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Economy of Nigeria vs Romania compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Nigeria has a GDP of $252B compared to $383B for Romania, ranking 54/197 and 42/197 by economy size, respectively.

Nigeria has $99.2B in government debt (39.3% of GDP), compared to $220B (57.4% of GDP) in Romania.

Nigeria vs Romania GDP by year

Nigeria
Romania
1x
Year GDP, current $
Nigeria Romania
2024 $252,261,880,141 $382,564,217,989
2023 $487,387,801,881 $347,757,995,759
2022 $646,950,257,578 $295,319,437,557
2021 $609,147,716,973 $285,071,280,114
2020 $598,586,817,819 $250,625,048,304
2019 $668,219,992,691 $250,080,428,512
2018 $421,739,251,509 $241,791,427,224
2017 $375,745,731,053 $210,147,385,855
2016 $404,649,125,252 $185,290,759,249
2015 $493,026,682,801 $177,885,131,240
2014 $574,183,763,412 $199,722,319,676
2013 $520,117,180,314 $189,798,603,751
2012 $463,971,018,239 $179,117,323,107
2011 $414,466,676,831 $192,623,977,894
2010 $366,990,417,129 $170,064,350,672
2009 $295,008,835,381 $174,110,532,659
2008 $339,476,276,258 $214,315,932,061
2007 $278,260,846,800 $174,588,782,939
2006 $238,454,997,161 $122,023,735,993
2005 $175,670,569,969 $98,454,380,120
2004 $135,764,731,646 $74,973,656,852
2003 $104,738,954,264 $57,806,384,143
2002 $95,054,059,303 $46,065,502,703
2001 $73,557,840,064 $40,395,116,581
2000 $69,171,451,627 $37,253,739,511
1999 $59,145,077,039 $35,953,156,754
1998 $218,416,200,673 $41,696,091,974
1997 $200,850,397,618 $35,575,214,078
1996 $185,730,236,700 $36,937,074,278
1995 $140,919,776,986 $37,430,162,103
1994 $80,399,613,064 $30,072,805,104
1993 $56,721,051,402 $26,361,160,450
1992 $52,058,181,854 $25,121,666,667
1991 $59,526,833,412 $28,850,634,900
1990 $54,035,795,388 $38,247,882,300
1989 $44,003,061,108 $41,450,777,202
1988 $49,648,470,440 $40,424,528,302
1987 $52,676,041,931 $38,067,567,568
1986 $54,805,852,581 -
1985 $73,745,821,158 -
1984 $73,484,359,521 -
1983 $97,094,911,792 -
1982 $142,769,363,314 -
1981 $164,475,209,516 -
1980 $64,201,788,123 -
1979 $47,259,911,894 -
1978 $36,527,862,209 -
1977 $36,035,407,725 -
1976 $36,308,883,249 -
1975 $27,778,934,625 -
1974 $24,846,641,318 -
1973 $15,162,871,287 -
1972 $12,274,416,018 -
1971 $9,181,769,912 -
1970 $12,546,094,982 -
1969 $6,634,317,346 -
1968 $5,200,997,920 -
1967 $5,203,237,919 -
1966 $6,366,917,453 -
1965 $5,874,537,650 -
1964 $5,552,931,319 -
1963 $5,165,590,254 -
1962 $4,909,399,176 -
1961 $4,467,287,893 -
1960 $4,196,174,502 -

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

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

GDP per capita in Nigeria vs Romania by year

Nigeria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Romania
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Nigeria Romania
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,084 $9,087 $20,080 $49,077
2023 $2,139 $8,705 $18,244 $45,982
2022 $2,899 $8,305 $15,504 $41,979
2021 $2,787 $7,588 $14,908 $37,534
2020 $2,797 $7,415 $13,009 $34,194
2019 $3,190 $7,551 $12,910 $33,425
2018 $2,058 $7,158 $12,416 $29,383
2017 $1,876 $7,037 $10,728 $26,943
2016 $2,070 $7,072 $9,405 $23,905
2015 $2,586 $7,308 $8,977 $21,625
2014 $3,089 $7,396 $10,032 $20,633
2013 $2,873 $7,004 $9,498 $19,678
2012 $2,633 $6,671 $8,930 $19,808
2011 $2,418 $6,585 $9,561 $18,804
2010 $2,202 $6,301 $8,400 $17,355
2009 $1,820 $5,927 $8,548 $16,641
2008 $2,154 $5,607 $10,435 $16,782
2007 $1,816 $5,298 $8,360 $13,703
2006 $1,600 $4,975 $5,758 $11,554
2005 $1,211 $4,678 $4,618 $9,602
2004 $962 $4,381 $3,495 $8,989
2003 $763 $4,015 $2,679 $7,559
2002 $712 $3,770 $2,120 $7,162
2001 $566 $3,309 $1,825 $6,520
2000 $547 $3,139 $1,660 $5,850
1999 $481 $3,002 $1,600 $5,596
1998 $1,822 $3,022 $1,853 $5,545
1997 $1,720 $2,990 $1,577 $5,564
1996 $1,633 $2,931 $1,633 $5,746
1995 $1,272 $2,835 $1,650 $5,429
1994 $745 $2,853 $1,323 $4,995
1993 $540 $2,921 $1,158 $4,699
1992 $509 $2,991 $1,102 $4,515
1991 $597 $2,870 $1,254 $4,795
1990 $556 $2,840 $1,648 $5,280
1989 $465 - $1,790 -
1988 $540 - $1,753 -
1987 $588 - $1,659 -
1986 $628 - - -
1985 $869 - - -
1984 $890 - - -
1983 $1,207 - - -
1982 $1,822 - - -
1981 $2,162 - - -
1980 $870 - - -
1979 $661 - - -
1978 $527 - - -
1977 $536 - - -
1976 $556 - - -
1975 $438 - - -
1974 $403 - - -
1973 $252.4 - - -
1972 $209.5 - - -
1971 $160.5 - - -
1970 $224.5 - - -
1969 $121.4 - - -
1968 $97.3 - - -
1967 $99.5 - - -
1966 $124.4 - - -
1965 $117.3 - - -
1964 $113.3 - - -
1963 $107.7 - - -
1962 $104.5 - - -
1961 $97.1 - - -
1960 $93.1 - - -

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

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

Nigeria's GDP per capita is $1,084, ranking 174/197, compared to $20,080 in Romania, ranking 58/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Nigeria ranks 136th at $9,087, while Romania ranks 47th at $49,077.

Economic indicators

Nigeria Romania
Gross domestic product
$252B
2024
$383B
2024
GDP rank
54/197
2024
42/197
2024
GDP growth
4.06%
2023-2024
0.92%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,084
2024
$20,080
2024
GDP per capita rank
174/197
2024
58/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$9,087
2024
$49,077
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
136/197
2024
47/197
2024
Government debt
$99.2B
2024
$220B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
39.3%
2024
57.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$426
2024
$11,533
2024
Government debt per person rank
170/185
2024
48/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,104
2026
$13,912
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$54.4B
2024
$47.4B
2024
Number of billionaires
4
2025
6
2025
Income share by richest 10%
26.3%
2022
21.8%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
3%
2022
2.4%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
12.3%
2024
39.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
33.2%
2023-2024
5.6%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
27%
2025
6.5%
2024
Unemployment rate
3.45%
2024
5.43%
2024
Population
243824469
18839108

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Nigeria
Spending

Debt
Romania
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Nigeria Romania
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 12.3% 39.3% 39.9% 57.4%
2023 10.4% 36.3% 36.6% 52.1%
2022 10.6% 29.8% 37.4% 51.7%
2021 9.09% 26.6% 37% 51.5%
2020 8.73% 25.7% 38.1% 49.3%
2019 8.87% 21.4% 33.2% 36.5%
2018 9.1% 20.4% 31.7% 36.2%
2017 8.51% 18% 31% 37.1%
2016 6.93% 17.4% 31.8% 39.5%
2015 7.85% 14.9% 34.2% 39.4%
2014 9.49% 12.9% 33.8% 40.5%
2013 10% 13% 34.2% 39.3%
2012 10.5% 12.5% 33.5% 36.2%
2011 12.3% 12.4% 35% 32.6%
2010 11.8% 6.67% 37.4% 30.2%
2009 11% 6.12% 36.3% 22.5%
2008 10.2% 5.17% 35.3% 13%
2007 12.9% 5.76% 34.6% 12.4%
2006 8.75% 6.68% 33.9% 12.7%
2005 12.6% 13.4% 32.3% 17.8%
2004 13% 25.2% 33.7% 21.3%
2003 16.5% 29.9% 31.8% 24.9%
2002 13.8% 30.7% 32.1% 27.4%
2001 21.9% 37.7% 33.2% 27.4%
2000 17.6% 40.9% 35% 29.6%
1999 14.9% 46.1% 35.1% 21.7%
1998 11.2% 15.8% 34.7% 16.5%
1997 9.68% 17.1% 33.5% 15%
1996 7.87% 17.9% 33.5% 11%
1995 8.87% 24.2% 34.4% 6.91%
1994 12.1% 39.7% 33.1% -
1993 20% 50.4% 33.5% -
1992 15.9% 49.8% 41.5% -
1991 13.6% 53.2% 38.3% -
1990 14.2% 50.9% 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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Nigeria's government spending was $31.1B, accounting for 12.3% of its GDP, while Romania spent $153B, or 39.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 39.3% in Nigeria and 57.4% in Romania, ranking 135/185 and 87/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Nigeria

Romania
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Nigeria Romania
2024 -1.57% -8.68%
2023 -3.12% -5.61%
2022 -4% -5.83%
2021 -3.97% -6.7%
2020 -4.03% -9.54%
2019 -3.31% -4.55%
2018 -3.06% -2.74%
2017 -3.85% -2.86%
2016 -3.3% -2.5%
2015 -2.7% -1.35%
2014 -1.72% -1.76%
2013 -1.89% -2.44%
2012 -0.09% -2.39%
2011 0.31% -4.14%
2010 -2.96% -6.22%
2009 -3.78% -6.86%
2008 4.05% -4.6%
2007 -0.79% -3.05%
2006 6.22% -1.36%
2005 3.49% -0.69%
2004 3.9% -3.39%
2003 -1.56% -2.29%
2002 0.95% -2.59%
2001 -2.29% -3.2%
2000 2.89% -3.99%
1999 -1.39% -3.58%
1998 -3.47% -5.33%
1997 1.14% -5.19%
1996 3.37% -4.74%
1995 2.52% -3.32%
1994 -2.96% -2.2%
1993 -6.07% -0.35%
1992 0.94% -4.55%
1991 -1.18% 3.23%
1990 -0.48% 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/nigeria/romania | CC BY

In 2024, Nigeria's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $3.95B, equivalent to 1.57% of GDP. This compares to Romania's deficit of $33.2B, or 8.68% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Nigeria recorded a fiscal deficit in 24 of those years, while Romania ran a deficit in 33 years. On average, Nigeria posted an annual deficit equal to 0.97% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.55% of GDP for Romania.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Nigeria

Romania
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Nigeria Romania
2024 33.2% 5.6%
2023 24.7% 10.4%
2022 18.8% 13.8%
2021 17% 5%
2020 13.2% 2.6%
2019 11.4% 3.8%
2018 12.1% 4.6%
2017 16.5% 1.3%
2016 15.7% -1.6%
2015 9.01% -0.6%
2014 8.05% 1.1%
2013 8.5% 4%
2012 12.2% 3.3%
2011 10.8% 5.8%
2010 13.7% 6.1%
2009 12.5% 5.6%
2008 11.6% 7.8%
2007 5.39% 4.8%
2006 8.23% 6.6%
2005 17.9% 9%
2004 15% 11.9%
2003 14% 15.4%
2002 12.9% 22.5%
2001 18.9% 34.5%
2000 6.93% 45.7%
1999 6.62% 45.8%
1998 10% 59.1%
1997 8.53% 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/nigeria/romania | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Nigeria has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 13.3%, compared with 17.5% in Romania. In 2024, inflation was 33.2% in Nigeria and 5.6% in Romania.

Top exports between countries

Nigeria
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $2.19M
Raw agricultural goods $953K
Chemicals & pharma $425K
Wood & paper products $40K
Miscellaneous $12K
Textiles & consumer goods $7K
Romania
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $31.8M
Machinery & equipment $23.9M
Metals $5.5M
Business & finance services $4.61M
Manufacturing & construction services $2.44M
IT & IP services $1.89M
Textiles & consumer goods $1.38M
Wood & paper products $1.12M
Raw materials & minerals $1.08M
Transport & tourism services $710K

Balance of trade

Nigeria Romania
Current account balance
$17.2B
2024
-$31.2B
2024
Current account balance ranking
20/190
2024
185/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+6.82%
2024
-8.16%
2024
Goods imports
$39.8B
2024
$129B
2024
Goods exports
$53B
2024
$93.3B
2024
Service imports
$17.9B
2024
$30.2B
2024
Service exports
$4.57B
2024
$42.9B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
16.9%
1960
41.6%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
9.24%
1960
35.6%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Nigeria Romania
Economic freedom 54.8 65.4
Economic freedom ranking 132/197 64/197
Property rights 29.7 81
Government integrity 23.5 50
Judicial effectiveness 34.4 67
Tax burden 84.6 89.1
Government spending 96.3 56.7
Fiscal health 83.5 21.4
Business freedom 50.3 74.4
Labor freedom 75.4 63.6
Monetary freedom 56.1 72.7
Trade freedom 64.4 79.4
Investment freedom 30 70
Financial freedom 30 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Nigeria
Romania
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Nigeria Romania
2026 54.8 65.4
2025 53.4 66.5
2024 53.1 64.4
2023 53.9 64.5
2022 54.4 67.1
2021 58.7 69.5
2020 57.2 69.7
2019 57.3 68.6
2018 58.5 69.4
2017 57.1 69.7
2016 57.5 65.6
2015 55.6 66.6
2014 54.3 65.5
2013 55.1 65.1
2012 56.3 64.4
2011 56.7 64.7
2010 56.8 64.2
2009 55.1 63.2
2008 55.1 61.7
2007 55.6 61.2
2006 48.7 58.2
2005 48.4 52.1
2004 49.2 50
2003 49.5 50.6
2002 50.9 48.7
2001 49.6 50
2000 53.1 52.1
1999 55.7 50.1
1998 52.3 54.4
1997 52.8 50.8
1996 47.4 46.2
1995 47.3 42.9

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Nigeria is 54.8, ranking 132/197, 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

Nigeria Romania
Services, % of GDP
53.7%
2024
62.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
18.2%
2024
25.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
25.9%
2024
2.81%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$396B
2024
$335B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$8,850
2024
$47,920
2024
Total reserves including gold
$38.6B
2024
$73.4B
2024
Total reserves ranking
51/177
2024
35/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$672M
2024
-$5.17B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.08B
2024
$7.16B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$408M
2024
$1.99B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.48%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
56.2%
2023
19%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP n/a
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/nigeria/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 (2016–2024, 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.