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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.
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Geography
Location
Southeastern Europe, bordering the Black Sea, between Bulgaria and Ukraine
Geographic coordinates
46 00 N, 25 00 E
Map references
Europe
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: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
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% (2018 est.)
arable land: 39.1% (2018 est.)
permanent crops: 1.9% (2018 est.)
permanent pasture: 19.7% (2018 est.)
forest: 28.7% (2018 est.)
other: 10.6% (2018 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
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
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: 14.12% (male 1,545,196/female 1,463,700)
15-24 years: 10.31% (male 1,126,997/female 1,068,817)
25-54 years: 46.26% (male 4,993,886/female 4,860,408)
55-64 years: 11.73% (male 1,176,814/female 1,322,048)
65 years and over: 17.58% (male 1,516,472/female 2,228,555) (2020 est.)
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio: 53.3
youth dependency ratio: 23.8
elderly dependency ratio: 29.5
potential support ratio: 3.4 (2020 est.)
Median age
total: 42.5 years
male: 41 years
female: 44 years (2020 est.)
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: 54.2% of total population (2020)
rate of urbanization: -0.38% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)
Major urban areas - population
1.794 million BUCHAREST (capital) (2021)
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: 0.89 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.68 male(s)/female
total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2020 est.)
Mother's mean age at first birth
27.1 years (2017 est.)
Maternal mortality rate
19 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 127Infant mortality rate
total: 9.41 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 10.82 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 7.91 deaths/1,000 live births (2021 est.)
Life expectancy at birth
total population: 76.3 years
male: 72.88 years
female: 79.94 years (2021 est.)
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 (2017 est.)
Current Health Expenditure
5.6% (2018)
Physicians density
2.98 physicians/1,000 population (2017)
Hospital bed density
6.9 beds/1,000 population (2017)
Sanitation facility access
improved: urban: 95.3% of population
rural: 71.5% of population
total: 84.3% of population
unimproved: urban: 4.7% of population
rural: 28.5% of population
total: 15.7% of population (2017 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths
<500 (2019 est.)
Literacy
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 98.8%
male: 99.1%
female: 98.6% (2018)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
total: 14 years
male: 14 years
female: 15 years (2018)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24
total: 16.2%
male: 16.3%
female: 16.2% (2018 est.)
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
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 Florin CITU (since 23 December 2020); Deputy Prime Ministers Dan BARNA and Kelemen HUNOR (since 23 December 2020)
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 (330 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 6 December 2020 (next to be held in 2024)
Chamber of Deputies - last held on 6 December 2020 (next to be held in 2024)
election results:
Senate - percent of vote by party - PSD 29.3%, PNL 25.6%, 2020 USR-PLUS Alliance 15.9%, AUR 9.2%, UDMR 5.9%, other 14.1%; seats by party - PSD 47, PNL 41, 2020 USR-PLUS Alliance 25, AUR 14, UDMR 9; composition - men NA, women NA, percent of women NA%
Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - PSD 28.9%, PNL 25.2%, 2020 USR-PLUS Alliance 15.4%, AUR 9.1%, UDMR 5.7%, other 15.7%; seats by party - PSD 110, PNL 93, 2020 USR-PLUS Alliance 55, AUR 33, UDMR 21, other 18; composition men NA, women NA, percent of women NA; note - total Parliament percent of women NA%
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
2020 USR-PLUS Alliance [Dan BARNA and Dacian CIOLOS]
Alliance for the Unity of Romanians {George SIMION and Claudiu TARZIU]
Christian-Democratic National Peasants' Party or PNT-CD [Aurelian PAVELESCU]
Civic Hungarian Party [Zsolt BIRO]
Democratic Union of Hungarians in Romania or UDMR [Hunor KELEMEN]
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 Liberty, Unity, and Solidarity or PLUS [Dacian CIOLOS]
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]
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
chief of mission: 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 Adrian ZUCKERMAN (since 17 December 2019)
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
Economic 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.
Real GDP growth rate
4.2% (2019 est.)
4.54% (2018 est.)
7.11% (2017 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
3.8% (2019 est.)
4.6% (2018 est.)
1.3% (2017 est.)
Credit ratings
Fitch rating: BBB- (2011)
Moody's rating: Baa3 (2006)
Standard & Poors rating: BBB- (2014)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$579.549 billion (2019 est.)
$556.442 billion (2018 est.)
$532.611 billion (2017 est.)
note: data are in 2010 dollars
GDP (official exchange rate)
$249.543 billion (2019 est.)
Real GDP per capita
$29,941 (2019 est.)
$28,576 (2018 est.)
$27,192 (2017 est.)
note: data are in 2010 dollars
Gross national saving
18.3% of GDP (2019 est.)
18.1% of GDP (2018 est.)
20.3% of GDP (2017 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
agriculture: 4.2% (2017 est.)
industry: 33.2% (2017 est.)
services: 62.6% (2017 est.)
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.)
Ease of Doing Business Index scores
Overall score: 73.3 (2020)
Starting a Business score: 87.7 (2020)
Trading score: 100 (2020)
Enforcement score: 72.2 (2020)
Agricultural products
maize, wheat, milk, sunflower seed, potatoes, barley, grapes, sugar beet, rapeseed, plums/sloes
Industries
electric machinery and equipment, auto assembly, textiles and footwear, light machinery, metallurgy, chemicals, food processing, petroleum refining, mining, timber, construction materials
Labor force - by occupation
agriculture: 28.3%
industry: 28.9%
services: 42.8% (2014)
Population below poverty line
23.8% (2018 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income
36 (2017 est.)
28.2 (2010)
Household income or consumption by percentage share
lowest 10%: 15.3%
highest 10%: 7.6% (2014 est.)
Budget
revenues: 62.14 billion (2017 est.)
expenditures: 68.13 billion (2017 est.)
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
Fiscal year
calendar year
Current account balance
-$11.389 billion (2019 est.)
-$10.78 billion (2018 est.)
Exports
$114.311 billion (2019 est.)
$110.685 billion (2018 est.)
$105.188 billion (2017 est.)
Exports - partners
Germany 22%, Italy 10%, France 7% (2019)
Exports - commodities
cars and vehicle parts, insulated wiring, refined petroleum, electrical control boards, seats (2019)
Imports
$136.091 billion (2019 est.)
$127.553 billion (2018 est.)
$117.292 billion (2017 est.)
Imports - partners
Germany 19%, Italy 9%, Hungary 7%, Poland 6%, China 5%, France 5% (2019)
Imports - commodities
cars and vehicle parts, crude petroleum, packaged medicines, insulated wiring, broadcasting equipment (2019)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
$44.43 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$40 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Debt - external
$117.829 billion (2019 est.)
$115.803 billion (2018 est.)
Exchange rates
lei (RON) per US dollar -
4.02835 (2020 est.)
4.31655 (2019 est.)
4.0782 (2018 est.)
4.0057 (2014 est.)
3.3492 (2013 est.)
Energy
Electricity access
electrification - total population: 100% (2020)
Electricity - installed generating capacity
23.94 million kW (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 38Electricity - from fossil fuels
47% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 156Electricity - from nuclear fuels
6% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 20Electricity - from hydroelectric plants
29% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 70Electricity - from other renewable sources
19% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 44Refined petroleum products - production
232,600 bbl/day (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 47Refined petroleum products - consumption
198,000 bbl/day (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 58Natural gas - proved reserves
105.5 billion cu m (1 January 2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 50Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy
72.07 million Mt (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 50Communications
Telephones - fixed lines
total subscriptions: 3,731,047
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 17.45 (2019 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular
total subscriptions: 25,033,292
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 117.08 (2019 est.)
Telecommunication systems
general assessment: the telecommunications sector is being expanded; domestic and international service improving rapidly, especially mobile-cellular services; competition among a number of telecoms; LTE and 5G services; 1Gb/FttP offering; govt. secures EU funding to extend broadband to areas of the country not yet connected and does away with SIM card registration; operators invest in networks capacity upgrades (2020)
domestic: fixed-line teledensity is about 17 telephones per 100 persons; mobile market served by four mobile network operators; mobile-cellular teledensity over 117 telephones per 100 persons (2019)
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)
note: the COVID-19 outbreak is negatively impacting telecommunications production and supply chains globally; consumer spending on telecom devices and services has also slowed due to the pandemic's effect on economies worldwide; overall progress towards improvements in all facets of the telecom industry - mobile, fixed-line, broadband, submarine cable and satellite - has moderated
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 users
total: 15,165,890
percent of population: 70.68% (July 2018 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions
total: 5.083 million
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 24 (2018 est.)
Transportation
National air transport system
number of registered air carriers: 8 (2020)
inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 60
annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 4,908,235 (2018)
annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 2.71 million mt-km (2018)
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 km 1.435-m gauge (3,292 km electrified) (2014)
narrow gauge: 427 km 0.760-m gauge (2014)
broad gauge: 60 km 1.524-m gauge (2014)
Roadways
total: 84,185 km (2012)
paved: 49,873 km (includes 337 km of expressways) (2012)
unpaved: 34,312 km (2012)
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: 45Merchant marine
total: 120
by type: general cargo 11, oil tanker 7, other 102 (2020)
Ports and terminals
major seaport(s): Constanta, Midia
river port(s): Braila, Galati (Galatz), Mancanului (Giurgiu), Tulcea (Danube River)
Military and Security
Military and security forces
Romanian Armed Forces: Land Forces, Naval Forces, Air Force; Ministry of Internal Affairs: Romanian Gendarmerie (2021)
Military expenditures
2.38% of GDP (2020 est.)
1.84% of GDP (2019)
1.8% of GDP (2018)
1.72% of GDP (2017)
1.4% of GDP (2016)
Military and security service personnel strengths
the Romanian Armed Forces have approximately 65,000 active duty personnel (48,000 Land Forces; 7,000 Naval Forces; 10,000 Air Force; note - some personnel are considered joint service) (2020)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
the inventory of the Romanian Armed Forces is comprised mostly of Soviet-era and older domestically-produced weapons systems; there is also a smaller mix of Western-origin equipment; Italy, Portugal (second-hand fighter aircraft), and the US are the leading suppliers of armaments to Romania since 2010 (2020)
Military deployments
620 Afghanistan (NATO); up to 120 Poland (NATO) (2021)
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 (2019)
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: 192 (2019)
note: 7,231 estimated refugee and migrant arrivals (January 2015-March 2021)
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