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Economy of Iceland vs Romania compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Iceland has a GDP of $33.3B compared to $383B for Romania, ranking 108/197 and 42/197 by economy size, respectively.

Iceland has $19.8B in government debt (59.4% of GDP), compared to $220B (57.4% of GDP) in Romania.

Iceland vs Romania GDP by year

Iceland
Romania
1x
Year GDP, current $
Iceland Romania
2024 $33,255,181,469 $382,564,217,989
2023 $31,677,891,897 $347,757,995,759
2022 $29,166,102,877 $295,319,437,557
2021 $26,234,872,402 $285,071,280,114
2020 $22,034,665,041 $250,625,048,304
2019 $24,985,687,022 $250,080,428,512
2018 $26,677,652,544 $241,791,427,224
2017 $25,060,086,488 $210,147,385,855
2016 $21,083,713,310 $185,290,759,249
2015 $17,700,486,957 $177,885,131,240
2014 $18,052,183,515 $199,722,319,676
2013 $16,244,319,959 $189,798,603,751
2012 $14,943,757,823 $179,117,323,107
2011 $15,394,005,872 $192,623,977,894
2010 $13,922,711,577 $170,064,350,672
2009 $13,212,543,838 $174,110,532,659
2008 $18,247,921,360 $214,315,932,061
2007 $21,960,110,030 $174,588,782,939
2006 $17,671,649,843 $122,023,735,993
2005 $17,146,410,561 $98,454,380,120
2004 $13,963,943,244 $74,973,656,852
2003 $11,564,687,742 $57,806,384,143
2002 $9,416,199,700 $46,065,502,703
2001 $8,323,401,820 $40,395,116,581
2000 $9,140,168,922 $37,253,739,511
1999 $9,107,644,691 $35,953,156,754
1998 $8,637,732,542 $41,696,091,974
1997 $7,716,781,803 $35,575,214,078
1996 $7,686,566,105 $36,937,074,278
1995 $7,372,640,169 $37,430,162,103
1994 $6,612,804,056 $30,072,805,104
1993 $6,435,952,174 $26,361,160,450
1992 $7,328,497,599 $25,121,666,667
1991 $7,151,260,062 $28,850,634,900
1990 $6,694,851,159 $38,247,882,300
1989 $5,870,854,233 $41,450,777,202
1988 $6,320,093,411 $40,424,528,302
1987 $5,713,281,235 $38,067,567,568
1986 $4,129,080,094 -
1985 $3,088,359,967 -
1984 $2,964,568,006 -
1983 $2,862,634,164 -
1982 $3,318,714,326 -
1981 $3,615,094,820 -
1980 $3,499,616,683 -
1979 $2,953,176,971 -
1978 $2,599,627,089 -
1977 $2,285,707,749 -
1976 $1,727,845,419 -
1975 $1,456,052,700 -
1974 $1,568,154,077 -
1973 $1,194,794,186 -
1972 $869,002,946 -
1971 $693,679,545 -
1970 $545,115,909 -
1969 $435,659,610 -
1968 $498,365,200 -
1967 $652,609,076 -
1966 $660,663,763 -
1965 $550,150,988 -
1964 $456,206,299 -
1963 $357,240,896 -
1962 $299,309,938 -
1961 $266,711,460 -
1960 $260,984,499 -

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

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

GDP per capita in Iceland vs Romania by year

Iceland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Romania
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Iceland Romania
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $86,041 $84,257 $20,080 $49,077
2023 $82,139 $81,608 $18,244 $45,982
2022 $76,350 $75,333 $15,504 $41,979
2021 $70,425 $61,610 $14,908 $37,534
2020 $60,128 $55,797 $13,009 $34,194
2019 $69,296 $60,524 $12,910 $33,425
2018 $75,634 $57,198 $12,416 $29,383
2017 $72,976 $55,638 $10,728 $26,943
2016 $62,854 $53,480 $9,405 $23,905
2015 $53,506 $49,201 $8,977 $21,625
2014 $55,140 $45,997 $10,032 $20,633
2013 $50,173 $44,410 $9,498 $19,678
2012 $46,595 $42,004 $8,930 $19,808
2011 $48,255 $40,937 $9,561 $18,804
2010 $43,776 $39,764 $8,400 $17,355
2009 $41,484 $41,885 $8,548 $16,641
2008 $57,489 $43,728 $10,435 $16,782
2007 $70,483 $41,471 $8,360 $13,703
2006 $58,172 $39,692 $5,758 $11,554
2005 $57,784 $37,323 $4,618 $9,602
2004 $47,810 $35,612 $3,495 $8,989
2003 $39,944 $32,697 $2,679 $7,559
2002 $32,749 $32,607 $2,120 $7,162
2001 $29,208 $31,882 $1,825 $6,520
2000 $32,504 $29,789 $1,660 $5,850
1999 $32,834 $29,558 $1,600 $5,596
1998 $31,519 $28,723 $1,853 $5,545
1997 $28,462 $26,874 $1,577 $5,564
1996 $28,584 $24,776 $1,633 $5,746
1995 $27,565 $23,954 $1,650 $5,429
1994 $24,858 $23,562 $1,323 $4,995
1993 $24,404 $22,460 $1,158 $4,699
1992 $28,072 $21,877 $1,102 $4,515
1991 $27,740 $22,416 $1,254 $4,795
1990 $26,272 $21,985 $1,648 $5,280
1989 $23,219 - $1,790 -
1988 $25,307 - $1,753 -
1987 $23,238 - $1,659 -
1986 $16,980 - - -
1985 $12,793 - - -
1984 $12,378 - - -
1983 $12,080 - - -
1982 $14,191 - - -
1981 $15,666 - - -
1980 $15,340 - - -
1979 $13,082 - - -
1978 $11,630 - - -
1977 $10,305 - - -
1976 $7,848 - - -
1975 $6,680 - - -
1974 $7,287 - - -
1973 $5,627 - - -
1972 $4,155 - - -
1971 $3,366 - - -
1970 $2,666 - - -
1969 $2,142 - - -
1968 $2,473 - - -
1967 $3,284 - - -
1966 $3,378 - - -
1965 $2,861 - - -
1964 $2,414 - - -
1963 $1,924 - - -
1962 $1,641 - - -
1961 $1,490 - - -
1960 $1,486 - - -

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

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

Iceland's GDP per capita is $86,041, ranking 9/197, compared to $20,080 in Romania, ranking 58/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Iceland ranks 13th at $84,257, while Romania ranks 47th at $49,077.

Economic indicators

Iceland Romania
Gross domestic product
$33.3B
2024
$383B
2024
GDP rank
108/197
2024
42/197
2024
GDP growth
-0.97%
2023-2024
0.92%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$86,041
2024
$20,080
2024
GDP per capita rank
9/197
2024
58/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$84,257
2024
$49,077
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
13/197
2024
47/197
2024
Government debt
$19.8B
2024
$220B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
59.4%
2024
57.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$51,148
2024
$11,533
2024
Government debt per person rank
9/185
2024
48/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$55,565
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%
22.4%
2019
21.8%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
3.7%
2019
2.4%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
46.5%
2024
39.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
5.86%
2023-2024
5.6%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
7.25%
2025
6.5%
2024
Unemployment rate
3.56%
2024
5.43%
2024
Population
397129
18839108

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Iceland
Spending

Debt
Romania
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Iceland Romania
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 46.5% 59.4% 39.9% 57.4%
2023 45% 61.5% 36.6% 52.1%
2022 45.9% 66.4% 37.4% 51.7%
2021 48.7% 73.6% 37% 51.5%
2020 50.2% 76.1% 38.1% 49.3%
2019 43% 65.7% 33.2% 36.5%
2018 43.2% 62.3% 31.7% 36.2%
2017 43.8% 70.8% 31% 37.1%
2016 45.8% 81.3% 31.8% 39.5%
2015 43% 96.3% 34.2% 39.4%
2014 45.4% 114.1% 33.8% 40.5%
2013 45.6% 121.1% 34.2% 39.3%
2012 47.1% 132.2% 33.5% 36.2%
2011 50% 136.6% 35% 32.6%
2010 48.2% 131.5% 37.4% 30.2%
2009 53.3% 128.2% 36.3% 22.5%
2008 62.8% 109.3% 35.3% 13%
2007 44.1% 67.4% 34.6% 12.4%
2006 44.3% 69.8% 33.9% 12.7%
2005 44.2% 67.8% 32.3% 17.8%
2004 46.2% 80.1% 33.7% 21.3%
2003 47.2% 84.1% 31.8% 24.9%
2002 45% 81.3% 32.1% 27.4%
2001 46.9% 82.5% 33.2% 27.4%
2000 44.3% 74.8% 35% 29.6%
1999 44.8% 75.5% 35.1% 21.7%
1998 40.2% 43.3% 34.7% 16.5%
1997 41.3% 51.1% 33.5% 15%
1996 43.9% 55.6% 33.5% 11%
1995 44.4% 58.1% 34.4% 6.91%
1994 45% 54.8% 33.1% -
1993 45.1% 52.3% 33.5% -
1992 44.7% 45.4% 41.5% -
1991 42.8% 37.6% 38.3% -
1990 42.6% 35.5% 38.4% -
1989 42.9% 35.3% 40.1% -
1988 41.4% 30.6% 36.6% -
1987 36.5% 27.3% 40.7% -
1986 39.5% 29.9% 42.5% -
1985 37% 32% 41.6% -
1984 34.7% 32.4% 28.6% -
1983 37.8% 30.8% 25.8% -
1982 36% 28.9% 28.5% -
1981 35.3% 22.4% 30.4% -
1980 33.9% 24.8% 33.6% -
1979 32.4% 21.1% 42% -
1978 31.9% 19.8% 42.1% -
1977 31.7% 18.4% 39.9% -
1976 32.1% 17.2% 37.5% -
1975 36.9% 16.4% 40.6% -
1974 36.6% 12.5% 37.6% -
1973 33.7% 11.5% 32.6% -
1972 33.3% 14.5% 29.9% -
1971 32.5% 11.7% 27.2% -
1970 29.9% 11.4% 28.1% -
1969 30.3% 14.6% 32.1% -
1968 33.3% 14.2% 31.8% -
1967 31.6% 8.8% 30.6% -
1966 28.3% 5.56% 27.3% -
1965 28.3% 7.78% 25.6% -
1964 28.2% 7.97% 25.1% -
1963 26.2% 7.89% 23.1% -
1962 24.9% 7.47% 43.4% -
1961 25.3% 8.49% - -
1960 33.2% 13.6% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Iceland's government spending was $15.5B, accounting for 46.5% of its GDP, while Romania spent $153B, or 39.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 59.4% in Iceland and 57.4% in Romania, ranking 80/185 and 87/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Iceland

Romania
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Iceland Romania
2024 -3.51% -8.68%
2023 -2.28% -5.61%
2022 -3.93% -5.83%
2021 -8.33% -6.7%
2020 -8.73% -9.54%
2019 -1.57% -4.55%
2018 0.94% -2.74%
2017 0.97% -2.86%
2016 12.4% -2.5%
2015 -0.39% -1.35%
2014 0.29% -1.76%
2013 -1.24% -2.44%
2012 -2.59% -2.39%
2011 -6.46% -4.14%
2010 -6.58% -6.22%
2009 -8.54% -6.86%
2008 -12% -4.6%
2007 5.52% -3.05%
2006 6.37% -1.36%
2005 4.92% -0.69%
2004 0.28% -3.39%
2003 -2.3% -2.29%
2002 -2.25% -2.59%
2001 -0.28% -3.2%
2000 1.43% -3.99%
1999 1.3% -3.58%
1998 -0.56% -5.33%
1997 0.04% -5.19%
1996 -1.52% -4.74%
1995 -2.87% -3.32%
1994 -4.59% -2.2%
1993 -4.36% -0.35%
1992 -1.86% -4.55%
1991 -0.66% 3.23%
1990 -3.16% 1.03%
1989 -4.29% -2.87%
1988 -1.93% 8.4%
1987 -0.79% 2.37%
1986 -3.93% 5.72%
1985 -1.56% 6.36%
1984 2.25% 15.2%
1983 -1.96% 9.35%
1982 1.72% 0.36%
1981 1.32% 0.61%
1980 1.37% -1.95%
1979 -0.07% 0%
1978 -0.9% 0%
1977 -1.2% 0.23%
1976 0.02% 0.66%
1975 -3.87% 0.41%
1974 -3.64% 0.51%
1973 -0.74% 1.53%
1972 0.05% 1.21%
1971 -0.69% 0.89%
1970 0.27% 0.52%
1969 -0.88% 0.93%
1968 -0.89% 1.65%
1967 0.78% 1.23%
1966 1.69% 0.91%
1965 0.15% -1.29%
1964 -0.41% -3.11%
1963 1.8% -1.61%
1962 2.25% -4.86%
1961 1.64% -
1960 2.38% -
1959 2.44% -
1958 2.16% -
1957 1.2% -
1956 -0.09% -
1955 1.57% -
1954 1.25% -
1953 0.34% -
1952 3.33% -
1951 2.73% -
1950 1.23% -
1949 -0.3% -
1948 0.67% -
1947 -1.95% -
1946 -0.37% -
1945 -2.33% -
1944 -3.23% -
1943 -0.89% -
1942 -0.75% -
1941 -1.33% -
1940 -1.35% -
1939 -2.6% -
1938 -2.01% -
1937 -2.6% -
1936 -3.34% -
1935 -3.46% -
1934 -4.79% -
1933 -3.42% -
1932 -4.65% -
1931 -4.27% -
1930 -4.94% -
1929 -1.94% -
1928 -1.94% -
1927 -3.45% -
1926 -2.43% -
1925 0.43% -
1924 -1.78% -
1923 -4.99% -
1922 -4.67% -
1921 -6.12% -
1920 -7.45% -
1919 -2.5% -
1918 -7.43% -
1917 -11.3% -
1916 -2.53% -
1915 -2.06% -
1914 -3.21% -
1913 -2.3% -
1912 -2.93% -
1911 -3.06% -
1910 -1.27% -
1909 -2.15% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1909–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Iceland's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.17B, equivalent to 3.51% of GDP. This compares to Romania's deficit of $33.2B, or 8.68% of GDP.

Over the past 38 years, Iceland recorded a fiscal deficit in 27 of those years, while Romania ran a deficit in 34 years. On average, Iceland posted an annual deficit equal to 1.66% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.06% of GDP for Romania.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Iceland

Romania
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Iceland Romania
2024 5.86% 5.6%
2023 8.74% 10.4%
2022 8.31% 13.8%
2021 4.44% 5%
2020 2.85% 2.6%
2019 3.01% 3.8%
2018 2.68% 4.6%
2017 1.76% 1.3%
2016 1.7% -1.6%
2015 1.63% -0.6%
2014 2.04% 1.1%
2013 3.87% 4%
2012 5.19% 3.3%
2011 4% 5.8%
2010 5.4% 6.1%
2009 12% 5.6%
2008 12.7% 7.8%
2007 5.05% 4.8%
2006 6.69% 6.6%
2005 3.99% 9%
2004 3.16% 11.9%
2003 2.06% 15.4%
2002 5.2% 22.5%
2001 6.41% 34.5%
2000 5.14% 45.7%
1999 3.23% 45.8%
1998 1.66% 59.1%
1997 1.82% 154.8%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 28 years, Iceland has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.66%, compared with 17.5% in Romania. In 2024, inflation was 5.86% in Iceland and 5.6% in Romania.

Top exports between countries

Iceland
Export category Export value
Transport & tourism services $5.14M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.26M
IT & IP services $699K
Machinery & equipment $243K
Business & finance services $221K
Chemicals & pharma $143K
Manufacturing & construction services $133K
Textiles & consumer goods $97K
Raw agricultural goods $75K
Animal & marine products $43K
Romania
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $12.6M
Business & finance services $7.92M
Transport & tourism services $4.72M
Manufacturing & construction services $1.89M
IT & IP services $1.18M
Metals $841K
Wood & paper products $418K
Textiles & consumer goods $375K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $209K
Chemicals & pharma $168K

Balance of trade

Iceland Romania
Current account balance
-$867M
2024
-$31.2B
2024
Current account balance ranking
121/190
2024
185/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.61%
2024
-8.16%
2024
Goods imports
$9.3B
2024
$129B
2024
Goods exports
$6.99B
2024
$93.3B
2024
Service imports
$5.16B
2024
$30.2B
2024
Service exports
$7.12B
2024
$42.9B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
43.5%
2024
41.6%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
42.5%
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.

Iceland Romania
Economic freedom 75 65.4
Economic freedom ranking 19/197 64/197
Property rights 94.9 81
Government integrity 85 50
Judicial effectiveness 95.2 67
Tax burden 72.2 89.1
Government spending 37 56.7
Fiscal health 76.2 21.4
Business freedom 86.8 74.4
Labor freedom 59.3 63.6
Monetary freedom 73.5 72.7
Trade freedom 79.8 79.4
Investment freedom 70 70
Financial freedom 70 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Iceland
Romania
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Iceland Romania
2026 75 65.4
2025 72.8 66.5
2024 70.5 64.4
2023 72.2 64.5
2022 77 67.1
2021 77.4 69.5
2020 77.1 69.7
2019 77.1 68.6
2018 77 69.4
2017 74.4 69.7
2016 73.3 65.6
2015 72 66.6
2014 72.4 65.5
2013 72.1 65.1
2012 70.9 64.4
2011 68.2 64.7
2010 73.7 64.2
2009 75.9 63.2
2008 75.8 61.7
2007 76 61.2
2006 75.8 58.2
2005 76.6 52.1
2004 72.1 50
2003 73.5 50.6
2002 73.1 48.7
2001 73.4 50
2000 74 52.1
1999 71.4 50.1
1998 71.2 54.4
1997 70.5 50.8
1996 - 46.2
1995 - 42.9

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Iceland is 75, ranking 19/197, 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

Iceland Romania
Services, % of GDP
64.9%
2024
62.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
20.1%
2024
25.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
3.98%
2024
2.81%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$31.8B
2024
$335B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$84,060
2024
$47,920
2024
Total reserves including gold
$6.4B
2024
$73.4B
2024
Total reserves ranking
90/177
2024
35/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.24B
2024
-$5.17B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$2.7B
2024
$7.16B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$461M
2024
$1.99B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
8.8%
2017
19%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
26.1%
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/iceland/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) | Public Finances in Modern History (1909–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, 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 (2014–2024, 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.

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.