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Economy of Romania vs Russia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Romania has a GDP of $383B compared to $2.17T for Russia, ranking 42/197 and 11/197 by economy size, respectively.

Romania has $220B in government debt (57.4% of GDP), compared to $440B (20.3% of GDP) in Russia.

Romania vs Russia GDP by year

Romania
Russia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Romania Russia
2024 $382,564,217,989 $2,173,835,806,672
2023 $347,757,995,759 $2,071,505,725,031
2022 $295,319,437,557 $2,291,612,121,335
2021 $285,071,280,114 $1,829,186,719,575
2020 $250,625,048,304 $1,493,075,894,362
2019 $250,080,428,512 $1,693,115,002,708
2018 $241,791,427,224 $1,657,328,773,461
2017 $210,147,385,855 $1,574,199,360,089
2016 $185,290,759,249 $1,276,786,350,881
2015 $177,885,131,240 $1,363,482,182,198
2014 $199,722,319,676 $2,059,241,589,895
2013 $189,798,603,751 $2,292,470,078,346
2012 $179,117,323,107 $2,208,293,553,878
2011 $192,623,977,894 $2,045,922,753,398
2010 $170,064,350,672 $1,524,916,715,224
2009 $174,110,532,659 $1,222,645,900,056
2008 $214,315,932,061 $1,660,848,058,303
2007 $174,588,782,939 $1,299,703,478,482
2006 $122,023,735,993 $989,932,071,353
2005 $98,454,380,120 $764,015,973,481
2004 $74,973,656,852 $591,016,690,732
2003 $57,806,384,143 $430,347,420,185
2002 $46,065,502,703 $345,470,494,418
2001 $40,395,116,581 $306,602,070,621
2000 $37,253,739,511 $259,710,142,197
1999 $35,953,156,754 $195,907,128,351
1998 $41,696,091,974 $270,955,486,862
1997 $35,575,214,078 $404,928,954,192
1996 $36,937,074,278 $391,724,890,744
1995 $37,430,162,103 $395,537,185,735
1994 $30,072,805,104 $395,077,301,248
1993 $26,361,160,450 $435,083,713,851
1992 $25,121,666,667 $460,290,556,901
1991 $28,850,634,900 $517,962,962,963
1990 $38,247,882,300 $517,014,446,228
1989 $41,450,777,202 $506,631,299,735
1988 $40,424,528,302 $554,828,660,436
1987 $38,067,567,568 -

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

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

GDP per capita in Romania vs Russia by year

Romania
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Russia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Romania Russia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $20,080 $49,077 $15,145 $47,405
2023 $18,244 $45,982 $14,403 $44,269
2022 $15,504 $41,979 $15,888 $40,939
2021 $14,908 $37,534 $12,637 $38,638
2020 $13,009 $34,194 $10,280 $31,491
2019 $12,910 $33,425 $11,640 $30,964
2018 $12,416 $29,383 $11,399 $28,629
2017 $10,728 $26,943 $10,835 $25,778
2016 $9,405 $23,905 $8,804 $24,012
2015 $8,977 $21,625 $9,427 $23,994
2014 $10,032 $20,633 $14,277 $25,688
2013 $9,498 $19,678 $15,941 $26,020
2012 $8,930 $19,808 $15,402 $24,274
2011 $9,561 $18,804 $14,305 $22,790
2010 $8,400 $17,355 $10,675 $20,490
2009 $8,548 $16,641 $8,563 $19,390
2008 $10,435 $16,782 $11,635 $20,164
2007 $8,360 $13,703 $9,101 $16,648
2006 $5,758 $11,554 $6,920 $14,912
2005 $4,618 $9,602 $5,323 $11,822
2004 $3,495 $8,989 $4,102 $10,227
2003 $2,679 $7,559 $2,975 $9,255
2002 $2,120 $7,162 $2,378 $8,037
2001 $1,825 $6,520 $2,100 $7,361
2000 $1,660 $5,850 $1,772 $6,825
1999 $1,600 $5,596 $1,331 $5,914
1998 $1,853 $5,545 $1,835 $5,465
1997 $1,577 $5,564 $2,738 $5,700
1996 $1,633 $5,746 $2,644 $5,518
1995 $1,650 $5,429 $2,666 $5,613
1994 $1,323 $4,995 $2,662 $5,734
1993 $1,158 $4,699 $2,931 $6,420
1992 $1,102 $4,515 $3,099 $6,862
1991 $1,254 $4,795 $3,490 $7,858
1990 $1,648 $5,280 $3,494 $8,028
1989 $1,790 - $3,430 -
1988 $1,753 - $3,778 -
1987 $1,659 - - -

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

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

Romania's GDP per capita is $20,080, ranking 58/197, compared to $15,145 in Russia, ranking 68/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Romania ranks 47th at $49,077, while Russia ranks 50th at $47,405.

Economic indicators

Romania Russia
Gross domestic product
$383B
2024
$2.17T
2024
GDP rank
42/197
2024
11/197
2024
GDP growth
0.92%
2023-2024
4.34%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$20,080
2024
$15,145
2024
GDP per capita rank
58/197
2024
68/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$49,077
2024
$47,405
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
47/197
2024
50/197
2024
Government debt
$220B
2024
$440B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
57.4%
2024
20.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$11,533
2024
$3,067
2024
Government debt per person rank
48/185
2024
98/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$13,912
2026
$10,464
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$47.4B
2024
$650B
2023
Number of millionaires n/a
426,000
2025
Number of billionaires
6
2025
140
2025
Income share by richest 10%
21.8%
2023
25.1%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
2.4%
2023
3.1%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
39.9%
2024
36.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
5.6%
2023-2024
8.4%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
6.5%
2024
16%
2025
Unemployment rate
5.43%
2024
2.43%
2024
Population
18839108
141906741

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Romania
Spending

Debt
Russia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Romania Russia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 39.9% 57.4% 36.9% 20.3%
2023 36.6% 52.1% 35.7% 19.5%
2022 37.4% 51.7% 35.2% 18.5%
2021 37% 51.5% 34.9% 16.5%
2020 38.1% 49.3% 39.2% 19.2%
2019 33.2% 36.5% 33.8% 13.7%
2018 31.7% 36.2% 32.6% 13.6%
2017 31% 37.1% 34.8% 14.3%
2016 31.8% 39.5% 36.6% 14.8%
2015 34.2% 39.4% 35.3% 15.3%
2014 33.8% 40.5% 34.9% 15.1%
2013 34.2% 39.3% 34.7% 12.3%
2012 33.5% 36.2% 34% 11.2%
2011 35% 32.6% 33.3% 10.3%
2010 37.4% 30.2% 35.5% 10.1%
2009 36.3% 22.5% 38.6% 9.92%
2008 35.3% 13% 32% 7.45%
2007 34.6% 12.4% 31.9% 8.03%
2006 33.9% 12.7% 29% 9.8%
2005 32.3% 17.8% 29.5% 14.9%
2004 33.7% 21.3% 29.6% 20.8%
2003 31.8% 24.9% 32.6% 28.3%
2002 32.1% 27.4% 33.8% 37.6%
2001 33.2% 27.4% 31.5% 44.4%
2000 35% 29.6% 30.7% 55.9%
1999 35.1% 21.7% 34.3% 92.4%
1998 34.7% 16.5% 39.7% 135.2%
1997 33.5% 15% - 51.5%
1996 33.5% 11% - 51.9%
1995 34.4% 6.91% - 53.7%
1994 33.1% - - 63.5%
1993 33.5% - - 92.4%
1992 41.5% - - 116%
1991 38.3% - - -
1990 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/romania/russia | CC BY

In 2024, Romania's government spending was $153B, accounting for 39.9% of its GDP, while Russia spent $802B, or 36.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 57.4% in Romania and 20.3% in Russia, ranking 87/185 and 175/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Romania

Russia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Romania Russia
2024 -8.68% -1.6%
2023 -5.61% -2.22%
2022 -5.83% -1.34%
2021 -6.7% 0.78%
2020 -9.54% -3.99%
2019 -4.55% 1.93%
2018 -2.74% 2.92%
2017 -2.86% -1.47%
2016 -2.5% -3.67%
2015 -1.35% -3.39%
2014 -1.76% -1.07%
2013 -2.44% -1.16%
2012 -2.39% 0.38%
2011 -4.14% 1.43%
2010 -6.22% -3.19%
2009 -6.86% -5.89%
2008 -4.6% 4.55%
2007 -3.05% 5.59%
2006 -1.36% 7.8%
2005 -0.69% 7.6%
2004 -3.39% 4.57%
2003 -2.29% 1.35%
2002 -2.59% 0.67%
2001 -3.2% 2.99%
2000 -3.99% 3.11%
1999 -3.58% -3.59%
1998 -5.33% -7.42%
1997 -5.19% -
1996 -4.74% -
1995 -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% -
1961 - -
1960 - -
1959 - -
1958 - -
1957 - -
1956 - -
1955 - -
1954 - -
1953 - -
1952 - -
1951 - -
1950 - -
1949 - -
1948 - -
1947 - -
1946 - -
1945 - -
1944 - -
1943 - -
1942 - -
1941 - -
1940 - 0.15%
1939 - 0.12%
1938 - 0.16%
1937 - 0.12%
1936 - 0.1%
1935 - 0.07%
1934 - 0.25%
1933 - 0.58%
1932 - 0.06%
1931 - -1.12%
1930 - -1.62%
1929 - -0.4%
1928 - -0.4%
1927 - -
1926 - -
1925 - -
1924 - -
1923 - -
1922 - -
1921 - -
1920 - -
1919 - -
1918 - -
1917 - -
1916 - -
1915 - -
1914 - -
1913 - -
1912 - 0.69%
1911 - 1.26%
1910 - 1.52%
1909 - -0.15%
1908 - -0.83%
1907 - -0.86%
1906 - -3.19%
1905 - -7.72%
1904 - -5.13%
1903 - 1.04%
1902 - -1.57%
1901 - 0.14%
1900 - -0.36%
1899 - 0.66%
1898 - 0.03%
1897 - 0.34%
1896 - 1.3%
1895 - 0.7%
1894 - 1.43%
1893 - 0.63%
1892 - -1.16%
1891 - -0.97%
1890 - 0.01%
1889 - 1.34%
1888 - 0.88%
1887 - 0.14%
1886 - -0.84%
1885 - -0.75%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1885–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Romania's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $33.2B, equivalent to 8.68% of GDP. This compares to Russia's deficit of $34.9B, or 1.6% of GDP.

Over the past 27 years, Romania recorded a fiscal deficit in 27 of those years, while Russia ran a deficit in 13 years. On average, Romania posted an annual deficit equal to 4.01% of GDP, compared to surplus of 0.21% of GDP for Russia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Romania

Russia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Romania Russia
2024 5.6% 8.4%
2023 10.4% 5.9%
2022 13.8% 13.7%
2021 5% 6.7%
2020 2.6% 3.4%
2019 3.8% 4.5%
2018 4.6% 2.9%
2017 1.3% 3.7%
2016 -1.6% 7%
2015 -0.6% 15.5%
2014 1.1% 7.8%
2013 4% 6.8%
2012 3.3% 5.1%
2011 5.8% 8.4%
2010 6.1% 6.8%
2009 5.6% 11.6%
2008 7.8% 14.1%
2007 4.8% 9%
2006 6.6% 9.7%
2005 9% 12.7%
2004 11.9% 10.9%
2003 15.4% 13.7%
2002 22.5% 15.8%
2001 34.5% 21.5%
2000 45.7% 20.8%
1999 45.8% 85.7%
1998 59.1% 27.7%
1997 154.8% 14.8%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

Over the past 28 years, Romania has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 17.5%, compared with 13.4% in Russia. In 2024, inflation was 5.6% in Romania and 8.4% in Russia.

Top exports between countries

Romania
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $116M
Machinery & equipment $63M
Raw agricultural goods $29.9M
Transport & tourism services $22.1M
Business & finance services $13.2M
IT & IP services $10.2M
Raw materials & minerals $6.23M
Metals $6.03M
Wood & paper products $4.35M
Textiles & consumer goods $3.8M
Russia
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $2.37B
Miscellaneous $497M
Metals $149M
Wood & paper products $119M
Machinery & equipment $84.2M
Chemicals & pharma $76.9M
Textiles & consumer goods $26.3M
Transport & tourism services $14.8M
Precious metals & jewellery $13.2M
Business & finance services $11.3M

Balance of trade

Romania Russia
Current account balance
-$31.2B
2024
$63.4B
2024
Current account balance ranking
185/190
2024
12/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-8.16%
2024
+2.91%
2024
Goods imports
$129B
2024
$302B
2024
Goods exports
$93.3B
2024
$434B
2024
Service imports
$30.2B
2024
$81.5B
2024
Service exports
$42.9B
2024
$43.1B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
41.6%
2024
17.6%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
35.6%
2024
21.9%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Romania Russia
Economic freedom 65.4 50.3
Economic freedom ranking 64/197 161/197
Property rights 81 18.6
Government integrity 50 22.8
Judicial effectiveness 67 22.8
Tax burden 89.1 81.9
Government spending 56.7 61.3
Fiscal health 21.4 94.4
Business freedom 74.4 51.4
Labor freedom 63.6 59.1
Monetary freedom 72.7 61.8
Trade freedom 79.4 69.4
Investment freedom 70 30
Financial freedom 60 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Romania
Russia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Romania Russia
2026 65.4 50.3
2025 66.5 51.6
2024 64.4 52
2023 64.5 53.8
2022 67.1 56.1
2021 69.5 61.5
2020 69.7 61
2019 68.6 58.9
2018 69.4 58.2
2017 69.7 57.1
2016 65.6 50.6
2015 66.6 52.1
2014 65.5 51.9
2013 65.1 51.1
2012 64.4 50.5
2011 64.7 50.5
2010 64.2 50.3
2009 63.2 50.8
2008 61.7 49.8
2007 61.2 52.2
2006 58.2 52.4
2005 52.1 51.3
2004 50 52.8
2003 50.6 50.8
2002 48.7 48.7
2001 50 49.8
2000 52.1 51.8
1999 50.1 54.5
1998 54.4 52.8
1997 50.8 48.6
1996 46.2 51.6
1995 42.9 51.1

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Romania is 65.4, ranking 64/197, compared to 50.3 for Russia, ranking 161/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Romania Russia
Services, % of GDP
62.6%
2024
57.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
25.3%
2024
30.7%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.81%
2024
2.74%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$335B
2024
$2.24T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$47,920
2024
$46,780
2024
Total reserves including gold
$73.4B
2024
$597B
2023
Total reserves ranking
35/177
2024
6/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$5.17B
2024
$9.37B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$7.16B
2024
-$9.35B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$1.99B
2024
-$170M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
2.65%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
19%
2023
12.1%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
25%
2024
26.3%
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/romania/russia | 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 (1885–1999, 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 (2021–2024, 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.