Updated
Overview
Russia has 7.5 times the population of Romania: 143.51 million people against 19.02 million (2025).
Russia's economy is 6.0 times the size of Romania's, at $2.56T versus $428.68B.
Per person, Romania is the wealthier of the two: $22,538 against $17,547 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Russia | Romania | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $2.56T | $428.68B | 2025 | $2.17T / $382.77B |
| GDP per capita | $17,547 | Higher: $22,538 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 1.0% | 0.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 8.7% | Lower: 7.2% | 2025 | 6.7% / 5.7% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 2.1% | 6.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 32 | 44 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $777 | Higher: $1,722 | 2021 / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $208 | Higher: $906 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $1.74 | $4.01 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 143.51 million | 19.02 million | 2025 | 140.13 million / 18.15 million |
| Population growth | -0.1% | -0.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 40.3 yrs | 43.2 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.46 | 1.71 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 73.4 yrs | Higher: 76.5 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 75% | 52% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 94% | 91% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 17,098,242 km² | 238,391 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 8.4/km² | 79.8/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 1,781 Mt | Lower: 69 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 12.3 t | Lower: 3.6 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $148.97B | $8.72B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 7.1% | 2.3% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 1.5 million | 128,000 | 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
Both economies are growing at a similar pace (1.0% for Russia, 0.7% for Romania).
Inflation is comparable in both: 8.7% in Russia and 7.2% in Romania.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Russia: a price level of 32 versus 44 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Romania: $1,722 against $777 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Russia is the younger society: median age 40.3 versus 43.2 years.
Life expectancy is 3.0 years longer in Romania (76.5 vs 73.4).
Russia is considerably more urbanized: 75% of people live in cities, against 52%.
Geography
By land area, Russia is 72 times the size of Romania: 17,098,242 km² versus 238,391 km².
Romania is far more densely settled: 80 people per km² against 8.
Military
Russia spends 17 times as much on defence as Romania: $148.97B versus $8.72B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Russia carries the heavier military burden: 7.1% of GDP versus 2.3%.
Russia fields the larger armed forces: 1.5 million personnel against 128,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Russia bigger than Romania?
- Russia is larger by land area. Russia covers 17,098,242 km² while Romania covers 238,391 km², so Russia is 72 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Russia or Romania?
- Russia has the larger population: 143.51 million versus 19.02 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Russia richer than Romania?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Romania is richer: $22,538 against $17,547. Total GDP tells a different story: $2.56T for Russia versus $428.68B for Romania.
- Who spends more on their military, Russia or Romania?
- Russia spends more: $148.97B versus $8.72B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).