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Economy of Poland vs Romania compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Poland has a GDP of $918B compared to $383B for Romania, ranking 21/197 and 42/197 by economy size, respectively.

Poland has $507B in government debt (55.3% of GDP), compared to $220B (57.4% of GDP) in Romania.

Poland vs Romania GDP by year

Poland
Romania
1x
Year GDP, current $
Poland Romania
2024 $917,767,106,147 $382,564,217,989
2023 $812,451,193,396 $347,757,995,759
2022 $695,607,470,875 $295,319,437,557
2021 $689,170,230,665 $285,071,280,114
2020 $605,914,237,904 $250,625,048,304
2019 $602,683,770,145 $250,080,428,512
2018 $594,616,687,350 $241,791,427,224
2017 $528,356,676,667 $210,147,385,855
2016 $473,259,583,970 $185,290,759,249
2015 $480,054,118,583 $177,885,131,240
2014 $542,134,167,179 $199,722,319,676
2013 $518,179,836,405 $189,798,603,751
2012 $498,148,649,703 $179,117,323,107
2011 $527,848,543,023 $192,623,977,894
2010 $478,111,630,684 $170,064,350,672
2009 $440,891,472,247 $174,110,532,659
2008 $535,612,030,672 $214,315,932,061
2007 $429,715,132,138 $174,588,782,939
2006 $345,897,630,736 $122,023,735,993
2005 $306,999,913,151 $98,454,380,120
2004 $256,268,656,145 $74,973,656,852
2003 $218,561,225,998 $57,806,384,143
2002 $199,694,463,256 $46,065,502,703
2001 $191,823,200,371 $40,395,116,581
2000 $172,953,527,033 $37,253,739,511
1999 $170,704,452,715 $35,953,156,754
1998 $175,282,269,667 $41,696,091,974
1997 $159,893,964,917 $35,575,214,078
1996 $160,813,026,223 $36,937,074,278
1995 $142,838,527,115 $37,430,162,103
1994 $110,803,635,288 $30,072,805,104
1993 $96,043,157,273 $26,361,160,450
1992 $94,337,050,693 $25,121,666,667
1991 $85,500,935,935 $28,850,634,900
1990 $65,977,748,211 $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 (1987–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Poland vs Romania by year

Poland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Romania
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Poland Romania
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $25,104 $51,263 $20,080 $49,077
2023 $22,145 $48,473 $18,244 $45,982
2022 $18,891 $46,778 $15,504 $41,979
2021 $18,636 $41,060 $14,908 $37,534
2020 $16,151 $37,089 $13,009 $34,194
2019 $15,875 $35,882 $12,910 $33,425
2018 $15,658 $32,345 $12,416 $29,383
2017 $13,913 $30,170 $10,728 $26,943
2016 $12,464 $28,360 $9,405 $23,905
2015 $12,638 $26,988 $8,977 $21,625
2014 $14,262 $25,460 $10,032 $20,633
2013 $13,622 $24,434 $9,498 $19,678
2012 $13,087 $23,728 $8,930 $19,808
2011 $13,868 $22,809 $9,561 $18,804
2010 $12,568 $20,991 $8,400 $17,355
2009 $11,556 $19,300 $8,548 $16,641
2008 $14,049 $18,372 $10,435 $16,782
2007 $11,273 $16,833 $8,360 $13,703
2006 $9,069 $15,205 $5,758 $11,554
2005 $8,044 $13,936 $4,618 $9,602
2004 $6,712 $13,413 $3,495 $8,989
2003 $5,721 $12,329 $2,679 $7,559
2002 $5,223 $11,841 $2,120 $7,162
2001 $5,015 $11,175 $1,825 $6,520
2000 $4,521 $10,721 $1,660 $5,850
1999 $4,416 $10,081 $1,600 $5,596
1998 $4,534 $9,521 $1,853 $5,545
1997 $4,137 $8,967 $1,577 $5,564
1996 $4,164 $8,310 $1,633 $5,746
1995 $3,701 $7,715 $1,650 $5,429
1994 $2,875 $7,040 $1,323 $4,995
1993 $2,497 $6,560 $1,158 $4,699
1992 $2,459 $6,193 $1,102 $4,515
1991 $2,236 $5,925 $1,254 $4,795
1990 $1,731 $6,185 $1,648 $5,280
1989 - - $1,790 -
1988 - - $1,753 -
1987 - - $1,659 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1987–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Poland's GDP per capita is $25,104, ranking 48/197, compared to $20,080 in Romania, ranking 58/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Poland ranks 43rd at $51,263, while Romania ranks 47th at $49,077.

Economic indicators

Poland Romania
Gross domestic product
$918B
2024
$383B
2024
GDP rank
21/197
2024
42/197
2024
GDP growth
3.03%
2023-2024
0.92%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$25,104
2024
$20,080
2024
GDP per capita rank
48/197
2024
58/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$51,263
2024
$49,077
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
43/197
2024
47/197
2024
Government debt
$507B
2024
$220B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
55.3%
2024
57.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$13,874
2024
$11,533
2024
Government debt per person rank
41/185
2024
48/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$20,736
2026
$13,912
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$197B
2024
$47.4B
2024
Number of billionaires
10
2025
6
2025
Income share by richest 10%
22.9%
2023
21.8%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
3.3%
2023
2.4%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
49.4%
2024
39.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
3.78%
2023-2024
5.6%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
4%
2025
6.5%
2024
Unemployment rate
2.81%
2024
5.43%
2024
Population
35806942
18839108

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Poland
Spending

Debt
Romania
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Poland Romania
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 49.4% 55.3% 39.9% 57.4%
2023 46.9% 49.5% 36.6% 52.1%
2022 43.2% 48.8% 37.4% 51.7%
2021 43.6% 53% 37% 51.5%
2020 47.7% 56.6% 38.1% 49.3%
2019 41.4% 45.2% 33.2% 36.5%
2018 41% 48.2% 31.7% 36.2%
2017 41.1% 50.4% 31% 37.1%
2016 41.1% 54.1% 31.8% 39.5%
2015 41.5% 51.1% 34.2% 39.4%
2014 42.7% 51.1% 33.8% 40.5%
2013 43.2% 56.9% 34.2% 39.3%
2012 43.2% 54.5% 33.5% 36.2%
2011 44.1% 54.8% 35% 32.6%
2010 46% 53.7% 37.4% 30.2%
2009 44.9% 49.7% 36.3% 22.5%
2008 44% 46.6% 35.3% 13%
2007 42.8% 44.4% 34.6% 12.4%
2006 44.3% 47.1% 33.9% 12.7%
2005 44.1% 46.5% 32.3% 17.8%
2004 43.3% 44.9% 33.7% 21.3%
2003 45.5% 46.4% 31.8% 24.9%
2002 45.1% 41.6% 32.1% 27.4%
2001 44.7% 37.2% 33.2% 27.4%
2000 43.1% 36.4% 35% 29.6%
1999 42.5% 39.4% 35.1% 21.7%
1998 44% 38.7% 34.7% 16.5%
1997 46.1% 42.7% 33.5% 15%
1996 50.7% 43.2% 33.5% 11%
1995 47.5% 48.7% 34.4% 6.91%
1994 - 64.3% 33.1% -
1993 - 83.9% 33.5% -
1992 - 81.9% 41.5% -
1991 - 76.9% 38.3% -
1990 - 89.7% 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 35.6% - 42% -
1978 35.8% - 42.1% -
1977 35.6% - 39.9% -
1976 34.8% - 37.5% -
1975 34.1% - 40.6% -
1974 28.6% - 37.6% -
1973 24.5% - 32.6% -
1972 24.1% - 29.9% -
1971 24.1% - 27.2% -
1970 25.8% - 28.1% -
1969 26.3% - 32.1% -
1968 27.3% - 31.8% -
1967 29.6% - 30.6% -
1966 31.7% - 27.3% -
1965 31.8% - 25.6% -
1964 33.5% - 25.1% -
1963 33.3% - 23.1% -
1962 43% - 43.4% -
1961 42.8% - - -
1960 39.2% - - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Poland's government spending was $453B, accounting for 49.4% of its GDP, while Romania spent $153B, or 39.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 55.3% in Poland and 57.4% in Romania, ranking 95/185 and 87/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Poland

Romania
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Poland Romania
2024 -6.59% -8.68%
2023 -5.27% -5.61%
2022 -3.44% -5.83%
2021 -1.75% -6.7%
2020 -6.85% -9.54%
2019 -0.73% -4.55%
2018 -0.24% -2.74%
2017 -1.49% -2.86%
2016 -2.38% -2.5%
2015 -2.59% -1.35%
2014 -3.66% -1.76%
2013 -4.25% -2.44%
2012 -3.8% -2.39%
2011 -4.97% -4.14%
2010 -7.43% -6.22%
2009 -7.24% -6.86%
2008 -3.6% -4.6%
2007 -1.88% -3.05%
2006 -3.53% -1.36%
2005 -3.93% -0.69%
2004 -4.99% -3.39%
2003 -6.02% -2.29%
2002 -4.8% -2.59%
2001 -4.73% -3.2%
2000 -4% -3.99%
1999 -2.3% -3.58%
1998 -4.25% -5.33%
1997 -4.61% -5.19%
1996 -4.84% -4.74%
1995 -4.39% -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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Poland's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $60.4B, equivalent to 6.59% of GDP. This compares to Romania's deficit of $33.2B, or 8.68% of GDP.

Over the past 30 years, Poland recorded a fiscal deficit in 30 of those years, while Romania ran a deficit in 30 years. On average, Poland posted an annual deficit equal to 4.02% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.05% of GDP for Romania.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Poland

Romania
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Poland Romania
2024 3.78% 5.6%
2023 11.5% 10.4%
2022 14.4% 13.8%
2021 5.06% 5%
2020 3.37% 2.6%
2019 2.23% 3.8%
2018 1.81% 4.6%
2017 2.08% 1.3%
2016 -0.66% -1.6%
2015 -0.87% -0.6%
2014 0.05% 1.1%
2013 0.99% 4%
2012 3.56% 3.3%
2011 4.24% 5.8%
2010 2.58% 6.1%
2009 3.8% 5.6%
2008 4.16% 7.8%
2007 2.46% 4.8%
2006 1.28% 6.6%
2005 2.18% 9%
2004 3.38% 11.9%
2003 0.68% 15.4%
2002 1.91% 22.5%
2001 5.41% 34.5%
2000 9.9% 45.7%
1999 7.15% 45.8%
1998 11.6% 59.1%
1997 14.9% 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/poland/romania | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Poland has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.39%, compared with 17.5% in Romania. In 2024, inflation was 3.78% in Poland and 5.6% in Romania.

Top exports between countries

Poland
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $2.38B
Textiles & consumer goods $1.65B
Chemicals & pharma $1.24B
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $844M
Metals $789M
Raw materials & minerals $559M
Animal & marine products $390M
Wood & paper products $338M
Raw agricultural goods $218M
Miscellaneous $109M
Romania
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $2.09B
Textiles & consumer goods $421M
Metals $388M
Chemicals & pharma $333M
Transport & tourism services $317M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $234M
Raw materials & minerals $225M
Wood & paper products $158M
Business & finance services $149M
Raw agricultural goods $131M

Balance of trade

Poland Romania
Current account balance
$2.8B
2024
-$31.2B
2024
Current account balance ranking
40/190
2024
185/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+0.3%
2024
-8.16%
2024
Goods imports
$367B
2024
$129B
2024
Goods exports
$361B
2024
$93.3B
2024
Service imports
$74.9B
2024
$30.2B
2024
Service exports
$118B
2024
$42.9B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
48.2%
2024
41.6%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
52.2%
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.

Poland Romania
Economic freedom 68.5 65.4
Economic freedom ranking 46/197 64/197
Property rights 71.8 81
Government integrity 60.7 50
Judicial effectiveness 62.5 67
Tax burden 72.7 89.1
Government spending 35.1 56.7
Fiscal health 74.8 21.4
Business freedom 77.5 74.4
Labor freedom 53.7 63.6
Monetary freedom 73.8 72.7
Trade freedom 79.4 79.4
Investment freedom 80 70
Financial freedom 80 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Poland
Romania
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Poland Romania
2026 68.5 65.4
2025 67.1 66.5
2024 66 64.4
2023 67.7 64.5
2022 68.7 67.1
2021 69.7 69.5
2020 69.1 69.7
2019 67.8 68.6
2018 68.5 69.4
2017 68.3 69.7
2016 69.3 65.6
2015 68.6 66.6
2014 67 65.5
2013 66 65.1
2012 64.2 64.4
2011 64.1 64.7
2010 63.2 64.2
2009 60.3 63.2
2008 60.3 61.7
2007 58.1 61.2
2006 59.3 58.2
2005 59.6 52.1
2004 58.7 50
2003 61.8 50.6
2002 65 48.7
2001 61.8 50
2000 60 52.1
1999 59.6 50.1
1998 59.2 54.4
1997 56.8 50.8
1996 57.8 46.2
1995 50.7 42.9

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Poland is 68.5, ranking 46/197, 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

Poland Romania
Services, % of GDP
59.1%
2024
62.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
27.2%
2024
25.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.54%
2024
2.81%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$789B
2024
$335B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$49,540
2024
$47,920
2024
Total reserves including gold
$223B
2024
$73.4B
2024
Total reserves ranking
17/177
2024
35/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$10.6B
2024
-$5.17B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$20.6B
2024
$7.16B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$10B
2024
$1.99B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
13.3%
2024
19%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
17.8%
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/poland/romania | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2024, 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 (1960–1999, 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 (2022–2024, 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.

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.