Syria: Population, Economy & Travel Facts

Essential data for planning your trip to Syria — from population and demographics to economic indicators, healthcare infrastructure, tourism trends, and digital connectivity.

Population & Geography

Population
16,906,283
#69 of 197 countries
Area
187,437 km²
#90 of 248 countries
Density
90.2 / km²
#120 of 245 countries

Syria has a population of 16,906,283 spread across 187,437 km², giving it an average density of 90.2 people per km².

Demographics

Median Age
24.5
Life Expectancy
74.8 yrs
Literacy Rate
94.4%
Government
transitional presidential republic
Religions
GDP by Sector

Population Trends

How a country's age structure is shifting tells you a lot about what to expect on the ground. A growing elderly population often means better healthcare and higher costs, while a young population signals energy and growth but potentially less developed infrastructure.

Age Structure Over Time
Population Growth Rate (%)
Urban vs Rural (%)
Birth & Death Rates (per 1,000)

Economy & Cost of Living

Understanding the local economy helps travellers budget effectively and set expectations. Syria is classified as a low income country by the World Bank. Prices are roughly 22% of US levels, meaning your money goes significantly further here — accommodation, food, and transport are very affordable by Western standards.

Income Level
Low income
GDP per Capita
$1,052
Cost of Living
22% of US
Inflation
13.4%
Inequality
26.6
Low
GDP per Capita (USD)
GDP Growth (%)
Inflation Rate (%)
Employment
GDP/Capita (PPP)
$4,200
Unemployment
13.0%

Tourism

Tourism data reveals how popular a destination is and how much infrastructure exists to support visitors. Tourism accounts for 32.2% of Syria's total exports, making it a major pillar of the economy — expect well-developed tourist infrastructure, but also crowded hotspots.

Tourism % of Exports
32.2%
Air Passengers
610,745
International Tourist Arrivals
Tourism Receipts (USD)
Air Passengers Carried
Tourism as % of Exports

Health & Safety Infrastructure

Healthcare quality matters when you're far from home. These indicators help gauge what level of medical care is available — Syria has 1.52 physicians per 1,000 people, near the global average. Standard travel insurance should suffice.

Physicians
1.52/1k
Hospital Beds
1.43/1k
Health Spend
$33/person
Infant Mortality
19.0/1k
Immunization
81%
Safe Drinking Water
94.1%
Basic Sanitation
95.7%
Health Expenditure per Capita (USD)
Hospital Beds per 1,000

Connectivity & Digital Infrastructure

Staying connected while travelling is essential for navigation, communication, and remote work. In Syria, 35% of the population uses the internet — connectivity can be limited outside major cities, so download offline maps and content before heading to rural areas. There are 72 mobile subscriptions per 100 people.

Internet Users
34.7%
Mobile Subs
72/100
Broadband
6.9/100
Electricity Access
88.4%
Internet Users (%)
Urbanization (%)

Source: World Bank Open Data