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Economy of Gabon vs Romania compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Gabon has a GDP of $21.4B compared to $429B for Romania, ranking 132/197 and 39/197 by economy size, respectively.

Gabon has $16.9B in government debt (78.9% of GDP), compared to $260B (60.6% of GDP) in Romania.

Gabon vs Romania GDP by year

Gabon
Romania
1x
Year GDP, current $
Gabon Romania
2025 $21,427,119,323 $428,677,977,855
2024 $20,895,684,426 $382,564,217,989
2023 $19,388,372,071 $347,757,995,759
2022 $20,440,655,695 $295,317,862,856
2021 $19,444,935,097 $285,072,444,957
2020 $15,342,236,164 $250,624,575,872
2019 $16,874,405,465 $250,080,428,512
2018 $16,867,326,402 $241,791,427,224
2017 $14,929,487,485 $210,147,385,855
2016 $14,023,890,265 $185,290,759,249
2015 $14,383,107,763 $177,885,131,240
2014 $18,203,966,896 $199,722,319,676
2013 $17,595,744,798 $189,798,603,751
2012 $17,170,464,016 $179,117,323,107
2011 $18,210,307,744 $192,623,977,894
2010 $14,372,593,020 $170,064,350,672
2009 $12,113,699,068 $174,110,532,659
2008 $15,571,348,344 $214,315,932,061
2007 $12,455,409,587 $174,588,782,939
2006 $10,327,598,306 $122,023,735,993
2005 $9,582,783,991 $98,454,380,120
2004 $7,770,219,008 $74,973,656,852
2003 $6,511,903,365 $57,806,384,143
2002 $5,335,451,100 $46,065,502,703
2001 $5,023,265,413 $40,395,116,581
2000 $5,080,483,629 $37,253,739,511
1999 $4,662,992,036 $35,953,156,754
1998 $4,483,417,310 $41,696,091,974
1997 $5,326,817,115 $35,575,214,078
1996 $5,694,040,003 $36,937,074,278
1995 $4,958,845,648 $37,430,162,103
1994 $4,190,819,344 $30,072,805,104
1993 $4,378,645,081 $26,361,160,450
1992 $5,592,390,827 $25,121,666,667
1991 $5,402,919,785 $28,850,634,900
1990 $5,952,293,765 $38,247,882,300
1989 $4,186,411,464 $41,450,777,202
1988 $3,834,503,376 $40,424,528,302
1987 $3,281,797,043 $38,067,567,568
1986 $3,403,638,189 -
1985 $3,339,914,757 -
1984 $3,561,451,561 -
1983 $3,391,275,732 -
1982 $3,618,007,841 -
1981 $3,862,269,121 -
1980 $4,279,637,942 -
1979 $3,030,251,120 -
1978 $2,389,479,272 -
1977 $2,809,349,069 -
1976 $3,009,409,974 -
1975 $2,157,592,940 -
1974 $1,544,216,002 -
1973 $722,780,701 -
1972 $430,508,359 -
1971 $381,687,073 -
1970 $323,802,476 -
1969 $318,124,701 -
1968 $294,468,564 -
1967 $271,543,680 -
1966 $245,849,781 -
1965 $226,474,286 -
1964 $215,679,855 -
1963 $154,480,244 -
1962 $182,796,536 -
1961 $167,637,907 -
1960 $141,468,978 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Gabon vs Romania by year

Gabon
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Romania
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Gabon Romania
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $8,263 - $22,538 -
2024 $8,230 $21,510 $20,080 $49,077
2023 $7,803 $20,756 $18,244 $45,982
2022 $8,409 $19,993 $15,503 $41,979
2021 $8,181 $18,524 $14,908 $37,534
2020 $6,606 $14,477 $13,009 $34,194
2019 $7,441 $15,950 $12,910 $33,425
2018 $7,624 $15,432 $12,416 $29,383
2017 $6,922 $14,797 $10,728 $26,943
2016 $6,677 $13,998 $9,405 $23,905
2015 $7,047 $14,306 $8,977 $21,625
2014 $9,201 $14,854 $10,032 $20,633
2013 $9,198 $14,498 $9,498 $19,678
2012 $9,297 $14,620 $8,930 $19,808
2011 $10,219 $14,784 $9,561 $18,804
2010 $8,357 $14,015 $8,400 $17,355
2009 $7,291 $13,384 $8,548 $16,641
2008 $9,689 $13,734 $10,435 $16,782
2007 $8,004 $14,391 $8,360 $13,703
2006 $6,847 $13,637 $5,758 $11,554
2005 $6,548 $14,028 $4,618 $9,602
2004 $5,466 $13,638 $3,495 $8,989
2003 $4,711 $13,564 $2,679 $7,559
2002 $3,966 $13,369 $2,120 $7,162
2001 $3,836 $13,556 $1,825 $6,520
2000 $3,983 $13,326 $1,660 $5,850
1999 $3,751 $13,629 $1,600 $5,596
1998 $3,700 $15,138 $1,853 $5,545
1997 $4,509 $14,837 $1,577 $5,564
1996 $4,943 $14,147 $1,633 $5,746
1995 $4,415 $13,750 $1,650 $5,429
1994 $3,828 $13,164 $1,323 $4,995
1993 $4,106 $12,757 $1,158 $4,699
1992 $5,386 $12,312 $1,102 $4,515
1991 $5,345 $12,760 $1,254 $4,795
1990 $6,051 $11,952 $1,648 $5,280
1989 $4,374 - $1,790 -
1988 $4,119 - $1,753 -
1987 $3,624 - $1,659 -
1986 $3,865 - - -
1985 $3,898 - - -
1984 $4,273 - - -
1983 $4,182 - - -
1982 $4,584 - - -
1981 $5,026 - - -
1980 $5,718 - - -
1979 $4,155 - - -
1978 $3,360 - - -
1977 $4,048 - - -
1976 $4,441 - - -
1975 $3,258 - - -
1974 $2,384 - - -
1973 $1,140 - - -
1972 $693 - - -
1971 $627 - - -
1970 $543 - - -
1969 $545 - - -
1968 $515 - - -
1967 $482 - - -
1966 $443 - - -
1965 $415 - - -
1964 $400 - - -
1963 $290.7 - - -
1962 $348 - - -
1961 $323 - - -
1960 $276.1 - - -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Gabon's GDP per capita is $8,263, ranking 96/197, compared to $22,538 in Romania, ranking 57/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Gabon ranks 90th at $21,510, while Romania ranks 47th at $49,077.

Economic indicators

Gabon Romania
Gross domestic product
$21.4B
2025
$429B
2025
GDP rank
132/197
2025
39/197
2025
GDP growth
2.47%
2024-2025
0.68%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$8,263
2025
$22,538
2025
GDP per capita rank
96/197
2025
57/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$21,510
2024
$49,077
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
90/197
2024
47/197
2024
Government debt
$16.9B
2025
$260B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
78.9%
2025
60.6%
2025
Government debt per person
$6,521
2025
$13,650
2025
Government debt per person rank
74/185
2025
48/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,617
2026
$13,510
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$70.9B
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
6
2026
Income share by richest 10%
27.7%
2017
21.8%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
2.2%
2017
2.4%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
28.6%
2025
40.5%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
1.77%
2024-2025
7.3%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
6.5%
2024
Unemployment rate
17.4%
2024
6.1%
2025
Population
2676097
18912567

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Gabon
Spending

Debt
Romania
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Gabon Romania
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 28.6% 78.9% 40.5% 60.6%
2024 24.8% 70.9% 40% 57.5%
2023 21.5% 70.6% 37% 52.6%
2022 19.7% 65.6% 37.5% 51.9%
2021 17.3% 72.9% 37.2% 51.8%
2020 19.8% 83% 38.3% 49.5%
2019 17.4% 59.8% 33.4% 36.8%
2018 17.1% 62.3% 31.9% 36.4%
2017 18.1% 62.9% 31% 37.1%
2016 21.8% 64.5% 31.8% 39.5%
2015 22.3% 44.7% 34.2% 39.4%
2014 23.8% 34.1% 33.8% 40.5%
2013 34.7% 31.1% 34.2% 39.3%
2012 23.9% 21.4% 33.5% 36.2%
2011 22.1% 21.4% 35% 32.6%
2010 23.1% 21.3% 37.4% 30.2%
2009 22.6% 26% 36.3% 22.5%
2008 18.9% 20.1% 35.3% 13%
2007 19.4% 39.2% 34.6% 12.4%
2006 21.1% 34.9% 33.9% 12.7%
2005 20.8% 41.7% 32.3% 17.8%
2004 20.9% 60.3% 33.7% 21.3%
2003 21.2% 70.2% 31.8% 24.9%
2002 25.7% 81.1% 32.1% 27.4%
2001 27.8% 81% 33.2% 27.4%
2000 20.3% 72.5% 35% 29.6%
1999 25.5% 73.1% 35.1% 21.7%
1998 45.5% 87.6% 34.7% 16.5%
1997 29.7% 57% 33.5% 15%
1996 22.2% 64.5% 33.5% 11%
1995 25.1% 73.4% 34.4% 6.91%
1994 23.9% 71.3% 33.1% -
1993 26.9% 90.1% 33.5% -
1992 26.5% 87.9% 41.5% -
1991 25.1% 89.3% 38.3% -
1990 22.6% 90% 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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Gabon's government spending was $6.14B, accounting for 28.6% of its GDP, while Romania spent $173B, or 40.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 78.9% in Gabon and 60.6% in Romania, ranking 44/185 and 76/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Gabon

Romania
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Gabon Romania
2025 -8.47% -7.64%
2024 -3.3% -8.68%
2023 1.79% -5.66%
2022 -0.89% -5.85%
2021 -1.93% -6.74%
2020 -2.19% -9.6%
2019 2.13% -4.58%
2018 -0.21% -2.76%
2017 -1.7% -2.86%
2016 -4.71% -2.5%
2015 -1.12% -1.35%
2014 5.98% -1.76%
2013 -3.07% -2.44%
2012 6.2% -2.39%
2011 1.41% -4.14%
2010 2.7% -6.22%
2009 6.77% -6.86%
2008 11% -4.6%
2007 8.06% -3.05%
2006 8.67% -1.36%
2005 7.98% -0.69%
2004 6.99% -3.39%
2003 7.75% -2.29%
2002 3.72% -2.59%
2001 4.07% -3.2%
2000 11.1% -3.99%
1999 1.11% -3.58%
1998 -13.1% -5.33%
1997 1.41% -5.19%
1996 2.12% -4.74%
1995 2.64% -3.32%
1994 -1.53% -2.2%
1993 -5.35% -0.35%
1992 -4.9% -4.55%
1991 -2.03% 3.23%
1990 -3.83% 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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Gabon's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.82B, equivalent to 8.47% of GDP. This compares to Romania's deficit of $32.8B, or 7.64% of GDP.

Over the past 36 years, Gabon recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while Romania ran a deficit in 34 years. On average, Gabon posted an annual surplus equal to 1.26% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.67% of GDP for Romania.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Gabon

Romania
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Gabon Romania
2025 1.77% 7.3%
2024 1.17% 5.6%
2023 3.63% 10.4%
2022 4.23% 13.8%
2021 1.09% 5%
2020 1.35% 2.6%
2019 2.46% 3.8%
2018 4.75% 4.6%
2017 2.65% 1.3%
2016 2.11% -1.6%
2015 -0.34% -0.6%
2014 4.69% 1.1%
2013 0.51% 4%
2012 2.65% 3.3%
2011 1.26% 5.8%
2010 1.46% 6.1%
2009 1.89% 5.6%
2008 5.26% 7.8%
2007 5.03% 4.8%
2006 -1.41% 6.6%
2005 3.71% 9%
2004 0.41% 11.9%
2003 2.24% 15.4%
2002 0.04% 22.5%
2001 2.14% 34.5%
2000 0.5% 45.7%
1999 -1.94% 45.8%
1998 1.45% 59.1%
1997 3.97% 154.8%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, Gabon has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.03%, compared with 17.1% in Romania. In 2025, inflation was 1.77% in Gabon and 7.3% in Romania.

Top exports between countries

Gabon
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $4.31M
Raw materials & minerals $879K
Textiles & consumer goods $16K
Metals $2K
Wood & paper products $2K
Precious metals & jewellery $1K
Romania
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $1.46M
Animal & marine products $1.02M
Metals $295K
Raw agricultural goods $262K
Textiles & consumer goods $133K
Raw materials & minerals $95K
Wood & paper products $82K
Chemicals & pharma $67K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $32K

Balance of trade

Gabon Romania
Current account balance
$141M
2015
-$33.9B
2025
Current account balance ranking
61/190
2015
186/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
+0.98%
2015
-7.9%
2025
Goods imports
$3.17B
2015
$139B
2025
Goods exports
$5.11B
2015
$102B
2025
Service imports
$1.88B
2015
$35.9B
2025
Service exports
$277M
2015
$50.1B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
29.4%
2025
40.7%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
55.5%
2025
35.5%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Gabon Romania
Economic freedom 56.6 65.4
Economic freedom ranking 120/197 64/197
Property rights 30 81
Government integrity 22.6 50
Judicial effectiveness 19.9 67
Tax burden 76.5 89.1
Government spending 85.5 56.7
Fiscal health 87.9 21.4
Business freedom 63.6 74.4
Labor freedom 55.4 63.6
Monetary freedom 80.9 72.7
Trade freedom 57.4 79.4
Investment freedom 60 70
Financial freedom 40 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Gabon
Romania
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Gabon Romania
2026 56.6 65.4
2025 56.3 66.5
2024 56.9 64.4
2023 56.1 64.5
2022 55.8 67.1
2021 58.1 69.5
2020 56.7 69.7
2019 56.3 68.6
2018 58 69.4
2017 58.6 69.7
2016 59 65.6
2015 58.3 66.6
2014 57.8 65.5
2013 57.8 65.1
2012 56.4 64.4
2011 56.7 64.7
2010 55.4 64.2
2009 55 63.2
2008 54.2 61.7
2007 54.8 61.2
2006 56.1 58.2
2005 54.8 52.1
2004 57.1 50
2003 58.7 50.6
2002 58 48.7
2001 55 50
2000 58.2 52.1
1999 60.5 50.1
1998 59.2 54.4
1997 58.8 50.8
1996 55.7 46.2
1995 57.5 42.9

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Gabon is 56.6, ranking 120/197, 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

Gabon Romania
Services, % of GDP
42.3%
2025
61.7%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
47.2%
2025
25.3%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
6.75%
2025
3%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$21B
2025
$384B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$21,660
2025
$49,550
2025
Total reserves including gold
$639M
2024
$90.6B
2025
Total reserves ranking
150/177
2024
31/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$25.3M
2015
-$8.57B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.14B
2024
$7.16B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$33.8M
2019
$1.99B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.62%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
33.4%
2017
19%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
24.8%
2025
25.9%
2025

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2022–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)

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.