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Economy of Syria vs United States compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Syria has a GDP of $20B compared to $28.8T for the United States, ranking 129/197 and 1/197 by economy size, respectively.

Syria has $18.4B in government debt (30% of GDP), compared to $35.2T (122.3% of GDP) in the United States.

Syria vs United States GDP by year

Syria
United States
1x
Year GDP, current $
Syria United States
2024 - $28,750,956,130,731
2023 $19,993,439,950 $27,292,170,793,214
2022 $23,622,827,080 $25,604,848,907,611
2021 $14,353,205,678 $23,315,080,560,000
2020 $12,047,752,036 $21,060,473,613,000
2019 $22,583,045,060 $21,380,976,119,000
2018 $21,497,782,868 $20,533,057,312,000
2017 $16,369,843,352 $19,477,336,549,000
2016 $12,597,854,877 $18,695,110,842,000
2015 $16,466,863,117 $18,206,020,741,000
2014 $21,502,061,466 $17,550,680,174,000
2013 $21,361,254,635 $16,843,190,993,000
2012 $43,190,318,033 $16,253,972,230,000
2011 $67,539,428,159 $15,599,728,123,000
2010 $61,390,830,875 $15,048,964,444,000
2009 $54,111,735,629 $14,478,064,934,000
2008 $52,557,913,569 $14,769,857,911,000
2007 $40,465,318,382 $14,474,226,905,000
2006 $33,751,788,856 $13,815,586,948,000
2005 $28,858,965,517 $13,039,199,193,000
2004 $25,086,950,495 $12,217,193,198,000
2003 $21,828,144,686 $11,456,442,041,000
2002 $20,669,357,462 $10,929,112,955,000
2001 $20,237,024,725 $10,581,929,774,000
2000 $18,937,052,543 $10,250,947,997,000
1999 $15,873,875,969 $9,631,174,489,000
1998 $15,200,846,154 $9,062,818,202,000
1997 $14,505,233,463 $8,577,554,457,000
1996 $13,789,560,878 $8,073,122,000,000
1995 $11,396,706,587 $7,639,749,000,000
1994 $10,122,020,000 $7,287,236,000,000
1993 $13,695,962,055 $6,858,559,000,000
1992 $13,253,565,861 $6,520,327,000,000
1991 $12,981,833,333 $6,158,129,000,000
1990 $12,308,624,418 $5,963,144,000,000
1989 $9,853,395,762 $5,641,580,000,000
1988 $10,577,041,645 $5,236,438,000,000
1987 $11,356,215,543 $4,855,215,000,000
1986 $13,293,205,278 $4,579,631,000,000
1985 $16,403,539,893 $4,338,979,000,000
1984 $17,503,078,174 $4,037,613,000,000
1983 $17,589,277,143 $3,634,038,000,000
1982 $16,298,929,011 $3,343,789,000,000
1981 $15,518,201,335 $3,207,041,000,000
1980 $13,062,420,382 $2,857,307,000,000
1979 $9,929,681,529 $2,627,333,000,000
1978 $9,275,200,458 $2,351,599,000,000
1977 $7,696,011,396 $2,081,826,000,000
1976 $7,633,528,867 $1,873,412,000,000
1975 $6,826,980,444 $1,684,904,000,000
1974 $5,159,557,148 $1,545,243,000,000
1973 $3,239,487,516 $1,425,376,000,000
1972 $3,059,681,698 $1,279,110,000,000
1971 $2,589,851,325 $1,164,850,000,000
1970 $2,140,384,010 $1,073,303,000,000
1969 $2,245,011,515 $1,017,438,172,414
1968 $1,753,746,430 $940,225,000,000
1967 $1,580,229,799 $859,620,034,483
1966 $1,342,287,553 $813,032,758,621
1965 $1,472,036,540 $741,904,862,069
1964 $1,339,494,267 $684,144,620,690
1963 $1,200,447,408 $637,058,551,724
1962 $1,110,565,881 $603,639,413,793
1961 $945,244,972 $561,940,310,345
1960 $857,704,413 $541,988,586,207

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

GeoRank.org/economy/syria/united-states | CC BY

GDP per capita in Syria vs United States by year

Syria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
United States
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Syria United States
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 - - $84,534 $85,810
2023 $847 $4,650 $81,490 $82,305
2022 $1,052 $4,772 $76,829 $77,861
2021 $664 $4,593 $70,249 $71,307
2020 $572 $3,738 $63,526 $64,402
2019 $1,110 $3,502 $65,120 $65,228
2018 $1,098 $3,456 $62,823 $62,876
2017 $852 $3,265 $59,908 $60,048
2016 $656 - $57,867 $57,977
2015 $848 - $56,763 $56,849
2014 $1,061 - $55,124 $55,153
2013 $986 - $53,291 $53,297
2012 $1,898 - $51,784 $51,708
2011 $2,952 - $50,066 $50,025
2010 $2,731 - $48,651 $48,643
2009 $2,462 - $47,195 $47,195
2008 $2,429 - $48,570 $48,570
2007 $1,938 - $48,050 $48,050
2006 $1,719 - $46,302 $46,302
2005 $1,534 - $44,123 $44,123
2004 $1,368 - $41,725 $41,725
2003 $1,220 - $39,490 $39,490
2002 $1,183 - $37,998 $37,998
2001 $1,187 - $37,134 $37,134
2000 $1,138 - $36,330 $36,330
1999 $978 - $34,484 $34,515
1998 $961 - $32,823 $32,854
1997 $941 - $31,430 $31,459
1996 $918 - $29,937 $29,968
1995 $780 - $28,661 $28,691
1994 $712 - $27,662 $27,695
1993 $993 - $26,353 $26,387
1992 $990 - $25,381 $25,419
1991 $1,000 - $24,293 $24,342
1990 $978 - $23,840 $23,889
1989 $809 - $22,857 -
1988 $898 - $21,417 -
1987 $997 - $20,039 -
1986 $1,208 - $19,071 -
1985 $1,544 - $18,237 -
1984 $1,706 - $17,121 -
1983 $1,776 - $15,544 -
1982 $1,703 - $14,434 -
1981 $1,676 - $13,976 -
1980 $1,458 - $12,613 -
1979 $1,146 - $11,674 -
1978 $1,108 - $10,565 -
1977 $951 - $9,453 -
1976 $976 - $8,592 -
1975 $904 - $7,801 -
1974 $707 - $7,226 -
1973 $459 - $6,726 -
1972 $448 - $6,094 -
1971 $393 - $5,609 -
1970 $335 - $5,234 -
1969 $364 - $5,020 -
1968 $293.3 - $4,685 -
1967 $272.9 - $4,326 -
1966 $239.3 - $4,136 -
1965 $270.8 - $3,818 -
1964 $254.2 - $3,565 -
1963 $234.9 - $3,366 -
1962 $223.9 - $3,236 -
1961 $196.3 - $3,059 -
1960 $183.5 - $3,000 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/syria/united-states | CC BY

Syria's GDP per capita is $847, ranking 185/197, compared to $84,534 in the United States, ranking 10/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Syria ranks 160th at $4,650, while the United States ranks 12th at $85,810.

Economic indicators

Syria United States
Gross domestic product
$20B
2023
$28.8T
2024
GDP rank
129/197
2023
1/197
2024
GDP growth
-1.21%
2022-2023
2.79%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$847
2023
$84,534
2024
GDP per capita rank
185/197
2023
10/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$4,650
2023
$85,810
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
160/197
2023
12/197
2024
Government debt
$18.4B
2010
$35.2T
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
30%
2010
122.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$820
2010
$103,404
2024
Government debt per person rank
148/185
2010
2/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$730
2026
$53,202
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$62.2T
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
23,831,000
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
902
2025
Income share by richest 10%
21.1%
2022
30.4%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
3.8%
2022
1.8%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
28.6%
2010
37.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
13.4%
2018-2019
2.95%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
3.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
8.61%
2010
4.02%
2024
Population
26829400
344023146

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Syria
Spending

Debt
United States
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Syria United States
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 - - 37.9% 122.3%
2023 - - 37.7% 119.8%
2022 - - 36.8% 119.1%
2021 - - 43.2% 125%
2020 - - 44.7% 132.5%
2019 - - 35.8% 108.8%
2018 - - 35.3% 107.6%
2017 - - 35.2% 106.4%
2016 - - 35.3% 107.4%
2015 - - 35% 105.4%
2014 - - 35.3% 104.9%
2013 - - 35.8% 105%
2012 - - 37.2% 103.7%
2011 - - 38.8% 100%
2010 28.6% 30% 39.8% 95.6%
2009 26.7% 31.2% 41.4% 87.1%
2008 22.9% 37.3% 37.1% 73.8%
2007 25.7% 42.7% 34.6% 64.9%
2006 26.3% 45% 33.7% 64.5%
2005 28.2% 50.7% 33.9% 65.8%
2004 31.3% 113% 33.7% 66.4%
2003 32.6% 133.4% 34% 59%
2002 28.5% 132.4% 33.7% 55.9%
2001 28% 144.5% 32.8% 53.5%
2000 27.4% 152.1% 31.7% 54.5%
1999 28% 147.7% 32.2% 60.5%
1998 28.8% 151.2% 32.8% 64.2%
1997 29% 147.6% 33.7% 67.4%
1996 27.7% 141.5% 34.7% 69.9%
1995 29.8% 152.6% 35.5% 70.7%
1994 30.3% 163% 35.5% 71.1%
1993 29.4% 171.9% 36.4% 71.9%
1992 34.2% 173.6% 36.7% 70.3%
1991 34.3% 182.4% 35.7% 67.9%
1990 28.3% 189.8% 34.5% 63.1%
1989 - - 33.7% 61.6%
1988 - - 33.7% 61.3%
1987 - - 34.3% 60.6%
1986 - - 34.8% 58.9%
1985 - - 34.5% 55.4%
1984 - - 34.3% 50.6%
1983 - - 35.7% 48.9%
1982 - - 35.8% 45.9%
1981 - - 33.9% 41.1%
1980 - - 33.7% 41.9%
1979 - - 32% 41.2%
1978 - - 32.6% 42.5%
1977 - - 33.4% 43.6%
1976 - - 34.2% 44.8%
1975 - - 35.2% 44.6%
1974 - - 32.9% 41.4%
1973 - - 31.9% 42.6%
1972 - - 32.8% 45.4%
1971 - - 32.3% 47%
1970 - - 31.5% 46.4%
1969 - - 29.3% 45.9%
1968 - - 29.1% 48.5%
1967 - - 28.3% 50.4%
1966 - - 26.3% 50.6%
1965 - - 25.4% 53.7%
1964 - - 25.6% 56.7%
1963 - - 26% 58.8%
1962 - - 26% 60.2%
1961 - - 25.9% 62.3%
1960 - - 24.9% 61.7%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/syria/united-states | CC BY

In 2024, Syria's government spending was $17.6B, accounting for 28.6% of its GDP, while the United States spent $10.9T, or 37.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 30% in Syria and 122.3% in the United States, ranking 157/185 and 12/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Syria

United States
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Syria United States
2024 - -8.03%
2023 - -7.8%
2022 - -3.72%
2021 - -11.4%
2020 - -14.1%
2019 - -5.81%
2018 - -5.33%
2017 - -4.79%
2016 - -4.36%
2015 - -3.53%
2014 - -4.03%
2013 - -4.56%
2012 - -8.11%
2011 - -9.72%
2010 -7.79% -11%
2009 -2.89% -13.2%
2008 -2.86% -6.61%
2007 -2.99% -2.91%
2006 -1.12% -2.04%
2005 -4.41% -3.07%
2004 -4.18% -4.24%
2003 -2.7% -4.77%
2002 -2.02% -3.82%
2001 2.3% -0.54%
2000 -1.36% 3.62%
1999 -1.47% 2.71%
1998 -2.81% 2.18%
1997 -1.78% 0.88%
1996 -2.83% -0.46%
1995 -3.81% -1.7%
1994 -6% -2.05%
1993 -4.96% -3.35%
1992 -7.26% -3.98%
1991 -6.57% -2.72%
1990 -3.92% -1.64%
1989 - -0.8%
1988 - -1.06%
1987 - -1.53%
1986 - -2.81%
1985 - -2.63%
1984 - -2.97%
1983 - -4.26%
1982 - -3.78%
1981 - -1.58%
1980 - -2.17%
1979 - -0.79%
1978 - -1.7%
1977 - -2.57%
1976 - -3.63%
1975 - -5.4%
1974 - -1.27%
1973 - -0.86%
1972 - -1.86%
1971 - -2.63%
1970 - -1.21%
1969 - 2.11%
1968 - 1.23%
1967 - 0.47%
1966 - 2.07%
1965 - 2.38%
1964 - 2.18%
1963 - 2.87%
1962 - 2.32%
1961 - 2.28%
1960 - 3.2%
1959 - -9.06%
1958 - -8.68%
1957 - -6.72%
1956 - -6.02%
1955 - -7.4%
1954 - -5.55%
1953 - -5.76%
1952 - -5.41%
1951 - -6.93%
1950 - -8.22%
1949 - -7.94%
1948 - -4.16%
1947 - -3.99%
1946 - -6.45%
1945 - -14.1%
1944 - -13.4%
1943 - -19.3%
1942 - -16.3%
1941 - -10.2%
1940 - -9.73%
1939 - -11.9%
1938 - -10.4%
1937 - -9.22%
1936 - -12.1%
1935 - -13.3%
1934 - -14.9%
1933 - -14.3%
1932 - -12.7%
1931 - -9.76%
1930 - -5.46%
1929 - -4.58%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1929–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/syria/united-states | 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 States' deficit of $1.65T, or 11% of GDP.

Over the past 21 years, Syria recorded a fiscal deficit in 20 of those years, while the United States ran a deficit in 17 years. On average, Syria posted an annual deficit equal to 3.4% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.8% of GDP for the United States.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Syria

United States
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Syria United States
2024 - 2.95%
2023 - 4.12%
2022 - 8%
2021 - 4.7%
2020 - 1.23%
2019 13.4% 1.81%
2018 0.94% 2.44%
2017 18.1% 2.13%
2016 47.7% 1.26%
2015 38.5% 0.12%
2014 10.9% 1.62%
2013 40% 1.46%
2012 36.7% 2.07%
2011 4.75% 3.16%
2010 4.4% 1.64%
2009 2.92% -0.36%
2008 15.7% 3.84%
2007 3.91% 2.85%
2006 10% 3.23%
2005 7.24% 3.39%
2004 4.43% 2.68%
2003 5.8% 2.27%
2002 -0.13% 1.59%
2001 3% 2.83%
2000 -3.85% 3.38%
1999 -3.7% 2.19%
1998 -0.8% 1.55%
1997 1.89% 2.34%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/syria/united-states | CC BY

Over the past 23 years, Syria has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 11.4%, compared with 2.15% in the United States. In 2019, inflation was 13.4% in Syria and 2.95% in the United States.

Top exports between countries

Syria
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $391M
Raw agricultural goods $3.86M
Textiles & consumer goods $2.43M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $2.06M
Chemicals & pharma $331K
Metals $95K
Wood & paper products $65K
Miscellaneous $63K
Machinery & equipment $39K
Precious metals & jewellery $28K
United States
Export category Export value
Miscellaneous $1.02M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $859K
Machinery & equipment $660K
Chemicals & pharma $531K
Raw agricultural goods $414K
Textiles & consumer goods $166K
Metals $32K
Raw materials & minerals $8K
Wood & paper products $5K

Balance of trade

Syria United States
Current account balance
-$367M
2010
-$1.19T
2024
Current account balance ranking
103/190
2010
190/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-0.6%
2010
-4.12%
2024
Goods imports
$15.9B
2010
$3.3T
2024
Goods exports
$12.3B
2010
$2.08T
2024
Service imports
$3.53B
2010
$841B
2024
Service exports
$7.33B
2010
$1.15T
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.8%
2022
14.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
6.81%
2022
11.1%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Syria United States
Economic freedom 51.2 72.8
Economic freedom ranking 155/197 27/197
Property rights 4 91.6
Government integrity 3.6 77.1
Judicial effectiveness 3.7 76.4
Tax burden 87.3 75.3
Government spending 78.5 57.9
Fiscal health 13.8 18.5
Business freedom 33.8 88.6
Labor freedom 37.2 76.3
Monetary freedom 80 84.2
Trade freedom 47 67.6
Investment freedom 0 80
Financial freedom 20 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

Syria
United States
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Syria United States
2026 - 72.8
2025 - 70.2
2024 - 70.1
2023 - 70.6
2022 - 72.1
2021 - 74.8
2020 - 76.6
2019 - 76.8
2018 - 75.7
2017 - 75.1
2016 - 75.4
2015 - 76.2
2014 - 75.5
2013 - 76
2012 51.2 76.3
2011 51.3 77.8
2010 49.4 78
2009 51.3 80.7
2008 47.2 81
2007 48.3 81.2
2006 51.2 81.2
2005 46.3 79.9
2004 40.6 78.7
2003 41.3 78.2
2002 36.3 78.4
2001 36.6 79.1
2000 37.2 76.4
1999 39 75.5
1998 42.2 75.4
1997 43 75.6
1996 42.3 76.7
1995 - 76.7

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

GeoRank.org/economy/syria/united-states | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Syria is 51.2, ranking 155/197, compared to 72.8 for the United States, ranking 27/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Syria United States
Services, % of GDP
44.9%
2022
79.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
12%
2022
17.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
43.1%
2022
0.85%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$18.2B
2023
$28.4T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$4,480
2023
$85,980
2024
Total reserves including gold
$20.6B
2010
$910B
2024
Total reserves ranking
62/177
2010
3/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.47B
2010
$25.1B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$297B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$322B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.15%
2023
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
35.2%
2007
15.1%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
16%
1969
21.8%
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/united-states | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1929–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2025, 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)
  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.