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Economy of Syria vs Vanuatu compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Syria has a GDP of $20B compared to $1.12B for Vanuatu, ranking 129/197 and 188/197 by economy size, respectively.

Syria has $18.4B in government debt (30% of GDP), compared to $507M (45.3% of GDP) in Vanuatu.

Syria vs Vanuatu GDP by year

Syria
Vanuatu
1x
Year GDP, current $
Syria Vanuatu
2024 - $1,117,972,034
2023 $19,993,439,950 $1,115,861,056
2022 $23,622,827,080 $1,055,031,361
2021 $14,353,205,678 $950,394,007
2020 $12,047,752,036 $909,421,044
2019 $22,583,045,060 $936,526,268
2018 $21,497,782,868 $914,727,908
2017 $16,369,843,352 $880,043,284
2016 $12,597,854,877 $804,323,577
2015 $16,466,863,117 $759,690,181
2014 $21,502,061,466 $773,717,011
2013 $21,361,254,635 $758,304,466
2012 $43,190,318,033 $747,839,698
2011 $67,539,428,159 $770,153,588
2010 $61,390,830,875 $670,712,980
2009 $54,111,735,629 $592,622,319
2008 $52,557,913,569 $590,748,429
2007 $40,465,318,382 $516,392,923
2006 $33,751,788,856 $439,358,587
2005 $28,858,965,517 $394,962,433
2004 $25,086,950,495 $364,996,869
2003 $21,828,144,686 $314,471,413
2002 $20,669,357,462 $262,596,536
2001 $20,237,024,725 $257,926,882
2000 $18,937,052,543 $272,014,628
1999 $15,873,875,969 $268,006,973
1998 $15,200,846,154 $262,293,411
1997 $14,505,233,463 $272,771,209
1996 $13,789,560,878 $261,370,044
1995 $11,396,706,587 $249,333,250
1994 $10,122,020,000 $233,701,301
1993 $13,695,962,055 $200,491,853
1992 $13,253,565,861 $209,088,825
1991 $12,981,833,333 $201,334,169
1990 $12,308,624,418 $168,879,207
1989 $9,853,395,762 $154,013,202
1988 $10,577,041,645 $158,351,368
1987 $11,356,215,543 $139,464,174
1986 $13,293,205,278 $126,498,935
1985 $16,403,539,893 $131,856,421
1984 $17,503,078,174 $144,482,515
1983 $17,589,277,143 $117,389,554
1982 $16,298,929,011 $114,501,913
1981 $15,518,201,335 $113,781,796
1980 $13,062,420,382 $121,185,498
1979 $9,929,681,529 $119,258,835
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/vanuatu | CC BY

GDP per capita in Syria vs Vanuatu by year

Syria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Vanuatu
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Syria Vanuatu
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 - - $3,411 $3,606
2023 $847 $4,650 $3,483 $3,568
2022 $1,052 $4,772 $3,370 $3,453
2021 $664 $4,593 $3,107 $3,136
2020 $572 $3,738 $3,043 $3,118
2019 $1,110 $3,502 $3,207 $3,315
2018 $1,098 $3,456 $3,207 $3,233
2017 $852 $3,265 $3,160 $3,146
2016 $656 - $2,956 $3,030
2015 $848 - $2,855 $2,966
2014 $1,061 - $2,973 $2,890
2013 $986 - $2,980 $2,832
2012 $1,898 - $3,005 $2,834
2011 $2,952 - $3,163 $2,816
2010 $2,731 - $2,815 $2,733
2009 $2,462 - $2,546 $2,730
2008 $2,429 - $2,604 $2,701
2007 $1,938 - $2,334 $2,573
2006 $1,719 - $2,035 $2,496
2005 $1,534 - $1,874 $2,287
2004 $1,368 - $1,774 $2,157
2003 $1,220 - $1,567 $2,070
2002 $1,183 - $1,341 $1,995
2001 $1,187 - $1,350 $2,125
2000 $1,138 - $1,460 $2,206
1999 $978 - $1,472 $2,084
1998 $961 - $1,471 $2,091
1997 $941 - $1,562 $2,087
1996 $918 - $1,529 $1,998
1995 $780 - $1,492 $1,961
1994 $712 - $1,431 $1,946
1993 $993 - $1,257 $1,789
1992 $990 - $1,344 $1,777
1991 $1,000 - $1,326 $1,737
1990 $978 - $1,141 $1,670
1989 $809 - $1,067 -
1988 $898 - $1,125 -
1987 $997 - $1,017 -
1986 $1,208 - $946 -
1985 $1,544 - $1,012 -
1984 $1,706 - $1,137 -
1983 $1,776 - $947 -
1982 $1,703 - $946 -
1981 $1,676 - $962 -
1980 $1,458 - $1,048 -
1979 $1,146 - $1,055 -
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/vanuatu | CC BY

Syria's GDP per capita is $847, ranking 185/197, compared to $3,411 in Vanuatu, ranking 137/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Syria ranks 160th at $4,650, while Vanuatu ranks 170th at $3,606.

Economic indicators

Syria Vanuatu
Gross domestic product
$20B
2023
$1.12B
2024
GDP rank
129/197
2023
188/197
2024
GDP growth
-1.21%
2022-2023
0.94%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$847
2023
$3,411
2024
GDP per capita rank
185/197
2023
137/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$4,650
2023
$3,606
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
160/197
2023
170/197
2024
Government debt
$18.4B
2010
$507M
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
30%
2010
45.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$820
2010
$1,546
2024
Government debt per person rank
148/185
2010
131/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$730
2026
$3,164
2026
Income share by richest 10%
21.1%
2022
24.7%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
3.8%
2022
3%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
28.6%
2010
41.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
13.4%
2018-2019
11.2%
2022-2023
Unemployment rate
8.61%
2010
4.05%
2020
Population
26829400
344750

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Syria
Spending

Debt
Vanuatu
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Syria Vanuatu
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 - - 41.1% 45.3%
2023 - - 41.6% 41.8%
2022 - - 42% 42.8%
2021 - - 44.4% 48.5%
2020 - - 43.4% 48%
2019 - - 39.8% 45.1%
2018 - - 33.3% 45.3%
2017 - - 37.1% 52.6%
2016 - - 35.2% 42.5%
2015 - - 42.4% 36.3%
2014 - - 23.3% 20.2%
2013 - - 22.9% 18.6%
2012 - - 24.5% 19.3%
2011 - - 25.1% 21.3%
2010 28.6% 30% 28.3% 20.2%
2009 26.7% 31.2% 27.6% 21.1%
2008 22.9% 37.3% 27.8% 21.2%
2007 25.7% 42.7% 22.5% 19.5%
2006 26.3% 45% 20.1% 22.2%
2005 28.2% 50.7% 18.3% 26.3%
2004 31.3% 113% 18.5% 30.4%
2003 32.6% 133.4% 18.8% 38.3%
2002 28.5% 132.4% 22.3% 38.8%
2001 28% 144.5% 22.3% 37%
2000 27.4% 152.1% 25.4% 36.1%
1999 28% 147.7% 23.9% 30.6%
1998 28.8% 151.2% 27.9% 28%
1997 29% 147.6% 22.2% 22.9%
1996 27.7% 141.5% 24.5% 23.1%
1995 29.8% 152.6% 28% 24.1%
1994 30.3% 163% 24.4% 21.6%
1993 29.4% 171.9% 26.2% 20.3%
1992 34.2% 173.6% 31.8% 21%
1991 34.3% 182.4% 33.2% 15.9%
1990 28.3% 189.8% - -

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

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

In 2024, Syria's government spending was $17.6B, accounting for 28.6% of its GDP, while Vanuatu spent $459M, or 41.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 30% in Syria and 45.3% in Vanuatu, ranking 157/185 and 119/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Syria

Vanuatu
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Syria Vanuatu
2024 - -2.34%
2023 - -0.95%
2022 - -6.5%
2021 - 2.38%
2020 - -1.95%
2019 - 2.81%
2018 - 6.26%
2017 - -1.2%
2016 - -0.72%
2015 - -8.66%
2014 - 1.44%
2013 - -0.25%
2012 - -1.7%
2011 - -2.19%
2010 -7.79% -2.63%
2009 -2.89% -0.85%
2008 -2.86% -0.04%
2007 -2.99% 0.28%
2006 -1.12% 0.49%
2005 -4.41% 1.86%
2004 -4.18% 0.8%
2003 -2.7% -1.35%
2002 -2.02% -3.63%
2001 2.3% -3.33%
2000 -1.36% -6.28%
1999 -1.47% -0.55%
1998 -2.81% -6.65%
1997 -1.78% -0.51%
1996 -2.83% -1.78%
1995 -3.81% -2.59%
1994 -6% -1.49%
1993 -4.96% -3.67%
1992 -7.26% -2.32%
1991 -6.57% -2.81%
1990 -3.92% -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/syria/vanuatu | 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 Vanuatu's deficit of $17.6M, or 2.63% of GDP.

Over the past 20 years, Syria recorded a fiscal deficit in 19 of those years, while Vanuatu ran a deficit in 16 years. On average, Syria posted an annual deficit equal to 3.38% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.85% of GDP for Vanuatu.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Syria

Vanuatu
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Syria Vanuatu
2023 - 11.2%
2022 - 6.68%
2021 - 2.34%
2020 - 5.33%
2019 13.4% 2.76%
2018 0.94% 2.33%
2017 18.1% 3.08%
2016 47.7% 0.84%
2015 38.5% 2.48%
2014 10.9% 0.8%
2013 40% 1.46%
2012 36.7% 1.35%
2011 4.75% 0.87%
2010 4.4% 2.76%
2009 2.92% 4.3%
2008 15.7% 4.84%
2007 3.91% 3.94%
2006 10% 2.04%
2005 7.24% 1.2%
2004 4.43% 1.42%
2003 5.8% 3.02%
2002 -0.13% 1.96%
2001 3% 3.58%
2000 -3.85% 2.54%
1999 -3.7% 2%
1998 -0.8% 3.28%
1997 1.89% 2.83%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 23 years, Syria has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 11.4%, compared with 2.42% in Vanuatu. In 2019, inflation was 13.4% in Syria and 11.2% in Vanuatu.

Balance of trade

Syria Vanuatu
Current account balance
-$367M
2010
-$127M
2022
Current account balance ranking
103/190
2010
90/190
2022
Current account balance, % of GDP
-0.6%
2010
-12.1%
2022
Goods imports
$15.9B
2010
$350M
2022
Goods exports
$12.3B
2010
$73.6M
2022
Service imports
$3.53B
2010
$230M
2022
Service exports
$7.33B
2010
$78.5M
2022
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.8%
2022
54.2%
2022
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
6.81%
2022
9.43%
2022

Economic freedom indices

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

Syria Vanuatu
Economic freedom 51.2 61.1
Economic freedom ranking 155/197 92/197
Property rights 4 62.1
Government integrity 3.6 48.3
Judicial effectiveness 3.7 67.9
Tax burden 87.3 96.9
Government spending 78.5 48.1
Fiscal health 13.8 78.8
Business freedom 33.8 50.3
Labor freedom 37.2 41
Monetary freedom 80 72.1
Trade freedom 47 62
Investment freedom 0 65
Financial freedom 20 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Syria
Vanuatu
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Syria Vanuatu
2026 - 61.1
2025 - 61.8
2024 - 62.2
2023 - 62.1
2022 - 62.9
2021 - 60.5
2020 - 60.7
2019 - 56.4
2018 - 69.5
2017 - 67.4
2016 - 60.8
2015 - 61.1
2014 - 59.5
2013 - 56.6
2012 51.2 56.6
2011 51.3 56.7
2010 49.4 56.4
2009 51.3 58.4
2008 47.2 -
2007 48.3 -
2006 51.2 -
2005 46.3 -
2004 40.6 -
2003 41.3 -
2002 36.3 -
2001 36.6 -
2000 37.2 -
1999 39 -
1998 42.2 -
1997 43 -
1996 42.3 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Syria is 51.2, ranking 155/197, compared to 61.1 for Vanuatu, ranking 92/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Syria Vanuatu
Services, % of GDP
44.9%
2022
59.1%
2022
Industry, % of GDP
12%
2022
7.37%
2022
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
43.1%
2022
24.3%
2022
GNI, Atlas method
$18.2B
2023
$1.28B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$4,480
2023
$4,140
2024
Total reserves including gold
$20.6B
2010
$615M
2024
Total reserves ranking
62/177
2010
152/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.47B
2010
-$9.21M
2022
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$28.9M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$2.79M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.15%
2023
2.04%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
35.2%
2007
15.9%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
16%
1969
38.3%
2022

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/vanuatu | 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. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  6. 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.