How the global economy could be reshaped in just a few years, and where Romania stands

The global economy is projected to pass $150 trillion by 2030, but the most striking change near the top of the ranking could come from the contest between Germany and India.

Projections presented by Visual Capitalist, based on nominal GDP data from the IMF World Economic Outlook, put the global economy at $150.344 trillion in 2030. That would represent an increase of almost $25 trillion between 2026 and 2030.

The United States is expected to remain the world’s largest economy, with nominal GDP of $37.678 trillion. China follows at $26.047 trillion. The two countries would account for 25.1% and 17.3% of global GDP respectively, together generating more than 40% of the projected total.

Germany and India are expected to sit next, each with an economy worth about $6.2 trillion. Germany’s projected GDP of $6.178 trillion would place it just $5 billion ahead of India’s $6.173 trillion. That gap could change if India maintains its current growth rate, the report notes. Measured by purchasing power parity, India’s economy is already about three times larger than Germany’s.

The United Kingdom is projected to reach $5.148 trillion and Japan $5.002 trillion. France is expected to stand at about $4.004 trillion. Asia is projected to strengthen its position in the global economy, while Europe would still account for roughly one-fifth of global output, led within the European Union by Germany, France and Italy.

Romania is estimated to reach nominal GDP of approximately $614 billion in 2030, representing about 0.4% of the world economy.