Updated
Overview
Romania has 3.4 times the population of Finland: 19.02 million people against 5.65 million (2025).
Romania's economy is about 35% larger than Finland's, at $428.68B versus $317.04B.
Per person, Finland is the wealthier of the two: $56,149 against $22,538 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Romania | Finland | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $428.68B | $317.04B | 2025 | $382.77B / $299.84B |
| GDP per capita | $22,538 | Higher: $56,149 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 0.7% | 0.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 7.2% | Lower: 0.3% | 2025 | 5.7% / 1.6% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 6.0% | 9.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 44 | 85 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $1,722 | Higher: $5,760 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $906 | — | 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $4.01 | — | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 19.02 million | 5.65 million | 2025 | 18.15 million / 5.55 million |
| Population growth | -0.2% | 0.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 43.2 yrs | 43.2 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.71 | 1.30 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 76.5 yrs | Higher: 82.3 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 52% | 75% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 91% | Higher: 94% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 238,391 km² | 338,424 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 79.8/km² | 16.7/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 69 Mt | Lower: 30 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 3.6 t | 5.3 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $8.72B | $6.99B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.3% | 2.3% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 128,000 | 22,000 | 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
Romania is growing faster: 0.7% annual GDP growth versus 0.2%.
Romania runs the hotter price environment: 7.2% inflation versus 0.3%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Romania: a price level of 44 versus 85 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Finland: $5,760 against $1,722 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 43.2 (Romania) and 43.2 (Finland).
Life expectancy is 5.9 years longer in Finland (82.3 vs 76.5).
Finland is considerably more urbanized: 75% of people live in cities, against 52%.
Geography
By land area, Romania is 30% smaller than Finland: 238,391 km² versus 338,424 km².
Both sit in the same broad region but do not share a border.
Romania is far more densely settled: 80 people per km² against 17.
Military
Romania spends 25% more on defence than Finland: $8.72B versus $6.99B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Romania fields the larger armed forces: 128,000 personnel against 22,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Romania bigger than Finland?
- Finland is larger by land area. Romania covers 238,391 km² while Finland covers 338,424 km², so Finland is 42% larger than the other.
- Which has more people, Romania or Finland?
- Romania has the larger population: 19.02 million versus 5.65 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Romania richer than Finland?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Finland is richer: $56,149 against $22,538. Total GDP tells a different story: $428.68B for Romania versus $317.04B for Finland.
- Who spends more on their military, Romania or Finland?
- Romania spends more: $8.72B versus $6.99B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).