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Nigeria vs Syria statistics compared

Updated on by Georank team

Nigeria has a population of 233M (ranked 6/197), compared with 24.7M in Syria (ranked 57/197). Nigeria's land area is 351,650 sq mi versus 70,900 sq mi for Syria (ranked 30th vs. 87th).

By GDP, Nigeria ranks 54/197 ($252B) and Syria ranks 129/197 ($20B). By GDP per capita, Nigeria ranks 174/197 ($1,084), while Syria ranks 185/197 ($847).

Main facts and rankings

Nigeria Syria
Population
243824469
26829400
Population rank 6/197 56/197
GDP
$252B
2024
$20B
2023
GDP rank 54/197 129/197
GDP per capita
$1,084
2024
$847
2023
GDP per capita rank 174/197 185/197
GDP per capita, PPP
$9,087
2024
$4,650
2023
Government debt
$99.2B
2024
$18.4B
2010
Debt-to-GDP ratio
39.3%
2024
30%
2010
Government debt per person
$426
2024
$820
2010
Government debt per person rank 170/185 148/185
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,104
2026
$730
2026
Land area 351,650 sq mi 70,900 sq mi
Population density
690 ppl/mi²
2026
375 ppl/mi²
2026
Fertility rate
4.48
2023
2.71
2023
Median age
19 years
2024
23.9 years
2024
Life expectancy
55 years
2026
73.4 years
2026

Nigeria and Syria: Comparison Charts

Nigeria and Syria economies compared

GDP
Nigeria

Syria
1x
Year GDP
Nigeria Syria
2024 $252,261,880,141 -
2023 $487,387,801,881 $19,993,439,950
2022 $646,950,257,578 $23,622,827,080
2021 $609,147,716,973 $14,353,205,678
2020 $598,586,817,819 $12,047,752,036
2019 $668,219,992,691 $22,583,045,060
2018 $421,739,251,509 $21,497,782,868
2017 $375,745,731,053 $16,369,843,352
2016 $404,649,125,252 $12,597,854,877
2015 $493,026,682,801 $16,466,863,117
2014 $574,183,763,412 $21,502,061,466
2013 $520,117,180,314 $21,361,254,635
2012 $463,971,018,239 $43,190,318,033
2011 $414,466,676,831 $67,539,428,159
2010 $366,990,417,129 $61,390,830,875
2009 $295,008,835,381 $54,111,735,629
2008 $339,476,276,258 $52,557,913,569
2007 $278,260,846,800 $40,465,318,382
2006 $238,454,997,161 $33,751,788,856
2005 $175,670,569,969 $28,858,965,517
2004 $135,764,731,646 $25,086,950,495
2003 $104,738,954,264 $21,828,144,686
2002 $95,054,059,303 $20,669,357,462
2001 $73,557,840,064 $20,237,024,725
2000 $69,171,451,627 $18,937,052,543
1999 $59,145,077,039 $15,873,875,969
1998 $218,416,200,673 $15,200,846,154
1997 $200,850,397,618 $14,505,233,463
1996 $185,730,236,700 $13,789,560,878
1995 $140,919,776,986 $11,396,706,587
1994 $80,399,613,064 $10,122,020,000
1993 $56,721,051,402 $13,695,962,055
1992 $52,058,181,854 $13,253,565,861
1991 $59,526,833,412 $12,981,833,333
1990 $54,035,795,388 $12,308,624,418
1989 $44,003,061,108 $9,853,395,762
1988 $49,648,470,440 $10,577,041,645
1987 $52,676,041,931 $11,356,215,543
1986 $54,805,852,581 $13,293,205,278
1985 $73,745,821,158 $16,403,539,893
1984 $73,484,359,521 $17,503,078,174
1983 $97,094,911,792 $17,589,277,143
1982 $142,769,363,314 $16,298,929,011
1981 $164,475,209,516 $15,518,201,335
1980 $64,201,788,123 $13,062,420,382
1979 $47,259,911,894 $9,929,681,529
1978 $36,527,862,209 $9,275,200,458
1977 $36,035,407,725 $7,696,011,396
1976 $36,308,883,249 $7,633,528,867
1975 $27,778,934,625 $6,826,980,444
1974 $24,846,641,318 $5,159,557,148
1973 $15,162,871,287 $3,239,487,516
1972 $12,274,416,018 $3,059,681,698
1971 $9,181,769,912 $2,589,851,325
1970 $12,546,094,982 $2,140,384,010
1969 $6,634,317,346 $2,245,011,515
1968 $5,200,997,920 $1,753,746,430
1967 $5,203,237,919 $1,580,229,799
1966 $6,366,917,453 $1,342,287,553
1965 $5,874,537,650 $1,472,036,540
1964 $5,552,931,319 $1,339,494,267
1963 $5,165,590,254 $1,200,447,408
1962 $4,909,399,176 $1,110,565,881
1961 $4,467,287,893 $945,244,972
1960 $4,196,174,502 $857,704,413

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

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

Nigeria and Syria economies compared

GDP per capita
Nigeria

Syria
1x
Year GDP per capita
Nigeria Syria
2024 $1,084 -
2023 $2,139 $847
2022 $2,899 $1,052
2021 $2,787 $664
2020 $2,797 $572
2019 $3,190 $1,110
2018 $2,058 $1,098
2017 $1,876 $852
2016 $2,070 $656
2015 $2,586 $848
2014 $3,089 $1,061
2013 $2,873 $986
2012 $2,633 $1,898
2011 $2,418 $2,952
2010 $2,202 $2,731
2009 $1,820 $2,462
2008 $2,154 $2,429
2007 $1,816 $1,938
2006 $1,600 $1,719
2005 $1,211 $1,534
2004 $962 $1,368
2003 $763 $1,220
2002 $712 $1,183
2001 $566 $1,187
2000 $547 $1,138
1999 $481 $978
1998 $1,822 $961
1997 $1,720 $941
1996 $1,633 $918
1995 $1,272 $780
1994 $745 $712
1993 $540 $993
1992 $509 $990
1991 $597 $1,000
1990 $556 $978
1989 $465 $809
1988 $540 $898
1987 $588 $997
1986 $628 $1,208
1985 $869 $1,544
1984 $890 $1,706
1983 $1,207 $1,776
1982 $1,822 $1,703
1981 $2,162 $1,676
1980 $870 $1,458
1979 $661 $1,146
1978 $527 $1,108
1977 $536 $951
1976 $556 $976
1975 $438 $904
1974 $403 $707
1973 $252.4 $459
1972 $209.5 $448
1971 $160.5 $393
1970 $224.5 $335
1969 $121.4 $364
1968 $97.3 $293.3
1967 $99.5 $272.9
1966 $124.4 $239.3
1965 $117.3 $270.8
1964 $113.3 $254.2
1963 $107.7 $234.9
1962 $104.5 $223.9
1961 $97.1 $196.3
1960 $93.1 $183.5

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

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

Nigeria vs. Syria life expectancy calculator

Life expectancy
Nigeria

Syria
1x
Year Life expectancy, years
Nigeria Syria
2026 55 73.4
2025 54.8 73
2024 54.6 72.6
2023 54.5 72.1
2022 54.1 72.8
2021 53.5 72.4
2020 53.1 71.9
2019 53 71
2018 52.7 67.4
2017 52.4 65.7
2016 52.2 65.2
2015 51.9 63.3
2014 51.9 65.5
2013 51.8 65.1
2012 51.7 66.2
2011 51.5 72.3
2010 51.3 73.5
2009 51.1 73.5
2008 50.7 73.4
2007 50.4 73.3
2006 49.9 73
2005 49.5 72.8
2004 49.1 72.5
2003 48.6 72.2
2002 48 71.7
2001 47.5 71.3
2000 47.1 70.9
1999 46.6 70.5
1998 46.1 70.2
1997 46 70.2
1996 45.8 70.2
1995 45.9 70.2
1994 45.7 70.3
1993 45.8 70.3
1992 45.6 70.2
1991 45.5 70.1
1990 45.7 69.8
1989 45.8 69.5
1988 45.8 69.2
1987 45.9 68.8
1986 46 68.4
1985 46.2 68
1984 46.3 67.7
1983 46.4 67.4
1982 46.4 60.8
1981 46.3 64.6
1980 46 66.5
1979 45.7 66.2
1978 45.3 65.9
1977 44.8 65.4
1976 44.2 64.8
1975 43.1 64.2
1974 42.5 63.4
1973 41.8 60.8
1972 41.3 62
1971 40.6 61.3
1970 40 60.6
1969 38.9 59.8
1968 38.6 59.1
1967 37.5 58
1966 38.4 57.6
1965 38.2 56.9
1964 38 56.2
1963 37.8 55.4
1962 37.6 54.6
1961 37.4 53.7
1960 37.2 52.7
1959 37 51.7
1958 36.8 50.7
1957 36.6 49.6
1956 36.5 48.5
1955 36.3 47.4
1954 36.2 46.4
1953 36 45.3
1952 35.9 44.3
1951 35.7 43.4
1950 35.5 42.5

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

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

Nigeria and Syria population clocks and comparison

Population
Nigeria

Syria
1x
Year Population
Nigeria Syria
2024 232,679,478 24,672,760
2023 227,882,945 23,594,623
2022 223,150,896 22,462,173
2021 218,529,286 21,628,839
2020 213,996,181 21,049,429
2019 209,485,641 20,353,534
2018 204,938,755 19,577,845
2017 200,254,579 19,224,668
2016 195,443,700 19,193,834
2015 190,671,878 19,424,618
2014 185,896,915 20,273,659
2013 181,049,443 21,666,917
2012 176,200,625 22,759,763
2011 171,379,598 22,878,098
2010 166,642,886 22,482,421
2009 162,049,464 21,976,969
2008 157,595,014 21,636,564
2007 153,267,261 20,884,125
2006 149,077,334 19,637,022
2005 145,017,253 18,814,091
2004 141,057,045 18,336,875
2003 137,202,644 17,889,296
2002 133,471,989 17,468,332
2001 129,862,595 17,051,338
2000 126,382,494 16,637,888
1999 123,047,320 16,228,061
1998 119,846,254 15,820,413
1997 116,754,792 15,417,542
1996 113,754,779 15,018,104
1995 110,819,428 14,616,801
1994 107,935,714 14,208,583
1993 105,122,069 13,795,686
1992 102,372,770 13,385,571
1991 99,720,162 12,980,821
1990 97,120,925 12,579,208
1989 94,531,014 12,179,060
1988 92,020,090 11,782,264
1987 89,591,716 11,388,923
1986 87,235,953 11,002,844
1985 84,897,973 10,625,672
1984 82,526,443 10,258,398
1983 80,438,260 9,904,809
1982 78,378,701 9,572,511
1981 76,068,103 9,260,189
1980 73,764,641 8,957,663
1979 71,498,242 8,661,909
1978 69,326,532 8,372,759
1977 67,234,590 8,090,501
1976 65,258,009 7,817,320
1975 63,410,815 7,554,364
1974 61,679,144 7,302,160
1973 60,082,139 7,060,321
1972 58,601,748 6,826,024
1971 57,214,684 6,598,094
1970 55,893,838 6,380,609
1969 54,631,914 6,175,166
1968 53,432,783 5,978,742
1967 52,293,065 5,790,198
1966 51,188,234 5,609,047
1965 50,086,764 5,435,267
1964 49,012,016 5,269,087
1963 47,973,575 5,110,467
1962 46,965,292 4,959,340
1961 45,989,310 4,815,466
1960 45,053,782 4,673,500

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

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

Fertility rates in Nigeria and Syria

Fertility rate
Nigeria

Syria
1x
Year Fertility rate
Nigeria Syria
2023 4.48 2.71
2022 4.55 2.75
2021 4.64 2.8
2020 4.7 2.84
2019 4.86 2.88
2018 5.02 2.93
2017 5.18 2.97
2016 5.34 3.01
2015 5.5 3.07
2014 5.62 3.12
2013 5.69 3.17
2012 5.8 3.22
2011 5.89 3.29
2010 5.95 3.36
2009 5.99 3.42
2008 6.02 3.48
2007 6.03 3.54
2006 6.05 3.56
2005 6.06 3.61
2004 6.09 3.68
2003 6.1 3.76
2002 6.12 3.87
2001 6.13 3.98
2000 6.12 4.07
1999 6.08 4.14
1998 6.07 4.25
1997 6.14 4.37
1996 6.22 4.54
1995 6.27 4.7
1994 6.32 4.86
1993 6.35 4.99
1992 6.39 5.14
1991 6.43 5.34
1990 6.46 5.56
1989 6.49 5.78
1988 6.5 6
1987 6.5 6.2
1986 6.56 6.37
1985 6.62 6.48
1984 6.7 6.59
1983 6.78 6.69
1982 6.8 6.81
1981 6.82 6.97
1980 6.85 7.12
1979 6.89 7.25
1978 6.92 7.35
1977 6.86 7.42
1976 6.81 7.45
1975 6.77 7.49
1974 6.7 7.52
1973 6.63 7.55
1972 6.58 7.57
1971 6.53 7.6
1970 6.47 7.62
1969 6.44 7.59
1968 6.42 7.57
1967 6.4 7.56
1966 6.39 7.55
1965 6.37 7.53
1964 6.36 7.53
1963 6.35 7.51
1962 6.36 7.51
1961 6.35 7.5
1960 6.36 7.51

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

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

Nigeria and Syria demographics compared

Median age
Nigeria

Syria
1x
Year Median age, years
Nigeria Syria
2024 19 23.9
2023 18.8 23.3
2022 18.7 22.7
2021 18.5 22.2
2020 18.3 21.6
2019 18.2 20.9
2018 18 20.1
2017 17.9 19.6
2016 17.8 19.5
2015 17.8 19.5
2014 17.7 20.1
2013 17.7 21.2
2012 17.7 21.8
2011 17.7 21.9
2010 17.8 21.7
2009 17.8 21.5
2008 17.8 21.3
2007 17.9 21
2006 17.9 20.3
2005 17.9 19.7
2004 17.9 19.5
2003 17.9 19.2
2002 17.9 19
2001 17.9 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 17.6 17.5
1994 17.5 17.3
1993 17.4 17.1
1992 17.4 16.9
1991 17.3 16.7
1990 17.3 16.5
1989 17.3 16.4
1988 17.3 16.2
1987 17.3 16.1
1986 17.3 16
1985 17.3 15.9
1984 17.4 15.8
1983 17.5 15.8
1982 17.6 15.7
1981 17.7 15.6
1980 17.8 15.6
1979 17.9 15.6
1978 18 15.6
1977 18.2 15.6
1976 18.3 15.6
1975 18.4 15.7
1974 18.5 15.7
1973 18.6 15.7
1972 18.7 15.8
1971 18.8 15.8
1970 18.9 15.9
1969 19.1 16
1968 19.2 16.1
1967 19.2 16.2
1966 19.3 16.4
1965 19.3 16.5
1964 19.3 16.7
1963 19.3 16.9
1962 19.3 17.1
1961 19.3 17.3
1960 19.3 17.6

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

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

Interactive Maps

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National statistics comparison

Finance

Nigeria Syria
GNI, Atlas method
$396B
2024
$18.2B
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
12.3%
2024
28.6%
2010
Education expenditure, % of GDP
0.32%
2023
5.13%
2009
Military expenditure, % of GDP
0.56%
2024
4.06%
2010
Armed forces personnel
223,000
2020
269,000
2020
Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
-1.57%
2024
-7.79%
2010
Unemployment rate
3.45%
2024
8.61%
2010
Services, % of GDP
53.7%
2024
44.9%
2022
Industry, % of GDP
18.2%
2024
12%
2022
Economic freedom index
54.8
2026
51.2
2012
Income share by richest 10%
26.3%
2022
21.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
3%
2022
3.8%
2022
Number of billionaires
4
2025
n/a
Percentage of billionaires
0.000004%
2025
n/a
Listed domestic companies
169
2024
n/a
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$54.4B
2024
n/a
Total reserves including gold
$38.6B
2024
$20.6B
2010
Personal remittances received
$21.3B
2024
$1.62B
2010
International tourist arrivals
5,265,000
2016
2,424,000
2019
International tourism as share of exports
0.8%
2020
32.2%
2010
Banked people share
63.3%
2024
23.3%
2011

Energy

Nigeria Syria
Energy use, kg of oil equivalent per capita
333 kg
2022
455 kg
2022
GDP PPP per kg equivalent of energy use
$24.9
2022
$10.5
2022
Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions
131.9 megatons
2024
31.4 megatons
2024
CO2 emissions per capita
0.57 tons
2024
1.27 tons
2024
Fossil fuel energy use share
55.7%
2022
99.5%
2022
Renewable energy use share
80.3%
2021
1.1%
2021
Alternative and nuclear energy use share
1.08%
2022
0.72%
2022
Net energy imports use share
-66.3%
2022
61.3%
2022
Electric power consumption per capita
135.6 kWh
2022
690 kWh
2022
Renewable electricity output share
23.8%
2021
3.91%
2021
Hydroelectric share
24.3%
2022
3.76%
2022
Nuclear share
0%
2021
0%
2021
Electricity access
61.2%
2023
88.4%
2023

Society

Nigeria Syria
% of world population
2.86%
2024
0.3%
2024
Annual migration change
-15,258
2025
+421,693
2025
Urban population
63%
2024
72.1%
2024
Male:Female ratio
50.6:49.4
2024
50:50
2024
Average male height
5.63 ft
2025
5.63 ft
2025
Average female height
5.19 ft
2025
5.23 ft
2025
Quality of life index
15.2
2026
18.4
2026
Corruption Perceptions Index
26
2025
15
2025
Higher education index
57
2026
33
2026
Homicides per 100K people
21.7
2019
2.07
2010
Road traffic mortality per 100K people
20.7
2019
14.9
2019
Visa free countries
52
2025
37
2025
Adult literacy rate
70.4%
2024
94.4%
2021
English speaking
60.6%
2023
4%
2025
People using the Internet
39.2%
2023
34.7%
2019

Health

Nigeria Syria
Government health expenditure per capita
$66.8
2023
$33.3
2023
Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita
$48
2023
$24.1
2023
Life expectancy
55 years
2026
73.4 years
2026
Foreign aid share of health expenditure
11.3%
2023
11.8%
2023
Physicians per 1,000 people
0.38
2023
1.52
2021
Age at first childbirth
20.4 years
2025
n/a
Maternal mortality per 100K births
993
2023
20
2023
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age
104.9
2023
20.6
2023
Obesity rate
12.8%
2022
n/a
Diabetes prevalence
3%
2024
19%
2024
Air quality index
8
2026
42
2026
Tobacco use prevalence
3.3%
2022
n/a
Pure alcohol consumption per capita
3.78 liters
2020
0.09 liters
2020

Territory

Nigeria Syria
% of world land
0.61%
2026
0.12%
2026
Land area per capita
1,511 sq mi
2024
2,874 sq mi
2024
Agricultural land area
267,948 sq mi
2026
52,533 sq mi
2026
Forest area
81,611 sq mi
2026
2,016 sq mi
2026
Roads length
121,167 mi
2017
n/a

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) (2000–2025, 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 (2012–2026, 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.