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Economy of Norway vs Romania compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Norway has a GDP of $531B compared to $429B for Romania, ranking 32/197 and 39/197 by economy size, respectively.

Norway has $239B in government debt (45% of GDP), compared to $260B (60.6% of GDP) in Romania.

Norway vs Romania GDP by year

Norway
Romania
1x
Year GDP, current $
Norway Romania
2025 $530,755,719,439 $428,677,977,855
2024 $500,886,328,034 $382,564,217,989
2023 $502,197,633,323 $347,757,995,759
2022 $617,321,834,099 $295,317,862,856
2021 $521,592,200,233 $285,072,444,957
2020 $382,252,517,922 $250,624,575,872
2019 $424,244,886,364 $250,080,428,512
2018 $454,588,871,811 $241,791,427,224
2017 $415,673,181,543 $210,147,385,855
2016 $383,284,047,619 $185,290,759,249
2015 $400,669,174,331 $177,885,131,240
2014 $515,829,568,897 $199,722,319,676
2013 $540,132,255,319 $189,798,603,751
2012 $525,082,939,407 $179,117,323,107
2011 $512,868,581,628 $192,623,977,894
2010 $440,132,138,425 $170,064,350,672
2009 $395,664,488,017 $174,110,532,659
2008 $472,060,283,688 $214,315,932,061
2007 $407,813,774,161 $174,588,782,939
2006 $349,773,283,645 $122,023,735,993
2005 $311,417,306,946 $98,454,380,120
2004 $265,662,977,688 $74,973,656,852
2003 $229,192,678,173 $57,806,384,143
2002 $195,359,978,957 $46,065,502,703
2001 $173,590,978,347 $40,395,116,581
2000 $170,620,327,660 $37,253,739,511
1999 $161,304,620,987 $35,953,156,754
1998 $152,955,958,172 $41,696,091,974
1997 $160,013,571,974 $35,575,214,078
1996 $162,427,517,132 $36,937,074,278
1995 $151,083,627,983 $37,430,162,103
1994 $126,324,387,894 $30,072,805,104
1993 $119,841,699,440 $26,361,160,450
1992 $129,998,873,602 $25,121,666,667
1991 $121,149,331,318 $28,850,634,900
1990 $119,344,377,526 $38,247,882,300
1989 $102,226,808,603 $41,450,777,202
1988 $101,497,621,605 $40,424,528,302
1987 $93,913,320,965 $38,067,567,568
1986 $78,438,205,742 -
1985 $65,211,464,198 -
1984 $61,866,078,539 -
1983 $61,417,685,434 -
1982 $62,453,362,256 -
1981 $63,392,804,251 -
1980 $64,176,789,764 -
1979 $52,935,763,512 -
1978 $46,355,988,784 -
1977 $41,362,637,363 -
1976 $35,815,449,464 -
1975 $32,742,543,381 -
1974 $27,033,413,362 -
1973 $22,433,660,550 -
1972 $17,283,931,878 -
1971 $14,523,306,736 -
1970 $12,753,503,479 -
1969 $11,083,505,596 -
1968 $10,178,705,992 -
1967 $9,532,076,026 -
1966 $8,712,528,095 -
1965 $8,073,570,566 -
1964 $7,172,430,304 -
1963 $6,522,268,053 -
1962 $6,078,186,245 -
1961 $5,642,867,672 -
1960 $5,172,811,442 -

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

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

GDP per capita in Norway vs Romania by year

Norway
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Romania
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Norway Romania
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $94,594 - $22,538 -
2024 $89,889 $102,038 $20,080 $49,077
2023 $90,984 $103,638 $18,244 $45,982
2022 $113,122 $125,490 $15,503 $41,979
2021 $96,443 $88,984 $14,908 $37,534
2020 $71,058 $67,111 $13,009 $34,194
2019 $79,329 $70,940 $12,910 $33,425
2018 $85,579 $70,254 $12,416 $29,383
2017 $78,771 $64,590 $10,728 $26,943
2016 $73,222 $59,280 $9,405 $23,905
2015 $77,221 $60,738 $8,977 $21,625
2014 $100,410 $66,332 $10,032 $20,633
2013 $106,333 $67,378 $9,498 $19,678
2012 $104,628 $65,774 $8,930 $19,808
2011 $103,545 $62,460 $9,561 $18,804
2010 $90,020 $58,213 $8,400 $17,355
2009 $81,940 $55,648 $8,548 $16,641
2008 $99,002 $62,073 $10,435 $16,782
2007 $86,600 $56,179 $8,360 $13,703
2006 $75,048 $54,358 $5,758 $11,554
2005 $67,358 $47,967 $4,618 $9,602
2004 $57,855 $42,667 $3,495 $8,989
2003 $50,208 $38,680 $2,679 $7,559
2002 $43,048 $38,056 $2,120 $7,162
2001 $38,458 $37,829 $1,825 $6,520
2000 $37,992 $36,994 $1,660 $5,850
1999 $36,151 $30,574 $1,600 $5,596
1998 $34,516 $28,200 $1,853 $5,545
1997 $36,324 $28,610 $1,577 $5,564
1996 $37,073 $26,826 $1,633 $5,746
1995 $34,659 $24,360 $1,650 $5,429
1994 $29,130 $23,027 $1,323 $4,995
1993 $27,793 $21,584 $1,158 $4,699
1992 $30,328 $20,623 $1,102 $4,515
1991 $28,427 $19,580 $1,254 $4,795
1990 $28,137 $18,461 $1,648 $5,280
1989 $24,185 - $1,790 -
1988 $24,112 - $1,753 -
1987 $22,430 - $1,659 -
1986 $18,822 - - -
1985 $15,704 - - -
1984 $14,943 - - -
1983 $14,877 - - -
1982 $15,178 - - -
1981 $15,463 - - -
1980 $15,708 - - -
1979 $12,998 - - -
1978 $11,421 - - -
1977 $10,230 - - -
1976 $8,896 - - -
1975 $8,171 - - -
1974 $6,783 - - -
1973 $5,664 - - -
1972 $4,395 - - -
1971 $3,721 - - -
1970 $3,291 - - -
1969 $2,881 - - -
1968 $2,667 - - -
1967 $2,519 - - -
1966 $2,321 - - -
1965 $2,168 - - -
1964 $1,941 - - -
1963 $1,779 - - -
1962 $1,670 - - -
1961 $1,563 - - -
1960 $1,444 - - -

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

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

Norway's GDP per capita is $94,594, ranking 9/197, compared to $22,538 in Romania, ranking 57/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Norway ranks 7th at $102,038, while Romania ranks 47th at $49,077.

Economic indicators

Norway Romania
Gross domestic product
$531B
2025
$429B
2025
GDP rank
32/197
2025
39/197
2025
GDP growth
1.09%
2024-2025
0.68%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$94,594
2025
$22,538
2025
GDP per capita rank
9/197
2025
57/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$102,038
2024
$49,077
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
7/197
2024
47/197
2024
Government debt
$239B
2025
$260B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
45%
2025
60.6%
2025
Government debt per person
$42,567
2025
$13,650
2025
Government debt per person rank
15/185
2025
48/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$50,036
2026
$13,510
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$296B
2019
$70.9B
2025
Number of millionaires
348,000
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
17
2026
6
2026
Income share by richest 10%
21.6%
2023
21.8%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
3.6%
2023
2.4%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
49.6%
2025
40.5%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
3.06%
2024-2025
7.3%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
4.25%
2026
6.5%
2024
Unemployment rate
4.5%
2025
6.1%
2025
Population
5660666
18912567

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Norway
Spending

Debt
Romania
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Norway Romania
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 49.6% 45% 40.5% 60.6%
2024 46.9% 52.8% 40% 57.5%
2023 44.2% 42.4% 37% 52.6%
2022 36.2% 34.8% 37.5% 51.9%
2021 44.7% 40.1% 37.2% 51.8%
2020 54.5% 44.3% 38.3% 49.5%
2019 48.4% 39% 33.4% 36.8%
2018 46.1% 38.1% 31.9% 36.4%
2017 47.6% 36.9% 31% 37.1%
2016 48.8% 36.7% 31.8% 39.5%
2015 46.7% 33.2% 34.2% 39.4%
2014 44% 28.8% 33.8% 40.5%
2013 42.3% 30.6% 34.2% 39.3%
2012 41.4% 30.2% 33.5% 36.2%
2011 42.3% 28.9% 35% 32.6%
2010 43.6% 42.1% 37.4% 30.2%
2009 44.7% 41.7% 36.3% 22.5%
2008 39.2% 46.8% 35.3% 13%
2007 40.5% 48.9% 34.6% 12.4%
2006 40.1% 52.2% 33.9% 12.7%
2005 41.6% 42.1% 32.3% 17.8%
2004 44.7% 43.8% 33.7% 21.3%
2003 47.7% 43.1% 31.8% 24.9%
2002 46.3% 34% 32.1% 27.4%
2001 43.4% 27.3% 33.2% 27.4%
2000 41.5% 28.8% 35% 29.6%
1999 46.7% 25.1% 35.1% 21.7%
1998 48.2% 23.8% 34.7% 16.5%
1997 45.9% 26% 33.5% 15%
1996 47.4% 28.6% 33.5% 11%
1995 49.6% 32.9% 34.4% 6.91%
1994 49.7% 51% 33.1% -
1993 50.5% 54% 33.5% -
1992 51.6% 45.3% 41.5% -
1991 50.3% 39.5% 38.3% -
1990 49.1% 29.1% 38.4% -
1989 52.2% 30.4% 40.1% -
1988 52.6% 30.5% 36.6% -
1987 50.5% 31.3% 40.7% -
1986 48.1% 37.8% 42.5% -
1985 44% 30.2% 41.6% -
1984 44.5% 27.8% 28.6% -
1983 46.4% 27.4% 25.8% -
1982 46.6% 29.7% 28.5% -
1981 46.1% 32.9% 30.4% -
1980 46.1% 36.8% 33.6% -
1979 47.2% 39.6% 42% -
1978 47.9% 49.9% 42.1% -
1977 46.5% 43.8% 39.9% -
1976 45.2% 38.5% 37.5% -
1975 43.5% 36.7% 40.6% -
1974 42.2% 35.4% 37.6% -
1973 42.3% 37.7% 32.6% -
1972 42.2% 38.9% 29.9% -
1971 40.7% 38.5% 27.2% -
1970 38.9% 38.6% 28.1% -
1969 38% 22.3% 32.1% -
1968 36.2% 22.5% 31.8% -
1967 34.9% 22.6% 30.6% -
1966 33.5% 22.4% 27.3% -
1965 32.9% 23% 25.6% -
1964 32% 24.2% 25.1% -
1963 31.9% 25.3% 23.1% -
1962 30.6% 26.7% 43.4% -
1961 20.4% 27.7% - -
1960 18% 29.8% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Norway's government spending was $263B, accounting for 49.6% of its GDP, while Romania spent $173B, or 40.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 45% in Norway and 60.6% in Romania, ranking 117/185 and 76/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Norway

Romania
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Norway Romania
2025 9.34% -7.64%
2024 12.8% -8.68%
2023 15.9% -5.66%
2022 24.7% -5.85%
2021 9.93% -6.74%
2020 -2.46% -9.6%
2019 6.28% -4.58%
2018 7.56% -2.76%
2017 4.79% -2.86%
2016 3.91% -2.5%
2015 5.8% -1.35%
2014 8.34% -1.76%
2013 10.3% -2.44%
2012 13.4% -2.39%
2011 13% -4.14%
2010 10.6% -6.22%
2009 10% -6.86%
2008 18.3% -4.6%
2007 16.8% -3.05%
2006 17.7% -1.36%
2005 14.7% -0.69%
2004 10.8% -3.39%
2003 7.21% -2.29%
2002 9.05% -2.59%
2001 13.2% -3.2%
2000 15.1% -3.99%
1999 5.75% -3.58%
1998 3.09% -5.33%
1997 7.41% -5.19%
1996 6.05% -4.74%
1995 2.98% -3.32%
1994 0.04% -2.2%
1993 -1.65% -0.35%
1992 -2.08% -4.55%
1991 -0.12% 3.23%
1990 1.96% 1.03%
1989 1.81% -2.87%
1988 2.65% 8.4%
1987 4.56% 2.37%
1986 5.87% 5.72%
1985 9.84% 6.36%
1984 6.97% 15.2%
1983 6.03% 9.35%
1982 3.96% 0.36%
1981 4.82% 0.61%
1980 5.38% -1.95%
1979 2.16% 0%
1978 0.94% 0%
1977 1.01% 0.23%
1976 2.2% 0.66%
1975 2.88% 0.41%
1974 4.06% 0.51%
1973 4.99% 1.53%
1972 3.93% 1.21%
1971 3.71% 0.89%
1970 2.83% 0.52%
1969 3.57% 0.93%
1968 3.38% 1.65%
1967 4.19% 1.23%
1966 3.59% 0.91%
1965 2.78% -1.29%
1964 3.08% -3.11%
1963 2.6% -1.61%
1962 4% -4.86%
1961 -0.7% -
1960 1.42% -
1959 1.89% -
1958 1.7% -
1957 1.55% -
1956 1.22% -
1955 0.82% -
1954 -0.54% -
1953 1.3% -
1952 2.15% -
1951 1.59% -
1950 -0.89% -
1949 -0.72% -
1948 -0.35% -
1947 -4.66% -
1946 -3.82% -
1945 - -
1944 - -
1943 - -
1942 - -
1941 - -
1940 - -
1939 -0.54% -
1938 0.03% -
1937 -0.16% -
1936 -0.7% -
1935 -1.1% -
1934 -0.59% -
1933 -1.29% -
1932 -1.14% -
1931 -1.15% -
1930 -0.46% -
1929 -0.83% -
1928 -0.81% -
1927 -0.76% -
1926 -1.59% -
1925 -1.92% -
1924 -2.96% -
1923 -3.58% -
1922 -4.28% -
1921 -5.47% -
1920 -1.15% -
1919 -2.11% -
1918 -1.17% -
1917 0.2% -
1916 -0.36% -
1915 -2.04% -
1914 -1.09% -
1913 -0.9% -
1912 -0.89% -
1911 -0.05% -
1910 0.3% -
1909 -0.52% -
1908 -0.06% -
1907 0.16% -
1906 -0.59% -
1905 -0.52% -
1904 -0.75% -
1903 -1.12% -
1902 -1.52% -
1901 -1.41% -
1900 -1.99% -
1899 -1.35% -
1898 -1.39% -
1897 -0.63% -
1896 -1.57% -
1895 -1.66% -
1894 -1.13% -
1893 -1.25% -
1892 -0.94% -
1891 -0.44% -
1890 -0.2% -
1889 -0.07% -
1888 -0.23% -
1887 -0.17% -
1886 -0.2% -
1885 -0.005% -
1884 -0.08% -
1883 -0.17% -
1882 -0.62% -
1881 -1.13% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1881–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Norway's government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $49.6B, equivalent to 9.34% of GDP. This compares to Romania's deficit of $32.8B, or 7.64% of GDP.

Over the past 39 years, Norway recorded a fiscal deficit in 4 of those years, while Romania ran a deficit in 35 years. On average, Norway posted an annual surplus equal to 8.19% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.19% of GDP for Romania.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Norway

Romania
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Norway Romania
2025 3.06% 7.3%
2024 3.15% 5.6%
2023 5.52% 10.4%
2022 5.76% 13.8%
2021 3.48% 5%
2020 1.29% 2.6%
2019 2.17% 3.8%
2018 2.76% 4.6%
2017 1.88% 1.3%
2016 3.55% -1.6%
2015 2.17% -0.6%
2014 2.04% 1.1%
2013 2.12% 4%
2012 0.7% 3.3%
2011 1.28% 5.8%
2010 2.42% 6.1%
2009 2.2% 5.6%
2008 3.75% 7.8%
2007 0.71% 4.8%
2006 2.33% 6.6%
2005 1.53% 9%
2004 0.45% 11.9%
2003 2.49% 15.4%
2002 1.29% 22.5%
2001 3% 34.5%
2000 3.09% 45.7%
1999 2.37% 45.8%
1998 2.25% 59.1%
1997 2.57% 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/norway/romania | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Norway has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.46%, compared with 17.1% in Romania. In 2025, inflation was 3.06% in Norway and 7.3% in Romania.

Top exports between countries

Norway
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $296M
Raw materials & minerals $213M
Animal & marine products $40.4M
Metals $35.2M
Textiles & consumer goods $18.3M
Chemicals & pharma $8.46M
Miscellaneous $8.17M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $6.22M
Weapons & explosives $3.74M
Wood & paper products $1.66M
Romania
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $692M
Transport & tourism services $74.2M
Business & finance services $62.4M
IT & IP services $57M
Textiles & consumer goods $56.2M
Raw agricultural goods $35.3M
Metals $22.6M
Manufacturing & construction services $7.21M
Raw materials & minerals $6.12M
Chemicals & pharma $5.05M

Balance of trade

Norway Romania
Current account balance
$74.1B
2025
-$33.9B
2025
Current account balance ranking
10/190
2025
186/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
+14%
2025
-7.9%
2025
Goods imports
$105B
2025
$139B
2025
Goods exports
$177B
2025
$102B
2025
Service imports
$73.9B
2025
$35.9B
2025
Service exports
$63.5B
2025
$50.1B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
33.7%
2025
40.7%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
45.4%
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.

Norway Romania
Economic freedom 78.8 65.4
Economic freedom ranking 9/197 64/197
Property rights 99.6 81
Government integrity 94.3 50
Judicial effectiveness 96.4 67
Tax burden 63.3 89.1
Government spending 42 56.7
Fiscal health 96.4 21.4
Business freedom 91.2 74.4
Labor freedom 69.3 63.6
Monetary freedom 72.4 72.7
Trade freedom 85.6 79.4
Investment freedom 75 70
Financial freedom 60 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Norway
Romania
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Norway Romania
2026 78.8 65.4
2025 78.3 66.5
2024 77.5 64.4
2023 76.9 64.5
2022 76.9 67.1
2021 73.4 69.5
2020 73.4 69.7
2019 73 68.6
2018 74.3 69.4
2017 74 69.7
2016 70.8 65.6
2015 71.8 66.6
2014 70.9 65.5
2013 70.5 65.1
2012 68.8 64.4
2011 70.3 64.7
2010 69.4 64.2
2009 70.2 63.2
2008 68.6 61.7
2007 67.9 61.2
2006 67.9 58.2
2005 64.5 52.1
2004 66.2 50
2003 67.2 50.6
2002 67.4 48.7
2001 67.1 50
2000 70.1 52.1
1999 68.6 50.1
1998 68 54.4
1997 65.1 50.8
1996 65.4 46.2
1995 - 42.9

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Norway is 78.8, ranking 9/197, 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

Norway Romania
Services, % of GDP
55%
2025
61.7%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
34.5%
2025
25.3%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.64%
2025
3%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$546B
2025
$384B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$107,770
2025
$49,550
2025
Total reserves including gold
$85.5B
2025
$90.6B
2025
Total reserves ranking
34/177
2025
31/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
$8.93B
2025
-$8.57B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$12.1B
2024
$7.16B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$5.62B
2024
$1.99B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
12.2%
2021
19%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
23.2%
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/norway/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) | Public Finances in Modern History (1881–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08)
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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.