Factbook dossier
Background
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.
Location
Southeastern Europe, bordering the Black Sea, between Bulgaria and Ukraine
Area
total : 238,391 sq km land: 229,891 sq km water: 8,500 sq km
Natural resources
petroleum (reserves declining), timber, natural gas, coal, iron ore, salt, arable land, hydropower
Natural hazards
earthquakes, most severe in south and southwest; geologic structure and climate promote landslides
Population
total: 18,148,155 (2024 est.) male: 8,747,795 female: 9,400,360
Ethnic groups
Romanian 89.3%, Hungarian 6%, Romani 3.4%, Ukrainian 0.3%, German 0.1%, other 0.9% (2021 est.) note: data represent individuals who declared an ethnic group in the 2021 national census; 13% did not respond; Romani populations are usually underestimated in official statistics and may represent 5 11% of Romania's population
Languages
Romanian (official) 91.6%, Hungarian 6.3%, Romani 1.2%, other 0.7% (2021 est.) major-language sample(s): Cartea informativa a lumii, sursa indispensabila pentru informatii de baza. (Romanian) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. note: data represent individuals who declared a maternal language in the 2021 national census; 13.1% did not respond
Religions
Romanian Orthodox 85.3%, Roman Catholic 4.5%, Reformed 3%, Pentecostal 2.5%, other 4.7% (2021 est.) note: data represent individuals who declared a religion in the 2021 national census; 13.9% did not respond
Environmental issues
soil erosion, degradation, and desertification; water pollution; air pollution in south from industrial effluents; contamination of Danube delta wetlands
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: the name is said to come from a shepherd named Bucur who is reputed to have founded the town in 1457, but a settlement probably already existed on the site; the name may come from the personal name of an early landowner
Executive branch
chief of state: President Nicușor DAN (since 26 May 2025) head of government: Prime Minister Ilie BOLOJAN (since 23 June 2005) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister election/appointment process: president directly elected by absolute-majority popular vote in 2 rounds, if needed, for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); prime minister appointed by the president with consent of Parliament most recent election date: 18 May 2025 election results: 2025: Nicușor DAN elected president in runoff; percent of vote - Nicușor DAN (unaffiliated) 53.6%, George SIMION (AUR) 46.4% 2019: Klaus IOHANNIS reelected president in second round; percent of vote - Klaus IOHANNIS (PNL) 66.1%, Viorica DANCILA (PSD) 33.9% expected date of next election: 2030 note: the prime ministerial position will be rotated in 2027 from BOLOJAN to another coalition party member as part of a power-sharing agreement
Legislative branch
legislature name: Parliament of Romania (Parlamentul României) legislative structure: bicameral
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$774.376 billion (2024 est.) $768.126 billion (2023 est.) $750.091 billion (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars
Real GDP per capita
$40,600 (2024 est.) $40,300 (2023 est.) $39,400 (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
5.7% (2024 est.) 10.4% (2023 est.) 13.8% (2022 est.) note: annual % change based on consumer prices
Exports - partners
Germany 19%, Italy 10%, France 6%, UK 5%, Hungary 4% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports
Imports - partners
Germany 19%, Italy 8%, Hungary 6%, Poland 6%, China 6% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
Military and security forces
Romanian Armed Forces (Forțele Armate Rom ne or Armata Rom nă): Romanian Land Forces, Romanian Naval Forces, Romanian Air Force Ministry of Internal Affairs: Romanian Police, Romanian Gendarmerie, Romanian Border Police (2025)
Military expenditures
2.3% of GDP (2025 est.) 2.2% of GDP (2024 est.) 1.6% of GDP (2023 est.) 1.8% of GDP (2022 est.) 1.9% of GDP (2021 est.)