Updated
Overview
Syria has 2.2 times the population of Jordan: 25.62 million people against 11.52 million (2025).
Jordan's economy is 2.6 times the size of Syria's, at $61.61B versus $23.74B.
Per person, Jordan is the wealthier of the two: $5,348 against $1,057 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Syria | Jordan | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $23.74B | Higher: $61.61B | 2022 / 2025 | — / $53.35B |
| GDP per capita | $1,057 | Higher: $5,348 | 2022 / 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | -0.2% | Higher: 2.8% | 2022 / 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 13.4% | Lower: 1.8% | 2019 / 2025 | — / 1.6% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 13.6% | 16.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 32 | 42 | 2022 / 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | — | $495 | — / 2024 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $4 | Higher: $366 | 2022 / 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | — | $3.53 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 25.62 million | 11.52 million | 2025 | 24.26 million / 11.31 million |
| Population growth | 3.8% | -0.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 23.3 yrs | 24.7 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 2.66 | 2.57 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 72.6 yrs | Higher: 78.0 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 72% | 93% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 34% | Higher: 96% | 2018 / 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 185,180 km² | 89,342 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 138.4/km² | 129.0/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 32 Mt | Lower: 23 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 1.3 t | 2.0 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $2.49B | $2.56B | 2011 / 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 4.1% | 4.8% | 2010 / 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 269,000 | 116,000 | 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
Jordan grew while the other economy contracted: 2.8% against -0.2%.
Syria runs the hotter price environment: 13.4% inflation versus 1.8%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Syria: a price level of 32 versus 42 on a US=100 scale.
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 23.3 (Syria) and 24.7 (Jordan).
Life expectancy is 5.4 years longer in Jordan (78.0 vs 72.6).
Jordan is considerably more urbanized: 93% of people live in cities, against 72%.
Internet adoption is higher in Jordan (96% vs 34% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Syria is 2.1 times the size of Jordan: 185,180 km² versus 89,342 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Military
Defence budgets are of similar magnitude: $2.49B (Syria) and $2.56B (Jordan).
Syria fields the larger armed forces: 269,000 personnel against 116,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Syria bigger than Jordan?
- Syria is larger by land area. Syria covers 185,180 km² while Jordan covers 89,342 km², so Syria is 2.1 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Syria or Jordan?
- Syria has the larger population: 25.62 million versus 11.52 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Syria richer than Jordan?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Jordan is richer: $5,348 against $1,057. Total GDP tells the same story: $23.74B for Syria versus $61.61B for Jordan.
- Who spends more on their military, Syria or Jordan?
- Jordan spends more: $2.56B versus $2.49B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).