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Economy of Romania vs Sao Tome and Principe compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Romania has a GDP of $383B compared to $822M for Sao Tome and Principe, ranking 42/197 and 189/197 by economy size, respectively.

Romania has $220B in government debt (57.4% of GDP), compared to $533M (64.8% of GDP) in Sao Tome and Principe.

Romania vs Sao Tome and Principe GDP by year

Romania
Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year GDP, current $
Romania Sao Tome
2024 $382,564,217,989 $822,154,621
2023 $347,757,995,759 $690,456,807
2022 $295,319,437,557 $540,809,499
2021 $285,071,280,114 $524,402,456
2020 $250,625,048,304 $471,229,485
2019 $250,080,428,512 $412,976,083
2018 $241,791,427,224 $383,717,328
2017 $210,147,385,855 $322,002,845
2016 $185,290,759,249 $292,267,272
2015 $177,885,131,240 $259,999,643
2014 $199,722,319,676 $293,119,143
2013 $189,798,603,751 $267,041,748
2012 $179,117,323,107 $225,815,132
2011 $192,623,977,894 $226,455,001
2010 $170,064,350,672 $190,021,192
2009 $174,110,532,659 $200,668,065
2008 $214,315,932,061 $188,021,165
2007 $174,588,782,939 $149,146,919
2006 $122,023,735,993 $142,775,104
2005 $98,454,380,120 $136,450,662
2004 $74,973,656,852 $114,582,284
2003 $57,806,384,143 $102,085,769
2002 $46,065,502,703 $85,171,074
2001 $40,395,116,581 $75,951,133
2000 $37,253,739,511 $76,198,395
1999 $35,953,156,754 $77,302,212
1998 $41,696,091,974 $72,285,404
1997 $35,575,214,078 $91,920,274
1996 $36,937,074,278 $135,188,166
1995 $37,430,162,103 $103,695,237
1994 $30,072,805,104 $131,338,415
1993 $26,361,160,450 $125,742,229
1992 $25,121,666,667 $94,861,781
1991 $28,850,634,900 $107,484,143
1990 $38,247,882,300 $119,297,933
1989 $41,450,777,202 $98,545,367
1988 $40,424,528,302 $99,000,764
1987 $38,067,567,568 $115,952,925
1986 - $115,928,907
1985 - $82,733,069
1984 - $78,213,796
1983 - $75,110,289
1982 - $80,307,763
1981 - $83,499,264
1980 - $81,662,231
1979 - $65,755,928
1978 - $55,044,563
1977 - $49,207,692
1976 - $52,039,421
1975 - $60,101,710
1974 - $57,817,591
1973 - $56,011,245
1972 - $41,430,257
1971 - $37,288,845
1970 - $37,211,826

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

GeoRank.org/economy/romania/sao-tome-and-principe | CC BY

GDP per capita in Romania vs Sao Tome and Principe by year

Romania
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Sao Tome and Principe
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Romania Sao Tome
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $20,080 $49,077 $3,491 $6,242
2023 $18,244 $45,982 $2,991 $6,150
2022 $15,504 $41,979 $2,390 $6,034
2021 $14,908 $37,534 $2,363 $5,733
2020 $13,009 $34,194 $2,167 $5,145
2019 $12,910 $33,425 $1,935 $4,655
2018 $12,416 $29,383 $1,826 $3,941
2017 $10,728 $26,943 $1,556 $3,436
2016 $9,405 $23,905 $1,435 $3,320
2015 $8,977 $21,625 $1,298 $3,172
2014 $10,032 $20,633 $1,490 $3,233
2013 $9,498 $19,678 $1,383 $2,946
2012 $8,930 $19,808 $1,192 $2,653
2011 $9,561 $18,804 $1,220 $2,914
2010 $8,400 $17,355 $1,045 $2,859
2009 $8,548 $16,641 $1,128 $2,846
2008 $10,435 $16,782 $1,082 $2,802
2007 $8,360 $13,703 $879 $2,650
2006 $5,758 $11,554 $862 $2,551
2005 $4,618 $9,602 $844 $2,329
2004 $3,495 $8,989 $727 $2,171
2003 $2,679 $7,559 $664 $2,094
2002 $2,120 $7,162 $568 $1,945
2001 $1,825 $6,520 $519 $1,898
2000 $1,660 $5,850 $529 $1,830
1999 $1,600 $5,596 $543 $1,802
1998 $1,853 $5,545 $514 $1,754
1997 $1,577 $5,564 $662 $1,714
1996 $1,633 $5,746 $987 $1,693
1995 $1,650 $5,429 $769 $1,663
1994 $1,323 $4,995 $990 $1,623
1993 $1,158 $4,699 $964 $1,581
1992 $1,102 $4,515 $740 $1,556
1991 $1,254 $4,795 $855 $1,540
1990 $1,648 $5,280 $970 $1,504
1989 $1,790 - $821 -
1988 $1,753 - $847 -
1987 $1,659 - $1,018 -
1986 - - $1,043 -
1985 - - $761 -
1984 - - $735 -
1983 - - $720 -
1982 - - $783 -
1981 - - $830 -
1980 - - $829 -
1979 - - $683 -
1978 - - $587 -
1977 - - $539 -
1976 - - $585 -
1975 - - $693 -
1974 - - $683 -
1973 - - $676 -
1972 - - $511 -
1971 - - $470 -
1970 - - $479 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/romania/sao-tome-and-principe | CC BY

Romania's GDP per capita is $20,080, ranking 58/197, compared to $3,491 in Sao Tome and Principe, ranking 134/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Romania ranks 47th at $49,077, while Sao Tome and Principe ranks 151st at $6,242.

Economic indicators

Romania Sao Tome
Gross domestic product
$383B
2024
$822M
2024
GDP rank
42/197
2024
189/197
2024
GDP growth
0.92%
2023-2024
1.1%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$20,080
2024
$3,491
2024
GDP per capita rank
58/197
2024
134/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$49,077
2024
$6,242
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
47/197
2024
151/197
2024
Government debt
$220B
2024
$533M
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
57.4%
2024
64.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$11,533
2024
$2,262
2024
Government debt per person rank
48/185
2024
116/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$13,912
2026
$3,111
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
32.8%
2017
Income share by poorest 10%
2.4%
2023
2.6%
2017
Government expenditure, % of GDP
39.9%
2024
24.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
5.6%
2023-2024
14.4%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
6.5%
2024
n/a
Unemployment rate
5.43%
2024
6.66%
2017
Population
18839108
246362

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Romania
Spending

Debt
Sao Tome and Principe
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Romania Sao Tome
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 39.9% 57.4% 24.7% 64.8%
2023 36.6% 52.1% 23.9% 73.2%
2022 37.4% 51.7% 27.7% 86.8%
2021 37% 51.5% 25.6% 85.1%
2020 38.1% 49.3% 23.2% 91%
2019 33.2% 36.5% 22.8% 98.6%
2018 31.7% 36.2% 28% 95.9%
2017 31% 37.1% 31.9% 92.3%
2016 31.8% 39.5% 38.3% 104.6%
2015 34.2% 39.4% 41.6% 101.1%
2014 33.8% 40.5% 36% 92.5%
2013 34.2% 39.3% 35.5% 76.8%
2012 33.5% 36.2% 50.5% 59.6%
2011 35% 32.6% 53.4% 86%
2010 37.4% 30.2% 51.7% 83%
2009 36.3% 22.5% 48.6% 70.3%
2008 35.3% 13% 30.4% 60.7%
2007 34.6% 12.4% 38.9% 110.1%
2006 33.9% 12.7% 32.5% 283.2%
2005 32.3% 17.8% 43.7% 334%
2004 33.7% 21.3% 60.6% 354%
2003 31.8% 24.9% 51.9% 329%
2002 32.1% 27.4% 44.3% 367%
2001 33.2% 27.4% 52.8% 418%
2000 35% 29.6% 10.7% -
1999 35.1% 21.7% - -
1998 34.7% 16.5% - -
1997 33.5% 15% - -
1996 33.5% 11% - -
1995 34.4% 6.91% - -
1994 33.1% - - -
1993 33.5% - - -
1992 41.5% - - -
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/sao-tome-and-principe | CC BY

In 2024, Romania's government spending was $153B, accounting for 39.9% of its GDP, while Sao Tome and Principe spent $203M, or 24.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 57.4% in Romania and 64.8% in Sao Tome and Principe, ranking 87/185 and 69/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Romania

Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Romania Sao Tome
2024 -8.68% 0.92%
2023 -5.61% -2.13%
2022 -5.83% -2.24%
2021 -6.7% -1.52%
2020 -9.54% 2.94%
2019 -4.55% -0.07%
2018 -2.74% -2.02%
2017 -2.86% -3.11%
2016 -2.5% -5.01%
2015 -1.35% -7.6%
2014 -1.76% -6.27%
2013 -2.44% 2.13%
2012 -2.39% -12.3%
2011 -4.14% -13%
2010 -6.22% -12.1%
2009 -6.86% -18%
2008 -4.6% 13.6%
2007 -3.05% 125.1%
2006 -1.36% 18%
2005 -0.69% 26.8%
2004 -3.39% -25.1%
2003 -2.29% -15.9%
2002 -2.59% -10.4%
2001 -3.2% -13.5%
2000 -3.99% 51.5%
1999 -3.58% -
1998 -5.33% -
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% -

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/sao-tome-and-principe | 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 Sao Tome and Principe's surplus of $7.57M, or 0.92% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Romania recorded a fiscal deficit in 25 of those years, while Sao Tome and Principe ran a deficit in 17 years. On average, Romania posted an annual deficit equal to 3.97% of GDP, compared to surplus of 3.63% of GDP for Sao Tome and Principe.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Romania

Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Romania Sao Tome
2024 5.6% 14.4%
2023 10.4% 21.2%
2022 13.8% 18%
2021 5% 8.1%
2020 2.6% 9.8%
2019 3.8% 7.7%
2018 4.6% 7.9%
2017 1.3% 5.7%
2016 -1.6% 5.4%
2015 -0.6% 6.1%
2014 1.1% 7%
2013 4% 8.1%
2012 3.3% 10.6%
2011 5.8% 14.3%
2010 6.1% 13.3%
2009 5.6% 17%
2008 7.8% 32%
2007 4.8% 18.6%
2006 6.6% 23.1%
2005 9% 17.2%
2004 11.9% 13.3%
2003 15.4% 9.8%
2002 22.5% 10.1%
2001 34.5% 9.2%
2000 45.7% 11%
1999 45.8% 11%
1998 59.1% 42.1%
1997 154.8% 69%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/romania/sao-tome-and-principe | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Romania has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 17.5%, compared with 15.8% in Sao Tome and Principe. In 2024, inflation was 5.6% in Romania and 14.4% in Sao Tome and Principe.

Top exports between countries

Romania
Export category Export value
Wood & paper products $3K
Sao Tome
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Romania Sao Tome
Current account balance
-$31.2B
2024
$41.5M
2024
Current account balance ranking
185/190
2024
74/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-8.16%
2024
+5.05%
2024
Goods imports
$129B
2024
$153M
2024
Goods exports
$93.3B
2024
$29.3M
2024
Service imports
$30.2B
2024
$83M
2024
Service exports
$42.9B
2024
$88.2M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
41.6%
2024
n/a
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
35.6%
2024
10%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Romania Sao Tome
Economic freedom 65.4 60.6
Economic freedom ranking 64/197 93/197
Property rights 81 55.2
Government integrity 50 47.2
Judicial effectiveness 67 60.8
Tax burden 89.1 88.6
Government spending 56.7 80.6
Fiscal health 21.4 89.5
Business freedom 74.4 59.9
Labor freedom 63.6 40.8
Monetary freedom 72.7 59.4
Trade freedom 79.4 65
Investment freedom 70 50
Financial freedom 60 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Romania
Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Romania Sao Tome
2026 65.4 60.6
2025 66.5 60.4
2024 64.4 60.5
2023 64.5 61.5
2022 67.1 60.3
2021 69.5 55.9
2020 69.7 56.2
2019 68.6 54
2018 69.4 53.6
2017 69.7 55.4
2016 65.6 56.7
2015 66.6 53.3
2014 65.5 48.8
2013 65.1 48
2012 64.4 50.2
2011 64.7 49.5
2010 64.2 48.8
2009 63.2 43.8
2008 61.7 -
2007 61.2 -
2006 58.2 -
2005 52.1 -
2004 50 -
2003 50.6 -
2002 48.7 -
2001 50 -
2000 52.1 -
1999 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/romania/sao-tome-and-principe | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Romania is 65.4, ranking 64/197, compared to 60.6 for Sao Tome and Principe, ranking 93/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Romania Sao Tome
Services, % of GDP
62.6%
2024
80.3%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
25.3%
2024
2.83%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.81%
2024
12.5%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$335B
2024
$671M
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$47,920
2024
$6,240
2024
Total reserves including gold
$73.4B
2024
$46.2M
2023
Total reserves ranking
35/177
2024
176/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$5.17B
2024
$20.5M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$7.16B
2024
-$16.7M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$1.99B
2024
$3.83M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
0.64%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
19%
2023
66.2%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
25%
2024
n/a

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/sao-tome-and-principe | 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)
  8. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  9. TradeMap (2023, retrieved 2026-02-08)

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.