📍 Breaking News: This article covers the latest developments. Stay informed with comprehensive coverage.
QAMISHLI, syria (North Press) – The World Bank estimated the cost of rebuilding Syria at $216 billion after more than 13 years of crisis, as per its Syria Physical Damage and Reconstruction Assessment 2011–2024 released this week. The report found that nearly one-third of damascus-hosts-cultural-events-celebrating-syrias-living-heritage/" class="smart-internal-link" title="📰 Damascus hosts cultural events celebrating Syria’s living heritage">Syria’s pre-war capital stock has been destroyed, with direct physical damages reaching $108 billion. Infrastructure sustained the heaviest toll, accounting for 48 percent of total damage ($52 billion), followed by residential buildings ($33 billion) and non-residential buildings ($23 billion).
Additionally, the governorates of Aleppo, Rif Dimashq, and Homs were identified as the most affected. Reconstruction costs are projected to range between $140 billion and $345 billion, with the World Bank’s best estimate set at $216 billion. In fact, of this, $75 billion would go to residential buildings, $59 billion to non-residential structures, and $82 billion to infrastructure. “The challenges ahead are immense, but the World Bank stands ready to work alongside the syrian people and the international community,” stated Jean-Christophe Carret, the Bank’s Middle East Division Director.
The report highlights that the estimated reconstruction bill is nearly ten times Syria’s projected 2024 GDP of $21. Notably, 4 billion, down from $67. 5 billion in 2011.
Syria’s real GDP has declined by 53 percent between 2010 and 2022, reflecting the war’s severe economic impact. Syria’s Finance Minister, Yisr Barnieh, urged international backing to restore essential infrastructure and revitalize communities, describing the report as “a vital baseline for recovery planning. ” The assessment, supported by the World Bank’s Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery, aims to guide future discussions on Syria’s post-war reconstruction and development. By Jwan Shekaki