2021 Edition

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.

Area

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

highest point

Moldoveanu 2,544 m

lowest point

Black Sea 0 m

mean elevation

414 m

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

border countries

Bulgaria 605 km, Hungary 424 km, Moldova 683 km, Serbia 531 km, Ukraine 601 km

total

2,844 km

Land use

agricultural land

60.7% (2018 est.)

agricultural land: arable land

arable land: 39.1% (2018 est.)

agricultural land: permanent crops

permanent crops: 1.9% (2018 est.)

agricultural land: permanent pasture

permanent pasture: 19.7% (2018 est.)

forest

28.7% (2018 est.)

other

10.6% (2018 est.)

Location

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

Major rivers (by length in km)

Danube river mouth (shared with Germany [s], Austria, Slovakia, Czechia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Moldova, and Ukraine) - 2,888 kmnote – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth

Major watersheds (area sq km)

Atlantic Ocean drainage: (Black Sea) Danube (795,656 sq km)

Map references

Europe

Maritime claims

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

Age structure

0-14 years

14.12% (male 1,545,196/female 1,463,700)

15-24 years

10.31% (male 1,126,997/female 1,068,817)

25-54 years

46.26% (male 4,993,886/female 4,860,408)

55-64 years

11.73% (male 1,176,814/female 1,322,048)

65 years and over

17.58% (male 1,516,472/female 2,228,555) (2020 est.)

Birth rate

8.39 births/1,000 population (2021 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

NA

Contraceptive prevalence rate

NA

Current Health Expenditure

5.6% (2018)

Death rate

11.99 deaths/1,000 population (2021 est.)

Dependency ratios

elderly dependency ratio

29.5

potential support ratio

3.4 (2020 est.)

total dependency ratio

53.3

youth dependency ratio

23.8

Drinking water source

improved: rural

rural: 100% of population

improved: total

total: 100% of population

improved: urban

urban: 100% of population

unimproved: rural

rural: 0% of population

unimproved: total

total: 0% of population (2017 est.)

unimproved: urban

urban: 0% of population

Education expenditures

3.3% of GDP (2018)

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.)

note

note: Romani populations are usually underestimated in official statistics and may represent 5–11% of Romania's population

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.1% (2020 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

<500 (2020 est.)

note

note: estimate does not include children

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

19,000 (2020 est.)

note

note: estimate does not include children

Hospital bed density

6.9 beds/1,000 population (2017)

Infant mortality rate

female

7.91 deaths/1,000 live births (2021 est.)

male

10.82 deaths/1,000 live births

total

9.41 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Languages

Romanian (official) 85.4%, Hungarian 6.3%, Romani 1.2%, other 1%, unspecified 6.1% (2011 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.

Life expectancy at birth

female

79.94 years (2021 est.)

male

72.88 years

total population

76.3 years

Literacy

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

98.6% (2018)

male

99.1%

total population

98.8%

Major urban areas - population

1.794 million BUCHAREST (capital) (2021)

Maternal mortality ratio

19 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)

Median age

female

44 years (2020 est.)

male

41 years

total

42.5 years

Mother's mean age at first birth

26.9 years (2019 est.)

Nationality

adjective

Romanian

noun

Romanian(s)

Net migration rate

-0.2 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2021 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

22.5% (2016)

Physicians density

2.98 physicians/1,000 population (2017)

Population

21,230,362 (July 2021 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

-0.38% (2021 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

improved: rural

rural: 71.5% of population

improved: total

total: 84.3% of population

improved: urban

urban: 95.3% of population

unimproved: rural

rural: 28.5% of population

unimproved: total

total: 15.7% of population (2017 est.)

unimproved: urban

urban: 4.7% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

female

15 years (2019)

male

14 years

total

14 years

Sex ratio

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

0.89 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 (2020 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.38 children born/woman (2021 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

female

16.5% (2020 est.)

male

17.9%

total

17.3%

Urbanization

rate of urbanization

-0.15% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

urban population

54.3% of total population (2021)

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

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"

geographic coordinates

44 26 N, 26 06 E

name

Bucharest

time difference

UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Citizenship

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

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

history

several previous; latest adopted 21 November 1991, approved by referendum and effective 8 December 1991

Country name

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

former

Kingdom of Romania, Romanian People's Republic, Socialist Republic of Romania

local long form

none

local short form

Romania

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission

Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires David MUNIZ (since 20 January 2021)

email address and website

ACSBucharest@state.govhttps://ro.usembassy.gov/

embassy

4-6, Dr. Liviu Librescu Blvd., District 1, Bucharest, 015118

FAX

[40] (21) 200-3442

mailing address

5260 Bucharest Place, Washington, DC  20521-5260

telephone

[40] (21) 200-3300

Diplomatic representation in the US

chancery

1607 23rd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador Andrei MURARU (since 15 September 2021)

consulate(s) general

Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, New York

email address and website

washington@mae.ro (chancery)contact@informatiiconsulare.ro (consular section)https://washington.mae.ro/en

FAX

[1] (202) 232-4748

telephone

[1] (202) 332-4829; [1] (202) 332-4846

Executive branch

cabinet

Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister

chief of state

President Klaus Werner IOHANNIS (since 21 December 2014)

election results

Klaus IOHANNIS reelected president in second round; percent of vote - Klaus IOHANNIS (PNL) 66.1%, Viorica DANCILA (PSD) 33.9%; Nicolae CIUCA approved as prime minister with 318 votes

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

head of government

Prime Minister Nicolae CIUCA (since 25 November 2021); Deputy Prime Ministers Sorin GRINDEANU (since 25 November 2021) and Kelemen HUNOR (since 23 December 2020)

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

note

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

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

civil law system

Legislative branch

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)

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 NA, women NA, percent of women NA%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 NA, women NA, percent of women NA; note - total Parliament percent of women NA%

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)

National anthem

lyrics/music

Andrei MURESIANU/Anton PANN

name

"Desteapta-te romane!" (Wake up, Romanian!)

note

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

Political parties and leaders

2020 USR-PLUS Alliance [Dan BARNA and Dacian CIOLOS] (dissolved 16 April 2021)Alliance for the Fatherland or APP [Codrin STEFANESCU]Alliance for the Unity of Romanians or AUR [George SIMION and Claudiu TARZIU]Christian-Democratic National Peasants' Party or PNT-CD [Aurelian PAVELESCU]Civic Hungarian Party [Zsolt BIRO]Democratic Union of Hungarians in Romania or UDMR [Hunor KELEMEN]Ecologist Party of Romania or PER [Danut POP]Greater Romania Party or PRM [Victor IOVICI]Green Party [Florin CALINESCU]Liberal Force [Ludovic ORBAN]National Liberal Party or PNL [Florin CITU]Our Romania Alliance [Marian MUNTEANU]Party of Liberty, Unity, and Solidarity or PLUS [Dacian CIOLOS] (dissolved 16 April 2021)Party of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats or ALDE [Calin POPESCU TARICEANU]Party of the Humanist Power-Social Liberal or PPU-SL [Daniel IONASCU]Party of the Romanian Nation [Ninel PEIA]Popular Movement Party or PMP [Cristian DIACONESCU]PRO Romania [Victor PONTA]Save Romania Union Party or USR [Dacian CIOLOS]Social Democratic Party or PSD [Marcel CIOLACU]United Romania Party or PRU [Robert BUGA]

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agricultural products

maize, wheat, milk, sunflower seed, potatoes, barley, grapes, sugar beet, rapeseed, plums/sloes

Budget

expenditures

68.13 billion (2017 est.)

revenues

62.14 billion (2017 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-2.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Credit ratings

Fitch rating

BBB- (2011)

Moody's rating

Baa3 (2006)

Standard & Poors rating

BBB- (2014)

Current account balance

Current account balance 2018

-$10.78 billion (2018 est.)

Current account balance 2019

-$11.389 billion (2019 est.)

Debt - external

Debt - external 2018

$115.803 billion (2018 est.)

Debt - external 2019

$117.829 billion (2019 est.)

Economic 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 2013-17 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

currency

lei (RON) per US dollar -

Exchange rates 2013

3.3492 (2013 est.)

Exchange rates 2014

4.0057 (2014 est.)

Exchange rates 2018

4.0782 (2018 est.)

Exchange rates 2019

4.31655 (2019 est.)

Exchange rates 2020

4.02835 (2020 est.)

Exports

Exports 2018

$101.11 billion note: data are in current year dollars (2018 est.)

Exports 2019

$100.9 billion note: data are in current year dollars (2019 est.)

Exports 2020

$93.01 billion note: data are in current year dollars (2020 est.)

Exports - commodities

cars and vehicle parts, insulated wiring, refined petroleum, electrical control boards, seats (2019)

Exports - partners

Germany 22%, Italy 10%, France 7% (2019)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by end use

exports of goods and services

41.4% (2017 est.)

government consumption

7.7% (2017 est.)

household consumption

70% (2017 est.)

imports of goods and services

-43.6% (2017 est.)

investment in fixed capital

22.6% (2017 est.)

investment in inventories

1.9% (2017 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture

4.2% (2017 est.)

industry

33.2% (2017 est.)

services

62.6% (2017 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$249.543 billion (2019 est.)

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income 2010

28.2 (2010)

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income 2017

36 (2017 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

highest 10%

7.6% (2014 est.)

lowest 10%

15.3%

Imports

Imports 2018

$109.26 billion note: data are in current year dollars (2018 est.)

Imports 2019

$111.18 billion note: data are in current year dollars (2019 est.)

Imports 2020

$104.16 billion note: data are in current year dollars (2020 est.)

Imports - commodities

cars and vehicle parts, crude petroleum, packaged medicines, insulated wiring, broadcasting equipment (2019)

Imports - partners

Germany 19%, Italy 9%, Hungary 7%, Poland 6%, China 5%, France 5% (2019)

Industrial production growth rate

5.5% (2017 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)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2017

1.3% (2017 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2018

4.6% (2018 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2019

3.8% (2019 est.)

Labor force

4.889 million (2020 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture

28.3%

industry

28.9%

services

42.8% (2014)

Population below poverty line

23.8% (2018 est.)

Public debt

note

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

Public debt 2016

38.8% of GDP (2016 est.)

Public debt 2017

36.8% of GDP (2017 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

note

note: data are in 2010 dollars

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2018

$555.47 billion note: data are in 2017 dollars (2018 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2019

$578.39 billion note: data are in 2017 dollars (2019 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2020

$556.07 billion note: data are in 2017 dollars (2020 est.)

Real GDP growth rate

Real GDP growth rate 2017

7.11% (2017 est.)

Real GDP growth rate 2018

4.54% (2018 est.)

Real GDP growth rate 2019

4.2% (2019 est.)

Real GDP per capita

note

note: data are in 2010 dollars

Real GDP per capita 2018

$28,500 note: data are in 2017 dollars (2018 est.)

Real GDP per capita 2019

$29,900 note: data are in 2017 dollars (2019 est.)

Real GDP per capita 2020

$28,800 note: data are in 2017 dollars (2020 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 31 December 2016

$40 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 31 December 2017

$44.43 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

29.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Unemployment rate

Unemployment rate 2018

3.56% (2018 est.)

Unemployment rate 2019

3.06% (2019 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

female

16.5% (2020 est.)

male

17.9%

total

17.3%

Crude oil - exports

2,076 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Crude oil - imports

145,300 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Crude oil - production

70,000 bbl/day (2018 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

600 million bbl (1 January 2018 est.)

Electricity - consumption

49.64 billion kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - exports

11.22 billion kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

47% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

29% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

6% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

19% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity - imports

4.177 billion kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

23.94 million kW (2016 est.)

Electricity - production

61.78 billion kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity access

electrification - total population

100% (2020)

Natural gas - consumption

11.58 billion cu m (2017 est.)

Natural gas - exports

22.65 million cu m (2017 est.)

Natural gas - imports

1.218 billion cu m (2017 est.)

Natural gas - production

10.87 billion cu m (2017 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

105.5 billion cu m (1 January 2018 est.)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

198,000 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

103,000 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

49,420 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

232,600 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Broadband - fixed subscriptions

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

29.55 (2020 est.)

total

5.685 million (2020)

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

Internet country code

.ro

Internet users

percent of population

78.46% (2020 est.)

total

15.49 million (2021)

Telecommunication systems

domestic

fixed-line teledensity is about 17 telephones per 100 persons; mobile market served by four mobile network operators; mobile-cellular teledensity over 117 telephones per 100 persons (2019)

general assessment

Romania’s telecom sector benefits from infrastructure-based competition; domestic and international service improving rapidly, especially mobile-cellular services; fiber sector is one of strongest in Europe; government secured EU funding to extend broadband to rural areas; operators invest in networks’ capacity upgrades; operator testing IoT; importer of broadcasting equipment from EU neighbors (2020)

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)

note

note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home became evident, and received some support from governments

Telephones - fixed lines

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

15.72 (2020 est.)

total subscriptions

3.025 million (2020)

Telephones - mobile cellular

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

117.4 (2020 est.)

total subscriptions

22.592 million (2020)

Airports

total

45 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

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

914 to 1,523 m

5

total

19

under 914 m

14 (2013)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

YR

Heliports

2 (2013)

Merchant marine

by type

general cargo 11, oil tanker 6, other 104 (2021)

total

121

National air transport system

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers

2.71 million mt-km (2018)

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers

4,908,235 (2018)

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers

60

number of registered air carriers

8 (2020)

Pipelines

3726 km gas, 2451 km oil (2013)

Ports and terminals

major seaport(s)

Constanta, Midia

river port(s)

Braila, Galati (Galatz), Mancanului (Giurgiu), Tulcea (Danube River)

Railways

broad gauge

60 km 1.524-m gauge (2014)

narrow gauge

427 km 0.760-m gauge (2014)

standard gauge

10,781 km 1.435-m gauge (3,292 km electrified) (2014)

total

11,268 km (2014)

Roadways

paved

49,873 km (includes 337 km of expressways) (2012)

total

84,185 km (2012)

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 - note

Romania officially became a member of NATO in 2004

Military and security forces

Romanian Armed Forces: Land Forces, Naval Forces, Air Force; Ministry of Internal Affairs: Romanian Gendarmerie (2021)

Military and security service personnel strengths

the Romanian Armed Forces have approximately 67,000 active duty personnel (50,000 Land Forces; 7,000 Naval Forces; 10,000 Air Force; note - approximately 10-15,000 personnel are considered joint service) (2021)

Military deployments

up to 120 Poland (NATO) (2021)

Military equipment inventories and acquisitions

the inventory of the Romanian Armed Forces is comprised mostly of Soviet-era and older domestically-produced weapons systems; there is also a smaller mix of Western-origin equipment received in more recent years from European countries and the US  (2021)

Military expenditures

Military Expenditures 2017

1.72% of GDP (2017)

Military Expenditures 2018

1.81% of GDP (2018)

Military Expenditures 2019

1.84% of GDP (2019)

Military Expenditures 2020

2.07% of GDP (2020)

Military Expenditures 2021

2% of GDP (2021 est.)

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 (2021)

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

a source country for cannabis

Refugees and internally displaced persons

note

note: 9,009 estimated refugee and migrant arrivals (January 2015-December 2021)

stateless persons

275 (2020)

Trafficking in persons

current situation

human traffickers exploit domestic and foreign victims in Romania and Romanians abroad;  Romania remains a primary source country for sex and labor trafficking victims in Europe; Romanian men, women, and children are subjected to forced labor in agriculture, construction, hotels, manufacturing, domestic service, commercial sex, and forced begging and theft; Romania is a destination country for a limited number of foreign trafficking victims, including migrants from Africa, Europe, and South and Southeast Asia, exploited in the construction, hotel, and food-processing industries

tier rating

Tier 2 Watch List — Romania does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so; the government identified more trafficking victims during the reporting period, participated in more international investigations, and conducted awareness campaigns; however, authorities investigated, prosecuted, and convicted fewer traffickers; officials complicit in trafficking crimes, especially with minors in government-run homes or placement centers, were not prosecuted; government funding of services for child trafficking victims remained inadequate (2020)

Terrorist group(s)

Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS)

note

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 Appendix-T

Air pollutants

carbon dioxide emissions

69.26 megatons (2016 est.)

methane emissions

27.62 megatons (2020 est.)

particulate matter emissions

14.29 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.)

Climate

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

Environment - current issues

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

Environment - international agreements

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

Land use

agricultural land

60.7% (2018 est.)

agricultural land: arable land

arable land: 39.1% (2018 est.)

agricultural land: permanent crops

permanent crops: 1.9% (2018 est.)

agricultural land: permanent pasture

permanent pasture: 19.7% (2018 est.)

forest

28.7% (2018 est.)

other

10.6% (2018 est.)

Major rivers (by length in km)

Danube river mouth (shared with Germany [s], Austria, Slovakia, Czechia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Moldova, and Ukraine) - 2,888 kmnote – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth

Major watersheds (area sq km)

Atlantic Ocean drainage: (Black Sea) Danube (795,656 sq km)

Revenue from coal

coal revenues

0.03% of GDP (2018 est.)

Revenue from forest resources

forest revenues

0.16% of GDP (2018 est.)

Total renewable water resources

212.01 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)

Total water withdrawal

agricultural

1.491 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)

industrial

4.234 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)

municipal

1.048 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)

Urbanization

rate of urbanization

-0.15% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

urban population

54.3% of total population (2021)

Waste and recycling

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.)