World Bank: Reconstruction of Syria Could Exceed $216 Billion

A recent report from the World Bank revealed that the cost of reconstructing Syria after more than 13 years of war could exceed $216 billion. The report is based on a comprehensive assessment of the damage to infrastructure and buildings between 2011 and 2024, noting that the conflict has caused damage to nearly a third of Syria's capital before the war,

The report indicated that the direct damage to infrastructure and buildings amounted to about $108 billion, with infrastructure being the most affected at 48%, followed by residential buildings at $33 billion, and non-residential buildings at $23 billion. The provinces of Aleppo, Rural Damascus, and Homs were the most exposed to damage,


Reconstruction Costs and Distribution

The report expects the costs of reconstructing the damaged physical assets to range between $140 and $345 billion, with the best estimate being $216 billion. This cost is distributed as follows:

Infrastructure: $82 billion

Residential buildings: $75 billion

Non-residential facilities: $59 billion,


The report indicates that the provinces of Aleppo and Rural Damascus will require the largest share of these investments,



Implications for the Syrian Economy

The report highlights that the cost of reconstruction is nearly ten times the expected GDP of Syria for 2024, at a time when the Syrian economy has contracted sharply since the onset of the conflict. Real GDP has declined by about 53% between 2010 and 2022, and nominal GDP fell from $67.5 billion in 2011 to about $21.4 billion in 2024,

The World Bank confirms that the challenges facing reconstruction are enormous and require mobilizing broad international support to help Syria recover economically and rebuild its infrastructure.