Introduction
Background
The principalities of Wallachia and Moldavia -- for centuries under the control 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. Romania joined NATO in 2004, the EU in 2007, and the Schengen Area in 2024.
Geography
Area
total : 238,391 sq km
land: 229,891 sq km
water: 8,500 sq km
Climate
temperate; cold, cloudy winters with frequent snow and fog; sunny summers with frequent showers and thunderstorms
Natural resources
petroleum (reserves declining), timber, natural gas, coal, iron ore, salt, arable land, hydropower
People and Society
Population
total: 18,148,155
Ethnic groups
Romanian 89.3%, Hungarian 6%, Romani 3.4%, Ukrainian 0.3%, German 0.1%, other 0.9% (2021 est.)
Languages
Romanian (official) 91.6%, Hungarian 6.3%, Romani 1.2%, other 0.7% (2021 est.)
note: data represent individuals who declared a maternal language in the 2021 national census; 13.1% did not respond
Religions
Romanian Orthodox 85.3%, Roman Catholic 4.5%, Reformed 3%, Pentecostal 2.5%, other 4.7% (2021 est.)
Population growth rate
-0.94% (2024 est.)
Government
Government type
semi-presidential republic
Capital
name: Bucharest
Executive branch
chief of state: President Klaus Werner IOHANNIS (since 21 December 2014)
head of government: Prime Minister Marcel CIOLACU (since 15 June 2023)
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)
Economy
Economic overview
high-income EU member economy; joined Schengen area as of March 2024; euro membership delayed over convergence criteria; persistent inflation but recovery driven by consumption and EU-funded investments; skilled labor shortage; regional economic disparities; fiscal reforms to address rising deficits
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$772.107 billion (2023 est.)
$755.867 billion (2022 est.)
$726.048 billion (2021 est.)
Real GDP per capita
$40,500 (2023 est.)
$39,700 (2022 est.)
$38,000 (2021 est.)
Agricultural products
wheat, maize, milk, sunflower seeds, barley, potatoes, rapeseed, grapes, plums, apples (2022)
Industries
electric machinery and equipment, auto assembly, textiles and footwear, light machinery, metallurgy, chemicals, food processing, petroleum refining, mining, timber, construction materials
Exports
$137.337 billion (2023 est.)
$129.286 billion (2022 est.)
$115.879 billion (2021 est.)
Exports - partners
Germany 19%, Italy 10%, Hungary 7%, France 6%, Bulgaria 4% (2022)
Exports - commodities
vehicle parts/accessories, cars, insulated wire, refined petroleum, wheat (2022)
Imports
$154.106 billion (2023 est.)
$149.209 billion (2022 est.)
$132.056 billion (2021 est.)
Imports - partners
Germany 17%, Italy 8%, Hungary 6%, Turkey 6%, Poland 6% (2022)
Imports - commodities
crude petroleum, vehicle parts/accessories, refined petroleum, packaged medicine, cars (2022)
Exchange rates
lei (RON) per US dollar -
Page last updated: Wednesday, July 24, 2024
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