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Economy of Albania vs Romania compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Albania has a GDP of $27B compared to $383B for Romania, ranking 112/197 and 42/197 by economy size, respectively.

Albania has $15.2B in government debt (56% of GDP), compared to $220B (57.4% of GDP) in Romania.

Albania vs Romania GDP by year

Albania
Romania
1x
Year GDP, current $
Albania Romania
2024 $27,046,429,297 $382,564,217,989
2023 $23,491,242,727 $347,757,995,759
2022 $19,017,247,014 $295,319,437,557
2021 $18,031,989,573 $285,071,280,114
2020 $15,241,458,745 $250,625,048,304
2019 $15,585,111,614 $250,080,428,512
2018 $15,379,508,330 $241,791,427,224
2017 $13,258,268,436 $210,147,385,855
2016 $11,988,668,785 $185,290,759,249
2015 $11,470,171,827 $177,885,131,240
2014 $13,296,322,588 $199,722,319,676
2013 $12,796,985,886 $189,798,603,751
2012 $12,246,499,748 $179,117,323,107
2011 $12,973,755,875 $192,623,977,894
2010 $12,086,545,641 $170,064,350,672
2009 $12,335,540,656 $174,110,532,659
2008 $13,258,506,375 $214,315,932,061
2007 $11,116,937,870 $174,588,782,939
2006 $9,150,528,132 $122,023,735,993
2005 $8,256,658,250 $98,454,380,120
2004 $7,406,645,793 $74,973,656,852
2003 $5,801,712,040 $57,806,384,143
2002 $4,515,003,117 $46,065,502,703
2001 $4,059,064,033 $40,395,116,581
2000 $3,584,570,165 $37,253,739,511
1999 $3,283,941,510 $35,953,156,754
1998 $2,600,356,999 $41,696,091,974
1997 $2,293,666,030 $35,575,214,078
1996 $3,234,486,232 $36,937,074,278
1995 $2,905,092,799 $37,430,162,103
1994 $1,880,950,864 $30,072,805,104
1993 $1,185,315,468 $26,361,160,450
1992 $652,174,991 $25,121,666,667
1991 $1,099,559,028 $28,850,634,900
1990 $2,028,553,750 $38,247,882,300
1989 $2,253,090,000 $41,450,777,202
1988 $2,051,236,250 $40,424,528,302
1987 $2,080,796,250 $38,067,567,568
1986 $2,097,326,250 -
1985 $1,897,050,117 -
1984 $1,857,337,995 -
1983 $1,881,412,587 -
1982 $1,861,163,170 -
1981 $1,808,177,156 -
1980 $1,578,102,105 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1980–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/albania/romania | CC BY

GDP per capita in Albania vs Romania by year

Albania
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Romania
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Albania Romania
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $11,378 $26,702 $20,080 $49,077
2023 $9,731 $24,822 $18,244 $45,982
2022 $7,757 $22,138 $15,504 $41,979
2021 $7,242 $18,213 $14,908 $37,534
2020 $6,028 $16,288 $13,009 $34,194
2019 $6,069 $16,442 $12,910 $33,425
2018 $5,898 $15,055 $12,416 $29,383
2017 $5,006 $14,111 $10,728 $26,943
2016 $4,458 $13,056 $9,405 $23,905
2015 $4,200 $12,387 $8,977 $21,625
2014 $4,794 $11,788 $10,032 $20,633
2013 $4,543 $10,882 $9,498 $19,678
2012 $4,281 $10,609 $8,930 $19,808
2011 $4,466 $10,273 $9,561 $18,804
2010 $4,149 $9,755 $8,400 $17,355
2009 $4,214 $9,031 $8,548 $16,641
2008 $4,499 $8,469 $10,435 $16,782
2007 $3,743 $7,585 $8,360 $13,703
2006 $3,058 $6,753 $5,758 $11,554
2005 $2,742 $6,014 $4,618 $9,602
2004 $2,447 $5,595 $3,495 $8,989
2003 $1,909 $5,169 $2,679 $7,559
2002 $1,480 $4,840 $2,120 $7,162
2001 $1,326 $4,451 $1,825 $6,520
2000 $1,160 $3,978 $1,660 $5,850
1999 $1,056 $3,549 $1,600 $5,596
1998 $831 $3,086 $1,853 $5,545
1997 $729 $2,760 $1,577 $5,564
1996 $1,021 $3,054 $1,633 $5,746
1995 $911 $2,777 $1,650 $5,429
1994 $586 $2,385 $1,323 $4,995
1993 $367 $2,143 $1,158 $4,699
1992 $200.9 $1,899 $1,102 $4,515
1991 $337 $1,989 $1,254 $4,795
1990 $617 $2,656 $1,648 $5,280
1989 $698 - $1,790 -
1988 $653 - $1,753 -
1987 $675 - $1,659 -
1986 $694 - - -
1985 $640 - - -
1984 $639 - - -
1983 $662 - - -
1982 $668 - - -
1981 $663 - - -
1980 $591 - - -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1980–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/albania/romania | CC BY

Albania's GDP per capita is $11,378, ranking 82/197, compared to $20,080 in Romania, ranking 58/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Albania ranks 79th at $26,702, while Romania ranks 47th at $49,077.

Economic indicators

Albania Romania
Gross domestic product
$27B
2024
$383B
2024
GDP rank
112/197
2024
42/197
2024
GDP growth
4.05%
2023-2024
0.92%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$11,378
2024
$20,080
2024
GDP per capita rank
82/197
2024
58/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$26,702
2024
$49,077
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
79/197
2024
47/197
2024
Government debt
$15.2B
2024
$220B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
56%
2024
57.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$6,375
2024
$11,533
2024
Government debt per person rank
72/185
2024
48/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$9,075
2026
$13,912
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$47.4B
2024
Number of billionaires
1
2025
6
2025
Income share by richest 10%
22.8%
2020
21.8%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
3.4%
2020
2.4%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
28.9%
2024
39.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.2%
2023-2024
5.6%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
2.5%
2025
6.5%
2024
Unemployment rate
10.7%
2023
5.43%
2024
Population
2342753
18839108

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Albania
Spending

Debt
Romania
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Albania Romania
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 28.9% 56% 39.9% 57.4%
2023 28.5% 58% 36.6% 52.1%
2022 30.3% 65.2% 37.4% 51.7%
2021 31.9% 74.8% 37% 51.5%
2020 32.4% 75.4% 38.1% 49.3%
2019 28.8% 66.6% 33.2% 36.5%
2018 28.7% 68.5% 31.7% 36.2%
2017 29.2% 71.9% 31% 37.1%
2016 29.1% 73.3% 31.8% 39.5%
2015 30.8% 73.7% 34.2% 39.4%
2014 31.7% 72% 33.8% 40.5%
2013 29.2% 70.4% 34.2% 39.3%
2012 28.2% 62.1% 33.5% 36.2%
2011 28.9% 59.4% 35% 32.6%
2010 29.4% 57.7% 37.4% 30.2%
2009 32.7% 59.7% 36.3% 22.5%
2008 31.7% 55.1% 35.3% 13%
2007 29.3% 53.6% 34.6% 12.4%
2006 29.2% 56.7% 33.9% 12.7%
2005 28.9% 58.2% 32.3% 17.8%
2004 30.2% 57.5% 33.7% 21.3%
2003 29.7% 60.2% 31.8% 24.9%
2002 31.5% 64.1% 32.1% 27.4%
2001 32.7% 60.6% 33.2% 27.4%
2000 33.8% 63.8% 35% 29.6%
1999 37.1% 68.2% 35.1% 21.7%
1998 36.8% 71.2% 34.7% 16.5%
1997 30.3% 72.2% 33.5% 15%
1996 - - 33.5% 11%
1995 - - 34.4% 6.91%
1994 - - 33.1% -
1993 - - 33.5% -
1992 - - 41.5% -
1991 - - 38.3% -
1990 - - 38.4% -
1989 - - 40.1% -
1988 - - 36.6% -
1987 - - 40.7% -
1986 - - 42.5% -
1985 - - 41.6% -
1984 - - 28.6% -
1983 - - 25.8% -
1982 - - 28.5% -
1981 - - 30.4% -
1980 - - 33.6% -
1979 - - 42% -
1978 - - 42.1% -
1977 - - 39.9% -
1976 - - 37.5% -
1975 - - 40.6% -
1974 - - 37.6% -
1973 - - 32.6% -
1972 - - 29.9% -
1971 - - 27.2% -
1970 - - 28.1% -
1969 - - 32.1% -
1968 - - 31.8% -
1967 - - 30.6% -
1966 - - 27.3% -
1965 - - 25.6% -
1964 - - 25.1% -
1963 - - 23.1% -
1962 - - 43.4% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/albania/romania | CC BY

In 2024, Albania's government spending was $7.83B, accounting for 28.9% of its GDP, while Romania spent $153B, or 39.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 56% in Albania and 57.4% in Romania, ranking 94/185 and 87/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Albania

Romania
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Albania Romania
2024 -0.72% -8.68%
2023 -1.32% -5.61%
2022 -3.64% -5.83%
2021 -4.57% -6.7%
2020 -6.67% -9.54%
2019 -1.92% -4.55%
2018 -1.6% -2.74%
2017 -1.41% -2.86%
2016 -1.5% -2.5%
2015 -4.32% -1.35%
2014 -5.46% -1.76%
2013 -5.22% -2.44%
2012 -3.44% -2.39%
2011 -3.52% -4.14%
2010 -3.52% -6.22%
2009 -6.59% -6.86%
2008 -4.88% -4.6%
2007 -3.18% -3.05%
2006 -3.26% -1.36%
2005 -3.46% -0.69%
2004 -5.16% -3.39%
2003 -5.01% -2.29%
2002 -6.21% -2.59%
2001 -6.84% -3.2%
2000 -7.77% -3.99%
1999 -8.84% -3.58%
1998 -9.93% -5.33%
1997 -11.9% -5.19%
1996 - -4.74%
1995 - -3.32%
1994 - -2.2%
1993 - -0.35%
1992 - -4.55%
1991 - 3.23%
1990 - 1.03%
1989 - -2.87%
1988 - 8.4%
1987 - 2.37%
1986 - 5.72%
1985 - 6.36%
1984 - 15.2%
1983 - 9.35%
1982 - 0.36%
1981 - 0.61%
1980 - -1.95%
1979 - 0%
1978 - 0%
1977 - 0.23%
1976 - 0.66%
1975 - 0.41%
1974 - 0.51%
1973 - 1.53%
1972 - 1.21%
1971 - 0.89%
1970 - 0.52%
1969 - 0.93%
1968 - 1.65%
1967 - 1.23%
1966 - 0.91%
1965 - -1.29%
1964 - -3.11%
1963 - -1.61%
1962 - -4.86%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/albania/romania | CC BY

In 2024, Albania's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $196M, equivalent to 0.72% of GDP. This compares to Romania's deficit of $33.2B, or 8.68% of GDP.

Over the past 28 years, Albania recorded a fiscal deficit in 28 of those years, while Romania ran a deficit in 28 years. On average, Albania posted an annual deficit equal to 4.71% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.05% of GDP for Romania.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Albania

Romania
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Albania Romania
2024 2.2% 5.6%
2023 4.8% 10.4%
2022 6.7% 13.8%
2021 2% 5%
2020 1.6% 2.6%
2019 1.4% 3.8%
2018 2% 4.6%
2017 2% 1.3%
2016 1.3% -1.6%
2015 1.9% -0.6%
2014 1.6% 1.1%
2013 1.9% 4%
2012 2% 3.3%
2011 3.4% 5.8%
2010 3.6% 6.1%
2009 2.2% 5.6%
2008 3.3% 7.8%
2007 3% 4.8%
2006 2.4% 6.6%
2005 2.4% 9%
2004 2.9% 11.9%
2003 2.4% 15.4%
2002 5.2% 22.5%
2001 3.1% 34.5%
2000 0% 45.7%
1999 0.4% 45.8%
1998 20.6% 59.1%
1997 33.2% 154.8%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/albania/romania | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Albania has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.27%, compared with 17.5% in Romania. In 2024, inflation was 2.2% in Albania and 5.6% in Romania.

Top exports between countries

Albania
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $13.9M
Metals $13.2M
Transport & tourism services $6.42M
Raw agricultural goods $5.62M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.88M
Weapons & explosives $1.48M
Business & finance services $1.42M
Chemicals & pharma $917K
Raw materials & minerals $795K
Machinery & equipment $792K
Romania
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $22.1M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $21.6M
Raw materials & minerals $18.4M
Animal & marine products $17.4M
Machinery & equipment $13.5M
Textiles & consumer goods $8.12M
Wood & paper products $4.52M
Miscellaneous $2.8M
Metals $865K
Raw agricultural goods $127K

Balance of trade

Albania Romania
Current account balance
-$648M
2024
-$31.2B
2024
Current account balance ranking
112/190
2024
185/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.4%
2024
-8.16%
2024
Goods imports
$7.87B
2024
$129B
2024
Goods exports
$1.82B
2024
$93.3B
2024
Service imports
$3.83B
2024
$30.2B
2024
Service exports
$8.03B
2024
$42.9B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
43.2%
2024
41.6%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
36.3%
2024
35.6%
2024

Economic freedom indices

The indices of economic freedom below are issued by the Heritage Foundation. Higher scores indicate stronger economic health.

Albania Romania
Economic freedom 68 65.4
Economic freedom ranking 50/197 64/197
Property rights 57.6 81
Government integrity 41.9 50
Judicial effectiveness 59.9 67
Tax burden 89.3 89.1
Government spending 74.3 56.7
Fiscal health 88 21.4
Business freedom 76.6 74.4
Labor freedom 46.2 63.6
Monetary freedom 78.6 72.7
Trade freedom 83 79.4
Investment freedom 60 70
Financial freedom 60 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Albania
Romania
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Albania Romania
2026 68 65.4
2025 66.6 66.5
2024 64.8 64.4
2023 65.3 64.5
2022 66.6 67.1
2021 65.2 69.5
2020 66.9 69.7
2019 66.5 68.6
2018 64.5 69.4
2017 64.4 69.7
2016 65.9 65.6
2015 65.7 66.6
2014 66.9 65.5
2013 65.2 65.1
2012 65.1 64.4
2011 64 64.7
2010 66 64.2
2009 63.7 63.2
2008 62.4 61.7
2007 61.4 61.2
2006 60.3 58.2
2005 57.8 52.1
2004 58.5 50
2003 56.8 50.6
2002 56.8 48.7
2001 56.6 50
2000 53.6 52.1
1999 53.4 50.1
1998 53.9 54.4
1997 54.8 50.8
1996 53.8 46.2
1995 49.7 42.9

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/albania/romania | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Albania is 68, ranking 50/197, compared to 65.4 for Romania, ranking 64/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Albania Romania
Services, % of GDP
48.7%
2024
62.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
22.4%
2024
25.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
15.5%
2024
2.81%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$23.6B
2024
$335B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$26,500
2024
$47,920
2024
Total reserves including gold
$6.52B
2024
$73.4B
2024
Total reserves ranking
89/177
2024
35/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.45B
2024
-$5.17B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.71B
2024
$7.16B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$261M
2024
$1.99B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.25%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
19.7%
2022
19%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
25%
2024
25%
2024

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/albania/romania | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1980–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2021–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)

Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) — you’re free to copy, share, remix, adapt, and use even commercially as long as you give appropriate credit and clearly indicate if you made changes. Other sources may be subject to different license terms.

The current account balance is the sum of net trade in goods and services, net earnings from cross-border investments, and net transfer payments. It reflects a country's economic transactions with the rest of the world and is a fundamental component of the balance of payments. A surplus indicates that a country exports more than it imports, while a deficit shows the opposite.

Gross National Income (GNI) measures a country's total income. It encompasses income earned by residents, businesses, and foreign sources, defined as employee compensation and investment profits. GNI adds product taxes not included elsewhere and subtracts subsidies. It accounts for income from residents working abroad but excludes earnings from foreigners within the country.

A negative value for Net Foreign Direct Investment indicates a country is a net receiver of investments, as foreign inflows exceed outflows after Balance of Payments adjustments. A positive value indicates a net provider, with outflows exceeding inflows. Inflows are credits (increasing foreign claims on domestic assets), while outflows are debits (increasing domestic assets abroad).

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net inflows) shows how much capital foreign investors bring into a country after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of overseas companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in the reporting country. A positive number means more capital entered the country than was withdrawn, while a negative number means foreign investors pulled out more than they invested.

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net outflows) shows how much capital residents of a country invest abroad after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of domestic companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in other countries. A positive number means more capital was invested abroad than withdrawn, while a negative number means residents pulled back more than they invested.

Principal and interest payments to the IMF in currency, goods, or services on long-term debt expressed as a share of GNI.

Formerly gross domestic investment, gross capital formation measures the share of a country’s economic output invested in fixed assets, including buildings, machinery, and infrastructure. It indicates how much of the economy is devoted to building productive capacity.