People and Society of Syria

Nationality

Syrian(s)

Ethnic Groups

Arab 90.3%, Kurds, Armenians, and other 9.7%

Population

21,324,000

Population in Major Urban Areas

Aleppo 3.164 million; DAMASCUS (capital) 2.65 million; Hims 1.369 million; Hamah 933,000

Basic medical care and medicines are available in Syria’s principal cities, but not necessarily in outlying areas. Serious illnesses and emergencies may require evacuation to a Western medical facility.

Life Expectancy at Birth

Life expectancy at birth in Syria has undergone a dramatic and tragic decline over the past decade and a half, largely as a result of the devastating civil conflict that began in 2011. Before the war, Syria had made notable public health progress, with life expectancy at birth reaching approximately 76 years by 2010 — a figure that reflected improving healthcare infrastructure, rising literacy rates, and broader regional development gains. The onset of the civil war reversed much of this progress. Sustained violence, the collapse of medical facilities, displacement of millions of civilians, widespread food insecurity, and the breakdown of sanitation systems all contributed to a measurable drop in life expectancy. By the mid-2010s, estimates suggested that life expectancy had fallen by several years compared to pre-war baselines, with the sharpest declines recorded during the most intense periods of conflict between 2012 and 2015. As of the most recent available data, Syria's life expectancy at birth is estimated at approximately 72 to 73 years overall, with women generally living longer than men — a pattern consistent with global trends. Male life expectancy tends to be lower, partly due to higher rates of conflict-related mortality among men of fighting age. These figures, while representing a partial recovery from the lowest points recorded during peak conflict years, still fall short of the country's pre-war benchmarks. The ongoing humanitarian crisis continues to place significant strain on life expectancy indicators. Millions of Syrians remain internally displaced or living as refugees in neighboring countries, with limited access to consistent medical care. Chronic disease management, maternal health services, and child healthcare have all been severely disrupted. Malnutrition, particularly among children, remains a serious concern and carries long-term implications for population health outcomes. International humanitarian organizations have worked to restore basic health services in accessible regions, but progress remains deeply uneven across the country. The fall of the Assad government in late 2024 introduced a new period of political uncertainty, with both risks and potential opportunities for stabilization and reconstruction. Rebuilding Syria's health system — once considered among the more developed in the Middle East — will require sustained international investment and lasting political stability before life expectancy figures can realistically return to pre-conflict levels. Despite current challenges, Syria's relatively young population structure means that meaningful recovery in life expectancy is achievable should conditions for peace and sustained reconstruction take hold in the years ahead.

Infant Mortality Rate

Syria's infant mortality rate reflects the profound humanitarian toll that years of civil conflict, infrastructure collapse, and economic deterioration have had on the country's most vulnerable population. As of recent estimates, Syria's infant mortality rate stands at approximately 15 to 18 deaths per 1,000 live births, a figure that, while improved from earlier decades, remains significantly elevated compared to regional neighbors and global averages — and masks deep disparities between conflict-affected and relatively stable areas of the country. Before the civil war began in 2011, Syria had made notable progress in reducing infant deaths, with strong public health infrastructure, accessible immunization programs, and relatively well-functioning maternal care services. The rate had fallen from over 50 deaths per 1,000 live births in the 1980s to roughly 17 per 1,000 by the late 2000s, reflecting genuine gains in healthcare access and living standards. The onset of armed conflict dramatically reversed many of those gains. The destruction of hospitals and clinics, the displacement of millions of families — both internally and across borders — and the collapse of clean water and sanitation systems created conditions in which infants face heightened risks from preventable causes. Neonatal infections, diarrheal diseases, malnutrition, and complications during delivery have all contributed to elevated mortality in areas with limited or disrupted medical services. Malnutrition among mothers and newborns remains a particular concern. Chronic food insecurity across large parts of Syria has affected fetal development and breastfeeding capacity, increasing infant vulnerability in the critical first weeks of life. International humanitarian organizations, including UNICEF and the World Health Organization, have worked to maintain vaccination campaigns and support surviving health facilities, helping to prevent even steeper rises in infant deaths. However, access constraints in certain conflict zones continue to limit the reach of these interventions. The path toward lower infant mortality in Syria is closely tied to broader political stabilization, reconstruction of the healthcare system, and the restoration of basic services. Until those conditions improve, infant survival rates will likely remain under pressure, particularly for families in the most severely affected regions.

Literacy Definition

age 15 and over can read and write

• Sunni Muslim74.0%
• Alawite, Druze, Muslim sects16.0%
• Other10.0%

Arabic (official); Kurdish, Armenian, Aramaic, Circassian widely understood; French, English somewhat understood

• Arabic
• Armenian
• French
• Kurdish

Crime Information

The rate of crime in major Syrian cities is difficult to determine due to the continued fighting throughout the country. The current unrest and significant deterioration of the Syrian economy have led to a perceived increase in criminal activity. You should apply the same personal security awareness practices overseas as you do in U.S. cities. Women in Syria, particularly those dressed in a style perceived as Western, have reported harassment, stalking, and unwelcome advances of a sexual nature. Many of these incidents have involved taxi drivers. Incidents typically entail verbal sexual harassment, staring, and/or touching. Women should take precautions including dressing conservatively (especially in the Old City), not traveling alone, and avoiding travel to unfamiliar areas at night. Women should not generally sit in the front seat of a taxi. Unnecessary conversation with the taxi driver may be perceived as an invitation for closer personal relations. Both men and women should always carry a cell phone, if possible. Don’t buy counterfeit and pirated goods, even if they are widely available. Not only are the bootlegs illegal in the United States, if you purchase them you may also be breaking local law.

Criminal Penalties

While you are traveling in Syria, you are subject to its laws even if you are a U.S. citizen. Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different from our own. For example, under the Narcotics Act, article 39, Syria imposes the death penalty for drug trafficking or cultivation. Women who are arrested under suspicion of immoral behavior (e.g. being alone in a room with a man who is not the woman’s husband, or being in a residence where drugs or alcohol are being consumed) may be subjected to a virginity test. In addition, the Syrian government monitors the activities of all groups, including religious groups, anddiscourages proselytizing, which it deems a threat to relations among religious groups. In some places you may be taken in for questioningif you don’t have your passport with you. In some places, it is illegal to take pictures of certain buildings. In some places, driving under the influence could land you immediately in jail. These criminal penalties will vary from country to country. There are also some things that might be legal in the country you visit, but still illegal in the United States, and you can be prosecuted under U.S. law if you buy pirated goods. Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime prosecutable in the United States. If you break local laws in Syria, your U.S. passport won’t help you avoid arrest or prosecution. It’s very important to know what’s legal and what’s not wherever you go. While some countries will automatically notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate if a U.S. citizen is detained or arrested in a foreign country, that might not always be the case. To ensure that the United States is aware of your circumstances, request that the police and prison officials notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate as soon as you are arrested or detained overseas.