Society in Romania
An overview of key social indicators. Select a category for detailed trends, charts, and insights.
Explore Social Domains
Demographics
Public Health
Education & Human Capital
Infrastructure & Connectivity
Current Social Overview of Romania
A summary based on key social and demographic indicators.
- Romania has an estimated population of 19.1M2023, with a modest annual growth rate of 0.1%2023, suggesting a mature demographic transition with stable, but limitated, population increase. A below-replacement fertility rate of 1.7 births per woman2023suggests gradual population aging and potential future workforce shortages. Net emigration of approximately 28K individuals annually (or 1.5 per 1,000 inhabitants)2024adds pressure to demographic transitions and workforce sustainability.
- Regarding public health, the country maintains a reasonable health standard with a life expectancy of 76.6 years2023, though there is scope for further improvements to achieve higher global benchmarks. Concurrently, healthcare system effectiveness is further validated by favorable maternal and child health outcomes, reflected in a child mortality rate (under 5 years) of 6.6 per 1,000 live births2023and a maternal mortality rate of 12 per 100,000 live births2023. These outcomes are supported by limited healthcare spending, at 5.7% of GDP2022, which may constrain comprehensive health system improvements and the attainment of higher health outcomes.
- The country boasts exceptional educational attainment with a near-universal adult literacy rate of 99%2021, establishing a robust foundation for a knowledge-based economy. Complementing this, while primary education reaches 82% of children2017, secondary enrollment at 83%2022suggests significant attrition challenges that may hinder higher skill development and future economic potential. This educational framework is supported by limited educational investment, at 3.3% of GDP2021, which may constrain the scale and quality of future human capital development initiatives.
- In terms of infrastructure and connectivity, a still balanced urban-rural distribution (55% urban population2023) creates diverse economic opportunities but necessitates coordinated infrastructure development to bridge potential disparities. Furthermore, infrastructure development shows strong progress with 100% electricity access2023and 89% internet penetration2023, supporting ongoing modernization efforts and enhancing quality of life.
Key Development Insights
Population Dynamics
The combination of low fertility and net emigration poses significant long-term risks to workforce sustainability and economic vitality.
Public Health System
Public health outcomes are a core indicator of national development and quality of life. Access to healthcare is essential for sustainable growth.
Human Capital Formation
Educational attainment is a direct driver of economic innovation and global competitiveness. Investment in education is key to unlocking human potential.
Infrastructure & Connectivity
Infrastructure shapes economic efficiency, urbanization patterns, and digital integration, being critical for modern economies.
Note: The information on this page has been compiled from authoritative sources. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy, please note that some figures may not be current or entirely precise.