The Economist Chooses Syria as 'Country of the Year 2025': A Political and Social Transformation That Surprises

The British magazine The Economist announced that Syria is the 'Country of the Year 2025', in recognition of the significant improvement the country has witnessed politically and socially after decades of conflict and destruction.

Selection Criteria

The magazine clarified that the title is not awarded to the happiest or most influential country, but rather highlights the country that has seen the greatest improvement during the year, whether economically, politically, or socially. In a year marked by global upheavals, from the erratic policies of U.S. President Donald Trump to conflicts in Gaza and Sudan, several countries showed remarkable progress, but Syria stood out.

Beginnings of the Syrian Transformation

The report indicates that the transformation began in December 2024, when President Bashar al-Assad was forced to flee after rebels took control of the government. At that time, there were fears of new chaos or the rise of a hardline Islamic regime led by the new leader Ahmad al-Shara.

However, those fears did not materialize, as the country witnessed a notable social opening, allowing public freedoms for women, and the return of music, entertainment, and alcoholic beverages. Al-Shara also succeeded in maintaining the unity of the country and building new diplomatic relations with the United States and Gulf countries.

Economic Recovery and Return of Refugees

Western sanctions began to be gradually eased, allowing signs of economic recovery, while about 3 million refugees returned to Syria, according to the magazine.

Nevertheless, The Economist did not hide the continuation of some challenges, such as massacres committed by local militias against minorities, resulting in around two thousand deaths, in addition to the tribal governance style imposed by al-Shara, which makes the future of the country somewhat fragile.

Comparison with Other Competitors

Argentina and the United States ranked among the top competitors, with Argentina successfully reducing inflation significantly and decreasing poverty rates, while the United States provided financial support to avoid an economic crisis, but criticisms were directed at the leadership there for corruption and tyranny.

Despite the difficulties, the magazine considered that Syria has witnessed unprecedented improvement after years of horror and destruction, affirming that life is no longer easy, but it has become relatively normal for the majority of the Syrian people, and fear is no longer a general sentiment. This significant improvement made Syria deserving of the title of Country of the Year 2025.