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Economy of Romania vs United States compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Romania has a GDP of $429B compared to $30.8T for the United States, ranking 39/197 and 1/197 by economy size, respectively.

Romania has $260B in government debt (60.6% of GDP), compared to $38.1T (123.9% of GDP) in the United States.

Romania vs United States GDP by year

Romania
United States
1x
Year GDP, current $
Romania United States
2025 $428,677,977,855 $30,769,700,000,000
2024 $382,564,217,989 $29,298,013,000,000
2023 $347,757,995,759 $27,811,517,000,000
2022 $295,317,862,856 $26,054,614,000,000
2021 $285,072,444,957 $23,725,645,000,000
2020 $250,624,575,872 $21,375,281,000,000
2019 $250,080,428,512 $21,539,982,000,000
2018 $241,791,427,224 $20,656,516,000,000
2017 $210,147,385,855 $19,612,102,000,000
2016 $185,290,759,249 $18,804,913,000,000
2015 $177,885,131,240 $18,295,019,000,000
2014 $199,722,319,676 $17,608,138,000,000
2013 $189,798,603,751 $16,880,683,000,000
2012 $179,117,323,107 $16,253,970,000,000
2011 $192,623,977,894 $15,599,732,000,000
2010 $170,064,350,672 $15,048,971,000,000
2009 $174,110,532,659 $14,478,067,000,000
2008 $214,315,932,061 $14,769,862,000,000
2007 $174,588,782,939 $14,474,228,000,000
2006 $122,023,735,993 $13,815,583,000,000
2005 $98,454,380,120 $13,039,197,000,000
2004 $74,973,656,852 $12,217,196,000,000
2003 $57,806,384,143 $11,456,450,000,000
2002 $46,065,502,703 $10,929,108,000,000
2001 $40,395,116,581 $10,581,929,000,000
2000 $37,253,739,511 $10,250,952,000,000
1999 $35,953,156,754 $9,631,172,000,000
1998 $41,696,091,974 $9,062,817,000,000
1997 $35,575,214,078 $8,577,552,000,000
1996 $36,937,074,278 $8,073,122,000,000
1995 $37,430,162,103 $7,639,749,000,000
1994 $30,072,805,104 $7,287,236,000,000
1993 $26,361,160,450 $6,858,559,000,000
1992 $25,121,666,667 $6,520,327,000,000
1991 $28,850,634,900 $6,158,129,000,000
1990 $38,247,882,300 $5,963,144,000,000
1989 $41,450,777,202 $5,641,580,000,000
1988 $40,424,528,302 $5,236,438,000,000
1987 $38,067,567,568 $4,855,215,000,000
1986 - $4,579,631,000,000
1985 - $4,338,979,000,000
1984 - $4,037,613,000,000
1983 - $3,634,038,000,000
1982 - $3,343,789,000,000
1981 - $3,207,041,000,000
1980 - $2,857,307,000,000
1979 - $2,627,333,000,000
1978 - $2,351,599,000,000
1977 - $2,081,826,000,000
1976 - $1,873,412,000,000
1975 - $1,684,904,000,000
1974 - $1,545,243,000,000
1973 - $1,425,376,000,000
1972 - $1,279,110,000,000
1971 - $1,164,850,000,000
1970 - $1,073,303,000,000
1969 - $1,017,438,172,414
1968 - $940,225,000,000
1967 - $859,620,034,483
1966 - $813,032,758,621
1965 - $741,904,862,069
1964 - $684,144,620,690
1963 - $637,058,551,724
1962 - $603,639,413,793
1961 - $561,940,310,345
1960 - $541,988,586,207

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

GeoRank.org/economy/romania/united-states | CC BY

GDP per capita in Romania vs United States by year

Romania
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
United States
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Romania United States
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $22,538 - $90,027 -
2024 $20,080 $49,077 $86,143 $85,810
2023 $18,244 $45,982 $83,041 $82,305
2022 $15,503 $41,979 $78,178 $77,861
2021 $14,908 $37,534 $71,486 $71,307
2020 $13,009 $34,194 $64,475 $64,402
2019 $12,910 $33,425 $65,605 $65,228
2018 $12,416 $29,383 $63,201 $62,876
2017 $10,728 $26,943 $60,322 $60,048
2016 $9,405 $23,905 $58,207 $57,977
2015 $8,977 $21,625 $57,040 $56,849
2014 $10,032 $20,633 $55,304 $55,153
2013 $9,498 $19,678 $53,410 $53,297
2012 $8,930 $19,808 $51,784 $51,708
2011 $9,561 $18,804 $50,066 $50,025
2010 $8,400 $17,355 $48,651 $48,643
2009 $8,548 $16,641 $47,195 $47,195
2008 $10,435 $16,782 $48,570 $48,570
2007 $8,360 $13,703 $48,050 $48,050
2006 $5,758 $11,554 $46,302 $46,302
2005 $4,618 $9,602 $44,123 $44,123
2004 $3,495 $8,989 $41,725 $41,725
2003 $2,679 $7,559 $39,490 $39,490
2002 $2,120 $7,162 $37,998 $37,998
2001 $1,825 $6,520 $37,134 $37,134
2000 $1,660 $5,850 $36,330 $36,330
1999 $1,600 $5,596 $34,484 $34,515
1998 $1,853 $5,545 $32,823 $32,854
1997 $1,577 $5,564 $31,430 $31,459
1996 $1,633 $5,746 $29,937 $29,968
1995 $1,650 $5,429 $28,661 $28,691
1994 $1,323 $4,995 $27,662 $27,695
1993 $1,158 $4,699 $26,353 $26,387
1992 $1,102 $4,515 $25,381 $25,419
1991 $1,254 $4,795 $24,293 $24,342
1990 $1,648 $5,280 $23,840 $23,889
1989 $1,790 - $22,857 -
1988 $1,753 - $21,417 -
1987 $1,659 - $20,039 -
1986 - - $19,071 -
1985 - - $18,237 -
1984 - - $17,121 -
1983 - - $15,544 -
1982 - - $14,434 -
1981 - - $13,976 -
1980 - - $12,613 -
1979 - - $11,674 -
1978 - - $10,565 -
1977 - - $9,453 -
1976 - - $8,592 -
1975 - - $7,801 -
1974 - - $7,226 -
1973 - - $6,726 -
1972 - - $6,094 -
1971 - - $5,609 -
1970 - - $5,234 -
1969 - - $5,020 -
1968 - - $4,685 -
1967 - - $4,326 -
1966 - - $4,136 -
1965 - - $3,818 -
1964 - - $3,565 -
1963 - - $3,366 -
1962 - - $3,236 -
1961 - - $3,059 -
1960 - - $3,000 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/romania/united-states | CC BY

Romania's GDP per capita is $22,538, ranking 57/197, compared to $90,027 in the United States, ranking 10/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Romania ranks 47th at $49,077, while the United States ranks 12th at $85,810.

Economic indicators

Romania United States
Gross domestic product
$429B
2025
$30.8T
2025
GDP rank
39/197
2025
1/197
2025
GDP growth
0.68%
2024-2025
2.16%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$22,538
2025
$90,027
2025
GDP per capita rank
57/197
2025
10/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$49,077
2024
$85,810
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
47/197
2024
12/197
2024
Government debt
$260B
2025
$38.1T
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
60.6%
2025
123.9%
2025
Government debt per person
$13,650
2025
$111,531
2025
Government debt per person rank
48/185
2025
2/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$13,510
2026
$54,600
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$70.9B
2025
$68.9T
2025
Number of millionaires n/a
23,627,000
2026
Number of billionaires
6
2026
989
2026
Income share by richest 10%
21.8%
2023
30.7%
2024
Income share by poorest 10%
2.4%
2023
1.7%
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
40.5%
2025
37.7%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
7.3%
2024-2025
2.95%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
6.5%
2024
3.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
6.1%
2025
4.28%
2025
Population
18912567
344434632

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Romania
Spending

Debt
United States
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Romania United States
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 40.5% 60.6% 37.7% 123.9%
2024 40% 57.5% 37.7% 122.3%
2023 37% 52.6% 37.5% 120%
2022 37.5% 51.9% 36.8% 119.1%
2021 37.2% 51.8% 43.2% 125%
2020 38.3% 49.5% 44.7% 132.6%
2019 33.4% 36.8% 35.8% 108.8%
2018 31.9% 36.4% 35.3% 107.7%
2017 31% 37.1% 35.2% 106.4%
2016 31.8% 39.5% 35.3% 107.4%
2015 34.2% 39.4% 35% 105.4%
2014 33.8% 40.5% 35.3% 104.9%
2013 34.2% 39.3% 35.8% 105%
2012 33.5% 36.2% 37.2% 103.7%
2011 35% 32.6% 38.8% 100%
2010 37.4% 30.2% 39.8% 95.7%
2009 36.3% 22.5% 41.4% 87.1%
2008 35.3% 13% 37.1% 73.8%
2007 34.6% 12.4% 34.6% 64.9%
2006 33.9% 12.7% 33.7% 64.5%
2005 32.3% 17.8% 33.9% 65.8%
2004 33.7% 21.3% 33.7% 66.4%
2003 31.8% 24.9% 34% 59%
2002 32.1% 27.4% 33.7% 55.9%
2001 33.2% 27.4% 32.8% 53.5%
2000 35% 29.6% 31.7% 54.5%
1999 35.1% 21.7% 32.2% 60.5%
1998 34.7% 16.5% 32.8% 64.2%
1997 33.5% 15% 33.7% 67.4%
1996 33.5% 11% 34.7% 69.9%
1995 34.4% 6.91% 35.5% 70.7%
1994 33.1% - 35.5% 71.1%
1993 33.5% - 36.4% 71.9%
1992 41.5% - 36.7% 70.3%
1991 38.3% - 35.7% 67.9%
1990 38.4% - 34.5% 63.1%
1989 40.1% - 33.7% 61.6%
1988 36.6% - 33.7% 61.3%
1987 40.7% - 34.3% 60.6%
1986 42.5% - 34.8% 58.9%
1985 41.6% - 34.5% 55.4%
1984 28.6% - 34.3% 50.6%
1983 25.8% - 35.7% 48.9%
1982 28.5% - 35.8% 45.9%
1981 30.4% - 33.9% 41.1%
1980 33.6% - 33.7% 41.9%
1979 42% - 32% 41.2%
1978 42.1% - 32.6% 42.5%
1977 39.9% - 33.4% 43.6%
1976 37.5% - 34.2% 44.8%
1975 40.6% - 35.2% 44.6%
1974 37.6% - 32.9% 41.4%
1973 32.6% - 31.9% 42.6%
1972 29.9% - 32.8% 45.4%
1971 27.2% - 32.3% 47%
1970 28.1% - 31.5% 46.4%
1969 32.1% - 29.3% 45.9%
1968 31.8% - 29.1% 48.5%
1967 30.6% - 28.3% 50.4%
1966 27.3% - 26.3% 50.6%
1965 25.6% - 25.4% 53.7%
1964 25.1% - 25.6% 56.7%
1963 23.1% - 26% 58.8%
1962 43.4% - 26% 60.2%
1961 - - 25.9% 62.3%
1960 - - 24.9% 61.7%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–2000, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/romania/united-states | CC BY

In 2025, Romania's government spending was $173B, accounting for 40.5% of its GDP, while the United States spent $11.6T, or 37.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 60.6% in Romania and 123.9% in the United States, ranking 76/185 and 12/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Romania

United States
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Romania United States
2025 -7.64% -6.82%
2024 -8.68% -7.86%
2023 -5.66% -7.89%
2022 -5.85% -3.72%
2021 -6.74% -11.5%
2020 -9.6% -14.1%
2019 -4.58% -5.81%
2018 -2.76% -5.33%
2017 -2.86% -4.79%
2016 -2.5% -4.36%
2015 -1.35% -3.53%
2014 -1.76% -4.03%
2013 -2.44% -4.56%
2012 -2.39% -8.11%
2011 -4.14% -9.72%
2010 -6.22% -11%
2009 -6.86% -13.2%
2008 -4.6% -6.61%
2007 -3.05% -2.91%
2006 -1.36% -2.04%
2005 -0.69% -3.07%
2004 -3.39% -4.24%
2003 -2.29% -4.77%
2002 -2.59% -3.82%
2001 -3.2% -0.54%
2000 -3.99% 3.62%
1999 -3.58% 2.71%
1998 -5.33% 2.18%
1997 -5.19% 0.88%
1996 -4.74% -0.46%
1995 -3.32% -1.7%
1994 -2.2% -2.05%
1993 -0.35% -3.35%
1992 -4.55% -3.98%
1991 3.23% -2.72%
1990 1.03% -1.64%
1989 -2.87% -0.8%
1988 8.4% -1.06%
1987 2.37% -1.53%
1986 5.72% -2.81%
1985 6.36% -2.63%
1984 15.2% -2.97%
1983 9.35% -4.26%
1982 0.36% -3.78%
1981 0.61% -1.58%
1980 -1.95% -2.17%
1979 0% -0.79%
1978 0% -1.7%
1977 0.23% -2.57%
1976 0.66% -3.63%
1975 0.41% -5.4%
1974 0.51% -1.27%
1973 1.53% -0.86%
1972 1.21% -1.86%
1971 0.89% -2.63%
1970 0.52% -1.21%
1969 0.93% 2.11%
1968 1.65% 1.23%
1967 1.23% 0.47%
1966 0.91% 2.07%
1965 -1.29% 2.38%
1964 -3.11% 2.18%
1963 -1.61% 2.87%
1962 -4.86% 2.32%
1961 - 2.28%
1960 - 3.2%
1959 - -9.06%
1958 - -8.68%
1957 - -6.72%
1956 - -6.02%
1955 - -7.4%
1954 - -5.55%
1953 - -5.76%
1952 - -5.41%
1951 - -6.93%
1950 - -8.22%
1949 - -7.94%
1948 - -4.16%
1947 - -3.99%
1946 - -6.45%
1945 - -14.1%
1944 - -13.4%
1943 - -19.3%
1942 - -16.3%
1941 - -10.2%
1940 - -9.73%
1939 - -11.9%
1938 - -10.4%
1937 - -9.22%
1936 - -12.1%
1935 - -13.3%
1934 - -14.9%
1933 - -14.3%
1932 - -12.7%
1931 - -9.76%
1930 - -5.46%
1929 - -4.58%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1929–2000, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/romania/united-states | 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 the United States' deficit of $2.1T, or 6.82% of GDP.

Over the past 39 years, Romania recorded a fiscal deficit in 35 of those years, while the United States ran a deficit in 35 years. On average, Romania posted an annual deficit equal to 3.19% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.21% of GDP for the United States.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Romania

United States
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Romania United States
2025 7.3% -
2024 5.6% 2.95%
2023 10.4% 4.12%
2022 13.8% 8%
2021 5% 4.7%
2020 2.6% 1.23%
2019 3.8% 1.81%
2018 4.6% 2.44%
2017 1.3% 2.13%
2016 -1.6% 1.26%
2015 -0.6% 0.12%
2014 1.1% 1.62%
2013 4% 1.46%
2012 3.3% 2.07%
2011 5.8% 3.16%
2010 6.1% 1.64%
2009 5.6% -0.36%
2008 7.8% 3.84%
2007 4.8% 2.85%
2006 6.6% 3.23%
2005 9% 3.39%
2004 11.9% 2.68%
2003 15.4% 2.27%
2002 22.5% 1.59%
2001 34.5% 2.83%
2000 45.7% 3.38%
1999 45.8% 2.19%
1998 59.1% 1.55%
1997 154.8% 2.34%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/romania/united-states | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Romania has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 17.5%, compared with 2.52% in the United States. In 2024, inflation was 7.3% in Romania and 2.95% in the United States.

Top exports between countries

Romania
Export category Export value
IT & IP services $1.95B
Machinery & equipment $1.29B
Transport & tourism services $779M
Business & finance services $652M
Metals $454M
Raw materials & minerals $255M
Textiles & consumer goods $193M
Wood & paper products $80.4M
Chemicals & pharma $76.1M
Manufacturing & construction services $23.8M
United States
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $1.01B
Transport & tourism services $497M
IT & IP services $210M
Business & finance services $208M
Chemicals & pharma $109M
Metals $89M
Government & miscellaneous services $62M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $57.4M
Raw materials & minerals $47.1M
Textiles & consumer goods $27.9M

Balance of trade

Romania United States
Current account balance
-$33.9B
2025
-$1.12T
2025
Current account balance ranking
186/190
2025
190/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-7.9%
2025
-3.63%
2025
Goods imports
$139B
2025
$3.44T
2025
Goods exports
$102B
2025
$2.2T
2025
Service imports
$35.9B
2025
$903B
2025
Service exports
$50.1B
2025
$1.23T
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
40.7%
2025
14%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
35.5%
2025
11%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Romania United States
Economic freedom 65.4 72.8
Economic freedom ranking 64/197 27/197
Property rights 81 91.6
Government integrity 50 77.1
Judicial effectiveness 67 76.4
Tax burden 89.1 75.3
Government spending 56.7 57.9
Fiscal health 21.4 18.5
Business freedom 74.4 88.6
Labor freedom 63.6 76.3
Monetary freedom 72.7 84.2
Trade freedom 79.4 67.6
Investment freedom 70 80
Financial freedom 60 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

Romania
United States
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Romania United States
2026 65.4 72.8
2025 66.5 70.2
2024 64.4 70.1
2023 64.5 70.6
2022 67.1 72.1
2021 69.5 74.8
2020 69.7 76.6
2019 68.6 76.8
2018 69.4 75.7
2017 69.7 75.1
2016 65.6 75.4
2015 66.6 76.2
2014 65.5 75.5
2013 65.1 76
2012 64.4 76.3
2011 64.7 77.8
2010 64.2 78
2009 63.2 80.7
2008 61.7 81
2007 61.2 81.2
2006 58.2 81.2
2005 52.1 79.9
2004 50 78.7
2003 50.6 78.2
2002 48.7 78.4
2001 50 79.1
2000 52.1 76.4
1999 50.1 75.5
1998 54.4 75.4
1997 50.8 75.6
1996 46.2 76.7
1995 42.9 76.7

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

GeoRank.org/economy/romania/united-states | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Romania is 65.4, ranking 64/197, compared to 72.8 for the United States, ranking 27/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Romania United States
Services, % of GDP
61.7%
2025
79.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
25.3%
2025
17.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
3%
2025
0.85%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$384B
2025
$30.4T
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$49,550
2025
$89,490
2025
Total reserves including gold
$90.6B
2025
$1.39T
2025
Total reserves ranking
31/177
2025
2/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$8.57B
2025
$21.7B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$7.16B
2024
$297B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$1.99B
2024
$322B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
19%
2023
15.1%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
25.9%
2025
21.5%
2024

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/united-states | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1929–2000, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2021–2025, 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)

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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.