Country Profile: Syria

Syria, officially known as the Syrian Arab Republic, is situated in the Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea. The country has a complex political landscape marked by a highly authoritarian governance structure. Following over a decade of civil war, Syria's economy is in dire straits, characterized by hyperinflation and significant external debt. With a population of approximately 23.9 million, the nation faces immense humanitarian challenges, exacerbated by the ongoing conflict and international sanctions.

Geography

Syria is located in the Middle East, with a coastline along the Mediterranean Sea, bordered by Lebanon, Turkey, Iraq, Jordan, and Israel. Its terrain primarily consists of semiarid regions and desert plateaus, with fertile areas concentrated along the coast and Euphrates River valley. The country's total area spans 187,437 sq km, incorporating a mix of land and water bodies.

2,363 km total land boundaries with neighboring countries.
193 km of coastline along the Mediterranean Sea.
Mount Hermon is the highest point at 2,814 m.

People and Society

As of 2024, Syria's population is estimated at 23,865,423, with a significant urban population density found mainly along the Mediterranean coast and in major cities such as Damascus and Aleppo. The country is ethnically diverse, predominantly Arab (around 50%), with notable Alawite, Kurdish, and Levantine minorities. The majority of the population practices Islam, with a smaller percentage adhering to Christianity.

33% of the population is aged 0-14 years.
62.8% are between 15-64 years old.
The median age of the population is 24.1 years.

Economy

Syria's economy is categorized as low-income and has been severely impacted by an 11-year civil war that led to widespread devastation of infrastructure. The economy is supported by a mix of agricultural, industrial, and service sectors, with agriculture contributing approximately 43.1% to GDP. Despite a slight GDP growth in recent years, hyperinflation and continuous sanctions have stagnated economic recovery.

Real GDP (PPP) is estimated at $98.858 billion for 2023.
The GDP per capita is approximately $4,200.
Unemployment rate stands at 13% for 2024.

Government

Syria is governed as a presidential republic, with a highly authoritarian regime. The interim government has recently attempted to unify armed factions under a state-linked army and established ministries to manage defense and police. The legal system is a mixed model that incorporates both civil and Islamic law.

The capital is Damascus, which has an ancient history.
The last president before the civil war, Bashar al-Asad, was overthrown in December 2024.
The next expected presidential election is set for 2028.

Military and Security

The military landscape in Syria is currently fragmented due to the civil war, with many different factions operating independently. The new interim government is working toward consolidating these factions into a unified military framework. Syria's military expenditures represented 6.5% of GDP in 2019, indicative of the ongoing security challenges.

The UN Disengagement Observer Force has been active since 1974.
Military service obligation existed for men aged 18-42 prior to the regime change in December 2024.

Energy

Syria's energy sector is primarily reliant on fossil fuels, accounting for about 95.6% of total installed electricity generating capacity. However, the country faces challenges in meeting energy needs due to infrastructure damage and sanctions.

The installed electricity generating capacity is approximately 9.636 million kW.
Daily petroleum production is estimated at 65,000 barrels.
Consumption of electricity reached 15.522 billion kWh in 2023.

Environment

Syria grapples with a range of environmental issues, including deforestation and desertification. Water pollution from inadequate waste management adds to the environmental challenges faced by urban and rural communities alike.

73.5% of land is classified as agricultural.
99.8% of the population has access to improved drinking water sources.
Total renewable water resources are estimated at 16.8 billion cubic meters.

Transportation

Transportation infrastructure in Syria includes a mix of civil aircraft, roads, and railways. The recent conflicts have left many infrastructures damaged or underdeveloped, affecting the transportation network.

There are 42 airports in Syria.
The railway system spans 2,052 km.
24 merchant marine vessels are currently registered.

Communications

Syria has a developing communications sector, with a growing number of mobile users despite the challenges posed by conflict.

There are approximately 15.1 million mobile cellular subscriptions.
35% of the population were internet users as of 2019.
Fixed-line telephone subscriptions total about 2.816 million.

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	23,865,423	2024 estimate
Area	187,437 sq km	Total area
Real GDP (PPP)	$98.858 billion	2023 estimate
GDP per capita	$4,200	2023 estimate
Unemployment rate	13%	2024 estimate
Birth rate	21.7 births/1,000 population	2024 estimate
Life expectancy	74.8 years	2024 estimate
Energy consumption per capita	13.569 million Btu/person	2023 estimate
Major urban areas population	2.585 million (Damascus)	2023 estimate
Agricultural land	73.5%	2022 estimate