Updated
Overview
Argentina has 2.4 times the population of Romania: 45.85 million people against 19.02 million (2025).
Argentina's economy is about 60% larger than Romania's, at $683.10B versus $428.68B.
Per person, Romania is the wealthier of the two: $22,538 against $14,898 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Argentina | Romania | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $683.10B | $428.68B | 2025 | $633.27B / $382.77B |
| GDP per capita | $14,898 | Higher: $22,538 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 4.4% | 0.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 219.9% | Lower: 7.2% | 2024 / 2025 | — / 5.7% |
| Unemployment | 7.1% | Lower: 6.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 46 | 44 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $811 | Higher: $1,722 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $297 | Higher: $906 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $5.91 | $4.01 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 45.85 million | 19.02 million | 2025 | 45.42 million / 18.15 million |
| Population growth | 0.3% | -0.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 32.9 yrs | 43.2 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.50 | 1.71 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 77.5 yrs | 76.5 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 92% | 52% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 90% | Higher: 91% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 2,780,400 km² | 238,391 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 16.5/km² | 79.8/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 171 Mt | Lower: 69 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 3.7 t | Lower: 3.6 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $4.18B | $8.72B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 0.6% | 2.3% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 103,000 | 128,000 | 2020 | — / — |
Sources by row: World Bank WDI, IMF WEO, UN WPP 2024, ILOSTAT, The Economist. Emphasis marks the stronger figure where one direction is meaningfully better.
Reading the numbers
Economy
Argentina is growing much faster: 4.4% annual GDP growth versus 0.7%.
Inflation is a serious concern in Argentina at 219.9%, while the other economy sits at 7.2%.
Average monthly earnings favour Romania: $1,722 against $811 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Argentina is the far younger society: median age 32.9 versus 43.2 years.
Life expectancy is 1.1 years longer in Argentina (77.5 vs 76.5).
Argentina is considerably more urbanized: 92% of people live in cities, against 52%.
Geography
By land area, Argentina is 12 times the size of Romania: 2,780,400 km² versus 238,391 km².
Romania is far more densely settled: 80 people per km² against 16.
Military
Romania spends 2.1 times as much on defence as Argentina: $8.72B versus $4.18B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Romania carries the heavier military burden: 2.3% of GDP versus 0.6%.
Romania fields the larger armed forces: 128,000 personnel against 103,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Argentina bigger than Romania?
- Argentina is larger by land area. Argentina covers 2,780,400 km² while Romania covers 238,391 km², so Argentina is 12 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Argentina or Romania?
- Argentina has the larger population: 45.85 million versus 19.02 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Argentina richer than Romania?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Romania is richer: $22,538 against $14,898. Total GDP tells a different story: $683.10B for Argentina versus $428.68B for Romania.
- Who spends more on their military, Argentina or Romania?
- Romania spends more: $8.72B versus $4.18B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).