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Economy of Romania vs Vanuatu compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Romania has a GDP of $383B compared to $1.12B for Vanuatu, ranking 42/197 and 188/197 by economy size, respectively.

Romania has $220B in government debt (57.4% of GDP), compared to $507M (45.3% of GDP) in Vanuatu.

Romania vs Vanuatu GDP by year

Romania
Vanuatu
1x
Year GDP, current $
Romania Vanuatu
2024 $382,564,217,989 $1,117,972,034
2023 $347,757,995,759 $1,115,861,056
2022 $295,319,437,557 $1,055,031,361
2021 $285,071,280,114 $950,394,007
2020 $250,625,048,304 $909,421,044
2019 $250,080,428,512 $936,526,268
2018 $241,791,427,224 $914,727,908
2017 $210,147,385,855 $880,043,284
2016 $185,290,759,249 $804,323,577
2015 $177,885,131,240 $759,690,181
2014 $199,722,319,676 $773,717,011
2013 $189,798,603,751 $758,304,466
2012 $179,117,323,107 $747,839,698
2011 $192,623,977,894 $770,153,588
2010 $170,064,350,672 $670,712,980
2009 $174,110,532,659 $592,622,319
2008 $214,315,932,061 $590,748,429
2007 $174,588,782,939 $516,392,923
2006 $122,023,735,993 $439,358,587
2005 $98,454,380,120 $394,962,433
2004 $74,973,656,852 $364,996,869
2003 $57,806,384,143 $314,471,413
2002 $46,065,502,703 $262,596,536
2001 $40,395,116,581 $257,926,882
2000 $37,253,739,511 $272,014,628
1999 $35,953,156,754 $268,006,973
1998 $41,696,091,974 $262,293,411
1997 $35,575,214,078 $272,771,209
1996 $36,937,074,278 $261,370,044
1995 $37,430,162,103 $249,333,250
1994 $30,072,805,104 $233,701,301
1993 $26,361,160,450 $200,491,853
1992 $25,121,666,667 $209,088,825
1991 $28,850,634,900 $201,334,169
1990 $38,247,882,300 $168,879,207
1989 $41,450,777,202 $154,013,202
1988 $40,424,528,302 $158,351,368
1987 $38,067,567,568 $139,464,174
1986 - $126,498,935
1985 - $131,856,421
1984 - $144,482,515
1983 - $117,389,554
1982 - $114,501,913
1981 - $113,781,796
1980 - $121,185,498
1979 - $119,258,835

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1979–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Romania vs Vanuatu by year

Romania
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Vanuatu
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Romania Vanuatu
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $20,080 $49,077 $3,411 $3,606
2023 $18,244 $45,982 $3,483 $3,568
2022 $15,504 $41,979 $3,370 $3,453
2021 $14,908 $37,534 $3,107 $3,136
2020 $13,009 $34,194 $3,043 $3,118
2019 $12,910 $33,425 $3,207 $3,315
2018 $12,416 $29,383 $3,207 $3,233
2017 $10,728 $26,943 $3,160 $3,146
2016 $9,405 $23,905 $2,956 $3,030
2015 $8,977 $21,625 $2,855 $2,966
2014 $10,032 $20,633 $2,973 $2,890
2013 $9,498 $19,678 $2,980 $2,832
2012 $8,930 $19,808 $3,005 $2,834
2011 $9,561 $18,804 $3,163 $2,816
2010 $8,400 $17,355 $2,815 $2,733
2009 $8,548 $16,641 $2,546 $2,730
2008 $10,435 $16,782 $2,604 $2,701
2007 $8,360 $13,703 $2,334 $2,573
2006 $5,758 $11,554 $2,035 $2,496
2005 $4,618 $9,602 $1,874 $2,287
2004 $3,495 $8,989 $1,774 $2,157
2003 $2,679 $7,559 $1,567 $2,070
2002 $2,120 $7,162 $1,341 $1,995
2001 $1,825 $6,520 $1,350 $2,125
2000 $1,660 $5,850 $1,460 $2,206
1999 $1,600 $5,596 $1,472 $2,084
1998 $1,853 $5,545 $1,471 $2,091
1997 $1,577 $5,564 $1,562 $2,087
1996 $1,633 $5,746 $1,529 $1,998
1995 $1,650 $5,429 $1,492 $1,961
1994 $1,323 $4,995 $1,431 $1,946
1993 $1,158 $4,699 $1,257 $1,789
1992 $1,102 $4,515 $1,344 $1,777
1991 $1,254 $4,795 $1,326 $1,737
1990 $1,648 $5,280 $1,141 $1,670
1989 $1,790 - $1,067 -
1988 $1,753 - $1,125 -
1987 $1,659 - $1,017 -
1986 - - $946 -
1985 - - $1,012 -
1984 - - $1,137 -
1983 - - $947 -
1982 - - $946 -
1981 - - $962 -
1980 - - $1,048 -
1979 - - $1,055 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1979–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Romania's GDP per capita is $20,080, ranking 58/197, compared to $3,411 in Vanuatu, ranking 137/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Romania ranks 47th at $49,077, while Vanuatu ranks 170th at $3,606.

Economic indicators

Romania Vanuatu
Gross domestic product
$383B
2024
$1.12B
2024
GDP rank
42/197
2024
188/197
2024
GDP growth
0.92%
2023-2024
0.94%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$20,080
2024
$3,411
2024
GDP per capita rank
58/197
2024
137/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$49,077
2024
$3,606
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
47/197
2024
170/197
2024
Government debt
$220B
2024
$507M
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
57.4%
2024
45.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$11,533
2024
$1,546
2024
Government debt per person rank
48/185
2024
131/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$13,912
2026
$3,164
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
24.7%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
2.4%
2023
3%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
39.9%
2024
41.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
5.6%
2023-2024
11.2%
2022-2023
Central bank interest rate
6.5%
2024
n/a
Unemployment rate
5.43%
2024
4.05%
2020
Population
18839108
344750

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Romania
Spending

Debt
Vanuatu
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Romania Vanuatu
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 39.9% 57.4% 41.1% 45.3%
2023 36.6% 52.1% 41.6% 41.8%
2022 37.4% 51.7% 42% 42.8%
2021 37% 51.5% 44.4% 48.5%
2020 38.1% 49.3% 43.4% 48%
2019 33.2% 36.5% 39.8% 45.1%
2018 31.7% 36.2% 33.3% 45.3%
2017 31% 37.1% 37.1% 52.6%
2016 31.8% 39.5% 35.2% 42.5%
2015 34.2% 39.4% 42.4% 36.3%
2014 33.8% 40.5% 23.3% 20.2%
2013 34.2% 39.3% 22.9% 18.6%
2012 33.5% 36.2% 24.5% 19.3%
2011 35% 32.6% 25.1% 21.3%
2010 37.4% 30.2% 28.3% 20.2%
2009 36.3% 22.5% 27.6% 21.1%
2008 35.3% 13% 27.8% 21.2%
2007 34.6% 12.4% 22.5% 19.5%
2006 33.9% 12.7% 20.1% 22.2%
2005 32.3% 17.8% 18.3% 26.3%
2004 33.7% 21.3% 18.5% 30.4%
2003 31.8% 24.9% 18.8% 38.3%
2002 32.1% 27.4% 22.3% 38.8%
2001 33.2% 27.4% 22.3% 37%
2000 35% 29.6% 25.4% 36.1%
1999 35.1% 21.7% 23.9% 30.6%
1998 34.7% 16.5% 27.9% 28%
1997 33.5% 15% 22.2% 22.9%
1996 33.5% 11% 24.5% 23.1%
1995 34.4% 6.91% 28% 24.1%
1994 33.1% - 24.4% 21.6%
1993 33.5% - 26.2% 20.3%
1992 41.5% - 31.8% 21%
1991 38.3% - 33.2% 15.9%
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/vanuatu | CC BY

In 2024, Romania's government spending was $153B, accounting for 39.9% of its GDP, while Vanuatu spent $459M, or 41.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 57.4% in Romania and 45.3% in Vanuatu, ranking 87/185 and 119/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Romania

Vanuatu
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Romania Vanuatu
2024 -8.68% -2.34%
2023 -5.61% -0.95%
2022 -5.83% -6.5%
2021 -6.7% 2.38%
2020 -9.54% -1.95%
2019 -4.55% 2.81%
2018 -2.74% 6.26%
2017 -2.86% -1.2%
2016 -2.5% -0.72%
2015 -1.35% -8.66%
2014 -1.76% 1.44%
2013 -2.44% -0.25%
2012 -2.39% -1.7%
2011 -4.14% -2.19%
2010 -6.22% -2.63%
2009 -6.86% -0.85%
2008 -4.6% -0.04%
2007 -3.05% 0.28%
2006 -1.36% 0.49%
2005 -0.69% 1.86%
2004 -3.39% 0.8%
2003 -2.29% -1.35%
2002 -2.59% -3.63%
2001 -3.2% -3.33%
2000 -3.99% -6.28%
1999 -3.58% -0.55%
1998 -5.33% -6.65%
1997 -5.19% -0.51%
1996 -4.74% -1.78%
1995 -3.32% -2.59%
1994 -2.2% -1.49%
1993 -0.35% -3.67%
1992 -4.55% -2.32%
1991 3.23% -2.81%
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/vanuatu | 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 Vanuatu's deficit of $26.2M, or 2.34% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, Romania recorded a fiscal deficit in 33 of those years, while Vanuatu ran a deficit in 26 years. On average, Romania posted an annual deficit equal to 3.69% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.49% of GDP for Vanuatu.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Romania

Vanuatu
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Romania Vanuatu
2024 5.6% -
2023 10.4% 11.2%
2022 13.8% 6.68%
2021 5% 2.34%
2020 2.6% 5.33%
2019 3.8% 2.76%
2018 4.6% 2.33%
2017 1.3% 3.08%
2016 -1.6% 0.84%
2015 -0.6% 2.48%
2014 1.1% 0.8%
2013 4% 1.46%
2012 3.3% 1.35%
2011 5.8% 0.87%
2010 6.1% 2.76%
2009 5.6% 4.3%
2008 7.8% 4.84%
2007 4.8% 3.94%
2006 6.6% 2.04%
2005 9% 1.2%
2004 11.9% 1.42%
2003 15.4% 3.02%
2002 22.5% 1.96%
2001 34.5% 3.58%
2000 45.7% 2.54%
1999 45.8% 2%
1998 59.1% 3.28%
1997 154.8% 2.83%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 27 years, Romania has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 17.9%, compared with 3.01% in Vanuatu. In 2023, inflation was 5.6% in Romania and 11.2% in Vanuatu.

Top exports between countries

Romania
Export category Export value
Miscellaneous $4K
Vanuatu
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Romania Vanuatu
Current account balance
-$31.2B
2024
-$127M
2022
Current account balance ranking
185/190
2024
90/190
2022
Current account balance, % of GDP
-8.16%
2024
-12.1%
2022
Goods imports
$129B
2024
$350M
2022
Goods exports
$93.3B
2024
$73.6M
2022
Service imports
$30.2B
2024
$230M
2022
Service exports
$42.9B
2024
$78.5M
2022
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
41.6%
2024
54.2%
2022
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
35.6%
2024
9.43%
2022

Economic freedom indices

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

Romania Vanuatu
Economic freedom 65.4 61.1
Economic freedom ranking 64/197 92/197
Property rights 81 62.1
Government integrity 50 48.3
Judicial effectiveness 67 67.9
Tax burden 89.1 96.9
Government spending 56.7 48.1
Fiscal health 21.4 78.8
Business freedom 74.4 50.3
Labor freedom 63.6 41
Monetary freedom 72.7 72.1
Trade freedom 79.4 62
Investment freedom 70 65
Financial freedom 60 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Romania
Vanuatu
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Romania Vanuatu
2026 65.4 61.1
2025 66.5 61.8
2024 64.4 62.2
2023 64.5 62.1
2022 67.1 62.9
2021 69.5 60.5
2020 69.7 60.7
2019 68.6 56.4
2018 69.4 69.5
2017 69.7 67.4
2016 65.6 60.8
2015 66.6 61.1
2014 65.5 59.5
2013 65.1 56.6
2012 64.4 56.6
2011 64.7 56.7
2010 64.2 56.4
2009 63.2 58.4
2008 61.7 -
2007 61.2 -
2006 58.2 -
2005 52.1 -
2004 50 -
2003 50.6 -
2002 48.7 -
2001 50 -
2000 52.1 -
1999 50.1 -
1998 54.4 -
1997 50.8 -
1996 46.2 -
1995 42.9 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Romania is 65.4, ranking 64/197, compared to 61.1 for Vanuatu, ranking 92/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Romania Vanuatu
Services, % of GDP
62.6%
2024
59.1%
2022
Industry, % of GDP
25.3%
2024
7.37%
2022
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.81%
2024
24.3%
2022
GNI, Atlas method
$335B
2024
$1.28B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$47,920
2024
$4,140
2024
Total reserves including gold
$73.4B
2024
$615M
2024
Total reserves ranking
35/177
2024
152/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$5.17B
2024
-$9.21M
2022
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$7.16B
2024
$28.9M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$1.99B
2024
$2.79M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
2.04%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
19%
2023
15.9%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
25%
2024
38.3%
2022

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/vanuatu | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1979–2024, 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. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  8. TradeMap (2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)

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.