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
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 Klaus Werner IOHANNIS (since 21 December 2014)
head of government: Prime Minister Marcel CIOLACU (since 15 June 2023)
Legislative branch
summary: bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (136 seats) and the Chamber of Deputies (330 seats)
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 Kathleen KAVALEC (since 14 February 2023)
Economy
Economic overview
high-income EU member economy; joined Schengen area as of March 2024; euro membership delayed over convergence criteria; persistent inflation but recovery driven by consumption and EU-funded investments; skilled labor shortage; regional economic disparities; fiscal reforms to address rising deficits
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$772.107 billion (2023 est.)
$755.867 billion (2022 est.)
$726.048 billion (2021 est.)
Real GDP per capita
$40,500 (2023 est.)
$39,700 (2022 est.)
$38,000 (2021 est.)
Exports
$137.337 billion (2023 est.)
$129.286 billion (2022 est.)
$115.879 billion (2021 est.)
Exports - partners
Germany 19%, Italy 10%, Hungary 7%, France 6%, Bulgaria 4% (2022)
Exports - commodities
vehicle parts/accessories, cars, insulated wire, refined petroleum, wheat (2022)
Imports
$154.106 billion (2023 est.)
$149.209 billion (2022 est.)
$132.056 billion (2021 est.)
Imports - partners
Germany 17%, Italy 8%, Hungary 6%, Turkey 6%, Poland 6% (2022)
Imports - commodities
crude petroleum, vehicle parts/accessories, refined petroleum, packaged medicine, cars (2022)
Page last updated: Wednesday, October 02, 2024
