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Economy of Romania vs Syria compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Romania has a GDP of $429B compared to $20B for Syria, ranking 39/197 and 134/197 by economy size, respectively.

Romania has $260B in government debt (60.6% of GDP), compared to $18.4B (30% of GDP) in Syria.

Romania vs Syria GDP by year

Romania
Syria
1x
Year GDP, current $
Romania Syria
2025 $428,677,977,855 -
2024 $382,564,217,989 -
2023 $347,757,995,759 $19,993,439,950
2022 $295,317,862,856 $23,737,634,644
2021 $285,072,444,957 $14,892,885,528
2020 $250,624,575,872 $12,501,503,673
2019 $250,080,428,512 $22,583,046,645
2018 $241,791,427,224 $21,497,779,248
2017 $210,147,385,855 $16,369,842,725
2016 $185,290,759,249 $12,597,854,088
2015 $177,885,131,240 $16,466,861,435
2014 $199,722,319,676 $21,502,061,466
2013 $189,798,603,751 $21,361,254,635
2012 $179,117,323,107 $43,190,318,033
2011 $192,623,977,894 $67,539,433,544
2010 $170,064,350,672 $61,390,833,273
2009 $174,110,532,659 $54,111,721,044
2008 $214,315,932,061 $52,557,913,397
2007 $174,588,782,939 $40,465,331,020
2006 $122,023,735,993 $33,751,812,959
2005 $98,454,380,120 $28,858,937,499
2004 $74,973,656,852 $25,086,910,448
2003 $57,806,384,143 $21,828,144,686
2002 $46,065,502,703 $20,786,986,580
2001 $40,395,116,581 $20,078,599,626
2000 $37,253,739,511 $18,937,031,610
1999 $35,953,156,754 $15,873,875,969
1998 $41,696,091,974 $15,200,846,154
1997 $35,575,214,078 $14,505,233,463
1996 $36,937,074,278 $13,789,560,878
1995 $37,430,162,103 $11,396,706,587
1994 $30,072,805,104 $10,122,020,000
1993 $26,361,160,450 $13,695,962,055
1992 $25,121,666,667 $13,253,565,861
1991 $28,850,634,900 $12,981,833,333
1990 $38,247,882,300 $12,308,624,418
1989 $41,450,777,202 $9,853,395,762
1988 $40,424,528,302 $10,577,041,645
1987 $38,067,567,568 $11,356,215,543
1986 - $13,293,205,278
1985 - $16,403,539,893
1984 - $17,503,078,174
1983 - $17,589,277,143
1982 - $16,298,929,011
1981 - $15,518,201,335
1980 - $13,062,420,382
1979 - $9,929,681,529
1978 - $9,275,200,458
1977 - $7,696,011,396
1976 - $7,633,528,867
1975 - $6,826,980,444
1974 - $5,159,557,148
1973 - $3,239,487,516
1972 - $3,059,681,698
1971 - $2,589,851,325
1970 - $2,140,384,010
1969 - $2,245,011,515
1968 - $1,753,746,430
1967 - $1,580,229,799
1966 - $1,342,287,553
1965 - $1,472,036,540
1964 - $1,339,494,267
1963 - $1,200,447,408
1962 - $1,110,565,881
1961 - $945,244,972
1960 - $857,704,413

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

GeoRank.org/economy/romania/syria | CC BY

GDP per capita in Romania vs Syria by year

Romania
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Syria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Romania Syria
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $22,538 - - -
2024 $20,080 $49,077 - -
2023 $18,244 $45,982 $847 $4,650
2022 $15,503 $41,979 $1,057 $4,772
2021 $14,908 $37,534 $689 $4,593
2020 $13,009 $34,194 $594 $3,738
2019 $12,910 $33,425 $1,110 $3,502
2018 $12,416 $29,383 $1,098 $3,456
2017 $10,728 $26,943 $852 $3,265
2016 $9,405 $23,905 $656 -
2015 $8,977 $21,625 $848 -
2014 $10,032 $20,633 $1,061 -
2013 $9,498 $19,678 $986 -
2012 $8,930 $19,808 $1,898 -
2011 $9,561 $18,804 $2,952 -
2010 $8,400 $17,355 $2,731 -
2009 $8,548 $16,641 $2,462 -
2008 $10,435 $16,782 $2,429 -
2007 $8,360 $13,703 $1,938 -
2006 $5,758 $11,554 $1,719 -
2005 $4,618 $9,602 $1,534 -
2004 $3,495 $8,989 $1,368 -
2003 $2,679 $7,559 $1,220 -
2002 $2,120 $7,162 $1,190 -
2001 $1,825 $6,520 $1,178 -
2000 $1,660 $5,850 $1,138 -
1999 $1,600 $5,596 $978 -
1998 $1,853 $5,545 $961 -
1997 $1,577 $5,564 $941 -
1996 $1,633 $5,746 $918 -
1995 $1,650 $5,429 $780 -
1994 $1,323 $4,995 $712 -
1993 $1,158 $4,699 $993 -
1992 $1,102 $4,515 $990 -
1991 $1,254 $4,795 $1,000 -
1990 $1,648 $5,280 $978 -
1989 $1,790 - $809 -
1988 $1,753 - $898 -
1987 $1,659 - $997 -
1986 - - $1,208 -
1985 - - $1,544 -
1984 - - $1,706 -
1983 - - $1,776 -
1982 - - $1,703 -
1981 - - $1,676 -
1980 - - $1,458 -
1979 - - $1,146 -
1978 - - $1,108 -
1977 - - $951 -
1976 - - $976 -
1975 - - $904 -
1974 - - $707 -
1973 - - $459 -
1972 - - $448 -
1971 - - $393 -
1970 - - $335 -
1969 - - $364 -
1968 - - $293.3 -
1967 - - $272.9 -
1966 - - $239.3 -
1965 - - $270.8 -
1964 - - $254.2 -
1963 - - $234.9 -
1962 - - $223.9 -
1961 - - $196.3 -
1960 - - $183.5 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/romania/syria | CC BY

Romania's GDP per capita is $22,538, ranking 57/197, compared to $847 in Syria, ranking 185/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Romania ranks 47th at $49,077, while Syria ranks 160th at $4,650.

Economic indicators

Romania Syria
Gross domestic product
$429B
2025
$20B
2023
GDP rank
39/197
2025
134/197
2023
GDP growth
0.68%
2024-2025
-1.85%
2022-2023
GDP per capita
$22,538
2025
$847
2023
GDP per capita rank
57/197
2025
185/197
2023
GDP per capita, PPP
$49,077
2024
$4,650
2023
GDP per capita PPP rank
47/197
2024
160/197
2023
Government debt
$260B
2025
$18.4B
2010
Debt-to-GDP ratio
60.6%
2025
30%
2010
Government debt per person
$13,650
2025
$820
2010
Government debt per person rank
48/185
2025
150/185
2010
Average annual personal income after taxes
$13,510
2026
$693
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
20.9%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2.4%
2023
3.8%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
40.5%
2025
28.6%
2010
Consumer prices inflation
7.3%
2024-2025
13.4%
2018-2019
Central bank interest rate
6.5%
2024
n/a
Unemployment rate
6.1%
2025
14.9%
2011
Population
18912567
26956472

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Romania
Spending

Debt
Syria
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Romania Syria
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 40.5% 60.6% - -
2024 40% 57.5% - -
2023 37% 52.6% - -
2022 37.5% 51.9% - -
2021 37.2% 51.8% - -
2020 38.3% 49.5% - -
2019 33.4% 36.8% - -
2018 31.9% 36.4% - -
2017 31% 37.1% - -
2016 31.8% 39.5% - -
2015 34.2% 39.4% - -
2014 33.8% 40.5% - -
2013 34.2% 39.3% - -
2012 33.5% 36.2% - -
2011 35% 32.6% - -
2010 37.4% 30.2% 28.6% 30%
2009 36.3% 22.5% 26.7% 31.2%
2008 35.3% 13% 22.9% 37.3%
2007 34.6% 12.4% 25.7% 42.7%
2006 33.9% 12.7% 26.3% 45%
2005 32.3% 17.8% 28.2% 50.7%
2004 33.7% 21.3% 31.3% 113%
2003 31.8% 24.9% 32.6% 133.4%
2002 32.1% 27.4% 28.5% 132.4%
2001 33.2% 27.4% 28% 144.5%
2000 35% 29.6% 27.4% 152.1%
1999 35.1% 21.7% 28% 147.7%
1998 34.7% 16.5% 28.8% 151.2%
1997 33.5% 15% 29% 147.6%
1996 33.5% 11% 27.7% 141.5%
1995 34.4% 6.91% 29.8% 152.6%
1994 33.1% - 30.3% 163%
1993 33.5% - 29.4% 171.9%
1992 41.5% - 34.2% 173.6%
1991 38.3% - 34.3% 182.4%
1990 38.4% - 28.3% 189.8%
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/syria | CC BY

In 2025, Romania's government spending was $173B, accounting for 40.5% of its GDP, while Syria spent $17.6B, or 28.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 60.6% in Romania and 30% in Syria, ranking 76/185 and 155/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Romania

Syria
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Romania Syria
2025 -7.64% -
2024 -8.68% -
2023 -5.66% -
2022 -5.85% -
2021 -6.74% -
2020 -9.6% -
2019 -4.58% -
2018 -2.76% -
2017 -2.86% -
2016 -2.5% -
2015 -1.35% -
2014 -1.76% -
2013 -2.44% -
2012 -2.39% -
2011 -4.14% -
2010 -6.22% -7.79%
2009 -6.86% -2.89%
2008 -4.6% -2.86%
2007 -3.05% -2.99%
2006 -1.36% -1.12%
2005 -0.69% -4.41%
2004 -3.39% -4.18%
2003 -2.29% -2.7%
2002 -2.59% -2.02%
2001 -3.2% 2.3%
2000 -3.99% -1.36%
1999 -3.58% -1.47%
1998 -5.33% -2.81%
1997 -5.19% -1.78%
1996 -4.74% -2.83%
1995 -3.32% -3.81%
1994 -2.2% -6%
1993 -0.35% -4.96%
1992 -4.55% -7.26%
1991 3.23% -6.57%
1990 1.03% -3.92%
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/syria | CC BY

In 2010, Romania's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $10.6B, equivalent to 6.22% of GDP. This compares to Syria's deficit of $4.78B, or 7.79% of GDP.

Over the past 21 years, Romania recorded a fiscal deficit in 19 of those years, while Syria ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, Romania posted an annual deficit equal to 3.01% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.4% of GDP for Syria.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Romania

Syria
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Romania Syria
2025 7.3% -
2024 5.6% -
2023 10.4% -
2022 13.8% -
2021 5% -
2020 2.6% -
2019 3.8% 13.4%
2018 4.6% 0.94%
2017 1.3% 18.1%
2016 -1.6% 47.7%
2015 -0.6% 38.5%
2014 1.1% 10.9%
2013 4% 40%
2012 3.3% 36.7%
2011 5.8% 4.75%
2010 6.1% 4.4%
2009 5.6% 2.92%
2008 7.8% 15.7%
2007 4.8% 3.91%
2006 6.6% 10%
2005 9% 7.24%
2004 11.9% 4.43%
2003 15.4% 5.8%
2002 22.5% -0.13%
2001 34.5% 3%
2000 45.7% -3.85%
1999 45.8% -3.7%
1998 59.1% -0.8%
1997 154.8% 1.89%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2019, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/romania/syria | CC BY

Over the past 23 years, Romania has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 19.6%, compared with 11.4% in Syria. In 2019, inflation was 7.3% in Romania and 13.4% in Syria.

Top exports between countries

Romania
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $15.6M
Wood & paper products $2.77M
Animal & marine products $1.17M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.15M
Miscellaneous $702K
Chemicals & pharma $406K
Machinery & equipment $406K
Textiles & consumer goods $176K
Metals $136K
Raw materials & minerals $4K
Syria
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $5.5M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $2.06M
Raw agricultural goods $749K
Chemicals & pharma $522K
Raw materials & minerals $145K
Wood & paper products $138K
Metals $108K
Miscellaneous $42K
Machinery & equipment $34K
Precious metals & jewellery $8K

Balance of trade

Romania Syria
Current account balance
-$33.9B
2025
-$367M
2010
Current account balance ranking
186/190
2025
99/190
2010
Current account balance, % of GDP
-7.9%
2025
-0.6%
2010
Goods imports
$139B
2025
$15.9B
2010
Goods exports
$102B
2025
$12.3B
2010
Service imports
$35.9B
2025
$3.53B
2010
Service exports
$50.1B
2025
$7.33B
2010
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
40.7%
2025
28.7%
2022
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
35.5%
2025
6.78%
2022

Economic freedom indices

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

Romania Syria
Economic freedom 65.4 51.2
Economic freedom ranking 64/197 155/197
Property rights 81 4
Government integrity 50 3.6
Judicial effectiveness 67 3.7
Tax burden 89.1 87.3
Government spending 56.7 78.5
Fiscal health 21.4 13.8
Business freedom 74.4 33.8
Labor freedom 63.6 37.2
Monetary freedom 72.7 80
Trade freedom 79.4 47
Investment freedom 70 0
Financial freedom 60 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Romania
Syria
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Romania Syria
2026 65.4 -
2025 66.5 -
2024 64.4 -
2023 64.5 -
2022 67.1 -
2021 69.5 -
2020 69.7 -
2019 68.6 -
2018 69.4 -
2017 69.7 -
2016 65.6 -
2015 66.6 -
2014 65.5 -
2013 65.1 -
2012 64.4 51.2
2011 64.7 51.3
2010 64.2 49.4
2009 63.2 51.3
2008 61.7 47.2
2007 61.2 48.3
2006 58.2 51.2
2005 52.1 46.3
2004 50 40.6
2003 50.6 41.3
2002 48.7 36.3
2001 50 36.6
2000 52.1 37.2
1999 50.1 39
1998 54.4 42.2
1997 50.8 43
1996 46.2 42.3
1995 42.9 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/romania/syria | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Romania is 65.4, ranking 64/197, compared to 51.2 for Syria, ranking 155/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Romania Syria
Services, % of GDP
61.7%
2025
44.7%
2022
Industry, % of GDP
25.3%
2025
11.9%
2022
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
3%
2025
42.9%
2022
GNI, Atlas method
$384B
2025
$18.2B
2023
GNI per capita, PPP
$49,550
2025
$4,480
2023
Total reserves including gold
$90.6B
2025
$20.6B
2010
Total reserves ranking
31/177
2025
66/177
2010
Net foreign direct investment
-$8.57B
2025
-$1.47B
2010
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$7.16B
2024
$0
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$1.99B
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
0.15%
2023
Poverty at national poverty lines
19%
2023
35.2%
2007
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
25.9%
2025
16%
1969

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/syria | CC BY

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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 (2010–2025, 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.