Syria Scope Travel proudly presents Syria through numbers. We obtained the information from national and official sources and, after conducting cross-referencing and comparison with multiple sources, we provide you with reliable and accurate numbers about Syria statistics. Tourists and visitors can easily understand the place through these numbers.
Syria, officially the Syrian Arab Republic, is a country with a rich history and complex present. This blog post is for you to provide a statistical overview of Syria, covering various aspects of its geography, demographics, economy, and social structure.
Syria is located in the western part of Asia, in a middle position between Asia, Europe, and Africa between longitude lines east 36-42 and latitude lines north 29-37. Bordering Lebanon and the Mediterranean Sea to the west, Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east, Jordan to the south, and Palestine to the southwest. Syria contains diverse terrains: mountains, valleys, deserts, and plains. In addition, the highest point in Syria is 2814 meters, which is to the south of the eastern Lebanese mountain range.70% of Syria’s land is the Badia desert. The average rainfall in the coastal region is 1200 mm. The total area of Syria: is 185,000 square kilometers or 21,000 square miles or 18 million hectares. The total length of Syria’s borders with neighboring countries is 2413 km as follows: Turkey 110 km, Iraq 96 km, Jordan 256 km, Palestine 21 km, Lebanon 201 km.
Syria’s population was estimated to be 22 million in 2011, with an additional 10 million Syrians living outside the country. The population growth rate has historically been higher than the global average. The population growth rate was 1.4% in 2009, in fact, the global population growth rate was 1.70%, and the population growth rate in Europe is almost zero. Age Structure: A significant portion of the population consists of young individuals, with over 60% under the age of 18. The average age is about 72 years, with men averaging 71 years and women averaging 73 years. The poverty rate hovers around 12%The unemployment rate stands at 11.5%. The average family size includes 5 people. Most importantly, it is necessary to secure 200,000 job opportunities annually. Marriage rate: males around 30 years, females around 26 years. Geographic Distribution: Damascus, Aleppo, and Homs are the most populous cities, with millions of residents each.
Islam is the predominant religion of almost 86%, in fact, Muslims make up the vast majority of the Syrian population, including Sunnis and Shi’a Muslims, also, Sunni Muslims make up about 74%, while Shi’a groups constitute about 13%. The Syrian Druze community forms approximately 3% of the population of Syria.
Syria is currently undergoing a political transition after the fall of the Assad regime on 8 December 2024. A transitional government, headed by Mohammed al-Bashir, has been formed to govern the country until 1 March 2025. Authorities suspended the Syrian constitution and parliament on 12 December 2024 for the duration of the transitional period.
Economic growth rate: 5.8% in 2009. State budget: 835 billion Syrian pounds (18 billion dollars) in 2011. The previous conflict severely damaged Syria’s economy, leading to significant economic decline, inflation, and unemployment. Recent financial data is limited due to the previous situation. Number of banks: 17 banks, including 6 governmental and 11 private. However, key sectors in the economy of Syria include oil and gas, agriculture (26%), industry (27%), tourism (12%), and (40%) of other sectors.
The prolonged conflict has caused substantial setbacks in the Syrian industrial sector, destroying facilities and disrupting the workforce. Despite these challenges, policymakers are actively working to revitalize industries through reconstruction initiatives and potential reforms aimed at encouraging investment and rebuilding infrastructure. 125,000 industrial facilities, 4 large industrial zones, and Homs is the economic base in the region. Syria had various industries, including textiles, food processing, chemicals, and petroleum.
Specifically, the most important industries, are oil extraction and refining, and Syria’s gas production, there are 15 oil and gas exploration companies in Syria. Foodstuffs, oils, cheeses, canned food, sugar, biscuits, drinks, grains, and grain processing. Textiles and various modern and traditional types, such as brocade, silk, ready-made and home clothes, towels (Syrian exports of textiles and fabrics 32 billion dollars), and leather tanning. Cement, porcelain, building stones, wood, furniture, and mosaics. Soap and detergents. Medicine: more than 1500 types of drugs are produced, 90% of Syria’s needs are met, and they are exported to 55 countries worldwide.Also, there are about 70 pharmaceutical factories. Metal and mechanical industries, ovens, refrigerators, washing machines, air conditioners, tractors, excavators, and cars. Electronic industries for air conditioning and telephone exchanges. Chemical and fertilizer industries.
Agriculture has traditionally been a crucial sector of the Syrian economy. In fact, $14 billion is the income from the agricultural production in Syria. Syria is more than self-sufficient in food. The percentage of arable land is 32% of the total area of Syria.
Meanwhile, the percentage of cultivated land is 25% of the total area of Syria. Key agricultural products include wheat, barley, cotton, olives (the 5th in the world), pistachios (the 4th in the world), and fruits, especially citrus and vegetables. In addition to various types of vegetables, fruits, and tobacco. The previous conflict has severely disrupted agricultural production and trade.
The conflict has caused significant losses in animal populations and challenges in veterinary services within the livestock sector in Syria. Organizations are actively working to rehabilitate this sector by restocking herds and improving animal health services to support rural livelihoods. 20 million heads of sheep and goats. 1.1 million cattle, 25 thousand camels, and 15 thousand horses. In addition to chicken, eggs, fish and milk.
Syrian women have historically played significant roles in society, including in education, healthcare, and the workforce. Participation in ministries: the first female minister in Syria was the Minister of Culture in 1976. There are three female ministers in the Ministry of Finance, and more than 20 women hold director positions in government departments. The first female pilot in the Republic was in the 1980s. In fact, women entered the military in Syria in 1975, and the number of female soldiers reached 21,000. In addition to their participation in all sectors of work, there are some female volunteers in the police and army, and recently a women’s tourism company has appeared. The percentage of the female workforce from the total workforce is 31%.
Equal opportunity and right to education for both males and females. More than 50% of graduates and students in Syrian universities and institutes are female, in addition to 30% of the teaching staff being female in 2010.
Tourism in Syria has greatly reduced as a result of the previous conflict.In 2010, 8.5 million tourists visited Syria, but by 2015, the number had declined by more than 98%, dropping to 170,000. Many tourist attractions have been damaged or destroyed by shelling, all major airlines have suspended flights, and many major tourist hotels have closed.
If you search the statistics, you will find that reports indicate tourism improved in 2023 and that the number of visitors was high.
However, these numbers may mislead. They likely represent not only genuine foreign tourists but also a significant number of Syrian nationals who have acquired foreign citizenship. These individuals may have returned to Syria using their foreign passports, effectively circumventing any security checks. In an attempt to project an image of normalcy and stability, the regime may have included these returning citizens in the tourism figures.
However, the future of Syrian tourism holds immense potential. The fall of the oppressive regime and the tireless efforts of the Syrian people pave the way for a brighter future as they work to restore and revitalize the country’s cultural and historical heritage. By prioritizing safety, cleanliness, and a welcoming environment, Syria can once again become a top tourist destination, attracting visitors from around the world and becoming a top tourist destination. This transformation is not only desirable but also achievable, and we can expect to witness a flourishing tourism sector in Syria as early as 2025 and beyond.
The previous conflicts and economic constraints have significantly challenged Syria’s healthcare system. As of 2024, limited resources have rendered approximately 58% of hospitals non-functional. The country boasts a total of 482 hospitals with 30,206 beds, including 117 public hospitals that provide 21,849 beds. Public hospitals make up over 65% of the total bed capacity. Displacement and hospital closures have affected the nursing sector, leaving an estimated 1,500 nurses unable to perform their duties. Approximately 600 nurses continue to work, often undertaking extended shifts to meet healthcare demands.
Education is free in all public schools and universities. Also, education is compulsory for children aged 6 to 15, and it is called basic education. School Infrastructure: the country boasts a network of over 20,000 schools, with a majority established after 1970. Higher Education: Syria has a diverse higher education landscape, with 12 universities, including 6 public and 10 private institutions. Years of conflict have severely impacted the education system in Syria, destroying infrastructure and the displacement of students and educators.
The previous conflict has driven many brilliant academic minds from the country. These scholars, who were dedicated to educating the next generation, were forced to emigrate due to the perilous conditions. This tragic displacement has resulted in a severe brain drain, depriving Syria of the intellectual capital crucial for its future.
As of 2024, authorities are actively working to rebuild schools and universities, but they face challenges in providing specific statistics on the number of operational institutions due to the dynamic situation.
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Josh 2024-06-23 Lulu was our tour guide in Damascus in October 2022 and she was the best guide we could‘ve hopefully for! We had a tight schedule so we asked to see as much as possible, which she happily obliged to. She has a very interesting background, knowing every last bit of the city, its culture, history and food! She speaks multiple languages, including Japanese (!) and was just a fantastic guide to have. 10/10 would recommend. Samantha Echeverria 2024-06-23 An extraordinary and humbling experience. From start to finish the whole experience was an adventure, learning of the Syrians deep history gives a great insight to their collective strength and dedication to their culture. To walk the same footsteps as mentioned in the Bible and Quran is profound and indescribable. Overall I was incredibly humbled by my experience in Syria. Thank you again for the experience of a lifetime, and I look forward to coming back to Syria soon 🤲🏼 Per Sommer 2024-05-31 Jeg rejste tre dage sammen med Tambi i det nordlige Syrien. Det var en uforglemmelig oplevelse. Sammen besøgte vi Homes, Krak de Chevaliers, Maloula, Aleppo, Arward Island og Apamea. Ikke bare er Tambi blevet en god ven, men han har også en kæmpe viden om de steder, som vi besøgte. Et af højdepunkterne var også at være på besøg hos Tambi i hans lejlighed og møde hans kone. Her fik vi te, kager og en god snak om oplevelserne under den lange krige. Jeg kan kun give Tambi mine varmeste anbefalinger. Marco Arenas 2024-05-31 I was in Syria a few years ago doing a little tour with Ayoub and the experience was amazing, Ayoub and his team were marvelous guides all around the country, making the most of the trip. Their service is amazing. I highly recommend Ayoub because he is reliable and well-organized. I am looking forward to coming back to Syria! Junaidi 2024-05-21 I recently had the pleasure of exploring Syria with Tambee as our tour guide, and I can't recommend him highly enough. Tambee’s deep knowledge of Syria's rich history and culture brought every site we visited to life. His passion for the country was evident in the way he shared stories and historical insights, making the experience both educational and enjoyable. Tambee’s professionalism and attentiveness were remarkable. He ensured our group felt safe and comfortable at all times, handling all logistics seamlessly. His ability to navigate the complexities of travel in Syria, combined with his warm and friendly demeanor, made our journey both smooth and memorable. What I really love is his knowledge of Islamic History. The way he told me the History of Islam while we are standing on the historical site itself just gave me goosebumps. He can make the history comes to life. In summary, Tambee is an exceptional tour guide whose expertise and dedication significantly enhanced our Syrian adventure. If you're planning a trip to Syria, do yourself a favor and contact Tambee. You won't be disappointed! Joel Lara 2024-05-20 Everything on the tour was amazing. Whatever you need to feel comfortable, they will go out of their way to make sure you feel okay. Tambi was our tour guide and I honestly would not have switched anything about it. He is one of the best tour guides I’ve ever met. Someone that is really passionate about sharing the past, present and future of Syria. You need to book your trip to Syria as soon as possible. There is so much history to be seen in this country. Do yourself a favor and don’t listen to what western media would say about this country. Saying it’s all about terrorism and dangerous, that’s a HUGE lie, go see for yourself how kind and loving those people in Syria are. As for the war in Israel, it feels really safe in Syria. You going there gives people hope for a better future. Visa costs depend on nationality. As a US citizen my Visa was pretty costly 220$. It was WORTH IT! Cymbie Lumbao 2024-05-20 Syria was definitely on our list of country to visit. It exceeded our expectations! Syrians are the most hospitable and warmest people we have ever met. The history is amazing! Tambee is our tour guide and Tayseer is our driver. They are the best! Tambee is very passionate about his country and their history. We felt really safe and well taken care of. We would definitely visit again. We went in for a tour of Syria and came out with a lifelong Syrian friends! 🙏🏽🇸🇾 thank you for a wonderful experience! Shukran! Rahul Mudumba 2024-05-19 Tambee was fantastic, and made sure I had an incredible trip! Filippo Volpato 2024-05-18 Tambee was the most exquisite guide we could have ever wanted. Always attentive, extremely knowledgeable and open to adjust the itinerary based on your interests (expect surprises for you!). Hopefully we will be back to this beautiful country, that Tambee made us fall in love with. Michael Van Arragon 2024-05-18 Ask for Tambee! There is so much to learn about the history and future of our shared humanity in this important and beautiful country. I travelled 10 days across a large part of Syria and wish I could've stayed. Tambee who emphasizes the "intangible" is a talented and enthusiastic story teller with an amazing personal connection to the people and culture. He will help you come away with a big picture appreciation of everything youre seeing and with a specialist's attention to detail; help you deepen your own sense of what is happening today in the region. These are some seriously friendly people- a visit to Syria like this one is so special.
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Ayoub Al Smadi
Ayoub boasts over five years of tour guiding and tour operator expertise. he has a master’s degree in planning and managing sustainable tourism development, and his cheerful, vibrant personality makes every moment with him fly by unnoticed.
