Urban area over the long-term in Syria
Syria: Urban area over the long-term was 1,606 km² per grid cell in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2025)
1,606 km² per grid cell
Change on year
up 2.6%
World rank
75th
of 202 countries
All-time high
1,606 km² per grid cell
in 2025
All-time low
1.94 km² per grid cell
in 1400
Years of data
108
1000–2025
Urban area over the long-term in Syria, 1000–2025
Source: HYDE (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in km² per grid cell.
Analysis
In 2025, urban area over the long-term in Syria stood at 1,606 km² per grid cell. That is the highest value across all 108 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 2.6% on the previous year and up 29.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, urban area over the long-term in Syria peaked at 1,606 km² per grid cell in 2025 and was at its lowest, 1.94 km² per grid cell, in 1400.
Syria ranks 75th of 202 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Urban area over the long-term in Syria, year by year
| Year | km² per grid cell | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1000 | 2.27 km² per grid cell | — |
| 1100 | 2.35 km² per grid cell | +3.3% |
| 1200 | 2.42 km² per grid cell | +3.0% |
| 1300 | 2.48 km² per grid cell | +2.7% |
| 1400 | 1.94 km² per grid cell | -21.9% |
| 1500 | 2.03 km² per grid cell | +4.6% |
| 1600 | 2.31 km² per grid cell | +13.9% |
| 1700 | 2.27 km² per grid cell | -1.9% |
| 1710 | 2.56 km² per grid cell | +12.8% |
| 1720 | 3 km² per grid cell | +17.3% |
| 1730 | 3.52 km² per grid cell | +17.3% |
| 1740 | 4.13 km² per grid cell | +17.3% |
| 1750 | 4.84 km² per grid cell | +17.3% |
| 1760 | 5.68 km² per grid cell | +17.3% |
| 1770 | 6.67 km² per grid cell | +17.3% |
| 1780 | 7.82 km² per grid cell | +17.3% |
| 1790 | 9.18 km² per grid cell | +17.3% |
| 1800 | 10.77 km² per grid cell | +17.3% |
| 1810 | 12.63 km² per grid cell | +17.3% |
| 1820 | 14.81 km² per grid cell | +17.3% |
| 1830 | 18.01 km² per grid cell | +21.6% |
| 1840 | 21.69 km² per grid cell | +20.4% |
| 1850 | 26.12 km² per grid cell | +20.4% |
| 1860 | 31.46 km² per grid cell | +20.4% |
| 1870 | 37.89 km² per grid cell | +20.4% |
| 1880 | 49.89 km² per grid cell | +31.7% |
| 1890 | 64.74 km² per grid cell | +29.8% |
| 1900 | 73.56 km² per grid cell | +13.6% |
| 1910 | 81.56 km² per grid cell | +10.9% |
| 1920 | 84.94 km² per grid cell | +4.1% |
| 1930 | 84.94 km² per grid cell | +0.0% |
| 1940 | 109.7 km² per grid cell | +29.2% |
| 1950 | 112.23 km² per grid cell | +2.3% |
| 1951 | 113.86 km² per grid cell | +1.4% |
| 1952 | 115.76 km² per grid cell | +1.7% |
| 1953 | 117.96 km² per grid cell | +1.9% |
| 1954 | 120.46 km² per grid cell | +2.1% |
| 1955 | 123.29 km² per grid cell | +2.3% |
| 1956 | 126.45 km² per grid cell | +2.6% |
| 1957 | 129.94 km² per grid cell | +2.8% |
| 1958 | 133.76 km² per grid cell | +2.9% |
| 1959 | 137.92 km² per grid cell | +3.1% |
| 1960 | 142.42 km² per grid cell | +3.3% |
| 1961 | 147.28 km² per grid cell | +3.4% |
| 1962 | 152.52 km² per grid cell | +3.6% |
| 1963 | 158.2 km² per grid cell | +3.7% |
| 1964 | 164.38 km² per grid cell | +3.9% |
| 1965 | 171.11 km² per grid cell | +4.1% |
| 1966 | 178.46 km² per grid cell | +4.3% |
| 1967 | 186.45 km² per grid cell | +4.5% |
| 1968 | 195.12 km² per grid cell | +4.7% |
| 1969 | 204.49 km² per grid cell | +4.8% |
| 1970 | 214.61 km² per grid cell | +4.9% |
| 1971 | 224.01 km² per grid cell | +4.4% |
| 1972 | 233.46 km² per grid cell | +4.2% |
| 1973 | 243.4 km² per grid cell | +4.3% |
| 1974 | 253.87 km² per grid cell | +4.3% |
| 1975 | 264.9 km² per grid cell | +4.3% |
| 1976 | 276.49 km² per grid cell | +4.4% |
| 1977 | 288.68 km² per grid cell | +4.4% |
| 1978 | 301.62 km² per grid cell | +4.5% |
| 1979 | 315.47 km² per grid cell | +4.6% |
| 1980 | 330.4 km² per grid cell | +4.7% |
| 1981 | 346.45 km² per grid cell | +4.9% |
| 1982 | 362.83 km² per grid cell | +4.7% |
| 1983 | 379.88 km² per grid cell | +4.7% |
| 1984 | 397.53 km² per grid cell | +4.6% |
| 1985 | 415.56 km² per grid cell | +4.5% |
| 1986 | 433.93 km² per grid cell | +4.4% |
| 1987 | 452.66 km² per grid cell | +4.3% |
| 1988 | 471.74 km² per grid cell | +4.2% |
| 1989 | 491.2 km² per grid cell | +4.1% |
| 1990 | 511.06 km² per grid cell | +4.0% |
| 1991 | 531.38 km² per grid cell | +4.0% |
| 1992 | 552.15 km² per grid cell | +3.9% |
| 1993 | 573.29 km² per grid cell | +3.8% |
| 1994 | 594.68 km² per grid cell | +3.7% |
| 1995 | 617.31 km² per grid cell | +3.8% |
| 1996 | 640.41 km² per grid cell | +3.7% |
| 1997 | 663.91 km² per grid cell | +3.7% |
| 1998 | 688.26 km² per grid cell | +3.7% |
| 1999 | 714.11 km² per grid cell | +3.8% |
| 2000 | 741.9 km² per grid cell | +3.9% |
| 2001 | 773.48 km² per grid cell | +4.3% |
| 2002 | 805.69 km² per grid cell | +4.2% |
| 2003 | 838.53 km² per grid cell | +4.1% |
| 2004 | 872 km² per grid cell | +4.0% |
| 2005 | 906.11 km² per grid cell | +3.9% |
| 2006 | 935.22 km² per grid cell | +3.2% |
| 2007 | 963.41 km² per grid cell | +3.0% |
| 2008 | 991.24 km² per grid cell | +2.9% |
| 2009 | 1,020 km² per grid cell | +2.9% |
| 2010 | 1,083 km² per grid cell | +6.3% |
| 2011 | 1,114 km² per grid cell | +2.8% |
| 2012 | 1,145 km² per grid cell | +2.8% |
| 2013 | 1,177 km² per grid cell | +2.8% |
| 2014 | 1,210 km² per grid cell | +2.8% |
| 2015 | 1,243 km² per grid cell | +2.7% |
| 2016 | 1,276 km² per grid cell | +2.7% |
| 2017 | 1,310 km² per grid cell | +2.7% |
| 2018 | 1,345 km² per grid cell | +2.6% |
| 2019 | 1,380 km² per grid cell | +2.6% |
| 2020 | 1,415 km² per grid cell | +2.6% |
| 2021 | 1,448 km² per grid cell | +2.3% |
| 2022 | 1,487 km² per grid cell | +2.7% |
| 2023 | 1,526 km² per grid cell | +2.7% |
| 2024 | 1,566 km² per grid cell | +2.6% |
| 2025 | 1,606 km² per grid cell | +2.6% |
Syria compared with similar countries
- Syria's 1,606 km² per grid cell is above the median for low income countries, which is 889.43 km² per grid cell, 1.8× the median. (24 countries reporting)
- Syria's 1,606 km² per grid cell is above the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 1,501 km² per grid cell, 1.1× the median. (22 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Urban area over the long-term in Syria changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1880 | +31.7% | 37.89 km² per grid cell | 49.89 km² per grid cell |
| 1890 | +29.8% | 49.89 km² per grid cell | 64.74 km² per grid cell |
| 1940 | +29.2% | 84.94 km² per grid cell | 109.7 km² per grid cell |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000s | 2.27 km² per grid cell | 2.27 km² per grid cell | 2.27 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1100s | 2.35 km² per grid cell | 2.35 km² per grid cell | 2.35 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1200s | 2.42 km² per grid cell | 2.42 km² per grid cell | 2.42 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1300s | 2.48 km² per grid cell | 2.48 km² per grid cell | 2.48 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1400s | 1.94 km² per grid cell | 1.94 km² per grid cell | 1.94 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1500s | 2.03 km² per grid cell | 2.03 km² per grid cell | 2.03 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1600s | 2.31 km² per grid cell | 2.31 km² per grid cell | 2.31 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1700s | 2.27 km² per grid cell | 2.27 km² per grid cell | 2.27 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1710s | 2.56 km² per grid cell | 2.56 km² per grid cell | 2.56 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1720s | 3 km² per grid cell | 3 km² per grid cell | 3 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1730s | 3.52 km² per grid cell | 3.52 km² per grid cell | 3.52 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1740s | 4.13 km² per grid cell | 4.13 km² per grid cell | 4.13 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1750s | 4.84 km² per grid cell | 4.84 km² per grid cell | 4.84 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1760s | 5.68 km² per grid cell | 5.68 km² per grid cell | 5.68 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1770s | 6.67 km² per grid cell | 6.67 km² per grid cell | 6.67 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1780s | 7.82 km² per grid cell | 7.82 km² per grid cell | 7.82 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1790s | 9.18 km² per grid cell | 9.18 km² per grid cell | 9.18 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1800s | 10.77 km² per grid cell | 10.77 km² per grid cell | 10.77 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1810s | 12.63 km² per grid cell | 12.63 km² per grid cell | 12.63 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1820s | 14.81 km² per grid cell | 14.81 km² per grid cell | 14.81 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1830s | 18.01 km² per grid cell | 18.01 km² per grid cell | 18.01 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1840s | 21.69 km² per grid cell | 21.69 km² per grid cell | 21.69 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1850s | 26.12 km² per grid cell | 26.12 km² per grid cell | 26.12 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1860s | 31.46 km² per grid cell | 31.46 km² per grid cell | 31.46 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1870s | 37.89 km² per grid cell | 37.89 km² per grid cell | 37.89 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1880s | 49.89 km² per grid cell | 49.89 km² per grid cell | 49.89 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1890s | 64.74 km² per grid cell | 64.74 km² per grid cell | 64.74 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1900s | 73.56 km² per grid cell | 73.56 km² per grid cell | 73.56 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1910s | 81.56 km² per grid cell | 81.56 km² per grid cell | 81.56 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1920s | 84.94 km² per grid cell | 84.94 km² per grid cell | 84.94 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1930s | 84.94 km² per grid cell | 84.94 km² per grid cell | 84.94 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1940s | 109.7 km² per grid cell | 109.7 km² per grid cell | 109.7 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1950s | 123.16 km² per grid cell | 112.23 km² per grid cell | 137.92 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 1960s | 170.04 km² per grid cell | 142.42 km² per grid cell | 204.49 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 1970s | 261.65 km² per grid cell | 214.61 km² per grid cell | 315.47 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 1980s | 408.22 km² per grid cell | 330.4 km² per grid cell | 491.2 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 1990s | 608.66 km² per grid cell | 511.06 km² per grid cell | 714.11 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 2000s | 884.71 km² per grid cell | 741.9 km² per grid cell | 1,020 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 2010s | 1,228 km² per grid cell | 1,083 km² per grid cell | 1,380 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 2020s | 1,508 km² per grid cell | 1,415 km² per grid cell | 1,606 km² per grid cell | 6 |
Countries ranked near Syria
More reference data data for Syria
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 7.23 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 0.5377 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 7.23 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 0.1191 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 4.23 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (CH4) - Enteric Fermentation 276.84 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (CO2eq) from N2O (AR5) - Burning - Crop 23.95 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (CO2eq) from N2O (AR5) - Agricultural 7,688 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (CO2eq) from N2O (AR5) - Crop Residues 775.73 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Direct emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 11.91 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is urban area over the long-term in Syria?
- Urban area over the long-term in Syria was 1,606 km² per grid cell in 2025, according to HYDE (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest urban area over the long-term recorded in Syria?
- The highest recorded value was 1,606 km² per grid cell in 2025.
- What is the lowest urban area over the long-term recorded in Syria?
- The lowest recorded value was 1.94 km² per grid cell in 1400.
- How does Syria rank for urban area over the long-term?
- Syria ranks 75th out of 202 countries with data for 2025.
- Is urban area over the long-term rising or falling in Syria?
- Over the last ten years it is up 29.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Syria data come from?
- The figures come from HYDE (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Urban area over the long-term. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Total built-up area of a country over time.