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Syria
Syria places highest on Gini Index (top 8% worldwide) and lowest on Regulatory Quality (bottom 1%).
Syria in the Nations Inquiry Country Index
At a glance
Population
23,594,623
people
since 1950
Land area
183,630
km²
since 1961
GDP per person
4,579
international $, PPP
since 1990
Life expectancy
72.12
years at birth
since 1950
Human development
0.564
HDI, 0–1
since 1990
Unemployment
13.57
% of the labour force
since 1991
The newest published figure for each, the year it describes and who published it, with a line showing how it has moved.
01The country
About Syria
Key facts about Syria
- Capital
- Damascus
- Official language
- Arabic
- Currency
- Syrian pound (SYP)
- ISO code
- SYR · SY
- Domain · dialling
- .sy · +963
As Wikidata records them. Official languages are the least consistent — some countries list only a national language, others every regional one. Sources and licences.
02Country Index 2026
Where it stands, topic by topic
Strongest first. Each position is Syria’s place among the countries with a standing on that topic, built from a few key statistics chosen to measure different things.
joint128thof 194
From 3 of 3 key statistics
116thof 161
From 3 of 3 key statistics
132ndof 182
From 3 of 4 key statistics
148thof 201
From 3 of 4 key statistics
128thof 147
From 2 of 3 key statistics
161stof 178
From 2 of 3 key statistics
171stof 177
From 2 of 3 key statistics
joint187thof 193
From 5 of 5 key statistics
179thof 182
From 4 of 4 key statistics
195thof 198
From 3 of 3 key statistics
189thof 191
From 3 of 3 key statistics
No standing — Syria holds too few of this subject’s key statistics to be placed on it.
Each standing is built from a few key statistics chosen to measure different things. Select a subject for Syria’s readings on it, or see every statistic held for Syria in the table further down this page.
03Highs and lows
Where Syria stands out
The two ends of its own record: every statistic on which Syria sits within ten places of the best or worst in the world, plus its strongest and weakest readings overall. Each is turned into a percentile — its place among every country measured — which is what lets a hunger score and a press-freedom rank be compared at all.
Where Syria does best4
In the top third of all countries measured. 2 are within ten places of the best in the world, in a field of at least 50 countries — marked with that place.
- 7thGini Indextop 8%
Position · derived 67th of 73 · 1 = worst · 26.37 · 2022
world median 33.91 (better) · ▲ 48 pts since 2003
- 7th
Position · derived 7th of 73 · 9.28 · 2022
world median 7.08 (better) · ▲ 39 pts since 2003
- Ecological Footprinttop 10%
Position · derived 114th of 126 · 1 = worst · 0.8 · 2025
world median 2.296 (better) · ▲ 22 pts since 2015
Where Syria struggles most27
In the bottom third of all countries measured. 27 are within ten places of the worst in the world, in a field of at least 50 countries — marked with that place.
- 2ndRegulatory Qualitybottom 1%
Position · derived 208th of 209 · -1.997 · 2024
world median -0.09 (worse) · ▼ 3 pts since 2014
- 3rd
Position · derived 76th of 78 · 1.683 · 2025
world median 3.246 (worse)
- 3rdINFORM Severity Indexbottom 5%
Position · derived 3rd of 81 · 1 = worst · 4.5 · 2025
world median 3.1 (worse) · ▲ 5 pts since 2020
- 3rd
Position · derived 209th of 211 · -2.368 · 2024
world median 0.04 (worse)
- 4th
Position · derived 179th of 182 · 12.73 · 2025
world median 53.36 (worse)
- 4thGender Development Indexbottom 1%
Position · derived 181st of 184 · 0.787 · 2023
world median 0.971 (worse) · ▼ 5 pts since 2013
- 4thSecondary School Enrolmentbottom 3%
Position · derived 106th of 109 · 38.74 · 2024
world median 93.19 (worse)
- 4thStatistical Performance Indicatorsbottom 2%
Position · derived 185th of 188 · 32.42 · 2024
world median 69.3 (worse)
- 4thPrevalence of Undernourishmentbottom 2%
Position · derived 4th of 104 · 1 = worst · 39 · 2023
world median 5.2 (worse) · ▼ 33 pts since 2013
- 5thEmployment-to-Population Ratiobottom 2%
Position · derived 178th of 182 · 31.89 · 2025
world median 57.72 (worse)
- 5thExpected Years of Schoolingbottom 2%
Position · derived 191st of 195 · 7.419 · 2023
world median 13.34 (worse) · ▼ 5 pts since 2013
- 5thLabour Force Participation Ratebottom 2%
Position · derived 178th of 182 · 36.9 · 2025
world median 61.66 (worse)
- 6thINFORM Risk Indexbottom 3%
Position · derived 6th of 191 · 1 = worst · 7.8 · 2025
world median 3.7 (worse)
- 6th
Position · derived 6th of 71 · 1 = worst · 17.96 · 2022
world median 1.05 (worse) · ▼ 67 pts since 2003
- 6th
Position · derived 6th of 73 · 1 = worst · 89.3 · 2022
world median 10.79 (worse) · ▼ 53 pts since 2003
- 6thPre-Primary Net Enrolment Ratebottom 4%
Position · derived 115th of 120 · 10.92 · 2024
world median 65.93 (worse) · ▲ 2 pts since 2020
- 6th
- 6thGlobal Violent Deathsbottom 2%
Position · derived 6th of 206 · 1 = worst · 58.99 · 2021
world median 4.02 (worse)
- 7th
- 7thOpen Data Inventorybottom 3%
Rank 162nd of 168 · 28 · 2024
world median 59 (worse) · ▼ 3 pts since 2017
- 7thProsperity Gapbottom 8%
Position · derived 7th of 73 · 1 = worst · 6.846 · 2022
world median 2.118 (worse) · ▼ 53 pts since 2003
- 8thGovernment Effectivenessbottom 3%
Position · derived 202nd of 209 · -1.673 · 2024
world median 0.01 (worse) · ▼ 7 pts since 2014
- 8thPoverty Gap at $3.00 a Daybottom 10%
Position · derived 8th of 69 · 1 = worst · 4.09 · 2022
world median 0.42 (worse) · ▼ 79 pts since 2003
- 8thVoice and Accountabilitybottom 3%
Position · derived 201st of 208 · -1.847 · 2024
world median -0.02 (worse) · ▲ 2 pts since 2014
- 8thWomen, Business and the Lawbottom 4%
Position · derived 183rd of 190 · 40 · 2024
world median 81.25 (worse) · ▼ 3 pts since 2014
- 10thCorruption Perceptions Indexbottom 5%
Rank 172nd of 181 · 15 · 2025
world median 39 (worse) · ▼ 3 pts since 2015
- 10thWater Stressbottom 5%
Position · derived 10th of 177 · 1 = worst · 124.36 · 2023
world median 10 (worse)
A band is a place among the countries each publisher scores, so Syria can move because other countries moved. See the Country Index for the full method.
04Over time
Which way it is moving
The published rank in widely quoted reports, edition by edition — each end with the size of that year’s field — and the statistics, not already named above, on which it has gained or lost the most ground.
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report Office
91st
of 141 · 1990
162nd
of 193 · 2023
Ranked in 34 of 34 editions
Corruption Perceptions Index
Transparency International
143rd
of 173 · 2012
172nd
of 181 · 2025
Ranked in 14 of 14 editions
Gender Inequality Index
UNDP Human Development Report Office
57th
of 79 · 1990
127th
of 172 · 2023
Ranked in 34 of 34 editions
Government AI Readiness Index
Oxford Insights
171st
of 172 · 2020
165th
of 195 · 2025
Ranked in 5 of 6 editions
Gaining ground
Where Syria has climbed against the rest of the world, in percentile points.
- Physical Violence Index+25 pts since 2015
Losing ground
Where Syria has slipped against the rest of the world, in percentile points.
- Food Production Index-80 pts since 2012
- Crop Production Index-74 pts since 2012
05In context
Syria and its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place in the world ranking of 174, not within the region.
Shares a land border with
Placed either side in the Country Index 2026
Across Western Asia
Every country in the sub-region, by its position in the world (of 174 placed).
06The evidence
Every statistic we hold for Syria
Grouped by topic. Each row gives the newest edition’s rank or position, the published value and the year the numbers describe — select a row for the world median, the best in the world and the trend.
Governance & Institutions14
Civic Space Ratings192nd of 198position · derived6.26Civic space score (0–100)2025
bottom 3% of 198 countries measured
CIVICUS · Civic space score (0–100)
Syria 6.26 · world median 50.46 (worse)
Best in the world 100 (Kiribati)
No earlier reading to compare
Completeness of Birth Registrationbottom 40%96Children under 5 whose birth is registered (%)2025
bottom 40% of 185 countries measured
UNICEF · Children under 5 whose birth is registered (%)
Syria 96 · world median 98.4 (worse)
Best in the world 100 (53 countries tied)
No earlier reading to compare
Corruption Perceptions Index172nd of 181rank15CPI score (0–100, where 100 is very clean)2025
bottom 5% of 182 countries measured · 182 share 181 positions
Transparency International · CPI score (0–100, where 100 is very clean)
Syria 15 · world median 39 (worse)
Best in the world 89 (Denmark)
▼ -3 percentile points since 2015
Country Policy and Institutional Assessment76th of 78position · derived1.683IDA Resource Allocation Index (1 = low to 6 = high)2025
bottom 3% of 78 countries measured
World Bank Group · IDA Resource Allocation Index (1 = low to 6 = high)
Syria 1.683 · world median 3.246 (worse)
Best in the world 4.225 (Rwanda)
No earlier reading to compare
Government AI Readiness Index165th of 195rank21.72AI readiness score (0–100)2025
bottom 15% of 195 countries measured
Oxford Insights · AI readiness score (0–100)
Syria 21.72 · world median 40.19 (worse)
Best in the world 88.36 (United States)
▲ +15 percentile points since 2020
Government Effectiveness202nd of 209position · derived-1.673Governance estimate (−2.5 weak to 2.5 strong)2024
bottom 3% of 209 countries measured
World Bank Group · Governance estimate (−2.5 weak to 2.5 strong)
Syria -1.673 · world median 0.01 (worse)
Best in the world 2.28 (Singapore)
▼ -7 percentile points since 2014
Open Data Inventory162nd of 168rank28ODIN overall score (0–100)2024
bottom 3% of 168 countries measured
Open Data Watch · ODIN overall score (0–100)
Syria 28 · world median 59 (worse)
Best in the world 90 (2 countries tied)
▼ -3 percentile points since 2017
Regulatory Quality208th of 209position · derived-1.997Regulatory Quality (−2.5 to 2.5)2024
bottom 1% of 209 countries measured
World Bank Group · Regulatory Quality (−2.5 to 2.5)
Syria -1.997 · world median -0.09 (worse)
Best in the world 2.132 (Singapore)
▼ -3 percentile points since 2014
Rule of Law206th of 211position · derived-1.814Rule of Law estimate (−2.5 to 2.5)2024
bottom 2% of 211 countries measured
World Bank Group · Rule of Law estimate (−2.5 to 2.5)
Syria -1.814 · world median -0.1 (worse)
Best in the world 2.021 (Finland)
No real change since 2014
Statistical Performance Indicators185th of 188position · derived32.42SPI overall score (0–100)2024
bottom 2% of 188 countries measured
World Bank Group · SPI overall score (0–100)
Syria 32.42 · world median 69.3 (worse)
Best in the world 94.14 (Norway)
No real change since 2017
Trade Union Density16th of 139position · derived36.01Employees who are trade union members (%)2020
top 11% of 139 countries measured
International Labour Organization (ILO) · Employees who are trade union members (%)
Syria 36.01 · world median 16.68 (better)
Best in the world 91.42 (Iceland)
No earlier reading to compare
V-Dem Electoral Democracy Index166th of 176position · derived0.128Electoral democracy index (0–1)2025
bottom 5% of 176 countries measured
V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · Electoral democracy index (0–1)
Syria 0.128 · world median 0.497 (worse)
Best in the world 0.913 (Denmark)
No real change since 2015
Voice and Accountability201st of 208position · derived-1.847Voice and Accountability estimate (−2.5 to 2.5)2024
bottom 3% of 208 countries measured
World Bank Group · Voice and Accountability estimate (−2.5 to 2.5)
Syria -1.847 · world median -0.02 (worse)
Best in the world 1.929 (Norway)
▲ +2 percentile points since 2014
Women, Business and the Law183rd of 190position · derived40WBL Index (0–100, where 100 is full legal parity)2024
bottom 4% of 190 countries measured
World Bank Group · WBL Index (0–100, where 100 is full legal parity)
Syria 40 · world median 81.25 (worse)
Best in the world 100 (14 countries tied)
▼ -3 percentile points since 2014
Economy & Innovation15
Agricultural Land12th of 209position · derived74.09Agricultural land (% of land area)2023
top 5% of 209 countries measured
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Agricultural land (% of land area)
Syria 74.09 · world median 37.96
Highest 86.48 (Côte d’Ivoire)
▼ -3 percentile points since 2013
Cereal Yield131st of 179position · derived1,815Cereal yield (kg per hectare)2023
bottom 27% of 179 countries measured
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Cereal yield (kg per hectare)
Syria 1,815 · world median 3,072 (worse)
Best in the world 29,147 (Oman)
▲ +4 percentile points since 2013
Crop Production Index146th of 195position · derived96.3Crop production index (2014–2016 = 100)2022
bottom 25% of 195 countries measured
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Crop production index (2014–2016 = 100)
Syria 96.3 · world median 106.23 (worse)
Best in the world 189.93 (Senegal)
▼ -74 percentile points since 2012
Fertilizer Consumption per Hectare148th of 188position · derived17.32Fertilizer consumption (kg per hectare of arable land)2023
bottom 23% of 191 countries measured · 191 share 188 positions
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Fertilizer consumption (kg per hectare of arable land)
Syria 17.32 · world median 87.36
Highest 2,926 (Malaysia)
No real change since 2013
Food Production Index159th of 195position · derived96.98Food production index (2014–2016 = 100)2022
bottom 19% of 195 countries measured
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Food production index (2014–2016 = 100)
Syria 96.98 · world median 106.08 (worse)
Best in the world 177.49 (Senegal)
▼ -80 percentile points since 2012
Gini Index67th of 73position · derived · 1 = worst26.37Gini index (0 = perfect equality, 100 = perfect inequality)2022
top 8% of 73 countries measured
World Bank Group · Gini index (0 = perfect equality, 100 = perfect inequality)
Syria 26.37 · world median 33.91 (better)
Best in the world 24.08 (Slovakia)
▲ +48 percentile points since 2003
Liner Shipping Connectivity Index89th of 175rank48.71LSCI (index, average Q1 2023 = 100)2026
bottom 48% of 167 countries measured · 167 share 175 positions
UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) · LSCI (index, average Q1 2023 = 100)
Syria 48.71 · world median 56.21 (worse)
Best in the world 1,319 (China)
▲ +10 percentile points since 2016
Livestock Density155th of 188position · derived0.21Livestock units per hectare of agricultural land2023
bottom 17% of 188 countries measured
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Livestock units per hectare of agricultural land
Syria 0.21 · world median 0.535
Highest 43.97 (Singapore)
No real change since 2013
Livestock Production Index147th of 194position · derived98.92Livestock production index (2014–2016 = 100)2022
bottom 24% of 194 countries measured
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Livestock production index (2014–2016 = 100)
Syria 98.92 · world median 107.06 (worse)
Best in the world 190.08 (Malawi)
▼ -72 percentile points since 2012
Logistics Performance Index123rd of 139rank2.3LPI score (1–5)2023
bottom 9% of 139 countries measured
World Bank Group · LPI score (1–5)
Syria 2.3 · world median 2.9 (worse)
Best in the world 4.3 (Singapore)
▲ +6 percentile points since 2014
Poverty Gap at $3.00 a Day8th of 69position · derived · 1 = worst4.09Poverty gap at $3.00 a day, 2021 PPP (%)2022
bottom 10% of 73 countries measured · 73 share 69 positions
World Bank Group · Poverty gap at $3.00 a day, 2021 PPP (%)
Syria 4.09 · world median 0.42 (worse)
Best in the world 0 (5 countries tied)
▼ -79 percentile points since 2003
Poverty Headcount Ratio at $3.00 a Day6th of 71position · derived · 1 = worst17.96Population below $3.00 a day, 2021 PPP (%)2022
bottom 7% of 73 countries measured · 73 share 71 positions
World Bank Group · Population below $3.00 a day, 2021 PPP (%)
Syria 17.96 · world median 1.05 (worse)
Best in the world 0 (3 countries tied)
▼ -67 percentile points since 2003
Poverty Headcount Ratio at $8.30 a Day6th of 73position · derived · 1 = worst89.3Population below $8.30 a day, 2021 PPP (%)2022
bottom 7% of 73 countries measured
World Bank Group · Population below $8.30 a day, 2021 PPP (%)
Syria 89.3 · world median 10.79 (worse)
Best in the world 0.04 (Cyprus)
▼ -53 percentile points since 2003
Prosperity Gap7th of 73position · derived · 1 = worst6.846Average factor incomes must rise by to reach $28 a day2022
bottom 8% of 73 countries measured
World Bank Group · Average factor incomes must rise by to reach $28 a day
Syria 6.846 · world median 2.118 (worse)
Best in the world 0.43 (Luxembourg)
▼ -53 percentile points since 2003
Work & Labour15
Average Weekly Hours Worked178th of 182position · derived28.53Average weekly hours actually worked per employed person2025
bottom 2% of 182 countries measured
International Labour Organization (ILO) · Average weekly hours actually worked per employed person
Syria 28.53 · world median 38.89
Highest 54.7 (Bhutan)
▼ -13 percentile points since 2015
Employment in Agriculture85th of 182position · derived16.3Employment in agriculture (% of total employment)2025
top 46% of 182 countries measured
International Labour Organization (ILO) · Employment in agriculture (% of total employment)
Syria 16.3 · world median 14.38
Highest 85.34 (Burundi)
▲ +7 percentile points since 2015
Employment in Industry42nd of 182position · derived25.2Employment in industry (% of total employment)2025
top 23% of 182 countries measured
International Labour Organization (ILO) · Employment in industry (% of total employment)
Syria 25.2 · world median 18.88
Highest 39.44 (Oman)
▼ -7 percentile points since 2015
Employment in Services94th of 182position · derived58.5Employment in services (% of total employment)2025
bottom 49% of 182 countries measured
International Labour Organization (ILO) · Employment in services (% of total employment)
Syria 58.5 · world median 59.51
Highest 92.17 (Djibouti)
No real change since 2015
Employment-to-Population Ratio178th of 182position · derived31.89Employed share of the population aged 15+ (%)2025
bottom 2% of 182 countries measured
International Labour Organization (ILO) · Employed share of the population aged 15+ (%)
Syria 31.89 · world median 57.72 (worse)
Best in the world 86.9 (Qatar)
No real change since 2015
Female Labour Force Participation Rate179th of 182position · derived12.73Women aged 15+ in the labour force (%)2025
bottom 2% of 182 countries measured
International Labour Organization (ILO) · Women aged 15+ in the labour force (%)
Syria 12.73 · world median 53.36 (worse)
Best in the world 82.91 (Madagascar)
No real change since 2015
Firms with a Female Top Manager57th of 179position · derived22.8Firms with a female top manager (%)2025
top 31% of 179 countries measured
World Bank Group · Firms with a female top manager (%)
Syria 22.8 · world median 19.16 (better)
Best in the world 62.9 (Kiribati)
No earlier reading to compare
Labour Force Participation Rate178th of 182position · derived36.9Population aged 15+ in the labour force (%)2025
bottom 2% of 182 countries measured
International Labour Organization (ILO) · Population aged 15+ in the labour force (%)
Syria 36.9 · world median 61.66 (worse)
Best in the world 87.01 (Qatar)
No real change since 2015
Labour Productivity per Hour Worked128th of 182position · derived11.1Output per hour worked (constant 2021 international $ at PPP)2025
bottom 30% of 182 countries measured
International Labour Organization (ILO) · Output per hour worked (constant 2021 international $ at PPP)
Syria 11.1 · world median 22.16 (worse)
Best in the world 164.65 (Ireland)
▼ -13 percentile points since 2015
Self-Employment Rate69th of 182position · derived42.44Self-employed (% of total employment)2025
top 38% of 182 countries measured
International Labour Organization (ILO) · Self-employed (% of total employment)
Syria 42.44 · world median 31.84
Highest 91.56 (Chad)
▲ +4 percentile points since 2015
Unemployment Rate19th of 182position · derived · 1 = worst13.57Unemployment (% of labour force)2025
bottom 10% of 182 countries measured
International Labour Organization (ILO) · Unemployment (% of labour force)
Syria 13.57 · world median 5.084 (worse)
Best in the world 0.13 (Qatar)
▼ -5 percentile points since 2015
Vulnerable Employment67th of 182position · derived · 1 = worst38.86Vulnerable employment (% of total employment)2025
bottom 36% of 182 countries measured
International Labour Organization (ILO) · Vulnerable employment (% of total employment)
Syria 38.86 · world median 28.67 (worse)
Best in the world 0.456 (Qatar)
▼ -3 percentile points since 2015
Working Poverty Ratebottom 33%17.9Employed people living in extreme poverty (%)2025
bottom 33% of 113 countries measured
International Labour Organization (ILO) · Employed people living in extreme poverty (%)
Syria 17.9 · world median 4.885 (worse)
Best in the world 0.007 (Bhutan)
▼ -12 percentile points since 2015
Youth Unemployment Rate16th of 182position · derived · 1 = worst33.1Unemployment, ages 15-24 (% of youth labour force)2025
bottom 8% of 182 countries measured
International Labour Organization (ILO) · Unemployment, ages 15-24 (% of youth labour force)
Syria 33.1 · world median 12.83 (worse)
Best in the world 0.457 (Niger)
▼ -5 percentile points since 2015
Education & Knowledge9
Adult Literacy Rate84th of 172position · derived94.42Adults 15+ who can read and write (%)2024
top 49% of 172 countries measured
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) · Adults 15+ who can read and write (%)
Syria 94.42 · world median 93.99 (better)
Best in the world 100 (3 countries tied)
No earlier reading to compare
Expected Years of Schooling191st of 195position · derived7.419Expected years of schooling2023
bottom 2% of 195 countries measured
UNDP Human Development Report Office · Expected years of schooling
Syria 7.419 · world median 13.34 (worse)
Best in the world 21.69 (Monaco)
▼ -5 percentile points since 2013
Mean Years of Schooling158th of 193position · derived5.936Mean years of schooling (adults 25+)2023
bottom 18% of 193 countries measured
UNDP Human Development Report Office · Mean years of schooling (adults 25+)
Syria 5.936 · world median 9.933 (worse)
Best in the world 14.3 (Germany)
▼ -10 percentile points since 2013
Out-of-School Rate, Primary14th of 121position · derived · 1 = worst21.81Out-of-school rate, primary age (%)2024
bottom 11% of 121 countries measured
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) · Out-of-school rate, primary age (%)
Syria 21.81 · world median 3.691 (worse)
Best in the world 0.004 (United Arab Emirates)
▲ +11 percentile points since 2020
Pre-Primary Net Enrolment Rate115th of 120position · derived10.92Net enrolment rate, pre-primary (%)2024
bottom 4% of 120 countries measured
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) · Net enrolment rate, pre-primary (%)
Syria 10.92 · world median 65.93 (worse)
Best in the world 99.85 (Moldova)
▲ +2 percentile points since 2020
Primary Completion Rate78th of 165position · derived98.12Primary completion rate (%)2025
top 47% of 165 countries measured
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) · Primary completion rate (%)
Syria 98.12 · world median 97.43 (better)
Best in the world 100 (5 countries tied)
No real change since 2015
Secondary School Enrolment106th of 109position · derived38.74Gross secondary enrolment ratio (%)2024
bottom 3% of 109 countries measured
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) · Gross secondary enrolment ratio (%)
Syria 38.74 · world median 93.19 (worse)
Best in the world 158.55 (Monaco)
No real change since 2020
Upper Secondary Completion Rate115th of 164position · derived36.81Upper secondary completion rate (%)2025
bottom 30% of 164 countries measured
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) · Upper secondary completion rate (%)
Syria 36.81 · world median 64.87 (worse)
Best in the world 99.27 (South Korea)
▼ -5 percentile points since 2015
Youth Literacy Ratetop 49%98.3915–24 year-olds who can read and write (%)2024
top 49% of 174 countries measured
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) · 15–24 year-olds who can read and write (%)
Syria 98.39 · world median 98.22 (better)
Best in the world 100 (6 countries tied)
No earlier reading to compare
Health & Wellbeing13
Dietary Energy Supply145th of 155position · derived2,230Dietary energy supply (kcal per person per day)2024
bottom 6% of 155 countries measured
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Dietary energy supply (kcal per person per day)
Syria 2,230 · world median 2,982 (worse)
Best in the world 3,962 (United States)
▼ -42 percentile points since 2014
Exclusive Breastfeeding Under Six Months105th of 136position · derived28.5Infants under 6 months exclusively breastfed (%)2024
bottom 23% of 136 countries measured
UNICEF · Infants under 6 months exclusively breastfed (%)
Syria 28.5 · world median 40.74 (worse)
Best in the world 83.3 (Burundi)
No earlier reading to compare
Gender Inequality Index127th of 172rank0.49GII (0 = full equality, 1 = maximum inequality)2023
bottom 26% of 172 countries measured
UNDP Human Development Report Office · GII (0 = full equality, 1 = maximum inequality)
Syria 0.49 · world median 0.351 (worse)
Best in the world 0.003 (Denmark)
▼ -7 percentile points since 2013
Global Report on Food Crises7th of 44position · derived · 1 = worst39In IPC Phase 3+ (% of analysed population)2024
bottom 14% of 44 countries measured
Food Security Information Network (FSIN) · In IPC Phase 3+ (% of analysed population)
Syria 39 · world median 22 (worse)
Best in the world 3 (El Salvador)
▼ -5 percentile points since 2016
Global Violent Deaths6th of 206position · derived · 1 = worst58.99Violent deaths per 100,000 people2021
bottom 2% of 209 countries measured · 209 share 206 positions
Small Arms Survey · Violent deaths per 100,000 people
Syria 58.99 · world median 4.02 (worse)
Best in the world 0 (4 countries tied)
No real change since 2011
Human Development Index162nd of 193rank0.564HDI score (0–1)2023
bottom 16% of 193 countries measured
UNDP Human Development Report Office · HDI score (0–1)
Syria 0.564 · world median 0.762 (worse)
Best in the world 0.972 (Iceland)
▼ -6 percentile points since 2013
INFORM Severity Index3rd of 81position · derived · 1 = worst4.5INFORM Severity (1–5, most severe crisis)2025
bottom 5% of 81 countries measured
ACAPS · INFORM Severity (1–5, most severe crisis)
Syria 4.5 · world median 3.1 (worse)
Best in the world 1.3 (Trinidad and Tobago)
▲ +5 percentile points since 2020
Life Expectancy at Birth137th of 222position · derived72.12Years a newborn would live at current death rates2023
bottom 38% of 222 countries measured
UN DESA Population Division · Years a newborn would live at current death rates
Syria 72.12 · world median 74.63 (worse)
Best in the world 86.37 (Monaco)
▲ +15 percentile points since 2013
Maternal Mortality Ratio121st of 195position · derived · 1 = worst20.37Maternal deaths per 100,000 live births2023
top 38% of 195 countries measured
UN Maternal Mortality Estimation Inter-Agency Group (MMEIG) · Maternal deaths per 100,000 live births
Syria 20.37 · world median 46.65 (better)
Best in the world 0.11 (Cook Islands)
▼ -3 percentile points since 2013
Pesticide Use per Hectare148th of 178position · derived0.35Pesticide use (kg per hectare of cropland)2024
bottom 18% of 181 countries measured · 181 share 178 positions
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Pesticide use (kg per hectare of cropland)
Syria 0.35 · world median 1.73
Highest 37.72 (Antigua and Barbuda)
▼ -3 percentile points since 2014
Prevalence of Undernourishment4th of 104position · derived · 1 = worst39Population undernourished (%)2023
bottom 2% of 165 countries measured · 165 share 104 positions
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Population undernourished (%)
Syria 39 · world median 5.2 (worse)
Best in the world 2.5 (62 countries tied)
▼ -33 percentile points since 2013
Stunting Prevalence in Children Under Five35th of 162position · derived · 1 = worst27.9Children under 5 who are stunted (%)2024
bottom 21% of 162 countries measured
UNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates) · Children under 5 who are stunted (%)
Syria 27.9 · world median 13.8 (worse)
Best in the world 0.518 (Latvia)
No earlier reading to compare
Under-Five Mortality Rate78th of 200position · derived · 1 = worst18.44Deaths before age five (per 1,000 live births)2024
bottom 39% of 200 countries measured
UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME) · Deaths before age five (per 1,000 live births)
Syria 18.44 · world median 14.54 (worse)
Best in the world 1.26 (San Marino)
▲ +9 percentile points since 2014
Development & Human Capital10
Access to Electricitybottom 25%89.3Population with electricity access (%)2024
bottom 25% of 215 countries measured
World Bank Group · Population with electricity access (%)
Syria 89.3 · world median 100 (worse)
Best in the world 100 (122 countries tied)
▼ -9 percentile points since 2014
Agricultural Irrigated Land42nd of 121position · derived7.217Irrigated share of agricultural land (%)2023
top 34% of 121 countries measured
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Irrigated share of agricultural land (%)
Syria 7.217 · world median 3.66
Highest 89.04 (Bangladesh)
No earlier reading to compare
Arable Land per Person67th of 206position · derived0.186Arable land (hectares per person)2023
top 32% of 206 countries measured
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Arable land (hectares per person)
Syria 0.186 · world median 0.109
Highest 1.459 (Kazakhstan)
No real change since 2013
Cereal Import Dependency Ratiotop 45%49.8Share of the cereal supply that is imported (%)2022
top 45% of 161 countries measured
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Share of the cereal supply that is imported (%)
Syria 49.8 · world median 42.8
Highest 100 (16 countries tied)
▲ +7 percentile points since 2012
Child Marriage90th of 143position · derived · 1 = worst13.3Women 20–24 married before 18 (%)2025
top 38% of 145 countries measured · 145 share 143 positions
UNICEF · Women 20–24 married before 18 (%)
Syria 13.3 · world median 17.1 (better)
Best in the world 0 (3 countries tied)
No earlier reading to compare
Gender Development Index181st of 184position · derived0.787Gender Development Index (1.000 = parity)2023
bottom 1% of 184 countries measured
UNDP Human Development Report Office · Gender Development Index (1.000 = parity)
Syria 0.787 · world median 0.971 (worse)
Best in the world 1 (2 countries tied)
▼ -5 percentile points since 2013
Land Under Cereal Production47th of 179position · derived2,688,604Land under cereal production (hectares)2023
top 26% of 180 countries measured · 180 share 179 positions
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Land under cereal production (hectares)
Syria 2,688,604 · world median 689,278
Highest 103,715,108 (India)
No real change since 2013
Organic Agricultural Area113th of 150position · derived0.15Organic share of agricultural land (%)2024
bottom 27% of 156 countries measured · 156 share 150 positions
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Organic share of agricultural land (%)
Syria 0.15 · world median 0.725 (worse)
Best in the world 86.38 (Samoa)
▼ -4 percentile points since 2014
Planetary pressures-adjusted HDI123rd of 156position · derived0.553PHDI (0–1)2023
bottom 21% of 156 countries measured
UNDP Human Development Report Office · PHDI (0–1)
Syria 0.553 · world median 0.678 (worse)
Best in the world 0.827 (United Kingdom)
▼ -7 percentile points since 2013
Water Withdrawal by Sector33rd of 171position · derived87.53Freshwater withdrawn for agriculture (% of total)2022
top 19% of 173 countries measured · 173 share 171 positions
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Freshwater withdrawn for agriculture (% of total)
Syria 87.53 · world median 62.14
Highest 99.48 (Somalia)
No real change since 2012
Environment & Sustainability7
Agricultural Emissions108th of 193position · derived7,459Farm-gate emissions (kt CO₂eq)2023
bottom 46% of 198 countries measured · 198 share 193 positions
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Farm-gate emissions (kt CO₂eq)
Syria 7,459 · world median 8,635
Highest 1,044,508 (India)
No real change since 2013
Ecological Footprint114th of 126position · derived · 1 = worst0.8Ecological Footprint (global hectares per person)2025
top 10% of 126 countries measured
Global Footprint Network · Ecological Footprint (global hectares per person)
Syria 0.8 · world median 2.296 (better)
Best in the world 0.514 (Yemen)
▲ +22 percentile points since 2015
Forest Area184th of 210position · derived2.843Forest area (% of land area)2023
bottom 14% of 213 countries measured · 213 share 210 positions
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Forest area (% of land area)
Syria 2.843 · world median 31.08
Highest 94.45 (Suriname)
No real change since 2013
Renewable Internal Freshwater Resources per Capita160th of 181position · derived317.51Renewable internal freshwater (cubic metres per person)2022
bottom 12% of 181 countries measured
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Renewable internal freshwater (cubic metres per person)
Syria 317.51 · world median 2,528 (worse)
Best in the world 445,023 (Iceland)
No real change since 2012
Renewable Share of Electricity Generation171st of 190position · derived3.537Renewables (% of electricity generated)2024
bottom 11% of 193 countries measured · 193 share 190 positions
Ember · Renewables (% of electricity generated)
Syria 3.537 · world median 31.14 (worse)
Best in the world 100 (7 countries tied)
▼ -28 percentile points since 2014
Water Stress10th of 177position · derived · 1 = worst124.36Freshwater withdrawal as a share of available resources (%)2023
bottom 5% of 177 countries measured
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Freshwater withdrawal as a share of available resources (%)
Syria 124.36 · world median 10 (worse)
Best in the world 0.03 (Republic of the Congo)
No real change since 2013
World Risk Index42nd of 193position · derived · 1 = worst12.65WorldRiskIndex score (0–100, where 100 is the most at risk)2025
bottom 21% of 193 countries measured
Institute for International Law of Peace and Armed Conflict (IFHV), Ruhr University Bochum · WorldRiskIndex score (0–100, where 100 is the most at risk)
Syria 12.65 · world median 4.17 (worse)
Best in the world 0.18 (Monaco)
▼ -3 percentile points since 2015
Peace & Security4
Deaths in Organized Violence11th of 59position · derived · 1 = worst3,449Deaths in organized violence (people)2025
bottom 5% of 196 countries measured · 196 share 59 positions
Uppsala Conflict Data Program (UCDP) · Deaths in organized violence (people)
Syria 3,449 · world median 0 (worse)
Best in the world 0 (138 countries tied)
▲ +5 percentile points since 2015
INFORM Risk Index6th of 191position · derived · 1 = worst7.8INFORM Risk score (0–10, where 10 is the highest risk)2025
bottom 3% of 191 countries measured
European Commission Joint Research Centre, with the Inter-Agency Standing Committee · INFORM Risk score (0–10, where 10 is the highest risk)
Syria 7.8 · world median 3.7 (worse)
Best in the world 0.7 (Singapore)
No real change since 2016
Physical Violence Index132nd of 176position · derived0.417Freedom from political killings and torture (0–1)2025
bottom 25% of 176 countries measured
V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · Freedom from political killings and torture (0–1)
Syria 0.417 · world median 0.79 (worse)
Best in the world 0.989 (2 countries tied)
▲ +25 percentile points since 2015
Political Stability and Absence of Violence209th of 211position · derived-2.368Political Stability estimate (−2.5 to 2.5)2024
bottom 1% of 211 countries measured
World Bank Group · Political Stability estimate (−2.5 to 2.5)
Syria -2.368 · world median 0.04 (worse)
Best in the world 1.582 (Liechtenstein)
No real change since 2014
Not currently covered
The newest edition of these reports does not include Syria. Usually the publisher does not cover it; sometimes it has dropped out of a ranking it used to appear in.
- Account Ownership at a Financial Institution · last seen 2011
- Adjusted Net Savings · last seen 2010
- Agriculture Orientation Index · last seen 2022
- Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Value Added (% of GDP) · last seen 2022
- Births Attended by Skilled Health Staff · last seen 2009
- Business Ready: Operational Efficiency
- Business Ready: Public Services
- Business Ready: Regulatory Framework
- Children with Functional Difficulties
- Coefficient of Human Inequality · last seen 2015
- Container Port Traffic · last seen 2020
- Cost of Sending Remittances · last seen 2016
- Debt Service on External Debt · last seen 2010
- Economic Complexity Index
- Exports of Goods and Services (% of GDP) · last seen 2022
- External Debt Stocks (% of GNI) · last seen 2023
- Fatal Occupational Injuries
- Female Genital Mutilation Prevalence
- Female Share of Senior and Middle Management
- GDP Growth · last seen 2022
- GDP per Capita (PPP) · last seen 2022
- GDP per Person Employed · last seen 2022
- Gender Social Norms Index
- General Government Consumption · last seen 2022
- Global Innovation Index
- Global Militarisation Index · last seen 2013
- Global Multidimensional Poverty Index · last seen 2021
- GNI per Capita (PPP) · last seen 2021
- Government Funding per Primary Student · last seen 2012
- Government Spending on Education · last seen 2009
- Gross Capital Formation (% of GDP)
- Gross Savings (% of GDP) · last seen 2010
- Household Consumption · last seen 2022
- Human Capital Index
- ICT Goods Exports · last seen 2010
- Imports of Goods and Services (% of GDP) · last seen 2022
- Inbound Mobility Rate, Tertiary
- Industry Value Added including Construction (% of GDP) · last seen 2022
- Inequality-adjusted Human Development Index · last seen 2015
- Informal Employment Rate
- Internal Displacements by Disaster · last seen 2023
- Manufacturing Value Added (% of GDP)
- Net Official Development Assistance Received · last seen 2022
- PISA Mathematics Performance
- PISA Reading Performance
- PISA Science Performance
- Prevalence of Severe Food Insecurity
- Public Sector Employment
- Public Sector Wage Bill · last seen 2010
- Research and Development Spending · last seen 2022
- School Life Expectancy · last seen 2013
- Social Institutions and Gender Index
- Social Protection Coverage
- Tertiary Enrolment Ratio · last seen 2016
- Total Natural Resources Rents (% of GDP) · last seen 2020
- Trade (% of GDP) · last seen 2022
- Upper Secondary Attainment · last seen 2009
- Violent Discipline of Children
- World Energy Trilemma Index
- Youth Not in Education, Employment or Training
07Keep reading
Explore further
08Method
Sources and how to read them
How to read this page
- The scores and ranks belong to their publishers. Nothing is adjusted, rescaled or re-ranked; each is reproduced from the edition named beside it. Where a row says position · derived, the publisher ranks nobody on that measure and the position is ours, made by ordering the published score.
- Each statistic shows its newest edition, which is not always the edition the Country Index uses: the index pins every source to one data year so its average compares like with like.
How a standing is built from percentiles, why Syria can move because other countries moved, and why publishers measure between 120 and 215 countries each are set out in full in how a standing is made and what a standing cannot tell you.
Sources
- Statistics: 24 publishers, each named beside its numbers, with every edition and licence on the datasets pages.
- Capital, languages, currency, codes: Wikidata, public domain (CC0).
- Map and land borders: Natural Earth, public domain. Borders are de facto — where administration actually changes — not claimed.
Photographs
The photograph of Syria on this page comes from Wikimedia Commons and is shown in greyscale. The photographer and the licence are named beside each one.
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). Syria: country statistics, rankings and trends. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/syria