Country Profile: Romania

Romania, located in Southeastern Europe, is bordered by the Black Sea, Bulgaria, and Ukraine. With a population of approximately 18 million, it maintains a diverse cultural landscape, predominantly comprising ethnic Romanians, Hungarians, and Romani communities. The country has a mixed economy, characterized as a high-income EU member, yet faces challenges such as inflation and political instability. Governed as a semi-presidential republic, Romania has a historical trajectory marked by periods of autonomy, foreign dominion, and significant political transformations.

Geography

Romania features a temperate climate with cold winters and warm summers, characterized by a diverse terrain that includes mountains and plains. The Eastern Carpathians run through the center of the country, while the Danube River serves as a natural southern boundary. The country has a total area of 238,391 square kilometers, with significant agricultural land and natural resources.

238,391 sq km: Total area.
55.3%: Agricultural land (2023 estimate).
2,544 m: Highest point (Moldoveanu Peak).
225 km: Coastline along the Black Sea.
5,280 sq km: Irrigated land (2022).
30.2%: Forest cover (2023 estimate).

People and Society

With an estimated population of 18,148,155 in 2024, Romania exhibits a relatively even distribution of urban and rural areas. The population is primarily Romanian (89.3%), with significant Hungarian and Romani minorities. The country is predominantly Roman Orthodox, and Romanian is the official language.

18,148,155: Total population (2024 estimate).
85.3%: Romanian Orthodox (2021 estimate).
54.7%: Urban population (2023).
22.4%: Percentage of women in the Chamber of Deputies (2024).
99.2%: Literacy rate (2021 estimate).
76.9 years: Life expectancy at birth (2024 estimate).

Economy

Romania's economy is characterized as high-income and is integrated into the European Union. Despite facing inflation and public debt challenges, the economy displays resilience through consumption and EU investments. The service sector dominates, accounting for over 62% of GDP.

$774.376 billion: Real GDP (PPP) for 2024.
5.4%: Unemployment rate (2024 estimate).
3.3%: Agriculture's share of GDP (2024 estimate).
$136.253 billion: Exports (2024 estimate).
$159.575 billion: Imports (2024 estimate).
$93.691 billion: Government revenues (2022 estimate).

Government

Romania operates as a semi-presidential republic, with a bicameral Parliament consisting of the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate. The governance is marked by universal suffrage at 18 years of age. Bucharest serves as the capital, featuring a political landscape shaped by a history of monarchical and communist rule.

President: Nicușor DAN (since May 2025).
Prime Minister: Ilie BOLOJAN (since June 2005).
41: Number of counties.
1991: Year the current constitution was adopted.
18: Total number of legislators in the Senate.

Military and Security

Romania maintains robust military forces, comprising the Land, Naval, and Air Forces. The military has been adapting to contemporary threats, including regional instability and modernization efforts to align with NATO standards.

2.3%: Military expenditures as a percentage of GDP (2025 estimate).
70,000: Active Armed Forces personnel (2025).
470: Troops deployed in Bosnia and Herzegovina (2025).

Energy

Romania benefits from a diverse energy sector, employing fossil fuels, nuclear, and renewables to meet consumption demands. The country has achieved 100% electrification of its population.

100%: Electrification rate (2022).
19.748 million kW: Installed electricity generating capacity (2023).
48.73 billion kWh: Total electricity consumption (2023).

Environment

Romania faces environmental challenges, including water and air pollution, but is committed to international environmental agreements. Its diverse climate supports a range of ecosystems, though urbanization impacts natural landscapes.

61.416 million metric tonnes: CO2 emissions (2023).
55.3%: Agricultural land utilization (2023).

Transportation

The country boasts a well-developed transportation network with extensive railways, roads, and maritime facilities. Bucharest is the hub for air travel, supported by numerous airports across the nation.

10,628 km: Total railway length (2020).
103: Total airports (2025).
11: Total ports (2024).

Communications

Romania has a dynamic communication sector featuring a blend of public and private broadcasters. Internet access is high, with a significant percentage of the population being connected.

89%: Internet users (2023).
1.96 million: Fixed telephone subscriptions (2023).
23.2 million: Mobile cellular subscriptions (2022).

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	18,148,155	Total population (2024 estimate)
Area	238,391 sq km	Total area
GDP (PPP)	$774.376 billion	Real GDP for 2024
Unemployment Rate	5.4%	Unemployment rate (2024 estimate)
Life Expectancy at Birth	76.9 years	Life expectancy (2024 estimate)
Inflation Rate	5.7%	Inflation rate (2024 estimate)
Urban Population	54.7%	Urban population (2023)
Total Energy Consumption	59.377 million Btu/person	Energy consumption per capita (2023 est.)
Total Renewable Water Resources	212.01 billion cubic meters	Total renewable water resources (2022 est.)
Military Expenditures	2.3%	Military expenditures as % of GDP (2025 est.)