Romania

Introduction

Background

The principalities of Wallachia and Moldavia - for centuries under the suzerainty 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. The country gained recognition of its independence in 1878. It joined the Allied Powers in World War I and acquired new territories - most notably Transylvania - following the conflict. In 1940, Romania allied with the Axis powers and participated in the 1941 German invasion of the USSR. Three years later, overrun by the Soviets, Romania signed an armistice. The post-war Soviet occupation led to the formation of a communist "people's republic" in 1947 and the abdication of the king. The decades-long rule of dictator Nicolae CEAUSESCU, who took power in 1965, and his Securitate police state became increasingly oppressive and draconian through the 1980s. CEAUSESCU was overthrown and executed in late 1989. Former communists dominated the government until 1996 when they were swept from power. Romania joined NATO in 2004 and the EU in 2007.

Geography

Location

Southeastern Europe, bordering the Black Sea, between Bulgaria and Ukraine

Geographic coordinates

46 00 N, 25 00 E

Map references

Europe

Area

total: 238,391 sq km
land: 229,891 sq km
water: 8,500 sq km
country comparison to the world: 84

Area - comparative

twice the size of Pennsylvania; slightly smaller than Oregon

Land boundaries

total: 2,844 km
border countries (5): Bulgaria 605 km, Hungary 424 km, Moldova 683 km, Serbia 531 km, Ukraine 601 km

Coastline

225 km

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12nm
exclusive economic zone: 200nm
contiguous zone: 24nm
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

Climate

temperate; cold, cloudy winters with frequent snow and fog; sunny summers with frequent showers and thunderstorms

Terrain

central Transylvanian Basin is separated from the Moldavian Plateau on the east by the Eastern Carpathian Mountains and separated from the Walachian Plain on the south by the Transylvanian Alps

Elevation

mean elevation: 414 m
lowest point: Black Sea 0 m
highest point: Moldoveanu 2,544 m

Natural resources

petroleum (reserves declining), timber, natural gas, coal, iron ore, salt, arable land, hydropower

Land use

agricultural land: 60.7% (2011 est.)
arable land: 39.1% (2011 est.)/permanent crops: 1.9% (2011 est.)/permanent pasture: 19.7% (2011 est.)
forest: 28.7% (2011 est.)
other: 10.6% (2011 est.)

Irrigated land

31,490 sq km (2012)

Population distribution

urbanization is not particularly high, and a fairly even population distribution can be found throughout most of the country, with urban areas attracting larger and denser populations; Hungarians, the country's largest minority, have a particularly strong presence in eastern Transylvania

Natural hazards

earthquakes, most severe in south and southwest; geologic structure and climate promote landslides

Environment - current issues

soil erosion, degradation, and desertification; water pollution; air pollution in south from industrial effluents; contamination of Danube delta wetlands

Environment - international agreements

party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note

controls the most easily traversable land route between the Balkans, Moldova, and Ukraine; the Carpathian Mountains dominate the center of the country, while the Danube River forms much of the southern boundary with Serbia and Bulgaria

People and Society

Population

21,457,116 (July 2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 58

Nationality

noun: Romanian(s)
adjective: Romanian

Ethnic groups

Romanian 83.4%, Hungarian 6.1%, Romani 3.1%, Ukrainian 0.3%, German 0.2%, other 0.7%, unspecified 6.1% (2011 est.)
note: Romani populations are usually underestimated in official statistics and may represent 5–11% of Romania's population

Languages

Romanian (official) 85.4%, Hungarian 6.3%, Romani 1.2%, other 1%, unspecified 6.1% (2011 est.)

Religions

Eastern Orthodox (including all sub-denominations) 81.9%, Protestant (various denominations including Reformed and Pentecostal) 6.4%, Roman Catholic 4.3%, other (includes Muslim) 0.9%, none or atheist 0.2%, unspecified 6.3% (2011 est.)

Age structure

0-14 years: 14.31%(male 1,576,621 /female 1,493,082)
15-24 years: 10.45%(male 1,151,312 /female 1,091,956)
25-54 years: 46.11%(male 5,010,272 /female 4,883,090)
55-64 years: 12.37%(male 1,244,669 /female 1,409,854)
65 years and over: 16.76%(male 1,454,320 /female 2,141,940) (2018 est.)
population pyramid:

Dependency ratios

total dependency ratio: 48 (2015 est.)
youth dependency ratio: 22.8 (2015 est.)
elderly dependency ratio: 25.2 (2015 est.)
potential support ratio: 4 (2015 est.)

Median age

total: 41.6 years (2018 est.)
male: 40.2 years
female: 43 years
country comparison to the world: 38

Population growth rate

-0.35% (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 219

Birth rate

8.7 births/1,000 population (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 211

Death rate

12 deaths/1,000 population (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 17

Net migration rate

-0.2 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 113

Population distribution

urbanization is not particularly high, and a fairly even population distribution can be found throughout most of the country, with urban areas attracting larger and denser populations; Hungarians, the country's largest minority, have a particularly strong presence in eastern Transylvania

Urbanization

urban population: 54.1% of total population(2019)
rate of urbanization: -0.38% annual rate of change(2015-20 est.)

Major urban areas - population

1.812 million BUCHAREST (capital) (2019)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 0.88 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.68 male(s)/female
total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2018 est.)

Mother's mean age at first birth

26.7 years (2014 est.)

Maternal mortality rate

19 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 127

Infant mortality rate

total: 9.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2018 est.)
male: 10.4 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 7.8 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 143

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 75.6 years (2018 est.)
male: 72.1 years
female: 79.2 years
country comparison to the world: 106

Total fertility rate

1.36 children born/woman (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 215

Drinking water source

improved: urban: 100% of population
rural: 100% of population
total: 100% of population
unimproved: urban: 0% of population
rural: 0% of population
total: 0% of population (2015 est.)

Current Health Expenditure

5% (2016)

Physicians density

2.26 physicians/1,000 population (2016)

Hospital bed density

6.3 beds/1,000 population (2013)

Sanitation facility access

improved: urban: 92.2% of population (2015 est.)
rural: 63.3% of population (2015 est.)
total: 79.1% of population (2015 est.)
unimproved: urban: 7.8% of population (2015 est.)
rural: 36.7% of population (2015 est.)
total: 20.9% of population (2015 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.1% (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 134

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

18,000 (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 87

HIV/AIDS - deaths

<200 (2018 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

22.5% (2016)
country comparison to the world: 75

Education expenditures

3.1% of GDP (2015)
country comparison to the world: 136

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 98.8%
male: 99.1%
female: 98.5% (2015)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 14 years
male: 14 years
female: 15 years (2016)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

total: 18.3%
male: 18.1%
female: 18.6% (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 74

Government

Country name

conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Romania
local long form: none
local short form: Romania
former: Kingdom of Romania, Romanian People's Republic, Socialist Republic of Romania
etymology: the name derives from the Latin "Romanus" meaning "citizen of Rome" and was used to stress the common ancient heritage of Romania's three main regions - Moldavia, Transylvania, and Wallachia - during their gradual unification between the mid-19th century and early 20th century

Government type

semi-presidential republic

Capital

name: Bucharest
geographic coordinates: 44 26 N, 26 06 E
time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
etymology: related to the Romanian word "bucura" that is believed to be of Dacian origin and whose meaning is "to be glad (happy)"; Bucharest's meaning is thus akin to "city of joy"

Administrative divisions

41 counties (judete, singular - judet) and 1 municipality* (municipiu); Alba, Arad, Arges, Bacau, Bihor, Bistrita-Nasaud, Botosani, Braila, Brasov, Bucuresti (Bucharest)*, Buzau, Calarasi, Caras-Severin, Cluj, Constanta, Covasna, Dambovita, Dolj, Galati, Gorj, Giurgiu, Harghita, Hunedoara, Ialomita, Iasi, Ilfov, Maramures, Mehedinti, Mures, Neamt, Olt, Prahova, Salaj, Satu Mare, Sibiu, Suceava, Teleorman, Timis, Tulcea, Vaslui, Valcea, Vrancea

Independence

9 May 1877 (independence proclaimed from the Ottoman Empire; 13 July 1878 (independence recognized by the Treaty of Berlin); 26 March 1881 (kingdom proclaimed); 30 December 1947 (republic proclaimed)

National holiday

Unification Day (unification of Romania and Transylvania), 1 December (1918)

Constitution

history: several previous; latest adopted 21 November 1991, approved by referendum and effective 8 December 1991
amendments: initiated by the president of Romania through a proposal by the government, by at least one fourth of deputies or senators in Parliament, or by petition of eligible voters representing at least half of Romania’s counties; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote by both chambers or – if mediation is required - by three-fourths majority vote in a joint session, followed by approval in a referendum; articles, including those on national sovereignty, form of government, political pluralism, and fundamental rights and freedoms, cannot be amended; amended 2003 (2016)

Legal system

civil law system

International law organization participation

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Citizenship

citizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Romania
dual citizenship recognized: yes
residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch

chief of state: President Klaus Werner IOHANNIS (since 21 December 2014)
head of government: Prime Minister Ludovic ORBAN (since 4 November 2019); Deputy Prime Minister Raluca TURCAN (since 4 November 2019); note - Prime Minister DANCILA, Romania's first woman prime minster, lost a no-confidence vote on 10 October 2019
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister
elections/appointments: president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 10 November 2019 with a runoff on 24 November 2019 (next to be held in November 2024); prime minister appointed by the president with consent of Parliament
election results: Klaus IOHANNIS reelected president in second round; percent of vote - Klaus IOHANNIS (PNL) 66.1%, Viorica DANCILA (PSD) 33.9%; Ludovic ORBAN approved as prime minister with 240 votes

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 (329 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)
elections:
Senate - last held on 11 December 2016 (next to be held by December 2020)
Chamber of Deputies - last held on 11 December 2016 (next to be held by December 2020)
election results:
Senate - percent of vote by party - PSD 45.7%, PNL 20.4%, USR 8.9%, UDMR 6.2%, ALDE 6%, PMP 5.7%, other 7.1%; seats by party - PSD 67, PNL 30, USR 13, UDMR 9, ALDE 9, PMP 8; composition - men 116, women 20, percent of women 14.7%
Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - PSD 45.5%, PNL 20%, USR 8.9%, UDMR 6.2%, ALDE 5.6%, PMP 5.4%, other 8.4%; seats by party - PSD 154, PNL 69, USR 30, UDMR 21, ALDE 20, PMP 18, minorities 17; composition men 261, women 68, percent of women 20.7%; note - total Parliament percent of women 20.7%

Judicial branch

highest courts: High Court of Cassation and Justice (consists of 111 judges organized into civil, penal, commercial, contentious administrative and fiscal business, and joint sections); Supreme Constitutional Court (consists of 9 members)
judge selection and term of office: High Court of Cassation and Justice judges appointed by the president upon nomination by the Superior Council of Magistracy, a 19-member body of judges, prosecutors, and law specialists; judges appointed for 6-year renewable terms; Constitutional Court members - 6 elected by Parliament and 3 appointed by the president; members serve 9-year, nonrenewable terms
subordinate courts: Courts of Appeal; regional tribunals; first instance courts; military and arbitration courts

Political parties and leaders

Christian-Democratic National Peasants' Party or PNT-CD [Aurelian PAVELESCU]
Democratic Union of Hungarians in Romania or UDMR [Hunor KELEMEN]
Civic Hungarian Party [Zsolt BIRO]
Ecologist Party of Romania or PER [Danut POP]
Greater Romania Party or PRM [Adrian POPESCU]
M10 Party [Ioana CONSTANTIN]
National Liberal Party or PNL [Ludovic ORBAN]
New Romania Party or PNR [Sebastian POPESCU]
Our Romania Alliance [Marian MUNTEANU]
Party of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats or ALDE [Calin POPESCU TARICEANU]
Popular Movement Party or PMP [Traian BASESCU]
Romanian Social Party or PSRo [Mircea GEOANA]
Save Romania Union Party or Partidul USR [Dan BARNA]
Social Democratic Party or PSD [Marcel CIOLACU, interim leader]
United Romania Party or PRU [Robert BUGA]

International organization participation

Australia Group, BIS, BSEC, CBSS (observer), CD, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, ECB, EIB, ESA, EU, FAO, G-9, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAIA (observer), MIGA, MONUSCO, NATO, NSG, OAS (observer), OIF, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, SELEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador George Cristian MAIOR (since 17 September 2015)
chancery: 1607 23rd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 332-4846, 4848, 4851, 4852
FAX: [1] (202) 232-4748
consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, New York

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Hans G. KLEMM (since 21 September 2015)
telephone: [40] (21) 200-3300
embassy: 4-6, Dr. Liviu Librescu Blvd., District 1, Bucharest, 015118
mailing address: American Embassy Bucharest, US Department of State, 5260 Bucharest Place, Washington, DC 20521-5260 (pouch)
FAX: [40] (21) 200-3442

Flag description

three equal vertical bands of cobalt blue (hoist side), chrome yellow, and vermilion red; modeled after the flag of France, the colors are those of the principalities of Walachia (red and yellow) and Moldavia (red and blue), which united in 1862 to form Romania; the national coat of arms that used to be centered in the yellow band has been removed
note: now similar to the flag of Chad, whose blue band is darker; also resembles the flags of Andorra and Moldova

National symbol(s)

golden eagle; national colors: blue, yellow, red

National anthem

name: "Desteapta-te romane!" (Wake up, Romanian!)
lyrics/music: Andrei MURESIANU/Anton PANN
note: adopted 1990; the anthem was written during the 1848 Revolution

Economy

Economy - overview

Romania, which joined the EU on 1 January 2007, began the transition from communism in 1989 with a largely obsolete industrial base and a pattern of output unsuited to the country's needs. Romania's macroeconomic gains have only recently started to spur creation of a middle class and to address Romania's widespread poverty. Corruption and red tape continue to permeate the business environment.In the aftermath of the global financial crisis, Romania signed a $26 billion emergency assistance package from the IMF, the EU, and other international lenders, but GDP contracted until 2011. In March 2011, Romania and the IMF/EU/World Bank signed a 24-month precautionary standby agreement, worth $6.6 billion, to promote fiscal discipline, encourage progress on structural reforms, and strengthen financial sector stability; no funds were drawn. In September 2013, Romanian authorities and the IMF/EU agreed to a follow-on standby agreement, worth $5.4 billion, to continue with reforms. This agreement expired in September 2015, and no funds were drawn. Progress on structural reforms has been uneven, and the economy still is vulnerable to external shocks.Economic growth rebounded in the 2013-17 period, driven by strong industrial exports, excellent agricultural harvests, and, more recently, expansionary fiscal policies in 2016-2017 that nearly quadrupled Bucharest’s annual fiscal deficit, from +0.8% of GDP in 2015 to -3% of GDP in 2016 and an estimated -3.4% in 2017. Industry outperformed other sectors of the economy in 2017. Exports remained an engine of economic growth, led by trade with the EU, which accounts for roughly 70% of Romania trade. Domestic demand was the major driver, due to tax cuts and large wage increases that began last year and are set to continue in 2018.An aging population, emigration of skilled labor, significant tax evasion, insufficient health care, and an aggressive loosening of the fiscal package compromise Romania’s long-term growth and economic stability and are the economy's top vulnerabilities.

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$483.4 billion (2017 est.)
$452 billion (2016 est.)
$431.2 billion (2015 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars
country comparison to the world: 41

GDP (official exchange rate)

$211.9 billion (2017 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

6.9% (2017 est.)
4.8% (2016 est.)
3.9% (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 23

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$24,600 (2017 est.)
$22,900 (2016 est.)
$21,700 (2015 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars
country comparison to the world: 83

Gross national saving

21.1% of GDP (2017 est.)
21.7% of GDP (2016 est.)
23.9% of GDP (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 87

GDP - composition, by end use

household consumption: 70% (2017 est.)
government consumption: 7.7% (2017 est.)
investment in fixed capital: 22.6% (2017 est.)
investment in inventories: 1.9% (2017 est.)
exports of goods and services: 41.4% (2017 est.)
imports of goods and services: -43.6% (2017 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture: 4.2% (2017 est.)
industry: 33.2% (2017 est.)
services: 62.6% (2017 est.)

Agriculture - products

wheat, corn, barley, sugar beets, sunflower seed, potatoes, grapes; eggs, sheep

Industries

electric machinery and equipment, auto assembly, textiles and footwear, light machinery, metallurgy, chemicals, food processing, petroleum refining, mining, timber, construction materials

Industrial production growth rate

5.5% (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 50

Labor force

8.951 million (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 54

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture: 28.3%
industry: 28.9%
services: 42.8% (2014)

Unemployment rate

4.9% (2017 est.)
5.9% (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 71

Population below poverty line

22.4% (2012 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 15.3%
highest 10%: 7.6% (2014 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

27.3 (2012)
28.2 (2010)
country comparison to the world: 143

Budget

revenues: 62.14 billion (2017 est.)
expenditures: 68.13 billion (2017 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

29.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 84

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-2.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 125

Public debt

36.8% of GDP (2017 est.)
38.8% of GDP (2016 est.)
note: defined by the EU's Maastricht Treaty as consolidated general government gross debt at nominal value, outstanding at the end of the year in the following categories of government liabilities: currency and deposits, securities other than shares excluding financial derivatives, and loans; general government sector comprises the subsectors: central government, state government, local government, and social security funds
country comparison to the world: 145

Fiscal year

calendar year

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

1.3% (2017 est.)
-1.6% (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 71

Central bank discount rate

1.75% (31 December 2017)
1.75% (31 December 2016)
country comparison to the world: 125

Commercial bank prime lending rate

5.57% (31 December 2017 est.)
5.71% (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 132

Stock of narrow money

$54.13 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$41.82 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 52

Stock of broad money

$54.13 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$41.82 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 52

Stock of domestic credit

$72.54 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$60.3 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 59

Market value of publicly traded shares

$42.24 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$34.06 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
$42.59 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 55

Current account balance

-$7.114 billion (2017 est.)
-$3.93 billion (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 188

Exports

$64.58 billion (2017 est.)
$57.72 billion (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 45

Exports - partners

Germany 23%, Italy 11.2%, France 6.8%, Hungary 4.7%, UK 4.1% (2017)

Exports - commodities

machinery and equipment, other manufactured goods, agricultural products and foodstuffs, metals and metal products, chemicals, minerals and fuels, raw materials

Imports

$78.12 billion (2017 est.)
$68 billion (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 43

Imports - commodities

machinery and equipment, other manufactured goods, chemicals, agricultural products and foodstuffs, fuels and minerals, metals and metal products, raw materials

Imports - partners

Germany 20%, Italy 10%, Hungary 7.5%, Poland 5.5%, France 5.3%, China 5%, Netherlands 4% (2017)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$44.43 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$40 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 43

Debt - external

$95.97 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$93.71 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 49

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$94 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$76.93 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 47

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$6.822 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$5.963 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 70

Exchange rates

lei (RON) per US dollar -
4.077 (2017 est.)
4.0592 (2016 est.)
4.0592 (2015 est.)
4.0057 (2014 est.)
3.3492 (2013 est.)

Energy

Electricity access

electrification - total population: 100% (2016)

Electricity - production

61.78 billion kWh (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 47

Electricity - consumption

49.64 billion kWh (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 49

Electricity - exports

11.22 billion kWh (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 18

Electricity - imports

4.177 billion kWh (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 45

Electricity - installed generating capacity

23.94 million kW (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 38

Electricity - from fossil fuels

47% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 156

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

6% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 20

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

29% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 70

Electricity - from other renewable sources

19% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 45

Crude oil - production

70,000 bbl/day (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 46

Crude oil - exports

2,076 bbl/day (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 70

Crude oil - imports

145,300 bbl/day (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 38

Crude oil - proved reserves

600 million bbl (1 January 2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 42

Refined petroleum products - production

232,600 bbl/day (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 47

Refined petroleum products - consumption

198,000 bbl/day (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 58

Refined petroleum products - exports

103,000 bbl/day (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 44

Refined petroleum products - imports

49,420 bbl/day (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 81

Natural gas - production

10.87 billion cu m (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 40

Natural gas - consumption

11.58 billion cu m (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 45

Natural gas - exports

22.65 million cu m (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 53

Natural gas - imports

1.218 billion cu m (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 59

Natural gas - proved reserves

105.5 billion cu m (1 January 2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 50

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

72.07 million Mt (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 50

Communications

Telephones - fixed lines

total subscriptions: 3.89 million
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 18 (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 35

Telephones - mobile cellular

total subscriptions: 22.55 million
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 105 (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 53

Telephone system

general assessment: the telecommunications sector is being expanded and modernized; domestic and international service improving rapidly, especially mobile-cellular services; competition among a number of telecoms; LTE services; 1Gb/FttP offering; government secures EU funding to extend broadband to areas of the country not yet connected (2018)
domestic: fixed-line teledensity is about 18 telephones per 100 persons; mobile market served by four mobile network operators; mobile-cellular teledensity over 105 telephones per 100 persons (2018)
international: country code - 40; landing point for the Diamond Link Global submarine cable linking Romania with Georgia; satellite earth stations - 10; digital, international, direct-dial exchanges operate in Bucharest (2019)

Broadcast media

a mixture of public and private TV stations; there are 7 public TV stations (2 national, 5 regional) using terrestrial broadcasting and 187 private TV stations (out of which 171 offer local coverage) using terrestrial broadcasting, plus 11 public TV stations using satellite broadcasting and 86 private TV stations using satellite broadcasting; state-owned public radio broadcaster operates 4 national networks and regional and local stations, having in total 20 public radio stations by terrestrial broadcasting plus 4 public radio stations by satellite broadcasting; there are 502 operational private radio stations using terrestrial broadcasting and 26 private radio stations using satellite broadcasting

Internet country code

.ro

Internet users

total: 12,852,696
percent of population: 59.5% (July 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 44

Broadband - fixed subscriptions

total: 4.78 million
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 22 (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 29

Military and Security

Military expenditures

2.04% of GDP (2019 est.)
1.82% of GDP (2018)
1.72% of GDP (2017)
1.4% of GDP (2016)
1.45% of GDP (2015)
country comparison to the world: 49

Military and security forces

Romanian Armed Forces:  Land Forces, Naval Forces, Air Force (2019)

Military service age and obligation

conscription ended 2006; 18 years of age for male and female voluntary service; all military inductees (including women) contract for an initial 5-year term of service, with subsequent successive 3-year terms until age 36 (2015)

Military - note

Ministry of Internal Affairs:  Gendarmerie

Transportation

National air transport system

number of registered air carriers: 5 (2015)
inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 51 (2015)
annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 3,636,642 (2015)
annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 4,691,280mt-km (2015)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

YR (2016)

Airports

45 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 95

Airports - with paved runways

total: 26 (2017)
over 3,047 m: 4 (2017)
2,438 to 3,047 m: 10 (2017)
1,524 to 2,437 m: 11 (2017)
under 914 m: 1 (2017)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total: 19 (2013)
914 to 1,523 m: 5 (2013)
under 914 m: 14 (2013)

Heliports

2 (2013)

Pipelines

3726 km gas, 2451 km oil (2013)

Railways

total: 11,268 km (2014)
standard gauge: 10,781 km1.435-m gauge (3,292 km electrified) (2014)
narrow gauge: 427 km0.760-m gauge (2014)
broad gauge: 60 km1.524-m gauge (2014)
country comparison to the world: 23

Roadways

total: 84,185 km (2012)
paved: 49,873 km(includes 337 km of expressways) (2012)
unpaved: 34,312 km (2012)
country comparison to the world: 58

Waterways

1,731 km(includes 1,075 km on the Danube River, 524 km on secondary branches, and 132 km on canals) (2010)
country comparison to the world: 45

Merchant marine

total: 112
by type: general cargo 13, oil tanker 8, other 91 (2018)
country comparison to the world: 79

Ports and terminals

major seaport(s): Constanta, Midia
river port(s): Braila, Galati (Galatz), Mancanului (Giurgiu), Tulcea (Danube River)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international

the ICJ ruled largely in favor of Romania in its dispute submitted in 2004 over Ukrainian-administered Zmiyinyy/Serpilor (Snake) Island and Black Sea maritime boundary delimitation; Romania opposes Ukraine's reopening of a navigation canal from the Danube border through Ukraine to the Black Sea

Refugees and internally displaced persons

stateless persons: 227 (2018)

Illicit drugs

major transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin transiting the Balkan route and small amounts of Latin American cocaine bound for Western Europe; although not a significant financial center, role as a narcotics conduit leaves it vulnerable to laundering, which occurs via the banking system, currency exchange houses, and casinos

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