Romania

https://www.humantruth.info/romania.html

By Vexen Crabtree 2025

Romania
Status	Independent State
Social and Moral Index	48th best
Capital	Bucharest
Land Area	230 160km²₁
Location	Europe
Population	19.5m₂
Life Expectancy	74.18yrs (2017)₃
GNI	$30 027 (2017)₄
ISO3166-1 Codes	RO, ROU, 642₅
Internet Domain	.ro₆
Currency	Leu (RON)₇
Telephone	+40₈

1. Overview

#eu #human_rights #romania

“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.”
CIA's The World Factbook (2013)₉

“Fortified churches and painted monasteries stand regally amid a pristine landscape. In the cities, former Saxon settlements such as Sibiu and Brasov ooze charm, while vibrant Bucharest is all energy. Beautiful and beguiling, Romania´s rural landscape remains relatively untouched by the country´s urban evolution. It´s a land of aesthetically stirring hand-ploughed fields, sheep-instigated traffic jams, and lots and lots of homemade plum brandy. The Carpathian Mountains offer uncrowded hiking and skiing, while Transylvania´s Saxon towns are time-warp strolling grounds for Gothic architecture, Austro-Hungarian legacies and, naturally, plenty of Vlad Tepes-inspired `Dracula´ shtick. Fish - and the birds that chomp them - thrive in the Danube Delta, bucolic Maramures has the `Merry Cemetery´, and Unesco-listed painted monasteries dot southern Bucovina. And, for the record, the big cities are a blast too.”
"The World" by Lonely Planet (2014)₁₀

The EU has acted on behalf of its member states on many occasions to support, foster, fund and encourage human rights protections in every region of the world, with agreement of its member states through the European Parliament. The protections of workers' rights and their harmonisations (which stops companies moving staff to countries with the weakest laws) has had great effect in stopping workforce abuse₁₁. According to Human Rights Watch's comprehensive review for the year 2017, in addition to vocal and public pronouncements on poor human rights records of many countries, the EU has also acted through economic sanctions, political pressure and used other means to incentivize the adoption of human rights protections, even if these measures harm EU trading₁₂. It is to Romania's credit that it supports the EU in these actions.

2. Romania National and Social Development

#economics #human_development #wealth

UN HDI (2021)₁₃
Pos.		Higher is better Value₁₃
1	Switzerland	0.962
2	Norway	0.961
3	Iceland	0.959
	...
50	Kuwait	0.831
51	Brunei	0.829
52	Russia	0.822
53	Romania	0.821
54	Oman	0.816
55	Bahamas	0.812
56	Kazakhstan	0.811
57	Trinidad & Tobago	0.810
	Europe Avg	0.87
	World Avg	0.72
q=191.

Gross National Income Per-Capita (2021)₁₃
Pos.		Higher is better PPP $₁₃
1	Liechtenstein	$146 830
2	Singapore	$90 919
3	Qatar	$87 134
	...
46	Slovakia	$30 690
47	Bahamas	$30 486
48	Croatia	$30 132
49	Romania	$30 027
50	Greece	$29 002
51	Russia	$27 166
52	Oman	$27 054
53	Panama	$26 957
	Europe Avg	$40 512
	World Avg	$20 136
q=193.

Social & Moral Development Index₁₄
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₁₄
1	Denmark	27.2
2	Norway	29.2
3	Sweden	30.2
	...
45	Andorra	64.8
46	Mauritius	66.1
47	Bulgaria	68.6
48	Romania	70.2
49	Thailand	70.4
50	Argentina	70.6
51	Montenegro	70.8
52	Malaysia	71.1
	Europe Avg	57.3
	World Avg	89.2
q=200.

The United Nations produces an annual Human Development Report which includes the Human Development Index. The factors taken into account include life expectancy, education and schooling and Gross National Income (GNI) amongst many others..

The Social and Moral Development Index concentrates on moral issues and human rights, violence, public health, equality, tolerance, freedom and effectiveness in climate change mitigation and environmentalism, and on some technological issues. A country scores higher for achieving well in those areas, and for sustaining that achievement in the long term. Those countries towards the top of this index can truly said to be setting good examples and leading humankind onwards into a bright, humane, and free future. See: Which are the Best Countries in the World? The Social and Moral Development Index.

3. Romania's Demographics and Migration

#birth_control #demographics #fertility #health #immigration #life_expectancy #longevity #migration #overpopulation #population #yemen

Population Datasets:

Romania's population is predicted to rise to 20.29 million by 2030. This rise is despite a low fertility rate, meaning, that this country is helping to alleviate problems with growing population in neighbouring countries by accepting immigrants, very likely as a requirement of maintaining an active workforce. This country has a fertility rate of 1.81. The fertility rate is, in simple terms, the average amount of children that each woman has. The higher the figure, the quicker the population will grow, although, to calculate the rate you also need to take into account morbidity - the rate at which people die. If people live healthy and long lives and morbidity is low, then, 2.0 approximates to the replacement rate (two new children for each set of parents who die), which would keep the population stable. If all countries had such a fertility rate, population growth would end. The actual replacement rate in most developed countries is around 2.1, once you take mortality into account₁₅. The highest fertility rate ever detected in a single year was in Yemen in 1985, at 8.86.₁₆

Population₂
Pos.		2018 Population₂
1	China	1.4b
2	India	1.4b
3	USA	327.1m
	...
56	Niger	22.4m
57	Sri Lanka	21.2m
58	Burkina Faso	19.8m
59	Romania	19.5m
60	Mali	19.1m
61	Chile	18.7m
62	Kazakhstan	18.3m
63	Malawi	18.1m
	World Avg	39.0m
q=195.

Life Expectancy Higher is better₁₃
Pos.		2021 Years₁₃
1	Monaco	85.9
2	Hong Kong	85.5
3	Japan	84.8
	...
65	Hungary	74.5
66	Jordan	74.3
67	Serbia	74.2
68	Romania	74.2
69	Cape Verde	74.1
70	Morocco	74.0
71	Iran	73.9
72	Macedonia	73.8
	World Avg	71.28
q=195. Also scored for 1990s-2010s.

Fertility Rate 2.0 is best₁₇
Pos.		2022₁₇
1	US Virgin Islands	2.00
2	Ecuador	2.00
3	Nepal	2.01
	...
22	Gibraltar	1.84
23	Peru	2.16
24	Venezuela	2.19
25	Romania	1.81
26	Mexico	1.80
27=	Montenegro	1.80
27=	Moldova	1.80
29	Bahrain	1.80
	World Avg	2.47
q=208. Also scored for 1960s-2010s.

Old-Age Dependency Ratio Lower is better₁₈
Pos.		2016 Per 100₁₈
1	Uganda	04.3
2	Mali	04.5
3=	Chad	04.7
	...
149	Iceland	32.5
150	Serbia	32.7
151	Hungary	32.9
152	Romania	33.6
153	USA	33.8
154	New Zealand	34.9
155	UK	35.0
156	Barbados	35.6
	World Avg	18.3
q=185.

Migration Datasets:

Immigrants₁₉
Pos.		2017 %₁₉
1	UAE	88.4%
2	Kuwait	75.5%
3	Qatar	65.2%
	...
129	Georgia	2.0%
130	Guyana	2.0%
131	Central African Rep.	1.9%
132	Romania	1.9%
133	Japan	1.8%
134	Sudan	1.8%
135	Albania	1.8%
136	Pakistan	1.7%
	World Avg	9.4%
q=195.

Emigrants₂₀
Pos.		2010 %₂₀
1	Dominica	104.8%
2	Palestine	68.4%
3	Samoa	67.3%
	...
47	Israel	14.0%
48	Swaziland	13.4%
49	Lithuania	13.2%
50	Romania	13.1%
51	Iceland	13.0%
52	Bahamas	12.8%
53	Estonia	12.6%
54	Nicaragua	12.5%
	World Avg	11.5%
q=192.

4. Romania's Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance

#equality #freedom #gender_equality #human_rights #morals #politics #prejudice #tolerance

Compared to Europe (2025)₂₁
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₂₁
1	Sweden	7.5
2	Netherlands	8.6
3	Denmark	9.0
	...
35	Serbia	67.5
36	Bulgaria	68.8
37	Ukraine	73.9
38	Romania	76.6
39	Macedonia	78.3
40	Georgia	83.0
41	Moldova	84.3
42	Albania	87.5
43	Bosnia & Herzegovina	89.5
	Europe Avg	52.39
q=49.

Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance (2025)₂₁
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₂₁
1	Sweden	7.5
2	Netherlands	8.6
3	Denmark	9.0
	...
62	Panama	76.4
63	Mauritius	76.4
64	Suriname	76.4
65	Romania	76.6
66	Guatemala	77.4
67	Macedonia	78.3
68	Vanuatu	78.5
69	Honduras	78.6
	World Avg	90.04
q=198.

The best countries in the world at ensuring human rights, fostering equality and promoting tolerance, are Sweden, The Netherlands and Denmark₂₂. These countries are displaying the best traits that humanity has to offer. The worst countries are Somalia, Eritrea and Saudi Arabia₂₂.

30 datasets are used to calculate points for each country, including multiple decades of data on supporting press freedom, combatting modern slavery, its average Freedom in the World rating, commentary in Human Rights Watch reports, its nominal commitment to Human Rights, speed of uptake of HR treaties, opposing gender inequality, the rate of gender bias (from 7 indicators), the year from which women could participate in democracy, its success in fighting anti-semitic prejudice, LGBT equality and freethought. The regions with the best average results per country are Scandinavia, Baltic States and Europe₂₂, whereas the worst are The Middle East, Africa and Asia₂₂.

For more, see:

" Which are the Best Countries for Human Rights, Equality and Tolerance?" by Vexen Crabtree (2025).

4.1. Human Rights & Tolerance Datasets

#freedom #human_rights #international_law #mass_media #politics #romania #slavery

Press Freedom Higher is better₂₃
Pos.		2025₂₃
1	Norway	92.31
2	Estonia	89.46
3	Netherlands	88.64
	...
51	Ghana	67.13
52	Panama	66.75
53	Liberia	66.61
54	Romania	66.42
55	Sierra Leone	66.36
56	USA	65.49
57	Gambia	65.49
58	Uruguay	65.18
	Europe Avg	70.63
	World Avg	54.65
q=179. Also scored for 2000s-2010s.

Slavery in the 2020s Lower is better₂₄
Pos.		Slavery in the 2020s Per 1000₂₄
1=	Switzerland	0.50
1=	Norway	0.50
3=	Germany	0.60
	...
111=	Ivory Coast	7.30
111=	Jamaica	7.30
113	Uzbekistan	7.40
114=	Romania	7.50
114=	Burundi	7.50
116=	Gabon	7.60
116=	Lebanon	7.60
116=	Ecuador	7.60
	Europe Avg	5.64
	World Avg	7.15
q=160. Also scored for 2010s-2020s.

Freedom in the World Lower is better
Pos.		2024 Score
1=	Norway	1.0
1=	Canada	1.0
1=	Cape Verde	1.0
	...
68=	Tonga	2.0
68=	Samoa	2.0
68=	Botswana	2.0
68=	Romania	2.0
68=	Trinidad & Tobago	2.0
68=	Monaco	2.0
68=	Poland	2.0
68=	Ghana	2.0
	Europe Avg	2.2
	World Avg	3.7
q=205. Also scored for 1970s-2010s.

Human Rights Watch Comments Higher is better₂₅
Pos.		2017 Score₂₅
1=	UK	9
1=	France	9
1=	Germany	9
	...
12=	Cyprus	5
12=	Czechia	5
12=	Denmark	5
12=	Romania	5
12=	Estonia	5
12=	Portugal	5
12=	Bulgaria	5
12=	Spain	5
	Europe Avg	3.5
	World Avg	-1.9
q=123.

Nominal Commitment to HR Higher is better₂₆
Pos.		2009 Treaties₂₆
1	Argentina	24
2=	Chile	23
2=	Costa Rica	23
	...
39=	S. Africa	20
39=	Liechtenstein	20
39=	Iceland	20
39=	Romania	20
39=	Bulgaria	20
39=	Burkina Faso	20
39=	Norway	20
39=	Portugal	20
	Europe Avg	19.5
	World Avg	15.1
q=194.

HR Treaties Lag Lower is better₂₇
Pos.		2019 Avg Yrs/Treaty₂₇
1	Ecuador	2.15
2	Uruguay	2.25
3	Tunisia	3.65
	...
20	Denmark	5.06
21	S. Sudan	5.41
22	Morocco	5.44
23	Romania	5.52
24	France	5.61
25	Libya	5.61
26	Germany	5.62
27	Austria	5.68
	Europe Avg	9.09
	World Avg	10.02
q=195.

Amnesty International's 2023-23 summary on human rights in Romania stated:

“Concerns over excessive use of force by police remained prevalent. The European Court of Human Rights ruled against disproportionate restrictions to spontaneous protests. Roma and LGBTI people continued to face systemic discrimination. Protesters demanded action to combat sexual and gender-based violence.”
"The State of the World's Human Rights 2022/23" by Amnesty International (2023)₂₈

4.2. Gender Equality Datasets

#gender #gender_equality #human_rights #misogyny #politics #prejudice #women

Romania is on the way towards ending gender inequality but women are still in an unfavourable position much of the time.

See:

"Religion Versus Womankind" by Vexen Crabtree (2007)

Gender Inequality Lower is better₂₉
Pos.		2022₂₉
1	Denmark	0.01
2	Norway	0.01
3	Switzerland	0.02
	...
51	Chile	0.20
52	Bulgaria	0.21
53	Armenia	0.21
54	Romania	0.23
55	Saudi Arabia	0.24
56	Kuwait	0.24
57	Costa Rica	0.24
58	Hungary	0.24
	Europe Avg	0.12
	World Avg	0.34
q=166. Also scored for 1990s-2010s.

Gender Biases Lower is better₃₀
Pos.		2022 %₃₀
1	Sweden	31.8₃₁
2	New Zealand	34.4₃₂
3	Australia	37.0₃₂
	...
29	Cyprus	81.8₃₂
30	Ukraine	86.1₃₂
31	Brazil	86.3₃₂
32	Romania	86.6₃₂
33	Trinidad & Tobago	87.4₃₁
34	Peru	89.1₃₂
35	Guatemala	89.6₃₂
36	S. Korea	89.9₃₂
	Europe Avg	69.08
	World Avg	83.93
q=88.

Year Women Can Vote Lower is better
Pos.		Year Women Can Vote Year
1	New Zealand	1893
2	Australia	1902
3	Finland	1906
	...
57=	Togo	1945
58=	N. Korea	1946
58=	Liberia	1946
58=	Romania	1946
58=	Panama	1946
58=	Cameroon	1946
58=	Macedonia	1946
58=	Venezuela	1946
	Europe Avg	1895
	World Avg	1930
q=189.

4.3. Prejudice Datasets

#2020s #antisemitism #freethought #homosexuality #religious_tolerance

Anti-Semite Opinions Lower is better₃₃
Pos.		2014 %₃₃
1	Laos	0
2	Philippines	3
3	Sweden	4
	...
55=	Croatia	33
55=	Botswana	33
57	Nicaragua	34
58=	Romania	35
58=	Cameroon	35
58=	Paraguay	35
58=	Kenya	35
62=	Lithuania	36
	Europe Avg	29.9
	World Avg	36.8
q=101.

LGBT Equality in the 2020s Higher is better₃₄
Pos.		LGBT Equality in the 2020s Score₃₄
1=	Germany	4.88
1=	Spain	4.88
3	Portugal	4.81
	...
88	Bhutan	0.21
89	Moldova	0.20
90	Slovakia	0.18
91	Romania	0.12
92	Cuba	0.08
93	Guatemala	0.08
94	Rwanda	0.06
95=	Fiji	0.05
	Europe Avg	1.77
	World Avg	-1.21
q=215. Also scored for 1970s-2020s.

Homosexuality in Romania has been legal since 2002 after a period under which conservative and religious powers legislated that being homosexual was punishable by imprisonment. Things got worse during the Communist period (1947-1989) when Article 200 of the Penal Code was used to persecute homosexuals, especially men. Repeal in 2001 was only due to pressure from the EU as a requirement for accession. Same-sex marriage and civil unions are still not recognized, and while anti-discrimination laws exist, enforcement is inconsistent. ILGA researchers in 2017 found that Romania had some legal protections against anti-LGBT employment discrimination, hate crime, and other protections. Social attitudes remain conservative, making Romania one of the least LGBT-accepting countries in the EU.

Actions taken at the United Nations:

⇡ Supported the 2006 Norway Joint Statement on sexual orientation and gender identity at the UN.
⇡ Supported the 2008 Declaration at the UN General Assemly affirming LGBTQ rights, tabled by Argentina.
⇡ In 2025, signed the UN Human Rights Council Joint statement on ending acts of violence and human rights violations based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
⇡ Voted in favour of the 2014 Resolution 27/32 at the UN Human Rights Council against discrimiantion based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

Freedom of Thought Lower is better₃₅
Pos.		2021₃₅
1=	Belgium	1.0
1=	Taiwan	1.0
1=	Netherlands	1.0
	...
47=	Niger	2.5
47=	Senegal	2.5
47=	Kenya	2.5
47=	Romania	2.5
47=	Mali	2.5
47=	Bhutan	2.5
47=	Tonga	2.5
47=	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	2.5
	Europe Avg	2.6
	World Avg	3.0
q=196.

5. Romania's Health

#health

Compared to Europe (2025)₃₆
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₃₆
1	Monaco	10.3
2	Liechtenstein	30.1
3	San Marino	42.3
	...
38	Armenia	85.3
39	Latvia	85.5
40	Lithuania	85.5
41	Romania	87.5
42	Bosnia & Herzegovina	90.7
43	Turkey	94.2
44	Georgia	94.8
45	Moldova	97.3
46	Ukraine	98.4
	Europe Avg	68.59
q=48.

Health (2025)₃₆
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₃₆
1	Monaco	10.3
2	Liechtenstein	30.1
3	Japan	40.8
	...
82	Lithuania	85.5
83	Morocco	85.7
84	Russia	86.8
85	Romania	87.5
86	Saudi Arabia	88.6
87	Brazil	89.0
88	Colombia	89.1
89	St Kitts & Nevis	89.9
	World Avg	97.39
q=207.

The countries with the best overall approach to public health, in terms of both public policy and individual lifestyle choices, are Monaco, Liechtenstein and Japan₃₇. These countries are worth emulating. And, although often through no fault of the average citizen, the worst countries are Angola, Somalia and S. Sudan₃₇.

42 datasets are used to calculate points for each country, including multiple decades of data on its average life expectancy, its alcohol consumption rate, its fertility rate, its smoking rate, its suicide rate, its food aid and health contributions and WHO compliance, the prevalence of overweight adults, obesity rate, its adolescent birth rate, delivery rate of infant DTP immunizations, delivery rate of 7x Infant Immunizations 2011-2015 and childhood mortality. The regions with the best average results per country are Scandinavia, Europe and The Mediterranean₃₇, whereas the worst are Micronesia, Africa and Melanesia₃₇.

For more, see:

"Countries With the Healthiest Cultures and Health Policies" by Vexen Crabtree (2025).

5.1. Health Datasets

#2010s #alcohol #birth_control #demographics #health #life_expectancy #longevity #mental_health #obesity #overpopulation #romania #smoking #suicide

Romania has some poor policies and cultural issues which cause some public health problems. Romania does better than average in terms of its fertility rate₁₇, childhood mortality in the 2020s₃₈ and in its average life expectancy₁₃ (but bad for Europe). But unfortunately Romania gets most other things wrong. It does worse than average in its adolescent birth rate₃₉ (amongst the highest in Europe), delivery rate of 7x Infant Immunizations 2011-2015₄₀, its food aid and health contributions and WHO compliance₄₁ (amongst the highest in Europe), its suicide rate₄₂, the prevalence of overweight adults₄₃, its smoking rate₄₄ and in delivery rate of infant DTP immunizations in the 2020s₄₅. And finally, it falls into the worst-performing 20 when it comes to its alcohol consumption rate₄₆. The prevalence of overweight adults has increased by 14% during the past 40 years. Life expectancy in Romania improved by +6.8yrs in the 30 years from 1990, less than the global average of +7.9yrs. Romania's peak fertility rate was 3.66 in 1967.

Life Expectancy Higher is better₁₃
Pos.		2021 Years₁₃
1	Monaco	85.9
2	Hong Kong	85.5
3	Japan	84.8
	...
65	Hungary	74.5
66	Jordan	74.3
67	Serbia	74.2
68	Romania	74.2
69	Cape Verde	74.1
70	Morocco	74.0
71	Iran	73.9
72	Macedonia	73.8
	Europe Avg	78.36
	World Avg	71.28
q=195. Also scored for 1990s-2010s.

Alcohol Consumption Lower is better₄₆
Pos.		2016 Per Capita₄₆
1	Bangladesh	0.0
2	Kuwait	0.0
3	Libya	0.0
	...
177	Portugal	12.3
178=	Slovenia	12.6
178=	France	12.6
180=	Romania	12.7
180=	Bulgaria	12.7
182	Latvia	12.9
183=	Luxembourg	13.0
183=	Ireland	13.0
	Europe Avg	10.3
	World Avg	6.2
q=189.

Fertility Rate 2.0 is best₁₇
Pos.		2022₁₇
1	US Virgin Islands	2.00
2	Ecuador	2.00
3	Nepal	2.01
	...
22	Gibraltar	1.84
23	Peru	2.16
24	Venezuela	2.19
25	Romania	1.81
26	Mexico	1.80
27=	Montenegro	1.80
27=	Moldova	1.80
29	Bahrain	1.80
	Europe Avg	1.53
	World Avg	2.47
q=208. Also scored for 1960s-2010s.

Smoking in the 2020s Lower is better₄₄
Pos.		Smoking in the 2020s %₄₄
1	Nigeria	3.3%
2	Ghana	3.4%
3	Panama	5.2%
	...
134	Moldova	29.7%
135	Marshall Islands	29.9%
136	Czechia	30.0%
137	Romania	30.1%
138	Belarus	30.2%
139	Turkey	30.5%
140	Tonga	31.3%
141	Lithuania	31.4%
	Europe Avg	27.0%
	World Avg	20.0%
q=165. Also scored for 2000s-2020s.

Suicide Rate in the 2010s Lower is better₄₂
Pos.		Suicide Rate in the 2010s Per 100k₄₂
1=	Jordan	1.00
1=	Sao Tome & Principe	1.00
1=	Antigua & Barbuda	1.00
	...
127	Mozambique	10.76
128	Thailand	10.92
129	Netherlands	11.19
130=	Romania	11.27
130=	Luxembourg	11.27
132	Slovakia	11.30
133	Uzbekistan	11.41
134	Denmark	11.66
	Europe Avg	12.94
	World Avg	9.24
q=185. Also scored for 2000s-2010s.

Food Aid, Health Contributions & WHO Compliance Lower is better₄₁
Pos.		2017 Rank₄₁
1	Sweden	1
2	Ireland	2
3	Denmark	3
	...
109	Benin	109
110	Costa Rica	110
111	Dominica	111
112	Romania	112
113	Peru	113
114	Kenya	114
115	Haiti	115
116	Malawi	116
	Europe Avg	47.4
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Overweight Adults Lower is better₄₃
Pos.		1976 %₄₃
1	Bangladesh	4.7
2	Vietnam	5.1
3	Nepal	5.4
	...
131	Slovenia	36.1
132=	Serbia	36.5
132=	Norway	36.5
132=	Romania	36.5
135	Denmark	36.7
136	Slovakia	37.0
137	Luxembourg	37.9
138=	Mexico	38.1
	Europe Avg	38.2
	World Avg	27.1
q=191.

Adult Obesity Lower is better₄₇
Pos.		2022 %₄₇
1	Vietnam	2.1%
2	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	2.2%
3	Ethiopia	2.4%
	...
172	Bahrain	37.2%
173	Iraq	37.4%
174	Barbados	38.2%
175	Romania	38.2%
176	Georgia	38.9%
177	Chile	39.5%
178	Puerto Rico	41.0%
179	Saudi Arabia	41.1%
	Europe Avg	25.9%
	World Avg	24.7%
q=199. Also scored for 1990s-2010s.

5.2. Children's Health Datasets

#children's_health #health #parenting #population #vaccines

Adolescent Birth Rate Lower is better₃₉
Pos.		2022 Per 1000₃₉
1	Hong Kong	1.6
2	Denmark	1.8
3	S. Korea	2.1
	...
95	Kyrgyzstan	33.8
96	Vietnam	35.0
97	Uruguay	35.2
98	Romania	35.4
99	Micronesia	35.7
100	Costa Rica	35.7
101	St Lucia	36.3
102	St Kitts & Nevis	36.8
	Europe Avg	11.4
	World Avg	43.8
q=195. Also scored for 1990s-2010s.

Infant DTP Immunizations (2020s) Higher is better₄₅
Pos.		Infant DTP Immunizations (2020s) Avg %₄₅
1=	Luxembourg	99.0
1=	Oman	99.0
1=	Niue	99.0
	...
156	Panama	85.7
157	Ukraine	85.3
158	Peru	85.1
159	Romania	84.7
160	Belize	84.6
161	Grenada	83.2
162=	S. Africa	83.1
162=	Gambia	83.1
	Europe Avg	93.2
	World Avg	88.5
q=211. Also scored for 1980s-2020s.

7x Infant Immunizations (2011-2015) Higher is better₄₀
Pos.		2015 Avg %₄₀
1=	Hungary	99.0
1=	China	99.0
3	Uzbekistan	98.9
	...
97	Nauru	92.9
98	USA	92.8
99	Latvia	92.8
100	Romania	92.7
101	France	92.6
102=	El Salvador	92.4
102=	Swaziland	92.4
104	Palau	92.4
	Europe Avg	92.7
	World Avg	88.3
q=194.

Infant Mortality (2020s) Lower is better₃₈
Pos.		Infant Mortality (2020s) Per 1000₃₈
1	San Marino	2.11
2	Finland	2.59
3	Luxembourg	2.60
	...
56	Costa Rica	9.40
57=	Saudi Arabia	9.46
57=	Kuwait	9.46
59	Romania	9.55
60	Ukraine	9.82
61	Brunei	9.90
62	Macedonia	9.95
63	Maldives	10.37
	Europe Avg	6.30
	World Avg	32.19
q=195. Also scored for 1960s-2020s.

6. Responsibility Towards The Environment

#biodiversity #climate_change #deforestation #over-exploitation #Romania #romania_and_the_environment #Romania_environment #the_environment

Responsibility Towards The Environment (2025)₄₈
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₄₈
1	Sri Lanka	34.9
2	Uruguay	43.2
3	Switzerland	45.0
	...
65	Pakistan	72.0
66	France	72.8
67	Congo, DR	73.0
68	Romania	73.8
69	Swaziland	74.2
70	Chad	74.4
	Europe Avg	82.54
	World Avg	84.93
q=199.

Romania comes 68th in the world regarding its responsibility towards the environment. This rank is computed using 21 data sets. Romania does better than average for its forested percent change 2000-2020₄₉, energy to GDP efficiency₅₀ and in its environmental performance₅₁ (but bad for Europe). Romania doesn't do so well in other areas. Romania does worse than average in terms of its score on the Green Future Index₅₂ (one of the worst in Europe), the rate of rational beliefs on the environment in the population₅₃, its sign-up rate to major international accords on protecting the environment and in reducing annual meat consumption per person₅₄ (still low for Europe).

For tables, charts and commentary, see:

Romania's Responsibility Towards The Environment

7. Romania's Modernity and Learning

#education #modernity #technology #the_internet

Compared to Europe (2025)₅₅
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₅₅
1	Finland	6.1
2	Iceland	8.1
3	Denmark	8.8
	...
25	Kosovo	31.9
26	Lithuania	33.2
27	Greece	37.4
28	Romania	38.7
29	San Marino	40.9
30	Malta	41.0
31	Croatia	43.9
32	Ireland	44.4
33	Cyprus	45.4
	Europe Avg	34.74
q=48.

Modernity & Learning (2025)₅₅
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₅₅
1	Finland	6.1
2	Iceland	8.1
3	Denmark	8.8
	...
34	Lithuania	33.2
35	Singapore	33.7
36	Greece	37.4
37	Romania	38.7
38	Argentina	39.3
39	San Marino	40.9
40	Malta	41.0
41	Russia	42.7
	World Avg	84.96
q=197.

The most modern countries, with the best results from education, the highest levels of research, and with the easiest access to information on the Internet, are Finland, Iceland and Denmark₅₆. The worst countries are S. Sudan, Eritrea and Somalia₅₆. Despite improves in global education, access to tertiary (adult) education is becoming increasingly unequal between the rich haves and the poor have-nots₅₇.

“Education, at all levels and ages, is the single most vital support for equality as well as being a country's most vital economic and social resource. [...] Every successful aspirant to modernisation and economic development, from Japan to South Korea, China to Chile, has got there with a big emphasis on education.”
Bill Emmott (2017)₅₈

27 datasets are used to calculate points for each country, including multiple decades of data on Research and Development, Intellectual Endeavours, metric system adoption rate, Religiosity, IQ, Secondary Education, Length of Schooling, Maths, Science & Reading, the percent of citizens with access to the internet, Freedom On The Internet, IT Security, IPv6 Uptake and digital quality of life. The regions with the best average results per country are Scandinavia, Baltic States and Europe₅₆, whereas the worst are Melanesia, Africa and Micronesia₅₆.

For more, see:

" Which Countries are Most Modern, With the Best Education and Internet Access?" by Vexen Crabtree (2025).

7.1. Modernity Datasets

#intelligence #metric #religion #religiosity #research #science #secularisation

Research & Development Higher is better
Pos.		2016 % RDP PPP
1	S. Korea	4.29₅₉
2	Israel	4.11₅₉
3	Japan	3.58₅₉
	...
68	Mozambique	0.42₆₀
69	Thailand	0.39₆₁
70=	Tanzania	0.38₆₀
70=	Romania	0.38₅₉
70=	Montenegro	0.38₆₂
70=	Chile	0.38₅₉
70=	Ghana	0.38₆₀
75	Moldova	0.35₆₂
	Europe Avg	1.32
	World Avg	0.84
q=126.

Intellectual Endeavours Lower is better₄₁
Pos.		2017 Rank₄₁
1	Ukraine	1
2	Czechia	2
3	Hungary	3
	...
27	Greece	27
28	Serbia	28
29	Canada	29
30	Romania	30
31	Cyprus	31
32	Ireland	32
33	Croatia	33
34	Israel	34
	Europe Avg	31.3
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Metric System Adoption Rate Higher is better₆₃
Pos.		2025 %₆₃
1=	Slovakia	100
1=	Poland	100
1=	Portugal	100
1=	Romania	100
1=	Finland	100
1=	San Marino	100
1=	Iceland	100
1=	Belgium	100
1=	Liechtenstein	100
1=	Austria	100
1=	France	100
1=	Australia	100
	Europe Avg	97
	World Avg	92
q=187. Also scored for 1960s-2020s.

Romania officially adopted metric in 1884₆₄. Progression:

1960 (100%): Fully metric in official and daily life.
1970 (100%).
1980 (100%).
2000 (100%).
2025 (100%).

Religiosity Lower is better₆₅
Pos.		2018 %₆₅
1	China	3
2	Estonia	6
3	Czechia	7
	...
45	Kyrgyzstan	47
46	Kosovo	48
47=	Tajikistan	50
47=	Romania	50
49	Georgia	51
50=	Armenia	53
50=	USA	53
52	Bosnia & Herzegovina	54
	Europe Avg	25.8
	World Avg	54.3
q=106.

IQ Higher is better₆₆
Pos.		2006₆₆
1=	Hong Kong	108
1=	Singapore	108
3	S. Korea	106
	...
41=	Kazakhstan	94
41=	Vietnam	94
41=	Armenia	94
41=	Romania	94
41=	Georgia	94
46=	Argentina	93
46=	Bulgaria	93
48=	Ireland	92
	Europe Avg	96.6
	World Avg	85.6
q=138.

7.2. Education Datasets

#education #english #maths #romania #science

After a decade of stagnation, the 2000s saw the expected duration of education in Romania increase by 4 years, the fourth-highest rise of any country in that decade (although it fell back by 1.3 years in the 2010s).₆₇

Secondary Education Higher is better₆₈
Pos.		2018₆₈
1=	Luxembourg	100.0%
1=	Estonia	100.0%
1=	Austria	100.0%
	...
37	Marshall Islands	92.1%
38	Montenegro	91.6%
39	Australia	90.4%
40	Romania	90.0%
41	Botswana	90.0%
42	Serbia	89.5%
43	Denmark	89.3%
44	Israel	89.1%
	Europe Avg	88.3%
	World Avg	63.0%
q=169.

Length of Schooling Higher is better₆₉
Pos.		2021 Years₆₉
1	Australia	21.1
2	New Zealand	20.3
3	Greece	20.0
	...
79	Serbia	14.4
80	Luxembourg	14.4
81	China	14.2
82	Romania	14.2
83	Antigua & Barbuda	14.2
84	Morocco	14.2
85	Sri Lanka	14.1
86	Brunei	14.0
	Europe Avg	16.1
	World Avg	13.5
q=193. Also scored for 1990s-2010s.

Maths, Science & Reading Higher is better₇₀
Pos.		2015 Score₇₀
1	Singapore	1655
2	Hong Kong	1598
3	Japan	1586
	...
43	Greece	1376
44	Chile	1329
45	Bulgaria	1319
46=	Romania	1313
46=	Cyprus	1313
48	UAE	1298
49	Uruguay	1290
50	Turkey	1273
	Europe Avg	1417
	World Avg	1389
q=70.

7.3. Technology and Information Datasets

#it_security #modernity #technology #the_internet

Internet Users (2020s) Higher is better
Pos.		Internet Users (2020s)
1=	Iceland	99%
1=	Kuwait	99%
1=	UAE	99%
	...
56	Thailand	86%
57	Japan	86%
58	Poland	86%
59	Romania	86%
60	Montenegro	85%
61	Dominican Rep.	85%
62	Czechia	84%
63	Bhutan	84%
	Europe Avg	88.3%
	World Avg	67.8%
q=188. Also scored for 1990s-2020s.

IT Security Lower is better₇₁
Pos.		2013₇₁
1=	Ireland	0.11
1=	Luxembourg	0.11
1=	Belize	0.11
	...
16	Pakistan	0.38
17	Taiwan	0.44
18	Sweden	0.44
19	Romania	0.52
20	Turkey	0.52
21	Poland	0.55
22	Switzerland	0.55
23	S. Korea	0.56
	Europe Avg	0.80
	World Avg	0.98

IPv6 Uptake Higher is better₇₂
Pos.		2017 Ratio₇₂
1	Belgium	55.4
2	Germany	41.8
3	Switzerland	35.1
	...
23	Netherlands	10.5
24	Czechia	10.1
25	New Zealand	9.7
26	Romania	8.7
27	Austria	7.5
28	Hungary	7.4
29	Guatemala	6.9
30	Saudi Arabia	6.8
	Europe Avg	8.11
	World Avg	3.82
q=176.

Digital Quality of Life Higher is better₇₃
Pos.		2024₇₃
1	Germany	77.9%
2	Finland	76.9%
3	France	73.9%
	...
13	Japan	68.3%
14	Singapore	67.9%
15	Lithuania	67.8%
16	Romania	67.8%
17	USA	67.5%
18	Bulgaria	66.3%
19	Belgium	66.1%
20=	Poland	66.0%
	Europe Avg	61.0%
	World Avg	48.4%
q=121.

8. Romania's Culture, Peace and Inequality

#charitability #culture #equality #human_development #inequality #peace

Compared to Europe (2025)₇₄
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₇₄
1	Denmark	10.4
2	Netherlands	11.8
3	Finland	12.2
	...
28	Lithuania	52.9
29	Greece	54.8
30	Bulgaria	60.4
31	Romania	62.2
32	Albania	63.3
33	Moldova	65.3
34	Serbia	70.1
35	Montenegro	72.6
36	Bosnia & Herzegovina	73.7
	Europe Avg	46.24
q=44.

Culture, Peace & Inequality (2025)₇₄
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₇₄
1	Denmark	10.4
2	Netherlands	11.8
3	Finland	12.2
	...
48	Bulgaria	60.4
49	Oman	62.0
50	Bahamas	62.1
51	Romania	62.2
52	Albania	63.3
53	Brunei	64.6
54	Moldova	65.3
55	Qatar	65.3
	World Avg	80.47
q=183.

This is the final pillar of the Social and Moral Development Index; it has 39 datasets, including multiple decades of data on resisting corruption, Creativity and Culture, overall happiness, Open Trading, Aid and Development, passport utility (so far), personal financial stability, World Giving Index, its Global Peace Index rating, Peacekeeping and Security, Refugees and UN Treaties, the impact of terrorism, poverty (so far), life expectancy inequality, Income Inequality (Gini Coefficient) and Multidimensional Poverty.

For more, see:

"Which are the Countries for International Contributions, Creativity, Peace and Inequality?" by Vexen Crabtree (2026).

8.1. National Culture Datasets

#charity #corruption #freedom #happiness #internationalism #morals #politics

Corruption Higher is better₇₅
Pos.		2022 Points₇₅
1	Denmark	90.0
2=	Finland	87.0
2=	New Zealand	87.0
	...
61=	Jordan	47.0
61=	Malaysia	47.0
63=	Armenia	46.0
63=	Romania	46.0
65=	China	45.0
65=	Sao Tome & Principe	45.0
65=	Montenegro	45.0
65=	Cuba	45.0
	Europe Avg	57.61
	World Avg	42.98
q=180. Also scored for 1990s-2010s.

Creativity & Culture Lower is better₄₁
Pos.		2017 Rank₄₁
1	Belgium	1
2	Netherlands	2
3	Estonia	3
	...
28	Malta	28
29	Singapore	29
30	Spain	30
31	Romania	31
32	Costa Rica	32
33	Serbia	33
34	S. Korea	34
35	New Zealand	35
	Europe Avg	35.0
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Happiness Higher is better₇₆
Pos.		2024 Score₇₆
1	Finland	7.7
2	Denmark	7.5
3	Iceland	7.5
	...
32	Saudi Arabia	6.6
33	France	6.6
34	Singapore	6.6
35	Romania	6.6
36	Brazil	6.5
37	El Salvador	6.5
38	Spain	6.5
39	Estonia	6.4
	Europe Avg	6.37
	World Avg	5.58
q=147. Also scored for 2010s.

Open Trading, Aid & Development Lower is better₄₁
Pos.		2017 Rank₄₁
1	Ireland	1
2	Denmark	2
3	Sweden	3
	...
78	Guatemala	78
79	Tonga	79
80	Latvia	80
81	Romania	81
82	Costa Rica	82
83	Kuwait	83
84	Belarus	84
85	Saudi Arabia	85
	Europe Avg	42.6
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Passport Reach (2020s) Higher is better₇₇
Pos.		Passport Reach (2020s) Q₇₇
1	Singapore	192.2
2	Japan	192.0
3	S. Korea	190.7
	...
104=	Botswana	86.8
104=	Jamaica	86.8
106	Bahrain	85.8
107	Romania	82.7
108	Saudi Arabia	82.3
109	Taiwan	80.8
110	Thailand	79.5
111	Bolivia	79.3
	Europe Avg	160.7
	World Avg	108.8
q=195. Also scored for 2000s-2020s.

Personal Financial Stability in the 2020s Higher is better₇₈
Pos.		Personal Financial Stability in the 2020s Score₇₈
1	Denmark	9.06
2	Switzerland	9.00
3	Finland	8.96
	...
36	Cape Verde	7.76
37	Mauritius	7.76
38	Chile	7.75
39	Romania	7.72
40	Slovakia	7.68
41	Greece	7.62
42	Lithuania	7.58
43	Croatia	7.49
	Europe Avg	7.65
	World Avg	6.46
q=165.

World Giving Index Higher is better₇₉
Pos.		2022 %₇₉
1	Indonesia	68.0
2	Kenya	61.0
3	USA	59.0
	...
107=	Georgia	31.0
107=	Morocco	31.0
107=	Zimbabwe	31.0
110=	Romania	30.0
110=	Algeria	30.0
112=	Pakistan	29.0
112=	Latvia	29.0
112=	Italy	29.0
	Europe Avg	39.0
	World Avg	39.6
q=125. Also scored for 2010s.

8.2. Peace Versus Instability Datasets

#extremism #human_development #peace #politics #religious_violence #terrorism

Global Peace Index Lower is better₈₀
Pos.		2023 Score₈₀
1	Iceland	1.12
2	Denmark	1.31
3	Ireland	1.31
	...
29	Poland	1.63
30	Bulgaria	1.64
31=	Spain	1.65
31=	Romania	1.65
31=	Taiwan	1.65
34	Italy	1.66
35	Kuwait	1.67
36	Lithuania	1.67
	Europe Avg	1.70
	World Avg	2.07
q=163. Also scored for 2010s.

Peacekeeping & Security Lower is better₄₁
Pos.		2017 Rank₄₁
1	Samoa	1
2	S. Africa	2
3	Tunisia	3
	...
55	Italy	55
56	Mauritius	56
57	Zambia	57
58	Romania	58
59	Vietnam	59
60	Malawi	60
61	Brazil	61
62	Grenada	62
	Europe Avg	84.6
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Refugees & UN Treaties Lower is better₄₁
Pos.		2017 Rank₄₁
1	Austria	1
2	Germany	2
3	Netherlands	3
	...
33	S. Korea	33
34	Mauritius	34
35	Bosnia & Herzegovina	35
36	Romania	36
37	Uruguay	37
38	Liberia	38
39	Turkey	39
40	Malaysia	40
	Europe Avg	37.8
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Impact of Terrorism Lower is better₈₁
Pos.		2019 Score₈₁
1	Togo	0.00
2	Mongolia	0.00
3	Swaziland	0.00
	...
9	Mauritania	0.00
10	Slovenia	0.00
11	Costa Rica	0.00
12	Romania	0.00
13	El Salvador	0.00
14	Bhutan	0.01
15=	Trinidad & Tobago	0.02
15=	Uzbekistan	0.02
	Europe Avg	1.62
	World Avg	2.78
q=150.

8.3. Economic Inequality and Poverty Datasets

#capitalism #economics #health #inequality #life_expectancy #poverty #romania #social_development

Poverty (2020s) Lower is better₈₂
Pos.		Poverty (2020s) %₈₂
1	Malaysia	0.01%
2	Bhutan	0.01%
3	Cyprus	0.02%
	...
51	Jamaica	1.39%
52	Argentina	1.40%
53	Vietnam	1.45%
54	Romania	1.65%
55	Armenia	1.86%
56	Serbia	1.92%
57	Costa Rica	1.99%
58	Palestine	2.07%
	Europe Avg	1.20%
	World Avg	11.40%
q=106. Also scored for 1980s-2020s.

Inequality in Life Expectancy Lower is better₈₃
Pos.		2019₈₃
1	Iceland	2.40
2=	Singapore	2.50
2=	Hong Kong	2.50
	...
49=	Bulgaria	6.10
50=	Chile	6.30
50=	USA	6.30
50=	Romania	6.30
53	Saudi Arabia	6.40
54	Oman	6.70
55	Bahamas	6.80
56	Sri Lanka	7.00
	Europe Avg	4.86
	World Avg	14.59
q=184.

Income Inequality (Gini Coefficient) Lower is better₈₄
Pos.		2023 %₈₄
1	Slovakia	24.1%₈₅
2	Slovenia	24.3%₈₅
3	Belarus	24.4%₈₆
	...
69=	Jordan	33.7%₈₇
69=	Switzerland	33.7%₈₆
71=	Spain	33.9%₈₅
71=	Romania	33.9%₈₅
73	Tajikistan	34.0%₈₈
74	Sudan	34.2%₈₉
75=	Australia	34.3%₉₀
75=	Montenegro	34.3%₈₅
	Europe Avg	30.7%
	World Avg	36.5%
q=167. Also scored for 1980s-2010s.

Romania had the 5th-lowest income inequality in the 1980s.

9. Religion and Beliefs

#belief #buddhism #christianity #god #hinduism #islam #judaism #religion #religiosity #secularisation

Religiosity (2018)₆₅
Pos.		Lower is better %₆₅
1	China	3
2	Estonia	6
3	Czechia	7
	...
45	Kyrgyzstan	47
46	Kosovo	48
47=	Tajikistan	50
47=	Romania	50
49	Georgia	51
50=	Armenia	53
50=	USA	53
52	Bosnia & Herzegovina	54
53=	Greece	56
53=	Paraguay	56
55	Lebanon	57
56	Panama	61
57	Venezuela	67
58	Turkey	68
59=	Bolivia	71
59=	Botswana	71
	World Avg	54.3
q=106.

Disbelief In God (2007)₉₁
Pos.		Higher is better %₉₁
1	Vietnam	81
2	Japan	65
3	Sweden	64
	...
55=	Iran	4
55=	Mexico	4
55=	Portugal	4
55=	Romania	4
55=	Argentina	4
55=	Georgia	4
55=	Uzbekistan	4
62=	Lebanon	3
62=	Congo, (Brazzaville)	3
62=	Poland	3
62=	Jamaica	3
62=	India	3
67=	Angola	2
67=	Chile	2
67=	Central African Rep.	2
67=	Tajikistan	2
	World Avg	9.9
q=137.

Pew Forum polling over the decades has found the following adherency rates:₉₂:

	2010	2020
Christian	99.3%	98.5%
Unaffiliated	0.21%	0.94%
Muslim	0.341%	0.356%
Other	0.122%	<0.1%
Jewish	<0.1%	<0.1%
Buddhist	<0.1%	<0.1%
Hindu	<0.1%	<0.1%

It appears that when asked "What religion are you" many give pollsters the 'correct' answer despite how they actually feel, and despite what they actually believe. Although 99.1% of the populace say they belong to a religion, only 50% say that they are religious when the question is phrased as "Is religion an important part of your daily life?".

For more on this phenomenon, see:

"Institutionalized Religions Have Their Numbers Inflated by National Polls" by Vexen Crabtree (2009)

The CIA World Factbook has slightly different data, and states: Eastern Orthodox (including all sub-denominations) 86.8%, Protestant (various denominations including Reformate and Pentecostal) 7.5%, Roman Catholic 4.7%, other (mostly Muslim) and unspecified 0.9%, none 0.1% (2002 census)₉₃.

Links: