View Intelligence Dossier Back to 2010 CSV Excel Print All Years

Communications

Broadcast media [time series]

a mixture of public and private TV stations; the public broadcaster operates multiple stations; roughly 100 private national, regional, and local stations operating; more than 75% of households are connected to multi-channel cable or satellite TV systems that provide access to Romanian, European, and international stations; state-owned public radio broadcaster operates 4 national networks and regional and local stations; more than 100 private radio stations broadcasting (2008)

Internet country code [time series]

.ro

Internet users (Internet hosts) [time series]

2.464 million (2010) country comparison to the world: 34

Internet users [time series]

7.787 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 37

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

general assessment: the telecommunications sector is being expanded and modernized; domestic and international service improving rapidly, especially mobile-cellular services domestic: more than 90 percent of telephone network is automatic; fixed-line teledensity exceeds 20 telephones per 100 persons; mobile-cellular teledensity, expanding rapidly, roughly 115 telephones per 100 persons international: country code - 40; the Black Sea Fiber Optic System provides connectivity to Bulgaria and Turkey; satellite earth stations - 10; digital, international, direct-dial exchanges operate in Bucharest (2009)

Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones - main lines in use) [time series]

5.313 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 30

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

25.377 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 34

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

wheat, corn, barley, sugar beets, sunflower seed, potatoes, grapes; eggs, sheep

Central bank discount rate [time series]

NA%

Commercial bank prime lending rate [time series]

17.28% (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 46 14.99% (31 December 2008 est.)

Current account balance [time series]

-$7.934 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 175 -$7.139 billion (2009 est.)

Debt - external [time series]

$108.9 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 34 $110 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income (Distribution of family income - Gini index) [time series]

32 (2008) country comparison to the world: 103 28.8 (2003)

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

Romania, which joined the European Union on 1 January 2007, began the transition from Communism in 1989 with a largely obsolete industrial base and a pattern of output unsuited to the country's needs. The country emerged in 2000 from a punishing three-year recession thanks to strong demand in EU export markets. Domestic consumption and investment have fueled strong GDP growth in recent years, but have led to large current account imbalances. Romania's macroeconomic gains have only recently started to spur creation of a middle class and address Romania's widespread poverty. Corruption and red tape continue to handicap its business environment. Inflation rose in 2007-08, driven in part by strong consumer demand and high wage growth, rising energy costs, a nation-wide drought affecting food prices, and a relaxation of fiscal discipline. Romania's GDP contracted markedly in the last quarter of 2008 as the country began to feel the effects of a global downturn in financial markets and trade, and GDP fell more than 7% in 2009, prompting Bucharest to seek a $26 billion emergency assistance package from the IMF, the EU, and other international lenders. Drastic austerity measures, as part of Romania's IMF-led agreement led to a further 1.9% GDP contraction in 2010. The economy is expected to return to positive growth in 2011.

Electricity - consumption [time series]

49.44 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 45

Electricity - exports [time series]

5.169 billion kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - imports [time series]

921 million kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - production [time series]

58.28 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 44

Exchange rates [time series]

lei (RON) per US dollar - 3.2 (2010), 3.0493 (2009), 2.5 (2008), 2.43 (2007), 2.809 (2006)

Exports [time series]

$51.91 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 51 $40.6 billion (2009 est.)

Exports - commodities [time series]

machinery and equipment, textiles and footwear, metals and metal products, machinery and equipment, minerals and fuels, chemicals, agricultural products

Exports - partners [time series]

Germany 18.76%, Italy 15.42%, France 8.2%, Turkey 4.99%, Hungary 4.33% (2009)

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

$158.4 billion (2010 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP (purchasing power parity)) [time series]

$253.3 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 49 $258.2 billion (2009 est.) $277.9 billion (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP - composition, by sector of origin (GDP - composition by sector) [time series]

agriculture: 12.8% industry: 36% services: 51.2% (2010 est.)

Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita (PPP)) [time series]

$11,500 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 96 $11,700 (2009 est.) $12,600 (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars

Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]

-1.9% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 205 -7.1% (2009 est.) 7.1% (2008 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: 1.2% highest 10%: 20.8% (2006)

Imports [time series]

$59.84 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 42 $50.03 billion (2009 est.)

Imports - commodities [time series]

machinery and equipment, fuels and minerals, chemicals, textile and products, metals, agricultural products

Imports - partners [time series]

Germany 17.3%, Italy 11.78%, Hungary 8.36%, France 6.14%, China 4.91%, Austria 4.75% (2009)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

1.5% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 140

Industries [time series]

electric machinery and equipment, textiles and footwear, light machinery and auto assembly, mining, timber, construction materials, metallurgy, chemicals, food processing, petroleum refining

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

6% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 163 5.6% (2009 est.)

Investment (gross fixed) [time series]

21.1% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 74

Labor force [time series]

9.35 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 52

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

agriculture: 29.7% industry: 23.2% services: 47.1% (2006)

Market value of publicly traded shares [time series]

$30.32 billion (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 61 $19.92 billion (31 December 2008) $44.93 billion (31 December 2007)

Natural gas - consumption [time series]

16.92 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 38

Natural gas - exports [time series]

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 139

Natural gas - imports [time series]

5.5 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 30

Natural gas - production [time series]

11.42 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 40

Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]

63 billion cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 60

Oil - consumption [time series]

214,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 53

Oil - exports [time series]

115,600 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 64

Oil - imports [time series]

217,000 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 43

Oil - production [time series]

117,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 50

Oil - proved reserves [time series]

600 million bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 43

Population below poverty line [time series]

25% (2005 est.)

Public debt [time series]

34.8% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 83 24% of GDP (2009 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold [time series]

$50.51 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 21 $44.11 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of broad money [time series]

$63.67 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 63 $61.66 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad [time series]

$1.831 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 69 $1.731 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home [time series]

$80.16 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 42 $73.96 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of domestic credit [time series]

$77.46 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 54 $72.45 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of narrow money [time series]

$24.39 billion (31 December 2010 est) country comparison to the world: 60 $26.03 billion (31 December 2009 est)

Unemployment rate [time series]

8.2% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 93 7.8% (2009 est.)

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 238,391 sq km country comparison to the world: 82 land: 229,891 sq km water: 8,500 sq km

Area - comparative [time series]

slightly smaller than Oregon

Climate [time series]

temperate; cold, cloudy winters with frequent snow and fog; sunny summers with frequent showers and thunderstorms

Coastline [time series]

225 km

Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]

lowest point: Black Sea 0 m highest point: Moldoveanu 2,544 m

Environment - current issues [time series]

soil erosion and degradation; water pollution; air pollution in south from industrial effluents; contamination of Danube delta wetlands

International environmental agreements (Environment - international agreements) [time series]

party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Total water withdrawal (Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)) [time series]

total: 6.5 cu km/yr (9%/34%/57%) per capita: 299 cu m/yr (2003)

Geographic coordinates [time series]

46 00 N, 25 00 E

Geography - note [time series]

controls most easily traversable land route between the Balkans, Moldova, and Ukraine

Irrigated land [time series]

30,770 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries [time series]

total: 2,508 km border countries: Bulgaria 608 km, Hungary 443 km, Moldova 450 km, Serbia 476 km, Ukraine (north) 362 km, Ukraine (east) 169 km

Land use [time series]

arable land: 39.49% permanent crops: 1.92% other: 58.59% (2005)

Location [time series]

Southeastern Europe, bordering the Black Sea, between Bulgaria and Ukraine

Map references [time series]

Europe

Maritime claims [time series]

territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation

Natural hazards [time series]

earthquakes, most severe in south and southwest; geologic structure and climate promote landslides

Natural resources [time series]

petroleum (reserves declining), timber, natural gas, coal, iron ore, salt, arable land, hydropower

Terrain [time series]

central Transylvanian Basin is separated from the Moldavian Plateau on the east by the Eastern Carpathian Mountains and separated from the Walachian Plain on the south by the Transylvanian Alps

Total renewable water resources [time series]

42.3 cu km (2003)

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

41 counties (judete, singular - judet) and 1 municipality* (municipiu); Alba, Arad, Arges, Bacau, Bihor, Bistrita-Nasaud, Botosani, Braila, Brasov, Bucuresti (Bucharest)*, Buzau, Calarasi, Caras-Severin, Cluj, Constanta, Covasna, Dimbovita, Dolj, Galati, Gorj, Giurgiu, Harghita, Hunedoara, Ialomita, Iasi, Ilfov, Maramures, Mehedinti, Mures, Neamt, Olt, Prahova, Salaj, Satu Mare, Sibiu, Suceava, Teleorman, Timis, Tulcea, Vaslui, Vilcea, Vrancea

Capital [time series]

name: Bucharest geographic coordinates: 44 26 N, 26 06 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

Constitution [time series]

8 December 1991; revised 29 October 2003

Country name [time series]

conventional long form: none conventional short form: Romania local long form: none local short form: Romania

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Mark GITENSTEIN embassy: Strada Tudor Arghezi 7-9, Bucharest mailing address: pouch: American Embassy Bucharest, US Department of State, 5260 Bucharest Place, Washington, DC 20521-5260 (pouch) telephone: [40] (21) 200-3300 FAX: [40] (21) 200-3442

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Adrian Cosmin VIERITA chancery: 1607 23rd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 332-4846, 4848, 4851, 4852 FAX: [1] (202) 232-4748 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, New York

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: President Traian BASESCU (since 20 December 2004) head of government: Prime Minister Emil BOC (since 22 December 2008); Deputy Prime Minister Marko BELA (since 23 December 2009) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister (For more information visit theWorld Leaders website) elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 22 November 2009 with runoff on 6 December 2009 (next to be held in November-December 2014); prime minister appointed by the president with the consent of the Parliament election results: Traian BASESCU reelected president; percent of vote - Traian BASESCU 50.3%, Mircea GEOANA 49.7%

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and red; modeled after the flag of France, the colors are those of the principalities of Walachia (red and yellow) and Moldavia (red and blue), which united in 1861 to form Romania; the national coat of arms that used to be centered in the yellow band has been removed note: now similar to the flag of Chad, whose blue band is darker; also resembles the flags of Andorra and Moldova

Government type [time series]

republic

Independence [time series]

9 May 1877 (independence proclaimed from the Ottoman Empire; independence recognized 13 July 1878 by the Treaty of Berlin); 26 March 1881 (kingdom proclaimed); 30 December 1947 (republic proclaimed)

International organization participation [time series]

Australia Group, BIS, BSEC, CBSS (observer), CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, ESA (cooperating state), EU, FAO, G-9, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAIA (observer), MIGA, MONUSCO, NATO, NSG, OAS (observer), OIF, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, SECI, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC

Judicial branch [time series]

Supreme Court of Justice (comprised of 11 judges appointed for three-year terms by the president in consultation with the Superior Council of Magistrates, which is comprised of the minister of justice, the prosecutor general, two civil society representatives appointed by the Senate, and 14 judges and prosecutors elected by their peers); a separate body, the Constitutional Court, validates elections and makes decisions regarding the constitutionality of laws, treaties, ordinances, and internal rules of the Parliament; it is comprised of nine members serving nine-year terms, with three members each appointed by the president, the Senate, and the Chamber of Deputies

Legal system [time series]

based on civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Legislative branch [time series]

bicameral Parliament or Parlament consists of the Senate or Senat (137 seats; members elected by popular vote in a mixed electoral system to serve four-year terms) and the Chamber of Deputies or Camera Deputatilor (334 seats; members elected by popular vote in a mixed electoral system to serve four-year terms) elections: Senate - last held on 30 November 2008 (next expected to be held in November 2012); Chamber of Deputies - last held on 30 November 2008 (next expected to be held in November 2012) election results: Senate - percent of vote by alliance/party - PSD-PC 34.2%, PDL 33.6%, PNL 18.7%, UDMR 6.4%, other 7.1%; seats by alliance/party - PSD-PC 49, PDL 51, PNL 28, UDMR 9; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by alliance/party - PSD-PC 33.1%, PDL 32.4%, PNL 18.6%, UDMR 6.2%, ethnic minorities 3.6%, other 6.1%; seats by alliance/party - PDL 115, PSD-PC 114, PNL 65, UDMR 22, ethnic minorities 18

National anthem(s) (National anthem) [time series]

name: "Desteapta-te romane!" (Wake up, Romanian) lyrics/music: Andrei MURESIANU/Anton PANN note: adopted 1990; the anthem was written during the 1848 Revolution

National holiday [time series]

Unification Day (of Romania and Transylvania), 1 December (1918)

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

Conservative Party or PC [Daniel CONSTANTIN] (formerly Humanist Party or PUR); Democratic Liberal Party or PDL [Emil BOC]; Democratic Union of Hungarians in Romania or UDMR [Bela MARKO]; National Liberal Party or PNL [Crin ANTONESCU]; National Union for Romania's Progress or UNPR [Gabriel OPREA]; Social Democratic Party or PSD [Victor PONTA] (formerly Party of Social Democracy in Romania or PDSR)

Political parties (Political pressure groups and leaders) [time series]

other: various human rights and professional associations

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal

Introduction

Background [time series]

The principalities of Wallachia and Moldavia - for centuries under the suzerainty of the Turkish Ottoman Empire - secured their autonomy in 1856; they united in 1859 and a few years later adopted the new name of Romania. The country gained recognition of its independence in 1878. It joined the Allied Powers in World War I and acquired new territories - most notably Transylvania - following the conflict. In 1940, Romania allied with the Axis powers and participated in the 1941 German invasion of the USSR. Three years later, overrun by the Soviets, Romania signed an armistice. The post-war Soviet occupation led to the formation of a Communist "people's republic" in 1947 and the abdication of the king. The decades-long rule of dictator Nicolae CEAUSESCU, who took power in 1965, and his Securitate police state became increasingly oppressive and draconian through the 1980s. CEAUSESCU was overthrown and executed in late 1989. Former Communists dominated the government until 1996 when they were swept from power. Romania joined NATO in 2004 and the EU in 2007.

Military

Manpower available for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 5,617,144 females age 16-49: 5,487,510 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 4,513,619 females age 16-49: 4,566,620 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually [time series]

male: 121,391 female: 115,258 (2010 est.)

Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]

Land Forces, Naval Forces, Romanian Air Force (Fortele Aeriene Romane, FAR), Special Operations (2010)

Military expenditures [time series]

1.9% of GDP (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 76

Military service age and obligation [time series]

18-35 years of age for male and female voluntary military service; conscription officially ended October 2006; all military inductees (including women) contract for an initial 5-year term of service, with subsequent successive contracts for 3-year terms until age 36 (2009)

People

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 15.5% (male 1,772,583/female 1,681,539) 15-64 years: 69.7% (male 7,711,062/female 7,784,041) 65 years and over: 14.7% (male 1,332,120/female 1,934,076) (2010 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

9.58 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 203

Death rate [time series]

11.78 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 34

Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]

4.4% of GDP (2007) country comparison to the world: 94

Ethnic groups [time series]

Romanian 89.5%, Hungarian 6.6%, Roma 2.5%, Ukrainian 0.3%, German 0.3%, Russian 0.2%, Turkish 0.2%, other 0.4% (2002 census)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]

less than 0.1% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 127

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

350 (2001 est.) country comparison to the world: 102

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS [time series]

15,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 87

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 11.32 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 145 male: 12.76 deaths/1,000 live births female: 9.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)

Languages [time series]

Romanian 91% (official), Hungarian 6.7%, Romany (Gypsy) 1.1%, other 1.2%

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 73.74 years country comparison to the world: 110 male: 70.26 years female: 77.42 years (2010 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 97.3% male: 98.4% female: 96.3% (2002 census)

Median age [time series]

total: 38.4 years male: 36.9 years female: 39.9 years (2010 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Romanian(s) adjective: Romanian

Net migration rate [time series]

-0.27 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 131

Population [time series]

21,959,278 (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 53

Population growth rate [time series]

-0.247% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 216

Religions [time series]

Eastern Orthodox (including all sub-denominations) 86.8%, Protestant (various denominations including Reformate and Pentecostal) 7.5%, Roman Catholic 4.7%, other (mostly Muslim) and unspecified 0.9%, none 0.1% (2002 census)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) [time series]

total: 15 years male: 14 years female: 15 years (2008)

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2010 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

1.27 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 212

Urbanization [time series]

urban population: 54% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: -0.1% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

the ICJ gave Ukraine until December 2006 to reply, and Romania until June 2007 to issue a rejoinder, in their dispute submitted in 2004 over Ukrainian-administered Zmiyinyy/Serpilor (Snake) Island and Black Sea maritime boundary delimitation; Romania also opposes Ukraine's reopening of a navigation canal from the Danube border through Ukraine to the Black Sea

Illicit drugs [time series]

major transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin transiting the Balkan route and small amounts of Latin American cocaine bound for Western Europe; although not a significant financial center, role as a narcotics conduit leaves it vulnerable to laundering, which occurs via the banking system, currency exchange houses, and casinos

Transportation

Airports [time series]

54 (2010) country comparison to the world: 88

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 26 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 10 1,524 to 2,437 m: 11 under 914 m: 1 (2010)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 28 914 to 1,523 m: 7 under 914 m: 21 (2010)

Heliports [time series]

3 (2010)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 15 country comparison to the world: 102 by type: cargo 10, passenger/cargo 2, petroleum tanker 2, roll on/roll off 1 registered in other countries: 35 (Cambodia 1, Georgia 7, Liberia 3, Malta 8, Marshall Islands 2, Moldova 2, North Korea 1, Panama 2, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1, Sierra Leone 4, Syria 1, Togo 1, unknown 1) (2010)

Pipelines [time series]

gas 3,588 km; oil 2,424 km (2009)

Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]

Braila, Constanta, Galati (Galatz), Mancanului (Giurgiu), Midia, Tulcea

Railways [time series]

total: 10,788 km country comparison to the world: 21 broad gauge: 57 km 1.524-m gauge standard gauge: 10,731 km 1.435-m gauge (3,965 km electrified) (2008)

Roadways [time series]

total: 198,817 km country comparison to the world: 25 paved: 60,043 km (includes 281 km of expressways) unpaved: 138,774 km (2008)

Waterways [time series]

1,731 km country comparison to the world: 48 note: includes 1,075 km on Danube River, 524 km on secondary branches, and 132 km on canals (2006)