Updated
Overview
India has 77 times the population of Romania: 1.46 billion people against 19.02 million (2025).
India's economy is 9.2 times the size of Romania's, at $3.96T versus $428.68B.
Per person, Romania is the wealthier of the two: $22,538 against $2,702 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | India | Romania | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $3.96T | $428.68B | 2025 | $3.91T / $382.77B |
| GDP per capita | $2,702 | Higher: $22,538 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 7.6% | 0.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 2.4% | 7.2% | 2025 | 5.0% / 5.7% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 4.2% | 6.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 23 | 44 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $255 | Higher: $1,722 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $55 | Higher: $906 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $2.45 | $4.01 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 1.46 billion | 19.02 million | 2025 | 1.42 billion / 18.15 million |
| Population growth | 0.9% | -0.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 28.8 yrs | 43.2 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.94 | 1.71 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 72.2 yrs | Higher: 76.5 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 36% | 52% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 70% | Higher: 91% | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 3,287,590 km² | 238,391 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 445.3/km² | 79.8/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 3,193 Mt | Lower: 69 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 2.2 t | 3.6 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $86.13B | $8.72B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.3% | 2.3% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 3.1 million | 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
India is growing much faster: 7.6% annual GDP growth versus 0.7%.
Romania runs the hotter price environment: 7.2% inflation versus 2.4%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in India: a price level of 23 versus 44 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Romania: $1,722 against $255 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
India is the far younger society: median age 28.8 versus 43.2 years.
Life expectancy is 4.2 years longer in Romania (76.5 vs 72.2).
Romania is considerably more urbanized: 52% of people live in cities, against 36%.
Internet adoption is higher in Romania (91% vs 70% of the population).
Geography
By land area, India is 14 times the size of Romania: 3,287,590 km² versus 238,391 km².
India is far more densely settled: 445 people per km² against 80.
Military
India spends 9.9 times as much on defence as Romania: $86.13B versus $8.72B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
India fields the larger armed forces: 3.1 million personnel against 128,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is India bigger than Romania?
- India is larger by land area. India covers 3,287,590 km² while Romania covers 238,391 km², so India is 14 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, India or Romania?
- India has the larger population: 1.46 billion versus 19.02 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is India richer than Romania?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Romania is richer: $22,538 against $2,702. Total GDP tells a different story: $3.96T for India versus $428.68B for Romania.
- Who spends more on their military, India or Romania?
- India spends more: $86.13B versus $8.72B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).