The principalities of Wallachia and Moldavia — for centuries under the control of the Turkish Ottoman Empire — secured their autonomy through the Treaty of Paris in 1856. They were de facto linked in 1859 and formally united in 1862 under the new name of Romania. The country joined the Allied Powers in World War I and subsequently acquired new territories — most notably Transylvania — that more than doubled its size. In 1940, Romania allied with the Axis powers and participated in the 1941 German invasion of the USSR. Three years later, overrun by the Soviets, Romania signed an armistice. The post-war Soviet occupation led to the formation of a communist “people’s republic” in 1947 and the abdication of the king. The decades-long rule of dictator Nicolae CEAUSESCU, who took power in 1965, and his Securitate police state became increasingly oppressive and draconian through the 1980s. CEAUSESCU was overthrown and executed in late 1989. Former communists dominated the government until 1996 when they were swept from power. Romania joined NATO in 2004, the EU in 2007, and the Schengen Area for air and sea travel in 2024.
Geography
Location
Southeastern Europe, bordering the Black Sea, between Bulgaria and Ukraine
Geographic coordinates
46 00 N, 25 00 E
Map references
Europe
Area
total : 238,391 sq km
land: 229,891 sq km
water: 8,500 sq km
comparison ranking: total 83
Area – comparative
twice the size of Pennsylvania; slightly smaller than Oregon
Area comparison map:
Land boundaries
total: 2,844 km
border countries (5): Bulgaria 605 km; Hungary 424 km; Moldova 683 km; Serbia 531 km; Ukraine 601 km
Coastline
225 km
Maritime claims
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Climate
temperate; cold, cloudy winters with frequent snow and fog; sunny summers with frequent showers and thunderstorms
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
Elevation
highest point: Moldoveanu 2,544 m
lowest point: Black Sea 0 m
mean elevation: 414 m
Natural resources
petroleum (reserves declining), timber, natural gas, coal, iron ore, salt, arable land, hydropower
Land use
agricultural land: 55.1% (2022 est.)
arable land: 35.7% (2022 est.)
permanent crops: 1.7% (2022 est.)
permanent pasture: 17.7% (2022 est.)
forest: 30.1% (2022 est.)
other: 14.8% (2022 est.)
Irrigated land
5,280 sq km (2022)
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
Major watersheds (area sq km)
Atlantic Ocean drainage: (Black Sea) Danube (795,656 sq km)
Population distribution
urbanization is not particularly high, and the population distribution is fairly even throughout most of the country, with urban areas attracting larger and denser populations
Natural hazards
earthquakes, most severe in south and southwest; geologic structure and climate promote landslides
Geography – note
controls the most easily traversable land route between the Balkans, Moldova, and Ukraine; the Carpathian Mountains dominate the center of the country, and the Danube River forms much of the southern boundary with Serbia and Bulgaria
People and Society
Population
total: 18,148,155 (2024 est.)
male: 8,747,795
female: 9,400,360
comparison rankings: total 70; female 68; male 71
Nationality
noun: Romanian(s)
adjective: Romanian
Ethnic groups
Romanian 89.3%, Hungarian 6%, Romani 3.4%, Ukrainian 0.3%, German 0.1%, other 0.9% (2021 est.)
note: data represent individuals who declared an ethnic group in the 2021 national census; 13% did not respond; Romani populations are usually underestimated in official statistics and may represent 5–11% of Romania’s population
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.
note: data represent individuals who declared a maternal language in the 2021 national census; 13.1% did not respond
Romanian audio sample:
Religions
Romanian Orthodox 85.3%, Roman Catholic 4.5%, Reformed 3%, Pentecostal 2.5%, other 4.7% (2021 est.)
note: data represent individuals who declared a religion in the 2021 national census; 13.9% did not respond
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)
2024 population pyramid:
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio: 61.3 (2024 est.)
youth dependency ratio: 24.9 (2024 est.)
elderly dependency ratio: 36.4 (2024 est.)
potential support ratio: 2.7 (2024 est.)
Median age
total: 45.5 years (2024 est.)
male: 44 years
female: 46.9 years
comparison ranking: total 16
Population growth rate
-0.94% (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 229
Birth rate
8.5 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 206
Death rate
14.6 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 5
Net migration rate
-3.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 187
Population distribution
urbanization is not particularly high, and the population distribution is fairly even throughout most of the country, with urban areas attracting larger and denser populations
Urbanization
urban population: 54.7% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization: -0.15% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas – population
1.776 million BUCHAREST (capital) (2023)
Sex ratio
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female
total population: 0.93 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
Mother’s mean age at first birth
27.1 years (2020 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio
10 deaths/100,000 live births (2020 est.)
comparison ranking: 144
Infant mortality rate
total: 5.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)
male: 5.8 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 5.2 deaths/1,000 live births
comparison ranking: total 172
Life expectancy at birth
total population: 76.9 years (2024 est.)
male: 73.4 years
female: 80.5 years
comparison ranking: total population 99
Total fertility rate
1.63 children born/woman (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 176
Gross reproduction rate
0.79 (2024 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rate
NA
Drinking water source
improved:
urban: 100% of population
rural: 100% of population
total: 100% of population
unimproved:
urban: 0% of population
rural: 0% of population
total: 0% of population (2020 est.)
Health expenditure
6.5% of GDP (2021)
11.2% of national budget (2022 est.)
Physician density
3.63 physicians/1,000 population (2022)
Hospital bed density
7.1 beds/1,000 population (2020 est.)
Sanitation facility access
improved:
urban: 96.9% of population
rural: 76% of population
total: 87.3% of population
unimproved:
urban: 3.1% of population
rural: 24% of population
total: 12.7% of population (2020 est.)
Obesity – adult prevalence rate
22.5% (2016)
comparison ranking: 76
Alcohol consumption per capita
total: 10.96 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
beer: 5.33 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
wine: 3.38 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
spirits: 2.25 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
other alcohols: 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
comparison ranking: total 14
Tobacco use
total: 26.7% (2025 est.)
male: 36.2% (2025 est.)
female: 17.9% (2025 est.)
comparison ranking: total 33
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
54.8% (2023)
Child marriage
women married by age 15: 0.5% (2021)
women married by age 18: 6.9% (2021)
Education expenditure
3.3% of GDP (2021 est.)
8.1% national budget (2021 est.)
comparison ranking: Education expenditure (% GDP) 137
Literacy
total population: 99% (2021 est.)
male: 99% (2021 est.)
female: 99% (2021 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
total: 14 years
male: 14 years
female: 15 years (2020)
Environment
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
Climate
temperate; cold, cloudy winters with frequent snow and fog; sunny summers with frequent showers and thunderstorms
Land use
agricultural land: 55.1% (2022 est.)
arable land: 35.7% (2022 est.)
permanent crops: 1.7% (2022 est.)
permanent pasture: 17.7% (2022 est.)
forest: 30.1% (2022 est.)
other: 14.8% (2022 est.)
Urbanization
urban population: 54.7% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization: -0.15% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Air pollutants
particulate matter emissions: 13.3 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
carbon dioxide emissions: 69.26 megatons (2016 est.)
methane emissions: 27.62 megatons (2020 est.)
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.)
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
Major watersheds (area sq km)
Atlantic Ocean drainage: (Black Sea) Danube (795,656 sq km)
Total water withdrawal
municipal: 1.09 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)
industrial: 3.9 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)
agricultural: 1.43 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)
Total renewable water resources
212 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)
Geoparks
total global geoparks and regional networks: 2
global geoparks and regional networks: Buzău; Haţeg (2023)
Government
Country name
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Romania
local long form: none
local short form: Romania
former: Kingdom of Romania, Romanian People’s Republic, Socialist Republic of Romania
etymology: the name derives from the Latin Romani, meaning “people from Rome;” the area was an outpost of the Roman Empire in the 2nd century A.D., and the current name was adopted when Moldavia and Wallachia merged in 1861
Government type
semi-presidential republic
Capital
name: Bucharest
geographic coordinates: 44 26 N, 26 06 E
time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
etymology: the name is said to come from a shepherd named Bucur who is reputed to have founded the town in 1457, but a settlement probably already existed on the site; the name may come from the personal name of an early landowner
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
Legal system
civil law system
Constitution
history: several previous; latest adopted 21 November 1991, approved by referendum and effective 8 December 1991
amendment process: 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
International law organization participation
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
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
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch
chief of state: President Nicușor DAN (since 26 May 2025)
head of government: Interim Prime Minister Catalin PREDOIU (since 6 May 2025)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister
elections/appointments: president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 18 May 2025; prime minister appointed by the president with consent of Parliament
election results:
2025: Nicușor DAN elected president in runoff; percent of vote – Nicușor DAN (unaffiliated) 53.6%, George SIMION (AUR) 46.4%
2019: Klaus IOHANNIS reelected president in second round; percent of vote – Klaus IOHANNIS (PNL) 66.1%, Viorica DANCILA (PSD) 33.9%
Legislative branch
legislature name: Parliament of Romania (Parlamentul României)
legislative structure: bicameral
Legislative branch – lower chamber
chamber name: Chamber of Deputies (Camera Deputatilor)
number of seats: 331 (all directly elected)
electoral system: proportional representation
scope of elections: full renewal
term in office: 4 years
most recent election date: 12/1/2024
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)
percentage of women in chamber: 22.4%
expected date of next election: November 2028
Legislative branch – upper chamber
chamber name: Senate (Senatul)
number of seats: 136 (all directly elected)
electoral system: proportional representation
scope of elections: full renewal
term in office: 4 years
most recent election date: 12/1/2024
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)
percentage of women in chamber: 20.1%
expected date of next election: November 2028
Judicial branch
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
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
Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Dan-Andrei MURARU (since 15 September 2021)
chancery: 1607 23rd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 332-4829
FAX: [1] (202) 232-4748
email address and website:
[email protected]
https://washington.mae.ro/en
consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, New York
Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d’Affaires Michael L. DICKERSON (since 20 May 2025)
embassy: 4-6, Dr. Liviu Librescu Blvd., District 1, Bucharest, 015118
mailing address: 5260 Bucharest Place, Washington, DC 20521-5260
telephone: [40] (21) 200-3300
FAX: [40] (21) 200-3442
email address and website:
[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, UNWTO, UPU, Wassenaar Arrangement, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
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)
National holiday
Unification Day (unification of Romania and Transylvania), 1 December (1918)
Flag description
three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and red; modeled after the flag of France; the colors come from 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: similar to the flag of Chad, which has a darker blue band; also resembles the flags of Andorra and Moldova
National symbol(s)
golden eagle
National colors
blue, yellow, red
National anthem
name: “Desteapta-te romane!” (Wake up, Romanian!)
lyrics/music: Andrei MURESIANU/Anton PANN
note: adopted 1990; the anthem was written during the 1848 Revolution
National heritage
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)
Economy
Economic overview
high-income, EU-member economy; euro membership delayed over macroeconomic indicators; persistent inflation, but consumption and EU-funded investments driving recovery; skilled labor shortage; high public debt and budget deficit; challenges include fiscal sustainability and political instability
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$775.064 billion (2023 est.)
$756.867 billion (2022 est.)
$727.999 billion (2021 est.)
note: data in 2021 dollars
comparison ranking: 34
Real GDP growth rate
2.4% (2023 est.)
3.97% (2022 est.)
5.71% (2021 est.)
note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency
comparison ranking: 130
Real GDP per capita
$40,700 (2023 est.)
$39,700 (2022 est.)
$38,100 (2021 est.)
note: data in 2021 dollars
comparison ranking: 58
GDP (official exchange rate)
$350.776 billion (2023 est.)
note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
-4.5% (2024 est.)
10.4% (2023 est.)
13.8% (2022 est.)
note: annual % change based on consumer prices
comparison ranking: 2
GDP – composition, by sector of origin
agriculture: 3.9% (2023 est.)
industry: 26.7% (2023 est.)
services: 60.7% (2023 est.)
note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data
comparison rankings: services 87; industry 81; agriculture 126
GDP – composition, by end use
household consumption: 61.9% (2023 est.)
government consumption: 17.1% (2023 est.)
investment in fixed capital: 27% (2023 est.)
investment in inventories: -1.2% (2023 est.)
exports of goods and services: 39.2% (2023 est.)
imports of goods and services: -43.9% (2023 est.)
note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection
Agricultural products
wheat, maize, milk, sunflower seeds, barley, rapeseed, potatoes, grapes, plums, apples (2023)
note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage
Industries
electric machinery and equipment, auto assembly, textiles and footwear, light machinery, metallurgy, chemicals, food processing, petroleum refining, mining, timber, construction materials
Industrial production growth rate
1.31% (2023 est.)
note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency
comparison ranking: 123
Labor force
8.215 million (2024 est.)
note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work
comparison ranking: 65
Unemployment rate
5.4% (2024 est.)
5.6% (2023 est.)
5.6% (2022 est.)
note: % of labor force seeking employment
comparison ranking: 103
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
total: 21.3% (2024 est.)
male: 21.1% (2024 est.)
female: 21.8% (2024 est.)
note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment
comparison ranking: total 56
Population below poverty line
21.2% (2021 est.)
note: % of population with income below national poverty line
Gini Index coefficient – distribution of family income
33.9 (2021 est.)
note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality
comparison ranking: 89
Average household expenditures
on food: 25.1% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
on alcohol and tobacco: 6.1% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share
lowest 10%: 1.9% (2021 est.)
highest 10%: 24% (2021 est.)
note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population
Remittances
2.84% of GDP (2023 est.)
2.96% of GDP (2022 est.)
3.18% of GDP (2021 est.)
note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities
Budget
revenues: $93.681 billion (2022 est.)
expenditures: $110.163 billion (2022 est.)
note: central government revenues (excluding grants) and expenses converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated
Public debt
50.9% of GDP (2022 est.)
note: central government debt as a % of GDP
comparison ranking: 104
Taxes and other revenues
16.2% (of GDP) (2022 est.)
note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP
comparison ranking: 125
Current account balance
-$24.461 billion (2023 est.)
-$27.326 billion (2022 est.)
-$20.566 billion (2021 est.)
note: balance of payments – net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars
comparison ranking: 200
Exports
$136.488 billion (2023 est.)
$129.286 billion (2022 est.)
$115.874 billion (2021 est.)
note: balance of payments – exports of goods and services in current dollars
comparison ranking: 40
Exports – partners
Germany 19%, Italy 10%, France 6%, UK 5%, Hungary 4% (2023)
note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports
Exports – commodities
cars, vehicle parts/accessories, insulated wire, garments, wheat (2023)
note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars
Imports
$153.427 billion (2023 est.)
$149.209 billion (2022 est.)
$132.042 billion (2021 est.)
note: balance of payments – imports of goods and services in current dollars
comparison ranking: 39
Imports – partners
Germany 19%, Italy 8%, Hungary 6%, Poland 6%, China 6% (2023)
note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
Imports – commodities
vehicle parts/accessories, packaged medicine, cars, crude petroleum, plastic products (2023)
note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
$64.699 billion (2024 est.)
$73 billion (2023 est.)
$55.81 billion (2022 est.)
note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars
comparison ranking: 37
Exchange rates
lei (RON) per US dollar –
Exchange rates:
4.598 (2024 est.)
4.574 (2023 est.)
4.688 (2022 est.)
4.16 (2021 est.)
4.244 (2020 est.)
Energy
Electricity access
electrification – total population: 100% (2022 est.)
Electricity
installed generating capacity: 19.748 million kW (2023 est.)
consumption: 48.73 billion kWh (2023 est.)
exports: 13.106 billion kWh (2023 est.)
imports: 10.088 billion kWh (2023 est.)
transmission/distribution losses: 5.817 billion kWh (2023 est.)
comparison rankings: transmission/distribution losses 167; imports 25; exports 19; consumption 54; installed generating capacity 52
Electricity generation sources
fossil fuels: 32.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
nuclear: 18% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
solar: 3.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
wind: 13% 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.)
Nuclear energy
Number of operational nuclear reactors: 2 (2025)
Net capacity of operational nuclear reactors: 1.3GW (2025 est.)
Percent of total electricity production: 18.9% (2023 est.)
Coal
production: 14.752 million metric tons (2023 est.)
consumption: 15.533 million metric tons (2023 est.)
exports: 290,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
imports: 736,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
proven reserves: 291 million metric tons (2023 est.)
Petroleum
total petroleum production: 67,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 220,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 600 million barrels (2021 est.)
Natural gas
production: 9.632 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
consumption: 9.395 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
exports: 2.231 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
imports: 2.793 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
proven reserves: 105.48 billion cubic meters (2021 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions
61.416 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.)
from consumed natural gas: 17.444 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
comparison ranking: total emissions 52
Energy consumption per capita
59.377 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
comparison ranking: 84
Communications
Telephones – fixed lines
total subscriptions: 1.96 million (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 10 (2023 est.)
comparison ranking: total subscriptions 50
Telephones – mobile cellular
total subscriptions: 23.2 million (2022 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 118 (2022 est.)
comparison ranking: total subscriptions 58
Broadcast media
a mixture of public and private TV stations; 7 public (2 national, 5 regional) and 187 private TV stations using terrestrial broadcasting, plus 11 public and 86 private TV stations using satellite broadcasting; state-owned public radio broadcaster operates 4 national networks, as well as regional and local stations; 502 private radio stations using terrestrial broadcasting, and 26 using satellite broadcasting
Internet country code
.ro
Internet users
percent of population: 89% (2023 est.)
Broadband – fixed subscriptions
total: 6.63 million (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 35 (2023 est.)
comparison ranking: total 32
Transportation
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
YR
Airports
103 (2025)
comparison ranking: 52
Heliports
24 (2025)
comparison ranking: 52
Railways
total: 10,628 km (2020) 4,030 km electrified
Merchant marine
total: 127 (2023)
by type: general cargo 9, oil tanker 7, other 111
comparison ranking: total 79
Ports
total ports: 11 (2024)
large: 0
medium: 2
small: 1
very small: 8
ports with oil terminals: 4
key ports: Basarabi, Braila, Cernavoda, Constanta, Danube-Black Sea Canal, Galati, Mangalia, Medgidia, Midia, Sulina, Tulcea
Military and Security
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 expenditures
2.3% of GDP (2024 est.)
1.6% of GDP (2023)
1.7% of GDP (2022)
1.9% of GDP (2021)
2% of GDP (2020)
Military and security service personnel strengths
approximately 68,000 active Armed Forces (53,000 Land Forces; 7,000 Naval Forces; 8,000 Air Force) (2024)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
the military’s inventory includes a considerable amount of Soviet-era and older domestically produced weapons systems, although in recent years Romania has launched an effort to acquire more modern and NATO-standard equipment from European countries and the US, including aircraft and armored vehicles (2024)
Military service age and obligation
18 years of age for voluntary service for men and women; all military inductees contract for an initial 5-year term of service, with subsequent successive 3-year terms until age 36; conscription ended in 2006 (2023)
Military deployments
up to 120 Poland (NATO); Romania also has small numbers of military personnel deployed on other international missions under the EU, NATO, and UN (2024)
Military – note
the Romanian Armed Forces are responsible for territorial defense, fulfilling the country’s commitments to European security, and contributing to multinational peacekeeping operations; the military has a variety of concerns, including cyber attacks and terrorism, but its primary focus is Russian aggression against neighboring Ukraine and Russia’s activities in the Black Sea and Romania’s other eastern neighbor, Moldova
Romania joined NATO in 2004, and the Alliance forms a key pillar of the country’s defense policy; it hosts a NATO multinational divisional headquarters (Multinational Division Southeast) and a French-led ground force battlegroup as part of NATO’s Enhanced Forward Presence initiative in the southeastern part of the Alliance, which came about in response to Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine; NATO allies have also sent detachments of fighters to augment the Romanian Air Force since 2014 because of aggressive Russian activity in the Black Sea region; the Romanian military trains regularly with NATO and its member states and has participated in NATO- and EU-led multinational missions in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, and Poland (2024)
Space
Space agency/agencies
Romanian Space Agency (Agentia Spatiala Romania, ROSA; established 1991) (2024)
Space program overview
space program is integrated into the European Space Agency (ESA) and dates back to the 1960s; program is involved in the development and production of a wide range of capabilities and technologies, including satellites, satellite/space launch vehicles (SLVs), remote sensing, human space flight, navigation, telecommunications, and other space-related applications; in addition to the ESA/EU and their member states (particularly Bulgaria, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy), it cooperates with a variety of other space agencies and commercial space entities, including those of Azerbaijan, China, Japan, Russia, and the US; also participates in international programs; has an active space industry sector with over 50 entities involved in space-related activities (2024)
note: further details about the key activities, programs, and milestones of the country’s space program, as well as government spending estimates on the space sector, appear in the Space Programs reference guide
Terrorism
Terrorist group(s)
Terrorist group(s): Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS)
note: details about the history, aims, leadership, organization, areas of operation, tactics, targets, weapons, size, and sources of support of the group(s) appear(s) in the Terrorism reference guide
Transnational Issues
Refugees and internally displaced persons
refugees (country of origin): 77,250 (Ukraine) (as of 14 April 2024)
stateless persons: 297 (2022)
note: 16,085 estimated refugee and migrant arrivals (January 2015-March 2024)
Illicit drugs
a source country for cannabis
