Updated
Overview
Poland has about 90% more people than Romania: 36.44 million against 19.02 million (2025).
Poland's economy is 2.4 times the size of Romania's, at $1.04T versus $428.68B.
Per person, Poland is the wealthier of the two: $28,420 against $22,538 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Poland | Romania | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $1.04T | $428.68B | 2025 | $914.70B / $382.77B |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $28,420 | $22,538 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 3.6% | 0.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 3.8% | 7.2% | 2025 | 3.8% / 5.7% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 3.0% | 6.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 52 | 44 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | Higher: $2,302 | $1,722 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | Higher: $1,241 | $906 | 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $6.22 | $4.01 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 36.44 million | 19.02 million | 2025 | 38.75 million / 18.15 million |
| Population growth | -0.3% | -0.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 42.5 yrs | 43.2 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.31 | 1.71 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 78.4 yrs | 76.5 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 60% | 52% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 89% | Higher: 91% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 312,679 km² | 238,391 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 116.5/km² | 79.8/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 273 Mt | Lower: 69 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 7.1 t | Lower: 3.6 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $38.00B | $8.72B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 4.2% | 2.3% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 189,000 | 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
Poland is growing faster: 3.6% annual GDP growth versus 0.7%.
Romania runs the hotter price environment: 7.2% inflation versus 3.8%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Romania: a price level of 44 versus 52 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Poland: $2,302 against $1,722 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 42.5 (Poland) and 43.2 (Romania).
Life expectancy is 2.0 years longer in Poland (78.4 vs 76.5).
Geography
By land area, Poland is 31% larger than Romania: 312,679 km² versus 238,391 km².
Both sit in the same broad region but do not share a border.
Military
Poland spends 4.4 times as much on defence as Romania: $38.00B versus $8.72B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Poland carries the heavier military burden: 4.2% of GDP versus 2.3%.
Poland fields the larger armed forces: 189,000 personnel against 128,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Poland bigger than Romania?
- Poland is larger by land area. Poland covers 312,679 km² while Romania covers 238,391 km², so Poland is 31% larger than the other.
- Which has more people, Poland or Romania?
- Poland has the larger population: 36.44 million versus 19.02 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Poland richer than Romania?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Poland is richer: $28,420 against $22,538. Total GDP tells the same story: $1.04T for Poland versus $428.68B for Romania.
- Who spends more on their military, Poland or Romania?
- Poland spends more: $38.00B versus $8.72B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).