Skip to content

Economy of Romania vs South Korea compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Romania has a GDP of $429B compared to $1.87T for South Korea, ranking 39/197 and 13/197 by economy size, respectively.

Romania has $260B in government debt (60.6% of GDP), compared to $978B (52.3% of GDP) in South Korea.

Romania vs South Korea GDP by year

Romania
South Korea
1x
Year GDP, current $
Romania South Korea
2025 $428,677,977,855 $1,872,374,961,553
2024 $382,564,217,989 $1,875,388,209,407
2023 $347,757,995,759 $1,844,800,934,392
2022 $295,317,862,856 $1,799,363,116,867
2021 $285,072,444,957 $1,942,313,560,966
2020 $250,624,575,872 $1,744,070,276,373
2019 $250,080,428,512 $1,751,045,752,055
2018 $241,791,427,224 $1,824,251,454,307
2017 $210,147,385,855 $1,710,196,756,713
2016 $185,290,759,249 $1,579,150,518,945
2015 $177,885,131,240 $1,539,212,301,136
2014 $199,722,319,676 $1,556,252,422,020
2013 $189,798,603,751 $1,434,669,686,502
2012 $179,117,323,107 $1,335,343,586,438
2011 $192,623,977,894 $1,307,103,477,219
2010 $170,064,350,672 $1,192,830,015,738
2009 $174,110,532,659 $983,065,242,417
2008 $214,315,932,061 $1,091,580,692,542
2007 $174,588,782,939 $1,220,911,904,593
2006 $122,023,735,993 $1,095,175,538,508
2005 $98,454,380,120 $971,740,329,984
2004 $74,973,656,852 $823,251,107,639
2003 $57,806,384,143 $728,516,494,684
2002 $46,065,502,703 $650,014,391,470
2001 $40,395,116,581 $567,564,806,235
2000 $37,253,739,511 $597,487,173,479
1999 $35,953,156,754 $515,697,079,289
1998 $41,696,091,974 $397,297,216,492
1997 $35,575,214,078 $589,202,526,424
1996 $36,937,074,278 $631,196,863,758
1995 $37,430,162,103 $586,286,469,401
1994 $30,072,805,104 $479,181,794,217
1993 $26,361,160,450 $405,705,302,846
1992 $25,121,666,667 $366,921,291,825
1991 $28,850,634,900 $340,851,946,804
1990 $38,247,882,300 $292,064,221,389
1989 $41,450,777,202 $254,236,243,100
1988 $40,424,528,302 $205,477,530,605
1987 $38,067,567,568 $152,240,393,646
1986 - $119,965,960,795
1985 - $103,764,281,281
1984 - $99,749,645,089
1983 - $89,621,208,322
1982 - $79,921,300,447
1981 - $74,287,368,087
1980 - $66,547,970,351
1979 - $68,083,884,298
1978 - $52,824,793,388
1977 - $39,064,462,810
1976 - $30,371,074,380
1975 - $22,126,033,058
1974 - $19,860,929,977
1973 - $14,067,523,813
1972 - $10,990,490,570
1971 - $10,005,257,131
1970 - $9,085,001,794
1969 - $7,743,940,189
1968 - $6,167,109,472
1967 - $4,895,076,718
1966 - $3,957,064,541
1965 - $3,141,131,708
1964 - $3,476,789,682
1963 - $4,007,692,308
1962 - $2,826,923,077
1961 - $2,427,244,761
1960 - $3,973,069,307

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

GeoRank.org/economy/romania/south-korea | CC BY

GDP per capita in Romania vs South Korea by year

Romania
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
South Korea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Romania South Korea
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $22,538 - $36,227 -
2024 $20,080 $49,077 $36,239 $61,051
2023 $18,244 $45,982 $35,674 $57,430
2022 $15,503 $41,979 $34,822 $55,509
2021 $14,908 $37,534 $37,518 $51,718
2020 $13,009 $34,194 $33,646 $47,881
2019 $12,910 $33,425 $33,827 $46,511
2018 $12,416 $29,383 $35,364 $45,511
2017 $10,728 $26,943 $33,297 $43,156
2016 $9,405 $23,905 $30,832 $41,673
2015 $8,977 $21,625 $30,172 $39,794
2014 $10,032 $20,633 $30,667 $37,032
2013 $9,498 $19,678 $28,449 $35,844
2012 $8,930 $19,808 $26,601 $35,062
2011 $9,561 $18,804 $26,175 $33,944
2010 $8,400 $17,355 $24,071 $33,120
2009 $8,548 $16,641 $19,937 $30,740
2008 $10,435 $16,782 $22,252 $31,211
2007 $8,360 $13,703 $25,078 $30,255
2006 $5,758 $11,554 $22,610 $27,972
2005 $4,618 $9,602 $20,167 $26,179
2004 $3,495 $8,989 $17,122 $24,658
2003 $2,679 $7,559 $15,212 $22,920
2002 $2,120 $7,162 $13,643 $22,173
2001 $1,825 $6,520 $11,981 $20,442
2000 $1,660 $5,850 $12,710 $19,237
1999 $1,600 $5,596 $11,063 $17,421
1998 $1,853 $5,545 $8,583 $15,500
1997 $1,577 $5,564 $12,822 $16,241
1996 $1,633 $5,746 $13,865 $15,164
1995 $1,650 $5,429 $13,002 $13,921
1994 $1,323 $4,995 $10,734 $12,551
1993 $1,158 $4,699 $9,180 $11,349
1992 $1,102 $4,515 $8,387 $10,468
1991 $1,254 $4,795 $7,873 $9,724
1990 $1,648 $5,280 $6,813 $8,567
1989 $1,790 - $5,989 -
1988 $1,753 - $4,889 -
1987 $1,659 - $3,658 -
1986 - - $2,911 -
1985 - - $2,543 -
1984 - - $2,469 -
1983 - - $2,246 -
1982 - - $2,032 -
1981 - - $1,918 -
1980 - - $1,746 -
1979 - - $1,814 -
1978 - - $1,429 -
1977 - - $1,073 -
1976 - - $847 -
1975 - - $627 -
1974 - - $572 -
1973 - - $412 -
1972 - - $328 -
1971 - - $304 -
1970 - - $281.8 -
1969 - - $245.5 -
1968 - - $200 -
1967 - - $162.5 -
1966 - - $134.4 -
1965 - - $109.4 -
1964 - - $124.2 -
1963 - - $147 -
1962 - - $106.6 -
1961 - - $94.2 -
1960 - - $158.8 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/romania/south-korea | CC BY

Romania's GDP per capita is $22,538, ranking 57/197, compared to $36,227 in South Korea, ranking 33/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Romania ranks 47th at $49,077, while South Korea ranks 33rd at $61,051.

Economic indicators

Romania South Korea
Gross domestic product
$429B
2025
$1.87T
2025
GDP rank
39/197
2025
13/197
2025
GDP growth
0.68%
2024-2025
1.01%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$22,538
2025
$36,227
2025
GDP per capita rank
57/197
2025
33/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$49,077
2024
$61,051
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
47/197
2024
33/197
2024
Government debt
$260B
2025
$978B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
60.6%
2025
52.3%
2025
Government debt per person
$13,650
2025
$18,930
2025
Government debt per person rank
48/185
2025
34/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$13,510
2026
$25,661
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$70.9B
2025
$2.76T
2025
Number of millionaires n/a
1,317,000
2026
Number of billionaires
6
2026
49
2026
Income share by richest 10%
21.8%
2023
25%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
2.4%
2023
2.9%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
40.5%
2025
24%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
7.3%
2024-2025
2.12%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
6.5%
2024
2.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
6.1%
2025
2.79%
2025
Population
18912567
51624449

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Romania
Spending

Debt
South Korea
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Romania South Korea
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 40.5% 60.6% 24% 52.3%
2024 40% 57.5% 22.5% 49.7%
2023 37% 52.6% 23.1% 50.5%
2022 37.5% 51.9% 26.7% 49.8%
2021 37.2% 51.8% 24.1% 48%
2020 38.3% 49.5% 23.7% 45.9%
2019 33.4% 36.8% 21.3% 39.7%
2018 31.9% 36.4% 19.3% 37.9%
2017 31% 37.1% 18.6% 38%
2016 31.8% 39.5% 18.5% 39.1%
2015 34.2% 39.4% 18.8% 38.8%
2014 33.8% 40.5% 18.8% 37.9%
2013 34.2% 39.3% 19% 36%
2012 33.5% 36.2% 18.8% 33.5%
2011 35% 32.6% 18.3% 31.7%
2010 37.4% 30.2% 17.9% 28.3%
2009 36.3% 22.5% 19.5% 28.8%
2008 35.3% 13% 19.1% 25.9%
2007 34.6% 12.4% 18.8% 26.3%
2006 33.9% 12.7% 18.7% 27%
2005 32.3% 17.8% 18.2% 24.9%
2004 33.7% 21.3% 18.5% 21.6%
2003 31.8% 24.9% 17.9% 19.1%
2002 32.1% 27.4% 15.9% 16.4%
2001 33.2% 27.4% 16.9% 16.6%
2000 35% 29.6% 16% 16.1%
1999 35.1% 21.7% 16.1% 15.8%
1998 34.7% 16.5% 16% 13.8%
1997 33.5% 15% 13.9% 9.69%
1996 33.5% 11% 14% 7.81%
1995 34.4% 6.91% 13.5% 8.48%
1994 33.1% - 15.4% 9.63%
1993 33.5% - 15.1% 10.9%
1992 41.5% - 15.5% 11.6%
1991 38.3% - 15.4% 11.9%
1990 38.4% - 15.2% 12.8%
1989 40.1% - 15% 12.4%
1988 36.6% - 13.9% 12.7%
1987 40.7% - 14.3% 15.3%
1986 42.5% - 14.9% 14.5%
1985 41.6% - 15.5% 16.2%
1984 28.6% - 15.6% 16.9%
1983 25.8% - 16% 19.3%
1982 28.5% - 17.8% 20.5%
1981 30.4% - 16.3% 18.8%
1980 33.6% - 16.8% 18.6%
1979 42% - 16.3% 15.7%
1978 42.1% - 15.7% 18.4%
1977 39.9% - 17.7% 20.1%
1976 37.5% - 17% 20.4%
1975 40.6% - 18.8% 21.5%
1974 37.6% - 16.1% 18.6%
1973 32.6% - 14.2% 17.9%
1972 29.9% - 18.5% 18.3%
1971 27.2% - 18.5% 14.5%
1970 28.1% - 17.5% 6.95%
1969 32.1% - 19.8% 2.63%
1968 31.8% - 18.5% 2.76%
1967 30.6% - 16.7% 3.74%
1966 27.3% - 16% 4.44%
1965 25.6% - 13.1% 6.14%
1964 25.1% - 12.1% 6.57%
1963 23.1% - 15.4% 9.21%
1962 43.4% - 22.3% 13%
1961 - - 21.2% 13.4%
1960 - - 17.9% 13.7%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/romania/south-korea | CC BY

In 2025, Romania's government spending was $173B, accounting for 40.5% of its GDP, while South Korea spent $449B, or 24% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 60.6% in Romania and 52.3% in South Korea, ranking 76/185 and 98/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Romania

South Korea
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Romania South Korea
2025 -7.64% -1.43%
2024 -8.68% -0.78%
2023 -5.66% -0.67%
2022 -5.85% -1.49%
2021 -6.74% -0.02%
2020 -9.6% -2.11%
2019 -4.58% 0.35%
2018 -2.76% 2.42%
2017 -2.86% 2.08%
2016 -2.5% 1.56%
2015 -1.35% 0.5%
2014 -1.76% 0.57%
2013 -2.44% 0.79%
2012 -2.39% 1.63%
2011 -4.14% 1.72%
2010 -6.22% 1.61%
2009 -6.86% 0.24%
2008 -4.6% 1.58%
2007 -3.05% 2.49%
2006 -1.36% 1.18%
2005 -0.69% 0.95%
2004 -3.39% 0.09%
2003 -2.29% 1.51%
2002 -2.59% 3.23%
2001 -3.2% 2.42%
2000 -3.99% 3.91%
1999 -3.58% 1.15%
1998 -5.33% 1.09%
1997 -5.19% 2.31%
1996 -4.74% 2.3%
1995 -3.32% 2.16%
1994 -2.2% 2.06%
1993 -0.35% 3.21%
1992 -4.55% 2.42%
1991 3.23% 1.94%
1990 1.03% 2.98%
1989 -2.87% 2.27%
1988 8.4% 2.85%
1987 2.37% 1.7%
1986 5.72% 0.8%
1985 6.36% 0.47%
1984 15.2% 0.78%
1983 9.35% 1.05%
1982 0.36% -0.41%
1981 0.61% 0.99%
1980 -1.95% 0.46%
1979 0% 0.47%
1978 0% -0.27%
1977 0.23% -1.81%
1976 0.66% -0.87%
1975 0.41% -3.68%
1974 0.51% -2.78%
1973 1.53% -1.72%
1972 1.21% -4.33%
1971 0.89% -1.3%
1970 0.52% -0.52%
1969 0.93% -2.85%
1968 1.65% -2.36%
1967 1.23% -2.87%
1966 0.91% -4.27%
1965 -1.29% -3.43%
1964 -3.11% -4.1%
1963 -1.61% -4.32%
1962 -4.86% -7.82%
1961 - -9.48%
1960 - -5.18%
1959 - -6.52%
1958 - -10%
1957 - -10.1%
1956 - -10.8%
1955 - -10.6%
1954 - -10.3%
1953 - -4.14%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1953–1994, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/romania/south-korea | 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 South Korea's deficit of $26.8B, or 1.43% of GDP.

Over the past 39 years, Romania recorded a fiscal deficit in 35 of those years, while South Korea ran a deficit in 6 years. On average, Romania posted an annual deficit equal to 3.19% of GDP, compared to surplus of 1.35% of GDP for South Korea.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Romania

South Korea
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Romania South Korea
2025 7.3% 2.12%
2024 5.6% 2.32%
2023 10.4% 3.6%
2022 13.8% 5.09%
2021 5% 2.5%
2020 2.6% 0.54%
2019 3.8% 0.38%
2018 4.6% 1.48%
2017 1.3% 1.94%
2016 -1.6% 0.97%
2015 -0.6% 0.71%
2014 1.1% 1.27%
2013 4% 1.3%
2012 3.3% 2.19%
2011 5.8% 4.03%
2010 6.1% 2.94%
2009 5.6% 2.76%
2008 7.8% 4.67%
2007 4.8% 2.53%
2006 6.6% 2.24%
2005 9% 2.75%
2004 11.9% 3.59%
2003 15.4% 3.51%
2002 22.5% 2.76%
2001 34.5% 4.07%
2000 45.7% 2.26%
1999 45.8% 0.81%
1998 59.1% 7.51%
1997 154.8% 4.44%

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/south-korea | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Romania has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 17.1%, compared with 2.67% in South Korea. In 2025, inflation was 7.3% in Romania and 2.12% in South Korea.

Top exports between countries

Romania
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $81M
Metals $34.4M
IT & IP services $27.2M
Raw agricultural goods $25M
Business & finance services $15.3M
Raw materials & minerals $9.71M
Chemicals & pharma $7.16M
Transport & tourism services $6.92M
Textiles & consumer goods $6.87M
Wood & paper products $2.66M
South Korea
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $325M
Chemicals & pharma $114M
Metals $94.4M
Miscellaneous $42.6M
Raw materials & minerals $34M
Textiles & consumer goods $22M
Weapons & explosives $12.1M
Wood & paper products $4.48M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $3.05M
Precious metals & jewellery $521K

Balance of trade

Romania South Korea
Current account balance
-$33.9B
2025
$123B
2025
Current account balance ranking
186/190
2025
4/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-7.9%
2025
+6.57%
2025
Goods imports
$139B
2025
$581B
2025
Goods exports
$102B
2025
$719B
2025
Service imports
$35.9B
2025
$185B
2025
Service exports
$50.1B
2025
$150B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
40.7%
2025
40.6%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
35.5%
2025
45.8%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Romania South Korea
Economic freedom 65.4 73.7
Economic freedom ranking 64/197 24/197
Property rights 81 89.6
Government integrity 50 70.9
Judicial effectiveness 67 77.5
Tax burden 89.1 61.5
Government spending 56.7 82.6
Fiscal health 21.4 93.5
Business freedom 74.4 81.5
Labor freedom 63.6 55
Monetary freedom 72.7 79.3
Trade freedom 79.4 73
Investment freedom 70 60
Financial freedom 60 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Romania
South Korea
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Romania South Korea
2026 65.4 73.7
2025 66.5 74
2024 64.4 73.1
2023 64.5 73.7
2022 67.1 74.6
2021 69.5 74
2020 69.7 74
2019 68.6 72.3
2018 69.4 73.8
2017 69.7 74.3
2016 65.6 71.7
2015 66.6 71.5
2014 65.5 71.2
2013 65.1 70.3
2012 64.4 69.9
2011 64.7 69.8
2010 64.2 69.9
2009 63.2 68.1
2008 61.7 68.6
2007 61.2 67.8
2006 58.2 67.5
2005 52.1 66.4
2004 50 67.8
2003 50.6 68.3
2002 48.7 69.5
2001 50 69.1
2000 52.1 69.7
1999 50.1 69.7
1998 54.4 73.3
1997 50.8 69.8
1996 46.2 73
1995 42.9 72

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

GeoRank.org/economy/romania/south-korea | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Romania is 65.4, ranking 64/197, compared to 73.7 for South Korea, ranking 24/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Romania South Korea
Services, % of GDP
61.7%
2025
57.2%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
25.3%
2025
34.3%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
3%
2025
1.46%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$384B
2025
$1.96T
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$49,550
2025
$64,210
2025
Total reserves including gold
$90.6B
2025
$437B
2025
Total reserves ranking
31/177
2025
9/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$8.57B
2025
$25.4B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$7.16B
2024
$12.9B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$1.99B
2024
$49.7B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
19%
2023
14.4%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
25.9%
2025
29.1%
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/south-korea | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

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 (1953–1999, 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 (2024–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, 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.