Updated
Overview
Romania has about 80% more people than Sweden: 19.02 million against 10.60 million (2025).
Sweden's economy is about 55% larger than Romania's, at $669.00B versus $428.68B.
Per person, Sweden is the wealthier of the two: $63,133 against $22,538 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Romania | Sweden | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $428.68B | Higher: $669.00B | 2025 | $382.77B / $610.12B |
| GDP per capita | $22,538 | Higher: $63,133 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 0.7% | Higher: 1.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 7.2% | Lower: 0.7% | 2025 | 5.7% / 2.8% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 6.0% | 8.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 44 | 87 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $1,722 | Higher: $4,783 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $906 | — | 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $4.01 | $7.16 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 19.02 million | 10.60 million | 2025 | 18.15 million / 10.64 million |
| Population growth | -0.2% | 0.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 43.2 yrs | 40.3 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.71 | 1.44 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 76.5 yrs | Higher: 84.1 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 52% | 89% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 91% | Higher: 96% | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 238,391 km² | 450,295 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 79.8/km² | 23.5/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 69 Mt | Lower: 38 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 3.6 t | Lower: 3.6 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $8.72B | $12.04B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.3% | 2.0% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 128,000 | 15,000 | 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
Sweden is growing faster: 1.5% annual GDP growth versus 0.7%.
Romania runs the hotter price environment: 7.2% inflation versus 0.7%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Romania: a price level of 44 versus 87 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Sweden: $4,783 against $1,722 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Sweden is the younger society: median age 40.3 versus 43.2 years.
Life expectancy is 7.6 years longer in Sweden (84.1 vs 76.5).
Sweden is considerably more urbanized: 89% of people live in cities, against 52%.
Geography
By land area, Romania is 47% smaller than Sweden: 238,391 km² versus 450,295 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 24.
Military
Sweden spends about 40% more on defence than Romania: $12.04B versus $8.72B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Romania fields the larger armed forces: 128,000 personnel against 15,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Romania bigger than Sweden?
- Sweden is larger by land area. Romania covers 238,391 km² while Sweden covers 450,295 km², so Sweden is 89% larger than the other.
- Which has more people, Romania or Sweden?
- Romania has the larger population: 19.02 million versus 10.60 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Romania richer than Sweden?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Sweden is richer: $63,133 against $22,538. Total GDP tells the same story: $428.68B for Romania versus $669.00B for Sweden.
- Who spends more on their military, Romania or Sweden?
- Sweden spends more: $12.04B versus $8.72B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).