Every dollar matters for startups, especially when building in the Middle East where operational costs can drain early funding fast. Between Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria, one market offers a clear cost advantage for founders aiming to scale without compromise: Syria.
While each market offers unique advantages, Syria’s lower salaries, office rents, and operational costs enable startups to extend runway while accessing talent and regional reach.
Salary Comparisons: A Clear Gap
- Mid-Level Developer:
- Syria: $300-$500/month
- Jordan: $1,000-$1,400/month
- Lebanon: $1,200-$1,600/month
- Graphic Designer:
- Syria: $200-$400/month
- Jordan: $800-$1,200/month
- Lebanon: $900-$1,300/month
- Digital Marketing Assistant:
- Syria: $250-$450/month
- Jordan: $800-$1,100/month
- Lebanon: $850-$1,200/month
These differences translate to tens of thousands in annual savings for teams of five to ten people, allowing startups to allocate resources toward product development, marketing, or user acquisition.
Office Space Costs
- Damascus: $5-$7 per sqm
- Amman: $15-$25 per sqm
- Beirut: $18-$30 per sqm
Affordable rents allow startups to maintain physical offices while investing in operations and team building, crucial for early-stage ventures requiring collaborative environments.
Internet and Utilities
Syria’s internet costs for business use average $25-$40/month, compared to $60+ in Jordan and Lebanon, while electricity costs remain lower despite fluctuations.
Talent Pool and Quality
Affordability in Syria does not mean a trade-off in quality. The country’s young, tech-savvy workforce is:
- Self-taught and experienced in remote projects
- Familiar with English for technical collaboration
- Culturally aligned for regional products
Why This Matters
Lower operational costs allow startups to:
- Extend financial runway without immediate additional funding
- Experiment with products and services while minimizing burn
- Scale customer support, content, or development teams affordably
Market Testing Advantage
Syria’s young population, with increasing digital engagement, offers a soft launch market for Arabic digital products before expanding to the GCC and Levant.
Supporting Infrastructure
Fiber-optic expansion and regional collaboration with Jordan are improving internet reliability. The emergence of local startup hubs and community networks supports operational setups for remote and hybrid teams.
References
- Bayt, Regional Salary Reports 2024.
- Colliers MENA, Office Market Reports.
- Syrian Computer Society Reports 2024.
Conclusion
For founders evaluating where to build their next engineering, content, or customer operations hub, Syria offers undeniable cost advantages over Jordan and Lebanon. When paired with a skilled workforce and improving infrastructure, these savings transform into tangible startup growth opportunities.
Now is the time to look beyond the obvious and consider how Syria can strategically strengthen your startup’s operations in the region.
Anas Abbar CEO, 7awi Media Group
Contributor, UgaritLabs
