Skip to content

Economy of Romania vs Samoa compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Romania has a GDP of $429B compared to $1.29B for Samoa, ranking 39/197 and 186/197 by economy size, respectively.

Romania has $260B in government debt (60.6% of GDP), compared to $273M (21.2% of GDP) in Samoa.

Romania vs Samoa GDP by year

Romania
Samoa
1x
Year GDP, current $
Romania Samoa
2025 $428,677,977,855 $1,287,936,622
2024 $382,564,217,989 $1,175,749,786
2023 $347,757,995,759 $1,044,909,500
2022 $295,317,862,856 $889,554,712
2021 $285,072,444,957 $859,724,936
2020 $250,624,575,872 $868,884,903
2019 $250,080,428,512 $912,950,466
2018 $241,791,427,224 $878,448,433
2017 $210,147,385,855 $884,844,384
2016 $185,290,759,249 $843,924,797
2015 $177,885,131,240 $824,150,499
2014 $199,722,319,676 $796,683,520
2013 $189,798,603,751 $797,736,334
2012 $179,117,323,107 $773,141,661
2011 $192,623,977,894 $744,097,050
2010 $170,064,350,672 $680,260,907
2009 $174,110,532,659 $628,006,115
2008 $214,315,932,061 $641,346,192
2007 $174,588,782,939 $573,548,460
2006 $122,023,735,993 $499,923,758
2005 $98,454,380,120 $476,801,793
2004 $74,973,656,852 $407,747,565
2003 $57,806,384,143 $333,426,188
2002 $46,065,502,703 $281,790,134
2001 $40,395,116,581 $266,299,591
2000 $37,253,739,511 $258,856,140
1999 $35,953,156,754 $255,408,060
1998 $41,696,091,974 $269,485,244
1997 $35,575,214,078 $285,475,592
1996 $36,937,074,278 $249,907,869
1995 $37,430,162,103 $224,865,731
1994 $30,072,805,104 $221,098,107
1993 $26,361,160,450 $133,122,897
1992 $25,121,666,667 $132,303,041
1991 $28,850,634,900 $125,597,205
1990 $38,247,882,300 $125,766,270
1989 $41,450,777,202 $122,888,610
1988 $40,424,528,302 $133,016,065
1987 $38,067,567,568 $111,713,922
1986 - $100,947,849
1985 - $95,572,173
1984 - $109,200,934
1983 - $111,862,824
1982 - $121,221,652
1981 - $118,190,655
1980 - $125,747,038
1979 - $122,257,393
1978 - $108,223,444
1977 - $98,295,671
1976 - $85,003,078
1975 - $93,489,283
1974 - $93,549,611
1973 - $82,452,985
1972 - $62,566,116
1971 - $53,719,569
1970 - $45,208,338

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Romania vs Samoa by year

Romania
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Samoa
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Romania Samoa
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $22,538 - $5,873 -
2024 $20,080 $49,077 $5,393 $8,737
2023 $18,244 $45,982 $4,823 $8,195
2022 $15,503 $41,979 $4,132 $6,909
2021 $14,908 $37,534 $4,022 $6,350
2020 $13,009 $34,194 $4,100 $6,451
2019 $12,910 $33,425 $4,352 $6,638
2018 $12,416 $29,383 $4,232 $6,318
2017 $10,728 $26,943 $4,308 $6,280
2016 $9,405 $23,905 $4,147 $6,141
2015 $8,977 $21,625 $4,084 $5,682
2014 $10,032 $20,633 $3,983 $5,468
2013 $9,498 $19,678 $4,024 $5,387
2012 $8,930 $19,808 $3,935 $5,339
2011 $9,561 $18,804 $3,822 $5,494
2010 $8,400 $17,355 $3,524 $5,229
2009 $8,548 $16,641 $3,279 $4,906
2008 $10,435 $16,782 $3,374 $4,939
2007 $8,360 $13,703 $3,039 $4,713
2006 $5,758 $11,554 $2,663 $4,592
2005 $4,618 $9,602 $2,550 $4,379
2004 $3,495 $8,989 $2,189 $3,997
2003 $2,679 $7,559 $1,798 $3,792
2002 $2,120 $7,162 $1,528 $3,553
2001 $1,825 $6,520 $1,454 $3,335
2000 $1,660 $5,850 $1,425 $3,062
1999 $1,600 $5,596 $1,417 $2,871
1998 $1,853 $5,545 $1,506 $2,792
1997 $1,577 $5,564 $1,608 $2,722
1996 $1,633 $5,746 $1,419 $2,681
1995 $1,650 $5,429 $1,288 $2,478
1994 $1,323 $4,995 $1,277 $2,294
1993 $1,158 $4,699 $775 $2,323
1992 $1,102 $4,515 $777 $2,198
1991 $1,254 $4,795 $742 $2,166
1990 $1,648 $5,280 $744 $2,148
1989 $1,790 - $728 -
1988 $1,753 - $790 -
1987 $1,659 - $666 -
1986 - - $604 -
1985 - - $573 -
1984 - - $655 -
1983 - - $671 -
1982 - - $728 -
1981 - - $713 -
1980 - - $765 -
1979 - - $751 -
1978 - - $671 -
1977 - - $615 -
1976 - - $541 -
1975 - - $610 -
1974 - - $626 -
1973 - - $563 -
1972 - - $433 -
1971 - - $377 -
1970 - - $322 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Romania's GDP per capita is $22,538, ranking 57/197, compared to $5,873 in Samoa, ranking 115/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Romania ranks 47th at $49,077, while Samoa ranks 137th at $8,737.

Economic indicators

Romania Samoa
Gross domestic product
$429B
2025
$1.29B
2025
GDP rank
39/197
2025
186/197
2025
GDP growth
0.68%
2024-2025
4.2%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$22,538
2025
$5,873
2025
GDP per capita rank
57/197
2025
115/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$49,077
2024
$8,737
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
47/197
2024
137/197
2024
Government debt
$260B
2025
$273M
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
60.6%
2025
21.2%
2025
Government debt per person
$13,650
2025
$1,246
2025
Government debt per person rank
48/185
2025
136/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$13,510
2026
$3,918
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$70.9B
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
6
2026
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
21.8%
2023
31.3%
2013
Income share by poorest 10%
2.4%
2023
2.7%
2013
Government expenditure, % of GDP
40.5%
2025
26.4%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
7.3%
2024-2025
2.21%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
6.5%
2024
2.95%
2026
Unemployment rate
6.1%
2025
5.05%
2022
Population
18912567
221158

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Romania
Spending

Debt
Samoa
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Romania Samoa
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 40.5% 60.6% 26.4% 21.2%
2024 40% 57.5% 26.3% 25.2%
2023 37% 52.6% 28.8% 31.8%
2022 37.5% 51.9% 31.1% 41%
2021 37.2% 51.8% 34.1% 45.4%
2020 38.3% 49.5% 30.5% 43.2%
2019 33.4% 36.8% 31.8% 44.3%
2018 31.9% 36.4% 30% 49.4%
2017 31% 37.1% 30.9% 46.7%
2016 31.8% 39.5% 27.3% 49%
2015 34.2% 39.4% 30.5% 56.4%
2014 33.8% 40.5% 35.3% 54.9%
2013 34.2% 39.3% 30.7% 54.1%
2012 33.5% 36.2% 33.6% 50.9%
2011 35% 32.6% 33.7% 41.5%
2010 37.4% 30.2% 29.4% 40.3%
2009 36.3% 22.5% 31.5% 33.3%
2008 35.3% 13% 27.7% 28.2%
2007 34.6% 12.4% 31.1% 31.5%
2006 33.9% 12.7% 27.7% 33.5%
2005 32.3% 17.8% 30.6% 34.2%
2004 33.7% 21.3% 27.3% 39.8%
2003 31.8% 24.9% 28.5% 42.8%
2002 32.1% 27.4% 30.7% 50.3%
2001 33.2% 27.4% 30% 53.8%
2000 35% 29.6% 30.4% 55.8%
1999 35.1% 21.7% 33.8% 59.4%
1998 34.7% 16.5% 28.1% 58.9%
1997 33.5% 15% 31% -
1996 33.5% 11% 38.9% -
1995 34.4% 6.91% 42.2% -
1994 33.1% - 54.1% -
1993 33.5% - 49.5% -
1992 41.5% - 43.4% -
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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Romania's government spending was $173B, accounting for 40.5% of its GDP, while Samoa spent $340M, or 26.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 60.6% in Romania and 21.2% in Samoa, ranking 76/185 and 172/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Romania

Samoa
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Romania Samoa
2025 -7.64% 4.68%
2024 -8.68% 9.29%
2023 -5.66% 2.7%
2022 -5.85% 5.03%
2021 -6.74% 1.71%
2020 -9.6% 5.41%
2019 -4.58% 1.51%
2018 -2.76% 0.06%
2017 -2.86% -1.98%
2016 -2.5% -0.35%
2015 -1.35% -3.79%
2014 -1.76% -5.38%
2013 -2.44% -3.82%
2012 -2.39% -7.43%
2011 -4.14% -5.25%
2010 -6.22% -5.49%
2009 -6.86% -2.98%
2008 -4.6% -0.36%
2007 -3.05% 0.55%
2006 -1.36% -0.44%
2005 -0.69% 0.23%
2004 -3.39% -0.74%
2003 -2.29% -0.51%
2002 -2.59% -1.77%
2001 -3.2% -1.96%
2000 -3.99% -0.62%
1999 -3.58% 0.27%
1998 -5.33% 1.64%
1997 -5.19% 1.92%
1996 -4.74% 1.21%
1995 -3.32% -5.82%
1994 -2.2% -9.51%
1993 -0.35% -13.2%
1992 -4.55% -9.89%
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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Romania's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $32.8B, equivalent to 7.64% of GDP. This compares to Samoa's surplus of $60.3M, or 4.68% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, Romania recorded a fiscal deficit in 34 of those years, while Samoa ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, Romania posted an annual deficit equal to 4.01% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.32% of GDP for Samoa.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Romania

Samoa
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Romania Samoa
2025 7.3% 2.21%
2024 5.6% 2.17%
2023 10.4% 7.92%
2022 13.8% 11%
2021 5% 3.13%
2020 2.6% -1.57%
2019 3.8% 0.98%
2018 4.6% 4.2%
2017 1.3% 1.75%
2016 -1.6% 1.3%
2015 -0.6% 0.72%
2014 1.1% -0.41%
2013 4% 0.61%
2012 3.3% 2.05%
2011 5.8% 5.24%
2010 6.1% 0.78%
2009 5.6% 6.32%
2008 7.8% 11.6%
2007 4.8% 5.58%
2006 6.6% 3.7%
2005 9% 1.86%
2004 11.9% 16.3%
2003 15.4% 0.12%
2002 22.5% 8.05%
2001 34.5% 3.84%
2000 45.7% 0.97%
1999 45.8% 0.27%
1998 59.1% 2.22%
1997 154.8% 6.86%

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/romania/samoa | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Romania has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 17.1%, compared with 3.78% in Samoa. In 2025, inflation was 7.3% in Romania and 2.21% in Samoa.

Top exports between countries

Romania
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $41K
Samoa
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Romania Samoa
Current account balance
-$33.9B
2025
$89.3M
2025
Current account balance ranking
186/190
2025
64/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-7.9%
2025
+6.93%
2025
Goods imports
$139B
2025
$440M
2025
Goods exports
$102B
2025
$24.2M
2025
Service imports
$35.9B
2025
$108M
2025
Service exports
$50.1B
2025
$328M
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
40.7%
2025
43%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
35.5%
2025
27.6%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Romania Samoa
Economic freedom 65.4 68
Economic freedom ranking 64/197 52/197
Property rights 81 77.1
Government integrity 50 64.1
Judicial effectiveness 67 77.6
Tax burden 89.1 79.3
Government spending 56.7 75.2
Fiscal health 21.4 98.7
Business freedom 74.4 63.7
Labor freedom 63.6 73.7
Monetary freedom 72.7 69.4
Trade freedom 79.4 67.2
Investment freedom 70 40
Financial freedom 60 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Romania
Samoa
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Romania Samoa
2026 65.4 68
2025 66.5 66.6
2024 64.4 67.2
2023 64.5 68.3
2022 67.1 68.3
2021 69.5 61.9
2020 69.7 62.1
2019 68.6 62.2
2018 69.4 61.5
2017 69.7 58.4
2016 65.6 63.5
2015 66.6 61.9
2014 65.5 61.1
2013 65.1 57.1
2012 64.4 60.5
2011 64.7 60.6
2010 64.2 60.4
2009 63.2 59.5
2008 61.7 -
2007 61.2 -
2006 58.2 -
2005 52.1 -
2004 50 -
2003 50.6 -
2002 48.7 -
2001 50 63.1
2000 52.1 60.8
1999 50.1 58.7
1998 54.4 49.9
1997 50.8 51.5
1996 46.2 47.6
1995 42.9 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Romania is 65.4, ranking 64/197, compared to 68 for Samoa, ranking 52/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Romania Samoa
Services, % of GDP
61.7%
2025
72.1%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
25.3%
2025
10.2%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
3%
2025
9.09%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$384B
2025
$1.24B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$49,550
2025
$9,300
2025
Total reserves including gold
$90.6B
2025
$598M
2025
Total reserves ranking
31/177
2025
153/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$8.57B
2025
-$1.83M
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$7.16B
2024
$3.74M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$1.99B
2024
$2.05M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
3.15%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
19%
2023
21.9%
2018
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
25.9%
2025
30%
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/romania/samoa | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. TradeMap (2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)

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.