CapitalBucharest
Population18,148,155
Area238,391 km²
GDP per capita$40,600
LanguagesRomanian, Hungarian, Romani, other
Currencylei
Life Expectancy76.9 yr
Governmentsemi-presidential republic
Introduction
Background
The regions of Wallachia and Moldavia, which had been under the dominion of the Turkish Ottoman Empire for centuries, attained their autonomy with the signing of the Treaty of Paris in 1856. These territories effectively united in 1859 and were officially consolidated into a single nation, Romania, in 1862. Romania aligned itself with the Allied Powers during World War I and gained additional territories, particularly Transylvania, which significantly increased its land area. In 1940, Romania formed an alliance with the Axis powers and took part in the German invasion of the USSR in 1941. Following a Soviet advance three years later, Romania entered into an armistice. The subsequent Soviet occupation facilitated the establishment of a communist "people's republic" in 1947, leading to the abdication of the monarchy. The oppressive regime of dictator Nicolae CEAUSESCU, who ascended to power in 1965, and his Securitate police state grew increasingly severe throughout the 1980s. CEAUSESCU was deposed and executed in late 1989. For several years, former communists retained control of the government until they were ousted in 1996. Romania became a member of NATO in 2004, joined the EU in 2007, and entered the Schengen Area for air and maritime travel in 2024.
Geography
Area
land
229,891 sq km
water
8,500 sq km
total
238,391 sq km
Climate
temperate; cold, overcast winters characterized by regular snowfall and fog; warm summers that often feature showers and thunderstorms
Terrain
the central Transylvanian Basin is bordered to the east by the Eastern Carpathian Mountains, which separate it from the Moldavian Plateau, and to the south by the Transylvanian Alps that divide it from the Walachian Plain
Land use
other
14.5% (2023 est.)
forest
30.2% (2023 est.)
agricultural land
55.3% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 36.5% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 1.8% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 17% (2023 est.)
Location
located in Southeastern Europe, adjacent to the Black Sea, nestled between Bulgaria and Ukraine
Coastline
225 km
Elevation
lowest point
Black Sea 0 m
highest point
Moldoveanu 2,544 m
mean elevation
414 m
Irrigated land
5,280 sq km (2022)
Map references
Europe
Land boundaries
total
2,844 km
border countries
Bulgaria 605 km; Hungary 424 km; Moldova 683 km; Serbia 531 km; Ukraine 601 km
Maritime claims
contiguous zone
24 nm
territorial sea
12 nm
continental shelf
200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
exclusive economic zone
200 nm
Natural hazards
earthquakes occur, with the most significant effects felt in the southern and southwestern regions; the geological composition and climate facilitate landslides
Geography - note
serves as the primary accessible land passage connecting the Balkans, Moldova, and Ukraine; the Carpathian Mountains are the predominant feature in the country's center, while the Danube River delineates much of the southern border with Serbia and Bulgaria
Natural resources
petroleum (with declining reserves), timber, natural gas, coal, iron ore, salt, arable land, and hydropower
Area - comparative
twice the area of Pennsylvania; slightly less extensive than Oregon
Geographic coordinates
46 00 N, 25 00 E
Population distribution
the level of urbanization is relatively low, and the population is distributed quite evenly across most regions of the country, with urban centers drawing larger and denser populations
Major watersheds (area sq km)
Atlantic Ocean drainage
(Black Sea) Danube (795,656 sq km)
Major rivers (by length in km)
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
People & Society
Literacy
male
99% (2021 est.)
female
99.3% (2021 est.)
total population
99.2% (2021 est.)
Languages
Languages
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.
Religions
Romanian Orthodox 85.3%, Roman Catholic 4.5%, Reformed 3%, Pentecostal 2.5%, other 4.7% (2021 est.)
Sex ratio
at birth
1.06 male(s)/female
0-14 years
1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years
1 male(s)/female
total population
0.93 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
65 years and over
0.7 male(s)/female
Birth rate
8.45 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Death rate
14.28 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Median age
male
44 years
total
45.8 years (2025 est.)
female
46.9 years
Population
male
8,747,795
total
18,148,155 (2024 est.)
female
9,400,360
Nationality
noun
Romanian(s)
adjective
Romanian
Tobacco use
male
36.2% (2025 est.)
total
26.7% (2025 est.)
female
17.9% (2025 est.)
Urbanization
urban population
54.7% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization
-0.15% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Age structure
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)
Ethnic groups
Romanian 89.3%, Hungarian 6%, Romani 3.4%, Ukrainian 0.3%, German 0.1%, other 0.9% (2021 est.)
Child marriage
women married by age 15
0.5% (2021)
women married by age 18
6.9% (2021)
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio
61.3 (2024 est.)
youth dependency ratio
24.9 (2024 est.)
potential support ratio
2.7 (2024 est.)
elderly dependency ratio
36.4 (2024 est.)
Physician density
3.63 physicians/1,000 population (2022)
Health expenditure
Health expenditure (as % of GDP)
6.5% of GDP (2021)
Health expenditure (as % of national budget)
11.2% of national budget (2022 est.)
Net migration rate
-2.81 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Hospital bed density
7.1 beds/1,000 population (2020 est.)
Total fertility rate
1.63 children born/woman (2025 est.)
Drinking water source
improved: rural
rural: 100% of population (2022 est.)
improved: total
total: 100% of population (2022 est.)
improved: urban
urban: 100% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: rural
rural: 0% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: total
total: 0% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: urban
urban: 0% of population (2022 est.)
Education expenditure
Education expenditure (% GDP)
3.3% of GDP (2022 est.)
Education expenditure (% national budget)
8.8% national budget (2022 est.)
Infant mortality rate
male
5.8 deaths/1,000 live births
total
5.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)
female
5.2 deaths/1,000 live births
Population growth rate
-0.86% (2025 est.)
Gross reproduction rate
0.79 (2025 est.)
Population distribution
urbanization levels are relatively low, and the population distribution remains quite uniform across the country, with urban locations drawing larger and denser populations
Life expectancy at birth
male
73.4 years
female
80.5 years
total population
76.9 years (2024 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio
12 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)
Sanitation facility access
improved: rural
rural: 77.9% of population (2022 est.)
improved: total
total: 88.5% of population (2022 est.)
improved: urban
urban: 97.5% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: rural
rural: 22.1% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: total
total: 11.5% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: urban
urban: 2.5% of population (2022 est.)
Alcohol consumption per capita
beer
5.33 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
wine
3.38 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
total
10.96 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
spirits
2.25 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
other alcohols
0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Major urban areas - population
1.776 million BUCHAREST (capital) (2023)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate
22.5% (2016)
Mother's mean age at first birth
27.1 years (2020 est.)
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
56% (2021 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
male
13 years (2023 est.)
total
14 years (2023 est.)
female
14 years (2023 est.)
Environment
Climate
temperate climate characterized by cold, overcast winters accompanied by regular snowfall and fog; warm summers marked by frequent rain showers and thunderstorms
Geoparks
global geoparks and regional networks
Buzău; Haţeg (2023)
total global geoparks and regional networks
2
Land use
other
14.5% (2023 est.)
forest
30.2% (2023 est.)
agricultural land
55.3% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 36.5% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 1.8% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 17% (2023 est.)
Urbanization
urban population
54.7% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization
-0.15% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Methane emissions
other
11.8 kt (2019-2021 est.)
waste
247.7 kt (2019-2021 est.)
energy
325.6 kt (2022-2024 est.)
agriculture
355.4 kt (2019-2021 est.)
Waste and recycling
municipal solid waste generated annually
5.42 million tons (2024 est.)
percent of municipal solid waste recycled
13% (2022 est.)
Environmental issues
soil degradation, erosion, and desertification; pollution of water sources; air pollution in the southern region due to industrial discharges; contamination of wetlands in the Danube delta
Total water withdrawal
municipal
1.256 billion cubic meters (2022)
industrial
3.94 billion cubic meters (2022)
agricultural
2.955 billion cubic meters (2022)
Carbon dioxide emissions
total emissions
61.416 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from consumed natural gas
17.444 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from coal and metallurgical coke
13.07 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from petroleum and other liquids
30.902 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Particulate matter emissions
14.6 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
Total renewable water resources
212.01 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
International environmental 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
Government
Flag
description: consists of three equal vertical stripes of blue (on the left), yellow, and red
meaning: the colors are derived from the principalities of Walachia (red and yellow) and Moldavia (red and blue), which combined in 1862 to establish Romania
history: inspired by the French flag; the national coat of arms that was previously located in the center of the yellow band has been eliminated
Capital
name
Bucharest
etymology
the town's name is believed to originate from a shepherd named Bucur, who is said to have established the settlement in 1457, although a community likely existed at that location prior; the name might also be derived from an early landowner's personal name
time difference
UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
daylight saving time
+1hr, commencing on the last Sunday in March; concluding on the last Sunday in October
geographic coordinates
44 26 N, 26 06 E
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
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
history
several prior versions; the most recent was adopted on 21 November 1991, confirmed by a referendum and effective from 8 December 1991
amendment process
proposals can be initiated by the president of Romania, by the government, by at least one-fourth of the deputies or senators in Parliament, or through a petition from eligible voters representing at least half of Romania’s counties; for a proposal to pass, it requires a two-thirds majority in both chambers or, if mediation is necessary, a three-fourths majority in a joint session, followed by a referendum approval; articles concerning national sovereignty, government structure, political pluralism, and fundamental rights and freedoms are not subject to amendment
Country name
former
Kingdom of Romania, Romanian People's Republic, Socialist Republic of Romania
etymology
the name is derived from the Latin Romani, which translates to "people from Rome;" the region served as a Roman Empire outpost in the 2nd century A.D., and the current name was adopted following the unification of Moldavia and Wallachia in 1861
local long form
none
local short form
Romania
conventional long form
none
conventional short form
Romania
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)
Legal system
civil law system
Government type
semi-presidential republic
Judicial branch
highest court(s)
High Court of Cassation and Justice (comprises 111 judges organized into civil, penal, commercial, contentious administrative, fiscal business, and joint sections); Supreme Constitutional Court (includes 9 members)
subordinate courts
Courts of Appeal; regional tribunals; first instance courts; military and arbitration courts
judge selection and term of office
judges of the High Court of Cassation and Justice are appointed by the president based on nominations from the Superior Council of Magistracy, a 19-member assembly of judges, prosecutors, and legal experts; judges serve renewable 6-year terms; members of the Constitutional Court include 6 elected by Parliament and 3 appointed by the president; these members serve 9-year nonrenewable terms
Executive branch
cabinet
Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister
chief of state
President Nicușor DAN (since 26 May 2025)
election results
2025: Nicușor DAN wins the presidency in a runoff; vote percentages - Nicușor DAN (unaffiliated) 53.6%, George SIMION (AUR) 46.4%
2019: Klaus IOHANNIS re-elected president in the second round; vote percentages - Klaus IOHANNIS (PNL) 66.1%, Viorica DANCILA (PSD) 33.9%
head of government
Prime Minister Ilie BOLOJAN (since 23 June 2005)
most recent election date
18 May 2025
election/appointment process
the president is directly elected by absolute-majority popular vote in two rounds, if necessary, for a term of 5 years (eligible for a second term); the prime minister is appointed by the president with the consent of Parliament
expected date of next election
2030
National holiday
Unification Day (the unification of Romania and Transylvania), 1 December (1918)
National color(s)
blue, yellow, red
National heritage
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); Brâncuși Monumental Ensemble of Târgu Jiu (c); Frontiers of the Roman Empire – Dacia (c)
Political parties
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
Legislative branch
legislature name
Parliament of Romania (Parlamentul României)
legislative structure
bicameral
National anthem(s)
title
"Desteapta-te romane!" (Wake up, Romanian!)
history
adopted in 1990; the anthem's lyrics were composed during the 1848 Revolution
lyrics/music
Andrei MURESIANU/Anton PANN
National symbol(s)
golden eagle
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
Legislative branch - lower chamber
chamber name
Chamber of Deputies (Camera Deputatilor)
term in office
4 years
number of seats
331 (all directly elected)
electoral system
proportional representation
scope of elections
full renewal
most recent election date
12/1/2024
expected date of next election
November 2028
percentage of women in chamber
22.4%
parties elected and seats per party
Social Democratic Party (PSD) (86); Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR) (63); National Liberal Party (PNL) (49); Save Romania Union (USR) (40); S.O.S. Romania (28); Party of Young People (POT) (24); Democratic Union of Hungarians in Romania (UDMR) (22)
Legislative branch - upper chamber
chamber name
Senate (Senatul)
term in office
4 years
number of seats
136 (all directly elected)
electoral system
proportional representation
scope of elections
full renewal
most recent election date
12/1/2024
expected date of next election
November 2028
percentage of women in chamber
20.9%
parties elected and seats per party
Social Democratic Party (PSD) (36); Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR) (28); National Liberal Party (PNL) (22); Save Romania Union (USR) (19); S.O.S. Romania (12); Democratic Union of Hungarians in Romania (UDMR) (10); Party of Young People (POT) (7)
Diplomatic representation in the US
FAX
[1] (202) 232-4748
chancery
1607 23rd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone
[1] (202) 332-4829
chief of mission
Ambassador Dan-Andrei MURARU (since 15 September 2021)
consulate(s) general
Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, New York
email address and website
[email protected]
https://washington.mae.ro/en
Diplomatic representation from the US
FAX
[40] (21) 200-3442
embassy
4-6, Dr. Liviu Librescu Blvd., District 1, Bucharest, 015118
telephone
[40] (21) 200-3300
mailing address
5260 Bucharest Place, Washington, DC 20521-5260
chief of mission
Ambassador (currently unfilled); Chargé d'Affaires Michael L. DICKERSON (in position since 20 May 2025)
email address and website
[email protected]
https://ro.usembassy.gov/
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, UNOOSA,UNWTO, UPU, Wassenaar Arrangement, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
International law organization participation
acknowledges compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; acknowledges ICCt jurisdiction
Economy
Budget
revenues
$93.691 billion (2022 est.)
expenditures
$112.799 billion (2022 est.)
Exports
Exports 2022
$129.286 billion (2022 est.)
Exports 2023
$136.488 billion (2023 est.)
Exports 2024
$136.253 billion (2024 est.)
Imports
Imports 2022
$149.209 billion (2022 est.)
Imports 2023
$153.427 billion (2023 est.)
Imports 2024
$159.575 billion (2024 est.)
Industries
electric machinery and equipment, automotive assembly, textiles and footwear, light machinery, metallurgy, chemicals, food processing, petroleum refining, mining, timber, construction materials
Labor force
8.263 million (2024 est.)
Public debt
Public debt 2022
50.9% of GDP (2022 est.)
Remittances
Remittances 2022
3% of GDP (2022 est.)
Remittances 2023
2.8% of GDP (2023 est.)
Remittances 2024
2.5% of GDP (2024 est.)
Exchange rates
Currency
lei (RON) per US dollar -
Exchange rates 2020
4.244 (2020 est.)
Exchange rates 2021
4.16 (2021 est.)
Exchange rates 2022
4.688 (2022 est.)
Exchange rates 2023
4.574 (2023 est.)
Exchange rates 2024
4.598 (2024 est.)
Economic overview
high-income economy within the EU; membership in the euro area has been postponed due to macroeconomic conditions; ongoing inflation, yet consumption and investments funded by the EU are facilitating recovery; facing a shortage of skilled labor; significant public debt and budget deficit; challenges encompass fiscal sustainability and political instability
Unemployment rate
Unemployment rate 2022
5.7% (2022 est.)
Unemployment rate 2023
5.6% (2023 est.)
Unemployment rate 2024
5.4% (2024 est.)
Exports - partners
Germany 19%, Italy 10%, France 6%, UK 5%, Hungary 4% (2023)
Imports - partners
Germany 19%, Italy 8%, Hungary 6%, Poland 6%, China 6% (2023)
Real GDP per capita
Real GDP per capita 2022
$39,400 (2022 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2023
$40,300 (2023 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2024
$40,600 (2024 est.)
Real GDP growth rate
Real GDP growth rate 2022
4% (2022 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2023
2.4% (2023 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2024
0.8% (2024 est.)
Agricultural products
wheat, maize, milk, sunflower seeds, barley, rapeseed, potatoes, grapes, plums, apples (2023)
Exports - commodities
cars, vehicle parts/accessories, insulated wire, garments, wheat (2023)
Imports - commodities
vehicle parts/accessories, packaged medicine, cars, crude petroleum, plastic products (2023)
Current account balance
Current account balance 2022
-$27.326 billion (2022 est.)
Current account balance 2023
-$24.461 billion (2023 est.)
Current account balance 2024
-$31.988 billion (2024 est.)
Taxes and other revenues
16.2% (of GDP) (2022 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate)
$382.768 billion (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use
household consumption
63.5% (2024 est.)
government consumption
18.3% (2024 est.)
investment in inventories
-1.4% (2024 est.)
investment in fixed capital
25.7% (2024 est.)
exports of goods and services
35.6% (2024 est.)
imports of goods and services
-41.7% (2024 est.)
Population below poverty line
21.1% (2022 est.)
Average household expenditures
on food
25.1% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
on alcohol and tobacco
6.1% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022
13.8% (2022 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023
10.4% (2023 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2024
5.7% (2024 est.)
Industrial production growth rate
-0.9% (2024 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022
$750.091 billion (2022 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023
$768.126 billion (2023 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024
$774.376 billion (2024 est.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
male
21.1% (2024 est.)
total
21.3% (2024 est.)
female
21.8% (2024 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022
$55.81 billion (2022 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023
$73 billion (2023 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2024
$73.391 billion (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
industry
25% (2024 est.)
services
62.5% (2024 est.)
agriculture
3.3% (2024 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share
lowest 10%
1.9% (2022 est.)
highest 10%
22.6% (2022 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income 2022
32.3 (2022 est.)
Energy
Coal
exports
290,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
imports
736,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
production
14.752 million metric tons (2023 est.)
consumption
15.533 million metric tons (2023 est.)
proven reserves
291 million metric tons (2023 est.)
Petroleum
total petroleum production
67,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves
600 million barrels (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption
220,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
Electricity
exports
13.106 billion kWh (2023 est.)
imports
10.088 billion kWh (2023 est.)
consumption
48.73 billion kWh (2023 est.)
installed generating capacity
19.748 million kW (2023 est.)
transmission/distribution losses
5.817 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Natural gas
exports
2.231 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
imports
2.793 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
production
9.632 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
consumption
9.395 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
proven reserves
105.48 billion cubic meters (2021 est.)
Nuclear energy
Number of operational nuclear reactors
2 (2025)
Percent of total electricity production
18.9% (2023 est.)
Net capacity of operational nuclear reactors
1.3GW (2025 est.)
Electricity access
electrification - total population
100% (2022 est.)
Energy consumption per capita
Total energy consumption per capita 2023
59.377 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources
wind
13% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
solar
3.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
nuclear
18% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
fossil fuels
32.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
hydroelectricity
32.5% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
biomass and waste
0.4% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Communications
Internet users
percent of population
89% (2023 est.)
Broadcast media
a combination of public and private television networks; comprising 7 public stations (including 2 national and 5 regional) alongside 187 private television stations utilizing terrestrial broadcasting, in addition to 11 public and 86 private television stations that operate via satellite broadcasting; the state-owned public radio broadcaster manages 4 national networks along with various regional and local stations; there are 502 private radio stations broadcasting terrestrially and 26 utilizing satellite broadcasting.
Internet country code
.ro
Telephones - fixed lines
total subscriptions
1.96 million (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
10 (2023 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular
total subscriptions
23.2 million (2022 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
118 (2022 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions
total
6.63 million (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
35 (2023 est.)
Transportation
Ports
large
0
small
1
medium
2
key ports
Basarabi, Braila, Cernavoda, Constanta, Danube-Black Sea Canal, Galati, Mangalia, Medgidia, Midia, Sulina, Tulcea
very small
8
total ports
11 (2024)
ports with oil terminals
4
Airports
103 (2025)
Railways
total
10,628 km (2020) 4,030 km electrified
Heliports
24 (2025)
Merchant marine
total
127 (2023)
by type
general cargo 9, oil tanker 7, other 111
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
YR
Military & Security
Military - note
The Romanian Armed Forces are tasked with ensuring territorial defense, meeting the nation's obligations to European security, and participating in multinational peacekeeping missions. The military faces a range of issues, such as Russian aggression towards Ukraine, activities by Russia in the Black Sea and Moldova, cyber threats, hybrid warfare, and terrorism. A primary objective for the military is the modernization of its equipment.
Romania became a NATO member in 2004, which serves as a fundamental component of the country's defense strategy. The nation 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 region of the Alliance, established in reaction to Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Since 2014, NATO allies have also deployed fighter detachments to support the Romanian Air Force due to heightened Russian activities in the Black Sea area. The Romanian military engages in training exercises with NATO and its member nations and has taken part in NATO- and EU-led multinational operations in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, and Poland. Additionally, it contributes to UN peacekeeping efforts (2025).
Military deployments
470 personnel in Bosnia and Herzegovina (EUFOR); 200 in Kosovo (KFOR/NATO); up to 120 in Poland (NATO); Romania also has a limited number of military personnel engaged in other international operations under the EU, NATO, and UN (2025).
Military expenditures
Military Expenditures 2021
1.9% of GDP (2021 est.)
Military Expenditures 2022
1.8% of GDP (2022 est.)
Military Expenditures 2023
1.6% of GDP (2023 est.)
Military Expenditures 2024
2.2% of GDP (2024 est.)
Military Expenditures 2025
2.3% of GDP (2025 est.)
Military and security forces
Romanian Armed Forces (Forțele Armate Române or Armata Română): Romanian Land Forces, Romanian Naval Forces, Romanian Air Force.
Ministry of Internal Affairs: Romanian Police, Romanian Gendarmerie, Romanian Border Police (2025).
Military service age and obligation
Typically, individuals aged 18-35 are eligible for voluntary service, applicable to both men and women; mandatory service was abolished in 2007 (2025).
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
The military's arsenal consists of a significant quantity of Soviet-era and older domestically manufactured weapon systems; however, Romania has recently embarked on an initiative to procure more modern and NATO-compatible equipment from European nations and the United States, including aircraft and armored vehicles (2025).
Military and security service personnel strengths
approximately 70,000 active Armed Forces (2025)
Terrorism
Terrorist group(s)
Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS)
Transnational Issues
Refugees and internally displaced persons
refugees
184,991 (2024 est.)
stateless persons
297 (2024 est.)
Space
Space agency/agencies
Romanian Space Agency (Agentia Spatiala Romania, ROSA; founded in 1991) (2025)
Space program overview
is engaged in the development and production of various capabilities and technologies, encompassing satellites, satellite launch vehicles, remote sensing, human spaceflight, navigation, and telecommunications; its programs are integrated with the ESA; it takes part in EU and international space initiatives; collaborates with numerous foreign space agencies and commercial space organizations, including those from Azerbaijan, China, Japan, Russia, and the United States; additionally, it has bilateral collaborations with ESA member countries, especially Bulgaria, France, Germany, Hungary, and Italy; the agency boasts a robust space industry sector comprising over 50 entities (2025)
Key space-program milestones
1967-1968 - initiated involvement in the Soviet Intercosmos program and formed the Romanian Commission for Space Activities to oversee national space endeavors
1981 - the first Romanian astronaut traveled to space aboard a Soviet spacecraft
2010 - a domestically developed commercial rocket achieved a launch altitude of 40,000 m (24.9 mi)
2012 - the first domestically manufactured scientific/experimental microsatellite (Goliat) was launched (but failed to operate)
2022 - became a participant in the US-led Artemis Accords for space exploration
2023 - launched a digital amateur-radio-repeater microsatellite (ROM-2) aboard a US commercial rocket
