Country Profile: Syria

Syria, located in the Middle East along the Mediterranean Sea, is bordered by Lebanon and Turkey. The country has a population of approximately 24.3 million people and has faced significant challenges due to an ongoing civil war that began in 2011, leading to widespread devastation of its infrastructure and economy. Governed as a transitional presidential republic, Syria's political landscape has been marked by instability and conflict, particularly following the overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024. The economy, primarily low-income and reliant on agriculture and services, has been severely impacted by continuous war and international sanctions.

Geography

Syria's geographical location in the Middle East is characterized by diverse terrain, including a primarily semiarid desert plateau and mountains in the west. The country covers an area of 187,437 square kilometers and has a coastline of 193 kilometers along the Mediterranean Sea. Major rivers include the Euphrates and the Tigris, which are crucial for the region's water supply.

Area: 187,437 sq km
Elevation: Highest point at Mount Hermon (2,814 m) and the lowest at the Yarmuk River (-66 m).
Natural Resources: Rich in petroleum, phosphates, and iron ore.
Climate: Mostly desert, with hot dry summers and mild rainy winters along the coast.
Urbanization: More than half of the population is concentrated in major cities like Damascus and Aleppo.

People and Society

Syria's population is estimated to be 24,261,882, with a diverse ethnic composition that includes Arabs, Alawites, Kurds, and others. The official language is Arabic, and the country has a majority Muslim population, predominantly Sunni. The ongoing civil war has resulted in significant displacement, with millions becoming refugees or internally displaced persons.

Population: 24.3 million (2025 est.)
Ethnic Groups: Predominantly Arab (~50%), Alawite (~15%), and Kurdish (~10%).
Languages: Arabic (official), along with Kurdish, Armenian, and others.
Life Expectancy: 74.8 years (2024 est.)
Literacy Rate: Approximately 94.4% (2021 est.)

Economy

Syria's economy is currently classified as low-income and has been severely affected by the prolonged civil war. The GDP, estimated at around $98.9 billion in purchasing power parity for 2023, shows a decline in growth due to hyperinflation and sanctions. Agriculture remains a significant part of the economy, contributing 43.1% to the GDP in 2022.

GDP (PPP): $98.858 billion (2023 est.)
Real GDP Growth Rate: -1.2% (2023 est.)
Unemployment Rate: 13% (2024 est.)
Labor Force: 6.6 million (2024 est.)
Inflation Rate: 94.1% (2022 est.)

Government

The Syrian Arab Republic is currently governed as a transitional presidential republic with a mixed legal system of civil and Islamic law. The capital, Damascus, has been a focal point for the ongoing conflict, which has significantly impacted governance structures. After the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad, new authorities are attempting to unify the military factions and restore order.

Government Type: Transitional presidential republic.
Capital: Damascus.
Suffrage: Universal at 18 years of age.
Administrative Divisions: 14 provinces.
Constitution: A transitional constitution was enacted in March 2025 following the former regime's collapse.

Military and Security

Following years of civil unrest, the military and security structure in Syria is under reformation by interim authorities as they attempt to consolidate various armed factions into a unified force. Military expenditures were approximately 6.5% of GDP in 2019.

Military Expenditures: 6.5% of GDP (2019 est.)
Military Service Age: Previously required for men aged 18-38; conscription is now abolished under the interim government.
Military Equipment: Primarily Russian and Soviet-era armaments.

Energy

Syria's energy sector is largely based on fossil fuels, with electricity generated predominantly from these sources. The country struggles with electricity access, particularly in rural areas, but urban electrification is at 100%.

Installed Electricity Capacity: 9.636 million kW (2023 est.)
Oil Production: 65,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
Electricity Access: 89% of the total population electrified (2022 est.)
Natural Gas Production: 2.763 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
Energy Consumption per Capita: 13.569 million Btu/person (2023 est.)

Environment

Syria faces considerable environmental challenges, including deforestation, soil erosion, and water resource depletion exacerbated by ongoing conflict. The country is party to several international environmental agreements.

Natural Hazards: Dust storms and desertification.
Total Renewable Water Resources: 16.802 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
Carbon Dioxide Emissions: 20.243 million metric tonnes (2023 est.)
Urban Population: 57.4% (2023)
Agricultural Land: 74.1% of total land area (2023 est.)

Transportation

Syria has an extensive network of transportation facilities, including a railway system and numerous airports. The civil aviation sector has been impacted by the ongoing conflict.

Airports: 42 (2025)
Railway Length: 2,052 km (2014)
Ports: 3 (2024), including key ports like Al Ladhiqiyah and Tartus.
Merchant Marine: 24 vessels (2023)

Communications

The communications sector in Syria features a mix of state and limited private media, with significant restrictions on political content. Internet access remains relatively low compared to global standards.

Internet Users: 35% of the population (2019 est.)
Fixed-Line Subscriptions: 2.816 million (2023 est.)
Mobile Cellular Subscriptions: 17.6 million (2024 est.)

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	24,261,882	Estimated for 2025
Area	187,437 sq km	Total surface area
GDP (PPP)	$98.858 billion	Estimated for 2023
Unemployment Rate	13%	Estimated for 2024
Birth Rate	21.26 births/1,000	Estimated for 2025
Life Expectancy	74.8 years	Estimated for 2024
Electrification Rate	89%	Total population, estimated for 2022
Urban Population	57.4%	Total population, estimated for 2023
Military Expenditures	6.5% of GDP	Estimated for 2019
Literacy Rate	94.4%	Estimated for 2021