,203
1987 $11,356,215,543 $36,384,908,744
1986 $13,293,205,278 $33,943,612,095
1985 $16,403,539,893 $40,603,650,232
1984 $17,503,078,174 $41,807,954,236
1983 $17,589,277,143 $42,803,323,345
1982 $16,298,929,011 $46,622,718,605
1981 $15,518,201,335 $49,333,424,135
1980 $13,062,420,382 $43,599,160,050
1979 $9,929,681,529 $31,225,659,621
1978 $9,275,200,458 $23,775,764,225
1977 $7,696,011,396 $24,871,775,165
1976 $7,633,528,867 $19,213,158,779
1975 $6,826,980,444 $14,720,728,249
1974 $5,159,557,148 $11,651,505,689
1973 $3,239,487,516 $4,231,243,616
1972 $3,059,681,698 $1,415,086,929
1971 $2,589,851,325 $939,893,600
1970 $2,140,384,010 $685,986,701
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/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

GDP per capita in Syria vs United Arab Emirates by year

Syria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
United Arab Emirates
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Syria UAE
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 - - $50,274 $79,229
2023 $847 $4,650 $49,851 $77,955
2022 $1,052 $4,772 $50,760 $75,072
2021 $664 $4,593 $44,119 $68,580
2020 $572 $3,738 $37,992 $66,791
2019 $1,110 $3,502 $45,939 $79,816
2018 $1,098 $3,456 $47,135 $77,446
2017 $852 $3,265 $43,734 $70,282
2016 $656 - $42,721 $69,987
2015 $848 - $44,910 $73,986
2014 $1,061 - $52,725 $87,478
2013 $986 - $53,247 $87,526
2012 $1,898 - $53,142 $89,198
2011 $2,952 - $51,922 $89,665
2010 $2,731 - $44,795 $85,120
2009 $2,462 - $37,803 $84,780
2008 $2,429 - $50,054 $94,628
2007 $1,938 - $45,855 $100,813
2006 $1,719 - $44,343 $106,814
2005 $1,534 - $38,719 $101,301
2004 $1,368 - $33,377 $98,661
2003 $1,220 - $29,660 $92,636
2002 $1,183 - $27,754 $88,467
2001 $1,187 - $27,745 $90,370
2000 $1,138 - $29,866 $92,899
1999 $978 - $25,856 $87,658
1998 $961 - $24,889 $90,229
1997 $941 - $27,983 $96,009
1996 $918 - $28,323 $94,620
1995 $780 - $27,003 $93,702
1994 $712 - $25,473 $89,959
1993 $993 - $25,033 $86,330
1992 $990 - $25,648 $87,509
1991 $1,000 - $25,691 $87,250
1990 $978 - $26,710 $88,455
1989 $809 - $23,167 -
1988 $898 - $21,570 -
1987 $997 - $23,113 -
1986 $1,208 - $23,132 -
1985 $1,544 - $29,468 -
1984 $1,706 - $32,012 -
1983 $1,776 - $34,650 -
1982 $1,703 - $39,972 -
1981 $1,676 - $44,854 -
1980 $1,458 - $42,925 -
1979 $1,146 - $34,238 -
1978 $1,108 - $29,379 -
1977 $951 - $35,020 -
1976 $976 - $31,197 -
1975 $904 - $27,117 -
1974 $707 - $23,823 -
1973 $459 - $9,696 -
1972 $448 - $3,675 -
1971 $393 - $2,805 -
1970 $335 - $2,394 -
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/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

Syria's GDP per capita is $847, ranking 185/197, compared to $50,274 in the United Arab Emirates, ranking 24/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Syria ranks 160th at $4,650, while the United Arab Emirates ranks 16th at $79,229.

Economic indicators

Syria UAE
Gross domestic product
$20B
2023
$552B
2024
GDP rank
129/197
2023
27/197
2024
GDP growth
-1.21%
2022-2023
3.99%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$847
2023
$50,274
2024
GDP per capita rank
185/197
2023
24/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$4,650
2023
$79,229
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
160/197
2023
16/197
2024
Government debt
$18.4B
2010
$193B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
30%
2010
34.9%
2024
Government debt per person
$820
2010
$17,568
2024
Government debt per person rank
148/185
2010
36/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$730
2026
$40,522
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$1.05T
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
339,000
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
6
2025
Income share by richest 10%
21.1%
2022
20.5%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
3.8%
2022
2.8%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
28.6%
2010
21.4%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
13.4%
2018-2019
1.7%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
3.65%
2025
Unemployment rate
8.61%
2010
1.88%
2024
Population
26829400
11686438

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Syria
Spending

Debt
United Arab Emirates
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Syria UAE
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 - - 21.4% 34.9%
2023 - - 22.7% 31.9%
2022 - - 22.7% 31.5%
2021 - - 25.9% 35.7%
2020 - - 30.5% 30.1%
2019 - - 27.4% 25.8%
2018 - - 25.9% 20.7%
2017 - - 27.2% 21.2%
2016 - - 31.7% 18.6%
2015 - - 26.4% 15.6%
2014 - - 31.4% 13.5%
2013 - - 28.9% 15.3%
2012 - - 27.8% 20.2%
2011 - - 29.6% 20.4%
2010 28.6% 30% 30.4% 18.3%
2009 26.7% 31.2% 35% 21.1%
2008 22.9% 37.3% 22% 8.95%
2007 25.7% 42.7% 17.7% 8.89%
2006 26.3% 45% 15.6% 5.05%
2005 28.2% 50.7% 15.7% 4.48%
2004 31.3% 113% 17.7% 4.08%
2003 32.6% 133.4% 20% 3.33%
2002 28.5% 132.4% 21.3% 3.43%
2001 28% 144.5% 25.2% 2.69%
2000 27.4% 152.1% 21.8% 3.12%
1999 28% 147.7% 24.3% 4.73%
1998 28.8% 151.2% 25.8% 4.18%
1997 29% 147.6% 22.6% 2.86%
1996 27.7% 141.5% 27.6% 3.48%
1995 29.8% 152.6% 26.1% 5.06%
1994 30.3% 163% 30.1% 5.58%
1993 29.4% 171.9% 31.5% 6.01%
1992 34.2% 173.6% 29.6% 5.31%
1991 34.3% 182.4% 36% 4.97%
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 (1991–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/syria/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

In 2024, Syria's government spending was $17.6B, accounting for 28.6% of its GDP, while the United Arab Emirates spent $118B, or 21.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 30% in Syria and 34.9% in the United Arab Emirates, ranking 157/185 and 146/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Syria

United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Syria UAE
2024 - 6.41%
2023 - 5.82%
2022 - 9.8%
2021 - 3.96%
2020 - -2.42%
2019 - 2.5%
2018 - 3.65%
2017 - -0.16%
2016 - -2.95%
2015 - -6.35%
2014 - 1.74%
2013 - 7.99%
2012 - 8.59%
2011 - 5.05%
2010 -7.79% 0.52%
2009 -2.89% -6.13%
2008 -2.86% 17.6%
2007 -2.99% 17.1%
2006 -1.12% 20.2%
2005 -4.41% 16%
2004 -4.18% 6.4%
2003 -2.7% 2.35%
2002 -2.02% -1.24%
2001 2.3% 1.21%
2000 -1.36% 10.7%
1999 -1.47% 1.31%
1998 -2.81% 1%
1997 -1.78% 6.71%
1996 -2.83% 0.92%
1995 -3.81% 3.58%
1994 -6% -1.78%
1993 -4.96% -2.89%
1992 -7.26% 3.34%
1991 -6.57% 3.89%
1990 -3.92% -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/syria/united-arab-emirates | 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 the United Arab Emirates' surplus of $1.6B, or 0.52% of GDP.

Over the past 20 years, Syria recorded a fiscal deficit in 19 of those years, while the United Arab Emirates ran a deficit in 4 years. On average, Syria posted an annual deficit equal to 3.38% of GDP, compared to surplus of 5.04% of GDP for the United Arab Emirates.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Syria

United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Syria UAE
2024 - 1.7%
2023 - 1.6%
2022 - 4.8%
2021 - -0.1%
2020 - -2.1%
2019 13.4% -1.9%
2018 0.94% 3.1%
2017 18.1% 2%
2016 47.7% 1.6%
2015 38.5% 4.1%
2014 10.9% 2.3%
2013 40% 1.1%
2012 36.7% 0.7%
2011 4.75% 0.9%
2010 4.4% 0.9%
2009 2.92% -4.7%
2008 15.7% 12.3%
2007 3.91% 11.1%
2006 10% 9.3%
2005 7.24% 6.2%
2004 4.43% 5%
2003 5.8% 3.1%
2002 -0.13% 2.9%
2001 3% 2.8%
2000 -3.85% 1.3%
1999 -3.7% 2.1%
1998 -0.8% 2%
1997 1.89% 3%

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/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

Over the past 23 years, Syria has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 11.4%, compared with 3.1% in the United Arab Emirates. In 2019, inflation was 13.4% in Syria and 1.7% in the United Arab Emirates.

Top exports between countries

Syria
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $23.4M
Textiles & consumer goods $20.2M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $18.5M
Metals $8.03M
Chemicals & pharma $6.78M
Animal & marine products $5.54M
Raw materials & minerals $3.12M
Machinery & equipment $2.18M
Wood & paper products $2.04M
Miscellaneous $314K
UAE
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $357M
Raw agricultural goods $28.4M
Chemicals & pharma $18.2M
Machinery & equipment $17.3M
Animal & marine products $10.8M
Raw materials & minerals $9.24M
Wood & paper products $8.66M
Metals $6.09M
Textiles & consumer goods $2.8M
Miscellaneous $348K

Balance of trade

Syria UAE
Current account balance
-$367M
2010
$80B
2024
Current account balance ranking
103/190
2010
9/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-0.6%
2010
+14.5%
2024
Goods imports
$15.9B
2010
$400B
2024
Goods exports
$12.3B
2010
$467B
2024
Service imports
$3.53B
2010
$117B
2024
Service exports
$7.33B
2010
$181B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.8%
2022
92.2%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
6.81%
2022
106.8%
2023

Economic freedom indices

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

Syria UAE
Economic freedom 51.2 71.9
Economic freedom ranking 155/197 29/197
Property rights 4 62.9
Government integrity 3.6 65.3
Judicial effectiveness 3.7 34.4
Tax burden 87.3 99.9
Government spending 78.5 85.1
Fiscal health 13.8 97.6
Business freedom 33.8 84.5
Labor freedom 37.2 63.2
Monetary freedom 80 81.2
Trade freedom 47 78.6
Investment freedom 0 50
Financial freedom 20 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Syria
United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Syria UAE
2026 - 71.9
2025 - 71.6
2024 - 71.1
2023 - 70.9
2022 - 70.2
2021 - 76.9
2020 - 76.2
2019 - 77.6
2018 - 77.6
2017 - 76.9
2016 - 72.6
2015 - 72.4
2014 - 71.4
2013 - 71.1
2012 51.2 69.3
2011 51.3 67.8
2010 49.4 67.3
2009 51.3 64.7
2008 47.2 62.6
2007 48.3 62.6
2006 51.2 62.2
2005 46.3 65.2
2004 40.6 67.2
2003 41.3 73.4
2002 36.3 73.6
2001 36.6 74.9
2000 37.2 74.2
1999 39 71.5
1998 42.2 72.2
1997 43 71.9
1996 42.3 71.6

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

GeoRank.org/economy/syria/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Syria is 51.2, ranking 155/197, compared to 71.9 for the United Arab Emirates, ranking 29/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Syria UAE
Services, % of GDP
44.9%
2022
54.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
12%
2022
44.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
43.1%
2022
0.77%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$18.2B
2023
$566B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$4,480
2023
$81,530
2024
Total reserves including gold
$20.6B
2010
$238B
2024
Total reserves ranking
62/177
2010
14/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.47B
2010
$31.5B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$45.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$77.2B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.15%
2023
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
35.2%
2007
19.5%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
16%
1969
26.6%
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/united-arab-emirates | 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. TradeMap (2010–2023, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1991–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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.