Syria Population
Middle East & North Africa · 57th most populous · Low income
Population right now (estimate)
26,717,539
The population of Syria is about 26,717,539 as of 22 October 2026 (estimate), and 26.5 million for 2026 as a whole — 0.32% of the world's people.
Syria is ranked 57th of 217 by population. Its population is growing fast — about 3.3% a year, roughly 2,412 more people every day. By 2050 it is projected to reach about 37.8 million. That is 5.7 times its 1960 population of 4.7 million. Population density is 144 people per square kilometre. 72% of people live in cities (2025).
Population 2026
26.5 million
Yearly change
+3.33%
World rank
57th
Share of world
0.32%
Density
144/km²
Land area
183,630 km²
Life expectancy
72.6 yrs
Births per woman
2.70
GDP per capita
$1,057
GDP
$23.7B
Population of Syria, 1960–2050
Syria population by year
| Year | Population | Yearly change | Density (per km²) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 4,673,500 | — | 25 |
| 1970 | 6,380,609 | +3.33% | 35 |
| 1980 | 8,957,663 | +3.41% | 49 |
| 1990 | 12,579,208 | +3.29% | 69 |
| 2000 | 16,637,888 | +2.53% | 91 |
| 2010 | 22,482,421 | +2.30% | 122 |
| 2020 | 21,049,429 | +3.42% | 115 |
| 2024 | 24,672,760 | +4.57% | 134 |
| 2026proj. | 26,472,497 | +3.33% | 144 |
| 2030proj. | 29,395,540 | +2.35% | 160 |
| 2040proj. | 34,533,185 | +1.18% | 188 |
| 2050proj. | 37,793,372 | +0.84% | 206 |
Syria vs Bangladesh
Bangladesh (178 million) has 6.7 times as many people as Syria. Bangladesh is 9.5 times more densely populated.
Syria population: questions and answers
What is the population of Syria in 2026?
About 26,472,497 (26.5 million), based on World Bank projections.
Is Syria's population growing?
Yes, by about 3.33% a year (2026).
What is the population density of Syria?
About 144 people per km², with a land area of 183,630 km².
What will the population of Syria be in 2050?
About 37.8 million on World Bank projections.
What is the capital of Syria?
Damascus.
What is the life expectancy in Syria?
72.6 years at birth (2024).
Sources: World Bank Open Data — World Development Indicators and Population Estimates and Projections (CC BY 4.0); Wikidata (CC0). Data retrieved 2026-10-22. Live figures are mathematical estimates interpolated between the World Bank's mid-year values, not real-time counts.