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Economy of Syria vs Vietnam compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Syria has a GDP of $20B compared to $476B for Vietnam, ranking 129/197 and 33/197 by economy size, respectively.

Syria has $18.4B in government debt (30% of GDP), compared to $149B (31.3% of GDP) in Vietnam.

Syria vs Vietnam GDP by year

Syria
Vietnam
1x
Year GDP, current $
Syria Vietnam
2024 - $476,388,230,307
2023 $19,993,439,950 $433,857,681,378
2022 $23,622,827,080 $413,445,230,669
2021 $14,353,205,678 $366,474,752,771
2020 $12,047,752,036 $346,615,738,538
2019 $22,583,045,060 $334,365,270,497
2018 $21,497,782,868 $310,106,478,395
2017 $16,369,843,352 $281,353,605,987
2016 $12,597,854,877 $257,096,001,178
2015 $16,466,863,117 $239,258,328,382
2014 $21,502,061,466 $233,451,469,643
2013 $21,361,254,635 $213,708,811,665
2012 $43,190,318,033 $195,590,661,129
2011 $67,539,428,159 $172,595,049,184
2010 $61,390,830,875 $147,201,173,197
2009 $54,111,735,629 $106,014,659,565
2008 $52,557,913,569 $99,130,304,099
2007 $40,465,318,382 $77,414,425,532
2006 $33,751,788,856 $66,371,664,817
2005 $28,858,965,517 $57,633,255,738
2004 $25,086,950,495 $45,427,854,693
2003 $21,828,144,686 $39,552,513,232
2002 $20,669,357,462 $35,064,105,501
2001 $20,237,024,725 $32,685,198,809
2000 $18,937,052,543 $31,172,518,403
1999 $15,873,875,969 $28,683,659,007
1998 $15,200,846,154 $27,209,602,050
1997 $14,505,233,463 $26,843,700,442
1996 $13,789,560,878 $24,657,470,575
1995 $11,396,706,587 $20,736,164,459
1994 $10,122,020,000 $16,286,433,533
1993 $13,695,962,055 $13,180,953,598
1992 $13,253,565,861 $9,866,990,236
1991 $12,981,833,333 $9,613,369,520
1990 $12,308,624,418 $6,471,740,806
1989 $9,853,395,762 $6,293,304,975
1988 $10,577,041,645 $25,423,812,649
1987 $11,356,215,543 $36,658,108,850
1986 $13,293,205,278 $26,336,616,250
1985 $16,403,539,893 $14,094,687,821
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/vietnam | CC BY

GDP per capita in Syria vs Vietnam by year

Syria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Vietnam
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Syria Vietnam
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 - - $4,717 $16,386
2023 $847 $4,650 $4,323 $15,034
2022 $1,052 $4,772 $4,148 $13,905
2021 $664 $4,593 $3,704 $12,049
2020 $572 $3,738 $3,534 $11,609
2019 $1,110 $3,502 $3,441 $11,029
2018 $1,098 $3,456 $3,222 $10,010
2017 $852 $3,265 $2,956 $9,170
2016 $656 - $2,735 $8,375
2015 $848 - $2,578 $7,672
2014 $1,061 - $2,546 $7,297
2013 $986 - $2,360 $6,758
2012 $1,898 - $2,185 $6,377
2011 $2,952 - $1,951 $5,786
2010 $2,731 - $1,683 $5,389
2009 $2,462 - $1,226 $5,061
2008 $2,429 - $1,164 $4,844
2007 $1,938 - $926 $4,581
2006 $1,719 - $808 $4,237
2005 $1,534 - $711 $3,894
2004 $1,368 - $565 $3,543
2003 $1,220 - $497 $3,240
2002 $1,183 - $445 $3,002
2001 $1,187 - $419 $2,809
2000 $1,138 - $404 $2,614
1999 $978 - $376 $2,421
1998 $961 - $361 $2,308
1997 $941 - $362 $2,189
1996 $918 - $337 $2,019
1995 $780 - $287.8 $1,841
1994 $712 - $229.9 $1,674
1993 $993 - $189.4 $1,534
1992 $990 - $144.5 $1,413
1991 $1,000 - $143.7 $1,298
1990 $978 - $98.8 $1,210
1989 $809 - $98.1 -
1988 $898 - $405 -
1987 $997 - $595 -
1986 $1,208 - $436 -
1985 $1,544 - $238.6 -
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/vietnam | CC BY

Syria's GDP per capita is $847, ranking 185/197, compared to $4,717 in Vietnam, ranking 122/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Syria ranks 160th at $4,650, while Vietnam ranks 108th at $16,386.

Economic indicators

Syria Vietnam
Gross domestic product
$20B
2023
$476B
2024
GDP rank
129/197
2023
33/197
2024
GDP growth
-1.21%
2022-2023
7.09%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$847
2023
$4,717
2024
GDP per capita rank
185/197
2023
122/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$4,650
2023
$16,386
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
160/197
2023
108/197
2024
Government debt
$18.4B
2010
$149B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
30%
2010
31.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$820
2010
$1,475
2024
Government debt per person rank
148/185
2010
132/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$730
2026
$4,020
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$205B
2024
Number of billionaires n/a
5
2025
Income share by richest 10%
21.1%
2022
28.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
3.8%
2022
2.6%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
28.6%
2010
19.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
13.4%
2018-2019
3.6%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
4.5%
2023
Unemployment rate
8.61%
2010
1.53%
2024
Population
26829400
102365351

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Syria
Spending

Debt
Vietnam
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Syria Vietnam
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 - - 19.1% 31.3%
2023 - - 18.8% 34.3%
2022 - - 18.2% 34.9%
2021 - - 20.1% 39.2%
2020 - - 21.3% 41.3%
2019 - - 19.8% 41%
2018 - - 20.5% 43.8%
2017 - - 21.5% 46.6%
2016 - - 22.2% 47.9%
2015 - - 24.2% 46.1%
2014 - - 22.8% 43.6%
2013 - - 24.5% 41.4%
2012 - - 23.5% 38.3%
2011 - - 21.2% 36.2%
2010 28.6% 30% 23.7% 37.3%
2009 26.7% 31.2% 25% 36.2%
2008 22.9% 37.3% 21.4% 31%
2007 25.7% 42.7% 22.3% 32.2%
2006 26.3% 45% 20.5% 30.2%
2005 28.2% 50.7% 20.6% 28.7%
2004 31.3% 113% 19.4% 29.4%
2003 32.6% 133.4% 22.2% 29.8%
2002 28.5% 132.4% 19.7% 27.7%
2001 28% 144.5% 19.2% 25.4%
2000 27.4% 152.1% 17.8% 24.8%
1999 28% 147.7% 16.7% -
1998 28.8% 151.2% 16% -
1997 29% 147.6% - -
1996 27.7% 141.5% - -
1995 29.8% 152.6% - -
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).

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

In 2024, Syria's government spending was $17.6B, accounting for 28.6% of its GDP, while Vietnam spent $91.1B, or 19.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 30% in Syria and 31.3% in Vietnam, ranking 157/185 and 156/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Syria

Vietnam
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Syria Vietnam
2024 - -1.54%
2023 - -1.72%
2022 - 0.67%
2021 - -1.43%
2020 - -2.86%
2019 - -0.4%
2018 - -1.02%
2017 - -1.96%
2016 - -3.16%
2015 - -4.98%
2014 - -5.02%
2013 - -5.96%
2012 - -5.46%
2011 - -0.9%
2010 -7.79% -2.25%
2009 -2.89% -4.82%
2008 -2.86% -0.45%
2007 -2.99% -1.74%
2006 -1.12% 0.2%
2005 -4.41% -0.95%
2004 -4.18% -0.15%
2003 -2.7% -2.56%
2002 -2.02% -1.85%
2001 2.3% -2.19%
2000 -1.36% -1.61%
1999 -1.47% -1.25%
1998 -2.81% -0.1%
1997 -1.78% -
1996 -2.83% -
1995 -3.81% -
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/vietnam | 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 Vietnam's deficit of $3.31B, or 2.25% of GDP.

Over the past 13 years, Syria recorded a fiscal deficit in 12 of those years, while Vietnam ran a deficit in 12 years. On average, Syria posted an annual deficit equal to 2.64% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.52% of GDP for Vietnam.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Syria

Vietnam
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Syria Vietnam
2024 - 3.6%
2023 - 3.3%
2022 - 3.2%
2021 - 1.8%
2020 - 3.2%
2019 13.4% 2.8%
2018 0.94% 3.5%
2017 18.1% 3.5%
2016 47.7% 2.7%
2015 38.5% 0.6%
2014 10.9% 4.1%
2013 40% 6.6%
2012 36.7% 9.1%
2011 4.75% 18.7%
2010 4.4% 9.1%
2009 2.92% 6.7%
2008 15.7% 23.3%
2007 3.91% 8.4%
2006 10% 7.7%
2005 7.24% 8.3%
2004 4.43% 7.8%
2003 5.8% 3.1%
2002 -0.13% 3.8%
2001 3% -0.4%
2000 -3.85% -1.8%
1999 -3.7% 4.1%
1998 -0.8% 8.1%
1997 1.89% 3.1%

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/vietnam | CC BY

Over the past 23 years, Syria has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 11.4%, compared with 6.21% in Vietnam. In 2019, inflation was 13.4% in Syria and 3.6% in Vietnam.

Top exports between countries

Syria
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $582K
Animal & marine products $570K
Raw agricultural goods $183K
Raw materials & minerals $29K
Vietnam
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Syria Vietnam
Current account balance
-$367M
2010
$28B
2024
Current account balance ranking
103/190
2010
18/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-0.6%
2010
+5.89%
2024
Goods imports
$15.9B
2010
$362B
2024
Goods exports
$12.3B
2010
$406B
2024
Service imports
$3.53B
2010
$36.2B
2024
Service exports
$7.33B
2010
$23.9B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.8%
2022
83.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
6.81%
2022
90.2%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Syria Vietnam
Economic freedom 51.2 64.4
Economic freedom ranking 155/197 73/197
Property rights 4 47.3
Government integrity 3.6 39.2
Judicial effectiveness 3.7 31.3
Tax burden 87.3 80.9
Government spending 78.5 89.5
Fiscal health 13.8 96.9
Business freedom 33.8 70
Labor freedom 37.2 54.7
Monetary freedom 80 73.2
Trade freedom 47 79.8
Investment freedom 0 60
Financial freedom 20 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Syria
Vietnam
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Syria Vietnam
2026 - 64.4
2025 - 65.2
2024 - 62.8
2023 - 61.8
2022 - 60.6
2021 - 61.7
2020 - 58.8
2019 - 55.3
2018 - 53.1
2017 - 52.4
2016 - 54
2015 - 51.7
2014 - 50.8
2013 - 51
2012 51.2 51.3
2011 51.3 51.6
2010 49.4 49.8
2009 51.3 51
2008 47.2 50.4
2007 48.3 49.8
2006 51.2 50.5
2005 46.3 48.1
2004 40.6 46.1
2003 41.3 46.2
2002 36.3 45.6
2001 36.6 44.3
2000 37.2 43.7
1999 39 42.7
1998 42.2 40.4
1997 43 38.6
1996 42.3 40.2
1995 - 41.7

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Syria is 51.2, ranking 155/197, compared to 64.4 for Vietnam, ranking 73/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Syria Vietnam
Services, % of GDP
44.9%
2022
42.4%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
12%
2022
37.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
43.1%
2022
11.9%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$18.2B
2023
$454B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$4,480
2023
$15,850
2024
Total reserves including gold
$20.6B
2010
$83.1B
2024
Total reserves ranking
62/177
2010
30/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.47B
2010
-$19.6B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$20.2B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$600M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.15%
2023
7.29%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
35.2%
2007
4.2%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
16%
1969
30.6%
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/vietnam | 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, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. 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.