Population in Syria
Syria: Population was 23.59 million people in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Population in Syria, 1950–2023
Source: UN, World Population Prospects (2024) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in people.
Analysis
In 2023, population in Syria stood at 23.59 million people. That is the highest value across all 74 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 5.0% on the previous year and up 8.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, population in Syria peaked at 23.59 million people in 2023 and was at its lowest, 3.61 million people, in 1950.
Syria ranks 58th of 236 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 4.03 million people | 3.61 million people | 4.53 million people | 10 |
| 1960s | 5.38 million people | 4.67 million people | 6.18 million people | 10 |
| 1970s | 7.47 million people | 6.38 million people | 8.66 million people | 10 |
| 1980s | 10.49 million people | 8.96 million people | 12.18 million people | 10 |
| 1990s | 14.41 million people | 12.58 million people | 16.23 million people | 10 |
| 2000s | 19.03 million people | 16.64 million people | 21.98 million people | 10 |
| 2010s | 20.78 million people | 19.19 million people | 22.88 million people | 10 |
| 2020s | 22.18 million people | 21.05 million people | 23.59 million people | 4 |
Countries ranked near Syria
More population data for Syria
- World population growth -0.1% (2100)
- Population density 237.91 people per km² (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 2.22 million people (2100)
- Population growth rate, by level of development -0.1% (2100)
- Total fertility rate vs. contraceptive prevalence 2.7 births per woman (2024)
- Fertility rate vs. unmet need for contraception 2.7 births per woman (2024)
- Refugees by country of asylum 11,635 people (2024)
- Total fertility rate vs. wanted fertility rate 2.7 births per woman (2024)
- Fertility rate vs. Share of people who are religious 2.71 live births per woman (2023)
- Fertility rate accounting for survival until childbearing age 2.62 children per women (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is population in Syria?
- Population in Syria was 23.59 million people in 2023, according to UN, World Population Prospects (2024) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest population recorded in Syria?
- The highest recorded value was 23.59 million people in 2023.
- What is the lowest population recorded in Syria?
- The lowest recorded value was 3.61 million people in 1950.
- How does Syria rank for population?
- Syria ranks 58th out of 236 countries with data for 2023.
- Is population rising or falling in Syria?
- Over the last ten years it is up 8.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Syria data come from?
- The figures come from UN, World Population Prospects (2024) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Population. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 74 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
The total population, measured on 1 July of the year shown.