Syria
Syria is a Western Asian nation located along the eastern Mediterranean with a total land area of 185180 km² (71500 sq mi). Current estimates place the population at approximately 26.9 million people, with a GDP per capita of approximately 1,083 USD.
Where is Syria?
Syria
- Continent
- Asia
- Country
- Syria
- Coordinates
- 35.00°, 38.00°
Population Details
- Population
- 27M
- Area
- 185,180 km²
- Density per km²
- 145 / km²
- Growth rate
- +4.47%
- Annual growth
- +1.2M people
- Daily growth
- +3.3K people
- World population share
- 0.33%
Population & Social Snapshot
Age structure, urbanization, and benchmark indicators for Syria
Age Distribution
Urbanization
Health & Education Benchmarks
Quick Facts
- Capital
- Damascus
- Region
- Asia
- Area
- 185,180 km²
- Languages
- Arabic
- Currency
- Syrian pound (£)
- Timezones
- UTC+02:00
- UN Member
- Yes
Economy
The Syrian economy is characterized by its reliance on agriculture, services, and petroleum resources, though growth remains modest with an annual GDP growth rate of 0.73%. Recent data shows an unemployment rate of approximately 13.6%, which ranks 20 of 186 globally when sorted from highest to lowest. In terms of overall economic output, the nation's GDP ranks 123 of 212 globally and 37 of 48 in the Asian region. However, the GDP per capita rank is significantly lower, standing at 192 of 212 globally and 16 of 17 within the Western Asia subregion.
Society
Syria maintains a high adult literacy rate of 94.4%, ranking 82 of 170 globally, which reflects a strong historical emphasis on education. Life expectancy at birth is currently 72.6 years, placing the country at a global rank of 128 of 215. While urban development is significant with 72.1% of people living in cities, digital infrastructure remains a challenge; only 34.7% of the population are internet users, ranking 178 of 212 globally for connectivity.
Climate & Environment
The country experiences a Mediterranean climate along its 193 km (120 mi) coastline, featuring mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers. Further inland, the landscape transitions into a semi-arid plateau and the Syrian Desert, where temperatures can reach extremes and annual rainfall is minimal. The terrain rises to a peak of 2814 m (9232 ft) at Mount Hermon, while the lowest point near Lake Tiberias sits at -200 m (-656 ft).
Government & Politics
- Government Type
- Presidential republic; highly authoritarian regime
- Independence
- 1946-04-17 (France)
Syria is a presidential republic governed by a highly authoritarian regime. The political system is dominated by the Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party, which has maintained a leading role in the state since the early 1960s. Power is heavily centralized in the presidency, which holds extensive executive authority, including the power to appoint the Council of Ministers and issue legislative decrees. The legislative branch, known as the People's Council, consists of 250 members elected to four-year terms, though it remains largely subordinate to the executive branch. Historically, the leadership has been drawn from the Alawite community, which constitutes approximately 15 percent of the population. The government maintains strict control over political expression and assembly. While the constitution provides for a multi-party system, the political landscape is tightly managed to ensure the continuity of the current administration. Judicial independence is limited, and the legal system is influenced by a combination of civil law, Islamic law, and executive oversight.
History
Syria is home to some of the world's oldest continuously inhabited cities, including its capital, Damascus, and Aleppo. For centuries, the region was a crossroads for empires, including the Hittites, Assyrians, Romans, and Byzantines, before becoming the heart of the Umayyad Caliphate. Following four centuries of Ottoman rule, Syria came under a French Mandate after World War I. The nation achieved independence on 17 April 1946, a date celebrated as Evacuation Day. The post-independence era was marked by political instability and a series of military coups. In 1958, Syria briefly merged with Egypt to form the United Arab Republic, though the union dissolved in 1961. The Ba'ath Party seized power in 1963, and Hafez al-Assad took control in 1970, initiating a period of long-term stability under a centralized security state. After his death in 2000, his son Bashar al-Assad assumed the presidency. The early 21st century saw periods of attempted economic reform, but social and political tensions eventually led to widespread civil conflict. This modern era has been defined by massive internal displacement and a significant impact on the nation's infrastructure, with the estimated 2026 population reaching approximately 27 million people.
Notable Facts
- Damascus is widely recognized as one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, with archaeological evidence suggesting a human presence for several millennia.
- The nation's highest point is Mount Hermon, or Jabal ash Shaykh, which reaches an elevation of 2814 m (9232 ft) on the border with Lebanon.
- Syria maintains a high literacy rate of approximately 94.4 percent, reflecting a long-standing emphasis on education despite recent socio-economic challenges.
- The country possesses significant natural resources, particularly petroleum and phosphates, along with ores like chrome, manganese, and iron.
- Syria's religious landscape is diverse; while 87 percent of the population is Muslim, there is a significant Christian minority representing 10 percent of the people.
Geography
- Highest Point
- Mount Hermon (Jabal ash Shaykh) (2,814 m)
- Lowest Point
- Unnamed location near Lake Tiberias (Sea of Galilee) (-200 m)
- Coastline
- 193 km
Major Cities
Largest Cities in SyriaExplore weather and climate data for cities in Syria
Climate & Weather
View full climate guideMonthly averages for Damascus
| Month | Temp | Feels Like | Rain | Sun | Humidity | Status | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 14°C / 5°C | 11°C / 2°C | 7days (37 mm) Good | 8.6h Good | 71% Muggy | Fair | View Details |
| February | 14°C / 5°C | 12°C / 2°C | 6days (31 mm) Good | 9.5h Good | 68% Muggy | Fair | View Details |
| March | 18°C / 8°C | 16°C / 5°C | 7days (33 mm) Good | 10.6h Excellent | 60% Moderate | Good | View Details |
| April best | 25°C / 12°C | 23°C / 10°C | 4days (12 mm) Good | 12.2h Excellent | 47% Moderate | Excellent | View Details |
| May best | 30°C / 15°C | 28°C / 13°C | 2days (6 mm) Excellent | 12.9h Excellent | 40% Comfortable | Excellent | View Details |
| June best | 34°C / 19°C | 34°C / 18°C | 0days (1 mm) Excellent | 13.3h Excellent | 38% Comfortable | Excellent | View Details |
| July | 37°C / 21°C | 38°C / 21°C | 0days (1 mm) Excellent | 13.3h Excellent | 39% Comfortable | Good | View Details |
| August | 37°C / 21°C | 38°C / 22°C | 0days (1 mm) Excellent | 12.9h Excellent | 42% Moderate | Good | View Details |
| September | 34°C / 19°C | 34°C / 19°C | 0days (0 mm) Excellent | 11.7h Excellent | 44% Moderate | Excellent | View Details |
| October best | 29°C / 15°C | 27°C / 14°C | 0days (2 mm) Excellent | 10.7h Excellent | 46% Moderate | Excellent | View Details |
| November | 21°C / 11°C | 19°C / 9°C | 5days (23 mm) Good | 9.3h Good | 60% Moderate | Good | View Details |
| December | 16°C / 7°C | 13°C / 5°C | 5days (22 mm) Good | 8.1h Good | 70% Muggy | Good | View Details |
Temperature
Line chart showing monthly temperatures. Jan: 14°C / 5°C . Feb: 14°C / 5°C . Mar: 18°C / 8°C . Apr: 25°C / 12°C . May: 30°C / 15°C . Jun: 34°C / 19°C . Jul: 37°C / 21°C . Aug: 37°C / 21°C . Sep: 34°C / 19°C . Oct: 29°C / 15°C . Nov: 21°C / 11°C . Dec: 16°C / 7°C .
Rainfall
Bar chart showing monthly rainfall. Jan: 37 mm. Feb: 31 mm. Mar: 33 mm. Apr: 12 mm. May: 6 mm. Jun: 1 mm. Jul: 1 mm. Aug: 1 mm. Sep: 0 mm. Oct: 2 mm. Nov: 23 mm. Dec: 22 mm.
Frequently Asked Questions
The population of Syria is approximately 27M (2024).
The capital of Syria is Damascus.
Syria's GDP per capita is $1.1K (2022).
Life expectancy in Syria is 72.56 years (2024).
Syria covers 185,180 km² (71,498 sq mi).
Syria has a moderate population density of 145 people per km², close to the global average of 60.
Syria's population is growing rapidly at 4.5% per year — among the fastest in the world.
Based on GDP per capita, Syria falls in the low GDP-per-person tier at $1.1K. Official World Bank income groups use Atlas-method GNI per capita, so this is a GDP-based comparison rather than an official income-group label.
Syria reports a low intentional homicide rate of 2.1 per 100,000 people, below the global average.
The official language of Syria is Arabic.
Syria uses the Syrian pound (£) as its sole official currency.
The best months to visit Syria are April, May, June, October, based on climate data for the capital.
Current estimates show the population of Syria is approximately 26.9 million people. This represents a significant annual growth rate of approximately 4.5% based on recent data. Globally, the nation's population size ranks 57 of 215, making it the 5th largest country in the Western Asia subregion.
The latest available data indicates that the GDP per capita in Syria is approximately 1,083 USD. This figure ranks the nation 192 of 212 globally and 46 of 48 in the Asian region. The economy has seen an annual GDP growth rate of approximately 0.73% according to recent estimates.
The current life expectancy at birth in Syria is estimated at 72.6 years. This figure places the country at a global rank of 128 of 215. Despite regional challenges, this reflects a relatively stable health profile compared to other nations with similar economic output levels.
Syria has a high adult literacy rate of approximately 94.4%, according to the latest available data. This achievement ranks the country 82 of 170 globally. The high literacy level is a result of long-standing educational policies, even as the nation faces ongoing structural and economic difficulties.
The unemployment rate in Syria is currently estimated at approximately 13.6%. According to recent data, this places the nation 20 of 186 globally when ranked by the highest unemployment levels. Labor participation is primarily concentrated in the services and agriculture sectors, alongside significant government employment.
Approximately 34.7% of the Syrian population are internet users, based on recent data. This connectivity level ranks the country 178 of 212 globally. While digital access has grown over the last decade, it remains lower than many of its neighbors in the Western Asia subregion.
Syria currently ranks 57th in the world out of 215 countries and territories according to the latest data. Regionally, it is ranked 22nd in Asia and 5th within the Western Asia subregion. These rankings place Syria as a significant demographic entity in the Levant, situated between Turkey and Iraq in size.
The current estimated population density of Syria is 146.5 people per km² (379.4 per sq mi). This is a notable increase from the latest official data of 128.5 people per km² recorded in 2023. The highest densities are found in urban centers and the fertile lands in the western part of the country.
Syria's population is currently growing at a high annual rate of 4.5%. This growth is driven by a crude birth rate of 23.2 per 1,000 people which significantly exceeds the crude death rate of 4.9 per 1,000. This trend marks a transition from previous years characterized by conflict-related population shifts and decline.
The current fertility rate in Syria is 2.7 births per woman, ranking the country 66th worldwide. This rate is above the global replacement level of 2.1, ensuring continued natural population growth. Large family sizes remain common, particularly as the nation undergoes a period of demographic recovery and societal stabilization.
Approximately 72.1% of the Syrian population lives in urban areas, according to recent data. This high level of urbanization, which ranks 81st globally, highlights the importance of major cities like Damascus, Aleppo, and Homs. Most citizens are concentrated in these developed metropolitan hubs rather than in the rural eastern desert regions.
All Indicators
Explore Syria's data across 50+ indicators
Demographics
Economy
Health
Education
Environment
Military & Security
Infrastructure
Geography
Last updated: