Romania climbs into the rankings of the poorest countries in Europe: it exceeds several states, but the western gap remains visible in 2025

Europe remains one of the most prosperous regions of the world, being the second largest global economy. The countries of the west of the continent enjoy the high-performance industries, innovation and a high standard of living, but the contrast with the Eastern and Southeast states remains visible.

Poverty, reality for many Romanians despite the climb of Romania in European Shutterstock rankings

The inheritance of decades of communism, limited natural resources, slow reforms and political instability have left deep traces. In some cases, economic wars and seizures have braked development, emphasizing the differences between “Two Europe” – a rich one and one still in transition.

In this context, two recent international rankings – made by Stars Insider and World Population Review – offers a clear and, at the same time, surprising image on the place Romania occupies in the European economy.

We find out which are the poorest countries on the continent, on what position Romania is ranking in relation to its neighbors and what historical, social and economic factors continue to influence these major differences between West and East.

Romania in the rankings of the poorest countries in Europe: two sources, different results

Romania continues to be constantly present in the rankings of the poorest countries in Europe, but the exact position differs depending on the source and methodology.

Recently, two international publications offered different perspectives on the place occupied by our country in the European economy.

Stars Insider It places Romania on the 13th place, after Latvia, but before Hungary.

World Population Review It positions it in 11th place, after Bulgaria, but before Latvia.

The differences come from the criteria used-either the GDP per capita, or the parity of the purchasing power (PPP)-but also from the reference year of the analyzed data.

Stars Insider 2025 standings: Romania comes out of the top of the poorest countries in Europe

publication Stars Insider It included Romania in an analysis of the 15 European economies with the lowest performances related to GDP per capita.

According to the source, Romania is no longer one of the poorest countries in Europe, but it is still in the lower area of ​​the European Union, with a $ 19,566 -inhabitant GDP and a $ 40,600 purchase power (PPP).

The first place of the ranking is Ukraine, considered the poorest country in Europe, with a $ 4,847 GDP. The country was severely affected by the Russian invasion of 2022, which destroyed much of the infrastructure and significantly slowed the economic recovery.

The Top 5 Stars Insider of the poorest countries in Europe is complemented by the Republic of Moldova, Albania, North Macedonia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Romania surpasses in this top countries such as Belarus, Serbia, Montenegro and Russia, but also EU states such as Greece, Slovakia and Latvia. However, it is overcome by Hungary and Croatia, which have made faster economic progress in recent years.

The World Population Review ranking: Romania climbs 11th in Europe after GDP

Platform World Population Review proposes a slightly different image, strictly focusing on GDP on the capita.

In this top, the poorest savings, with the smallest GDP per capita in Europe, are: Ukraine ($ 5,278), Republic of Moldova, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina and North Macedonia.

Romania's place in the rankings of European economies in 2025 World Population Review source

Romania ranks 11th, with a GDP per capita of $ 21,334, being expanded by countries such as Latvia, Hungary, Poland, Croatia and Slovakia.

At the same time, however, in this ranking, Greece is 17th, while Luxembourg dominates the ranking, with a GDP of about $ 142,000 per capita, almost seven times higher than that of Romania.

What these differences about Romania's economy show

Although the figures seem cold, they reflect complex realities: investments in infrastructure, labor productivity, education level and political stability directly influence the prosperity of a country.

Romania has taken important steps in recent years – especially after joining the European Union – but the gap to western Europe remains visible.

Such economic rankings as those realized by Stars Insider and World Population Review In 2025, it offers a clear image of Romania's progress in Europe: a growing economy, which exceeds more and more states in the region and continues to reduce the differences from the European average.

With a GDP on the growing inhabitant and an increasing purchasing power, Romania strengthens its position in Europe's economic rankings – proof that the road to prosperity is slow but sure.