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Economy of Romania vs Sierra Leone compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Romania has a GDP of $429B compared to $7.46B for Sierra Leone, ranking 39/197 and 160/197 by economy size, respectively.

Romania has $260B in government debt (60.6% of GDP), compared to $3.38B (45.2% of GDP) in Sierra Leone.

Romania vs Sierra Leone GDP by year

Romania
Sierra Leone
1x
Year GDP, current $
Romania Sierra Leone
2025 $428,677,977,855 $7,464,157,904
2024 $382,564,217,989 $6,971,127,234
2023 $347,757,995,759 $6,415,852,766
2022 $295,317,862,856 $7,121,125,277
2021 $285,072,444,957 $7,166,931,483
2020 $250,624,575,872 $6,688,307,706
2019 $250,080,428,512 $6,523,577,590
2018 $241,791,427,224 $6,390,514,689
2017 $210,147,385,855 $5,749,846,528
2016 $185,290,759,249 $6,084,297,211
2015 $177,885,131,240 $6,788,352,975
2014 $199,722,319,676 $7,686,138,791
2013 $189,798,603,751 $7,502,762,863
2012 $179,117,323,107 $6,141,666,509
2011 $192,623,977,894 $4,861,632,885
2010 $170,064,350,672 $4,262,805,967
2009 $174,110,532,659 $3,953,403,098
2008 $214,315,932,061 $4,157,895,298
2007 $174,588,782,939 $3,632,957,611
2006 $122,023,735,993 $3,263,697,467
2005 $98,454,380,120 $2,545,275,313
2004 $74,973,656,852 $2,237,350,687
2003 $57,806,384,143 $2,142,618,046
2002 $46,065,502,703 $1,933,863,911
2001 $40,395,116,581 $1,681,473,894
2000 $37,253,739,511 $635,866,404
1999 $35,953,156,754 $669,386,624
1998 $41,696,091,974 $672,368,187
1997 $35,575,214,078 $850,232,760
1996 $36,937,074,278 $941,709,423
1995 $37,430,162,103 $870,740,292
1994 $30,072,805,104 $911,853,802
1993 $26,361,160,450 $768,867,883
1992 $25,121,666,667 $679,940,814
1991 $28,850,634,900 $779,981,987
1990 $38,247,882,300 $649,644,098
1989 $41,450,777,202 $932,974,420
1988 $40,424,528,302 $1,055,083,933
1987 $38,067,567,568 $660,106,336
1986 - $490,181,457
1985 - $856,890,459
1984 - $1,087,471,862
1983 - $995,104,305
1982 - $1,295,361,886
1981 - $1,114,830,472
1980 - $1,100,685,845
1979 - $1,109,374,911
1978 - $960,728,339
1977 - $691,777,584
1976 - $594,895,942
1975 - $679,336,344
1974 - $648,590,643
1973 - $575,230,724
1972 - $465,381,340
1971 - $419,549,305
1970 - $434,410,974
1969 - $408,690,163
1968 - $329,859,732
1967 - $348,795,303
1966 - $375,479,850
1965 - $359,379,856
1964 - $371,847,461
1963 - $348,547,279
1962 - $342,721,416
1961 - $327,834,191
1960 - $322,009,962

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

GeoRank.org/economy/romania/sierra-leone | CC BY

GDP per capita in Romania vs Sierra Leone by year

Romania
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Sierra Leone
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Romania Sierra Leone
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $22,538 - $846 -
2024 $20,080 $49,077 $807 $3,522
2023 $18,244 $45,982 $758 $3,368
2022 $15,503 $41,979 $860 $3,144
2021 $14,908 $37,534 $885 $2,849
2020 $13,009 $34,194 $845 $2,719
2019 $12,910 $33,425 $844 $2,704
2018 $12,416 $29,383 $846 $2,640
2017 $10,728 $26,943 $779 $2,501
2016 $9,405 $23,905 $844 $2,635
2015 $8,977 $21,625 $965 $2,560
2014 $10,032 $20,633 $1,118 $2,762
2013 $9,498 $19,678 $1,117 $2,701
2012 $8,930 $19,808 $938 $2,317
2011 $9,561 $18,804 $761 $2,043
2010 $8,400 $17,355 $685 $1,900
2009 $8,548 $16,641 $653 $1,814
2008 $10,435 $16,782 $705 $1,824
2007 $8,360 $13,703 $632 $1,770
2006 $5,758 $11,554 $580 $1,698
2005 $4,618 $9,602 $463 $1,615
2004 $3,495 $8,989 $418 $1,541
2003 $2,679 $7,559 $414 $1,458
2002 $2,120 $7,162 $389 $1,360
2001 $1,825 $6,520 $358 $1,121
2000 $1,660 $5,850 $143.7 $1,242
1999 $1,600 $5,596 $155 $1,167
1998 $1,853 $5,545 $156.5 $1,180
1997 $1,577 $5,564 $199.9 $1,157
1996 $1,633 $5,746 $224.3 $1,225
1995 $1,650 $5,429 $208.4 $1,187
1994 $1,323 $4,995 $218.5 $1,266
1993 $1,158 $4,699 $185 $1,269
1992 $1,102 $4,515 $163.2 $1,220
1991 $1,254 $4,795 $183.7 $1,445
1990 $1,648 $5,280 $154.8 $1,382
1989 $1,790 - $231.3 -
1988 $1,753 - $268.2 -
1987 $1,659 - $172.4 -
1986 - - $131.5 -
1985 - - $235.5 -
1984 - - $306 -
1983 - - $285.8 -
1982 - - $380 -
1981 - - $334 -
1980 - - $336 -
1979 - - $346 -
1978 - - $305 -
1977 - - $224.2 -
1976 - - $196.4 -
1975 - - $228.4 -
1974 - - $222.1 -
1973 - - $200.6 -
1972 - - $165.4 -
1971 - - $151.8 -
1970 - - $160.2 -
1969 - - $153.6 -
1968 - - $126.3 -
1967 - - $136.1 -
1966 - - $149.3 -
1965 - - $145.6 -
1964 - - $153.4 -
1963 - - $146.3 -
1962 - - $146.3 -
1961 - - $142.3 -
1960 - - $142 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/romania/sierra-leone | CC BY

Romania's GDP per capita is $22,538, ranking 57/197, compared to $846 in Sierra Leone, ranking 186/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Romania ranks 47th at $49,077, while Sierra Leone ranks 171st at $3,522.

Economic indicators

Romania Sierra Leone
Gross domestic product
$429B
2025
$7.46B
2025
GDP rank
39/197
2025
160/197
2025
GDP growth
0.68%
2024-2025
4.61%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$22,538
2025
$846
2025
GDP per capita rank
57/197
2025
186/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$49,077
2024
$3,522
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
47/197
2024
171/197
2024
Government debt
$260B
2025
$3.38B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
60.6%
2025
45.2%
2025
Government debt per person
$13,650
2025
$383
2025
Government debt per person rank
48/185
2025
173/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$13,510
2026
$1,418
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
29.4%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
2.4%
2023
3.4%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
40.5%
2025
16.5%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
7.3%
2024-2025
7.6%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
6.5%
2024
16.8%
2025
Unemployment rate
6.1%
2025
1.65%
2018
Population
18912567
9090531

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Romania
Spending

Debt
Sierra Leone
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Romania Sierra Leone
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 40.5% 60.6% 16.5% 45.2%
2024 40% 57.5% 17.6% 46.7%
2023 37% 52.6% 15.4% 49.4%
2022 37.5% 51.9% 16.7% 54%
2021 37.2% 51.8% 16.8% 47.1%
2020 38.3% 49.5% 15.6% 46.4%
2019 33.4% 36.8% 13.3% 45.3%
2018 31.9% 36.4% 13.7% 44.2%
2017 31% 37.1% 15% 44.2%
2016 31.8% 39.5% 14.9% 38.9%
2015 34.2% 39.4% 13.1% 28.4%
2014 33.8% 40.5% 13.5% 26.8%
2013 34.2% 39.3% 11.4% 22.3%
2012 33.5% 36.2% 13.5% 24.1%
2011 35% 32.6% 13.2% 25.8%
2010 37.4% 30.2% 12.5% 28.9%
2009 36.3% 22.5% 11.3% 31.1%
2008 35.3% 13% 10.3% 46.1%
2007 34.6% 12.4% 8.1% 26.4%
2006 33.9% 12.7% 9.97% 61.9%
2005 32.3% 17.8% 10.9% 78.9%
2004 33.7% 21.3% 11.1% 93.2%
2003 31.8% 24.9% 11.7% 99.8%
2002 32.1% 27.4% 12.6% 99.8%
2001 33.2% 27.4% 12% 113.5%
2000 35% 29.6% 10.3% -
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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/romania/sierra-leone | CC BY

In 2025, Romania's government spending was $173B, accounting for 40.5% of its GDP, while Sierra Leone spent $1.23B, or 16.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 60.6% in Romania and 45.2% in Sierra Leone, ranking 76/185 and 115/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Romania

Sierra Leone
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Romania Sierra Leone
2025 -7.64% -4.2%
2024 -8.68% -5.16%
2023 -5.66% -4.99%
2022 -5.85% -5.93%
2021 -6.74% -4.35%
2020 -9.6% -3.5%
2019 -4.58% -1.95%
2018 -2.76% -3.57%
2017 -2.86% -5.61%
2016 -2.5% -5.41%
2015 -1.35% -2.86%
2014 -1.76% -2.77%
2013 -2.44% -1.74%
2012 -2.39% -3.41%
2011 -4.14% -2.78%
2010 -6.22% -3.09%
2009 -6.86% -1.51%
2008 -4.6% -2.22%
2007 -3.05% 12.6%
2006 -1.36% -0.93%
2005 -0.69% -1.17%
2004 -3.39% -1.46%
2003 -2.29% -2.78%
2002 -2.59% -3.03%
2001 -3.2% -3.22%
2000 -3.99% -1.94%
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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/romania/sierra-leone | 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 Sierra Leone's deficit of $313M, or 4.2% of GDP.

Over the past 26 years, Romania recorded a fiscal deficit in 26 of those years, while Sierra Leone ran a deficit in 25 years. On average, Romania posted an annual deficit equal to 4.12% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.58% of GDP for Sierra Leone.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Romania

Sierra Leone
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Romania Sierra Leone
2025 7.3% 7.6%
2024 5.6% 28.4%
2023 10.4% 47.7%
2022 13.8% 27.2%
2021 5% 11.9%
2020 2.6% 13.4%
2019 3.8% 14.8%
2018 4.6% 16%
2017 1.3% 18.2%
2016 -1.6% 10.9%
2015 -0.6% 6.7%
2014 1.1% 4.6%
2013 4% 5.5%
2012 3.3% 6.6%
2011 5.8% 6.8%
2010 6.1% 7.2%
2009 5.6% 7.5%
2008 7.8% 8.2%
2007 4.8% 17%
2006 6.6% 10.5%
2005 9% 13.7%
2004 11.9% 12.9%
2003 15.4% 4%
2002 22.5% 0.1%
2001 34.5% 2.6%
2000 45.7% -0.9%
1999 45.8% 34.1%
1998 59.1% 36%
1997 154.8% 14.6%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/romania/sierra-leone | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Romania has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 17.1%, compared with 13.6% in Sierra Leone. In 2025, inflation was 7.3% in Romania and 7.6% in Sierra Leone.

Top exports between countries

Romania
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $3.13M
Metals $343K
Animal & marine products $167K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $75K
Chemicals & pharma $31K
Wood & paper products $27K
Textiles & consumer goods $17K
Raw materials & minerals $6K
Raw agricultural goods $2K
Miscellaneous $1K
Sierra Leone
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $15.9M

Balance of trade

Romania Sierra Leone
Current account balance
-$33.9B
2025
-$984M
2024
Current account balance ranking
186/190
2025
115/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-7.9%
2025
-14.1%
2024
Goods imports
$139B
2025
$2.4B
2024
Goods exports
$102B
2025
$1.55B
2024
Service imports
$35.9B
2025
$514M
2024
Service exports
$50.1B
2025
$49.6M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
40.7%
2025
28.2%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
35.5%
2025
20.9%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Romania Sierra Leone
Economic freedom 65.4 49.6
Economic freedom ranking 64/197 165/197
Property rights 81 32.9
Government integrity 50 35.8
Judicial effectiveness 67 42
Tax burden 89.1 88.2
Government spending 56.7 92.4
Fiscal health 21.4 54.1
Business freedom 74.4 44.8
Labor freedom 63.6 38.2
Monetary freedom 72.7 53.6
Trade freedom 79.4 63.6
Investment freedom 70 30
Financial freedom 60 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Romania
Sierra Leone
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Romania Sierra Leone
2026 65.4 49.6
2025 66.5 48
2024 64.4 44.6
2023 64.5 50.2
2022 67.1 52
2021 69.5 51.7
2020 69.7 48
2019 68.6 47.5
2018 69.4 51.8
2017 69.7 52.6
2016 65.6 52.3
2015 66.6 51.7
2014 65.5 50.5
2013 65.1 48.3
2012 64.4 49.1
2011 64.7 49.6
2010 64.2 47.9
2009 63.2 47.8
2008 61.7 48.3
2007 61.2 47
2006 58.2 45.2
2005 52.1 44.8
2004 50 43.6
2003 50.6 42.2
2002 48.7 -
2001 50 -
2000 52.1 44.2
1999 50.1 47.2
1998 54.4 47.7
1997 50.8 45
1996 46.2 52.3
1995 42.9 49.8

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

GeoRank.org/economy/romania/sierra-leone | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Romania is 65.4, ranking 64/197, compared to 49.6 for Sierra Leone, ranking 165/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Romania Sierra Leone
Services, % of GDP
61.7%
2025
41.6%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
25.3%
2025
25.7%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
3%
2025
29.5%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$384B
2025
$7.34B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$49,550
2025
$3,690
2025
Total reserves including gold
$90.6B
2025
$433M
2024
Total reserves ranking
31/177
2025
161/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$8.57B
2025
-$122M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$7.16B
2024
$122M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$1.99B
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
2.22%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
19%
2023
56.8%
2018
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
25.9%
2025
23.2%
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/sierra-leone | 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 (2018–2025, 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.

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.