Updated
Overview
Vietnam has 5.3 times the population of Romania: 101.60 million people against 19.02 million (2025).
Vietnam's economy is 20% larger than Romania's, at $514.70B versus $428.68B.
Per person, Romania is the wealthier of the two: $22,538 against $5,066 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Vietnam | Romania | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $514.70B | $428.68B | 2025 | $476.39B / $382.77B |
| GDP per capita | $5,066 | Higher: $22,538 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 8.0% | 0.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 3.3% | 7.2% | 2025 | 3.6% / 5.7% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 1.5% | 6.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 29 | 44 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $355 | Higher: $1,722 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $205 | Higher: $906 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $2.89 | $4.01 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 101.60 million | 19.02 million | 2025 | 106.69 million / 18.15 million |
| Population growth | 0.6% | -0.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 33.4 yrs | 43.2 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.88 | 1.71 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 74.7 yrs | Higher: 76.5 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 39% | 52% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 84% | Higher: 91% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 331,212 km² | 238,391 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 306.7/km² | 79.8/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 371 Mt | Lower: 69 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 3.7 t | Lower: 3.6 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $5.50B | $8.72B | 2018 / 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.8% | 2.3% | 2018 / 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 522,000 | 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
Vietnam is growing much faster: 8.0% annual GDP growth versus 0.7%.
Romania runs the hotter price environment: 7.2% inflation versus 3.3%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Vietnam: a price level of 29 versus 44 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Romania: $1,722 against $355 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Vietnam is the far younger society: median age 33.4 versus 43.2 years.
Life expectancy is 1.7 years longer in Romania (76.5 vs 74.7).
Romania is considerably more urbanized: 52% of people live in cities, against 39%.
Geography
By land area, Vietnam is 39% larger than Romania: 331,212 km² versus 238,391 km².
Vietnam is far more densely settled: 307 people per km² against 80.
Military
Romania spends about 60% more on defence than Vietnam: $8.72B versus $5.50B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Vietnam fields the larger armed forces: 522,000 personnel against 128,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Vietnam bigger than Romania?
- Vietnam is larger by land area. Vietnam covers 331,212 km² while Romania covers 238,391 km², so Vietnam is 39% larger than the other.
- Which has more people, Vietnam or Romania?
- Vietnam has the larger population: 101.60 million versus 19.02 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Vietnam richer than Romania?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Romania is richer: $22,538 against $5,066. Total GDP tells a different story: $514.70B for Vietnam versus $428.68B for Romania.
- Who spends more on their military, Vietnam or Romania?
- Romania spends more: $8.72B versus $5.50B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).