| variable | 1980-1989 | 1990-1999 | 2000-2007 | 2008-2009 | 2010-2019 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| real gdp growth | 0.72 | -1.45 | 6.6 | -4.7 | 3.09 | 2.3 | 0.9 | 0.7 | 0.7 | 2.5 |
| CPI % | 15.65 | 114.08 | 14.06 | 5.85 | 2.43 | 10.4 | 5.6 | 7.3 | 7.8 | 3.9 |
| Unemployment rate | 3.68 | 7.86 | 7.21 | 8.7 | 7.34 | 5.6 | 5.4 | 6.1 | 6.0 | 5.9 |
| Debt/GDP % | - | 29.6 | 19.61 | 26.35 | 38.73 | 52.6 | 57.5 | 60.6 | 61.9 | 63.9 |
| Current account balance/GDP % | 2.28 | -4.86 | -7.81 | -4.85 | -3.12 | -6.7 | -8.2 | -8.0 | -6.8 | -6.2 |
Data derived from World Economic Outlook Database. To see main macroeconomic indicator in graphs click here
The principalities of Wallachia and Moldavia -- for centuries under the control of the Turkish Ottoman Empire -- secured their autonomy through the Treaty of Paris in 1856. They were de facto linked in 1859 and formally united in 1862 under the new name of Romania. The country joined the Allied Powers in World War I and subsequently acquired new territories -- most notably Transylvania -- that more than doubled its size. 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, the EU in 2007, and the Schengen Area for air and sea travel in 2024.
Area: 238,391 sq km km2
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
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.)
Capital: Bucharest
Government type: semi-presidential republic
Chief of state: President Nicușor DAN (since 26 May 2025)
Head of government: Prime Minister Ilie BOLOJAN (since 23 June 2005)
Description: Parliament of Romania (Parlamentul României) - bicameral
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
electric machinery and equipment, auto assembly, textiles and footwear, light machinery, metallurgy, chemicals, food processing, petroleum refining, mining, timber, construction materials
GDP by sector: Agriculture: 3.3% (2024 est.), Industry: 25% (2024 est.), Services: 62.5% (2024 est.)
Export partners: Germany 19%, Italy 10%, France 6%, UK 5%, Hungary 4% (2023)
Export commodities: cars, vehicle parts/accessories, insulated wire, garments, wheat (2023)
Import partners: Germany 19%, Italy 8%, Hungary 6%, Poland 6%, China 6% (2023)
Import commodities: vehicle parts/accessories, packaged medicine, cars, crude petroleum, plastic products (2023)
Southeastern Europe, bordering the Black Sea, between Bulgaria and Ukraine
Military expenditure: 2025: 2.3% of GDP (2025 est.)
Information derived from worldfactbook.io (Lupon Media), open successor to the CIA World Factbook. Data sourced from World Bank, IMF, UN and other international organizations.