Updated
Overview
Romania has 8.1 times the population of Moldova: 19.02 million people against 2.36 million (2025).
Romania's economy is 21 times the size of Moldova's, at $428.68B versus $20.35B.
Per person, Romania is the wealthier of the two: $22,538 against $8,622 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Romania | Moldova | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $428.68B | $20.35B | 2025 | $382.77B / $18.20B |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $22,538 | $8,622 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 0.7% | Higher: 2.4% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 7.2% | 7.8% | 2025 | 5.7% / 4.7% |
| Unemployment | 6.0% | Lower: 1.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 44 | 43 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | Higher: $1,722 | $501 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | Higher: $906 | $316 | 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $4.01 | $4.56 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 19.02 million | 2.36 million | 2025 | 18.15 million / 3.58 million |
| Population growth | -0.2% | -1.8% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 43.2 yrs | 38.6 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.71 | 1.72 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 76.5 yrs | 71.3 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 52% | 44% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 91% | 77% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 238,391 km² | 33,846 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 79.8/km² | 69.7/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 69 Mt | Lower: 5.33 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 3.6 t | Lower: 1.8 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $8.72B | $110.73M | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.3% | 0.6% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 128,000 | 6,000 | 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
Moldova is growing faster: 2.4% annual GDP growth versus 0.7%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 7.2% in Romania and 7.8% in Moldova.
Average monthly earnings favour Romania: $1,722 against $501 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Moldova is the younger society: median age 38.6 versus 43.2 years.
Life expectancy is 5.1 years longer in Romania (76.5 vs 71.3).
Internet adoption is higher in Romania (91% vs 77% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Romania is 7.0 times the size of Moldova: 238,391 km² versus 33,846 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Military
Romania spends 79 times as much on defence as Moldova: $8.72B versus $110.73M (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Romania carries the heavier military burden: 2.3% of GDP versus 0.6%.
Romania fields the larger armed forces: 128,000 personnel against 6,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Romania bigger than Moldova?
- Romania is larger by land area. Romania covers 238,391 km² while Moldova covers 33,846 km², so Romania is 7.0 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Romania or Moldova?
- Romania has the larger population: 19.02 million versus 2.36 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Romania richer than Moldova?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Romania is richer: $22,538 against $8,622. Total GDP tells the same story: $428.68B for Romania versus $20.35B for Moldova.
- Who spends more on their military, Romania or Moldova?
- Romania spends more: $8.72B versus $110.73M per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).