Updated
Overview
Romania has 3.1 times the population of Singapore: 19.02 million people against 6.11 million (2025).
Singapore's economy is about 40% larger than Romania's, at $603.87B versus $428.68B.
Per person, Singapore is the wealthier of the two: $98,814 against $22,538 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Romania | Singapore | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $428.68B | Higher: $603.87B | 2025 | $382.77B / $547.39B |
| GDP per capita | $22,538 | Higher: $98,814 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 0.7% | Higher: 5.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 7.2% | Lower: 0.9% | 2025 | 5.7% / 2.4% |
| Unemployment | 6.0% | Lower: 2.8% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 44 | 60 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $1,722 | Higher: $3,483 | 2025 / 2021 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $906 | — | 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $4.01 | $5.77 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 19.02 million | 6.11 million | 2025 | 18.15 million / 6.08 million |
| Population growth | -0.2% | 1.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 43.2 yrs | 36.2 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.71 | 0.96 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 76.5 yrs | Higher: 83.3 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 52% | 100% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 91% | Higher: 94% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 238,391 km² | 719 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 79.8/km² | 8499.5/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 69 Mt | Lower: 54 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 3.6 t | 9.2 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $8.72B | $15.06B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.3% | 2.8% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 128,000 | 59,000 | 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
Singapore is growing much faster: 5.0% annual GDP growth versus 0.7%.
Romania runs the hotter price environment: 7.2% inflation versus 0.9%.
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 Singapore: $3,483 against $1,722 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Singapore is the younger society: median age 36.2 versus 43.2 years.
Life expectancy is 6.9 years longer in Singapore (83.3 vs 76.5).
Singapore is considerably more urbanized: 100% of people live in cities, against 52%.
Geography
By land area, Romania is 332 times the size of Singapore: 238,391 km² versus 719 km².
Singapore is far more densely settled: 8500 people per km² against 80.
Military
Singapore spends about 75% more on defence than Romania: $15.06B versus $8.72B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Romania fields the larger armed forces: 128,000 personnel against 59,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Romania bigger than Singapore?
- Romania is larger by land area. Romania covers 238,391 km² while Singapore covers 719 km², so Romania is 332 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Romania or Singapore?
- Romania has the larger population: 19.02 million versus 6.11 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Romania richer than Singapore?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Singapore is richer: $98,814 against $22,538. Total GDP tells the same story: $428.68B for Romania versus $603.87B for Singapore.
- Who spends more on their military, Romania or Singapore?
- Singapore spends more: $15.06B versus $8.72B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).