Updated
Overview
Iraq has about 85% more people than Syria: 47.02 million against 25.62 million (2025).
Iraq's economy is 11 times the size of Syria's, at $254.37B versus $23.74B.
Per person, Iraq is the wealthier of the two: $5,410 against $1,057 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Iraq | Syria | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $254.37B | $23.74B | 2025 / 2022 | $279.64B / — |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $5,410 | $1,057 | 2025 / 2022 | — / — |
| GDP growth | -2.2% | Higher: -0.2% | 2025 / 2022 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 0.3% | 13.4% | 2025 / 2019 | 4.4% / — |
| Unemployment | 15.5% | Lower: 13.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 38 | 32 | 2024 / 2022 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | Higher: $269 | $4 | 2024 / 2022 | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 47.02 million | 25.62 million | 2025 | 42.92 million / 24.26 million |
| Population growth | 2.1% | 3.8% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 20.8 yrs | 23.3 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 3.17 | 2.66 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 72.4 yrs | Higher: 72.6 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 70% | 72% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 81% | 34% | 2024 / 2018 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 438,317 km² | 185,180 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 107.3/km² | 138.4/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 234 Mt | Lower: 32 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 5.1 t | Lower: 1.3 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $6.18B | $2.49B | 2024 / 2011 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.4% | 4.1% | 2024 / 2010 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 459,000 | 269,000 | 2020 | — / — |
Sources by row: World Bank WDI, IMF WEO, UN WPP 2024, ILOSTAT, The Economist. Emphasis marks the stronger figure where one direction is meaningfully better.
Reading the numbers
Economy
Both economies contracted, Syria less sharply: -0.2% against -2.2%.
Syria runs the hotter price environment: 13.4% inflation versus 0.3%.
People and society
Iraq is the younger society: median age 20.8 versus 23.3 years.
Internet adoption is higher in Iraq (81% vs 34% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Iraq is 2.4 times the size of Syria: 438,317 km² versus 185,180 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Military
Iraq spends 2.5 times as much on defence as Syria: $6.18B versus $2.49B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Syria carries the heavier military burden: 4.1% of GDP versus 2.4%.
Iraq fields the larger armed forces: 459,000 personnel against 269,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Iraq bigger than Syria?
- Iraq is larger by land area. Iraq covers 438,317 km² while Syria covers 185,180 km², so Iraq is 2.4 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Iraq or Syria?
- Iraq has the larger population: 47.02 million versus 25.62 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Iraq richer than Syria?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Iraq is richer: $5,410 against $1,057. Total GDP tells the same story: $254.37B for Iraq versus $23.74B for Syria.
- Who spends more on their military, Iraq or Syria?
- Iraq spends more: $6.18B versus $2.49B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).