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Economy of Libya vs Romania compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Libya has a GDP of $48.5B compared to $383B for Romania, ranking 95/197 and 42/197 by economy size, respectively.

Libya vs Romania GDP by year

Libya
Romania
1x
Year GDP, current $
Libya Romania
2024 $48,487,151,215 $382,564,217,989
2023 $44,027,664,915 $347,757,995,759
2022 $43,246,297,922 $295,319,437,557
2021 $35,217,995,647 $285,071,280,114
2020 $46,854,285,441 $250,625,048,304
2019 $69,254,496,472 $250,080,428,512
2018 $76,686,029,772 $241,791,427,224
2017 $67,157,452,182 $210,147,385,855
2016 $49,912,073,701 $185,290,759,249
2015 $48,717,501,321 $177,885,131,240
2014 $57,372,355,592 $199,722,319,676
2013 $75,351,107,029 $189,798,603,751
2012 $92,540,938,129 $179,117,323,107
2011 $48,169,263,294 $192,623,977,894
2010 $75,380,825,062 $170,064,350,672
2009 $60,808,562,033 $174,110,532,659
2008 $86,710,767,415 $214,315,932,061
2007 $68,032,978,391 $174,588,782,939
2006 $60,094,231,607 $122,023,735,993
2005 $47,334,691,241 $98,454,380,120
2004 $33,122,307,692 $74,973,656,852
2003 $26,265,625,000 $57,806,384,143
2002 $20,481,889,764 $46,065,502,703
2001 $34,112,093,927 $40,395,116,581
2000 $38,270,954,138 $37,253,739,511
1999 $35,975,860,857 $35,953,156,754
1998 $27,251,301,398 $41,696,091,974
1997 $30,700,897,875 $35,575,214,078
1996 $27,884,615,385 $36,937,074,278
1995 $25,541,379,187 $37,430,162,103
1994 $28,610,549,763 $30,072,805,104
1993 $30,660,051,911 $26,361,160,450
1992 $33,887,047,909 $25,121,666,667
1991 $31,991,821,265 $28,850,634,900
1990 $28,904,183,602 $38,247,882,300
1989 $25,156,707,899 $41,450,777,202
1988 $24,308,959,591 $40,424,528,302
1987 $26,697,659,335 $38,067,567,568
1986 $24,180,400,959 -
1985 $31,530,566,324 -
1984 $29,476,109,153 -
1983 $33,200,520,140 -
1982 $33,760,146,991 -
1981 $36,374,353,880 -
1980 $40,953,924,949 -
1979 $30,536,429,497 -
1978 $22,136,422,643 -
1977 $22,428,297,108 -
1976 $19,096,943,017 -
1975 $14,710,912,458 -
1974 $15,112,543,717 -
1973 $8,625,889,430 -
1972 $6,299,395,544 -
1971 $5,260,185,125 -
1970 $4,601,649,451 -
1969 $4,380,987,481 -
1968 $3,850,623,095 -
1967 $2,726,986,913 -
1966 $2,312,438,536 -
1965 $1,804,979,680 -
1964 $1,341,395,421 -
1963 $892,327,911 -
1962 $619,725,785 -
1961 $443,905,612 -
1960 $401,644,249 -

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

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

GDP per capita in Libya vs Romania by year

Libya
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Romania
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Libya Romania
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $6,569 $14,304 $20,080 $49,077
2023 $6,027 $13,847 $18,244 $45,982
2022 $5,987 $12,266 $15,504 $41,979
2021 $4,936 $12,642 $14,908 $37,534
2020 $6,650 $10,955 $13,009 $34,194
2019 $9,963 $16,194 $12,910 $33,425
2018 $11,197 $18,879 $12,416 $29,383
2017 $9,966 $18,026 $10,728 $26,943
2016 $7,526 $16,961 $9,405 $23,905
2015 $7,458 $17,903 $8,977 $21,625
2014 $8,926 $17,510 $10,032 $20,633
2013 $11,952 $21,151 $9,498 $19,678
2012 $14,976 $26,826 $8,930 $19,808
2011 $7,594 $15,698 $9,561 $18,804
2010 $11,601 $30,234 $8,400 $17,355
2009 $9,551 $29,027 $8,548 $16,641
2008 $13,906 $30,812 $10,435 $16,782
2007 $11,145 $30,929 $8,360 $13,703
2006 $10,049 $28,936 $5,758 $11,554
2005 $8,079 $26,903 $4,618 $9,602
2004 $5,774 $23,813 $3,495 $8,989
2003 $4,674 $22,663 $2,679 $7,559
2002 $3,718 $20,061 $2,120 $7,162
2001 $6,313 $20,332 $1,825 $6,520
2000 $7,214 $20,617 $1,660 $5,850
1999 $6,895 $19,769 $1,600 $5,596
1998 $5,301 $19,639 $1,853 $5,545
1997 $6,062 $20,439 $1,577 $5,564
1996 $5,591 $19,392 $1,633 $5,746
1995 $5,205 $18,952 $1,650 $5,429
1994 $5,933 $19,318 $1,323 $4,995
1993 $6,478 $18,904 $1,158 $4,699
1992 $7,303 $19,572 $1,102 $4,515
1991 $7,040 $20,085 $1,254 $4,795
1990 $6,502 $17,173 $1,648 $5,280
1989 $5,793 - $1,790 -
1988 $5,736 - $1,753 -
1987 $6,465 - $1,659 -
1986 $6,019 - - -
1985 $8,087 - - -
1984 $7,811 - - -
1983 $8,927 - - -
1982 $9,064 - - -
1981 $10,044 - - -
1980 $11,960 - - -
1979 $9,443 - - -
1978 $7,252 - - -
1977 $7,783 - - -
1976 $7,018 - - -
1975 $5,721 - - -
1974 $6,214 - - -
1973 $3,727 - - -
1972 $2,830 - - -
1971 $2,443 - - -
1970 $2,210 - - -
1969 $2,175 - - -
1968 $1,972 - - -
1967 $1,437 - - -
1966 $1,251 - - -
1965 $1,001 - - -
1964 $765 - - -
1963 $528 - - -
1962 $382 - - -
1961 $285.3 - - -
1960 $269 - - -

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

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

Libya's GDP per capita is $6,569, ranking 107/197, compared to $20,080 in Romania, ranking 58/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Libya ranks 118th at $14,304, while Romania ranks 47th at $49,077.

Economic indicators

Libya Romania
Gross domestic product
$48.5B
2024
$383B
2024
GDP rank
95/197
2024
42/197
2024
GDP growth
1.9%
2023-2024
0.92%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$6,569
2024
$20,080
2024
GDP per capita rank
107/197
2024
58/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$14,304
2024
$49,077
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
118/197
2024
47/197
2024
Government debt n/a
$220B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio n/a
57.4%
2024
Government debt per person n/a
$11,533
2024
Government debt per person rank n/a
48/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$3,172
2026
$13,912
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$47.4B
2024
Number of billionaires n/a
6
2025
Income share by richest 10% n/a
21.8%
2023
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
2.4%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
94.8%
2024
39.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.13%
2023-2024
5.6%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
6.5%
2024
Unemployment rate
30%
2004
5.43%
2024
Population
7559873
18839108

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Libya

Romania
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Libya Romania
2024 -25.1% -8.68%
2023 8.22% -5.61%
2022 23.6% -5.83%
2021 14.8% -6.7%
2020 -22.3% -9.54%
2019 11.9% -4.55%
2018 9.39% -2.74%
2017 -11.1% -2.86%
2016 -29.3% -2.5%
2015 -28.5% -1.35%
2014 -30.5% -1.76%
2013 -16.3% -2.44%
2012 24.6% -2.39%
2011 -11.5% -4.14%
2010 11.5% -6.22%
2009 -5.46% -6.86%
2008 27.7% -4.6%
2007 28.4% -3.05%
2006 29.1% -1.36%
2005 30.4% -0.69%
2004 11.3% -3.39%
2003 6.17% -2.29%
2002 6.99% -2.59%
2001 0.07% -3.2%
2000 13.6% -3.99%
1999 5.69% -3.58%
1998 -2.36% -5.33%
1997 -2.1% -5.19%
1996 11.3% -4.74%
1995 3.8% -3.32%
1994 -2.67% -2.2%
1993 -5.77% -0.35%
1992 0.11% -4.55%
1991 8.41% 3.23%
1990 3.36% 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/libya/romania | CC BY

In 2024, Libya's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $12.1B, equivalent to 25.1% of GDP. This compares to Romania's deficit of $33.2B, or 8.68% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Libya recorded a fiscal deficit in 13 of those years, while Romania ran a deficit in 33 years. On average, Libya posted an annual surplus equal to 2.79% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.55% of GDP for Romania.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Libya

Romania
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Libya Romania
2024 2.13% 5.6%
2023 2.37% 10.4%
2022 4.51% 13.8%
2021 2.87% 5%
2020 1.45% 2.6%
2019 -2.16% 3.8%
2018 13.2% 4.6%
2017 25.8% 1.3%
2016 25.9% -1.6%
2015 10.4% -0.6%
2014 2.43% 1.1%
2013 2.61% 4%
2012 6.06% 3.3%
2011 15.5% 5.8%
2010 2.8% 6.1%
2009 2.46% 5.6%
2008 10.4% 7.8%
2007 6.25% 4.8%
2006 1.46% 6.6%
2005 2.65% 9%
2004 -2.2% 11.9%
2003 -2.19% 15.4%
2002 -9.8% 22.5%
2001 -8.81% 34.5%
2000 -2.9% 45.7%
1999 2.65% 45.8%
1998 3.71% 59.1%
1997 3.55% 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/libya/romania | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Libya has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.39%, compared with 17.5% in Romania. In 2024, inflation was 2.13% in Libya and 5.6% in Romania.

Top exports between countries

Libya
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $45.4M
Wood & paper products $1K
Romania
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $37.5M
Raw materials & minerals $26.1M
Animal & marine products $21.6M
Machinery & equipment $11.1M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $4.16M
Metals $919K
Chemicals & pharma $776K
Textiles & consumer goods $676K
Wood & paper products $212K
Miscellaneous $3K

Balance of trade

Libya Romania
Current account balance
$1.86B
2023
-$31.2B
2024
Current account balance ranking
46/190
2023
185/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+4.24%
2023
-8.16%
2024
Goods imports
$23.2B
2023
$129B
2024
Goods exports
$37.1B
2023
$93.3B
2024
Service imports
$10.1B
2023
$30.2B
2024
Service exports
$642M
2023
$42.9B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
56.8%
2024
41.6%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
72%
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.

Libya Romania
Economic freedom 35.9 65.4
Economic freedom ranking 189/197 64/197
Property rights 6.3 81
Government integrity 10.3 50
Judicial effectiveness 4.9 67
Tax burden 95 89.1
Government spending 0 56.7
Fiscal health 19.9 21.4
Business freedom 32.4 74.4
Labor freedom 48.2 63.6
Monetary freedom 75.2 72.7
Trade freedom 80 79.4
Investment freedom 5 70
Financial freedom 20 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Libya
Romania
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Libya Romania
2026 - 65.4
2025 - 66.5
2024 - 64.4
2023 - 64.5
2022 - 67.1
2021 - 69.5
2020 - 69.7
2019 - 68.6
2018 - 69.4
2017 - 69.7
2016 - 65.6
2015 - 66.6
2014 - 65.5
2013 - 65.1
2012 35.9 64.4
2011 38.6 64.7
2010 40.2 64.2
2009 43.5 63.2
2008 38.7 61.7
2007 37 61.2
2006 33.2 58.2
2005 32.8 52.1
2004 31.5 50
2003 34.6 50.6
2002 35.4 48.7
2001 34 50
2000 34.7 52.1
1999 32.3 50.1
1998 32 54.4
1997 28.9 50.8
1996 31.7 46.2
1995 - 42.9

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Libya is 35.9, ranking 189/197, 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

Libya Romania
Services, % of GDP
28.3%
2024
62.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
73.5%
2024
25.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.39%
2024
2.81%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$50.9B
2024
$335B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$15,400
2024
$47,920
2024
Total reserves including gold
$92.9B
2024
$73.4B
2024
Total reserves ranking
29/177
2024
35/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$795M
2023
-$5.17B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$7.16B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$56.5M
2024
$1.99B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
7.4%
2005
19%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
14.3%
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/libya/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. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2019–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2004–2005, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  8. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  9. 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.