Contents

Country Overview

Syria is a Western Asian country on the eastern Mediterranean with a long history of urban civilization and regional exchange. After the fall of the Assad government in December 2024, Ahmed al-Sharaa became transitional president in January 2025 and a provisional constitutional arrangement was issued in March. A transitional People’s Assembly began meeting in 2026; it is not equivalent to a fully elected constitutional parliament. Recovery, reconstruction, contested administration, intercommunal violence, displaced populations and security negotiations continue to shape the country. Statistical information is severely affected by war and migration, and the World Bank’s last displayed current-dollar GDP figure is from 2022, not 2025.

Reference status: Contemporary country profile • Verified: November 6, 2026 • Source years and statistical or jurisdictional limitations are stated.

CapitalDamascusTransitional government seat [1] [3]
Population25.62 millionWorld Bank 2025 estimate; displacement-related uncertainty [2] [7]
GDPUS$23.74 billionWorld Bank latest displayed current-dollar value: 2022 [2]
Transitional presidentAhmed al-SharaaNamed January 2025 [3] [5]
LegislaturePeople’s Assembly210-seat transitional structure; not direct general election [3]
World Heritage6 propertiesUNESCO: all cultural [9]

Data and status note: The World Bank estimates 25,620,427 residents in 2025, which is a model-based estimate in a country with massive displacement, not a new national census. The last GDP figure shown on the World Bank country dashboard is US$23.74 billion for 2022; no comparable 2025 current-dollar GDP value is published there. Syria has had no separate prime minister since formation of the March 2025 transitional cabinet. Its 210-seat provisional People’s Assembly, with selection and appointment procedures, must not be described as a direct national general election. All six UNESCO World Heritage properties are cultural and are subject to extraordinary conflict-related conservation risks.

Identity & State Formation

Official name
Syrian Arab Republic (al-Jumhūrīyah al-ʿArabīyah as-Sūrīyah). [1] [5]
Short name
Syria. [1]
Capital
Damascus. [1] [3]
UN subregion
Western Asia. [1]
ISO identifiers
SY / SYR / 760. [1]
Political status
Transitional republic since the December 2024 fall of Assad rule. [3] [5]
Transitional president
Ahmed al-Sharaa, named January 2025. [3] [5]
Temporary constitutional charter
Constitutional declaration adopted March 2025 for an intended transition. [5] [3]
Prime-minister office
No separate prime minister in the March 2025 transitional cabinet structure. [5]
Official language
Arabic under the transitional declaration. [5]
Currency
Syrian pound (SYP). [2]
Flag status
National symbols changed after the fall of the Assad government; use current official tricolor and three-star flag. [3]
Damascus
Among the world's long-inhabited urban centres. [9]
Aleppo
Historic mercantile city in northern Syria. [9]
Bosra
Ancient city with monumental Roman-era theatre. [9]
Palmyra
Oasis and caravan city with classical-period ruins. [9]
Late antique Syria
Christian, Jewish, pagan and other communities contributed to regional intellectual life. [9]
Early Islamic period
Damascus served as Umayyad Caliphate capital in the seventh–eighth centuries. [9]
Ottoman rule
Much territory was governed within the Ottoman Empire until World War I. [9]
French mandate
French mandate institutions followed the First World War. [15]
Sovereign independence
Independence commemorated in 1946. [15]
United Arab Republic
Syria and Egypt formed a union during 1958–1961. [15]
Baath-era rule
Baath Party rule dated from 1963 to the 2024 regime collapse. [3]
Assad presidency
Hafez al-Assad ruled from 1970; Bashar al-Assad succeeded him in 2000. [3]
2011 uprising
Protests developed into prolonged multifront civil war. [3] [16]
December 2024 change
Assad government collapsed after opposition capture of Damascus. [3]
January 2025 change
Ahmed al-Sharaa selected as transitional president. [3] [5]
March 2025 change
Provisional constitution and transitional cabinet established. [5]
Transitional duration
A multiyear interim period is envisaged; completion remains contested. [3]
UN membership
Original United Nations member in 1945. [15]
Census caution
Civil-war displacement limits comparability of demographic series. [2] [7]

Geography & Population

Continental location
Eastern Mediterranean and northern Levant. [1]
Mediterranean coast
Western shoreline includes Latakia and Tartus. [1]
Northern border
Türkiye. [1]
Eastern border
Iraq. [1]
Southern borders
Jordan and Israel; Golan Heights jurisdiction is disputed and internationally contested. [1] [6]
Western border
Lebanon and Mediterranean Sea. [1]
Capital
Damascus in southwestern Syria. [1]
Aleppo
Major northern city and historic trade hub. [9]
Homs
Central city connecting north–south and east–west corridors. [1]
Hama
Orontes valley center known for its waterwheels. [9]
Deir ez-Zor
Euphrates-area city in eastern Syria. [1]
Raqqa
Euphrates-city administrative center in northern/eastern Syria. [1]
Qamishli
Northeastern city near the Turkish border. [3]
Suwayda
Southern city and governorate with important Druze communities. [4]
Administrative governorates
Fourteen governorates in the longstanding national division scheme. [1]
Euphrates River
Major waterway across eastern Syria. [14]
Orontes River
Important west-central river basin. [14]
Coastal mountains
Mountain systems parallel parts of western Mediterranean coastline. [14]
Interior plateau
Broad arid and semiarid lands cover much of the east. [14]
Steppe
Syrian Badia is a major pastoral and desert-steppe region. [14]
Agricultural zones
Rain-fed and irrigated production concentrated in differing climatic belts. [14]
Rainfall
Mediterranean coastal winters contrast with the drier interior. [14]
Drought
Water scarcity and rainfall variability have long strained agriculture. [14]
Heat exposure
Extreme heat and water stress affect health and livelihood conditions. [14] [12]
Reservoirs
Euphrates irrigation and hydropower infrastructure supports settlement. [14]
2025 population
World Bank annual estimate 25,620,427. [2]
Population interpretation
Estimate is not a directly enumerated post-conflict census. [2] [7]
Refugees abroad
Large displaced Syrian populations remain outside the country. [7]
Internal displacement
Return and displacement coexist and can change rapidly. [7] [8]
Housing destruction
War-related damage alters the distribution of residents. [11] [8]
Territorial status
The northeast, south and border regions have experienced disputed control and military integration. [3] [6]
Golan Heights
Israel controls the occupied Golan; sovereignty and borders are disputed under international law. [6]
Damascus urban fabric
Historic core is a UNESCO World Heritage property. [9]
Cultural landscapes
Conflict has damaged ancient cities and archaeological sites. [9]

Population and statistical reliability

Years differ across indicators; do not infer a full set of 2025 economic observations. [2]

Measure Value Qualification
World Bank population25,620,4272025 annual estimate
Current-price GDPUS$23.74 billionLatest dashboard: 2022, not 2025
Latest GDP per capitaUS$1,056.8Dashboard: 2022
Latest CPI inflation displayed13.4%Dashboard: 2019

Selected national regions

Regional labels are descriptive; this table does not assert exclusive military control. [3] [6]

Region Principal example Current geographic context
Mediterranean coastLatakia and TartusCoastal settlements
Western interiorDamascus and HomsAdministrative and historical centers
NorthAleppoMajor population center
NortheastHasakah and QamishliIntegration arrangements under negotiation
SouthSuwayda and DaraaCommunal and border tensions

Economy & International Trade

War-damaged economy
Prolonged conflict reduced infrastructure, agricultural output and productive capacity. [11]
Latest World Bank GDP
US$23.74 billion, current dollar series for 2022. [2]
2025 nominal GDP status
No comparable 2025 current-dollar figure displayed on the World Bank country dashboard. [2]
2025 population model
World Bank estimate of 25.62 million is not a survey of current economic output. [2]
GDP comparability
Exchange-rate changes and incomplete coverage complicate contemporary Syria GDP estimates. [2] [11]
Reconstruction
Energy, housing, water, transport and public services require major investment. [11] [6]
Infrastructure constraints
Electricity and fuel availability constrain industry and households. [11] [6]
Agriculture
Wheat, barley, olives and fruit have long been important crops. [14] [11]
Euphrates irrigation
Agriculture depends on irrigation systems in northern and eastern regions. [14]
Drought risk
Reduced rainfall and water-management challenges threaten food security. [14] [8]
Trade disruption
Conflict and sanctions history disrupted cross-border commerce. [11] [6]
Energy sector
Oil and gas fields exist chiefly in eastern parts of the country. [11] [6]
Energy transition
Administration and production depend on continuing security integration. [6]
Market prices
Food and fuel inflation harm household purchasing power. [6] [8]
October 2026 inflation pressure
UN briefings noted fuel costs driving sharp food-price increases. [6]
Currency
Syrian pound circulated in a volatile monetary environment. [2] [11]
Banking
Financial institutions operate under reconstruction, sanctions and confidence constraints. [11]
Aid flows
Humanitarian assistance remains important to basic consumption. [8]
International aid coordination
UN agencies and partners help fund health, shelter and food responses. [8] [12]
External debt and public finance
Reliable nationwide assessments remain difficult during transition. [11]
Sanctions environment
Several foreign sanctions regimes changed after 2024; specific measures differ by country and date. [6]
EU assistance
October 2026 UN reporting described substantial new EU support. [6]
World Bank recovery
Development projects and technical assistance support rebuilding. [11] [6]
Labor market
War, migration and damaged workplaces constrain formal employment. [13]
Informal economy
Household survival and petty commerce have grown in difficult conditions. [13]
Tourism
Heritage tourism potential is limited by security and preservation needs. [9]
Trade methodology
WTO accession information cannot substitute for current official merchandise totals. [18]
Historic versus current GDP
A 2022 nominal dollar figure must not be relabeled 2025. [2]
Services
Health, transport, education and local retail depend heavily on governance and stability. [12] [8]
Agricultural employment
Rural livelihoods remain sensitive to crop harvests and transport routes. [14] [13]
Investment conditions
Security, property rights and infrastructure influence reconstruction investment. [11]
Energy imports
Fuel distribution and regional trade are consequential but highly changeable. [6]
Humanitarian economics
Displacement and returns alter demand for housing and employment. [7] [8]
Long-term opportunity
Reconstruction could raise output but outcomes depend on political and security conditions. [11]

Economic evidence and limitations

Qualitative assessment deliberately avoids inventing a current merchandise-trade balance. [2] [11] [8] [7]

Topic Recent condition Use limitation
GDPLatest WDI value dated 2022Not a current post-transition total
Goods tradePatchy national dataNo dependable 2025 benchmark published here
ReconstructionCritical infrastructure needsSecurity and investment conditional
AgricultureClimate and war affectedVaries by location and year
Aid and returnsHigh humanitarian needsOperational reports not census data

People & Society

Arabic
Principal national and administrative language. [5]
Kurdish
Spoken in parts of northern and northeastern Syria. [3]
Aramaic heritage
Aramaic-related traditions survive in select communities. [9]
Armenian communities
Armenian cultural and religious history is part of Syrian urban life. [9]
Turkmen communities
Turkmen-speaking communities are part of the population. [4]
Sunni Muslim population
Large Sunni Muslim majority, with regional diversity. [4]
Alawite communities
Important communities in western coastal and other areas. [4]
Druze communities
Concentrated in the south, including Suwayda. [4]
Christian denominations
Orthodox, Catholic and Protestant traditions have historic communities. [4]
Ismaili and Shia communities
Religious diversity extends beyond majority and widely known minorities. [4]
Religious-freedom conditions
Minority security and legal protections remain contested. [4]
Communal violence
2025 attacks in coastal areas and Suwayda created profound protection concerns. [4]
2026 security issues
Community-level tensions persisted amid transition and militia integration. [6]
Kurdish-language education
Instruction status remains a significant policy issue in the northeast. [6]
Education system
Conflict damaged schools and interrupted attendance. [19]
Learning loss
Displacement and instability disrupt children's access to classrooms. [19]
Health care
Hospitals and public health programs face damaged infrastructure and displacement. [12]
Water access
Conflict and climate pressures affect safe drinking-water infrastructure. [8] [12]
Maternal and child welfare
Access to care varies by security and local infrastructure. [19] [12]
Migration
Syrian diaspora and refugee communities extend across the region and beyond. [7]
Return movements
Some people have returned since late 2024, while many still face obstacles. [7]
Housing displacement
Returns do not necessarily imply safe or permanent housing. [7]
Food assistance
Humanitarian partners support food and nutrition programs. [8]
Historic crafts
Damascene metalwork, textiles, glass and woodworking have long traditions. [10] [9]
Cuisine
Kibbeh, mezze, breads, olives and regional sweets are widely associated with Syrian food. [10]
Music
Diverse Arab, Kurdish and liturgical music traditions are practiced. [10]
Literary heritage
Damascus and Aleppo played major roles in Arabic literary production. [9]
Ancient faith history
Syrian cities preserve Christian, Islamic and other religious architecture. [9]
Historic bazaars
Urban commercial quarters preserve parts of long-distance trade history. [9]
Heritage damage
Armed conflict harmed museums, monuments and archaeological buildings. [9]
Heritage repair
UNESCO and local professionals work on documentation and conservation. [20]
UNESCO register
Six physical World Heritage properties, all classified cultural. [9]
Intangible register
Oral and traditional practices are tracked separately from inscribed sites. [10]
Methodological caution
Identity proportions are estimates; the country lacks a reliable new postwar census. [7] [4]

Civilian recovery priorities

Not a quantitative needs ranking; conditions differ by governorate. [7] [8] [19] [12] [4]

Sector Key issue Evidence framework
HousingDamage and displacementUNHCR / UN OCHA
WaterInfrastructure and droughtUN OCHA / climate portal
SchoolsDisruption and learning lossUNICEF
HospitalsReconstruction and accessWHO
Minority protectionIntercommunal violence and accountabilityUK Parliament / UN Security Council

Government & Institutions

Current political phase
Provisional post-Assad transition, not an established new constitutional settlement. [3] [5]
Transitional president
Ahmed al-Sharaa; designated January 2025. [3] [5]
Constitutional basis
March 2025 constitutional declaration for an interim period. [5]
Executive power
Substantial authority concentrates in the transitional presidency. [3] [5]
Cabinet
Transitional ministerial government formed March 2025. [5]
Prime minister
No separate prime-minister position in the new transitional cabinet. [5]
Foreign affairs
State diplomacy coordinated through transitional foreign ministry. [5]
Defense ministry
Efforts continue to integrate formerly separate armed forces. [5] [6]
People’s Assembly
210-seat transitional legislature provided under the new system. [3]
Assembly selection
Approximately two-thirds chosen by local indirect selection, one-third appointed. [3]
2025 selection process
Electoral colleges selected many members in October 2025. [3]
2026 presidential appointments
Remaining 70 members appointed during 2026. [3]
Assembly convening
Transitional legislature met in June 2026. [3]
Electoral caveat
No nationwide popular election generated the full transitional legislature. [3]
Constitution drafting
Assembly expected to participate in drafting permanent framework. [3]
Constitution timetable
Planned transition schedule is aspirational and subject to political developments. [3]
Transitional legitimacy
Inclusion and representation remain contested among communities. [3] [4]
Northeastern integration
Kurdish-led forces and administration have undergone negotiated integration during 2026. [6] [3]
Southern Suwayda
Control and local security arrangements remain disputed in 2026. [6]
Security-sector reform
Unification and accountability of armed groups remain central issues. [6]
Transitional justice
Investigation of abuses is an unresolved institutional obligation. [6] [4]
Rule-of-law protection
Legal guarantees and enforcement are under public scrutiny. [4]
Minority rights
Alawite, Druze, Kurdish, Christian and other protections remain contested. [4]
UN diplomacy
Security Council monitors transition, civilian protection and regional security. [6]
Local governance
Territorial integration affects municipal services and public employment. [6]
Displacement policy
Refugee return, property claims and documentation are complex governance tasks. [7]
International recognition
Syrian state UN membership continues despite change of government. [15]
Political parties
Durable rules for future national multiparty elections remain under development. [3]
State statistics
War-related disruption limits confidence in comprehensive official statistics. [2]
Editorial caution
Interim legal arrangements should not be described as permanent democratic settlement. [3] [5]

Transitional institutional timeline

Multiple sources reconcile institutional sequence; the entire transitional process remains subject to change. [3] [5]

Date Institutional event Qualification
December 2024Assad government fellEnd of prior regime
January 2025Ahmed al-Sharaa named presidentTransitional designation
March 2025Interim constitutional declarationNot a permanent constitution
March 2025New transitional cabinetNo separate prime minister
October 2025Assembly seats indirectly selectedNot nationwide general vote
June–July 2026Assembly convened and remaining seats appointed210-seat provisional legislature

International Profile

UN membership
Syria is a founding United Nations member since 1945. [15]
Western Asia
UN M49 geographic classification places Syria in Western Asia. [1]
Arab diplomatic ties
Longstanding cultural and institutional connections with Arab states. [15]
Relations with Türkiye
Border security, migration and armed-group integration are major topics. [6] [3]
Relations with Lebanon
Neighboring states share trade, family and refugee connections. [7]
Relations with Jordan
Border security and trade remain consequential. [6]
Relations with Iraq
Eastern border and wider security dynamics shape cooperation. [6]
Relations with Israel
Sovereignty, occupation of the Golan and cross-border military operations remain contested. [6]
Kurdish-region diplomacy
Negotiations with Kurdish-led groups concern northern administrative integration. [6]
Refugee host states
Türkiye, Lebanon and Jordan have hosted large Syrian refugee populations. [7]
International relief
UN agencies and donors provide humanitarian aid. [8]
Sanctions reform
Foreign governments have adjusted sanctions and investment restrictions since 2025. [6]
Multilateral reconstruction
World Bank and donor discussions concern rebuilding infrastructure. [11] [6]
Cultural tourism
Archaeological and religious landmarks have global importance. [9]
World Heritage total
Six inscribed UNESCO properties. [9]
Cultural properties
All six registered properties are cultural. [9]
Ancient City of Damascus
Inscribed 1979. [9]
Ancient City of Bosra
Inscribed 1980. [9]
Site of Palmyra
Inscribed 1980. [9]
Ancient City of Aleppo
Inscribed 1986. [9]
Crac des Chevaliers and Qal’at Salah El-Din
Inscribed 2006. [9]
Ancient Villages of Northern Syria
Inscribed 2011. [9]
Conservation concerns
Syria's six inscribed sites have been listed as World Heritage in Danger. [9]
Tentative properties
Twelve candidates appear on UNESCO's tentative list. [9]
Preservation methodology
A UNESCO inscription count is not a measure of undamaged or safely accessible sites. [9]
Historic Silk Roads
Syria long linked Mediterranean cities with overland trade networks. [9]
Regional water issues
Water management affects Euphrates and transboundary agriculture. [14]
Antiquities trade
Protection against illicit trafficking remains a post-conflict priority. [9]
Diplomatic status note
Control, borders and relations are changing; the edition records the November 2026 cutoff. [6]

Six UNESCO World Heritage properties

All six are culturally classified, with conflict-related danger and conservation concerns. [9]

Inscribed property Type Year
Ancient City of DamascusCultural1979
Ancient City of BosraCultural1980
Site of PalmyraCultural1980
Ancient City of AleppoCultural1986
Crac des Chevaliers and Qal’at Salah El-DinCultural2006
Ancient Villages of Northern SyriaCultural2011

Sources and Methodology

MGU Quick Facts distinguishes wartime population estimates, surviving historical economic series, transitional appointments and indirectly selected legislatures. This country page does not claim that a 2022 nominal GDP value represents 2025 output, nor that a provisional assembly arose from universal national elections. Numbers for returnees and displacement change frequently; consult UNHCR/OCHA for current operational counts. Territorial disputes, sanctions and security developments are described as dated assessments rather than settled conditions.

Editorial cutoff: November 6, 2026 (Pacific Time). All stated population counts, prices, elections, and legal statuses have specific reference dates or qualifications. This page should be updated following major new statistical releases or changes of government.

  1. United Nations Statistics Division — M49 region and geographic codes — Western Asia classification and Syria country codes.
  2. World Bank — Syrian Arab Republic country indicators — 2025 population estimate; latest displayed GDP 2022.
  3. UK House of Commons Library — Syria in 2026: Interim government and Kurdish integration — 2025 transitional institutions, assembly and 2026 security integration.
  4. UK House of Commons Library — Minority religious and ethnic groups after Assad — violence, minority communities and rights protections.
  5. US Congressional Research Service — Syria: Transition and US Policy — 2025 constitutional declaration and transitional cabinet.
  6. Security Council Report — Syria November 2026 monthly forecast — October/November 2026 security, reconstruction and territorial governance.
  7. UNHCR — Syria emergency response — refugees, internal displacement and return reporting.
  8. UN OCHA — Syria humanitarian situation — humanitarian needs, access and conflict effects.
  9. UNESCO World Heritage Centre — Syrian Arab Republic — six inscribed cultural properties and endangered heritage.
  10. UNESCO intangible heritage — Syrian Arab Republic — intangible heritage inventory, separate from sites.
  11. World Bank — Syria country overview — reconstruction, public services and development conditions.
  12. WHO — Syrian Arab Republic country health information — health system and health emergencies.
  13. International Labour Organization — Arab States — labor-market displacement and informality.
  14. World Bank Climate Change Knowledge Portal — Syria — water stress, drought and climate exposure.
  15. United Nations — Member States — Syria UN membership.
  16. Council on Foreign Relations — Global Conflict Tracker: Syria — fragile transition and armed-group integration.
  17. Inter-Parliamentary Union — Syria parliamentary elections — interim assembly and election modalities.
  18. World Trade Organization — Syria country information — accession background; not a modern merchandise trade dataset.
  19. UNICEF — Syrian Arab Republic — education, child services and humanitarian impacts.
  20. UNESCO — Syria conservation and heritage resources — cultural conservation and state party information.