Country Profile: Romania

Romania, located in Southeastern Europe, is a semi-presidential republic with a rich history marked by autonomy and union from the Ottoman Empire. The country boasts a population of approximately 18.1 million people (2024 estimate) and is characterized by its diverse geography, which includes the Carpathian Mountains and the Black Sea coastline. Economically, Romania is a high-income EU member, though it faces challenges such as persistent inflation and a skilled labor shortage. It has been making strides in investment, particularly from EU funding, but political instability remains a concern for sustainable growth.

Geography

Romania is situated in Southeastern Europe and borders the Black Sea, framed by Bulgaria to the south and Ukraine to the north. The country has a total area of 238,391 sq km, with a coastline of 225 km. Romania's terrain features the central Transylvanian Basin, the Eastern Carpathian Mountains, and fertile plains. The climate is temperate, with cold winters and warm summers that often bring thunderstorms.

55.3% of the land is used for agriculture (2023).
The highest point is Moldoveanu Peak at 2,544 m.
Major rivers include the Danube, which is 2,888 km long.
Natural resources include petroleum, timber, and natural gas.

People and Society

Romania has a diverse population of approximately 18.1 million people, comprising primarily Romanians (89.3%) with significant Hungarian and Romani minorities. The urban population stands at 54.7% of the total, with Bucharest being the capital and largest city with 1.776 million residents. The official language is Romanian, spoken by 91.6% of the population.

The median age is 45.8 years (2025 est.).
The life expectancy is 76.9 years (2024 est.).
Literacy rates are 99.2% (2021 est.).
The birth rate is 8.45 births per 1,000 population (2025 est.).

Economy

Romania has a high-income economy and is a member of the EU, but it faces delays in adopting the euro due to macroeconomic challenges. In 2024, the real GDP (PPP) is estimated at $774.376 billion, with a per capita GDP of $40,600. The services sector dominates the economy, making up 62.5% of GDP.

The inflation rate is projected at 5.7% (2024 est.).
Unemployment stands at 5.4% (2024 est.).
Public debt was 50.9% of GDP in 2022.
Major agricultural products include wheat, maize, and grapes.

Government

Romania operates as a semi-presidential republic with a bicameral Parliament consisting of the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate. The President, Nicușor DAN, assumed office in May 2025, while the Prime Minister is Ilie BOLOJAN. The governmental structure emphasizes the rule of law and democratic processes.

The capital, Bucharest, is the largest city.
Romania joined NATO in 2004 and the EU in 2007.
The legal system is based on civil law.
Voting is universal for citizens aged 18 and over.

Military and Security

The Romanian Armed Forces comprise land, naval, and air forces, with around 70,000 active personnel as of 2025. The country spends approximately 2.3% of its GDP on military expenditures. Romania has been active in NATO and participates in various international missions.

Romania hosts a NATO multinational divisional headquarters.
Military service is voluntary, typically for ages 18-35.
The military faces modernization challenges against regional threats.

Energy

Romania has achieved 100% electrification of its population and generates energy through a mix of sources, including fossil fuels, nuclear, and renewable energies. The total installed generating capacity is 19.748 million kW.

The country produced 67,000 bbl/day of petroleum in 2023.
Natural gas production stood at 9.632 billion cubic meters in 2023.
Hydroelectricity accounts for 32.5% of energy generation capacity.

Environment

Romania faces environmental issues such as soil erosion, water pollution, and air quality degradation. The country participates in various international environmental agreements focused on climate change and biodiversity.

Agricultural land covers 55.3% of the country (2023).
Carbon dioxide emissions are estimated at 61.416 million metric tonnes (2023).
Romania has 11 UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Transportation

Romania has a robust transportation infrastructure, including over 10,628 km of railways and 103 airports. The country also has a growing merchant marine with 127 vessels as of 2023.

The primary port is Constanta, a key player for maritime trade.
Rail electrification covers 4,030 km of the railway network.
Romania’s civil aircraft registration code is YR.

Communications

In terms of communications, Romania has near-universal mobile phone subscriptions and a significant internet penetration. Approximately 89% of the population uses the Internet.

There are 23.2 million mobile cellular subscriptions (2022).
Fixed broadband subscriptions total 6.63 million (2023).
The country operates a mix of public and private broadcasting services.

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	18,148,155 (2024 est.)
Area	238,391 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$774.376 billion (2024 est.)
GDP per capita	$40,600 (2024 est.)
Unemployment rate	5.4% (2024 est.)
Life expectancy	76.9 years (2024 est.)
Literacy rate	99.2% (2021 est.)
Inflation rate	5.7% (2024 est.)
Military expenditure	2.3% of GDP (2025 est.)
Electrification rate	100% (2022 est.)