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Economy of Romania vs Samoa compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Romania has a GDP of $383B compared to $1.18B for Samoa, ranking 42/197 and 185/197 by economy size, respectively.

Romania has $220B in government debt (57.4% of GDP), compared to $296M (25.2% of GDP) in Samoa.

Romania vs Samoa GDP by year

Romania
Samoa
1x
Year GDP, current $
Romania Samoa
2024 $382,564,217,989 $1,175,749,786
2023 $347,757,995,759 $1,044,909,500
2022 $295,319,437,557 $889,554,712
2021 $285,071,280,114 $859,724,936
2020 $250,625,048,304 $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 (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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
2024 $20,080 $49,077 $5,393 $8,737
2023 $18,244 $45,982 $4,823 $8,195
2022 $15,504 $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 (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Romania's GDP per capita is $20,080, ranking 58/197, compared to $5,393 in Samoa, ranking 117/197. 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
$383B
2024
$1.18B
2024
GDP rank
42/197
2024
185/197
2024
GDP growth
0.92%
2023-2024
4.75%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$20,080
2024
$5,393
2024
GDP per capita rank
58/197
2024
117/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$49,077
2024
$8,737
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
47/197
2024
137/197
2024
Government debt
$220B
2024
$296M
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
57.4%
2024
25.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$11,533
2024
$1,357
2024
Government debt per person rank
48/185
2024
135/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$13,912
2026
$3,750
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$47.4B
2024
n/a
Number of billionaires
6
2025
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
39.9%
2024
26.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
5.6%
2023-2024
2.17%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
6.5%
2024
0.37%
2024
Unemployment rate
5.43%
2024
5.05%
2022
Population
18839108
220932

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
2024 39.9% 57.4% 26.3% 25.2%
2023 36.6% 52.1% 28.8% 31.8%
2022 37.4% 51.7% 31.1% 41%
2021 37% 51.5% 34.1% 45.4%
2020 38.1% 49.3% 30.5% 43.2%
2019 33.2% 36.5% 31.8% 44.3%
2018 31.7% 36.2% 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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Romania's government spending was $153B, accounting for 39.9% of its GDP, while Samoa spent $310M, or 26.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 57.4% in Romania and 25.2% in Samoa, ranking 87/185 and 165/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Romania

Samoa
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Romania Samoa
2024 -8.68% 9.29%
2023 -5.61% 2.7%
2022 -5.83% 5.03%
2021 -6.7% 1.71%
2020 -9.54% 5.41%
2019 -4.55% 1.51%
2018 -2.74% 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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/romania/samoa | 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 Samoa's surplus of $109M, or 9.29% of GDP.

Over the past 33 years, Romania recorded a fiscal deficit in 33 of those years, while Samoa ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, Romania posted an annual deficit equal to 3.9% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.51% of GDP for Samoa.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Romania

Samoa
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Romania Samoa
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 (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 28 years, Romania has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 17.5%, compared with 3.84% in Samoa. In 2024, inflation was 5.6% in Romania and 2.17% in Samoa.

Balance of trade

Romania Samoa
Current account balance
-$31.2B
2024
$65.6M
2024
Current account balance ranking
185/190
2024
72/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-8.16%
2024
+5.58%
2024
Goods imports
$129B
2024
$448M
2024
Goods exports
$93.3B
2024
$42.2M
2024
Service imports
$30.2B
2024
$128M
2024
Service exports
$42.9B
2024
$327M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
41.6%
2024
48.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
35.6%
2024
30.7%
2024

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 2026-03-09).

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
62.6%
2024
69.4%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
25.3%
2024
10.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.81%
2024
9.8%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$335B
2024
$1.1B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$47,920
2024
$8,620
2024
Total reserves including gold
$73.4B
2024
$508M
2024
Total reserves ranking
35/177
2024
155/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$5.17B
2024
-$1.69M
2024
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%
2024
29%
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/samoa | CC BY

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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. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. 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.