2017 Edition
CIA World Factbook 2017 Archive (HTML)
Introduction
Background
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.
Geography
Area
- 238,391 sq km 229,891 sq km 8,500 sq km
- land
- 229,891 sq km
- total
- 238,391 sq km
- water
- 8,500 sq km
Area - comparative
twice the size of Pennsylvania; slightly smaller than Oregon
Climate
temperate; cold, cloudy winters with frequent snow and fog; sunny summers with frequent showers and thunderstorms
Coastline
225 km
Elevation
- 414 m lowest point: Black Sea 0 m highest point: Moldoveanu 2,544 m
- elevation extremes
- lowest point: Black Sea 0 m
- highest point
- Moldoveanu 2,544 m
- mean elevation
- 414 m
Environment - current issues
soil erosion and degradation; water pollution; air pollution in south from industrial effluents; contamination of Danube delta wetlands
Environment - international agreements
- 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 none of the selected agreements
- 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
46 00 N, 25 00 E
Geography - note
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
31,490 sq km (2012)
Land boundaries
- 2,844 km Bulgaria 605 km, Hungary 424 km, Moldova 683 km, Serbia 531 km, Ukraine 601 km
- border countries (5)
- Bulgaria 605 km, Hungary 424 km, Moldova 683 km, Serbia 531 km, Ukraine 601 km
- total
- 2,844 km
Land use
- 60.7% arable land 39.1%; permanent crops 1.9%; permanent pasture 19.7% 28.7% 10.6% (2011 est.)
- agricultural land
- 60.7%
- forest
- 28.7%
- other
- 10.6% (2011 est.)
Location
Southeastern Europe, bordering the Black Sea, between Bulgaria and Ukraine
Map references
Europe
Maritime claims
- 12 nm 24 nm 200 nm 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
- contiguous zone
- 24 nm
- continental shelf
- 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
- exclusive economic zone
- 200 nm
- territorial sea
- 12 nm
Natural hazards
earthquakes, most severe in south and southwest; geologic structure and climate promote landslides
Natural resources
petroleum (reserves declining), timber, natural gas, coal, iron ore, salt, arable land, hydropower
Population - distribution
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
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
People and Society
Age structure
- 14.35% (male 1,586,976/female 1,502,864) 10.6% (male 1,170,679/female 1,110,727) 46.03% (male 5,016,529/female 4,893,792) 12.61% (male 1,271,281/female 1,443,414) 16.41% (male 1,428,599/female 2,105,106) (2017 est.)
- 0-14 years
- 14.35% (male 1,586,976/female 1,502,864)
- 15-24 years
- 10.6% (male 1,170,679/female 1,110,727)
- 25-54 years
- 46.03% (male 5,016,529/female 4,893,792)
- 55-64 years
- 12.61% (male 1,271,281/female 1,443,414)
- 65 years and over
- 16.41% (male 1,428,599/female 2,105,106) (2017 est.)
Birth rate
8.9 births/1,000 population (2017 est.)
Death rate
12 deaths/1,000 population (2017 est.)
Dependency ratios
- 22.8 25.2 4 (2015 est.)
- elderly dependency ratio
- 25.2
- potential support ratio
- 4 (2015 est.)
- total dependency ratio
- 48
- youth dependency ratio
- 22.8
Drinking water source
- urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population urban: 0% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0% of population (2015 est.)
- rural
- 0% of population
- total
- 0% of population (2015 est.)
- urban
- 0% of population
Education expenditures
2.9% of GDP (2012)
Ethnic groups
- Romanian 83.4%, Hungarian 6.1%, Romani 3.1%, Ukrainian 0.3%, German 0.2%, other 0.7%, unspecified 6.1% (2011 est.) Romani populations are usually underestimated in official statistics and may represent 5–11% of Romania's population
- note
- Romani populations are usually underestimated in official statistics and may represent 5–11% of Romania's population
Health expenditures
5.6% of GDP (2014)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate
0.1% (2016 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS
16,000 (2016 est.)
Hospital bed density
6.1 beds/1,000 population (2011)
Infant mortality rate
- 9.4 deaths/1,000 live births 10.7 deaths/1,000 live births 8 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)
- female
- 8 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)
- male
- 10.7 deaths/1,000 live births
- total
- 9.4 deaths/1,000 live births
Languages
Romanian (official) 85.4%, Hungarian 6.3%, Romani 1.2%, other 1%, unspecified 6.1% (2011 est.)
Life expectancy at birth
- 75.4 years 71.9 years 79 years (2017 est.)
- female
- 79 years (2017 est.)
- male
- 71.9 years
- total population
- 75.4 years
Literacy
- age 15 and over can read and write 98.8% 99.1% 98.5% (2015 est.)
- definition
- age 15 and over can read and write
- female
- 98.5% (2015 est.)
- male
- 99.1%
- total population
- 98.8%
Major urban areas - population
BUCHAREST (capital) 1.868 million (2015)
Maternal mortality rate
31 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)
Median age
- 41.1 years 39.7 years 42.6 years (2017 est.)
- female
- 42.6 years (2017 est.)
- male
- 39.7 years
- total
- 41.1 years
Mother's mean age at first birth
26.7 years (2014 est.)
Nationality
- Romanian(s) Romanian
- adjective
- Romanian
- noun
- Romanian(s)
Net migration rate
-0.2 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate
22.5% (2016)
Physicians density
2.67 physicians/1,000 population (2013)
Population
21,529,967 (July 2017 est.)
Population distribution
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
-0.33% (2017 est.)
Religions
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
- urban: 92.2% of population rural: 63.3% of population total: 79.1% of population urban: 7.8% of population rural: 36.7% of population total: 20.9% of population (2015 est.)
- rural
- 36.7% of population
- total
- 20.9% of population (2015 est.)
- urban
- 7.8% of population
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
- 15 years 15 years 15 years (2015)
- female
- 15 years (2015)
- male
- 15 years
- total
- 15 years
Sex ratio
- 1.06 male(s)/female 1.06 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female 0.88 male(s)/female 0.68 male(s)/female 0.95 male(s)/female (2016 est.)
- 0-14 years
- 1.06 male(s)/female
- 15-24 years
- 1.05 male(s)/female
- 25-54 years
- 1.02 male(s)/female
- 55-64 years
- 0.88 male(s)/female
- 65 years and over
- 0.68 male(s)/female
- at birth
- 1.06 male(s)/female
- total population
- 0.95 male(s)/female (2016 est.)
Total fertility rate
1.35 children born/woman (2017 est.)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24
- 21.7% 20.6% 23.4% (2015 est.)
- female
- 23.4% (2015 est.)
- male
- 20.6%
- total
- 21.7%
Urbanization
- 54.9% of total population (2017) 0.05% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)
- rate of urbanization
- 0.05% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)
- urban population
- 54.9% of total population (2017)
Government
Administrative divisions
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
- Bucharest 44 26 N, 26 06 E UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
- daylight saving time
- +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
- geographic coordinates
- 44 26 N, 26 06 E
- name
- Bucharest
- time difference
- UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Citizenship
- no at least one parent must be a citizen of Romania yes 5 years
- 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
- several previous; latest adopted 21 November 1991, approved by referendum and effective 8 December 1991 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 one-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)
- 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 one-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)
- history
- several previous; latest adopted 21 November 1991, approved by referendum and effective 8 December 1991
Country name
- none Romania none Romania 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
- conventional long form
- none
- conventional short form
- 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
- local long form
- none
- local short form
- Romania
Diplomatic representation from the US
- Ambassador Hans G. KLEMM (since 21 September 2015) 4-6, Dr. Liviu Librescu Blvd., District 1, Bucharest, 015118 American Embassy Bucharest, US Department of State, 5260 Bucharest Place, Washington, DC 20521-5260 (pouch) [40] (21) 200-3300 [40] (21) 200-3442
- chief of mission
- Ambassador Hans G. KLEMM (since 21 September 2015)
- embassy
- 4-6, Dr. Liviu Librescu Blvd., District 1, Bucharest, 015118
- FAX
- [40] (21) 200-3442
- mailing address
- American Embassy Bucharest, US Department of State, 5260 Bucharest Place, Washington, DC 20521-5260 (pouch)
- telephone
- [40] (21) 200-3300
Diplomatic representation in the US
- Ambassador George Cristian MAIOR (since 17 September 2015) 1607 23rd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 332-4846, 4848, 4851, 4852 [1] (202) 232-4748 Chicago, Los Angeles, New York
- chancery
- 1607 23rd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
- chief of mission
- Ambassador George Cristian MAIOR (since 17 September 2015)
- consulate(s) general
- Chicago, Los Angeles, New York
- FAX
- [1] (202) 232-4748
- telephone
- [1] (202) 332-4846, 4848, 4851, 4852
Executive branch
- President Klaus Werner IOHANNIS (since 21 December 2014) Prime Minister Mihai TUDOSE (since 29 June 2017); Deputy Prime Minister Sevil SHHAIDEH and Deputy Premier Gratiela GAVRILESCU (since 3 April 2017) Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister 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 2 November 2014 with a runoff on 16 November 2014 (next to be held in November 2019); prime minister appointed by the president with consent of Parliament Klaus IOHANNIS elected president; percent of vote in runoff - Klaus IOHANNIS (PNL) 54.4%, Victor PONTA (PSD) 45.6%; Mihai TUDOSE approved as prime minister 275-102
- cabinet
- Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister
- chief of state
- President Klaus Werner IOHANNIS (since 21 December 2014)
- election results
- Klaus IOHANNIS elected president; percent of vote in runoff - Klaus IOHANNIS (PNL) 54.4%, Victor PONTA (PSD) 45.6%; Mihai TUDOSE approved as prime minister 275-102
- 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 2 November 2014 with a runoff on 16 November 2014 (next to be held in November 2019); prime minister appointed by the president with consent of Parliament
- head of government
- Prime Minister Mihai TUDOSE (since 29 June 2017); Deputy Prime Minister Sevil SHHAIDEH and Deputy Premier Gratiela GAVRILESCU (since 3 April 2017)
Flag description
- 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 now similar to the flag of Chad, whose blue band is darker; also resembles the flags of Andorra and Moldova
- note
- now similar to the flag of Chad, whose blue band is darker; also resembles the flags of Andorra and Moldova
Government type
semi-presidential republic
Independence
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
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
International organization participation
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
- 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) 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 Courts of Appeal; regional tribunals; first instance courts; military and arbitration courts
- 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
civil law system
Legislative branch
- bicameral Parliament or Parlament consists of the Senate or Senat (136 seats, 2 reserved for the diaspora; members serve 4-year terms) and the Chamber of Deputies or Camera Deputatilor (329 seats, 17 reserved for non-Hungarian national minorities and 4 for the diaspora; members serve 4-year terms); in 2016, the elections returned to a party list vote-proportional representation voting system 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) 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; 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
- description
- bicameral Parliament or Parlament consists of the Senate or Senat (136 seats, 2 reserved for the diaspora; members serve 4-year terms) and the Chamber of Deputies or Camera Deputatilor (329 seats, 17 reserved for non-Hungarian national minorities and 4 for the diaspora; members serve 4-year terms); in 2016, the elections returned to a party list vote-proportional representation voting system
- 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; 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
- 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)
National anthem
- "Desteapta-te romane!" (Wake up, Romanian!) Andrei MURESIANU/Anton PANN adopted 1990; the anthem was written during the 1848 Revolution
- lyrics/music
- Andrei MURESIANU/Anton PANN
- name
- "Desteapta-te romane!" (Wake up, Romanian!)
- note
- adopted 1990; the anthem was written during the 1848 Revolution
National holiday
Unification Day (unification of Romania and Transylvania), 1 December (1918)
National symbol(s)
- golden eagle; national colors: blue, yellow, red
- golden eagle; national colors
- blue, yellow, red
Political parties and leaders
Christian-Democratic National Peasants' Party or PNT-CD [Aurelian PAVELESCU] Democratic Union of Hungarians in Romania or UDMR [Hunor KELEMEN] Ecologist Party of Romania or PER [Danut POP] Greater Romania Party or PRM [Adrian POPESCU] M10 Party [Monica MACOVEI] National Liberal Party or PNL [Ludovic ORBAN] New Republic Party or NR [Alin Ioan BOTA] Our Romania Alliance [Marian MUNTEANU] Popular Movement Party or PMP [Traian BASESCU] Alliance of Liberals and Democrats or ALDE [Calin POPESCU TARICEANU] Romanian Social Party or PSRo [Mircea GEOANA] Save Romania Union Party or USR [Elek LEVENTE, interim] Social Democratic Party or PSD [Liviu DRAGNEA] United Romania Party or PRU [Andrei PITICAS]
Political pressure groups and leaders
various human rights and professional associations
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Economy
Agriculture - products
wheat, corn, barley, sugar beets, sunflower seed, potatoes, grapes; eggs, sheep
Budget
- $55.12 billion $59.62 billion (2016 est.)
- expenditures
- $59.62 billion (2016 est.)
- revenues
- $55.12 billion
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)
-2.4% of GDP (2016 est.)
Central bank discount rate
1.75% (31 December 2015) 2.75% (31 December 2014)
Commercial bank prime lending rate
5.71% (31 December 2016 est.) 6.77% (31 December 2015 est.)
Current account balance
$-4.389 billion (2016 est.) $-2.171 billion (2015 est.)
Debt - external
$93.71 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $95.96 billion (31 December 2015 est.)
Distribution of family income - Gini index
27.3 (2012) 28.2 (2010)
Economy - overview
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 2013-16 period, driven by strong industrial exports and excellent agricultural harvests, and the fiscal deficit was reduced substantially. Industry outperformed other sectors of the economy in 2016. Exports remained an engine of economic growth, led by trade with the EU, which accounts for roughly 70% of Romania trade. Domestic demand was a second driver, due to the mid-2015 cut, from 24% to 9%, of the VAT levied upon foodstuffs. In 2015, the Government of Romania succeeded in meeting its annual target for the budget deficit, the external deficit remained low, even if it rose due to increasing imports. For the first time since 1989, inflation turned into deflation, allowing for a gradual loosening of monetary policy throughout the period. An aging population, significant tax evasion, insufficient health care, and an aggressive loosening of the fiscal package jeopardize the low fiscal deficit and public debt and are the economy's top vulnerabilities.
Exchange rates
lei (RON) per US dollar - 4.0592 (2016 est.) 4.0592 (2015 est.) 4.0057 (2014 est.) 3.3492 (2013 est.) 3.47 (2012 est.)
Exports
$57.72 billion (2016 est.) $54.49 billion (2015 est.)
Exports - commodities
machinery and equipment, other manufactured goods, agricultural products and foodstuffs, metals and metal products, chemicals, minerals and fuels, raw materials
Exports - partners
Germany 21.5%, Italy 11.6%, France 7.2%, Hungary 5.2%, UK 4.3% (2016)
Fiscal year
calendar year
GDP - composition, by end use
- 68.5% 7.4% 22.7% 2.4% 41.4% -42.3% (2016 est.)
- exports of goods and services
- 41.4%
- government consumption
- 7.4%
- household consumption
- 68.5%
- imports of goods and services
- -42.3% (2016 est.)
- investment in fixed capital
- 22.7%
- investment in inventories
- 2.4%
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
- 4.4% 34.2% 63.3% (2016 est.)
- agriculture
- 4.4%
- industry
- 34.2%
- services
- 63.3% (2016 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP)
- $22,300 (2016 est.) $21,200 (2015 est.) $20,300 (2014 est.) data are in 2016 dollars
- note
- data are in 2016 dollars
GDP - real growth rate
4.8% (2016 est.) 3.9% (2015 est.) 3.1% (2014 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate)
$187.6 billion (2016 est.)
GDP (purchasing power parity)
- $441.6 billion (2016 est.) $416 billion (2015 est.) $396 billion (2014 est.) data are in 2016 dollars
- note
- data are in 2016 dollars
Gross national saving
22.7% of GDP (2016 est.) 23.7% of GDP (2015 est.) 24% of GDP (2014 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share
- 15.3% 7.6% (2014 est.)
- highest 10%
- 7.6% (2014 est.)
- lowest 10%
- 15.3%
Imports
$67.94 billion (2016 est.) $63.12 billion (2015 est.)
Imports - commodities
machinery and equipment, other manufactured goods, chemicals, agricultural products and foodstuffs, fuels and minerals, metals and metal products, raw materials
Imports - partners
Germany 20.5%, Italy 10.3%, Hungary 7.5%, France 5.6%, Poland 5.1%, China 5.1%, Netherlands 4.1% (2016)
Industrial production growth rate
1.5% (2016 est.)
Industries
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)
-1.6% (2016 est.) -0.6% (2015 est.)
Labor force
8.979 million (2016 est.)
Labor force - by occupation
- 28.3% 28.9% 42.8% (2014)
- agriculture
- 28.3%
- industry
- 28.9%
- services
- 42.8% (2014)
Market value of publicly traded shares
$36.5 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $41.04 billion (31 December 2014 est.) $42.59 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
Population below poverty line
22.4% (2012 est.)
Public debt
- 37.6% of GDP (2016 est.) 38% of GDP (2015 est.) 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
- 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
$40 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $38.71 billion (31 December 2015 est.)
Stock of broad money
$72.97 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $68.99 billion (31 December 2015 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad
$5.963 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $3.794 billion (31 December 2015 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home
$76.93 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $73.27 billion (31 December 2015 est.)
Stock of domestic credit
$60.3 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $64.47 billion (31 December 2015 est.)
Stock of narrow money
$41.82 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $36.06 billion (31 December 2015 est.)
Taxes and other revenues
29.5% of GDP (2016 est.)
Unemployment rate
5.9% (2016 est.) 6.8% (2015 est.)
Energy
Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy
76 million Mt (2013 est.)
Crude oil - exports
1,049 bbl/day (2014 est.)
Crude oil - imports
145,500 bbl/day (2014 est.)
Crude oil - production
77,910 bbl/day (2016 est.)
Crude oil - proved reserves
600 million bbl (1 January 2017 es)
Electricity - consumption
48.28 billion kWh (2015 est.)
Electricity - exports
11.22 billion kWh (2015 est.)
Electricity - from fossil fuels
46.7% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants
28% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)
Electricity - from nuclear fuels
5.4% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)
Electricity - from other renewable sources
18.8% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)
Electricity - imports
4.492 billion kWh (2015 est.)
Electricity - installed generating capacity
24.03 million kW (2015 est.)
Electricity - production
62.16 billion kWh (2015 est.)
Electricity access
- 100% (2016)
- electrification - total population
- 100% (2016)
Natural gas - consumption
17.33 billion cu m (2015 est.)
Natural gas - exports
1.078 million cu m (2015 est.)
Natural gas - imports
728 million cu m (2015 est.)
Natural gas - production
11.17 billion cu m (2015 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves
105.5 billion cu m (1 January 2017 es)
Refined petroleum products - consumption
182,000 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - exports
80,400 bbl/day (2014 est.)
Refined petroleum products - imports
40,940 bbl/day (2014 est.)
Refined petroleum products - production
228,100 bbl/day (2014 est.)
Communications
Broadcast media
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 (2014)
Internet country code
.ro
Internet users
- 12,852,696 59.5% (July 2016 est.)
- percent of population
- 59.5% (July 2016 est.)
- total
- 12,852,696
Telephone system
- the telecommunications sector is being expanded and modernized; domestic and international service improving rapidly, especially mobile-cellular services fixed-line teledensity is about 20 telephones per 100 persons; mobile market served by five mobile network operators; mobile-cellular teledensity over 105 telephones per 100 persons country code - 40; the Black Sea Fiber-Optic Cable System provides connectivity to Bulgaria and Turkey; satellite earth stations - 10; digital, international, direct-dial exchanges operate in Bucharest (2016)
- domestic
- fixed-line teledensity is about 20 telephones per 100 persons; mobile market served by five mobile network operators; mobile-cellular teledensity over 105 telephones per 100 persons
- general assessment
- the telecommunications sector is being expanded and modernized; domestic and international service improving rapidly, especially mobile-cellular services
- international
- country code - 40; the Black Sea Fiber-Optic Cable System provides connectivity to Bulgaria and Turkey; satellite earth stations - 10; digital, international, direct-dial exchanges operate in Bucharest (2016)
Telephones - fixed lines
- 4.11 million 19 (July 2016 est.)
- subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
- 19 (July 2016 est.)
- total subscriptions
- 4.11 million
Telephones - mobile cellular
- 22.9 million 106 (July 2016 est.)
- subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
- 106 (July 2016 est.)
- total
- 22.9 million
Transportation
Airports
45 (2013)
Airports - with paved runways
- 1 (2017)
- 1,524 to 2,437 m
- 11
- 2,438 to 3,047 m
- 10
- over 3,047 m
- 4
- total
- 26
- under 914 m
- 1 (2017)
Airports - with unpaved runways
- 14 (2013)
- 914 to 1,523 m
- 5
- total
- 19
- under 914 m
- 14 (2013)
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
YR (2016)
Heliports
2 (2013)
Merchant marine
- cargo 1, passenger/cargo 2, petroleum tanker 1, roll on/roll off 1 1 (Russia 1) 31 (Georgia 7, Liberia 3, Malta 7, Marshall Islands 2, Moldova 2, Panama 3, Russia 1, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1, Sierra Leone 2, Tanzania 1, Togo 1, unknown 1) (2010)
- by type
- cargo 1, passenger/cargo 2, petroleum tanker 1, roll on/roll off 1
- foreign-owned
- 1 (Russia 1)
- registered in other countries
- 31 (Georgia 7, Liberia 3, Malta 7, Marshall Islands 2, Moldova 2, Panama 3, Russia 1, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1, Sierra Leone 2, Tanzania 1, Togo 1, unknown 1) (2010)
- total
- 5
National air transport system
- 3,636,642 4,691,280 mt-km (2015)
- annual freight traffic on registered air carriers
- 4,691,280 mt-km (2015)
- annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers
- 3,636,642
- inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers
- 51
- number of registered air carriers
- 5
Pipelines
gas 3,726 km; oil 2,451 km (2013)
Ports and terminals
- Constanta, Midia Braila, Galati (Galatz), Mancanului (Giurgiu), Tulcea (Danube River)
- major seaport(s)
- Constanta, Midia
- river port(s)
- Braila, Galati (Galatz), Mancanului (Giurgiu), Tulcea (Danube River)
Railways
- 11,268 km 60 km 1.524-m gauge 10,781 km 1.435-m gauge (3,292 km electrified) 427 km 0.760-m gauge (2014)
- broad gauge
- 60 km 1.524-m gauge
- narrow gauge
- 427 km 0.760-m gauge (2014)
- standard gauge
- 10,781 km 1.435-m gauge (3,292 km electrified)
- total
- 11,268 km
Roadways
- 84,185 km 49,873 km (includes 337 km of expressways) 34,312 km (2012)
- paved
- 49,873 km (includes 337 km of expressways)
- total
- 84,185 km
- unpaved
- 34,312 km (2012)
Waterways
1,731 km (includes 1,075 km on the Danube River, 524 km on secondary branches, and 132 km on canals) (2010)
Military and Security
Military branches
Ground Forces, Navy, Air Force (2016)
Military expenditures
1.42% of GDP (2016) 1.45% of GDP (2015) 1.35% of GDP (2014) 1.28% of GDP (2013) 1.22% of GDP (2012)
Military service age and obligation
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)
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international
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
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
- 249 (2016)
- stateless persons
- 249 (2016)