Updated
Overview
Romania has about 75% more people than Portugal: 19.02 million against 10.80 million (2025).
Romania's economy is 24% larger than Portugal's, at $428.68B versus $346.64B.
Per person, Portugal is the wealthier of the two: $32,082 against $22,538 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Romania | Portugal | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $428.68B | $346.64B | 2025 | $382.77B / $308.68B |
| GDP per capita | $22,538 | Higher: $32,082 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 0.7% | Higher: 1.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 7.2% | Lower: 2.3% | 2025 | 5.7% / 2.4% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 6.0% | 6.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 44 | 60 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | Higher: $1,722 | $1,426 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $906 | Higher: $1,147 | 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $4.01 | — | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 19.02 million | 10.80 million | 2025 | 18.15 million / 10.19 million |
| Population growth | -0.2% | 1.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 43.2 yrs | 46.9 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.71 | 1.52 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 76.5 yrs | Higher: 82.4 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 52% | 61% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 91% | 88% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 238,391 km² | 92,090 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 79.8/km² | 117.3/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 69 Mt | Lower: 36 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 3.6 t | Lower: 3.4 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $8.72B | $4.64B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.3% | 1.5% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 128,000 | 52,000 | 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
Portugal is growing faster: 1.9% annual GDP growth versus 0.7%.
Romania runs the hotter price environment: 7.2% inflation versus 2.3%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Romania: a price level of 44 versus 60 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Romania: $1,722 against $1,426 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Romania is the younger society: median age 43.2 versus 46.9 years.
Life expectancy is 5.9 years longer in Portugal (82.4 vs 76.5).
Geography
By land area, Romania is 2.6 times the size of Portugal: 238,391 km² versus 92,090 km².
Both sit in the same broad region but do not share a border.
Military
Romania spends about 90% more on defence than Portugal: $8.72B versus $4.64B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Romania fields the larger armed forces: 128,000 personnel against 52,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Romania bigger than Portugal?
- Romania is larger by land area. Romania covers 238,391 km² while Portugal covers 92,090 km², so Romania is 2.6 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Romania or Portugal?
- Romania has the larger population: 19.02 million versus 10.80 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Romania richer than Portugal?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Portugal is richer: $32,082 against $22,538. Total GDP tells a different story: $428.68B for Romania versus $346.64B for Portugal.
- Who spends more on their military, Romania or Portugal?
- Romania spends more: $8.72B versus $4.64B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).