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Economy of Romania vs Sierra Leone compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Romania has a GDP of $383B compared to $6.97B for Sierra Leone, ranking 42/197 and 160/197 by economy size, respectively.

Romania has $220B in government debt (57.4% of GDP), compared to $2.91B (41.7% of GDP) in Sierra Leone.

Romania vs Sierra Leone GDP by year

Romania
Sierra Leone
1x
Year GDP, current $
Romania Sierra Leone
2024 $382,564,217,989 $6,971,127,235
2023 $347,757,995,759 $6,415,852,767
2022 $295,319,437,557 $7,121,125,278
2021 $285,071,280,114 $7,166,931,485
2020 $250,625,048,304 $6,688,307,703
2019 $250,080,428,512 $6,523,577,594
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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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
2024 $20,080 $49,077 $807 $3,522
2023 $18,244 $45,982 $758 $3,368
2022 $15,504 $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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Romania's GDP per capita is $20,080, ranking 58/197, compared to $807 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
$383B
2024
$6.97B
2024
GDP rank
42/197
2024
160/197
2024
GDP growth
0.92%
2023-2024
4.29%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$20,080
2024
$807
2024
GDP per capita rank
58/197
2024
186/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$49,077
2024
$3,522
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
47/197
2024
171/197
2024
Government debt
$220B
2024
$2.91B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
57.4%
2024
41.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$11,533
2024
$337
2024
Government debt per person rank
48/185
2024
174/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$13,912
2026
$2,915
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
29.4%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
2.4%
2023
3.4%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
39.9%
2024
15.6%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
5.6%
2023-2024
28.4%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
6.5%
2024
18.8%
2025
Unemployment rate
5.43%
2024
3.19%
2018
Population
18839108
9049533

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
2024 39.9% 57.4% 15.6% 41.7%
2023 36.6% 52.1% 15.4% 49.5%
2022 37.4% 51.7% 16.7% 54%
2021 37% 51.5% 16.8% 47.1%
2020 38.1% 49.3% 15.6% 46.4%
2019 33.2% 36.5% 13.3% 45.3%
2018 31.7% 36.2% 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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Romania's government spending was $153B, accounting for 39.9% of its GDP, while Sierra Leone spent $1.09B, or 15.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 57.4% in Romania and 41.7% in Sierra Leone, ranking 87/185 and 128/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Romania

Sierra Leone
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Romania Sierra Leone
2024 -8.68% -4.53%
2023 -5.61% -4.99%
2022 -5.83% -5.93%
2021 -6.7% -4.35%
2020 -9.54% -3.5%
2019 -4.55% -1.95%
2018 -2.74% -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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/romania/sierra-leone | 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 Sierra Leone's deficit of $316M, or 4.53% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Romania recorded a fiscal deficit in 25 of those years, while Sierra Leone ran a deficit in 24 years. On average, Romania posted an annual deficit equal to 3.97% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.49% of GDP for Sierra Leone.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Romania

Sierra Leone
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Romania Sierra Leone
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 (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

Over the past 28 years, Romania has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 17.5%, compared with 13.8% in Sierra Leone. In 2024, inflation was 5.6% in Romania and 28.4% in Sierra Leone.

Top exports between countries

Romania
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $477K
Metals $343K
Animal & marine products $86K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $51K
Chemicals & pharma $17K
Textiles & consumer goods $17K
Wood & paper products $11K
Raw materials & minerals $7K
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
-$31.2B
2024
-$606M
2023
Current account balance ranking
185/190
2024
109/190
2023
Current account balance, % of GDP
-8.16%
2024
-9.45%
2023
Goods imports
$129B
2024
$1.92B
2023
Goods exports
$93.3B
2024
$1.34B
2023
Service imports
$30.2B
2024
$348M
2023
Service exports
$42.9B
2024
$42.5M
2023
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
41.6%
2024
23.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
35.6%
2024
17.3%
2024

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 2026-03-09).

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
62.6%
2024
42.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
25.3%
2024
25.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.81%
2024
29.2%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$335B
2024
$7.08B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$47,920
2024
$3,490
2024
Total reserves including gold
$73.4B
2024
$433M
2024
Total reserves ranking
35/177
2024
160/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$5.17B
2024
-$241M
2023
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%
2024
20.5%
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/sierra-leone | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, 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. TradeMap (2018–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. 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.