Updated
Overview
Syria has 2.5 times the population of Israel: 25.62 million people against 10.12 million (2025).
Israel's economy is 26 times the size of Syria's, at $610.78B versus $23.74B.
Per person, Israel is the wealthier of the two: $60,337 against $1,057 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Syria | Israel | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $23.74B | Higher: $610.78B | 2022 / 2025 | — / $540.38B |
| GDP per capita | $1,057 | Higher: $60,337 | 2022 / 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | -0.2% | Higher: 2.9% | 2022 / 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 13.4% | Lower: 3.0% | 2019 / 2025 | — / 3.1% |
| Unemployment | 13.6% | Lower: 3.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 32 | 101 | 2022 / 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | — | $3,383 | — / 2021 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $4 | Higher: $1,589 | 2022 / 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | — | $7.67 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 25.62 million | 10.12 million | 2025 | 24.26 million / 9.40 million |
| Population growth | 3.8% | 1.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 23.3 yrs | 29.2 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 2.66 | 2.75 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 72.6 yrs | Higher: 83.2 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 72% | 92% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 34% | Higher: 88% | 2018 / 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 185,180 km² | 20,770 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 138.4/km² | 487.4/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | Lower: 32 Mt | 53 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 1.3 t | 5.6 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $2.49B | $46.51B | 2011 / 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 4.1% | 8.8% | 2010 / 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 269,000 | 178,000 | 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
Israel grew while the other economy contracted: 2.9% against -0.2%.
Syria runs the hotter price environment: 13.4% inflation versus 3.0%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Syria: a price level of 32 versus 101 on a US=100 scale.
People and society
Syria is the younger society: median age 23.3 versus 29.2 years.
Life expectancy is 10.6 years longer in Israel (83.2 vs 72.6).
Israel is considerably more urbanized: 92% of people live in cities, against 72%.
Internet adoption is higher in Israel (88% vs 34% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Syria is 8.9 times the size of Israel: 185,180 km² versus 20,770 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Israel is far more densely settled: 487 people per km² against 138.
Military
Israel spends 19 times as much on defence as Syria: $46.51B versus $2.49B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Israel carries the heavier military burden: 8.8% of GDP versus 4.1%.
Syria fields the larger armed forces: 269,000 personnel against 178,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Syria bigger than Israel?
- Syria is larger by land area. Syria covers 185,180 km² while Israel covers 20,770 km², so Syria is 8.9 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Syria or Israel?
- Syria has the larger population: 25.62 million versus 10.12 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Syria richer than Israel?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Israel is richer: $60,337 against $1,057. Total GDP tells the same story: $23.74B for Syria versus $610.78B for Israel.
- Who spends more on their military, Syria or Israel?
- Israel spends more: $46.51B versus $2.49B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).