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Economy of Romania vs Saudi Arabia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Romania has a GDP of $429B compared to $1.28T for Saudi Arabia, ranking 39/197 and 19/197 by economy size, respectively.

Romania has $260B in government debt (60.6% of GDP), compared to $405B (31.7% of GDP) in Saudi Arabia.

Romania vs Saudi Arabia GDP by year

Romania
Saudi Arabia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Romania Saudi Arabia
2025 $428,677,977,855 $1,276,942,933,333
2024 $382,564,217,989 $1,254,140,800,000
2023 $347,757,995,759 $1,218,584,800,000
2022 $295,317,862,856 $1,239,075,200,000
2021 $285,072,444,957 $982,661,066,667
2020 $250,624,575,872 $767,951,200,000
2019 $250,080,428,512 $888,890,133,333
2018 $241,791,427,224 $886,564,800,000
2017 $210,147,385,855 $741,266,133,333
2016 $185,290,759,249 $689,279,466,667
2015 $177,885,131,240 $693,414,400,000
2014 $199,722,319,676 $787,153,066,667
2013 $189,798,603,751 $769,755,733,333
2012 $179,117,323,107 $751,921,333,333
2011 $192,623,977,894 $680,660,800,000
2010 $170,064,350,672 $528,207,466,667
2009 $174,110,532,659 $429,097,866,667
2008 $214,315,932,061 $519,796,800,000
2007 $174,588,782,939 $415,964,509,673
2006 $122,023,735,993 $376,900,133,511
2005 $98,454,380,120 $328,459,608,764
2004 $74,973,656,852 $258,742,133,333
2003 $57,806,384,143 $215,807,733,333
2002 $46,065,502,703 $189,605,866,667
2001 $40,395,116,581 $184,137,600,000
2000 $37,253,739,511 $189,514,933,333
1999 $35,953,156,754 $161,717,066,667
1998 $41,696,091,974 $146,775,466,667
1997 $35,575,214,078 $165,963,684,913
1996 $36,937,074,278 $158,662,483,311
1995 $37,430,162,103 $143,343,124,166
1994 $30,072,805,104 $135,174,899,866
1993 $26,361,160,450 $132,967,957,276
1992 $25,121,666,667 $137,087,850,467
1991 $28,850,634,900 $132,223,230,975
1990 $38,247,882,300 $117,630,173,565
1989 $41,450,777,202 $95,344,459,279
1988 $40,424,528,302 $88,256,074,766
1987 $38,067,567,568 $85,695,861,148
1986 - $86,961,922,765
1985 - $103,897,846,494
1984 - $119,624,858,116
1983 - $129,171,635,311
1982 - $153,240,313,858
1981 - $184,291,360,139
1980 - $164,539,660,725
1979 - $111,858,444,786
1978 - $80,266,516,687
1977 - $74,188,986,586
1976 - $64,005,665,722
1975 - $46,773,208,643
1974 - $45,412,957,746
1973 - $14,947,435,499
1972 - $9,664,267,087
1971 - $7,184,806,909
1970 - $5,377,333,333
1969 - $4,485,777,644
1968 - $4,187,777,711
1967 - $3,257,022,223
1966 - $2,920,555,557
1965 - $2,647,955,558
1964 - $2,371,808,713
1963 - $2,207,393,172
1962 - $2,130,606,532
1961 - $1,920,811,284
1960 - $1,748,124,064

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/romania/saudi-arabia | CC BY

GDP per capita in Romania vs Saudi Arabia by year

Romania
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Saudi Arabia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Romania Saudi Arabia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $22,538 - $34,537 -
2024 $20,080 $49,077 $35,528 $71,375
2023 $18,244 $45,982 $36,157 $71,565
2022 $15,503 $41,979 $38,510 $71,968
2021 $14,908 $37,534 $31,921 $62,690
2020 $13,009 $34,194 $24,339 $47,518
2019 $12,910 $33,425 $29,567 $59,560
2018 $12,416 $29,383 $29,360 $59,378
2017 $10,728 $26,943 $23,929 $53,120
2016 $9,405 $23,905 $22,268 $49,937
2015 $8,977 $21,625 $23,256 $53,931
2014 $10,032 $20,633 $27,805 $62,578
2013 $9,498 $19,678 $27,865 $62,203
2012 $8,930 $19,808 $28,733 $65,034
2011 $9,561 $18,804 $27,127 $64,125
2010 $8,400 $17,355 $22,028 $58,829
2009 $8,548 $16,641 $17,718 $54,787
2008 $10,435 $16,782 $22,320 $57,236
2007 $8,360 $13,703 $18,596 $55,030
2006 $5,758 $11,554 $17,564 $54,639
2005 $4,618 $9,602 $15,976 $53,548
2004 $3,495 $8,989 $13,154 $51,225
2003 $2,679 $7,559 $11,487 $48,078
2002 $2,120 $7,162 $10,586 $45,466
2001 $1,825 $6,520 $10,805 $47,381
2000 $1,660 $5,850 $11,715 $48,644
1999 $1,600 $5,596 $10,452 $47,495
1998 $1,853 $5,545 $9,836 $48,867
1997 $1,577 $5,564 $11,545 $48,796
1996 $1,633 $5,746 $11,472 $48,569
1995 $1,650 $5,429 $10,786 $48,052
1994 $1,323 $4,995 $10,602 $48,904
1993 $1,158 $4,699 $10,885 $49,503
1992 $1,102 $4,515 $11,730 $50,355
1991 $1,254 $4,795 $11,847 $49,295
1990 $1,648 $5,280 $11,055 $46,214
1989 $1,790 - $9,414 -
1988 $1,753 - $9,165 -
1987 $1,659 - $9,386 -
1986 - - $10,078 -
1985 - - $12,745 -
1984 - - $15,541 -
1983 - - $17,810 -
1982 - - $22,454 -
1981 - - $28,703 -
1980 - - $27,206 -
1979 - - $19,612 -
1978 - - $14,914 -
1977 - - $14,595 -
1976 - - $13,313 -
1975 - - $10,266 -
1974 - - $10,503 -
1973 - - $3,640 -
1972 - - $2,474 -
1971 - - $1,929 -
1970 - - $1,509 -
1969 - - $1,313 -
1968 - - $1,276 -
1967 - - $1,032 -
1966 - - $961 -
1965 - - $904 -
1964 - - $840 -
1963 - - $812 -
1962 - - $813 -
1961 - - $760 -
1960 - - $718 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/romania/saudi-arabia | CC BY

Romania's GDP per capita is $22,538, ranking 57/197, compared to $34,537 in Saudi Arabia, ranking 36/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Romania ranks 47th at $49,077, while Saudi Arabia ranks 24th at $71,375.

Economic indicators

Romania Saudi Arabia
Gross domestic product
$429B
2025
$1.28T
2025
GDP rank
39/197
2025
19/197
2025
GDP growth
0.68%
2024-2025
4.5%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$22,538
2025
$34,537
2025
GDP per capita rank
57/197
2025
36/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$49,077
2024
$71,375
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
47/197
2024
24/197
2024
Government debt
$260B
2025
$405B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
60.6%
2025
31.7%
2025
Government debt per person
$13,650
2025
$10,956
2025
Government debt per person rank
48/185
2025
57/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$13,510
2026
$22,010
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$70.9B
2025
$2.36T
2025
Number of millionaires n/a
348,000
2026
Number of billionaires
6
2026
15
2026
Income share by richest 10%
21.8%
2023
n/a
Income share by poorest 10%
2.4%
2023
n/a
Government expenditure, % of GDP
40.5%
2025
29%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
7.3%
2024-2025
2.08%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
6.5%
2024
4.25%
2025
Unemployment rate
6.1%
2025
3.24%
2025
Population
18912567
37955120

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Romania
Spending

Debt
Saudi Arabia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Romania Saudi Arabia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 40.5% 60.6% 29% 31.7%
2024 40% 57.5% 29.2% 25.9%
2023 37% 52.6% 28.3% 23%
2022 37.5% 51.9% 25.3% 21.3%
2021 37.2% 51.8% 28.2% 25.5%
2020 38.3% 49.5% 37.4% 29.7%
2019 33.4% 36.8% 31.8% 20.3%
2018 31.9% 36.4% 32.4% 16.8%
2017 31% 37.1% 30.9% 15.9%
2016 31.8% 39.5% 33.3% 12.2%
2015 34.2% 39.4% 38.5% 5.47%
2014 33.8% 40.5% 38.6% 1.5%
2013 34.2% 39.3% 34.5% 2.08%
2012 33.5% 36.2% 32.5% 2.97%
2011 35% 32.6% 32.4% 5.31%
2010 37.4% 30.2% 33% 8.43%
2009 36.3% 22.5% 37.1% 14%
2008 35.3% 13% 26.7% 12.1%
2007 34.6% 12.4% 29.5% 17.1%
2006 33.9% 12.7% 27.3% 25.8%
2005 32.3% 17.8% 28.2% 37.3%
2004 33.7% 21.3% 31.1% 62.9%
2003 31.8% 24.9% 33.1% 81.6%
2002 32.1% 27.4% 35.9% 96.4%
2001 33.2% 27.4% 36.9% 93.1%
2000 35% 29.6% 33.1% 86.7%
1999 35.1% 21.7% 30.3% 103%
1998 34.7% 16.5% 34.5% 101.5%
1997 33.5% 15% 35.6% 76.7%
1996 33.5% 11% 33.3% 75.2%
1995 34.4% 6.91% 32.4% 74.2%
1994 33.1% - 33.8% 67.9%
1993 33.5% - 37.7% 58.6%
1992 41.5% - 41.2% 47.8%
1991 38.3% - 34.9% 39.4%
1990 38.4% - 39.3% -
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/saudi-arabia | CC BY

In 2025, Romania's government spending was $173B, accounting for 40.5% of its GDP, while Saudi Arabia spent $370B, or 29% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 60.6% in Romania and 31.7% in Saudi Arabia, ranking 76/185 and 151/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Romania

Saudi Arabia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Romania Saudi Arabia
2025 -7.64% -5.77%
2024 -8.68% -2.46%
2023 -5.66% -1.77%
2022 -5.85% 2.24%
2021 -6.74% -1.99%
2020 -9.6% -10.2%
2019 -4.58% -3.96%
2018 -2.76% -5.21%
2017 -2.86% -8.57%
2016 -2.5% -13.2%
2015 -1.35% -14.9%
2014 -1.76% -3.4%
2013 -2.44% 5.47%
2012 -2.39% 11.7%
2011 -4.14% 11.4%
2010 -6.22% 4.39%
2009 -6.86% -5.38%
2008 -4.6% 29.8%
2007 -3.05% 11.8%
2006 -1.36% 20.8%
2005 -0.69% 18%
2004 -3.39% 9.72%
2003 -2.29% 1.2%
2002 -2.59% -5.91%
2001 -3.2% -3.91%
2000 -3.99% 3.18%
1999 -3.58% -5.99%
1998 -5.33% -8.88%
1997 -5.19% -2.51%
1996 -4.74% -3.25%
1995 -3.32% -5.12%
1994 -2.2% -8.31%
1993 -0.35% -9.33%
1992 -4.55% -8.12%
1991 3.23% -3.28%
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/saudi-arabia | 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 Saudi Arabia's deficit of $73.7B, or 5.77% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Romania recorded a fiscal deficit in 34 of those years, while Saudi Arabia ran a deficit in 23 years. On average, Romania posted an annual deficit equal to 3.81% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.34% of GDP for Saudi Arabia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Romania

Saudi Arabia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Romania Saudi Arabia
2025 7.3% 2.08%
2024 5.6% 1.69%
2023 10.4% 2.33%
2022 13.8% 2.47%
2021 5% 3.06%
2020 2.6% 3.37%
2019 3.8% -1.19%
2018 4.6% 2.47%
2017 1.3% -0.83%
2016 -1.6% 2.05%
2015 -0.6% 1.22%
2014 1.1% 2.24%
2013 4% 3.51%
2012 3.3% 2.87%
2011 5.8% 5.83%
2010 6.1% 5.34%
2009 5.6% 5.06%
2008 7.8% 9.87%
2007 4.8% 4.17%
2006 6.6% 2.21%
2005 9% 0.48%
2004 11.9% 0.52%
2003 15.4% 0.61%
2002 22.5% 0.25%
2001 34.5% -1.12%
2000 45.7% -1.12%
1999 45.8% -1.33%
1998 59.1% -0.37%
1997 154.8% 0.06%

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/saudi-arabia | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Romania has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 17.1%, compared with 1.99% in Saudi Arabia. In 2025, inflation was 7.3% in Romania and 2.08% in Saudi Arabia.

Top exports between countries

Romania
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $487M
Machinery & equipment $146M
Wood & paper products $53.3M
Animal & marine products $35.1M
Metals $34.8M
IT & IP services $21.5M
Business & finance services $18.9M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $12.1M
Textiles & consumer goods $8.27M
Transport & tourism services $8.01M
Saudi Arabia
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $337M
Chemicals & pharma $23.2M
Metals $6.81M
Machinery & equipment $5.9M
Animal & marine products $624K
Textiles & consumer goods $448K
Wood & paper products $192K
Raw agricultural goods $87K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $71K
Precious metals & jewellery $20K

Balance of trade

Romania Saudi Arabia
Current account balance
-$33.9B
2025
-$32.7B
2025
Current account balance ranking
186/190
2025
185/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-7.9%
2025
-2.56%
2025
Goods imports
$139B
2025
$230B
2025
Goods exports
$102B
2025
$311B
2025
Service imports
$35.9B
2025
$129B
2025
Service exports
$50.1B
2025
$69.4B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
40.7%
2025
28.2%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
35.5%
2025
29.7%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Romania Saudi Arabia
Economic freedom 65.4 65.4
Economic freedom ranking 64/197 65/197
Property rights 81 51.4
Government integrity 50 52.7
Judicial effectiveness 67 38.2
Tax burden 89.1 99.2
Government spending 56.7 77
Fiscal health 21.4 97.9
Business freedom 74.4 71.2
Labor freedom 63.6 41.8
Monetary freedom 72.7 81.2
Trade freedom 79.4 73.8
Investment freedom 70 50
Financial freedom 60 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Romania
Saudi Arabia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Romania Saudi Arabia
2026 65.4 65.4
2025 66.5 64.4
2024 64.4 61.9
2023 64.5 58.3
2022 67.1 55.5
2021 69.5 66
2020 69.7 62.4
2019 68.6 60.7
2018 69.4 59.6
2017 69.7 64.4
2016 65.6 62.1
2015 66.6 62.1
2014 65.5 62.2
2013 65.1 60.6
2012 64.4 62.5
2011 64.7 66.2
2010 64.2 64.1
2009 63.2 64.3
2008 61.7 62.5
2007 61.2 60.9
2006 58.2 63
2005 52.1 63
2004 50 60.4
2003 50.6 63.2
2002 48.7 65.3
2001 50 62.2
2000 52.1 66.5
1999 50.1 65.5
1998 54.4 69.3
1997 50.8 68.7
1996 46.2 68.3
1995 42.9 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/romania/saudi-arabia | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Romania is 65.4, ranking 64/197, compared to 65.4 for Saudi Arabia, ranking 65/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Romania Saudi Arabia
Services, % of GDP
61.7%
2025
48.9%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
25.3%
2025
43%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
3%
2025
2.59%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$384B
2025
$1.33T
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$49,550
2025
$74,400
2025
Total reserves including gold
$90.6B
2025
$505B
2025
Total reserves ranking
31/177
2025
8/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$8.57B
2025
-$5.6B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$7.16B
2024
$21.3B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$1.99B
2024
$27.6B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
19%
2023
n/a
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
25.9%
2025
31.6%
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/saudi-arabia | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, 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. TradeMap (2022–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, 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.

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.