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Economy of Romania vs Vietnam compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Romania has a GDP of $383B compared to $476B for Vietnam, ranking 42/197 and 33/197 by economy size, respectively.

Romania has $220B in government debt (57.4% of GDP), compared to $149B (31.3% of GDP) in Vietnam.

Romania vs Vietnam GDP by year

Romania
Vietnam
1x
Year GDP, current $
Romania Vietnam
2024 $382,564,217,989 $476,388,230,307
2023 $347,757,995,759 $433,857,681,378
2022 $295,319,437,557 $413,445,230,669
2021 $285,071,280,114 $366,474,752,771
2020 $250,625,048,304 $346,615,738,538
2019 $250,080,428,512 $334,365,270,497
2018 $241,791,427,224 $310,106,478,395
2017 $210,147,385,855 $281,353,605,987
2016 $185,290,759,249 $257,096,001,178
2015 $177,885,131,240 $239,258,328,382
2014 $199,722,319,676 $233,451,469,643
2013 $189,798,603,751 $213,708,811,665
2012 $179,117,323,107 $195,590,661,129
2011 $192,623,977,894 $172,595,049,184
2010 $170,064,350,672 $147,201,173,197
2009 $174,110,532,659 $106,014,659,565
2008 $214,315,932,061 $99,130,304,099
2007 $174,588,782,939 $77,414,425,532
2006 $122,023,735,993 $66,371,664,817
2005 $98,454,380,120 $57,633,255,738
2004 $74,973,656,852 $45,427,854,693
2003 $57,806,384,143 $39,552,513,232
2002 $46,065,502,703 $35,064,105,501
2001 $40,395,116,581 $32,685,198,809
2000 $37,253,739,511 $31,172,518,403
1999 $35,953,156,754 $28,683,659,007
1998 $41,696,091,974 $27,209,602,050
1997 $35,575,214,078 $26,843,700,442
1996 $36,937,074,278 $24,657,470,575
1995 $37,430,162,103 $20,736,164,459
1994 $30,072,805,104 $16,286,433,533
1993 $26,361,160,450 $13,180,953,598
1992 $25,121,666,667 $9,866,990,236
1991 $28,850,634,900 $9,613,369,520
1990 $38,247,882,300 $6,471,740,806
1989 $41,450,777,202 $6,293,304,975
1988 $40,424,528,302 $25,423,812,649
1987 $38,067,567,568 $36,658,108,850
1986 - $26,336,616,250
1985 - $14,094,687,821

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Romania vs Vietnam by year

Romania
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Vietnam
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Romania Vietnam
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $20,080 $49,077 $4,717 $16,386
2023 $18,244 $45,982 $4,323 $15,034
2022 $15,504 $41,979 $4,148 $13,905
2021 $14,908 $37,534 $3,704 $12,049
2020 $13,009 $34,194 $3,534 $11,609
2019 $12,910 $33,425 $3,441 $11,029
2018 $12,416 $29,383 $3,222 $10,010
2017 $10,728 $26,943 $2,956 $9,170
2016 $9,405 $23,905 $2,735 $8,375
2015 $8,977 $21,625 $2,578 $7,672
2014 $10,032 $20,633 $2,546 $7,297
2013 $9,498 $19,678 $2,360 $6,758
2012 $8,930 $19,808 $2,185 $6,377
2011 $9,561 $18,804 $1,951 $5,786
2010 $8,400 $17,355 $1,683 $5,389
2009 $8,548 $16,641 $1,226 $5,061
2008 $10,435 $16,782 $1,164 $4,844
2007 $8,360 $13,703 $926 $4,581
2006 $5,758 $11,554 $808 $4,237
2005 $4,618 $9,602 $711 $3,894
2004 $3,495 $8,989 $565 $3,543
2003 $2,679 $7,559 $497 $3,240
2002 $2,120 $7,162 $445 $3,002
2001 $1,825 $6,520 $419 $2,809
2000 $1,660 $5,850 $404 $2,614
1999 $1,600 $5,596 $376 $2,421
1998 $1,853 $5,545 $361 $2,308
1997 $1,577 $5,564 $362 $2,189
1996 $1,633 $5,746 $337 $2,019
1995 $1,650 $5,429 $287.8 $1,841
1994 $1,323 $4,995 $229.9 $1,674
1993 $1,158 $4,699 $189.4 $1,534
1992 $1,102 $4,515 $144.5 $1,413
1991 $1,254 $4,795 $143.7 $1,298
1990 $1,648 $5,280 $98.8 $1,210
1989 $1,790 - $98.1 -
1988 $1,753 - $405 -
1987 $1,659 - $595 -
1986 - - $436 -
1985 - - $238.6 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Romania's GDP per capita is $20,080, ranking 58/197, compared to $4,717 in Vietnam, ranking 122/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Romania ranks 47th at $49,077, while Vietnam ranks 108th at $16,386.

Economic indicators

Romania Vietnam
Gross domestic product
$383B
2024
$476B
2024
GDP rank
42/197
2024
33/197
2024
GDP growth
0.92%
2023-2024
7.09%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$20,080
2024
$4,717
2024
GDP per capita rank
58/197
2024
122/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$49,077
2024
$16,386
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
47/197
2024
108/197
2024
Government debt
$220B
2024
$149B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
57.4%
2024
31.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$11,533
2024
$1,475
2024
Government debt per person rank
48/185
2024
132/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$13,912
2026
$4,020
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$47.4B
2024
$205B
2024
Number of billionaires
6
2025
5
2025
Income share by richest 10%
21.8%
2023
28.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2.4%
2023
2.6%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
39.9%
2024
19.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
5.6%
2023-2024
3.6%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
6.5%
2024
4.5%
2023
Unemployment rate
5.43%
2024
1.53%
2024
Population
18839108
102365351

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Romania
Spending

Debt
Vietnam
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Romania Vietnam
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 39.9% 57.4% 19.1% 31.3%
2023 36.6% 52.1% 18.8% 34.3%
2022 37.4% 51.7% 18.2% 34.9%
2021 37% 51.5% 20.1% 39.2%
2020 38.1% 49.3% 21.3% 41.3%
2019 33.2% 36.5% 19.8% 41%
2018 31.7% 36.2% 20.5% 43.8%
2017 31% 37.1% 21.5% 46.6%
2016 31.8% 39.5% 22.2% 47.9%
2015 34.2% 39.4% 24.2% 46.1%
2014 33.8% 40.5% 22.8% 43.6%
2013 34.2% 39.3% 24.5% 41.4%
2012 33.5% 36.2% 23.5% 38.3%
2011 35% 32.6% 21.2% 36.2%
2010 37.4% 30.2% 23.7% 37.3%
2009 36.3% 22.5% 25% 36.2%
2008 35.3% 13% 21.4% 31%
2007 34.6% 12.4% 22.3% 32.2%
2006 33.9% 12.7% 20.5% 30.2%
2005 32.3% 17.8% 20.6% 28.7%
2004 33.7% 21.3% 19.4% 29.4%
2003 31.8% 24.9% 22.2% 29.8%
2002 32.1% 27.4% 19.7% 27.7%
2001 33.2% 27.4% 19.2% 25.4%
2000 35% 29.6% 17.8% 24.8%
1999 35.1% 21.7% 16.7% -
1998 34.7% 16.5% 16% -
1997 33.5% 15% - -
1996 33.5% 11% - -
1995 34.4% 6.91% - -
1994 33.1% - - -
1993 33.5% - - -
1992 41.5% - - -
1991 38.3% - - -
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/vietnam | CC BY

In 2024, Romania's government spending was $153B, accounting for 39.9% of its GDP, while Vietnam spent $91.1B, or 19.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 57.4% in Romania and 31.3% in Vietnam, ranking 87/185 and 156/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Romania

Vietnam
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Romania Vietnam
2024 -8.68% -1.54%
2023 -5.61% -1.72%
2022 -5.83% 0.67%
2021 -6.7% -1.43%
2020 -9.54% -2.86%
2019 -4.55% -0.4%
2018 -2.74% -1.02%
2017 -2.86% -1.96%
2016 -2.5% -3.16%
2015 -1.35% -4.98%
2014 -1.76% -5.02%
2013 -2.44% -5.96%
2012 -2.39% -5.46%
2011 -4.14% -0.9%
2010 -6.22% -2.25%
2009 -6.86% -4.82%
2008 -4.6% -0.45%
2007 -3.05% -1.74%
2006 -1.36% 0.2%
2005 -0.69% -0.95%
2004 -3.39% -0.15%
2003 -2.29% -2.56%
2002 -2.59% -1.85%
2001 -3.2% -2.19%
2000 -3.99% -1.61%
1999 -3.58% -1.25%
1998 -5.33% -0.1%
1997 -5.19% -
1996 -4.74% -
1995 -3.32% -
1994 -2.2% -
1993 -0.35% -
1992 -4.55% -
1991 3.23% -
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/vietnam | 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 Vietnam's deficit of $7.32B, or 1.54% of GDP.

Over the past 27 years, Romania recorded a fiscal deficit in 27 of those years, while Vietnam ran a deficit in 25 years. On average, Romania posted an annual deficit equal to 4.01% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.05% of GDP for Vietnam.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Romania

Vietnam
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Romania Vietnam
2024 5.6% 3.6%
2023 10.4% 3.3%
2022 13.8% 3.2%
2021 5% 1.8%
2020 2.6% 3.2%
2019 3.8% 2.8%
2018 4.6% 3.5%
2017 1.3% 3.5%
2016 -1.6% 2.7%
2015 -0.6% 0.6%
2014 1.1% 4.1%
2013 4% 6.6%
2012 3.3% 9.1%
2011 5.8% 18.7%
2010 6.1% 9.1%
2009 5.6% 6.7%
2008 7.8% 23.3%
2007 4.8% 8.4%
2006 6.6% 7.7%
2005 9% 8.3%
2004 11.9% 7.8%
2003 15.4% 3.1%
2002 22.5% 3.8%
2001 34.5% -0.4%
2000 45.7% -1.8%
1999 45.8% 4.1%
1998 59.1% 8.1%
1997 154.8% 3.1%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

Over the past 28 years, Romania has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 17.5%, compared with 5.64% in Vietnam. In 2024, inflation was 5.6% in Romania and 3.6% in Vietnam.

Top exports between countries

Romania
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $36M
Raw agricultural goods $23.1M
Chemicals & pharma $18.9M
Textiles & consumer goods $7.14M
Metals $5.4M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $5.08M
Raw materials & minerals $2.48M
Wood & paper products $1.7M
Animal & marine products $1.24M
Miscellaneous $114K
Vietnam
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $111M
Machinery & equipment $55.6M
Chemicals & pharma $25.5M
Animal & marine products $19.1M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $17M
Raw agricultural goods $15.9M
Raw materials & minerals $13.7M
Metals $13.2M
Miscellaneous $4.08M
Wood & paper products $3.66M

Balance of trade

Romania Vietnam
Current account balance
-$31.2B
2024
$28B
2024
Current account balance ranking
185/190
2024
18/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-8.16%
2024
+5.89%
2024
Goods imports
$129B
2024
$362B
2024
Goods exports
$93.3B
2024
$406B
2024
Service imports
$30.2B
2024
$36.2B
2024
Service exports
$42.9B
2024
$23.9B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
41.6%
2024
83.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
35.6%
2024
90.2%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Romania Vietnam
Economic freedom 65.4 64.4
Economic freedom ranking 64/197 73/197
Property rights 81 47.3
Government integrity 50 39.2
Judicial effectiveness 67 31.3
Tax burden 89.1 80.9
Government spending 56.7 89.5
Fiscal health 21.4 96.9
Business freedom 74.4 70
Labor freedom 63.6 54.7
Monetary freedom 72.7 73.2
Trade freedom 79.4 79.8
Investment freedom 70 60
Financial freedom 60 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Romania
Vietnam
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Romania Vietnam
2026 65.4 64.4
2025 66.5 65.2
2024 64.4 62.8
2023 64.5 61.8
2022 67.1 60.6
2021 69.5 61.7
2020 69.7 58.8
2019 68.6 55.3
2018 69.4 53.1
2017 69.7 52.4
2016 65.6 54
2015 66.6 51.7
2014 65.5 50.8
2013 65.1 51
2012 64.4 51.3
2011 64.7 51.6
2010 64.2 49.8
2009 63.2 51
2008 61.7 50.4
2007 61.2 49.8
2006 58.2 50.5
2005 52.1 48.1
2004 50 46.1
2003 50.6 46.2
2002 48.7 45.6
2001 50 44.3
2000 52.1 43.7
1999 50.1 42.7
1998 54.4 40.4
1997 50.8 38.6
1996 46.2 40.2
1995 42.9 41.7

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Romania is 65.4, ranking 64/197, compared to 64.4 for Vietnam, ranking 73/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Romania Vietnam
Services, % of GDP
62.6%
2024
42.4%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
25.3%
2024
37.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.81%
2024
11.9%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$335B
2024
$454B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$47,920
2024
$15,850
2024
Total reserves including gold
$73.4B
2024
$83.1B
2024
Total reserves ranking
35/177
2024
30/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$5.17B
2024
-$19.6B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$7.16B
2024
$20.2B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$1.99B
2024
$600M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
7.29%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
19%
2023
4.2%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
25%
2024
30.6%
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/vietnam | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2024, 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 (2023–2024, 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.