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Economy of China vs Romania compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

China has a GDP of $18.7T compared to $383B for Romania, ranking 2/197 and 42/197 by economy size, respectively.

China has $16.6T in government debt (88.3% of GDP), compared to $220B (57.4% of GDP) in Romania.

China vs Romania GDP by year

China
Romania
1x
Year GDP, current $
China Romania
2024 $18,743,803,170,827 $382,564,217,989
2023 $18,270,356,654,533 $347,757,995,759
2022 $18,316,765,021,690 $295,319,437,557
2021 $18,201,698,719,564 $285,071,280,114
2020 $14,996,414,166,715 $250,625,048,304
2019 $14,560,167,101,283 $250,080,428,512
2018 $14,147,765,772,964 $241,791,427,224
2017 $12,537,559,062,283 $210,147,385,855
2016 $11,456,024,084,962 $185,290,759,249
2015 $11,280,814,787,469 $177,885,131,240
2014 $10,674,533,168,257 $199,722,319,676
2013 $9,743,124,247,267 $189,798,603,751
2012 $8,673,664,713,189 $179,117,323,107
2011 $7,671,757,207,851 $192,623,977,894
2010 $6,192,564,874,453 $170,064,350,672
2009 $5,189,577,094,998 $174,110,532,659
2008 $4,667,346,414,522 $214,315,932,061
2007 $3,604,055,822,572 $174,588,782,939
2006 $2,791,498,472,804 $122,023,735,993
2005 $2,317,551,298,052 $98,454,380,120
2004 $1,984,196,551,300 $74,973,656,852
2003 $1,683,903,309,844 $57,806,384,143
2002 $1,489,821,682,051 $46,065,502,703
2001 $1,355,036,590,252 $40,395,116,581
2000 $1,223,754,919,971 $37,253,739,511
1999 $1,103,843,203,576 $35,953,156,754
1998 $1,037,134,141,760 $41,696,091,974
1997 $967,753,570,435 $35,575,214,078
1996 $868,523,936,530 $36,937,074,278
1995 $738,190,896,228 $37,430,162,103
1994 $566,929,539,493 $30,072,805,104
1993 $446,557,291,212 $26,361,160,450
1992 $428,502,354,788 $25,121,666,667
1991 $384,510,452,962 $28,850,634,900
1990 $361,560,229,446 $38,247,882,300
1989 $348,380,566,802 $41,450,777,202
1988 $312,888,888,889 $40,424,528,302
1987 $273,455,156,951 $38,067,567,568
1986 $301,310,144,928 -
1985 $310,064,625,850 -
1984 $260,442,857,143 -
1983 $231,130,268,199 -
1982 $205,480,916,031 -
1981 $196,218,253,968 -
1980 $191,487,500,000 -
1979 $178,573,913,043 -
1978 $149,788,617,886 -
1977 $175,226,595,860 -
1976 $154,196,810,059 -
1975 $163,687,619,736 -
1974 $144,418,433,058 -
1973 $138,764,340,892 -
1972 $113,871,930,714 -
1971 $99,959,013,880 -
1970 $92,752,930,873 -
1969 $79,847,786,729 -
1968 $70,980,323,819 -
1967 $73,011,350,596 -
1966 $76,854,053,259 -
1965 $70,565,994,356 -
1964 $59,821,862,703 -
1963 $50,812,227,919 -
1962 $47,310,737,754 -
1961 $50,162,299,350 -
1960 $59,846,235,025 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in China vs Romania by year

China
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Romania
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
China Romania
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $13,303 $27,105 $20,080 $49,077
2023 $12,951 $25,179 $18,244 $45,982
2022 $12,971 $23,032 $15,504 $41,979
2021 $12,887 $20,843 $14,908 $37,534
2020 $10,627 $18,267 $13,009 $34,194
2019 $10,343 $17,601 $12,910 $33,425
2018 $10,086 $16,298 $12,416 $29,383
2017 $8,980 $15,022 $10,728 $26,943
2016 $8,255 $14,157 $9,405 $23,905
2015 $8,175 $13,463 $8,977 $21,625
2014 $7,781 $12,942 $10,032 $20,633
2013 $7,147 $12,228 $9,498 $19,678
2012 $6,405 $11,420 $8,930 $19,808
2011 $5,704 $10,457 $9,561 $18,804
2010 $4,629 $9,411 $8,400 $17,355
2009 $3,898 $8,448 $8,548 $16,641
2008 $3,523 $7,713 $10,435 $16,782
2007 $2,735 $6,935 $8,360 $13,703
2006 $2,129 $5,946 $5,758 $11,554
2005 $1,778 $5,148 $4,618 $9,602
2004 $1,531 $4,505 $3,495 $8,989
2003 $1,307 $4,007 $2,679 $7,559
2002 $1,164 $3,591 $2,120 $7,162
2001 $1,065 $3,258 $1,825 $6,520
2000 $969 $2,964 $1,660 $5,850
1999 $881 $2,690 $1,600 $5,596
1998 $835 $2,483 $1,853 $5,545
1997 $787 $2,297 $1,577 $5,564
1996 $713 $2,088 $1,633 $5,746
1995 $613 $1,884 $1,650 $5,429
1994 $476 $1,680 $1,323 $4,995
1993 $379 $1,471 $1,158 $4,699
1992 $368 $1,276 $1,102 $4,515
1991 $334 $1,105 $1,254 $4,795
1990 $319 $991 $1,648 $5,280
1989 $311 - $1,790 -
1988 $284 - $1,753 -
1987 $252.3 - $1,659 -
1986 $282.4 - - -
1985 $295 - - -
1984 $251.2 - - -
1983 $225.9 - - -
1982 $203.7 - - -
1981 $197.4 - - -
1980 $195.1 - - -
1979 $184.3 - - -
1978 $156.7 - - -
1977 $185.7 - - -
1976 $165.7 - - -
1975 $178.6 - - -
1974 $160.4 - - -
1973 $157.3 - - -
1972 $132.1 - - -
1971 $118.8 - - -
1970 $113.3 - - -
1969 $100.3 - - -
1968 $91.6 - - -
1967 $96.8 - - -
1966 $104.5 - - -
1965 $98.7 - - -
1964 $85.7 - - -
1963 $74.5 - - -
1962 $71.1 - - -
1961 $76 - - -
1960 $89.7 - - -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

China's GDP per capita is $13,303, ranking 76/197, compared to $20,080 in Romania, ranking 58/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), China ranks 77th at $27,105, while Romania ranks 47th at $49,077.

Economic indicators

China Romania
Gross domestic product
$18.7T
2024
$383B
2024
GDP rank
2/197
2024
42/197
2024
GDP growth
4.98%
2023-2024
0.92%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$13,303
2024
$20,080
2024
GDP per capita rank
76/197
2024
58/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$27,105
2024
$49,077
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
77/197
2024
47/197
2024
Government debt
$16.6T
2024
$220B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
88.3%
2024
57.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$11,749
2024
$11,533
2024
Government debt per person rank
47/185
2024
48/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$9,826
2026
$13,912
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$11.8T
2024
$47.4B
2024
Number of millionaires
6,327,000
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
450
2025
6
2025
Income share by richest 10%
28.4%
2022
21.8%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2022
2.4%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
32.9%
2024
39.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
0.2%
2023-2024
5.6%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
3.1%
2024
6.5%
2024
Unemployment rate
5.11%
2021
5.43%
2024
Population
1402578808
18839108

Spending and national debt comparison by year

China
Spending

Debt
Romania
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
China Romania
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 32.9% 88.3% 39.9% 57.4%
2023 32.7% 82% 36.6% 52.1%
2022 32.6% 75.5% 37.4% 51.7%
2021 31.9% 70.1% 37% 51.5%
2020 34.8% 69% 38.1% 49.3%
2019 33.6% 59.4% 33.2% 36.5%
2018 32.6% 55.6% 31.7% 36.2%
2017 32% 53.9% 31% 37.1%
2016 31.7% 49.7% 31.8% 39.5%
2015 31% 40.8% 34.2% 39.4%
2014 28.4% 39.3% 33.8% 40.5%
2013 28.1% 36.4% 34.2% 39.3%
2012 27.7% 33.8% 33.5% 36.2%
2011 26.6% 33.2% 35% 32.6%
2010 24.7% 33.3% 37.4% 30.2%
2009 25.2% 34% 36.3% 22.5%
2008 22.2% 26.7% 35.3% 13%
2007 17.9% 28.7% 34.6% 12.4%
2006 18.1% 25.2% 33.9% 12.7%
2005 18% 25.9% 32.3% 17.8%
2004 17.6% 26% 33.7% 21.3%
2003 18% 26.4% 31.8% 24.9%
2002 18.2% 25.6% 32.1% 27.4%
2001 17.2% 24.3% 33.2% 27.4%
2000 16.1% 22.7% 35% 29.6%
1999 14.9% 21.6% 35.1% 21.7%
1998 12.6% 20.4% 34.7% 16.5%
1997 11.5% 20.4% 33.5% 15%
1996 11% 21.2% 33.5% 11%
1995 11.1% 21.4% 34.4% 6.91%
1994 12.4% - 33.1% -
1993 13.4% - 33.5% -
1992 14.6% - 41.5% -
1991 16.5% - 38.3% -
1990 18.2% - 38.4% -
1989 18.6% - 40.1% -
1988 20.9% 4.46% 36.6% -
1987 23.4% 3.6% 40.7% -
1986 25.6% 3.24% 42.5% -
1985 25.8% 3.31% 41.6% -
1984 26.9% 0.97% 28.6% -
1983 28.3% - 25.8% -
1982 27.9% - 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/china/romania | CC BY

In 2024, China's government spending was $6.18T, accounting for 32.9% of its GDP, while Romania spent $153B, or 39.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 88.3% in China and 57.4% in Romania, ranking 34/185 and 87/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
China

Romania
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
China Romania
2024 -7.34% -8.68%
2023 -6.71% -5.61%
2022 -7.32% -5.83%
2021 -5.9% -6.7%
2020 -9.56% -9.54%
2019 -6% -4.55%
2018 -4.2% -2.74%
2017 -3.34% -2.86%
2016 -3.33% -2.5%
2015 -2.5% -1.35%
2014 -0.67% -1.76%
2013 -0.82% -2.44%
2012 -0.3% -2.39%
2011 -0.1% -4.14%
2010 -0.36% -6.22%
2009 -1.72% -6.86%
2008 -0.02% -4.6%
2007 0.06% -3.05%
2006 -1.13% -1.36%
2005 -1.38% -0.69%
2004 -1.49% -3.39%
2003 -2.36% -2.29%
2002 -2.84% -2.59%
2001 -2.56% -3.2%
2000 -2.81% -3.99%
1999 -2.3% -3.58%
1998 -1.08% -5.33%
1997 -0.73% -5.19%
1996 -0.73% -4.74%
1995 -0.94% -3.32%
1994 -1.68% -2.2%
1993 -0.89% -0.35%
1992 -1.22% -4.55%
1991 -1.04% 3.23%
1990 -0.72% 1.03%
1989 -0.91% -2.87%
1988 -2.22% 8.4%
1987 -2.08% 2.37%
1986 -1.82% 5.72%
1985 -0.45% 6.36%
1984 -1.44% 15.2%
1983 -1.61% 9.35%
1982 -1.33% 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/china/romania | CC BY

In 2024, China's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.38T, equivalent to 7.34% of GDP. This compares to Romania's deficit of $33.2B, or 8.68% of GDP.

Over the past 38 years, China recorded a fiscal deficit in 37 of those years, while Romania ran a deficit in 34 years. On average, China posted an annual deficit equal to 2.4% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.06% of GDP for Romania.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
China

Romania
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
China Romania
2024 0.2% 5.6%
2023 0.2% 10.4%
2022 2% 13.8%
2021 0.9% 5%
2020 2.5% 2.6%
2019 2.9% 3.8%
2018 2.1% 4.6%
2017 1.6% 1.3%
2016 2% -1.6%
2015 1.5% -0.6%
2014 2% 1.1%
2013 2.7% 4%
2012 2.6% 3.3%
2011 5.4% 5.8%
2010 3.3% 6.1%
2009 -0.7% 5.6%
2008 5.9% 7.8%
2007 4.7% 4.8%
2006 1.5% 6.6%
2005 1.8% 9%
2004 3.9% 11.9%
2003 1.1% 15.4%
2002 -0.8% 22.5%
2001 0.7% 34.5%
2000 0.4% 45.7%
1999 -1.4% 45.8%
1998 -0.8% 59.1%
1997 2.8% 154.8%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, China has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.82%, compared with 17.5% in Romania. In 2024, inflation was 0.2% in China and 5.6% in Romania.

Top exports between countries

China
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $5.2B
Textiles & consumer goods $1.93B
Chemicals & pharma $692M
Metals $650M
Miscellaneous $271M
Raw materials & minerals $262M
Wood & paper products $158M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $88.5M
Raw agricultural goods $41.2M
Animal & marine products $22.4M
Romania
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $380M
Wood & paper products $159M
Raw materials & minerals $114M
Metals $60.1M
Transport & tourism services $54.9M
IT & IP services $46.8M
Business & finance services $41.2M
Chemicals & pharma $32.2M
Textiles & consumer goods $26.1M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $9.87M

Balance of trade

China Romania
Current account balance
$424B
2024
-$31.2B
2024
Current account balance ranking
1/190
2024
185/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+2.26%
2024
-8.16%
2024
Goods imports
$2.64T
2024
$129B
2024
Goods exports
$3.41T
2024
$93.3B
2024
Service imports
$613B
2024
$30.2B
2024
Service exports
$384B
2024
$42.9B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
17.2%
2024
41.6%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
20%
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.

China Romania
Economic freedom 48.3 65.4
Economic freedom ranking 170/197 64/197
Property rights 40.9 81
Government integrity 42.3 50
Judicial effectiveness 38.6 67
Tax burden 69.3 89.1
Government spending 67.8 56.7
Fiscal health 4.4 21.4
Business freedom 68.7 74.4
Labor freedom 57.9 63.6
Monetary freedom 76.1 72.7
Trade freedom 73.4 79.4
Investment freedom 20 70
Financial freedom 20 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

China
Romania
1x
Year Economic freedom index
China Romania
2026 48.3 65.4
2025 49 66.5
2024 48.5 64.4
2023 48.3 64.5
2022 48 67.1
2021 58.4 69.5
2020 59.5 69.7
2019 58.4 68.6
2018 57.8 69.4
2017 57.4 69.7
2016 52 65.6
2015 52.7 66.6
2014 52.5 65.5
2013 51.9 65.1
2012 51.2 64.4
2011 52 64.7
2010 51 64.2
2009 53.2 63.2
2008 53.1 61.7
2007 52 61.2
2006 53.6 58.2
2005 53.7 52.1
2004 52.5 50
2003 52.6 50.6
2002 52.8 48.7
2001 52.6 50
2000 56.4 52.1
1999 54.8 50.1
1998 53.1 54.4
1997 51.7 50.8
1996 51.3 46.2
1995 52 42.9

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for China is 48.3, ranking 170/197, 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

China Romania
Services, % of GDP
56.7%
2024
62.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
36.5%
2024
25.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
6.78%
2024
2.81%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$19.3T
2024
$335B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$26,920
2024
$47,920
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.46T
2024
$73.4B
2024
Total reserves ranking
1/177
2024
35/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$154B
2024
-$5.17B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$18.6B
2024
$7.16B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$172B
2024
$1.99B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.89%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
0%
2020
19%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
40.6%
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/china/romania | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, 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 (2022–2024, 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.