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Economy of Latvia vs Romania compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Latvia has a GDP of $48.6B compared to $429B for Romania, ranking 99/197 and 39/197 by economy size, respectively.

Latvia has $22.8B in government debt (46.9% of GDP), compared to $260B (60.6% of GDP) in Romania.

Latvia vs Romania GDP by year

Latvia
Romania
1x
Year GDP, current $
Latvia Romania
2025 $48,618,869,160 $428,677,977,855
2024 $44,001,275,013 $382,564,217,989
2023 $42,779,550,937 $347,757,995,759
2022 $38,003,198,509 $295,317,862,856
2021 $38,183,326,785 $285,072,444,957
2020 $33,379,927,435 $250,624,575,872
2019 $33,099,503,951 $250,080,428,512
2018 $33,247,935,477 $241,791,427,224
2017 $29,391,059,767 $210,147,385,855
2016 $27,117,105,060 $185,290,759,249
2015 $26,344,565,877 $177,885,131,240
2014 $30,277,203,767 $199,722,319,676
2013 $29,152,128,168 $189,798,603,751
2012 $27,116,149,949 $179,117,323,107
2011 $26,575,547,901 $192,623,977,894
2010 $23,468,324,572 $170,064,350,672
2009 $25,691,530,442 $174,110,532,659
2008 $34,135,200,994 $214,315,932,061
2007 $29,420,499,248 $174,588,782,939
2006 $20,434,922,247 $122,023,735,993
2005 $16,306,935,905 $98,454,380,120
2004 $13,827,070,379 $74,973,656,852
2003 $11,244,337,720 $57,806,384,143
2002 $9,249,030,241 $46,065,502,703
2001 $8,190,888,740 $40,395,116,581
2000 $7,761,252,607 $37,253,739,511
1999 $7,324,192,890 $35,953,156,754
1998 $6,974,112,951 $41,696,091,974
1997 $6,349,481,007 $35,575,214,078
1996 $5,799,465,288 $36,937,074,278
1995 $5,608,208,785 $37,430,162,103
1994 - $30,072,805,104
1993 - $26,361,160,450
1992 - $25,121,666,667
1991 - $28,850,634,900
1990 - $38,247,882,300
1989 - $41,450,777,202
1988 - $40,424,528,302
1987 - $38,067,567,568

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1987–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Latvia vs Romania by year

Latvia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Romania
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Latvia Romania
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $26,312 - $22,538 -
2024 $23,579 $43,394 $20,080 $49,077
2023 $22,710 $42,576 $18,244 $45,982
2022 $20,221 $40,559 $15,503 $41,979
2021 $20,262 $36,912 $14,908 $37,534
2020 $17,564 $32,741 $13,009 $34,194
2019 $17,295 $32,199 $12,910 $33,425
2018 $17,252 $29,818 $12,416 $29,383
2017 $15,132 $25,764 $10,728 $26,943
2016 $13,839 $24,063 $9,405 $23,905
2015 $13,322 $22,544 $8,977 $21,625
2014 $15,186 $21,554 $10,032 $20,633
2013 $14,484 $20,474 $9,498 $19,678
2012 $13,329 $19,417 $8,930 $19,808
2011 $12,903 $17,680 $9,561 $18,804
2010 $11,188 $16,373 $8,400 $17,355
2009 $11,996 $15,545 $8,548 $16,641
2008 $15,678 $17,443 $10,435 $16,782
2007 $13,371 $16,246 $8,360 $13,703
2006 $9,212 $14,180 $5,758 $11,554
2005 $7,284 $12,826 $4,618 $9,602
2004 $6,110 $11,319 $3,495 $8,989
2003 $4,915 $10,193 $2,679 $7,559
2002 $4,004 $9,569 $2,120 $7,162
2001 $3,505 $8,808 $1,825 $6,520
2000 $3,278 $7,849 $1,660 $5,850
1999 $3,064 $7,256 $1,600 $5,596
1998 $2,894 $6,922 $1,853 $5,545
1997 $2,610 $6,366 $1,577 $5,564
1996 $2,360 $5,688 $1,633 $5,746
1995 $2,257 $5,391 $1,650 $5,429
1994 - $5,012 $1,323 $4,995
1993 - $4,722 $1,158 $4,699
1992 - $4,760 $1,102 $4,515
1991 - $6,762 $1,254 $4,795
1990 - $7,448 $1,648 $5,280
1989 - - $1,790 -
1988 - - $1,753 -
1987 - - $1,659 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1987–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Latvia's GDP per capita is $26,312, ranking 51/197, compared to $22,538 in Romania, ranking 57/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Latvia ranks 53rd at $43,394, while Romania ranks 47th at $49,077.

Economic indicators

Latvia Romania
Gross domestic product
$48.6B
2025
$429B
2025
GDP rank
99/197
2025
39/197
2025
GDP growth
2.14%
2024-2025
0.68%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$26,312
2025
$22,538
2025
GDP per capita rank
51/197
2025
57/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$43,394
2024
$49,077
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
53/197
2024
47/197
2024
Government debt
$22.8B
2025
$260B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
46.9%
2025
60.6%
2025
Government debt per person
$12,353
2025
$13,650
2025
Government debt per person rank
50/185
2025
48/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$16,702
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%
26.2%
2023
21.8%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
2.6%
2023
2.4%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
45.4%
2025
40.5%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
3.75%
2024-2025
7.3%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
6.5%
2024
Unemployment rate
6.9%
2025
6.1%
2025
Population
1826986
18912567

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Latvia
Spending

Debt
Romania
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Latvia Romania
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 45.4% 46.9% 40.5% 60.6%
2024 44% 46.2% 40% 57.5%
2023 42.9% 44.4% 37% 52.6%
2022 43.6% 44.4% 37.5% 51.9%
2021 44.6% 45.9% 37.2% 51.8%
2020 42.6% 44% 38.3% 49.5%
2019 39% 37.9% 33.4% 36.8%
2018 39.4% 38.3% 31.9% 36.4%
2017 37.8% 40.3% 31% 37.1%
2016 37.4% 41.7% 31.8% 39.5%
2015 38.7% 38.3% 34.2% 39.4%
2014 39.2% 43.1% 33.8% 40.5%
2013 38.7% 41.8% 34.2% 39.3%
2012 38.6% 44.4% 33.5% 36.2%
2011 41.2% 46.8% 35% 32.6%
2010 43.6% 48.2% 37.4% 30.2%
2009 43.6% 37.6% 36.3% 22.5%
2008 38.2% 19.3% 35.3% 13%
2007 34.8% 9% 34.6% 12.4%
2006 35.5% 10.7% 33.9% 12.7%
2005 35.8% 12.5% 32.3% 17.8%
2004 34.8% 15.3% 33.7% 21.3%
2003 34.4% 15.4% 31.8% 24.9%
2002 35.4% 15.4% 32.1% 27.4%
2001 35% 17.8% 33.2% 27.4%
2000 37% 15.1% 35% 29.6%
1999 40.4% 14.8% 35.1% 21.7%
1998 38.1% 9.81% 34.7% 16.5%
1997 - - 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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Latvia's government spending was $22.1B, accounting for 45.4% of its GDP, while Romania spent $173B, or 40.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 46.9% in Latvia and 60.6% in Romania, ranking 112/185 and 76/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Latvia

Romania
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Latvia Romania
2025 -4.05% -7.64%
2024 -1.72% -8.68%
2023 -3.36% -5.66%
2022 -3.95% -5.85%
2021 -5.71% -6.74%
2020 -3.85% -9.6%
2019 -0.39% -4.58%
2018 -0.77% -2.76%
2017 -0.85% -2.86%
2016 -0.41% -2.5%
2015 -1.57% -1.35%
2014 -1.74% -1.76%
2013 -0.58% -2.44%
2012 0.18% -2.39%
2011 -3.38% -4.14%
2010 -6.56% -6.22%
2009 -7.14% -6.86%
2008 -3.29% -4.6%
2007 0.63% -3.05%
2006 -0.48% -1.36%
2005 -1.06% -0.69%
2004 -1.04% -3.39%
2003 -1.67% -2.29%
2002 -2.59% -2.59%
2001 -2.03% -3.2%
2000 -2.57% -3.99%
1999 -3.54% -3.58%
1998 -0.66% -5.33%
1997 - -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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Latvia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.97B, equivalent to 4.05% of GDP. This compares to Romania's deficit of $32.8B, or 7.64% of GDP.

Over the past 28 years, Latvia recorded a fiscal deficit in 26 of those years, while Romania ran a deficit in 28 years. On average, Latvia posted an annual deficit equal to 2.29% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.15% of GDP for Romania.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Latvia

Romania
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Latvia Romania
2025 3.75% 7.3%
2024 1.27% 5.6%
2023 8.94% 10.4%
2022 17.3% 13.8%
2021 3.28% 5%
2020 0.22% 2.6%
2019 2.81% 3.8%
2018 2.53% 4.6%
2017 2.93% 1.3%
2016 0.14% -1.6%
2015 0.17% -0.6%
2014 0.62% 1.1%
2013 -0.03% 4%
2012 2.26% 3.3%
2011 4.37% 5.8%
2010 -1.08% 6.1%
2009 3.53% 5.6%
2008 15.4% 7.8%
2007 10.1% 4.8%
2006 6.54% 6.6%
2005 6.75% 9%
2004 6.19% 11.9%
2003 2.94% 15.4%
2002 1.94% 22.5%
2001 2.49% 34.5%
2000 2.65% 45.7%
1999 2.36% 45.8%
1998 4.64% 59.1%
1997 8.45% 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/latvia/romania | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Latvia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.26%, compared with 17.1% in Romania. In 2025, inflation was 3.75% in Latvia and 7.3% in Romania.

Top exports between countries

Latvia
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $46M
Chemicals & pharma $21.8M
Raw agricultural goods $20.8M
Machinery & equipment $19.1M
Transport & tourism services $14.1M
Animal & marine products $11.8M
Textiles & consumer goods $10.6M
Business & finance services $6.49M
Wood & paper products $6.39M
Raw materials & minerals $3.27M
Romania
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $41M
Transport & tourism services $38.6M
Chemicals & pharma $35.3M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $21M
Textiles & consumer goods $6.46M
Metals $6.11M
Business & finance services $3.56M
Wood & paper products $2.99M
Raw materials & minerals $2.23M
Animal & marine products $1.16M

Balance of trade

Latvia Romania
Current account balance
-$1.64B
2025
-$33.9B
2025
Current account balance ranking
133/190
2025
186/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-3.38%
2025
-7.9%
2025
Goods imports
$25.6B
2025
$139B
2025
Goods exports
$21.1B
2025
$102B
2025
Service imports
$7.07B
2025
$35.9B
2025
Service exports
$9.33B
2025
$50.1B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
67.2%
2025
40.7%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
62.6%
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.

Latvia Romania
Economic freedom 71.6 65.4
Economic freedom ranking 31/197 64/197
Property rights 88.8 81
Government integrity 67.7 50
Judicial effectiveness 70.9 67
Tax burden 70.9 89.1
Government spending 42.7 56.7
Fiscal health 80.8 21.4
Business freedom 80.7 74.4
Labor freedom 60.5 63.6
Monetary freedom 76.3 72.7
Trade freedom 79.4 79.4
Investment freedom 80 70
Financial freedom 60 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Latvia
Romania
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Latvia Romania
2026 71.6 65.4
2025 71.4 66.5
2024 71.5 64.4
2023 72.8 64.5
2022 74.8 67.1
2021 72.3 69.5
2020 71.9 69.7
2019 70.4 68.6
2018 73.6 69.4
2017 74.8 69.7
2016 70.4 65.6
2015 69.7 66.6
2014 68.7 65.5
2013 66.5 65.1
2012 65.2 64.4
2011 65.8 64.7
2010 66.2 64.2
2009 66.6 63.2
2008 68.3 61.7
2007 67.9 61.2
2006 66.9 58.2
2005 66.3 52.1
2004 67.4 50
2003 66 50.6
2002 65 48.7
2001 66.4 50
2000 63.4 52.1
1999 64.2 50.1
1998 63.4 54.4
1997 62.4 50.8
1996 55 46.2
1995 - 42.9

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Latvia is 71.6, ranking 31/197, 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

Latvia Romania
Services, % of GDP
64.2%
2025
61.7%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
18.7%
2025
25.3%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
4.01%
2025
3%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$46.1B
2025
$384B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$45,740
2025
$49,550
2025
Total reserves including gold
$6.1B
2025
$90.6B
2025
Total reserves ranking
95/177
2025
31/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
$72.5M
2025
-$8.57B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.51B
2024
$7.16B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$257M
2024
$1.99B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
22.5%
2022
19%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
24.1%
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/latvia/romania | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, 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 (2024–2025, 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.

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.