Romania

The population of Romania is approximately 19M (2024).

The capital of Romania is Bucharest.

Romania's GDP per capita is $20.4K (2024).

Life expectancy in Romania is 76.46 years (2024).

Romania covers 238,391 km² (92,043 sq mi).

Romania has a moderate population density of 80 people per km², close to the global average of 60.

Romania's population is roughly stable, changing by less than 0.1% per year.

Yes — based on GDP per capita, Romania falls in the high GDP-per-person tier at $20.4K. Official World Bank income groups use Atlas-method GNI per capita, so this is a GDP-based comparison rather than an official income-group label.

Romania reports a low intentional homicide rate of 1.1 per 100,000 people, below the global average.

The official language of Romania is Romanian.

Romania uses the Romanian leu (lei) as its sole official currency.

The best months to visit Romania are May, June, July, August, September, based on climate data for the capital.

The latest projections estimate Romania's GDP per capita at 20,450 USD, which ranks the country 73rd globally and 2nd within the Southeast Europe subregion behind only its neighbor Greece. This economic indicator reflects the nation's transition into a high-income economy with growing industrial and service sectors that attract international investment. Romania's overall economy has shown resilience, with latest annual GDP growth recorded at 0.9% and total GDP exceeding 382 billion USD.

Approximately 91.3% of the Romanian population has access to the internet, a high level of digital connectivity that ranks the nation 52nd globally for internet usage among all tracked countries. This widespread access is supported by one of the fastest fiber-optic networks in the world, facilitating rapid growth in the local tech industry. The high penetration rate has also transformed public services and helped modernise the domestic business environment.

Romania maintains an adult literacy rate of 99.2%, which is one of the highest in the world and ranks the nation 27th globally for its educational attainment and basic skill levels. This near-universal literacy is the result of a long-standing commitment to mandatory primary and secondary education for all citizens. The education system produces a high number of graduates in engineering and science, supporting the country's growing manufacturing sector.

Romania shares land borders with five different nations in the Southeast Europe region: Bulgaria to the south, Serbia to the southwest, Hungary to the northwest, Ukraine to the north and east, and Moldova to the east. The country also features a 225 km (140 mi) coastline along the Black Sea, providing important maritime access for international trade and local tourism.

Romania has an estimated 2026 population of 19,033,297. This figure is a current estimate projected from the official 2024 figure of 19,051,804. The population has been gradually decreasing over the last several decades due to a negative natural increase and significant outward migration to other European Union member states.

Romania currently holds a global population rank of 66 of 215 countries. Within its specific geographic regions, it ranks 9th in Europe and 1st in Southeast Europe. It is the most populous country in the Southeast European subregion, followed by nations like Bulgaria and Serbia.

The population is currently shrinking at an annual rate of -0.05%. This decline is primarily caused by a death rate of 12.8 per 1,000 people exceeding the birth rate of 7.5 per 1,000. High levels of emigration to Western Europe for economic opportunities also contribute to the ongoing contraction.

The current estimated population density is 82.7 people per km² (214 per sq mi). This density ranks Romania 119th in the world and 28th within Europe. The population is most concentrated in the capital city of Bucharest and other regional hubs like Cluj-Napoca, Timișoara, and Iași.

The latest fertility rate in Romania is 1.39 births per woman, which ranks global 178 of 215. This is significantly below the replacement level of 2.1 births per woman. This low rate is consistent with broader demographic trends across Eastern and Southern Europe, driven by economic and social shifts.

Approximately 52.2% of the Romanian population lives in urban environments. This urbanization rate ranks global 149 of 215, indicating that Romania has a larger rural population than many other European nations. Bucharest remains the largest urban center, followed by several significant regional cities across the country.