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Iraq vs Syria statistics compared

Updated on by Georank team

Iraq has a population of 46M (ranked 34/197), compared with 24.7M in Syria (ranked 57/197). Iraq's land area is 167,619 sq mi versus 70,900 sq mi for Syria (ranked 57th vs. 87th).

By GDP, Iraq ranks 50/197 ($280B) and Syria ranks 129/197 ($20B). By GDP per capita, Iraq ranks 113/197 ($6,074), while Syria ranks 185/197 ($847).

Main facts and rankings

Iraq Syria
Population
48289334
26829400
Population rank 33/197 56/197
GDP
$280B
2024
$20B
2023
GDP rank 50/197 129/197
GDP per capita
$6,074
2024
$847
2023
GDP per capita rank 113/197 185/197
GDP per capita, PPP
$14,464
2024
$4,650
2023
Government debt
$130B
2024
$18.4B
2010
Debt-to-GDP ratio
46.5%
2024
30%
2010
Government debt per person
$2,822
2024
$820
2010
Government debt per person rank 105/185 148/185
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,928
2026
$730
2026
Land area 167,619 sq mi 70,900 sq mi
Population density
286.5 ppl/mi²
2026
375 ppl/mi²
2026
Fertility rate
3.25
2023
2.71
2023
Median age
21.6 years
2024
23.9 years
2024
Life expectancy
72.6 years
2026
73.4 years
2026

Iraq and Syria: Comparison Charts

Iraq and Syria economies compared

GDP
Iraq

Syria
1x
Year GDP
Iraq Syria
2024 $279,641,257,615 -
2023 $268,881,051,644 $19,993,439,950
2022 $287,372,232,138 $23,622,827,080
2021 $209,691,945,713 $14,353,205,678
2020 $180,898,797,517 $12,047,752,036
2019 $233,636,097,800 $22,583,045,060
2018 $227,367,469,034 $21,497,782,868
2017 $187,217,660,051 $16,369,843,352
2016 $166,743,557,748 $12,597,854,877
2015 $166,774,104,959 $16,466,863,117
2014 $228,415,656,175 $21,502,061,466
2013 $234,637,675,129 $21,361,254,635
2012 $218,002,476,129 $43,190,318,033
2011 $185,749,664,444 $67,539,428,159
2010 $138,516,722,650 $61,390,830,875
2009 $111,657,580,326 $54,111,735,629
2008 $131,614,434,154 $52,557,913,569
2007 $88,837,057,320 $40,465,318,382
2006 $65,147,051,918 $33,751,788,856
2005 $50,065,104,668 $28,858,965,517
2004 $36,633,669,269 $25,086,950,495
2003 $21,921,569,479 $21,828,144,686
2002 $32,928,454,672 $20,669,357,462
2001 $36,176,430,129 $20,237,024,725
2000 $48,364,250,944 $18,937,052,543
1999 $36,881,601,584 $15,873,875,969
1998 $20,617,405,044 $15,200,846,154
1997 $20,764,857,056 $14,505,233,463
1996 $10,433,698,621 $13,789,560,878
1995 $12,894,029,888 $11,396,706,587
1994 $3,991,349,283 $10,122,020,000
1993 $1,031,944,881 $13,695,962,055
1992 $553,671,958 $13,253,565,861
1991 $407,796,350 $12,981,833,333
1990 $180,408,064,516 $12,308,624,418
1989 $65,831,935,484 $9,853,395,762
1988 $62,684,516,129 $10,577,041,645
1987 $56,774,193,548 $11,356,215,543
1986 $47,264,516,129 $13,293,205,278
1985 $48,425,161,290 $16,403,539,893
1984 $46,938,387,097 $17,503,078,174
1983 $40,712,903,226 $17,589,277,143
1982 $42,382,333,333 $16,298,929,011
1981 $37,823,000,000 $15,518,201,335
1980 $52,569,000,000 $13,062,420,382
1979 $37,816,457,839 $9,929,681,529
1978 $23,762,275,652 $9,275,200,458
1977 $19,838,130,715 $7,696,011,396
1976 $17,754,825,601 $7,633,528,867
1975 $13,458,516,763 $6,826,980,444
1974 $11,516,762,614 $5,159,557,148
1973 $5,134,367,778 $3,239,487,516
1972 $4,113,848,002 $3,059,681,698
1971 $3,865,346,535 $2,589,851,325
1970 $3,281,318,687 $2,140,384,010
1969 $3,007,758,797 $2,245,011,515
1968 $2,896,598,841 $1,753,746,430
1967 $2,551,522,656 $1,580,229,799
1966 $2,530,306,096 $1,342,287,553
1965 $2,335,785,506 $1,472,036,540
1964 $2,136,408,198 $1,339,494,267
1963 $1,805,901,510 $1,200,447,408
1962 $1,784,174,541 $1,110,565,881
1961 $1,671,960,965 $945,244,972
1960 $1,537,252,193 $857,704,413

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

GeoRank.org/facts/iraq/syria | CC BY

Iraq and Syria economies compared

GDP per capita
Iraq

Syria
1x
Year GDP per capita
Iraq Syria
2024 $6,074 -
2023 $5,965 $847
2022 $6,521 $1,052
2021 $4,868 $664
2020 $4,295 $572
2019 $5,672 $1,110
2018 $5,647 $1,098
2017 $4,759 $852
2016 $4,334 $656
2015 $4,440 $848
2014 $6,249 $1,061
2013 $6,650 $986
2012 $6,478 $1,898
2011 $5,776 $2,952
2010 $4,462 $2,731
2009 $3,715 $2,462
2008 $4,543 $2,429
2007 $3,129 $1,938
2006 $2,277 $1,719
2005 $1,762 $1,534
2004 $1,328 $1,368
2003 $818 $1,220
2002 $1,266 $1,183
2001 $1,436 $1,187
2000 $1,980 $1,138
1999 $1,560 $978
1998 $901 $961
1997 $936 $941
1996 $485 $918
1995 $619 $780
1994 $198.2 $712
1993 $53.7 $993
1992 $30.3 $990
1991 $23 $1,000
1990 $10,261 $978
1989 $3,791 $809
1988 $3,707 $898
1987 $3,436 $997
1986 $2,940 $1,208
1985 $3,088 $1,544
1984 $3,066 $1,706
1983 $2,743 $1,776
1982 $2,942 $1,703
1981 $2,700 $1,676
1980 $3,868 $1,458
1979 $2,871 $1,146
1978 $1,863 $1,108
1977 $1,609 $951
1976 $1,489 $976
1975 $1,166 $904
1974 $1,031 $707
1973 $476 $459
1972 $394 $448
1971 $384 $393
1970 $337 $335
1969 $320 $364
1968 $319 $293.3
1967 $290.6 $272.9
1966 $298.2 $239.3
1965 $284.8 $270.8
1964 $269.4 $254.2
1963 $235.5 $234.9
1962 $240.7 $223.9
1961 $232.4 $196.3
1960 $218.9 $183.5

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

GeoRank.org/facts/iraq/syria | CC BY

Iraq vs. Syria life expectancy calculator

Life expectancy
Iraq

Syria
1x
Year Life expectancy, years
Iraq Syria
2026 72.6 73.4
2025 72.5 73
2024 72.4 72.6
2023 72.3 72.1
2022 72 72.8
2021 70.7 72.4
2020 69.7 71.9
2019 71.2 71
2018 71.1 67.4
2017 69.8 65.7
2016 68.7 65.2
2015 70 63.3
2014 69.7 65.5
2013 69 65.1
2012 68.8 66.2
2011 68.4 72.3
2010 68.1 73.5
2009 67.8 73.5
2008 66.5 73.4
2007 64.4 73.3
2006 64 73
2005 64.9 72.8
2004 64.6 72.5
2003 64.8 72.2
2002 65.7 71.7
2001 65.3 71.3
2000 64.9 70.9
1999 64.5 70.5
1998 64.4 70.2
1997 64.2 70.2
1996 64.6 70.2
1995 64.8 70.2
1994 65 70.3
1993 65.3 70.3
1992 65.3 70.2
1991 61.3 70.1
1990 57.6 69.8
1989 57.5 69.5
1988 56.7 69.2
1987 60.3 68.8
1986 60 68.4
1985 59.8 68
1984 59.5 67.7
1983 59.3 67.4
1982 59 60.8
1981 58.7 64.6
1980 60.9 66.5
1979 64.4 66.2
1978 64.2 65.9
1977 63.9 65.4
1976 63.6 64.8
1975 61.4 64.2
1974 61 63.4
1973 62.3 60.8
1972 61.8 62
1971 61.3 61.3
1970 60.5 60.6
1969 59.6 59.8
1968 59 59.1
1967 58.4 58
1966 57.3 57.6
1965 56.4 56.9
1964 55.2 56.2
1963 54.4 55.4
1962 53.5 54.6
1961 52.3 53.7
1960 51.5 52.7
1959 49.7 51.7
1958 49 50.7
1957 47.7 49.6
1956 46.4 48.5
1955 45 47.4
1954 43.5 46.4
1953 42.1 45.3
1952 40.5 44.3
1951 39 43.4
1950 37.4 42.5

Data sources: United Nations | World Population Prospects (1950–2026, retrieved 2026-03-10).

GeoRank.org/facts/iraq/syria | CC BY

Iraq and Syria population clocks and comparison

Population
Iraq

Syria
1x
Year Population
Iraq Syria
2024 46,042,015 24,672,760
2023 45,074,049 23,594,623
2022 44,070,551 22,462,173
2021 43,071,211 21,628,839
2020 42,116,605 21,049,429
2019 41,192,171 20,353,534
2018 40,265,624 19,577,845
2017 39,337,353 19,224,668
2016 38,469,627 19,193,834
2015 37,560,535 19,424,618
2014 36,550,059 20,273,659
2013 35,281,989 21,666,917
2012 33,654,842 22,759,763
2011 32,161,424 22,878,098
2010 31,045,366 22,482,421
2009 30,058,206 21,976,969
2008 28,971,036 21,636,564
2007 28,391,607 20,884,125
2006 28,616,515 19,637,022
2005 28,407,448 18,814,091
2004 27,577,878 18,336,875
2003 26,802,659 17,889,296
2002 26,006,559 17,468,332
2001 25,197,840 17,051,338
2000 24,424,056 16,637,888
1999 23,636,527 16,228,061
1998 22,884,399 15,820,413
1997 22,176,593 15,417,542
1996 21,501,321 15,018,104
1995 20,825,860 14,616,801
1994 20,139,807 14,208,583
1993 19,201,195 13,795,686
1992 18,300,845 13,385,571
1991 17,767,253 12,980,821
1990 17,581,206 12,579,208
1989 17,364,542 12,179,060
1988 16,908,819 11,782,264
1987 16,521,049 11,388,923
1986 16,074,145 11,002,844
1985 15,683,430 10,625,672
1984 15,310,733 10,258,398
1983 14,840,555 9,904,809
1982 14,406,083 9,572,511
1981 14,006,381 9,260,189
1980 13,591,992 8,957,663
1979 13,170,365 8,661,909
1978 12,753,355 8,372,759
1977 12,331,046 8,090,501
1976 11,927,651 7,817,320
1975 11,543,639 7,554,364
1974 11,167,761 7,302,160
1973 10,795,869 7,060,321
1972 10,430,164 6,826,024
1971 10,077,809 6,598,094
1970 9,735,611 6,380,609
1969 9,403,356 6,175,166
1968 9,085,016 5,978,742
1967 8,778,869 5,790,198
1966 8,485,104 5,609,047
1965 8,202,140 5,435,267
1964 7,929,566 5,269,087
1963 7,667,928 5,110,467
1962 7,413,875 4,959,340
1961 7,194,553 4,815,466
1960 7,022,052 4,673,500

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

GeoRank.org/facts/iraq/syria | CC BY

Fertility rates in Iraq and Syria

Fertility rate
Iraq

Syria
1x
Year Fertility rate
Iraq Syria
2023 3.25 2.71
2022 3.29 2.75
2021 3.36 2.8
2020 3.42 2.84
2019 3.48 2.88
2018 3.55 2.93
2017 3.64 2.97
2016 3.84 3.01
2015 4.08 3.07
2014 4.31 3.12
2013 4.44 3.17
2012 4.54 3.22
2011 4.59 3.29
2010 4.46 3.36
2009 4.38 3.42
2008 4.37 3.48
2007 4.4 3.54
2006 4.46 3.56
2005 4.45 3.61
2004 4.53 3.68
2003 4.58 3.76
2002 4.67 3.87
2001 4.8 3.98
2000 4.92 4.07
1999 5.04 4.14
1998 5.11 4.25
1997 5.19 4.37
1996 5.25 4.54
1995 5.36 4.7
1994 5.49 4.86
1993 5.61 4.99
1992 5.72 5.14
1991 5.83 5.34
1990 5.93 5.56
1989 5.99 5.78
1988 6.05 6
1987 6.11 6.2
1986 6.18 6.37
1985 6.25 6.48
1984 6.32 6.59
1983 6.39 6.69
1982 6.46 6.81
1981 6.53 6.97
1980 6.59 7.12
1979 6.66 7.25
1978 6.73 7.35
1977 6.8 7.42
1976 6.86 7.45
1975 6.91 7.49
1974 6.95 7.52
1973 6.99 7.55
1972 7.02 7.57
1971 7.06 7.6
1970 7.07 7.62
1969 7.08 7.59
1968 7.06 7.57
1967 7.03 7.56
1966 7.02 7.55
1965 7.02 7.53
1964 7.01 7.53
1963 7.01 7.51
1962 6.99 7.51
1961 5.8 7.5
1960 5.3 7.51

Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/facts/iraq/syria | CC BY

Iraq and Syria demographics compared

Median age
Iraq

Syria
1x
Year Median age, years
Iraq Syria
2024 21.6 23.9
2023 21.4 23.3
2022 21.1 22.7
2021 20.9 22.2
2020 20.6 21.6
2019 20.4 20.9
2018 20.1 20.1
2017 19.9 19.6
2016 19.7 19.5
2015 19.5 19.5
2014 19.4 20.1
2013 19.3 21.2
2012 19.2 21.8
2011 19.1 21.9
2010 19 21.7
2009 18.9 21.5
2008 18.8 21.3
2007 18.7 21
2006 18.6 20.3
2005 18.5 19.7
2004 18.3 19.5
2003 18.2 19.2
2002 18.1 19
2001 18 18.8
2000 17.9 18.5
1999 17.9 18.3
1998 17.8 18.1
1997 17.7 17.9
1996 17.6 17.7
1995 17.5 17.5
1994 17.4 17.3
1993 17.3 17.1
1992 17.3 16.9
1991 17.2 16.7
1990 17.1 16.5
1989 17 16.4
1988 16.9 16.2
1987 16.9 16.1
1986 16.8 16
1985 16.7 15.9
1984 16.6 15.8
1983 16.6 15.8
1982 16.5 15.7
1981 16.5 15.6
1980 16.5 15.6
1979 16.5 15.6
1978 16.6 15.6
1977 16.6 15.6
1976 16.7 15.6
1975 17 15.7
1974 17.2 15.7
1973 17.5 15.7
1972 17.7 15.8
1971 17.9 15.8
1970 18.1 15.9
1969 18.3 16
1968 18.5 16.1
1967 18.7 16.2
1966 19 16.4
1965 19.3 16.5
1964 19.5 16.7
1963 19.8 16.9
1962 20.1 17.1
1961 20.4 17.3
1960 20.4 17.6

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

GeoRank.org/facts/iraq/syria | CC BY

Interactive Maps

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National statistics comparison

Finance

Iraq Syria
GNI, Atlas method
$277B
2024
$18.2B
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
42.9%
2024
28.6%
2010
Education expenditure, % of GDP
3.55%
1989
5.13%
2009
Military expenditure, % of GDP
2.36%
2024
4.06%
2010
Armed forces personnel
459,000
2020
269,000
2020
Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
-4.14%
2024
-7.79%
2010
Unemployment rate
16.2%
2021
8.61%
2010
Services, % of GDP
45.8%
2024
44.9%
2022
Industry, % of GDP
51.6%
2024
12%
2022
Economic freedom index
15.6
2002
51.2
2012
Income share by richest 10%
24.2%
2023
21.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
3.7%
2023
3.8%
2022
Total reserves including gold
$101B
2024
$20.6B
2010
Personal remittances received
$696M
2024
$1.62B
2010
International tourist arrivals
892,000
2013
2,424,000
2019
International tourism as share of exports
1.88%
2020
32.2%
2010
Banked people share
30.2%
2024
23.3%
2011

Energy

Iraq Syria
Energy use, kg of oil equivalent per capita
1,412 kg
2022
455 kg
2022
GDP PPP per kg equivalent of energy use
$10.2
2022
$10.5
2022
Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions
238.7 megatons
2024
31.4 megatons
2024
CO2 emissions per capita
5.18 tons
2024
1.27 tons
2024
Fossil fuel energy use share
98.7%
2022
99.5%
2022
Renewable energy use share
1.1%
2021
1.1%
2021
Alternative and nuclear energy use share
0.37%
2022
0.72%
2022
Net energy imports use share
-274.9%
2022
61.3%
2022
Electric power consumption per capita
1,373 kWh
2022
690 kWh
2022
Renewable electricity output share
3.78%
2021
3.91%
2021
Hydroelectric share
1.98%
2022
3.76%
2022
Nuclear share
0%
2021
0%
2021
Electricity access
100%
2023
88.4%
2023

Society

Iraq Syria
% of world population
0.57%
2024
0.3%
2024
Annual migration change
-1,064
2025
+421,693
2025
Urban population
69.9%
2024
72.1%
2024
Male:Female ratio
50.2:49.8
2024
50:50
2024
Average male height
5.7 ft
2025
5.63 ft
2025
Average female height
5.21 ft
2025
5.23 ft
2025
Quality of life index
39.7
2026
18.4
2026
Corruption Perceptions Index
28
2025
15
2025
Higher education index
52
2026
33
2026
Homicides per 100K people
9.41
2013
2.07
2010
Road traffic mortality per 100K people
27.3
2019
14.9
2019
Visa free countries
41
2025
37
2025
Adult literacy rate
84.1%
2021
94.4%
2021
English speaking
35%
2023
4%
2025
People using the Internet
81.7%
2023
34.7%
2019

Health

Iraq Syria
Government health expenditure per capita
$333
2023
$33.3
2023
Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita
$179.9
2023
$24.1
2023
Life expectancy
72.6 years
2026
73.4 years
2026
Foreign aid share of health expenditure
1.15%
2022
11.8%
2023
Physicians per 1,000 people
1.02
2022
1.52
2021
Maternal mortality per 100K births
66
2023
20
2023
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age
22.6
2023
20.6
2023
Obesity rate
41.4%
2022
n/a
Diabetes prevalence
13.4%
2024
19%
2024
Air quality index
14
2026
42
2026
Tobacco use prevalence
19.2%
2022
n/a
Pure alcohol consumption per capita
0.24 liters
2020
0.09 liters
2020

Territory

Iraq Syria
% of world land
0.29%
2026
0.12%
2026
Land area per capita
3,641 sq mi
2024
2,874 sq mi
2024
Agricultural land area
36,592 sq mi
2026
52,533 sq mi
2026
Forest area
3,185 sq mi
2026
2,016 sq mi
2026

In-depth comparisons

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. United Nations | World Population Prospects (1950–2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  3. U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  4. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2000–2019, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2010–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  7. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2002–2012, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  8. Passport Index (2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  9. Transparency International (2025, retrieved 2026-02-10)
  10. EduRank (2026, retrieved 2025-10-13)
  11. World Obesity Federation (2022, retrieved 2026-02-08)

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.