Updated
Overview
Romania has 2.1 times the population of Austria: 19.02 million people against 9.21 million (2025).
Austria's economy is about 35% larger than Romania's, at $579.47B versus $428.68B.
Per person, Austria is the wealthier of the two: $62,930 against $22,538 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Romania | Austria | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $428.68B | Higher: $579.47B | 2025 | $382.77B / $521.64B |
| GDP per capita | $22,538 | Higher: $62,930 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 0.7% | 0.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 7.2% | Lower: 3.5% | 2025 | 5.7% / 2.9% |
| Unemployment | 6.0% | Lower: 5.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 44 | 82 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $1,722 | Higher: $6,155 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $906 | — | 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $4.01 | — | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 19.02 million | 9.21 million | 2025 | 18.15 million / 9.17 million |
| Population growth | -0.2% | 0.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 43.2 yrs | 43.6 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.71 | 1.33 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 76.5 yrs | Higher: 82.0 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 52% | 70% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 91% | Higher: 92% | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 238,391 km² | 83,871 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 79.8/km² | 109.8/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 69 Mt | Lower: 56 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 3.6 t | 6.2 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $8.72B | $5.26B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.3% | 1.0% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 128,000 | 23,000 | 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 (0.7% for Romania, 0.6% for Austria).
Romania runs the hotter price environment: 7.2% inflation versus 3.5%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Romania: a price level of 44 versus 82 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Austria: $6,155 against $1,722 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 43.2 (Romania) and 43.6 (Austria).
Life expectancy is 5.5 years longer in Austria (82.0 vs 76.5).
Austria is considerably more urbanized: 70% of people live in cities, against 52%.
Geography
By land area, Romania is 2.8 times the size of Austria: 238,391 km² versus 83,871 km².
Both sit in the same broad region but do not share a border.
Military
Romania spends about 65% more on defence than Austria: $8.72B versus $5.26B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Romania carries the heavier military burden: 2.3% of GDP versus 1.0%.
Romania fields the larger armed forces: 128,000 personnel against 23,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Romania bigger than Austria?
- Romania is larger by land area. Romania covers 238,391 km² while Austria covers 83,871 km², so Romania is 2.8 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Romania or Austria?
- Romania has the larger population: 19.02 million versus 9.21 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Romania richer than Austria?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Austria is richer: $62,930 against $22,538. Total GDP tells the same story: $428.68B for Romania versus $579.47B for Austria.
- Who spends more on their military, Romania or Austria?
- Romania spends more: $8.72B versus $5.26B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).