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Somalia vs Syria statistics compared

Updated on by Georank

Somalia has a population of 19.7M (ranked 67/197), compared with 25.6M in Syria (ranked 57/197). Somalia's land area is 242,217 sq mi versus 70,900 sq mi for Syria (ranked 42nd vs. 87th).

By GDP, Somalia ranks 149/197 ($13B) and Syria ranks 134/197 ($20B). By GDP per capita, Somalia ranks 191/197 ($661), while Syria ranks 185/197 ($847).

Main facts and rankings

Somalia Syria
Population
20653532
26956472
Population rank 66/197 56/197
GDP
$13B
2025
$20B
2023
GDP rank 149/197 134/197
GDP per capita
$661
2025
$847
2023
GDP per capita rank 191/197 185/197
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,602
2024
$4,650
2023
Government debt n/a
$18.4B
2010
Debt-to-GDP ratio n/a
30%
2010
Government debt per person n/a
$820
2010
Government debt per person rank n/a 150/185
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,415
2026
$693
2026
Land area 242,217 sq mi 70,900 sq mi
Population density
83.9 ppl/mi²
2026
374 ppl/mi²
2026
Fertility rate
6.01
2024
2.7
2024
Median age
16.6 years
2025
24.3 years
2025
Life expectancy
59.3 years
2026
73.4 years
2026

Somalia and Syria: Comparison Charts

Somalia and Syria economies compared

GDP
Somalia

Syria
1x
Year GDP
Somalia Syria
2025 $12,995,200,000 -
2024 $11,967,000,000 -
2023 $10,958,000,000 $19,993,439,950
2022 $10,203,000,000 $23,737,634,644
2021 $9,483,000,000 $14,892,885,528
2020 $8,628,000,000 $12,501,503,673
2019 $8,656,000,000 $22,583,046,645
2018 $7,873,000,000 $21,497,779,248
2017 $7,621,501,710 $16,369,842,725
2016 $6,613,743,070 $12,597,854,088
2015 $6,152,149,100 $16,466,861,435
2014 $5,728,399,720 $21,502,061,466
2013 $5,062,881,600 $21,361,254,635
2012 $4,364,670,160 $43,190,318,033
2011 $2,906,000,097 $67,539,433,544
2010 $2,687,807,004 $61,390,833,273
2009 $2,948,594,552 $54,111,721,044
2008 $5,913,620,293 $52,557,913,397
2007 $5,430,713,729 $40,465,331,020
2006 $5,026,743,282 $33,751,812,959
2005 $4,683,246,454 $28,858,937,499
2004 $3,859,592,813 $25,086,910,448
2003 $2,836,724,352 $21,828,144,686
2002 $2,192,684,135 $20,786,986,580
2001 $2,252,847,465 $20,078,599,626
2000 $3,412,797,450 $18,937,031,610
1999 $3,045,751,528 $15,873,875,969
1998 $2,962,047,564 $15,200,846,154
1997 $2,191,749,014 $14,505,233,463
1996 $1,792,234,297 $13,789,560,878
1995 $1,534,756,135 $11,396,706,587
1994 $1,481,205,098 $10,122,020,000
1993 $1,260,132,956 $13,695,962,055
1992 $709,297,579 $13,253,565,861
1991 $717,974,930 $12,981,833,333
1990 $1,031,282,081 $12,308,624,418
1989 $1,181,360,844 $9,853,395,762
1988 $1,051,596,967 $10,577,041,645
1987 $1,018,972,664 $11,356,215,543
1986 $916,590,786 $13,293,205,278
1985 $875,702,247 $16,403,539,893
1984 $787,434,542 $17,503,078,174
1983 $735,408,642 $17,589,277,143
1982 $774,578,932 $16,298,929,011
1981 $699,302,473 $15,518,201,335
1980 $602,515,548 $13,062,420,382
1979 $589,566,929 $9,929,681,529
1978 $564,571,823 $9,275,200,458
1977 $498,550,725 $7,696,011,396
1976 $871,344,245 $7,633,528,867
1975 $757,015,879 $6,826,980,444
1974 $572,504,036 $5,159,557,148
1973 $483,699,611 $3,239,487,516
1972 $447,883,941 $3,059,681,698
1971 $347,039,446 $2,589,851,325
1970 $347,985,394 $2,140,384,010
1969 $306,357,285 $2,245,011,515
1968 $286,719,885 $1,753,746,430
1967 $271,781,887 $1,580,229,799
1966 $257,375,897 $1,342,287,553
1965 $243,725,898 $1,472,036,540
1964 $229,529,913 $1,339,494,267
1963 $216,145,936 $1,200,447,408
1962 $203,531,928 $1,110,565,881
1961 $191,659,914 $945,244,972
1960 $180,459,937 $857,704,413

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Somalia and Syria economies compared

GDP per capita
Somalia

Syria
1x
Year GDP per capita
Somalia Syria
2025 $661 -
2024 $630 -
2023 $597 $847
2022 $573 $1,057
2021 $549 $689
2020 $518 $594
2019 $540 $1,110
2018 $509 $1,098
2017 $511 $852
2016 $461 $656
2015 $446 $848
2014 $429 $1,061
2013 $393 $986
2012 $350 $1,898
2011 $235.3 $2,952
2010 $219.2 $2,731
2009 $246.5 $2,462
2008 $507 $2,429
2007 $480 $1,938
2006 $458 $1,719
2005 $440 $1,534
2004 $375 $1,368
2003 $286.3 $1,220
2002 $229.6 $1,190
2001 $244.9 $1,178
2000 $386 $1,138
1999 $359 $978
1998 $363 $961
1997 $280.1 $941
1996 $237.2 $918
1995 $210.7 $780
1994 $210.8 $712
1993 $188.6 $993
1992 $109.2 $990
1991 $105.4 $1,000
1990 $145.6 $978
1989 $166 $809
1988 $145.3 $898
1987 $141 $997
1986 $131.4 $1,208
1985 $130.8 $1,544
1984 $122.5 $1,706
1983 $118.6 $1,776
1982 $129 $1,703
1981 $116.9 $1,676
1980 $101.5 $1,458
1979 $108.2 $1,146
1978 $117.3 $1,108
1977 $111.2 $951
1976 $199.6 $976
1975 $177.8 $904
1974 $137.9 $707
1973 $119.6 $459
1972 $113.7 $448
1971 $90.4 $393
1970 $93.1 $335
1969 $84.1 $364
1968 $80.8 $293.3
1967 $78.7 $272.9
1966 $76.5 $239.3
1965 $74.4 $270.8
1964 $71.9 $254.2
1963 $69.5 $234.9
1962 $67.2 $223.9
1961 $64.9 $196.3
1960 $62.7 $183.5

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Somalia vs. Syria life expectancy calculator

Life expectancy
Somalia

Syria
1x
Year Life expectancy, years
Somalia Syria
2026 59.3 73.4
2025 59.1 73
2024 59 72.6
2023 58.8 72.1
2022 53.9 72.8
2021 55.7 72.4
2020 57.1 71.9
2019 57.2 71
2018 54.8 67.4
2017 52.2 65.7
2016 55.3 65.2
2015 55.1 63.3
2014 54.4 65.5
2013 54 65.1
2012 49.1 66.2
2011 32.5 72.3
2010 48.9 73.5
2009 52.1 73.5
2008 51.5 73.4
2007 50.9 73.3
2006 50.9 73
2005 50.9 72.8
2004 50.7 72.5
2003 50.7 72.2
2002 50.8 71.7
2001 50.8 71.3
2000 50.7 70.9
1999 50.6 70.5
1998 50.8 70.2
1997 50.3 70.2
1996 50.5 70.2
1995 50.6 70.2
1994 50.3 70.3
1993 50.6 70.3
1992 25 70.2
1991 25.4 70.1
1990 46.9 69.8
1989 46.6 69.5
1988 43.9 69.2
1987 49 68.8
1986 48.4 68.4
1985 48.3 68
1984 48.4 67.7
1983 48.2 67.4
1982 48 60.8
1981 47.8 64.6
1980 47.6 66.5
1979 47.4 66.2
1978 47 65.9
1977 47 65.4
1976 44.7 64.8
1975 44.5 64.2
1974 44.3 63.4
1973 46.2 60.8
1972 46 62
1971 45.8 61.3
1970 45.6 60.6
1969 45.5 59.8
1968 45.3 59.1
1967 45.1 58
1966 44.8 57.6
1965 44.6 56.9
1964 44.4 56.2
1963 44.2 55.4
1962 44 54.6
1961 43.7 53.7
1960 43.5 52.7
1959 43.3 51.7
1958 43.1 50.7
1957 42.9 49.6
1956 42.7 48.5
1955 42.5 47.4
1954 42.3 46.4
1953 42.1 45.3
1952 41.9 44.3
1951 41.7 43.4
1950 41.5 42.5

Data sources: United Nations | World Population Prospects (1950–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Somalia and Syria population clocks and comparison

Population
Somalia

Syria
1x
Year Population
Somalia Syria
2025 19,654,739 25,620,427
2024 19,009,151 24,672,760
2023 18,358,615 23,594,623
2022 17,801,897 22,462,173
2021 17,271,431 21,628,839
2020 16,651,191 21,049,429
2019 16,030,971 20,353,534
2018 15,452,487 19,577,845
2017 14,916,629 19,224,668
2016 14,348,740 19,193,834
2015 13,806,963 19,424,618
2014 13,339,491 20,273,659
2013 12,869,594 21,666,917
2012 12,461,160 22,759,763
2011 12,348,830 22,878,098
2010 12,261,756 22,482,421
2009 11,961,201 21,976,969
2008 11,663,084 21,636,564
2007 11,322,582 20,884,125
2006 10,975,502 19,637,022
2005 10,644,228 18,814,091
2004 10,280,998 18,336,875
2003 9,909,157 17,889,296
2002 9,550,063 17,468,332
2001 9,198,493 17,051,338
2000 8,838,713 16,637,888
1999 8,492,059 16,228,061
1998 8,155,417 15,820,413
1997 7,824,525 15,417,542
1996 7,554,474 15,018,104
1995 7,285,007 14,616,801
1994 7,026,797 14,208,583
1993 6,681,399 13,795,686
1992 6,495,107 13,385,571
1991 6,813,760 12,980,821
1990 7,082,811 12,579,208
1989 7,114,817 12,179,060
1988 7,235,360 11,782,264
1987 7,228,302 11,388,923
1986 6,974,788 11,002,844
1985 6,693,289 10,625,672
1984 6,428,389 10,258,398
1983 6,198,430 9,904,809
1982 6,003,840 9,572,511
1981 5,982,849 9,260,189
1980 5,936,154 8,957,663
1979 5,449,117 8,661,909
1978 4,814,892 8,372,759
1977 4,484,050 8,090,501
1976 4,365,812 7,817,320
1975 4,257,535 7,554,364
1974 4,151,842 7,302,160
1973 4,045,592 7,060,321
1972 3,939,436 6,826,024
1971 3,837,691 6,598,094
1970 3,738,448 6,380,609
1969 3,641,015 6,175,166
1968 3,546,590 5,978,742
1967 3,454,537 5,790,198
1966 3,365,106 5,609,047
1965 3,277,874 5,435,267
1964 3,192,796 5,269,087
1963 3,110,361 5,110,467
1962 3,030,091 4,959,340
1961 2,952,054 4,815,466
1960 2,876,331 4,673,500

Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Fertility rates in Somalia and Syria

Fertility rate
Somalia

Syria
1x
Year Fertility rate
Somalia Syria
2024 6.01 2.7
2023 6.13 2.71
2022 6.26 2.75
2021 6.35 2.8
2020 6.45 2.84
2019 6.56 2.88
2018 6.66 2.93
2017 6.77 2.97
2016 6.88 3.01
2015 6.98 3.07
2014 7.06 3.12
2013 7.14 3.17
2012 7.21 3.22
2011 7.27 3.29
2010 7.32 3.36
2009 7.38 3.42
2008 7.42 3.48
2007 7.46 3.54
2006 7.49 3.56
2005 7.53 3.61
2004 7.57 3.68
2003 7.6 3.76
2002 7.63 3.87
2001 7.64 3.98
2000 7.65 4.07
1999 7.66 4.14
1998 7.66 4.25
1997 7.66 4.37
1996 7.62 4.54
1995 7.58 4.7
1994 7.54 4.86
1993 7.53 4.99
1992 7.5 5.14
1991 7.47 5.34
1990 7.44 5.56
1989 7.42 5.78
1988 7.4 6
1987 7.37 6.2
1986 7.35 6.37
1985 7.33 6.48
1984 7.3 6.59
1983 7.28 6.69
1982 7.25 6.81
1981 7.23 6.97
1980 7.18 7.12
1979 7.16 7.25
1978 7.13 7.35
1977 7 7.42
1976 7.02 7.45
1975 7.03 7.49
1974 7.06 7.52
1973 7.09 7.55
1972 7.12 7.57
1971 7.15 7.6
1970 7.18 7.62
1969 7.21 7.59
1968 7.23 7.57
1967 7.25 7.56
1966 7.26 7.55
1965 7.26 7.53
1964 7.26 7.53
1963 7.26 7.51
1962 7.26 7.51
1961 7.25 7.5
1960 7.25 7.51

Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Somalia and Syria demographics compared

Median age
Somalia

Syria
1x
Year Median age, years
Somalia Syria
2025 16.6 24.3
2024 16.6 23.9
2023 16.5 23.3
2022 16.5 22.7
2021 16.4 22.2
2020 16.3 21.6
2019 16.3 20.9
2018 16.2 20.1
2017 16.2 19.6
2016 16.1 19.5
2015 16.1 19.5
2014 16 20.1
2013 16 21.2
2012 16 21.8
2011 15.8 21.9
2010 15.7 21.7
2009 15.6 21.5
2008 15.6 21.3
2007 15.6 21
2006 15.7 20.3
2005 15.9 19.7
2004 16 19.5
2003 16.1 19.2
2002 16.2 19
2001 16.2 18.8
2000 16.3 18.5
1999 16.3 18.3
1998 16.4 18.1
1997 16.4 17.9
1996 16.5 17.7
1995 16.6 17.5
1994 16.7 17.3
1993 16.8 17.1
1992 16.7 16.9
1991 16.5 16.7
1990 16.5 16.5
1989 16.7 16.4
1988 16.8 16.2
1987 17 16.1
1986 17.1 16
1985 17.2 15.9
1984 17.3 15.8
1983 17.4 15.8
1982 17.4 15.7
1981 17.5 15.6
1980 17.6 15.6
1979 17.6 15.6
1978 17.7 15.6
1977 17.7 15.6
1976 17.7 15.6
1975 17.7 15.7
1974 17.7 15.7
1973 17.6 15.7
1972 17.6 15.8
1971 17.6 15.8
1970 17.5 15.9
1969 17.5 16
1968 17.5 16.1
1967 17.5 16.2
1966 17.5 16.4
1965 17.5 16.5
1964 17.6 16.7
1963 17.7 16.9
1962 17.8 17.1
1961 17.9 17.3
1960 18.1 17.6

Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Interactive Maps

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National statistics comparison

Finance

Somalia Syria
GNI, Atlas method
$12.5B
2025
$18.2B
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
13%
2026
28.6%
2010
Education expenditure, % of GDP
0.000008%
2023
5.13%
2009
Military expenditure, % of GDP
1.59%
2024
4.06%
2010
Armed forces personnel
14,000
2020
269,000
2020
Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
-5.81%
2026
-7.79%
2010
Unemployment rate
11.1%
2022
14.9%
2011
Services, % of GDP n/a
44.7%
2022
Industry, % of GDP
9.66%
1986
11.9%
2022
Economic freedom index
29
2026
51.2
2012
Income share by richest 10% n/a
20.9%
2022
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
3.8%
2022
Total reserves including gold
$23.1M
1989
$20.6B
2010
Personal remittances received
$2.12B
2024
$1.62B
2010
International tourist arrivals n/a
2,424,000
2019
International tourism as share of exports n/a
32.2%
2010
Banked people share
38.7%
2014
23.3%
2011

Energy

Somalia Syria
Energy use, kg of oil equivalent per capita n/a
396 kg
2023
GDP PPP per kg equivalent of energy use n/a
$12.2
2022
Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions
0.87 megatons
2024
31.4 megatons
2024
CO2 emissions per capita
0.05 tons
2024
1.27 tons
2024
Fossil fuel energy use share n/a
99.5%
2022
Renewable energy use share
95.4%
2022
1.1%
2021
Alternative and nuclear energy use share n/a
0.79%
2023
Net energy imports use share n/a
61.3%
2022
Electric power consumption per capita n/a
854 kWh
2023
Renewable electricity output share
11.2%
2021
3.39%
2021
Hydroelectric share
0%
2021
3.02%
2023
Nuclear share
0%
2021
0%
2021
Electricity access
50.3%
2023
88.4%
2023

Society

Somalia Syria
% of world population
0.24%
2025
0.31%
2025
Annual migration change
+12,077
2025
+421,693
2025
Urban population
55.1%
2025
72.1%
2025
Male:Female ratio
50.1:49.9
2025
50.1:49.9
2025
Average male height
5.62 ft
2026
5.63 ft
2026
Average female height
5.25 ft
2026
5.23 ft
2026
Quality of life index
8.55
2026
17.3
2026
Corruption Perceptions Index
9
2025
15
2025
Higher education index
11
2026
33
2026
Homicides per 100K people
4.31
2015
2.06
2010
Road traffic mortality per 100K people
27.4
2019
14.9
2019
Visa free countries
43
2026
36
2026
Adult literacy rate
54.1%
2022
94.4%
2021
English speaking
2%
2026
4%
2026
People using the Internet
27.9%
2024
34.7%
2019

Health

Somalia Syria
Government health expenditure per capita
$22.4
2023
$33.3
2023
Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita
$6.89
2023
$24.1
2023
Life expectancy
59.3 years
2026
73.4 years
2026
Foreign aid share of health expenditure
54.4%
2023
11.8%
2023
Physicians per 1,000 people
0.05
2014
1.52
2021
Maternal mortality per 100K births
563
2023
20
2023
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age
101.1
2024
18.4
2024
Obesity rate
14.9%
2022
n/a
Diabetes prevalence
5.8%
2024
19%
2024
Air quality index
35
2026
42
2026
Pure alcohol consumption per capita
0 liters
2020
0.09 liters
2020

Territory

Somalia Syria
% of world land
0.42%
2026
0.12%
2026
Land area per capita
12,324 sq mi
2025
2,767 sq mi
2025
Agricultural land area
170,384 sq mi
2026
52,533 sq mi
2026
Forest area
22,200 sq mi
2026
2,016 sq mi
2026
Roads length
9,321 mi
2018
n/a

In-depth comparisons

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. United Nations | World Population Prospects (1950–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2000–2019, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2010–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. Transparency International (2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. Passport Index (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  9. EduRank (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  10. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2012, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  11. World Obesity Federation (2022, retrieved 2026-07-08)

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.