Updated
Overview
Ukraine has 2.0 times the population of Romania: 38.98 million people against 19.02 million (2025).
Romania's economy is 2.0 times the size of Ukraine's, at $428.68B versus $214.23B.
Per person, Romania is the wealthier of the two: $22,538 against $5,866 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Ukraine | Romania | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $214.23B | Higher: $428.68B | 2025 | $190.74B / $382.77B |
| GDP per capita | $5,866 | Higher: $22,538 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 1.8% | 0.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 12.7% | Lower: 7.2% | 2025 | 6.5% / 5.7% |
| Unemployment | 9.8% | Lower: 6.0% | 2021 / 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 31 | 44 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $459 | Higher: $1,722 | 2022 / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $192 | Higher: $906 | 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $3.34 | $4.01 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 38.98 million | 19.02 million | 2025 | 35.66 million / 18.15 million |
| Population growth | 2.9% | -0.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 41.8 yrs | 43.2 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.00 | 1.71 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 74.7 yrs | Higher: 76.5 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 70% | 52% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 82% | Higher: 91% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 603,500 km² | 238,391 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 64.6/km² | 79.8/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 142 Mt | Lower: 69 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 3.8 t | Lower: 3.6 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $64.70B | $8.72B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 34.5% | 2.3% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 298,000 | 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
Ukraine is growing faster: 1.8% annual GDP growth versus 0.7%.
Ukraine runs the hotter price environment: 12.7% inflation versus 7.2%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Ukraine: a price level of 31 versus 44 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Romania: $1,722 against $459 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 41.8 (Ukraine) and 43.2 (Romania).
Life expectancy is 1.8 years longer in Romania (76.5 vs 74.7).
Ukraine is considerably more urbanized: 70% of people live in cities, against 52%.
Geography
By land area, Ukraine is 2.5 times the size of Romania: 603,500 km² versus 238,391 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Military
Ukraine spends 7.4 times as much on defence as Romania: $64.70B versus $8.72B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Ukraine carries the heavier military burden: 34.5% of GDP versus 2.3%.
Ukraine fields the larger armed forces: 298,000 personnel against 128,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Ukraine bigger than Romania?
- Ukraine is larger by land area. Ukraine covers 603,500 km² while Romania covers 238,391 km², so Ukraine is 2.5 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Ukraine or Romania?
- Ukraine has the larger population: 38.98 million versus 19.02 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Ukraine richer than Romania?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Romania is richer: $22,538 against $5,866. Total GDP tells the same story: $214.23B for Ukraine versus $428.68B for Romania.
- Who spends more on their military, Ukraine or Romania?
- Ukraine spends more: $64.70B versus $8.72B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).