Country Profile: Romania

Romania is a semi-presidential republic located in southeastern Europe, bordered by the Black Sea and neighboring Bulgaria and Ukraine. The country has a population of approximately 18.1 million people, characterized by a diverse ethnic structure, with Romanians making up the majority. Romania has transitioned from a communist regime to a high-income, EU-member economy, which is currently facing economic challenges such as inflation and skilled labor shortages. The nation is known for its rich cultural heritage and significant historical events that have shaped its modern governance and societal development.

Geography

Romania is situated in southeastern Europe, bordered by the Black Sea, with a geographical area of 238,391 sq km. It features a temperate climate with cold, cloudy winters and sunny summers, while the Carpathian Mountains and the Danube River play significant roles in its terrain and natural resources. The country's coastline extends 225 km, and it shares land boundaries totaling 2,844 km with neighboring countries.

Highest point: Moldoveanu at 2,544 m.
Lowest point: Black Sea at 0 m.
Natural resources: Includes petroleum, timber, natural gas, and arable land.
Urban population: Comprises 54.7% of total population (2023).

People and Society

Romania has a population of 18,148,155 as of 2024, with a balanced gender distribution and a median age of 45.5 years. The ethnic composition includes 89.3% Romanians, 6% Hungarians, and 3.4% Romani. The country has a literacy rate of 99.2%, and the predominant religion is Romanian Orthodox, accounting for 85.3% of the population.

Life expectancy: 76.9 years (2024).
Population growth rate: -0.94% (2024).
Birth rate: 8.5 births/1,000 (2024).
Unemployment rate: 5.4% (2024).

Economy

Romania's economy is classified as high-income, with a GDP of $774.376 billion in 2024, demonstrating steady growth despite macroeconomic challenges. The economy is composed predominantly of the service sector, which constitutes 62.5% of GDP, followed by industry and agriculture. The nation has a skilled labor shortage and high public debt, but EU-funded investments are aiding recovery.

Real GDP per capita: $40,600 (2024).
Inflation rate: 5.7% (2024).
Exports: $136.253 billion (2024).
Imports: $159.575 billion (2024).

Government

Romania is governed as a semi-presidential republic, with a president and a prime minister leading the executive branch. The capital city, Bucharest, serves as the political and administrative center. The Parliament is bicameral, consisting of the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate. The country's legal framework is based on civil law, and citizens have universal suffrage at 18 years of age.

Current president: Nicușor DAN (since May 2025).
Next scheduled elections: 2030.
Number of counties: 41 and 1 municipality.
Constitution adopted: November 1991.

Military and Security

Romania maintains a military force comprising approximately 70,000 active personnel, with expenditures projected at 2.3% of GDP in 2025. The Romanian Armed Forces include land, naval, and air components, and the country actively participates in NATO operations, ensuring territorial defense amid regional security concerns, particularly relating to Russia.

Military service age: 18 years for voluntary service.
Military deployments: Up to 120 personnel in Poland (NATO).
Military equipment modernization: Focused on NATO-standard acquisitions.
NATO membership: Joined in 2004.

Energy

Romania's energy sector is diversified, with total electricity consumption at 48.73 billion kWh in 2023. The country relies on various sources for electricity generation, notably hydropower and fossil fuels, while maintaining 100% electrification of the population. The installed capacity reached 19.748 million kW in 2023.

Nuclear energy contribution: 18.9% of total electricity production (2023).
Coal production: 14.752 million metric tons (2023).
Natural gas production: 9.632 billion cubic meters (2023).

Environment

Romania faces several environmental issues, including soil erosion and water pollution, impacting its natural ecosystems. The country is a party to numerous international environmental agreements, reflecting its commitment to addressing climate change and biodiversity preservation.

Forest cover: 30.2% of total land area (2023).
Municipal solid waste generated: 5.42 million tons (2024).
CO2 emissions: 61.416 million metric tons (2023).

Transportation

The transportation network in Romania includes 10,628 km of railways and 103 airports. The country operates a significant merchant marine fleet and has a well-developed system of roads and highways, facilitating domestic and international trade.

Merchant marine vessels: 127 (2023).
Ports: Total of 11, including key ports like Constanta and Braila.
Civil aircraft registration: Prefix YR.

Communications

Romania boasts an extensive telecommunications infrastructure, with a high rate of mobile subscriptions and internet access. Approximately 89% of the population are internet users, reflecting the country's integration into the digital economy.

Fixed line subscriptions: 1.96 million (2023).
Mobile cellular subscriptions: 23.2 million (2022).
Broadband fixed subscriptions: 6.63 million (2023).

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	18,148,155	Estimation for 2024
Area	238,391 sq km	Total area
GDP	$774.376 billion	PPP for 2024
Unemployment Rate	5.4%	For 2024
Electricity Access	100%	Total for 2022
Life Expectancy	76.9 years	Total for 2024
Total Energy Consumption Per Capita	59.377 million Btu	For 2023
CO2 Emissions	61.416 million metric tons	For 2023
Adult Literacy Rate	99.2%	For 2021
Military Expenditures	2.3% of GDP	Projected for 2025