Updated
Overview
France has 3.6 times the population of Romania: 68.72 million people against 19.02 million (2025).
France's economy is 7.9 times the size of Romania's, at $3.37T versus $428.68B.
Per person, France is the wealthier of the two: $48,986 against $22,538 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | France | Romania | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $3.37T | $428.68B | 2025 | $3.16T / $382.77B |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $48,986 | $22,538 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 0.8% | 0.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 0.9% | 7.2% | 2025 | 2.0% / 5.7% |
| Unemployment | 7.5% | Lower: 6.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 77 | 44 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | Higher: $5,024 | $1,722 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | Higher: $2,036 | $906 | 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | — | $4.01 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 68.72 million | 19.02 million | 2025 | 68.51 million / 18.15 million |
| Population growth | 0.2% | -0.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 42.3 yrs | 43.2 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.64 | 1.71 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 83.0 yrs | 76.5 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 79% | 52% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 89% | Higher: 91% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 643,801 km² | 238,391 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 106.7/km² | 79.8/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 264 Mt | Lower: 69 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 4.0 t | Lower: 3.6 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $64.68B | $8.72B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.1% | 2.3% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 304,000 | 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
Both economies are growing at a similar pace (0.8% for France, 0.7% for Romania).
Romania runs the hotter price environment: 7.2% inflation versus 0.9%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Romania: a price level of 44 versus 77 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour France: $5,024 against $1,722 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 42.3 (France) and 43.2 (Romania).
Life expectancy is 6.5 years longer in France (83.0 vs 76.5).
France is considerably more urbanized: 79% of people live in cities, against 52%.
Geography
By land area, France is 2.7 times the size of Romania: 643,801 km² versus 238,391 km².
Both sit in the same broad region but do not share a border.
Military
France spends 7.4 times as much on defence as Romania: $64.68B versus $8.72B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
France fields the larger armed forces: 304,000 personnel against 128,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is France bigger than Romania?
- France is larger by land area. France covers 643,801 km² while Romania covers 238,391 km², so France is 2.7 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, France or Romania?
- France has the larger population: 68.72 million versus 19.02 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is France richer than Romania?
- Measured by GDP per capita, France is richer: $48,986 against $22,538. Total GDP tells the same story: $3.37T for France versus $428.68B for Romania.
- Who spends more on their military, France or Romania?
- France spends more: $64.68B versus $8.72B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).