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Economy of Qatar vs Romania compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Qatar has a GDP of $219B compared to $383B for Romania, ranking 56/197 and 42/197 by economy size, respectively.

Qatar has $90.2B in government debt (41.2% of GDP), compared to $220B (57.4% of GDP) in Romania.

Qatar vs Romania GDP by year

Qatar
Romania
1x
Year GDP, current $
Qatar Romania
2024 $219,162,637,363 $382,564,217,989
2023 $217,308,516,484 $347,757,995,759
2022 $235,709,340,659 $295,319,437,557
2021 $179,732,142,857 $285,071,280,114
2020 $144,411,538,462 $250,625,048,304
2019 $176,371,428,571 $250,080,428,512
2018 $183,335,164,835 $241,791,427,224
2017 $161,099,175,824 $210,147,385,855
2016 $151,732,142,857 $185,290,759,249
2015 $161,739,835,165 $177,885,131,240
2014 $206,224,725,275 $199,722,319,676
2013 $198,727,747,253 $189,798,603,751
2012 $186,833,516,484 $179,117,323,107
2011 $167,775,274,725 $192,623,977,894
2010 $123,627,197,802 $170,064,350,672
2009 $97,798,351,648 $174,110,532,659
2008 $115,270,054,945 $214,315,932,061
2007 $79,712,087,912 $174,588,782,939
2006 $60,882,142,857 $122,023,735,993
2005 $44,530,494,505 $98,454,380,120
2004 $31,734,065,934 $74,973,656,852
2003 $23,533,791,209 $57,806,384,143
2002 $19,363,736,264 $46,065,502,703
2001 $17,538,461,538 $40,395,116,581
2000 $17,759,890,110 $37,253,739,511
1999 $12,393,131,868 $35,953,156,754
1998 $10,255,495,027 $41,696,091,974
1997 $11,297,802,115 $35,575,214,078
1996 $9,059,340,385 $36,937,074,278
1995 $8,137,911,978 $37,430,162,103
1994 $7,374,450,769 $30,072,805,104
1993 $7,156,593,654 $26,361,160,450
1992 $7,646,153,984 $25,121,666,667
1991 $6,883,516,484 $28,850,634,900
1990 $7,360,439,423 $38,247,882,300
1989 $6,487,912,088 $41,450,777,202
1988 $6,038,187,033 $40,424,528,302
1987 $5,446,428,681 $38,067,567,568
1986 $5,053,021,951 -
1985 $6,153,296,456 -
1984 $6,704,395,824 -
1983 $6,467,582,308 -
1982 $7,596,703,214 -
1981 $8,661,263,764 -
1980 $7,829,165,262 -
1979 $5,632,962,997 -
1978 $4,052,000,413 -
1977 $3,617,564,638 -
1976 $3,284,273,987 -
1975 $2,512,773,166 -
1974 $2,401,403,227 -
1973 $793,885,560 -
1972 $510,262,500 -
1971 $387,703,106 -
1970 $301,791,302 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Qatar vs Romania by year

Qatar
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Romania
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Qatar Romania
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $76,689 $126,046 $20,080 $49,077
2023 $81,817 $129,368 $18,244 $45,982
2022 $88,701 $122,921 $15,504 $41,979
2021 $71,752 $116,833 $14,908 $37,534
2020 $51,684 $82,149 $13,009 $34,194
2019 $66,841 $107,503 $12,910 $33,425
2018 $71,040 $110,033 $12,416 $29,383
2017 $63,280 $99,358 $10,728 $26,943
2016 $61,254 $89,935 $9,405 $23,905
2015 $68,985 $102,546 $8,977 $21,625
2014 $95,841 $148,389 $10,032 $20,633
2013 $103,697 $169,203 $9,498 $19,678
2012 $108,470 $180,939 $8,930 $19,808
2011 $103,262 $174,620 $9,561 $18,804
2010 $76,463 $151,646 $8,400 $17,355
2009 $60,786 $125,898 $8,548 $16,641
2008 $80,781 $126,015 $10,435 $16,782
2007 $65,954 $124,056 $8,360 $13,703
2006 $62,582 $127,181 $5,758 $11,554
2005 $53,950 $115,250 $4,618 $9,602
2004 $41,036 $110,958 $3,495 $8,989
2003 $31,602 $94,120 $2,679 $7,559
2002 $27,227 $93,177 $2,120 $7,162
2001 $25,871 $89,805 $1,825 $6,520
2000 $27,535 $88,849 $1,660 $5,850
1999 $20,234 $84,690 $1,600 $5,596
1998 $17,665 $84,486 $1,853 $5,545
1997 $20,523 $79,219 $1,577 $5,564
1996 $17,125 $62,331 $1,633 $5,746
1995 $15,823 $60,321 $1,650 $5,429
1994 $14,765 $59,415 $1,323 $4,995
1993 $14,770 $59,125 $1,158 $4,699
1992 $16,280 $60,387 $1,102 $4,515
1991 $15,133 $54,759 $1,254 $4,795
1990 $16,722 $55,659 $1,648 $5,280
1989 $15,243 - $1,790 -
1988 $14,682 - $1,753 -
1987 $13,719 - $1,659 -
1986 $13,213 - - -
1985 $16,815 - - -
1984 $19,272 - - -
1983 $19,616 - - -
1982 $24,385 - - -
1981 $29,505 - - -
1980 $28,375 - - -
1979 $21,777 - - -
1978 $16,757 - - -
1977 $16,058 - - -
1976 $15,710 - - -
1975 $13,014 - - -
1974 $13,540 - - -
1973 $4,905 - - -
1972 $3,483 - - -
1971 $2,952 - - -
1970 $2,594 - - -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Qatar's GDP per capita is $76,689, ranking 11/197, compared to $20,080 in Romania, ranking 58/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Qatar ranks 5th at $126,046, while Romania ranks 47th at $49,077.

Economic indicators

Qatar Romania
Gross domestic product
$219B
2024
$383B
2024
GDP rank
56/197
2024
42/197
2024
GDP growth
2.36%
2023-2024
0.92%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$76,689
2024
$20,080
2024
GDP per capita rank
11/197
2024
58/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$126,046
2024
$49,077
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
5/197
2024
47/197
2024
Government debt
$90.2B
2024
$220B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
41.2%
2024
57.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$31,579
2024
$11,533
2024
Government debt per person rank
23/185
2024
48/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$35,660
2026
$13,912
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$170M
2024
$47.4B
2024
Number of millionaires
26,163
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
2
2025
6
2025
Income share by richest 10%
25.8%
2017
21.8%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
2.6%
2017
2.4%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
26%
2024
39.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.27%
2023-2024
5.6%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
4.1%
2025
6.5%
2024
Unemployment rate
0.13%
2022
5.43%
2024
Population
2999260
18839108

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Qatar
Spending

Debt
Romania
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Qatar Romania
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 26% 41.2% 39.9% 57.4%
2023 27.3% 43.7% 36.6% 52.1%
2022 24.3% 42.6% 37.4% 51.7%
2021 29.4% 58.4% 37% 51.5%
2020 34.7% 72.6% 38.1% 49.3%
2019 32.5% 62.1% 33.2% 36.5%
2018 28.9% 52.2% 31.7% 36.2%
2017 34.7% 51.6% 31% 37.1%
2016 40.1% 46.7% 31.8% 39.5%
2015 38.6% 35.5% 34.2% 39.4%
2014 32.3% 24.9% 33.8% 40.5%
2013 28.3% 30.9% 34.2% 39.3%
2012 31% 32.1% 33.5% 36.2%
2011 28.5% 33.5% 35% 32.6%
2010 32% 30.4% 37.4% 30.2%
2009 36.4% 36% 36.3% 22.5%
2008 23.5% 11.4% 35.3% 13%
2007 29.5% 9.37% 34.6% 12.4%
2006 29.5% 13.9% 33.9% 12.7%
2005 29% 19.1% 32.3% 17.8%
2004 29.9% 30.1% 33.7% 21.3%
2003 28.5% 38.8% 31.8% 24.9%
2002 31.6% 47.7% 32.1% 27.4%
2001 32.1% 59.2% 33.2% 27.4%
2000 29.8% 51.6% 35% 29.6%
1999 42.4% 81.8% 35.1% 21.7%
1998 55.1% 76.6% 34.7% 16.5%
1997 47.6% 54.4% 33.5% 15%
1996 55.2% 57.8% 33.5% 11%
1995 52.2% 50.2% 34.4% 6.91%
1994 59.8% 54.8% 33.1% -
1993 62.8% 46.3% 33.5% -
1992 54.2% 19.9% 41.5% -
1991 57.5% 21.8% 38.3% -
1990 50% 12.6% 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/qatar/romania | CC BY

In 2024, Qatar's government spending was $56.9B, accounting for 26% of its GDP, while Romania spent $153B, or 39.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 41.2% in Qatar and 57.4% in Romania, ranking 130/185 and 87/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Qatar

Romania
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Qatar Romania
2024 0.69% -8.68%
2023 5.56% -5.61%
2022 10.4% -5.83%
2021 0.24% -6.7%
2020 -2.13% -9.54%
2019 1% -4.55%
2018 2.26% -2.74%
2017 -6.82% -2.86%
2016 -9.2% -2.5%
2015 18.4% -1.35%
2014 13.4% -1.76%
2013 19.3% -2.44%
2012 8.55% -2.39%
2011 5.24% -4.14%
2010 4.6% -6.22%
2009 14.1% -6.86%
2008 9.49% -4.6%
2007 10.3% -3.05%
2006 8.39% -1.36%
2005 9.8% -0.69%
2004 17.7% -3.39%
2003 6.71% -2.29%
2002 7.89% -2.59%
2001 4.48% -3.2%
2000 4.62% -3.99%
1999 -4.35% -3.58%
1998 -7% -5.33%
1997 -9.4% -5.19%
1996 -8.73% -4.74%
1995 -5.78% -3.32%
1994 -11.8% -2.2%
1993 -9.53% -0.35%
1992 -2.74% -4.55%
1991 -2.57% 3.23%
1990 3.23% 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/qatar/romania | CC BY

In 2024, Qatar's government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.52B, equivalent to 0.69% of GDP. This compares to Romania's deficit of $33.2B, or 8.68% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Qatar recorded a fiscal deficit in 12 of those years, while Romania ran a deficit in 33 years. On average, Qatar posted an annual surplus equal to 3.04% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.55% of GDP for Romania.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Qatar

Romania
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Qatar Romania
2024 1.27% 5.6%
2023 3.03% 10.4%
2022 5% 13.8%
2021 2.3% 5%
2020 -2.54% 2.6%
2019 -0.67% 3.8%
2018 0.26% 4.6%
2017 0.39% 1.3%
2016 2.68% -1.6%
2015 1.81% -0.6%
2014 3.35% 1.1%
2013 3.22% 4%
2012 2.32% 3.3%
2011 1.14% 5.8%
2010 -2.43% 6.1%
2009 -4.86% 5.6%
2008 15.1% 7.8%
2007 13.8% 4.8%
2006 11.8% 6.6%
2005 8.81% 9%
2004 6.8% 11.9%
2003 2.26% 15.4%
2002 0.24% 22.5%
2001 1.47% 34.5%
2000 1.65% 45.7%
1999 2.18% 45.8%
1998 2.95% 59.1%
1997 4.83% 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/qatar/romania | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Qatar has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.15%, compared with 17.5% in Romania. In 2024, inflation was 1.27% in Qatar and 5.6% in Romania.

Top exports between countries

Qatar
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $15.7M
Metals $1.03M
Machinery & equipment $913K
Animal & marine products $96K
Textiles & consumer goods $74K
Raw agricultural goods $59K
Miscellaneous $34K
Raw materials & minerals $26K
Wood & paper products $22K
Romania
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $13.6M
Machinery & equipment $12.9M
Metals $10.4M
Miscellaneous $6.66M
Wood & paper products $6M
Textiles & consumer goods $3.03M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $2.01M
Raw materials & minerals $734K
Chemicals & pharma $530K
Animal & marine products $204K

Balance of trade

Qatar Romania
Current account balance
$37.9B
2024
-$31.2B
2024
Current account balance ranking
16/190
2024
185/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+17.3%
2024
-8.16%
2024
Goods imports
$32.6B
2024
$129B
2024
Goods exports
$95B
2024
$93.3B
2024
Service imports
$37.1B
2024
$30.2B
2024
Service exports
$30.2B
2024
$42.9B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
31.6%
2022
41.6%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
68.6%
2022
35.6%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Qatar Romania
Economic freedom 70.2 65.4
Economic freedom ranking 37/197 64/197
Property rights 66.2 81
Government integrity 53.5 50
Judicial effectiveness 41.5 67
Tax burden 99.9 89.1
Government spending 79.9 56.7
Fiscal health 96.6 21.4
Business freedom 68 74.4
Labor freedom 58.5 63.6
Monetary freedom 76 72.7
Trade freedom 81.8 79.4
Investment freedom 60 70
Financial freedom 60 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Qatar
Romania
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Qatar Romania
2026 70.2 65.4
2025 70.2 66.5
2024 68.8 64.4
2023 68.6 64.5
2022 67.7 67.1
2021 72 69.5
2020 72.3 69.7
2019 72.6 68.6
2018 72.6 69.4
2017 73.1 69.7
2016 70.7 65.6
2015 70.8 66.6
2014 71.2 65.5
2013 71.3 65.1
2012 71.3 64.4
2011 70.5 64.7
2010 69 64.2
2009 65.8 63.2
2008 62.2 61.7
2007 62.9 61.2
2006 62.4 58.2
2005 63.5 52.1
2004 66.5 50
2003 65.9 50.6
2002 61.9 48.7
2001 60 50
2000 62 52.1
1999 62 50.1
1998 - 54.4
1997 - 50.8
1996 - 46.2
1995 - 42.9

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Qatar is 70.2, ranking 37/197, 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

Qatar Romania
Services, % of GDP
46.1%
2024
62.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
58.2%
2024
25.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.29%
2024
2.81%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$221B
2024
$335B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$121,900
2024
$47,920
2024
Total reserves including gold
$54B
2024
$73.4B
2024
Total reserves ranking
40/177
2024
35/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$1.1B
2024
-$5.17B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$460M
2024
$7.16B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$1.56B
2024
$1.99B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines n/a
19%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
30.6%
2022
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/qatar/romania | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2024, 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.

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.