Updated
Overview
Italy has 3.1 times the population of Romania: 58.92 million people against 19.02 million (2025).
Italy's economy is 6.0 times the size of Romania's, at $2.55T versus $428.68B.
Per person, Italy is the wealthier of the two: $43,309 against $22,538 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Italy | Romania | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $2.55T | $428.68B | 2025 | $2.37T / $382.77B |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $43,309 | $22,538 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 0.5% | Higher: 0.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 1.5% | 7.2% | 2025 | 1.0% / 5.7% |
| Unemployment | 6.4% | Lower: 6.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 69 | 44 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | Higher: $3,994 | $1,722 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | — | $906 | — / 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | — | $4.01 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 58.92 million | 19.02 million | 2025 | 60.92 million / 18.15 million |
| Population growth | -0.1% | -0.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 48.2 yrs | 43.2 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.21 | 1.71 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 84.0 yrs | 76.5 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 70% | 52% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 89% | Higher: 91% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 301,336 km² | 238,391 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 195.5/km² | 79.8/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 302 Mt | Lower: 69 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 5.1 t | Lower: 3.6 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $37.96B | $8.72B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.6% | 2.3% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 338,000 | 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 (0.5% for Italy, 0.7% for Romania).
Romania runs the hotter price environment: 7.2% inflation versus 1.5%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Romania: a price level of 44 versus 69 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Italy: $3,994 against $1,722 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Romania is the younger society: median age 43.2 versus 48.2 years.
Life expectancy is 7.5 years longer in Italy (84.0 vs 76.5).
Italy is considerably more urbanized: 70% of people live in cities, against 52%.
Geography
By land area, Italy is 26% larger than Romania: 301,336 km² versus 238,391 km².
Both sit in the same broad region but do not share a border.
Italy is far more densely settled: 196 people per km² against 80.
Military
Italy spends 4.4 times as much on defence as Romania: $37.96B versus $8.72B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Italy fields the larger armed forces: 338,000 personnel against 128,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Italy bigger than Romania?
- Italy is larger by land area. Italy covers 301,336 km² while Romania covers 238,391 km², so Italy is 26% larger than the other.
- Which has more people, Italy or Romania?
- Italy has the larger population: 58.92 million versus 19.02 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Italy richer than Romania?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Italy is richer: $43,309 against $22,538. Total GDP tells the same story: $2.55T for Italy versus $428.68B for Romania.
- Who spends more on their military, Italy or Romania?
- Italy spends more: $37.96B versus $8.72B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).