Romania

World Book Index

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 (2024 est.)

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.)

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 Nicușor DAN (since 26 May 2025)
head of government: Prime Minister Ilie BOLOJAN (since 23 June 2005)

Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Dan-Andrei MURARU (since 15 September 2021)

Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d'Affaires Michael L. DICKERSON (since 20 May 2025)

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)
$774.376 billion (2024 est.)
$768.126 billion (2023 est.)
$750.091 billion (2022 est.)

Real GDP per capita
$40,600 (2024 est.)
$40,300 (2023 est.)
$39,400 (2022 est.)

Exports
$136.253 billion (2024 est.)
$136.488 billion (2023 est.)
$129.286 billion (2022 est.)

Exports - partners
Germany 19%, Italy 10%, France 6%, UK 5%, Hungary 4% (2023)

Exports - commodities
cars, vehicle parts/accessories, insulated wire, garments, wheat (2023)

Imports
$159.575 billion (2024 est.)
$153.427 billion (2023 est.)
$149.209 billion (2022 est.)

Imports - partners
Germany 19%, Italy 8%, Hungary 6%, Poland 6%, China 6% (2023)

Imports - commodities
vehicle parts/accessories, packaged medicine, cars, crude petroleum, plastic products (2023)

Human Development Index

The country's Human Development Index (HDI) is 0.845, ranking it 55th out of 193 countries tested. (more information)

World Happiness Report

The World Happiness Report ranked the country 7th out of 158 countries tested with a score of 7.302. (more information)