ARCHIVE // RO // 2024
Romania
2024 Edition — sovereign
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Communications
Broadband - fixed subscriptions
[time series]
total: 5,684,782 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 30 (2020 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: 15.96 million (2021 est.) percent of population: 84% (2021 est.)
Telecommunication systems
[time series]
general assessment: Romania s telecom market has undergone several significant changes in recent years; the mobile market is served by network operators that have extensive LTE networks in place, while services based on 5G have been offered under their existing spectrum concessions since 2019; the delayed multi-spectrum auction, expected to be completed later in 2021, will enable the operators to expand 5G network capacity and enable consumers to make far greater use of the technology s potential; in line with legislation passed in July 2021 the MNOs will have to replace equipment provided by vendors deemed to be a security risk (2021) domestic: fixed-line teledensity is 13 telephones per 100 persons; mobile-cellular teledensity is119 telephones per 100 persons (2021) 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: 2.222 million (2022 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 11 (2022 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular
[time series]
total subscriptions: 23.219 million (2022 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 118 (2022 est.)
Economy
Agricultural products
[time series]
wheat, maize, milk, sunflower seeds, barley, potatoes, rapeseed, grapes, plums, apples (2022) note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage
Average household expenditures
[time series]
on food: 25.1% of household expenditures (2022 est.) on alcohol and tobacco: 5.5% of household expenditures (2022 est.)
Budget
[time series]
revenues: $93.681 billion (2022 est.) expenditures: $110.163 billion (2022 est.) note: central government revenues (excluding grants) and expenses converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated
Credit ratings
[time series]
Fitch rating: BBB- (2011) Moody's rating: Baa3 (2006) Standard & Poors rating: BBB- (2014) note: The year refers to the year in which the current credit rating was first obtained.
Current account balance
[time series]
-$24.487 billion (2023 est.) -$27.326 billion (2022 est.) -$20.627 billion (2021 est.) note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars
Economic overview
[time series]
high-income EU member economy; joined Schengen area as of March 2024; euro membership delayed over convergence criteria; persistent inflation but recovery driven by consumption and EU-funded investments; skilled labor shortage; regional economic disparities; fiscal reforms to address rising deficits
Exchange rates
[time series]
lei (RON) per US dollar - 4.574 (2023 est.) 4.688 (2022 est.) 4.16 (2021 est.) 4.244 (2020 est.) 4.238 (2019 est.)
Exports
[time series]
$137.337 billion (2023 est.) $129.286 billion (2022 est.) $115.879 billion (2021 est.) note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars
Exports - commodities
[time series]
vehicle parts/accessories, cars, insulated wire, refined petroleum, wheat (2022) note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars
Exports - partners
[time series]
Germany 19%, Italy 10%, Hungary 7%, France 6%, Bulgaria 4% (2022) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports
GDP (official exchange rate)
[time series]
$351.003 billion (2023 est.) note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate
GDP - composition, by end use
[time series]
household consumption: 62.2% (2023 est.) government consumption: 16.9% (2023 est.) investment in fixed capital: 26.9% (2023 est.) investment in inventories: -1.2% (2023 est.) exports of goods and services: 39.1% (2023 est.) imports of goods and services: -43.9% (2023 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
[time series]
agriculture: 3.9% (2023 est.) industry: 27.6% (2023 est.) services: 59.8% (2023 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income
[time series]
33.9 (2021 est.) note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality
Household income or consumption by percentage share
[time series]
lowest 10%: 1.9% (2021 est.) highest 10%: 24% (2021 est.) note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population
Imports
[time series]
$154.106 billion (2023 est.) $149.209 billion (2022 est.) $132.056 billion (2021 est.) note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars
Imports - commodities
[time series]
crude petroleum, vehicle parts/accessories, refined petroleum, packaged medicine, cars (2022) note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars
Imports - partners
[time series]
Germany 17%, Italy 8%, Hungary 6%, Turkey 6%, Poland 6% (2022) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
Industrial production growth rate
[time series]
1.15% (2023 est.) note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency
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]
10.4% (2023 est.) 13.8% (2022 est.) 5.05% (2021 est.) note: annual % change based on consumer prices
Labor force
[time series]
8.282 million (2023 est.) note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work
Population below poverty line
[time series]
21.2% (2021 est.) note: % of population with income below national poverty line
Public debt
[time series]
50.45% of GDP (2022 est.) note: central government debt as a % of GDP
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
[time series]
$772.107 billion (2023 est.) $755.867 billion (2022 est.) $726.048 billion (2021 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars
Real GDP growth rate
[time series]
2.15% (2023 est.) 4.11% (2022 est.) 5.71% (2021 est.) note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency
Real GDP per capita
[time series]
$40,500 (2023 est.) $39,700 (2022 est.) $38,000 (2021 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars
Remittances
[time series]
2.76% of GDP (2023 est.) 2.94% of GDP (2022 est.) 3.19% of GDP (2021 est.) note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
[time series]
$73 billion (2023 est.) $55.81 billion (2022 est.) $51.886 billion (2021 est.) note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars
Taxes and other revenues
[time series]
16.02% (of GDP) (2022 est.) note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP
Unemployment rate
[time series]
5.6% (2023 est.) 5.61% (2022 est.) 5.59% (2021 est.) note: % of labor force seeking employment
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
[time series]
total: 21.3% (2023 est.) male: 21.2% (2023 est.) female: 21.4% (2023 est.) note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment
Energy
Carbon dioxide emissions
[time series]
62.594 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 15.319 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 28.604 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.) from consumed natural gas: 18.67 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.)
Coal
[time series]
production: 18.16 million metric tons (2022 est.) consumption: 19.404 million metric tons (2022 est.) exports: 242,000 metric tons (2022 est.) imports: 1.338 million metric tons (2022 est.) proven reserves: 291 million metric tons (2022 est.)
Electricity
[time series]
installed generating capacity: 19.126 million kW (2022 est.) consumption: 49.805 billion kWh (2022 est.) exports: 7.429 billion kWh (2022 est.) imports: 8.653 billion kWh (2022 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 6.204 billion kWh (2022 est.)
Electricity access
[time series]
electrification - total population: 100% (2022 est.)
Electricity generation sources
[time series]
fossil fuels: 39.1% of total installed capacity (2022 est.) nuclear: 18.6% of total installed capacity (2022 est.) solar: 3.2% of total installed capacity (2022 est.) wind: 12.7% of total installed capacity (2022 est.) hydroelectricity: 25.3% of total installed capacity (2022 est.) biomass and waste: 0.9% of total installed capacity (2022 est.)
Energy consumption per capita
[time series]
60.67 million Btu/person (2022 est.)
Natural gas
[time series]
production: 9.501 billion cubic meters (2022 est.) consumption: 10.055 billion cubic meters (2022 est.) exports: 832.421 million cubic meters (2022 est.) imports: 2.977 billion cubic meters (2022 est.) proven reserves: 105.48 billion cubic meters (2021 est.)
Nuclear energy
[time series]
Number of operational nuclear reactors: 2 (2023) Net capacity of operational nuclear reactors: 1.3GW (2023 est.) Percent of total electricity production: 18.9% (2023 est.)
Petroleum
[time series]
total petroleum production: 67,000 bbl/day (2023 est.) refined petroleum consumption: 221,000 bbl/day (2022 est.) crude oil estimated reserves: 600 million barrels (2021 est.)
Environment
Air pollutants
[time series]
particulate matter emissions: 13.3 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.) carbon dioxide emissions: 69.26 megatons (2016 est.) methane emissions: 27.62 megatons (2020 est.)
Climate
[time series]
temperate; cold, cloudy winters with frequent snow and fog; sunny summers with frequent showers and thunderstorms
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-Heavy Metals, Air Pollution-Multi-effect Protocol, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Antarctic-Environmental Protection, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geoparks
[time series]
total global geoparks and regional networks: 2 global geoparks and regional networks: Buzău; Haţeg (2023)
Land use
[time series]
agricultural land: 60.7% (2018 est.) arable land: 39.1% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 1.9% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 19.7% (2018 est.) forest: 28.7% (2018 est.) other: 10.6% (2018 est.)
Major rivers (by length in km)
[time series]
Dunărea (Danube) river mouth (shared with Germany [s], Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Moldova, and Ukraine) - 2,888 km note [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth
Major watersheds (area sq km)
[time series]
Atlantic Ocean drainage: (Black Sea) Danube (795,656 sq km)
Revenue from coal
[time series]
0.03% of GDP (2018 est.)
Revenue from forest resources
[time series]
0.16% of GDP (2018 est.)
Total renewable water resources
[time series]
212 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)
Total water withdrawal
[time series]
municipal: 1.09 billion cubic meters (2020 est.) industrial: 3.9 billion cubic meters (2020 est.) agricultural: 1.43 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)
Urbanization
[time series]
urban population: 54.7% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: -0.15% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Waste and recycling
[time series]
municipal solid waste generated annually: 4.895 million tons (2015 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 277,547 tons (2015 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 5.7% (2015 est.)
Geography
Area
[time series]
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
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]
highest point: Moldoveanu 2,544 m lowest point: Black Sea 0 m mean elevation: 414 m
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]
4,730 sq km (2020)
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% (2018 est.) arable land: 39.1% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 1.9% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 19.7% (2018 est.) forest: 28.7% (2018 est.) other: 10.6% (2018 est.)
Location
[time series]
Southeastern Europe, bordering the Black Sea, between Bulgaria and Ukraine
Major rivers (by length in km)
[time series]
Dunărea (Danube) river mouth (shared with Germany [s], Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Moldova, and Ukraine) - 2,888 km note [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth
Major watersheds (area sq km)
[time series]
Atlantic Ocean drainage: (Black Sea) Danube (795,656 sq km)
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
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
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 Kathleen KAVALEC (since 14 February 2023) embassy: 4-6, Dr. Liviu Librescu Blvd., District 1, Bucharest, 015118 mailing address: 5260 Bucharest Place, Washington, DC 20521-5260 telephone: [40] (21) 200-3300 FAX: [40] (21) 200-3442 email address and website: ACSBucharest@state.gov https://ro.usembassy.gov/
Diplomatic representation in the US
[time series]
chief of mission: Ambassador Dan-Andrei MURARU (since 15 September 2021) chancery: 1607 23rd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 332-4829 FAX: [1] (202) 232-4748 email address and website: washington@mae.ro https://washington.mae.ro/en consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, New York
Executive branch
[time series]
chief of state: President Klaus Werner IOHANNIS (since 21 December 2014) head of government: Prime Minister Marcel CIOLACU (since 15 June 2023) 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 in November 2024, but results were annulled, with new election expected in early 2025; prime minister appointed by the president with consent of Parliament election results: 2019: Klaus IOHANNIS reelected president in second round; percent of vote - Klaus IOHANNIS (PNL) 66.1%, Viorica DANCILA (PSD) 33.9% 2014: Klaus IOHANNIS elected president in second round; percent of vote - Klaus IOHANNIS (PNL) 54.4%, Victor PONTA (PSD) 45.6% note: Romania's constitutional court has annulled the results of the most recent presidential election in November-December 2024, which resets the election cycle. A new election is expected in early 2025.
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, UNOOSA,UNWTO, UPU, Wassenaar Arrangement, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
Judicial branch
[time series]
highest court(s): 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 (330 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 6 December 2020 (next to be held in 2024) Chamber of Deputies - last held on 6 December 2020 (next to be held in 2024) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - PSD 29.3%, PNL 25.6%, 2020 USR-PLUS Alliance 15.9%, AUR 9.2%, UDMR 5.9%, other 14.1%; seats by party - PSD 47, PNL 41, 2020 USR-PLUS Alliance 25, AUR 14, UDMR 9; composition - men 111, women 24, percentage women 17.8% Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - PSD 28.9%, PNL 25.2%, 2020 USR-PLUS Alliance 15.4%, AUR 9.1%, UDMR 5.7%, other 15.7%; seats by party - PSD 110, PNL 93, 2020 USR-PLUS Alliance 55, AUR 33, UDMR 21, other 18; composition - men 265, women 63, percentage women 19.2%; total Parliament percentage women 18.8%
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 heritage
[time series]
total World Heritage Sites: 11 (9 cultural, 2 natural) selected World Heritage Site locales: Danube Delta (n); Churches of Moldavia (c); Monastery of Horezu (c); Villages with Fortified Churches in Transylvania (c); Dacian Fortresses of the Orastie Mountains (c); Historic Center of Sighişoara (c); Wooden Churches of Maramureş (c); Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe (n); Roșia Montană Mining Landscape (c); Br ncuși Monumental Ensemble of T rgu Jiu (c); Frontiers of the Roman Empire Dacia (c)
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
[time series]
Alliance for the Fatherland or APP Alliance for the Unity of Romanians or AUR Christian-Democratic National Peasants' Party or PNT-CD Civic Hungarian Party Democratic Union of Hungarians in Romania or UDMR Ecologist Party of Romania or PER Force of the Right or FD Greater Romania Party or PRM Green Party National Liberal Party or PNL Popular Movement Party or PMP PRO Romania or PRO Romanian Nationhood Party or PNR Save Romania Union Party or USR Social Democratic Party or PSD Social Liberal Humanist Party or PUSL (formerly Humanist Power Party (Social-Liberal) or PPU-SL) S.O.S. Romania The Right Alternative or AD United Romania Party or PRU We are Renewing the European Project in Romania or REPER
Suffrage
[time series]
18 years of age; universal
Introduction
Background
[time series]
The principalities of Wallachia and Moldavia -- for centuries under the control of the Turkish Ottoman Empire -- secured their autonomy through the Treaty of Paris in 1856. They were de facto linked in 1859 and formally united in 1862 under the new name of Romania. The country joined the Allied Powers in World War I and subsequently acquired new territories -- most notably Transylvania -- that more than doubled its size. 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, the EU in 2007, and the Schengen Area for air and sea travel in 2024.
Military and Security
Military - note
[time series]
the Romanian Armed Forces are responsible for territorial defense, fulfilling the country's commitments to European security, and contributing to multinational peacekeeping operations; the military has a variety of concerns, including cyber attacks and terrorism, but its primary focus is Russian aggression against neighboring Ukraine and Russia's activities in the Black Sea and Romania s other eastern neighbor, Moldova Romania joined NATO in 2004, and the Alliance forms a key pillar of the country s defense policy; it hosts a NATO multinational divisional headquarters (Multinational Division Southeast) and a French-led ground force battlegroup as part of NATO's Enhanced Forward Presence initiative in the southeastern part of the Alliance, which came about in response to Russia s 2022 invasion of Ukraine; NATO allies have also sent detachments of fighters to augment the Romanian Air Force since 2014 because of aggressive Russian activity in the Black Sea region; the Romanian military trains regularly with NATO and its member states and has participated in NATO- and EU-led multinational missions in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, and Poland (2024)
Military and security forces
[time series]
Romanian Armed Forces (Forțele Armate Rom ne or Armata Rom nă): Land Forces, Naval Forces, Air Force Ministry of Internal Affairs: General Inspectorate of the Romanian Police, the Romanian Gendarmerie (Jandarmeria Rom nă), the Romanian Border Police, the General Directorate for Internal Protection, and the Directorate General for Anticorruption (2024)
Military and security service personnel strengths
[time series]
approximately 68,000 active-duty military personnel (53,000 Land Forces; 7,000 Naval Forces; 8,000 Air Force) (2024)
Military deployments
[time series]
up to 120 Poland (NATO); Romania also has small numbers of military personnel deployed on other international missions under the EU, NATO, and UN (2024)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
[time series]
the military's inventory includes a considerable amount of Soviet-era and older domestically produced weapons systems, although in recent years Romania has launched an effort to acquire more modern and NATO-standard equipment from European countries and the US, including aircraft and armored vehicles (2024)
Military expenditures
[time series]
2.3% of GDP (2024 est.) 1.6% of GDP (2023) 1.7% of GDP (2022) 1.9% of GDP (2021) 2% of GDP (2020)
Military service age and obligation
[time series]
18 years of age for voluntary service for men and women; all military inductees contract for an initial 5-year term of service, with subsequent successive 3-year terms until age 36; conscription ended in 2006 (2023)
People and Society
Age structure
[time series]
0-14 years: 15.4% (male 1,441,359/female 1,362,304) 15-64 years: 62% (male 5,618,366/female 5,632,718) 65 years and over: 22.6% (2024 est.) (male 1,688,070/female 2,405,338)
Alcohol consumption per capita
[time series]
total: 10.96 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) beer: 5.33 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) wine: 3.38 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) spirits: 2.25 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) other alcohols: 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Birth rate
[time series]
8.5 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight
[time series]
NA
Contraceptive prevalence rate
[time series]
NA
Current health expenditure
[time series]
6.3% of GDP (2020)
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
[time series]
54.8% (2023)
Death rate
[time series]
14.6 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)
Dependency ratios
[time series]
total dependency ratio: 53.7 youth dependency ratio: 24.6 elderly dependency ratio: 29.1 potential support ratio: 3.4 (2021 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 (2020 est.)
Education expenditure
(Education expenditures)
[time series]
3.7% of GDP (2020 est.)
Ethnic groups
[time series]
Romanian 89.3%, Hungarian 6%, Romani 3.4%, Ukrainian 0.3%, German 0.1%, other 0.9% (2021 est.) note: data represent individuals who declared an ethnic group in the 2021 national census; 13% did not respond; Romani populations are usually underestimated in official statistics and may represent 5 11% of Romania's population
Gross reproduction rate
[time series]
0.79 (2024 est.)
Hospital bed density
[time series]
6.9 beds/1,000 population (2017)
Infant mortality rate
[time series]
total: 5.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.) male: 5.8 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5.2 deaths/1,000 live births
Languages
[time series]
Romanian (official) 91.6%, Hungarian 6.3%, Romani 1.2%, other 0.7% (2021 est.) major-language sample(s): Cartea informativa a lumii, sursa indispensabila pentru informatii de baza. (Romanian) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. note: data represent individuals who declared a maternal language in the 2021 national census; 13.1% did not respond
Life expectancy at birth
[time series]
total population: 76.9 years (2024 est.) male: 73.4 years female: 80.5 years
Literacy
[time series]
definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 98.9% male: 99.1% female: 98.7% (2021)
Major urban areas - population
[time series]
1.776 million BUCHAREST (capital) (2023)
Maternal mortality ratio
[time series]
10 deaths/100,000 live births (2020 est.)
Median age
[time series]
total: 45.5 years (2024 est.) male: 44 years female: 46.9 years
Mother's mean age at first birth
[time series]
27.1 years (2020 est.)
Nationality
[time series]
noun: Romanian(s) adjective: Romanian
Net migration rate
[time series]
-3.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate
[time series]
22.5% (2016)
Physician density
[time series]
2.98 physicians/1,000 population (2017)
Population
[time series]
total: 18,148,155 male: 8,747,795 female: 9,400,360 (2024 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]
-0.94% (2024 est.)
Religions
[time series]
Romanian Orthodox 85.3%, Roman Catholic 4.5%, Reformed 3%, Pentecostal 2.5%, other 4.7% (2021 est.) note: data represent individuals who declared a religion in the 2021 national census; 13.9% did not respond
Sanitation facility access
[time series]
improved: urban: 96.9% of population rural: 76% of population total: 87.3% of population unimproved: urban: 3.1% of population rural: 24% of population total: 12.7% of population (2020 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
[time series]
total: 14 years male: 14 years female: 15 years (2020)
Sex ratio
[time series]
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female total population: 0.93 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
Tobacco use
[time series]
total: 28% (2020 est.) male: 35.9% (2020 est.) female: 20% (2020 est.)
Total fertility rate
[time series]
1.63 children born/woman (2024 est.)
Urbanization
[time series]
urban population: 54.7% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: -0.15% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Space
Space agency/agencies
[time series]
Romanian Space Agency (Agentia Spatiala Romania, ROSA; established 1991) (2024)
Space program overview
[time series]
space program is integrated into the European Space Agency (ESA) and dates back to the 1960s; program is involved in the development and production of a wide range of capabilities and technologies, including satellites, satellite/space launch vehicles (SLVs), remote sensing, human space flight, navigation, telecommunications, and other space-related applications; in addition to the ESA/EU and their member states (particularly Bulgaria, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy), it cooperates with a variety of other space agencies and commercial space entities, including those of Azerbaijan, China, Japan, Russia, and the US; also participates in international programs; has an active space industry sector with over 50 entities involved in space-related activities (2024) note: further details about the key activities, programs, and milestones of the country s space program, as well as government spending estimates on the space sector, appear in the Space Programs reference guide
Terrorism
Terrorist group(s)
[time series]
Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS) note: details about the history, aims, leadership, organization, areas of operation, tactics, targets, weapons, size, and sources of support of the group(s) appear(s) in the Terrorism reference guide
Transnational Issues
Illicit drugs
[time series]
a source country for cannabis
Refugees and internally displaced persons
[time series]
refugees (country of origin): 77,250 (Ukraine) (as of 14 April 2024) stateless persons: 297 (2022) note: 16,085 estimated refugee and migrant arrivals (January 2015-March 2024)
Transportation
Airports
[time series]
82 (2024)
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
[time series]
YR
Heliports
[time series]
18 (2024)
Merchant marine
[time series]
total: 127 (2023) by type: general cargo 9, oil tanker 7, other 111
National air transport system
[time series]
number of registered air carriers: 8 (2020) inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 60 annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 4,908,235 (2018) annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 2.71 million (2018) mt-km
Pipelines
[time series]
3,726 km gas, 2,451 km oil (2013)
Ports
[time series]
total ports: 11 (2024) large: 0 medium: 2 small: 1 very small: 8 ports with oil terminals: 4 key ports: Basarabi, Braila, Cernavoda, Constanta, Danube-Black Sea Canal, Galati, Mangalia, Medgidia, Midia, Sulina, Tulcea
Railways
[time series]
total: 10,628 km (2020) 4,030 km electrified
Roadways
[time series]
total: 85,387 km (2022)
Waterways
[time series]
1,731 km (2010) (includes 1,075 km on the Danube River, 524 km on secondary branches, and 132 km on canals)