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Economy of Papua New Guinea vs Romania compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Papua New Guinea has a GDP of $31.8B compared to $383B for Romania, ranking 110/197 and 42/197 by economy size, respectively.

Papua New Guinea has $16.6B in government debt (52.1% of GDP), compared to $220B (57.4% of GDP) in Romania.

Papua New Guinea vs Romania GDP by year

Papua New Guinea
Romania
1x
Year GDP, current $
Papua New Guinea Romania
2024 $31,800,428,266 $382,564,217,989
2023 $30,816,367,067 $347,757,995,759
2022 $31,653,185,953 $295,319,437,557
2021 $26,109,413,521 $285,071,280,114
2020 $23,848,447,850 $250,625,048,304
2019 $24,750,626,030 $250,080,428,512
2018 $24,109,780,708 $241,791,427,224
2017 $22,742,699,138 $210,147,385,855
2016 $20,758,876,953 $185,290,759,249
2015 $21,723,437,010 $177,885,131,240
2014 $23,210,823,987 $199,722,319,676
2013 $21,261,338,065 $189,798,603,751
2012 $21,295,168,666 $179,117,323,107
2011 $17,985,138,066 $192,623,977,894
2010 $14,250,786,675 $170,064,350,672
2009 $11,619,456,449 $174,110,532,659
2008 $11,670,892,801 $214,315,932,061
2007 $9,545,028,944 $174,588,782,939
2006 $8,354,911,041 $122,023,735,993
2005 $4,865,892,972 $98,454,380,120
2004 $3,927,157,867 $74,973,656,852
2003 $3,536,411,824 $57,806,384,143
2002 $2,999,511,040 $46,065,502,703
2001 $3,081,024,212 $40,395,116,581
2000 $3,521,339,699 $37,253,739,511
1999 $3,477,038,204 $35,953,156,754
1998 $3,789,443,015 $41,696,091,974
1997 $4,936,615,299 $35,575,214,078
1996 $5,155,311,077 $36,937,074,278
1995 $4,636,057,476 $37,430,162,103
1994 $5,502,786,070 $30,072,805,104
1993 $4,974,550,286 $26,361,160,450
1992 $4,377,980,510 $25,121,666,667
1991 $3,787,394,958 $28,850,634,900
1990 $3,219,729,083 $38,247,882,300
1989 $3,546,472,566 $41,450,777,202
1988 $3,656,177,881 $40,424,528,302
1987 $3,143,851,794 $38,067,567,568
1986 $2,647,995,602 -
1985 $2,423,339,172 -
1984 $2,552,662,617 -
1983 $2,562,351,551 -
1982 $2,368,719,683 -
1981 $2,498,190,847 -
1980 $2,545,808,456 -
1979 $2,293,760,511 -
1978 $1,947,878,831 -
1977 $1,640,746,619 -
1976 $1,511,843,235 -
1975 $1,356,603,608 -
1974 $1,467,417,672 -
1973 $1,299,079,410 -
1972 $858,761,926 -
1971 $717,750,278 -
1970 $645,568,215 -
1969 $551,263,864 -
1968 $485,184,190 -
1967 $441,728,183 -
1966 $390,992,063 -
1965 $344,176,055 -
1964 $305,312,049 -
1963 $275,968,044 -
1962 $261,184,042 -
1961 $244,832,039 -
1960 $230,496,037 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/papua-new-guinea/romania | CC BY

GDP per capita in Papua New Guinea vs Romania by year

Papua New Guinea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Romania
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Papua New Guinea Romania
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $3,007 $4,875 $20,080 $49,077
2023 $2,966 $4,668 $18,244 $45,982
2022 $3,102 $4,420 $15,504 $41,979
2021 $2,608 $3,977 $14,908 $37,534
2020 $2,430 $3,900 $13,009 $34,194
2019 $2,576 $4,060 $12,910 $33,425
2018 $2,566 $3,910 $12,416 $29,383
2017 $2,478 $3,923 $10,728 $26,943
2016 $2,316 $3,813 $9,405 $23,905
2015 $2,485 $3,670 $8,977 $21,625
2014 $2,723 $3,500 $10,032 $20,633
2013 $2,561 $3,110 $9,498 $19,678
2012 $2,635 $3,026 $8,930 $19,808
2011 $2,288 $2,919 $9,561 $18,804
2010 $1,867 $2,912 $8,400 $17,355
2009 $1,569 $2,692 $8,548 $16,641
2008 $1,625 $2,583 $10,435 $16,782
2007 $1,371 $2,622 $8,360 $13,703
2006 $1,238 $2,444 $5,758 $11,554
2005 $744 $2,322 $4,618 $9,602
2004 $621 $2,187 $3,495 $8,989
2003 $577 $2,142 $2,679 $7,559
2002 $506 $2,125 $2,120 $7,162
2001 $538 $2,168 $1,825 $6,520
2000 $636 $2,196 $1,660 $5,850
1999 $650 $2,280 $1,600 $5,596
1998 $733 $2,285 $1,853 $5,545
1997 $990 $2,432 $1,577 $5,564
1996 $1,071 $2,578 $1,633 $5,746
1995 $998 $2,436 $1,650 $5,429
1994 $1,228 $2,558 $1,323 $4,995
1993 $1,151 $2,451 $1,158 $4,699
1992 $1,051 $2,100 $1,102 $4,515
1991 $942 $1,869 $1,254 $4,795
1990 $826 $1,703 $1,648 $5,280
1989 $934 - $1,790 -
1988 $985 - $1,753 -
1987 $865 - $1,659 -
1986 $745 - - -
1985 $697 - - -
1984 $750 - - -
1983 $769 - - -
1982 $726 - - -
1981 $781 - - -
1980 $813 - - -
1979 $748 - - -
1978 $648 - - -
1977 $558 - - -
1976 $525 - - -
1975 $482 - - -
1974 $533 - - -
1973 $483 - - -
1972 $327 - - -
1971 $279.7 - - -
1970 $257.6 - - -
1969 $225.3 - - -
1968 $202.9 - - -
1967 $189 - - -
1966 $171.1 - - -
1965 $153.9 - - -
1964 $139.5 - - -
1963 $128.9 - - -
1962 $124.7 - - -
1961 $119.7 - - -
1960 $115.5 - - -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/papua-new-guinea/romania | CC BY

Papua New Guinea's GDP per capita is $3,007, ranking 140/197, compared to $20,080 in Romania, ranking 58/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Papua New Guinea ranks 159th at $4,875, while Romania ranks 47th at $49,077.

Economic indicators

Papua New Guinea Romania
Gross domestic product
$31.8B
2024
$383B
2024
GDP rank
110/197
2024
42/197
2024
GDP growth
3.8%
2023-2024
0.92%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$3,007
2024
$20,080
2024
GDP per capita rank
140/197
2024
58/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$4,875
2024
$49,077
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
159/197
2024
47/197
2024
Government debt
$16.6B
2024
$220B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
52.1%
2024
57.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,566
2024
$11,533
2024
Government debt per person rank
129/185
2024
48/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,362
2026
$13,912
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$1.68B
2017
$47.4B
2024
Number of billionaires n/a
6
2025
Income share by richest 10%
31%
2009
21.8%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
1.9%
2009
2.4%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
20.4%
2024
39.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
0.6%
2023-2024
5.6%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
5%
2025
6.5%
2024
Unemployment rate
2.69%
2022
5.43%
2024
Population
11002753
18839108

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Papua New Guinea
Spending

Debt
Romania
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Papua New Guinea Romania
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 20.4% 52.1% 39.9% 57.4%
2023 22.3% 53.9% 36.6% 52.1%
2022 21.9% 48.2% 37.4% 51.7%
2021 22% 52.6% 37% 51.5%
2020 23.5% 48.7% 38.1% 49.3%
2019 21.3% 38.2% 33.2% 36.5%
2018 20.3% 36.7% 31.7% 36.2%
2017 18.4% 32.5% 31% 37.1%
2016 20.9% 33.7% 31.8% 39.5%
2015 22.8% 29.9% 34.2% 39.4%
2014 27.1% 26.9% 33.8% 40.5%
2013 27.6% 24.9% 34.2% 39.3%
2012 22.4% 19.1% 33.5% 36.2%
2011 19.7% 16.3% 35% 32.6%
2010 18.4% 17.3% 37.4% 30.2%
2009 24.7% 21.7% 36.3% 22.5%
2008 19.8% 21.6% 35.3% 13%
2007 18% 22.2% 34.6% 12.4%
2006 19.4% 26% 33.9% 12.7%
2005 20.6% 31.6% 32.3% 17.8%
2004 19.4% 37.2% 33.7% 21.3%
2003 18.7% 40.4% 31.8% 24.9%
2002 20.8% 48.4% 32.1% 27.4%
2001 21.6% 47.7% 33.2% 27.4%
2000 20.5% 42.3% 35% 29.6%
1999 21.4% 41.8% 35.1% 21.7%
1998 20% 45.7% 34.7% 16.5%
1997 20.6% 43.9% 33.5% 15%
1996 17.6% 37.8% 33.5% 11%
1995 17.1% 36.6% 34.4% 6.91%
1994 19.3% 40.1% 33.1% -
1993 23.5% 30% 33.5% -
1992 22.8% 30.4% 41.5% -
1991 22.4% - 38.3% -
1990 24.5% - 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/papua-new-guinea/romania | CC BY

In 2024, Papua New Guinea's government spending was $6.48B, accounting for 20.4% of its GDP, while Romania spent $153B, or 39.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 52.1% in Papua New Guinea and 57.4% in Romania, ranking 100/185 and 87/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Papua New Guinea

Romania
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Papua New Guinea Romania
2024 -3.23% -8.68%
2023 -4.34% -5.61%
2022 -5.25% -5.83%
2021 -6.84% -6.7%
2020 -8.85% -9.54%
2019 -4.98% -4.55%
2018 -2.58% -2.74%
2017 -2.47% -2.86%
2016 -4.75% -2.5%
2015 -4.55% -1.35%
2014 -6.27% -1.76%
2013 -6.87% -2.44%
2012 -1.19% -2.39%
2011 2.22% -4.14%
2010 3.06% -6.22%
2009 -5.48% -6.86%
2008 2.73% -4.6%
2007 6.9% -3.05%
2006 5.34% -1.36%
2005 2.85% -0.69%
2004 2.03% -3.39%
2003 0.19% -2.29%
2002 -1.75% -2.59%
2001 -1.33% -3.2%
2000 0.3% -3.99%
1999 -1.94% -3.58%
1998 -0.16% -5.33%
1997 0.67% -5.19%
1996 2.05% -4.74%
1995 1.08% -3.32%
1994 -1.01% -2.2%
1993 -4.9% -0.35%
1992 -4.33% -4.55%
1991 -0.62% 3.23%
1990 -2.04% 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/papua-new-guinea/romania | CC BY

In 2024, Papua New Guinea's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.03B, equivalent to 3.23% of GDP. This compares to Romania's deficit of $33.2B, or 8.68% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Papua New Guinea recorded a fiscal deficit in 23 of those years, while Romania ran a deficit in 33 years. On average, Papua New Guinea posted an annual deficit equal to 1.61% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.55% of GDP for Romania.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Papua New Guinea

Romania
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Papua New Guinea Romania
2024 0.6% 5.6%
2023 2.3% 10.4%
2022 5.25% 13.8%
2021 4.48% 5%
2020 4.87% 2.6%
2019 3.93% 3.8%
2018 4.37% 4.6%
2017 5.42% 1.3%
2016 6.67% -1.6%
2015 6% -0.6%
2014 5.22% 1.1%
2013 4.96% 4%
2012 4.54% 3.3%
2011 4.44% 5.8%
2010 6.01% 6.1%
2009 6.92% 5.6%
2008 10.8% 7.8%
2007 0.91% 4.8%
2006 2.37% 6.6%
2005 1.78% 9%
2004 2.16% 11.9%
2003 14.7% 15.4%
2002 11.8% 22.5%
2001 9.3% 34.5%
2000 15.6% 45.7%
1999 14.9% 45.8%
1998 13.6% 59.1%
1997 3.96% 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/papua-new-guinea/romania | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Papua New Guinea has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.35%, compared with 17.5% in Romania. In 2024, inflation was 0.6% in Papua New Guinea and 5.6% in Romania.

Top exports between countries

Papua New Guinea
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $499K
Raw agricultural goods $38K
Romania
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $102K
Textiles & consumer goods $54K
Raw materials & minerals $9K
Metals $4K
Chemicals & pharma $3K

Balance of trade

Papua New Guinea Romania
Current account balance
$4.77B
2024
-$31.2B
2024
Current account balance ranking
33/190
2024
185/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+15%
2024
-8.16%
2024
Goods imports
$4.69B
2024
$129B
2024
Goods exports
$13.4B
2024
$93.3B
2024
Service imports
$2.4B
2024
$30.2B
2024
Service exports
$75.2M
2024
$42.9B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
58.9%
2004
41.6%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
72.2%
2004
35.6%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Papua New Guinea Romania
Economic freedom 54.3 65.4
Economic freedom ranking 134/197 64/197
Property rights 45 81
Government integrity 30.8 50
Judicial effectiveness 41.1 67
Tax burden 70.9 89.1
Government spending 86.1 56.7
Fiscal health 65.3 21.4
Business freedom 34.2 74.4
Labor freedom 65.1 63.6
Monetary freedom 77.4 72.7
Trade freedom 80.2 79.4
Investment freedom 25 70
Financial freedom 30 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Papua New Guinea
Romania
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Papua New Guinea Romania
2026 54.3 65.4
2025 52.5 66.5
2024 49.4 64.4
2023 51.7 64.5
2022 54.6 67.1
2021 58.9 69.5
2020 58.4 69.7
2019 58.4 68.6
2018 55.7 69.4
2017 50.9 69.7
2016 53.2 65.6
2015 53.1 66.6
2014 53.9 65.5
2013 53.6 65.1
2012 53.8 64.4
2011 52.6 64.7
2010 53.5 64.2
2009 54.8 63.2
2008 - 61.7
2007 - 61.2
2006 - 58.2
2005 - 52.1
2004 - 50
2003 - 50.6
2002 - 48.7
2001 57.2 50
2000 55.8 52.1
1999 56.3 50.1
1998 55.2 54.4
1997 56.7 50.8
1996 58.6 46.2
1995 - 42.9

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

GeoRank.org/economy/papua-new-guinea/romania | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Papua New Guinea is 54.3, ranking 134/197, 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

Papua New Guinea Romania
Services, % of GDP
41.5%
2024
62.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
37.2%
2024
25.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
17.2%
2024
2.81%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$30.7B
2024
$335B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$4,580
2024
$47,920
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.9B
2023
$73.4B
2024
Total reserves ranking
107/177
2023
35/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$968M
2024
-$5.17B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$198M
2024
$7.16B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$770M
2024
$1.99B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
19.7%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
39.9%
2009
19%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
20%
2004
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/papua-new-guinea/romania | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

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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 (2020–2024, 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.