Communications
Broadband - fixed subscriptions [time series]
total: 4.78 million | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 22 (2017 est.)
Broadcast media [time series]
a mixture of public and private TV stations; there are 7 public TV stations (2 national, 5 regional) using terrestrial broadcasting and 187 private TV stations (out of which 171 offer local coverage) using terrestrial broadcasting, plus 11 public TV stations using satellite broadcasting and 86 private TV stations using satellite broadcasting; state-owned public radio broadcaster operates 4 national networks and regional and local stations, having in total 20 public radio stations by terrestrial broadcasting plus 4 public radio stations by satellite broadcasting; there are 502 operational private radio stations using terrestrial broadcasting and 26 private radio stations using satellite broadcasting
Internet country code [time series]
.ro
Internet users [time series]
total: 12,852,696 | percent of population: 59.5% (July 2016 est.)
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; competition among a number of telecoms; LTE services; 1Gb/FttP offering; government secures EU funding to extend broadband to areas of the country not yet connected (2018) | domestic: fixed-line teledensity is about 18 telephones per 100 persons; mobile market served by four mobile network operators; mobile-cellular teledensity over 105 telephones per 100 persons (2018) | international: country code - 40; landing point for the Diamond Link Global submarine cable linking Romania with Georgia; satellite earth stations - 10; digital, international, direct-dial exchanges operate in Bucharest (2019)
Telephones - fixed lines [time series]
total subscriptions: 3.89 million | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 18 (2017 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]
total subscriptions: 22.55 million | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 105 (2017 est.)
Economy
Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]
wheat, corn, barley, sugar beets, sunflower seed, potatoes, grapes; eggs, sheep
Budget [time series]
revenues: 62.14 billion (2017 est.) | expenditures: 68.13 billion (2017 est.)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-) [time series]
-2.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Central bank discount rate [time series]
1.75% (31 December 2017) | 1.75% (31 December 2016)
Commercial bank prime lending rate [time series]
5.57% (31 December 2017 est.) | 5.71% (31 December 2016 est.)
Current account balance [time series]
-$7.114 billion (2017 est.) | -$3.93 billion (2016 est.)
Debt - external [time series]
$95.97 billion (31 December 2017 est.) | $93.71 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income (Distribution of family income - Gini index) [time series]
27.3 (2012) | 28.2 (2010)
Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]
Romania, which joined the EU 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. Romania's macroeconomic gains have only recently started to spur creation of a middle class and to address Romania's widespread poverty. Corruption and red tape continue to permeate the business environment. In the aftermath of the global financial crisis, Romania signed a $26 billion emergency assistance package from the IMF, the EU, and other international lenders, but GDP contracted until 2011. In March 2011, Romania and the IMF/EU/World Bank signed a 24-month precautionary standby agreement, worth $6.6 billion, to promote fiscal discipline, encourage progress on structural reforms, and strengthen financial sector stability; no funds were drawn. In September 2013, Romanian authorities and the IMF/EU agreed to a follow-on standby agreement, worth $5.4 billion, to continue with reforms. This agreement expired in September 2015, and no funds were drawn. Progress on structural reforms has been uneven, and the economy still is vulnerable to external shocks. Economic growth rebounded in the 2013-17 period, driven by strong industrial exports, excellent agricultural harvests, and, more recently, expansionary fiscal policies in 2016-2017 that nearly quadrupled Bucharest’s annual fiscal deficit, from +0.8% of GDP in 2015 to -3% of GDP in 2016 and an estimated -3.4% in 2017. Industry outperformed other sectors of the economy in 2017. Exports remained an engine of economic growth, led by trade with the EU, which accounts for roughly 70% of Romania trade. Domestic demand was the major driver, due to tax cuts and large wage increases that began last year and are set to continue in 2018. An aging population, emigration of skilled labor, significant tax evasion, insufficient health care, and an aggressive loosening of the fiscal package compromise Romania’s long-term growth and economic stability and are the economy's top vulnerabilities.
Exchange rates [time series]
lei (RON) per US dollar - | 4.077 (2017 est.) | 4.0592 (2016 est.) | 4.0592 (2015 est.) | 4.0057 (2014 est.) | 3.3492 (2013 est.)
Exports [time series]
$64.58 billion (2017 est.) | $57.72 billion (2016 est.)
Exports - commodities [time series]
machinery and equipment, other manufactured goods, agricultural products and foodstuffs, metals and metal products, chemicals, minerals and fuels, raw materials
Exports - partners [time series]
Germany 23%, Italy 11.2%, France 6.8%, Hungary 4.7%, UK 4.1% (2017)
Fiscal year [time series]
calendar year
GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]
$211.9 billion (2017 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP (purchasing power parity)) [time series]
$483.4 billion (2017 est.) | $452 billion (2016 est.) | $431.2 billion (2015 est.) | note: data are in 2017 dollars
GDP - composition, by end use [time series]
household consumption: 70% (2017 est.) | government consumption: 7.7% (2017 est.) | investment in fixed capital: 22.6% (2017 est.) | investment in inventories: 1.9% (2017 est.) | exports of goods and services: 41.4% (2017 est.) | imports of goods and services: -43.6% (2017 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin [time series]
agriculture: 4.2% (2017 est.) | industry: 33.2% (2017 est.) | services: 62.6% (2017 est.)
Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita (PPP)) [time series]
$24,600 (2017 est.) | $22,900 (2016 est.) | $21,700 (2015 est.) | note: data are in 2017 dollars
Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]
6.9% (2017 est.) | 4.8% (2016 est.) | 3.9% (2015 est.)
Gross national saving [time series]
21.1% of GDP (2017 est.) | 21.7% of GDP (2016 est.) | 23.9% of GDP (2015 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]
lowest 10%: 15.3% | highest 10%: 7.6% (2014 est.)
Imports [time series]
$78.12 billion (2017 est.) | $68 billion (2016 est.)
Imports - commodities [time series]
machinery and equipment, other manufactured goods, chemicals, agricultural products and foodstuffs, fuels and minerals, metals and metal products, raw materials
Imports - partners [time series]
Germany 20%, Italy 10%, Hungary 7.5%, Poland 5.5%, France 5.3%, China 5%, Netherlands 4% (2017)
Industrial production growth rate [time series]
5.5% (2017 est.)
Industries [time series]
electric machinery and equipment, auto assembly, textiles and footwear, light machinery, metallurgy, chemicals, food processing, petroleum refining, mining, timber, construction materials
Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]
1.3% (2017 est.) | -1.6% (2016 est.)
Labor force [time series]
8.951 million (2017 est.)
Labor force - by occupation [time series]
agriculture: 28.3% | industry: 28.9% | services: 42.8% (2014)
Market value of publicly traded shares [time series]
$42.24 billion (31 December 2017 est.) | $34.06 billion (31 December 2016 est.) | $42.59 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
Population below poverty line [time series]
22.4% (2012 est.)
Public debt [time series]
36.8% of GDP (2017 est.) | 38.8% of GDP (2016 est.) | note: defined by the EU's Maastricht Treaty as consolidated general government gross debt at nominal value, outstanding at the end of the year in the following categories of government liabilities: currency and deposits, securities other than shares excluding financial derivatives, and loans; general government sector comprises the subsectors: central government, state government, local government, and social security funds
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold [time series]
$44.43 billion (31 December 2017 est.) | $40 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Stock of broad money [time series]
$54.13 billion (31 December 2017 est.) | $41.82 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad [time series]
$6.822 billion (31 December 2017 est.) | $5.963 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home [time series]
$94 billion (31 December 2017 est.) | $76.93 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Stock of domestic credit [time series]
$72.54 billion (31 December 2017 est.) | $60.3 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Stock of narrow money [time series]
$54.13 billion (31 December 2017 est.) | $41.82 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Taxes and other revenues [time series]
29.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Unemployment rate [time series]
4.9% (2017 est.) | 5.9% (2016 est.)
Energy
Carbon dioxide emissions (Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy) [time series]
72.07 million Mt (2017 est.)
Crude oil - exports [time series]
2,076 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Crude oil - imports [time series]
145,300 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Crude oil - production [time series]
70,000 bbl/day (2018 est.)
Crude oil - proved reserves [time series]
600 million bbl (1 January 2018 est.)
Electricity - consumption [time series]
49.64 billion kWh (2016 est.)
Electricity - exports [time series]
11.22 billion kWh (2015 est.)
Electricity - from fossil fuels [time series]
47% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants [time series]
29% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
Electricity - from nuclear fuels [time series]
6% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
Electricity - from other renewable sources [time series]
19% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
Electricity - imports [time series]
4.177 billion kWh (2016 est.)
Electricity - installed generating capacity [time series]
23.94 million kW (2016 est.)
Electricity - production [time series]
61.78 billion kWh (2016 est.)
Electricity access [time series]
electrification - total population: 100% (2016)
Natural gas - consumption [time series]
11.58 billion cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - exports [time series]
22.65 million cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - imports [time series]
1.218 billion cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - production [time series]
10.87 billion cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]
105.5 billion cu m (1 January 2018 est.)
Refined petroleum products - consumption [time series]
198,000 bbl/day (2016 est.)
Refined petroleum products - exports [time series]
103,000 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - imports [time series]
49,420 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - production [time series]
232,600 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Geography
total: 238,391 sq km | land: 229,891 sq km | water: 8,500 sq km
Area - comparative [time series]
twice the size of Pennsylvania; slightly smaller than Oregon | Area comparison map: The World Factbook Field Image Modal × Europe :: Romania Print Image Description twice the size of Pennsylvania; 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 [time series]
mean elevation: 414 m | lowest point: Black Sea 0 m | highest point: Moldoveanu 2,544 m
Environment - current issues [time series]
soil erosion, degradation, and desertification; 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
Geographic coordinates [time series]
46 00 N, 25 00 E
Geography - note [time series]
controls the most easily traversable land route between the Balkans, Moldova, and Ukraine; the Carpathian Mountains dominate the center of the country, while the Danube River forms much of the southern boundary with Serbia and Bulgaria
Irrigated land [time series]
31,490 sq km (2012)
Land boundaries [time series]
total: 2,844 km | border countries (5): Bulgaria 605 km, Hungary 424 km, Moldova 683 km, Serbia 531 km, Ukraine 601 km
Land use [time series]
agricultural land: 60.7% (2011 est.) | arable land: 39.1% (2011 est.) / permanent crops: 1.9% (2011 est.) / permanent pasture: 19.7% (2011 est.) | forest: 28.7% (2011 est.) | other: 10.6% (2011 est.)
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 | exclusive economic zone: 200 nm | contiguous zone: 24 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
Population distribution [time series]
urbanization is not particularly high, and a fairly even population distribution can be found throughout most of the country, with urban areas attracting larger and denser populations; Hungarians, the country's largest minority, have a particularly strong presence in eastern Transylvania
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
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, Dambovita, Dolj, Galati, Gorj, Giurgiu, Harghita, Hunedoara, Ialomita, Iasi, Ilfov, Maramures, Mehedinti, Mures, Neamt, Olt, Prahova, Salaj, Satu Mare, Sibiu, Suceava, Teleorman, Timis, Tulcea, Vaslui, Valcea, 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 | etymology: related to the Romanian word "bucura" that is believed to be of Dacian origin and whose meaning is "to be glad (happy)"; Bucharest's meaning is thus akin to "city of joy"
Citizenship [time series]
citizenship by birth: no | citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Romania | dual citizenship recognized: yes | residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
Constitution [time series]
history: several previous; latest adopted 21 November 1991, approved by referendum and effective 8 December 1991 | amendments: initiated by the president of Romania through a proposal by the government, by at least one fourth of deputies or senators in Parliament, or by petition of eligible voters representing at least half of Romania’s counties; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote by both chambers or – if mediation is required - by three-fourths majority vote in a joint session, followed by approval in a referendum; articles, including those on national sovereignty, form of government, political pluralism, and fundamental rights and freedoms, cannot be amended; amended 2003 (2016)
Country name [time series]
conventional long form: none | conventional short form: Romania | local long form: none | local short form: Romania | former: Kingdom of Romania, Romanian People's Republic, Socialist Republic of Romania | etymology: the name derives from the Latin "Romanus" meaning "citizen of Rome" and was used to stress the common ancient heritage of Romania's three main regions - Moldavia, Transylvania, and Wallachia - during their gradual unification between the mid-19th century and early 20th century
Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]
chief of mission: Ambassador Hans G. KLEMM (since 21 September 2015) | telephone: [40] (21) 200-3300 | embassy: 4-6, Dr. Liviu Librescu Blvd., District 1, Bucharest, 015118 | mailing address: American Embassy Bucharest, US Department of State, 5260 Bucharest Place, Washington, DC 20521-5260 (pouch) | FAX: [40] (21) 200-3442
Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]
Ambassador George Cristian MAIOR (since 17 September 2015) | 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 Klaus Werner IOHANNIS (since 21 December 2014) | head of government: Prime Minister Ludovic ORBAN (since 4 November 2019); Deputy Prime Minister Raluca TURCAN (since 4 November 2019); note - Prime Minister DANCILA, Romania's first woman prime minster, lost a no-confidence vote on 10 October 2019 | cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister | elections/appointments: president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 10 November 2019 with a runoff on 24 November 2019 (next to be held in November 2024); prime minister appointed by the president with consent of Parliament | election results: Klaus IOHANNIS reelected president in second round; percent of vote - Klaus IOHANNIS (PNL) 66.1%, Viorica DANCILA (PSD) 33.9%; Ludovic ORBAN approved as prime minister with 240 votes
Flag (Flag description) [time series]
three equal vertical bands of cobalt blue (hoist side), chrome yellow, and vermilion 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 1862 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]
semi-presidential republic
Independence [time series]
9 May 1877 (independence proclaimed from the Ottoman Empire; 13 July 1878 (independence recognized by the Treaty of Berlin); 26 March 1881 (kingdom proclaimed); 30 December 1947 (republic proclaimed)
International law organization participation [time series]
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
International organization participation [time series]
Australia Group, BIS, BSEC, CBSS (observer), CD, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, ECB, EIB, ESA, EU, FAO, G-9, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAIA (observer), MIGA, MONUSCO, NATO, NSG, OAS (observer), OIF, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, SELEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
Judicial branch [time series]
highest courts: High Court of Cassation and Justice (consists of 111 judges organized into civil, penal, commercial, contentious administrative and fiscal business, and joint sections); Supreme Constitutional Court (consists of 9 members) | judge selection and term of office: High Court of Cassation and Justice judges appointed by the president upon nomination by the Superior Council of Magistracy, a 19-member body of judges, prosecutors, and law specialists; judges appointed for 6-year renewable terms; Constitutional Court members - 6 elected by Parliament and 3 appointed by the president; members serve 9-year, nonrenewable terms | subordinate courts: Courts of Appeal; regional tribunals; first instance courts; military and arbitration courts
Legal system [time series]
civil law system
Legislative branch [time series]
description: bicameral Parliament or Parlament consists of: Senate or Senat (136 seats; members directly elected in single- and multi-seat constituencies - including 2 seats for diaspora - by party-list, proportional representation vote; members serve 4-year terms) Chamber of Deputies or Camera Deputatilor (329 seats; members directly elected in single- and multi-seat constituencies - including 4 seats for diaspora - by party-list, proportional representation vote; members serve 4-year terms) | elections: Senate - last held on 11 December 2016 (next to be held by December 2020) Chamber of Deputies - last held on 11 December 2016 (next to be held by December 2020) | election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - PSD 45.7%, PNL 20.4%, USR 8.9%, UDMR 6.2%, ALDE 6%, PMP 5.7%, other 7.1%; seats by party - PSD 67, PNL 30, USR 13, UDMR 9, ALDE 9, PMP 8; composition - men 116, women 20, percent of women 14.7% Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - PSD 45.5%, PNL 20%, USR 8.9%, UDMR 6.2%, ALDE 5.6%, PMP 5.4%, other 8.4%; seats by party - PSD 154, PNL 69, USR 30, UDMR 21, ALDE 20, PMP 18, minorities 17; composition men 261, women 68, percent of women 20.7%; note - total Parliament percent of women 20.7%
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 (unification of Romania and Transylvania), 1 December (1918)
National symbol(s) [time series]
golden eagle; national colors: blue, yellow, red
Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]
Christian-Democratic National Peasants' Party or PNT-CD [Aurelian PAVELESCU] Democratic Union of Hungarians in Romania or UDMR [Hunor KELEMEN] Civic Hungarian Party [Zsolt BIRO] Ecologist Party of Romania or PER [Danut POP] Greater Romania Party or PRM [Adrian POPESCU] M10 Party [Ioana CONSTANTIN] National Liberal Party or PNL [Ludovic ORBAN] New Romania Party or PNR [Sebastian POPESCU] Our Romania Alliance [Marian MUNTEANU] Party of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats or ALDE [Calin POPESCU TARICEANU] Popular Movement Party or PMP [Traian BASESCU] Romanian Social Party or PSRo [Mircea GEOANA] Save Romania Union Party or Partidul USR [Dan BARNA] Social Democratic Party or PSD [Marcel CIOLACU, interim leader] United Romania Party or PRU [Robert BUGA]
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 were de facto linked in 1859 and formally united in 1862 under 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 and Security
Military - note [time series]
Ministry of Internal Affairs: Gendarmerie
Military and security forces [time series]
Romanian Armed Forces: Land Forces, Naval Forces, Air Force (2019)
Military expenditures [time series]
2.04% of GDP (2019 est.) | 1.82% of GDP (2018) | 1.72% of GDP (2017) | 1.4% of GDP (2016) | 1.45% of GDP (2015)
Military service age and obligation [time series]
conscription ended 2006; 18 years of age for male and female voluntary service; all military inductees (including women) contract for an initial 5-year term of service, with subsequent successive 3-year terms until age 36 (2015)
People and Society
Age structure [time series]
0-14 years: 14.31% (male 1,576,621 /female 1,493,082) | 15-24 years: 10.45% (male 1,151,312 /female 1,091,956) | 25-54 years: 46.11% (male 5,010,272 /female 4,883,090) | 55-64 years: 12.37% (male 1,244,669 /female 1,409,854) | 65 years and over: 16.76% (male 1,454,320 /female 2,141,940) (2018 est.) | population pyramid: The World Factbook Field Image Modal × Europe :: Romania Print Image Description This is the population pyramid for Romania. A population pyramid illustrates the age and sex structure of a country's population and may provide insights about political and social stability, as well as economic development. The population is distributed along the horizontal axis, with males shown on the left and females on the right. The male and female populations are broken down into 5-year age groups represented as horizontal bars along the vertical axis, with the youngest age groups at the bottom and the oldest at the top. The shape of the population pyramid gradually evolves over time based on fertility, mortality, and international migration trends. For additional information, please see the entry for Population pyramid on the Definitions and Notes page under the References tab.
Birth rate [time series]
8.7 births/1,000 population (2018 est.)
Current health expenditure (Current Health Expenditure) [time series]
5% (2016)
Death rate [time series]
12 deaths/1,000 population (2018 est.)
Dependency ratios [time series]
total dependency ratio: 48 (2015 est.) | youth dependency ratio: 22.8 (2015 est.) | elderly dependency ratio: 25.2 (2015 est.) | potential support ratio: 4 (2015 est.)
Drinking water source [time series]
improved: urban: 100% of population | rural: 100% of population | total: 100% of population | unimproved: urban: 0% of population | rural: 0% of population | total: 0% of population (2015 est.)
Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]
3.1% of GDP (2015)
Ethnic groups [time series]
Romanian 83.4%, Hungarian 6.1%, Romani 3.1%, Ukrainian 0.3%, German 0.2%, other 0.7%, unspecified 6.1% (2011 est.) | note: Romani populations are usually underestimated in official statistics and may represent 5–11% of Romania's population
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]
0.1% (2018 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]
<200 (2018 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS [time series]
18,000 (2018 est.)
Hospital bed density [time series]
6.3 beds/1,000 population (2013)
Infant mortality rate [time series]
total: 9.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2018 est.) | male: 10.4 deaths/1,000 live births | female: 7.8 deaths/1,000 live births
Languages [time series]
Romanian (official) 85.4%, Hungarian 6.3%, Romani 1.2%, other 1%, unspecified 6.1% (2011 est.)
Life expectancy at birth [time series]
total population: 75.6 years (2018 est.) | male: 72.1 years | female: 79.2 years
Literacy [time series]
definition: age 15 and over can read and write | total population: 98.8% | male: 99.1% | female: 98.5% (2015)
Major urban areas - population [time series]
1.812 million BUCHAREST (capital) (2019)
Maternal mortality ratio (Maternal mortality rate) [time series]
19 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)
Median age [time series]
total: 41.6 years (2018 est.) | male: 40.2 years | female: 43 years
Mother's mean age at first birth [time series]
26.7 years (2014 est.)
Nationality [time series]
noun: Romanian(s) | adjective: Romanian
Net migration rate [time series]
-0.2 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2018 est.)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate [time series]
22.5% (2016)
Physician density (Physicians density) [time series]
2.26 physicians/1,000 population (2016)
Population [time series]
21,457,116 (July 2018 est.)
Population distribution [time series]
urbanization is not particularly high, and a fairly even population distribution can be found throughout most of the country, with urban areas attracting larger and denser populations; Hungarians, the country's largest minority, have a particularly strong presence in eastern Transylvania
Population growth rate [time series]
-0.35% (2018 est.)
Religions [time series]
Eastern Orthodox (including all sub-denominations) 81.9%, Protestant (various denominations including Reformed and Pentecostal) 6.4%, Roman Catholic 4.3%, other (includes Muslim) 0.9%, none or atheist 0.2%, unspecified 6.3% (2011 est.)
Sanitation facility access [time series]
improved: urban: 92.2% of population (2015 est.) | rural: 63.3% of population (2015 est.) | total: 79.1% of population (2015 est.) | unimproved: urban: 7.8% of population (2015 est.) | rural: 36.7% of population (2015 est.) | total: 20.9% of population (2015 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) [time series]
total: 14 years | male: 14 years | female: 15 years (2016)
Sex ratio [time series]
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female | 0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female | 15-24 years: 1.05 male(s)/female | 25-54 years: 1.03 male(s)/female | 55-64 years: 0.88 male(s)/female | 65 years and over: 0.68 male(s)/female | total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2018 est.)
Total fertility rate [time series]
1.36 children born/woman (2018 est.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) (Unemployment, youth ages 15-24) [time series]
total: 18.3% | male: 18.1% | female: 18.6% (2017 est.)
Urbanization [time series]
urban population: 54.1% of total population (2019) | rate of urbanization: -0.38% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international [time series]
the ICJ ruled largely in favor of Romania in its dispute submitted in 2004 over Ukrainian-administered Zmiyinyy/Serpilor (Snake) Island and Black Sea maritime boundary delimitation; Romania 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
Refugees and internally displaced persons [time series]
stateless persons: 227 (2018)
Transportation
Airports [time series]
45 (2013)
Airports - with paved runways [time series]
total: 26 (2017) | over 3,047 m: 4 (2017) | 2,438 to 3,047 m: 10 (2017) | 1,524 to 2,437 m: 11 (2017) | under 914 m: 1 (2017)
Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]
total: 19 (2013) | 914 to 1,523 m: 5 (2013) | under 914 m: 14 (2013)
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix [time series]
YR (2016)
Heliports [time series]
2 (2013)
Merchant marine [time series]
total: 112 | by type: general cargo 13, oil tanker 8, other 91 (2018)
National air transport system [time series]
number of registered air carriers: 5 (2015) | inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 51 (2015) | annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 3,636,642 (2015) | annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 4,691,280 mt-km (2015)
Pipelines [time series]
3726 km gas, 2451 km oil (2013)
Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]
major seaport(s): Constanta, Midia | river port(s): Braila, Galati (Galatz), Mancanului (Giurgiu), Tulcea (Danube River)
Railways [time series]
total: 11,268 km (2014) | standard gauge: 10,781 km 1.435-m gauge (3,292 km electrified) (2014) | narrow gauge: 427 km 0.760-m gauge (2014) | broad gauge: 60 km 1.524-m gauge (2014)
Roadways [time series]
total: 84,185 km (2012) | paved: 49,873 km (includes 337 km of expressways) (2012) | unpaved: 34,312 km (2012)
Waterways [time series]
1,731 km (includes 1,075 km on the Danube River, 524 km on secondary branches, and 132 km on canals) (2010)