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Economy of Romania vs Sri Lanka compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Romania has a GDP of $383B compared to $99B for Sri Lanka, ranking 42/197 and 72/197 by economy size, respectively.

Romania has $220B in government debt (57.4% of GDP), compared to $99.8B (100.8% of GDP) in Sri Lanka.

Romania vs Sri Lanka GDP by year

Romania
Sri Lanka
1x
Year GDP, current $
Romania Sri Lanka
2024 $382,564,217,989 $98,963,185,510
2023 $347,757,995,759 $83,716,142,582
2022 $295,319,437,557 $74,143,020,263
2021 $285,071,280,114 $88,556,698,938
2020 $250,625,048,304 $84,335,574,582
2019 $250,080,428,512 $88,998,706,297
2018 $241,791,427,224 $94,450,015,983
2017 $210,147,385,855 $94,369,350,286
2016 $185,290,759,249 $88,000,211,172
2015 $177,885,131,240 $85,090,301,052
2014 $199,722,319,676 $82,531,125,191
2013 $189,798,603,751 $76,976,203,829
2012 $179,117,323,107 $70,447,217,164
2011 $192,623,977,894 $67,753,285,897
2010 $170,064,350,672 $58,636,049,434
2009 $174,110,532,659 $42,066,224,093
2008 $214,315,932,061 $40,713,826,215
2007 $174,588,782,939 $32,350,238,760
2006 $122,023,735,993 $28,267,410,543
2005 $98,454,380,120 $24,405,791,045
2004 $74,973,656,852 $20,662,525,941
2003 $57,806,384,143 $18,881,765,437
2002 $46,065,502,703 $16,536,535,647
2001 $40,395,116,581 $15,749,753,805
2000 $37,253,739,511 $16,595,882,819
1999 $35,953,156,754 $15,711,933,513
1998 $41,696,091,974 $15,760,736,956
1997 $35,575,214,078 $15,091,913,884
1996 $36,937,074,278 $13,897,738,375
1995 $37,430,162,103 $13,029,697,561
1994 $30,072,805,104 $11,717,604,209
1993 $26,361,160,450 $10,338,679,636
1992 $25,121,666,667 $9,703,011,636
1991 $28,850,634,900 $9,000,362,582
1990 $38,247,882,300 $8,032,551,173
1989 $41,450,777,202 $6,987,267,684
1988 $40,424,528,302 $6,978,371,581
1987 $38,067,567,568 $6,682,167,120
1986 - $6,405,210,564
1985 - $5,978,460,972
1984 - $6,043,474,843
1983 - $5,167,913,302
1982 - $4,768,765,017
1981 - $4,415,844,156
1980 - $4,024,621,900
1979 - $3,364,611,432
1978 - $2,733,183,857
1977 - $4,104,509,583
1976 - $3,591,319,857
1975 - $3,791,298,146
1974 - $3,574,586,466
1973 - $2,875,625,000
1972 - $2,553,936,348
1971 - $2,369,308,600
1970 - $2,296,470,588
1969 - $1,965,546,218
1968 - $1,801,344,538
1967 - $1,859,465,021
1966 - $1,751,470,588
1965 - $1,698,319,328
1964 - $1,309,747,899
1963 - $1,240,672,269
1962 - $1,434,156,379
1961 - $1,444,327,731
1960 - $1,409,873,950

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/romania/sri-lanka | CC BY

GDP per capita in Romania vs Sri Lanka by year

Romania
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Sri Lanka
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Romania Sri Lanka
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $20,080 $49,077 $4,516 $15,633
2023 $18,244 $45,982 $3,799 $14,456
2022 $15,504 $41,979 $3,343 $14,194
2021 $14,908 $37,534 $3,997 $14,316
2020 $13,009 $34,194 $3,848 $12,941
2019 $12,910 $33,425 $4,082 $14,113
2018 $12,416 $29,383 $4,359 $14,178
2017 $10,728 $26,943 $4,399 $13,610
2016 $9,405 $23,905 $4,149 $13,079
2015 $8,977 $21,625 $4,058 $12,227
2014 $10,032 $20,633 $3,972 $11,721
2013 $9,498 $19,678 $3,739 $11,253
2012 $8,930 $19,808 $3,328 $10,249
2011 $9,561 $18,804 $3,225 $9,076
2010 $8,400 $17,355 $2,808 $8,234
2009 $8,548 $16,641 $2,027 $7,576
2008 $10,435 $16,782 $1,974 $7,317
2007 $8,360 $13,703 $1,579 $6,820
2006 $5,758 $11,554 $1,389 $6,261
2005 $4,618 $9,602 $1,207 $5,679
2004 $3,495 $8,989 $1,029 $5,216
2003 $2,679 $7,559 $946 $4,850
2002 $2,120 $7,162 $835 $4,522
2001 $1,825 $6,520 $804 $4,328
2000 $1,660 $5,850 $860 $4,368
1999 $1,600 $5,596 $829 $4,103
1998 $1,853 $5,545 $848 $3,952
1997 $1,577 $5,564 $827 $3,804
1996 $1,633 $5,746 $776 $3,582
1995 $1,650 $5,429 $742 $3,454
1994 $1,323 $4,995 $678 $3,260
1993 $1,158 $4,699 $607 $3,067
1992 $1,102 $4,515 $580 $2,851
1991 $1,254 $4,795 $546 $2,713
1990 $1,648 $5,280 $491 $2,527
1989 $1,790 - $430 -
1988 $1,753 - $434 -
1987 $1,659 - $420 -
1986 - - $407 -
1985 - - $385 -
1984 - - $391 -
1983 - - $336 -
1982 - - $312 -
1981 - - $292.5 -
1980 - - $271.1 -
1979 - - $230.8 -
1978 - - $191 -
1977 - - $292.1 -
1976 - - $260.3 -
1975 - - $279.8 -
1974 - - $268.7 -
1973 - - $220.2 -
1972 - - $199.4 -
1971 - - $188.8 -
1970 - - $186.9 -
1969 - - $163.6 -
1968 - - $153.5 -
1967 - - $162.3 -
1966 - - $156.6 -
1965 - - $155.6 -
1964 - - $122.9 -
1963 - - $119.4 -
1962 - - $141.4 -
1961 - - $145.9 -
1960 - - $145.9 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/romania/sri-lanka | CC BY

Romania's GDP per capita is $20,080, ranking 58/197, compared to $4,516 in Sri Lanka, ranking 124/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Romania ranks 47th at $49,077, while Sri Lanka ranks 111th at $15,633.

Economic indicators

Romania Sri Lanka
Gross domestic product
$383B
2024
$99B
2024
GDP rank
42/197
2024
72/197
2024
GDP growth
0.92%
2023-2024
5.01%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$20,080
2024
$4,516
2024
GDP per capita rank
58/197
2024
124/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$49,077
2024
$15,633
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
47/197
2024
111/197
2024
Government debt
$220B
2024
$99.8B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
57.4%
2024
100.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$11,533
2024
$4,554
2024
Government debt per person rank
48/185
2024
85/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$13,912
2026
$2,874
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$47.4B
2024
$19.5B
2024
Number of billionaires
6
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
21.8%
2023
30.8%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
2.4%
2023
3.1%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
39.9%
2024
19.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
5.6%
2023-2024
-0.43%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
6.5%
2024
7.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
5.43%
2024
4.67%
2023
Population
18839108
22185425

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Romania
Spending

Debt
Sri Lanka
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Romania Sri Lanka
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 39.9% 57.4% 19.3% 100.8%
2023 36.6% 52.1% 19.5% 110.4%
2022 37.4% 51.7% 18.6% 115.9%
2021 37% 51.5% 20% 102.7%
2020 38.1% 49.3% 22.1% 96.9%
2019 33.2% 36.5% 19.5% 82.6%
2018 31.7% 36.2% 17.5% 83.6%
2017 31% 37.1% 17.9% 72.3%
2016 31.8% 39.5% 18.2% 75%
2015 34.2% 39.4% 19.3% 76.3%
2014 33.8% 40.5% 17.2% 69.6%
2013 34.2% 39.3% 16.6% 69.5%
2012 33.5% 36.2% 17.3% 67.5%
2011 35% 32.6% 19.1% 69.4%
2010 37.4% 30.2% 19.3% 68.7%
2009 36.3% 22.5% 21% 72.8%
2008 35.3% 13% 19.1% 68.8%
2007 34.6% 12.4% 19.9% 71.8%
2006 33.9% 12.7% 20.5% 74.3%
2005 32.3% 17.8% 20.1% 76.6%
2004 33.7% 21.3% 19.3% 86.5%
2003 31.8% 24.9% 19.3% 86.5%
2002 32.1% 27.4% 20.8% 96.3%
2001 33.2% 27.4% 22.4% 84.4%
2000 35% 29.6% 21.7% 79.2%
1999 35.1% 21.7% 20.5% 77.7%
1998 34.7% 16.5% 21.4% 74.2%
1997 33.5% 15% 21.4% 70.1%
1996 33.5% 11% 23.1% 76.2%
1995 34.4% 6.91% 24.8% 77.8%
1994 33.1% - 24.1% 77.9%
1993 33.5% - 23.2% 79.2%
1992 41.5% - 23% 77.9%
1991 38.3% - 26.4% 80.5%
1990 38.4% - 25.4% 78.9%
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/sri-lanka | CC BY

In 2024, Romania's government spending was $153B, accounting for 39.9% of its GDP, while Sri Lanka spent $19.1B, or 19.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 57.4% in Romania and 100.8% in Sri Lanka, ranking 87/185 and 23/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Romania

Sri Lanka
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Romania Sri Lanka
2024 -8.68% -5.64%
2023 -5.61% -8.32%
2022 -5.83% -10.2%
2021 -6.7% -11.7%
2020 -9.54% -13.4%
2019 -4.55% -7.52%
2018 -2.74% -4.96%
2017 -2.86% -5.1%
2016 -2.5% -5%
2015 -1.35% -6.64%
2014 -1.76% -5.99%
2013 -2.44% -5%
2012 -2.39% -5.44%
2011 -4.14% -6.01%
2010 -6.22% -6.73%
2009 -6.86% -8.33%
2008 -4.6% -5.93%
2007 -3.05% -5.81%
2006 -1.36% -5.91%
2005 -0.69% -5.93%
2004 -3.39% -6.32%
2003 -2.29% -6.15%
2002 -2.59% -6.9%
2001 -3.2% -8.48%
2000 -3.99% -7.78%
1999 -3.58% -5.58%
1998 -5.33% -6.79%
1997 -5.19% -5.71%
1996 -4.74% -6.89%
1995 -3.32% -7.11%
1994 -2.2% -7.41%
1993 -0.35% -5.77%
1992 -4.55% -4.95%
1991 3.23% -7.97%
1990 1.03% -6.39%
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/sri-lanka | 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 Sri Lanka's deficit of $5.58B, or 5.64% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Romania recorded a fiscal deficit in 33 of those years, while Sri Lanka ran a deficit in 35 years. On average, Romania posted an annual deficit equal to 3.55% of GDP, compared to deficit of 6.85% of GDP for Sri Lanka.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Romania

Sri Lanka
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Romania Sri Lanka
2024 5.6% -0.43%
2023 10.4% 16.5%
2022 13.8% 49.7%
2021 5% 7.01%
2020 2.6% 6.15%
2019 3.8% 3.53%
2018 4.6% 2.14%
2017 1.3% 7.7%
2016 -1.6% 3.96%
2015 -0.6% 3.77%
2014 1.1% 3.18%
2013 4% 6.91%
2012 3.3% 7.54%
2011 5.8% 6.72%
2010 6.1% 6.22%
2009 5.6% 3.46%
2008 7.8% 22.6%
2007 4.8% 15.8%
2006 6.6% 10%
2005 9% 11.6%
2004 11.9% 7.58%
2003 15.4% 6.31%
2002 22.5% 9.55%
2001 34.5% 14.2%
2000 45.7% 6.18%
1999 45.8% 4.69%
1998 59.1% 9.36%
1997 154.8% 9.57%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/romania/sri-lanka | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Romania has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 17.5%, compared with 9.34% in Sri Lanka. In 2024, inflation was 5.6% in Romania and -0.43% in Sri Lanka.

Top exports between countries

Romania
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $28.8M
Textiles & consumer goods $344K
Machinery & equipment $258K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $177K
Animal & marine products $95K
Raw materials & minerals $74K
Chemicals & pharma $26K
Miscellaneous $23K
Wood & paper products $19K
Metals $12K
Sri Lanka
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $4.76M
Raw materials & minerals $2.89M
Textiles & consumer goods $1.79M
Raw agricultural goods $1.69M
Metals $221K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $220K
Chemicals & pharma $215K
Animal & marine products $31K
Precious metals & jewellery $13K
Wood & paper products $7K

Balance of trade

Romania Sri Lanka
Current account balance
-$31.2B
2024
$1.21B
2024
Current account balance ranking
185/190
2024
53/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-8.16%
2024
+1.22%
2024
Goods imports
$129B
2024
$18.8B
2024
Goods exports
$93.3B
2024
$12.8B
2024
Service imports
$30.2B
2024
$3.48B
2024
Service exports
$42.9B
2024
$6.91B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
41.6%
2024
22.5%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
35.6%
2024
19.9%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Romania Sri Lanka
Economic freedom 65.4 50.3
Economic freedom ranking 64/197 162/197
Property rights 81 47.3
Government integrity 50 37.3
Judicial effectiveness 67 47.2
Tax burden 89.1 77
Government spending 56.7 89
Fiscal health 21.4 0
Business freedom 74.4 60.1
Labor freedom 63.6 54.3
Monetary freedom 72.7 65.9
Trade freedom 79.4 65.6
Investment freedom 70 30
Financial freedom 60 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Romania
Sri Lanka
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Romania Sri Lanka
2026 65.4 50.3
2025 66.5 49.4
2024 64.4 49.2
2023 64.5 52.2
2022 67.1 53.3
2021 69.5 55.7
2020 69.7 57.4
2019 68.6 56.4
2018 69.4 57.8
2017 69.7 57.4
2016 65.6 59.9
2015 66.6 58.6
2014 65.5 60
2013 65.1 60.7
2012 64.4 58.3
2011 64.7 57.1
2010 64.2 54.6
2009 63.2 56
2008 61.7 58.4
2007 61.2 59.4
2006 58.2 58.7
2005 52.1 61
2004 50 61.6
2003 50.6 62.5
2002 48.7 64
2001 50 66
2000 52.1 63.2
1999 50.1 64
1998 54.4 64.6
1997 50.8 65.5
1996 46.2 62.5
1995 42.9 60.6

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/romania/sri-lanka | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Romania is 65.4, ranking 64/197, compared to 50.3 for Sri Lanka, ranking 162/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Romania Sri Lanka
Services, % of GDP
62.6%
2024
57.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
25.3%
2024
25.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.81%
2024
8.3%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$335B
2024
$84.6B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$47,920
2024
$15,240
2024
Total reserves including gold
$73.4B
2024
$6.09B
2024
Total reserves ranking
35/177
2024
92/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$5.17B
2024
-$651M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$7.16B
2024
$761M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$1.99B
2024
$110M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
4.98%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
19%
2023
14.3%
2019
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
25%
2024
27%
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/sri-lanka | 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 (2022–2024, 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.