Country Profile: Syria

Syria is a Middle Eastern country bordered by the Mediterranean Sea, with a rich but tumultuous history marked by colonial mandates, military coups, and a long-standing civil war. Currently, it has a population of approximately 24 million, with significant urban concentrations in cities like Damascus and Aleppo. The economy is recovering from the devastating impacts of over a decade of conflict, characterized by low income, hyperinflation, and reliance on international aid. Governance is transitioning following the recent overthrow of President Bashar al-ASAD, which has led to efforts to unify various armed factions under a centralized authority.

Geography

Syria is located in the Middle East, sharing borders with Lebanon, Turkey, Iraq, Jordan, and Israel, and boasts a diverse terrain that includes mountains, plateaus, and a narrow coastal plain. The country's climate is predominantly desert, featuring hot, dry summers and mild, rainy winters along the coast. Natural resources include petroleum and phosphates, although agricultural land constitutes a significant portion of usage.

Area: 187,437 sq km
Border Length: 2,363 km
Highest Point: Mount Hermon at 2,814 m
Natural Resources: Petroleum, phosphates, iron ore
Population Density: Significant along the Mediterranean coast and major urban areas

People and Society

Syria's population is approximately 24.3 million, composed primarily of Arabs (about 50%), followed by Alawites, Kurds, and other ethnic groups. Arabic is the official language, while Islam is the dominant religion, accounting for 87% of the population. The civil war has dramatically altered the demographic landscape, leading to significant urbanization and shifts in population distribution.

Ethnic Groups: Arab ~50%, Alawite ~15%, Kurd ~10%
Literacy Rate: 94.4% (2021 est.)
Urban Population: 57.4% of total population (2023)
Median Age: 24.5 years (2025 est.)
Life Expectancy: 74.8 years (2024 est.)

Economy

Syria's economy is classified as low-income, heavily affected by an 11-year civil war and ongoing sanctions. Despite these challenges, agriculture and services make notable contributions to the GDP, with significant inflation and unemployment rates hampering recovery efforts. The economy relies on remittances and foreign aid for stability.

GDP (PPP): $98.858 billion (2023 est.)
GDP per Capita: $4,200 (2023 est.)
Unemployment Rate: 13% (2024 est.)
Agriculture Contribution: 43.1% of GDP (2022 est.)
Inflation Rate: 94.1% (2022 est.)

Government

Syria is currently experiencing a transition in governance after the removal of long-time president Bashar al-ASAD. The country operates as a transitional presidential republic and has faced challenges in establishing a unified state apparatus amidst ongoing conflicts. The interim government is working to consolidate control over various armed factions.

Capital: Damascus
Government Type: Transitional presidential republic
Suffrage: Universal at 18 years of age
Constitution: Transitional constitution announced in 2025
Legislative Body: People's Assembly with 210 seats

Military and Security

The military landscape in Syria remains fragmented with numerous armed factions, and a transition towards establishing a unified state-linked army is underway. Military expenditure remains significant despite the economic struggles, focusing on maintaining internal order and addressing security challenges.

Military Expenditures: 6.5% of GDP (2019 est.)
Conscription Age: Previously required for men aged 18-38
Military Equipment: Primarily Russian and Soviet-era armaments
Control Issues: Government lacks comprehensive control; various regions are held by different groups
UN Presence: UN Disengagement Observer Force monitoring the Golan Heights

Energy

Syria's energy sector has been severely impacted by conflicts, but it still relies on fossil fuels for electricity generation. The installed capacity for electricity generation is largely dependent on traditional energy sources, with growing needs for renewable energy initiatives.

Electricity Access: 89% of total population (2022 est.)
Installed Capacity: 9.636 million kW (2023 est.)
Petroleum Production: 65,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
Natural Gas Production: 2.763 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
Electrification Urban Areas: 100%

Environment

Syria faces significant environmental challenges, including deforestation, water resource depletion, and pollution. Additionally, the ongoing conflict has exacerbated these issues, affecting land use and agricultural productivity.

Environmental Issues: Deforestation, desertification, water pollution
Urban Population: 57.4% of total as of 2023
Agricultural Land Use: 74.1% (2023 est.)
Major Rivers: Euphrates and Tigris
Climate Challenges: Mostly desert with seasonal variability

Transportation

Syria's transportation infrastructure has suffered during the civil war, but efforts are underway to rebuild and improve access. The country has a mixture of air, rail, and sea transport options that facilitate limited movement and trade.

Airports: 42 (2025)
Railways: 2,052 km (2014)
Merchant Marine: 24 vessels (2023)
Key Ports: Al Ladhiqiyah, Tartus
Heliports: 13 (2025)

Communications

The telecommunications sector in Syria is characterized by state control with limited private enterprise. However, mobile and internet services have expanded since the early 2000s, despite challenges associated with the civil war.

Mobile Subscriptions: 17.6 million (2024)
Fixed-line Subscriptions: 2.816 million (2023)
Internet Users: 35% of the population (2019 est.)
Broadcast Media: State-run TV and radio services are predominant
Broadband Subscriptions: 1.62 million (2023)

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	24,261,882 (2025 est.)
Area	187,437 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$98.858 billion (2023 est.)
Energy Consumption per Capita	13.569 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Birth Rate	21.26 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Unemployment Rate	13% (2024 est.)
Life Expectancy	74.8 years (2024 est.)
Literacy Rate	94.4% (2021 est.)
Total Fertility Rate	2.64 children born/woman (2025 est.)
Infant Mortality Rate	14.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)