Updated
Overview
Romania has 3.5 times the population of Ireland: 19.02 million people against 5.48 million (2025).
Ireland's economy is about 70% larger than Romania's, at $721.70B versus $428.68B.
Per person, Ireland is the wealthier of the two: $131,592 against $22,538 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Romania | Ireland | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $428.68B | Higher: $721.70B | 2025 | $382.77B / $577.39B |
| GDP per capita | $22,538 | Higher: $131,592 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 0.7% | Higher: 12.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 7.2% | Lower: 2.2% | 2025 | 5.7% / 2.1% |
| Unemployment | 6.0% | Lower: 4.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 44 | 85 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $1,722 | Higher: $5,697 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $906 | Higher: $2,579 | 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $4.01 | — | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 19.02 million | 5.48 million | 2025 | 18.15 million / 5.23 million |
| Population growth | -0.2% | 1.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 43.2 yrs | 39.0 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.71 | 1.60 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 76.5 yrs | Higher: 83.0 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 52% | 65% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 91% | Higher: 97% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 238,391 km² | 70,273 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 79.8/km² | 78.0/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 69 Mt | Lower: 33 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 3.6 t | 6.3 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $8.72B | $1.33B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.3% | 0.2% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 128,000 | 9,000 | 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
Ireland is growing much faster: 12.3% annual GDP growth versus 0.7%.
Romania runs the hotter price environment: 7.2% inflation versus 2.2%.
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 Ireland: $5,697 against $1,722 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Ireland is the younger society: median age 39.0 versus 43.2 years.
Life expectancy is 6.6 years longer in Ireland (83.0 vs 76.5).
Ireland is considerably more urbanized: 65% of people live in cities, against 52%.
Geography
By land area, Romania is 3.4 times the size of Ireland: 238,391 km² versus 70,273 km².
Both sit in the same broad region but do not share a border.
Military
Romania spends 6.6 times as much on defence as Ireland: $8.72B versus $1.33B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Romania carries the heavier military burden: 2.3% of GDP versus 0.2%.
Romania fields the larger armed forces: 128,000 personnel against 9,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Romania bigger than Ireland?
- Romania is larger by land area. Romania covers 238,391 km² while Ireland covers 70,273 km², so Romania is 3.4 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Romania or Ireland?
- Romania has the larger population: 19.02 million versus 5.48 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Romania richer than Ireland?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Ireland is richer: $131,592 against $22,538. Total GDP tells the same story: $428.68B for Romania versus $721.70B for Ireland.
- Who spends more on their military, Romania or Ireland?
- Romania spends more: $8.72B versus $1.33B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).