Country profile · Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan

🇸🇾 Syrian Arab Republic

Low income. Capital Damascus. Full World Bank, WHO, ILO & OECD indicator profile across 42 measures, with regional peers and rankings.

24.7 million
Population
$23.6 billion
GDP
$1,052
GDP / capita
72.1 years
Life expectancy

Syrian Arab Republic on the global income map

Syrian Arab Republic (SYR) plotted alongside its largest economic peers on GDP per capita and the Human Development Index. Bubble area scales with population; color encodes income tier; gold rings mark OECD members.

Syrian Arab Republic on the global income map Syrian Arab Republic positioned on the GDP-per-capita / HDI plane against its largest economic peers. 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 $200 $1K $10K $100K GDP per capita (USD, log scale) Human Development Index (0–1) India — GDP/cap $2,695 · lower-middle income IND China — GDP/cap $13,303 · upper-middle income CHN United States — GDP/cap $84,534 · high income · OECD USA Indonesia — GDP/cap $4,925 · upper-middle income IDN Pakistan — GDP/cap $1,479 · lower-middle income Nigeria — GDP/cap $1,084 · low income Brazil — GDP/cap $10,311 · upper-middle income Bangladesh — GDP/cap $2,593 · lower-middle income Russian Federation — GDP/cap $14,889 · high income Ethiopia — GDP/cap $1,134 · low income Mexico — GDP/cap $14,186 · high income · OECD Japan — GDP/cap $32,487 · high income · OECD Egypt, Arab Rep. — GDP/cap $3,338 · lower-middle income Philippines — GDP/cap $3,985 · lower-middle income Congo, Dem. Rep. — GDP/cap $649 · low income Viet Nam — GDP/cap $4,717 · upper-middle income Iran, Islamic Rep. — GDP/cap $5,190 · upper-middle income Turkiye — GDP/cap $15,893 · high income · OECD Germany — GDP/cap $56,104 · high income · OECD Thailand — GDP/cap $7,347 · upper-middle income United Kingdom — GDP/cap $53,246 · high income · OECD Tanzania — GDP/cap $1,187 · lower-middle income France — GDP/cap $46,103 · high income · OECD South Africa — GDP/cap $6,267 · upper-middle income Italy — GDP/cap $40,385 · high income · OECD Kenya — GDP/cap $2,132 · lower-middle income Myanmar — GDP/cap $1,359 · lower-middle income Colombia — GDP/cap $7,919 · upper-middle income · OECD Korea, Rep. — GDP/cap $36,239 · high income · OECD Sudan — GDP/cap $985 · low income Syrian Arab Republic — GDP/cap $1,052 · low income Income tier Low Lower-middle Upper-middle High OECD member

Indicators tracked

42

Across 8 topic areas

GDP per capita

$1,052

Latest WB report

Population

24.7 million

UN estimate

OECD member

No

Outside OECD harmonized stats

Population
24.7 million
GDP
$23.6 billion
GDP per Capita
$1,052
Life Expectancy
72.1 years

Overview

Syrian Arab Republic has a population of 24.7 million, making it the 57th-most populous country out of 217 tracked in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan.

Its economy totals $23.6 billion — ranked 123rd globally by total GDP. GDP per capita stands at $1,052, placing it in the Low income category.

Life expectancy at birth is 72.1 years (ranked 135th globally), reflecting overall health outcomes as measured by the World Bank.

The capital is Damascus.

👥 Demographics

Fertility Rate
2.7
2023
Population
24.7 million
2024
Population Ages 0-14
29.2%
2024
Population Ages 65+
4.7%
2024
Population Density
128.5/km²
2023
Population Growth Rate
4.5%
2024
Urban Population
72.1%
2024

💰 Economy

Foreign Direct Investment
$804.2 million
2011
GDP (Current USD)
$23.6 billion
2022
GDP Growth Rate
0.7%
2022
GDP Per Capita (Current USD)
$1,051.671
2022
GNI Per Capita
$710
2022
Inflation (Consumer Prices)
13.4%
2019
Trade (% of GDP)
35.6%
2022
Unemployment Rate
13.4%
2024

🏥 Health

Health Expenditure (% of GDP)
2.7%
2023
Infant Mortality Rate
19.0 per 1,000
2023
Life Expectancy at Birth
72.1 years
2023
Maternal Mortality Ratio
20
2023
Physicians (per 1,000 people)
1.5 per 1,000
2021
Stunting Prevalence (under 5)
27.9
2010
Under-5 Mortality Rate
20.6 per 1,000
2023

📚 Education

Education Expenditure (% of GDP)
5.1%
2009
Literacy Rate (Adult)
94.4
2021
School Enrollment (Primary)
81.4
2024
School Enrollment (Secondary)
38.7
2024
School Enrollment (Tertiary)
43.8
2016
Youth Literacy Rate
98.4
2021

🌍 Environment

Electric Power Consumption
690 kWh
2022
Forest Area
2.8
2023
Freshwater Withdrawal
195.8
2022
Renewable Energy Consumption
1.1%
2021

🏗️ Infrastructure

Access to Electricity
88.4%
2023
Internet Users
34.6%
2019
Mobile Subscriptions
72.4
2023

⚖️ Social

Female Labor Participation
12.8
2024
GINI Index
26.6
2022
Intentional Homicides
2.1
2010
Male Labor Participation
61.7
2024
Net Migration
546.5K
2024
Poverty (< $2.15/day)
16.5%
2022

💼 Labor & Wages

PPP Conversion Factor (GDP)
1757.52
2023

🫀 Disease Burden

Key causes of death and disease risk in Syrian Arab Republic. Source: WHO Global Health Observatory.

NCD Death Rate
669
per 100K · 2021
Premature NCD Risk
21.3%
dying 30–70 from NCD
Road Traffic Deaths
29.9
per 100K
Suicide Rate
14.3
per 100K
TB Deaths
0.13
per 100K
Maternal Mortality
20
per 100K births

Sources: WHO Global Health Observatory. NCD mortality rate: 2021. Rates are age-standardized per 100,000 population. Premature NCD risk covers cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, and chronic respiratory disease.

Compare Syrian Arab Republic with Another Country

What the data says about Syrian Arab Republic

Every figure on this profile is a single measurement drawn from an official international dataset, and each one carries assumptions worth understanding before drawing conclusions. Income and output are reported at market exchange rates in current dollars, so they move with currency swings as well as real growth, and national averages can hide wide gaps between regions and households. Health and demographic measures are period estimates compiled from vital registration, surveys, and statistical models, and their reporting year often lags the present by one to three years. Reading several indicators together, rather than fixating on a single headline number, is what turns a row of statistics into a grounded picture of how people in this country actually live, work, and age.

Syrian Arab Republic sits in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan with a population of 24.7 million, placing it 57th out of 217 countries by headcount. Its capital, Damascus, anchors a Low income economy with total GDP of $23.6 billion — ranked 123rd globally — and GDP per capita of $1,052. This combination of demographic scale and economic output shapes everything from household purchasing power and domestic market depth to the country's weight in regional trade flows and international development programmes.

Life expectancy at birth in Syrian Arab Republic is 72.1 years, ranking 135th worldwide and offering a summary read on healthcare access, nutrition, sanitation, and long-run living standards. The World Bank's World Development Indicators, combined with the WHO Global Health Observatory and ILO ILOSTAT wage statistics, expose 42 data points across 8 thematic areas — from fertility and urbanisation to CO₂ emissions, school enrolment, and labour-force participation. Reading these indicators together, rather than in isolation, is what turns headline numbers into a grounded portrait of how people actually live.

Use the indicator tables below to track trajectories over time, jump to Syrian Arab Republic's placement on specific rankings such as GDP, population density, or life expectancy, and open the side-by-side Compare view to benchmark against peers inside Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan or across income groups. Because all figures come from official, CC BY 4.0-licensed datasets with clear vintages, you can cite them directly in research or journalism. Where a field reads "N/A", the upstream agency has not yet released that value for Syrian Arab Republic — we never fabricate estimates or carry forward stale values, so missing points stay visible rather than quietly filled in.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where does the data for Syrian Arab Republic come from?

Data for Syrian Arab Republic is sourced from the World Bank Open Data catalog, WHO Global Health Observatory, and ILO ILOSTAT (for average wages and working hours). These are official, publicly available datasets.

How current is the data for Syrian Arab Republic?

Data availability varies by indicator. Most recent data points range from 2020 to 2024, depending on the indicator and reporting frequency. World Bank indicators are updated annually, while WHO disease burden data follows the Global Burden of Disease study schedule.

Can I compare Syrian Arab Republic with other countries?

Yes. Use the Compare feature to see a side-by-side comparison of Syrian Arab Republic with any other country across all available indicators. You can also explore rankings to see where Syrian Arab Republic stands globally on specific measures like GDP, population, or life expectancy.

What does GDP per capita tell us about Syrian Arab Republic?

GDP per capita divides Syrian Arab Republic's total economic output by its population, giving an approximate measure of average economic productivity per person. It is reported in current US dollars. For fairer cross-country comparisons, purchasing power parity (PPP) adjustments account for differences in the cost of goods and services.

How does Syrian Arab Republic's life expectancy compare to the global average?

Life expectancy at birth for Syrian Arab Republic is 72.1 years, ranking 135th out of 217 countries tracked. The global average is approximately 73 years. Life expectancy reflects healthcare quality, nutrition, sanitation, and socioeconomic conditions.

Does PlainCountries cover visa or travel information for Syrian Arab Republic?

PlainCountries focuses on development indicators, health data, and economic statistics. For visa requirements and immigration policies, visit PlainVisa at plainvisa.com. For international flight route data, check PlainFlights at plainflights.com.

Source: World Bank Open Data, Source: WHO Global Health Observatory, Source: ILO ILOSTAT. World Bank and ILO data licensed under CC BY 4.0.

Disclaimer: This information is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Data is sourced from the World Bank, WHO, ILO, and OECD. Consult a qualified professional before making decisions based on this data.