Romania

Romania
Status	Independent State
Social and Moral Index	44th 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
2. Romania National and Social Development
3. Romania's Demographics and Migration
4. Romania's Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance
5. Romania's Health
6. Romania's Responsibility Towards The Environment
7. Romania's Modernity and Learning
8. Romania's Culture, Peace and Inequality
9. Religion and Beliefs
10. Links

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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	27.0
2	Norway	29.9
3	Sweden	31.8
	...
41	Lithuania	60.7
42	Croatia	61.8
43	Mauritius	62.6
44	Romania	65.7
45	Bulgaria	67.3
46	Argentina	67.4
47	Sri Lanka	68.2
48	Israel	69.1
	Europe Avg	55.7
	World Avg	88.6
q=199.

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:

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. The highest fertility rate ever detected in a single year was in Yemen in 1985, at 8.86.₁₅

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.

Fertility Rate 2.0 is best16
Pos.		202216
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.

Old-Age Dependency Ratio Lower is better17
Pos.		2016 Per 10017
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.

• The Population of the Earth
• Abortion, Birth Control and Contraception

Migration:

Immigrants18
Pos.		2017 %18
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.

Emigrants19
Pos.		2010 %19
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

#antisemitism #equality #freedom #freethought #gender #gender_equality #homosexuality #human_rights #international_law #mass_media #misogyny #morals #politics #prejudice #religious_tolerance #romania #slavery #tolerance #women

Compared to Europe (2025)20
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank20
1	Sweden	6.1
2	Denmark	8.6
3	Norway	9.0
	...
30	Liechtenstein	54.9
31	Hungary	58.5
32	Bulgaria	58.6
33	Romania	61.3
34	Andorra	61.5
35	Ukraine	63.6
36	Serbia	63.7
37	Montenegro	65.3
38	Monaco	71.7
	Europe Avg	47.37
q=48.

Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance (2025)20
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank20
1	Sweden	6.1
2	Denmark	8.6
3	Norway	9.0
	...
46	Hungary	58.5
47	Bulgaria	58.6
48	Brazil	60.3
49	Romania	61.3
50	Andorra	61.5
51	Ukraine	63.6
52	Serbia	63.7
53	Mauritius	63.7
	World Avg	86.55
q=199.

The best countries in the world at ensuring human rights, fostering equality and promoting tolerance, are Sweden, Denmark and Norway₂₁. These countries are displaying the best traits that humanity has to offer. The worst countries are Somalia, N. Korea and Afghanistan₂₁.

21 datasets are used to calculate points for each country, including multiple decades of data on supporting press freedom, eliminating modern slavery, supporting personal, civil & economic freedoms, 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 Europe₂₁, whereas the worst are Africa, The Middle East and Asia₂₁.

For more, see:

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

Human Rights & Tolerance:

Press Freedom Higher is better22
Pos.		202522
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.

Slavery Lower is better23
Pos.		2018 % Victims23
1	Japan	0.03
2=	Canada	0.05
2=	Taiwan	0.05
	...
85	Kazakhstan	0.42
86=	Lesotho	0.42
87	Georgia	0.43
88=	Romania	0.43
89	Vietnam	0.45
90=	Azerbaijan	0.45
90=	Bulgaria	0.45
90=	Burkina Faso	0.45
	Europe Avg	0.38
	World Avg	0.65
q=167.

Personal, Civil & Economic Freedom Lower is better24
Pos.		2014 Rank24
1	Hong Kong	1
2	Switzerland	2
3	New Zealand	3
	...
27	Slovakia	27
28	Italy	28
29	Chile	29
30	Romania	30
31	France	31
32	Japan	32
33	Cyprus	33
34	Mauritius	34
	Europe Avg	33.9
	World Avg	79.7
q=159.

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
69=	Samoa	2.0
69=	Botswana	2.0
69=	Romania	2.0
69=	Trinidad & Tobago	2.0
69=	Monaco	2.0
69=	Poland	2.0
69=	Ghana	2.0
	Europe Avg	2.2
	World Avg	3.7
q=205.

Human Rights Watch Comments Higher is better25
Pos.		2017 Score25
1=	UK	9
1=	France	9
1=	Germany	9
	...
12	Cyprus	5
13=	Czechia	5
13=	Denmark	5
13=	Romania	5
13=	Estonia	5
13=	Portugal	5
13=	Bulgaria	5
13=	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
40=	Liechtenstein	20
40=	Iceland	20
40=	Romania	20
40=	Bulgaria	20
40=	Burkina Faso	20
40=	Norway	20
40=	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

Gender Equality:

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.

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.		Total Year
1	New Zealand	1893
2	Australia	1902
3	Finland	1906
	...
57=	Togo	1945
58	N. Korea	1946
59=	Liberia	1946
59=	Romania	1946
59=	Panama	1946
59=	Cameroon	1946
59=	Macedonia	1946
59=	Venezuela	1946
	Europe Avg	1895
	World Avg	1930
q=189.

Prejudice:

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 Higher is better34
Pos.		2017 Score34
1	Netherlands	103
2	Belgium	90
3	Sweden	86
	...
44=	Greece	39
44=	Czechia	39
44=	Slovakia	39
44=	Romania	39
48	San Marino	35
49=	Montenegro	35
49=	Guatemala	35
49=	Japan	35
	Europe Avg	46.9
	World Avg	12.6
q=196.

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

5. Romania's Health

#alcohol #birth_control #demographics #health #life_expectancy #longevity #mental_health #obesity #overpopulation #parenting #population #romania #smoking #suicide #vaccines

Compared to Europe (2025)36
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank36
1	Monaco	14.3
2	Liechtenstein	30.1
3	Isle of Man	32.1
	...
44	Latvia	76.0
45	Turkey	78.6
46	Bulgaria	82.8
47	Belarus	83.7
48	Romania	84.0
49	Moldova	85.0
50	Azerbaijan	86.0
51	Kosovo	86.4
52	Ukraine	89.6
	Europe Avg	86.87
q=52.

Health (2025)36
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank36
1	Monaco	14.3
2	Liechtenstein	30.1
3	Isle of Man	32.1
	...
90	Bahamas	82.8
91	Bulgaria	82.8
92	Belarus	83.7
93	Romania	84.0
94	Brazil	84.6
95	Seychelles	84.8
96	Moldova	85.0
97	Azerbaijan	86.0
	World Avg	96.74
q=212.

The countries with the best overall approach to public health, in terms of both public policy and individual lifestyle choices, are Monaco, Liechtenstein and The Isle of Man₃₇. These countries are worth emulating. And, although often through no fault of the average citizen, the worst countries are S. Sudan, Angola and Nigeria₃₇.

21 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, its adolescent birth rate and its immunizations take-up. The regions with the best average results per country are Scandinavia, Europe and The Balkans₃₇, whereas the worst are Africa, Micronesia and Melanesia₃₇.

For more, see:

• "Countries With the Healthiest Cultures and Health Policies" by Vexen Crabtree (2020).

Health:

Romania has some poor policies and cultural issues which cause some public health problems. Romania does better than average for its fertility rate₁₆ and in its average life expectancy₁₃ (but low for Europe). But unfortunately Romania gets most other things wrong. It does worse than average in its suicide rate₃₈, its adolescent birth rate₃₉ (one of the worst in Europe), its immunizations take-up₄₀, its food aid and health contributions and WHO compliance₄₁ (amongst the highest in Europe) and in its smoking rate₄₂. And finally, it falls into the worst-performing 20 in terms of its alcohol consumption rate₄₃. The number of overweight adults has increased by 14% over the last 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.

Alcohol Consumption Lower is better43
Pos.		2016 Per Capita43
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
181=	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 best16
Pos.		202216
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.

Smoking Rates Lower is better42
Pos.		201442
1	Guinea	15
2	Solomon Islands	26
3	Kiribati	28
	...
153	Armenia	1 545
154	Turkey	1 581
155	Slovakia	1 618
156	Romania	1 620
157	Tunisia	1 628
158	Switzerland	1 634
159	Serbia	1 644
160	Cyprus	1 688
	Europe Avg	1 648
	World Avg	819
q=182.

Suicide Rate38
Pos.		2013 Per 100k38
1	Haiti	0
2	Grenada	0
3	Egypt	0.1
	...
60=	Denmark	23.9
60=	Germany	23.9
62	Cuba	24.5
63=	Romania	24.5
64	Bulgaria	25
65	Sweden	25.5
66	Slovakia	25.7
67	Czechia	28.3
	Europe Avg	26.99
	World Avg	20.93
q=91.

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 better44
Pos.		2016 %44
1	Vietnam	18.3
2	India	19.7
3	Bangladesh	20.0
	...
114=	Portugal	57.5
114=	Peru	57.5
116	Albania	57.7
117=	Romania	57.7
118	Netherlands	57.8
119=	Latvia	57.8
120	Finland	57.9
121	Macedonia	58.1
	Europe Avg	58.5
	World Avg	49.0
q=191.

Children's Health:

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.

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.

6. Romania's Responsibility Towards The Environment

#biodiversity #climate_change #deforestation #energy #environmentalism #food #internationalism #meat #over-exploitation #romania #sustainability #the_environment #veganism #vegetarianism

Compared to Europe (2025)45
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank45
1	Switzerland	45.0
2	Denmark	50.4
3	Liechtenstein	56.8
	...
16	Sweden	71.8
17	Finland	71.9
18	France	72.8
19	Romania	73.8
20	UK	74.4
21	Turkey	75.0
22	Belgium	75.3
23	Bulgaria	75.8
24	Latvia	77.7
	Europe Avg	86.45
q=48.

Responsibility Towards The Environment (2025)45
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank45
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
71	UK	74.4
72	Turkey	75.0
	World Avg	84.93
q=199.

All countries' current and historical approach towards the environment is gauged via 21 datasets, including multiple decades of data on its forested percent change 2000-2020, its environmental performance, energy to GDP efficiency, its sign-up rate to major international accords on protecting the environment, the rate of rational beliefs on the environment in the population, reducing annual meat consumption per person and its score on the Green Future Index.

The countries that do the best (Sri Lanka, Uruguay and Switzerland) tend to have avoided the excesses of early industrial countries, and have not yet repeated the same mistakes of environmental destruction - at least, not on the same scale. The regions with the best average results per country are Central America, South America and Scandinavia. The worst are Eritrea, The Vatican City and Timor-Leste (E. Timor), and the worst regions Micronesia, Australasia and Melanesia.

For more, see:

• " Countries With the Best Environmental Records" by Vexen Crabtree (2025).

Romania comes 68th in the world regarding its responsibility towards the environment. This rank is calculated from 7 data sets. Romania does better than average in its forested percent change 2000-2020₄₆, energy to GDP efficiency₄₇ and in its environmental performance₄₈ (but bad for Europe). But, things still need to improve in Romania. Romania does worse than average in its score on the Green Future Index₄₉ (amongst the worst in Europe), the rate of rational beliefs on the environment in the population₅₀, its sign-up rate to major international accords on protecting the environment and in reducing annual meat consumption per person₅₁ (still good for Europe).

Environmental Performance Higher is better48
Pos.		201848
1	Switzerland	87.4
2	France	84.0
3	Denmark	81.6
	...
42	Colombia	65.2
43	Hungary	65.0
44	Belarus	65.0
45	Romania	64.8
46	Dominican Rep.	64.7
47	Uruguay	64.7
48	Estonia	64.3
49	Singapore	64.2
	Europe Avg	69.6
	World Avg	56.4
q=180.

Energy to GDP Efficiency Lower is better47
Pos.		2022 Avg47
1	Rwanda	0.25
2	Chad	0.26
3	Tanzania	0.31
	...
39	Swaziland	0.73
40	Guatemala	0.74
41	Togo	0.74
42	Romania	0.75
43	Egypt	0.76
44	El Salvador	0.79
45	Guinea	0.80
46	UK	0.80
	Europe Avg	1.25
	World Avg	1.23
q=165.

International Accords on the Environment Higher is better
Pos.		Total Avg Rate
1	Sweden	83%
2	Canada	82%
3	Norway	81%
	...
103	Honduras	57%
104	Poland	57%
105	Mozambique	57%
106	Romania	57%
107	Slovakia	57%
108	St Lucia	56%
109	Slovenia	56%
110	S. Korea	56%
	Europe Avg	62.7%
	World Avg	57.5%
q=197.

Romania was one of the 19 countries that signed the Basel Convention on its very first day.

Rational Beliefs on the Environment Higher is better50
Pos.		2011 %50
1	Argentina	78.3%
2	Greece	77.6%
3	Brazil	77.1%
	...
79	Germany	36.1%
80	Montenegro	35.9%
81	Rwanda	35.8%
82	Romania	33.4%
83	Luxembourg	33.3%
84	Togo	33.3%
85	Benin	32.6%
86	Bulgaria	32.5%
	Europe Avg	33.6%
	World Avg	39.9%
q=145.

Meat Consumption Lower is better51
Pos.		2021 kg51
1	Congo, DR	03.0
2	Burundi	03.5
3	Bangladesh	04.3
	...
118	Belgium	66.2
119	Gabon	66.3
120	Sweden	66.9
121	Romania	67.1
122	Malta	67.8
123	Switzerland	68.0
124	Micronesia	70.4
125	Denmark	70.5
	Europe Avg	71.1
	World Avg	52.5
q=185.

Green Future Index Higher is better49
Pos.		2023 Score49
1	Iceland	6.7
2	Finland	6.7
3	Norway	6.4
	...
36	UAE	4.8
37	Morocco	4.7
38	Brazil	4.7
39=	Romania	4.7
39=	Kenya	4.7
41	New Zealand	4.6
42=	Philippines	4.6
42=	Israel	4.6
	Europe Avg	5.6
	World Avg	4.8
q=76.

7. Romania's Modernity and Learning

#capitalism #charity #corruption #economics #education #english #extremism #happiness #health #human_development #inequality #intelligence #it_security #life_expectancy #maths #modernity #morals #peace #politics #religion #religiosity #religious_violence #research #romania #science #secularisation #social_development #technology #terrorism #the_internet

Compared to Europe (2020)52
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank52
1	Finland	7.1
2	Belgium	12.9
3	Denmark	13.6
	...
29	Bulgaria	47.8
30	Croatia	47.8
31	Liechtenstein	48.8
32	Romania	51.0
33	Belarus	51.5
34	Cyprus	55.6
35	Turkey	55.9
36	Serbia	57.1
37	Montenegro	64.9
	Europe Avg	39.81
q=45.

Modernity & Learning (2020)52
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank52
1	Finland	7.1
2	Belgium	12.9
3	Denmark	13.6
	...
45	Liechtenstein	48.8
46	St Kitts & Nevis	48.8
47	Chile	48.8
48	Romania	51.0
49	Belarus	51.5
50	Brazil	52.8
51	Cyprus	55.6
52	Turkey	55.9
	World Avg	86.31
q=190.

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, Belgium and Denmark₅₃. The worst countries are Eritrea, S. Sudan and Sierra Leone₅₃. Despite improves in global education, access to tertiary (adult) education is becoming increasingly unequal between the rich haves and the poor have-nots₅₄.

“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)₅₅

15 datasets are used to calculate points for each country, including multiple decades of data on Research and Development, Secondary Education, Length of Schooling, Intellectual Endeavours, Maths, Science & Reading, Religiosity, IQ, 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 Europe₅₃, whereas the worst are Melanesia, Africa and Micronesia₅₃.

For more, see:

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

Modernity and Education:

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). ₅₆

Research & Development Higher is better
Pos.		2016 % RDP PPP
1	S. Korea	4.2957
2	Israel	4.1157
3	Japan	3.5857
	...
68	Mozambique	0.4258
69	Thailand	0.3959
70=	Tanzania	0.3858
70=	Romania	0.3857
70=	Montenegro	0.3860
70=	Chile	0.3857
70=	Ghana	0.3858
75	Moldova	0.3560
	Europe Avg	1.32
	World Avg	0.84
q=126.

Secondary Education Higher is better61
Pos.		201861
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 better62
Pos.		2021 Years62
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.

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.

Maths, Science & Reading Higher is better63
Pos.		2015 Score63
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.

Religiosity Lower is better64
Pos.		2018 %64
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 better65
Pos.		200665
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
47=	Bulgaria	93
48	Ireland	92
	Europe Avg	96.6
	World Avg	85.6
q=138.

Technology and Information:

Internet Users Higher is better66
Pos.		201666
1	Iceland	100%
2	Faroe Islands	99%
3	Norway	98%
	...
80	St Lucia	59%
81	Bulgaria	59%
82=	Turkey	58%
82=	Romania	58%
84	Venezuela	58%
85=	Seychelles	58%
86	Morocco	58%
87	Colombia	57%
	Europe Avg	76.7%
	World Avg	48.1%
q=201.

IT Security Lower is better67
Pos.		201367
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 better68
Pos.		2017 Ratio68
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 better69
Pos.		202469
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

#capitalism #charitability #charity #corruption #culture #economics #equality #extremism #happiness #health #human_development #inequality #life_expectancy #morals #peace #politics #religious_violence #romania #social_development #terrorism

Compared to Europe (2020)70
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank70
1	Denmark	11.2
2	Norway	13.9
3	Netherlands	14.4
	...
24	Italy	48.6
25	Slovakia	48.8
26	Croatia	52.9
27	Romania	54.4
28	Lithuania	59.6
29	Moldova	59.7
30	Latvia	60.1
31	Kosovo	60.9
32	Serbia	61.1
	Europe Avg	48.48
q=44.

Culture, Peace & Inequality (2020)70
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank70
1	Denmark	11.2
2	Norway	13.9
3	Netherlands	14.4
	...
40	Uruguay	52.6
41	Croatia	52.9
42	USA	54.1
43	Romania	54.4
44	Malaysia	55.4
45	Chile	57.4
46	Lithuania	59.6
47	Moldova	59.7
	World Avg	78.12
q=180.

This is the final pillar of the Social and Moral Development Index; it has 22 datasets, including multiple decades of data on World Giving Index, resisting corruption, overall happiness, Creativity and Culture, Open Trading, Aid and Development, its Global Peace Index rating, Peacekeeping and Security, Refugees and UN Treaties, the impact of terrorism, Inequality in Life Expectancy, Income Inequality (Gini Coefficient) and Multidimensional Poverty.

For more, see:

• "Which are the Countries for International Contributions, Creativity, Peace and Inequality?" by Vexen Crabtree (2025).

National Culture:

World Giving Index Higher is better71
Pos.		2022 %71
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
111=	Algeria	30.0
112	Pakistan	29.0
113=	Latvia	29.0
113=	Italy	29.0
	Europe Avg	39.0
	World Avg	39.6
q=125.

Corruption Higher is better72
Pos.		2022 Points72
1	Denmark	90.0
2=	Finland	87.0
2=	New Zealand	87.0
	...
61	Jordan	47.0
62=	Malaysia	47.0
63	Armenia	46.0
64=	Romania	46.0
65	China	45.0
66=	Sao Tome & Principe	45.0
66=	Montenegro	45.0
66=	Cuba	45.0
	Europe Avg	57.61
	World Avg	42.98
q=180.

Happiness Higher is better73
Pos.		2024 Score73
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.

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.

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.

Peace Versus Instability:

Global Peace Index Lower is better74
Pos.		2023 Score74
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.

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 better75
Pos.		2019 Score75
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.

Economic Inequality and Poverty:

Inequality in Life Expectancy Lower is better76
Pos.		201976
1	Iceland	2.40
2=	Singapore	2.50
2=	Hong Kong	2.50
	...
49	Bulgaria	6.10
50	Chile	6.30
51=	USA	6.30
51=	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 better77
Pos.		2023 %77
1	Slovakia	24.1%78
2	Slovenia	24.3%78
3	Belarus	24.4%79
	...
69=	Jordan	33.7%80
69=	Switzerland	33.7%79
71	Spain	33.9%78
72=	Romania	33.9%78
73	Tajikistan	34.0%81
74	Sudan	34.2%82
75=	Australia	34.3%83
75=	Montenegro	34.3%78
	Europe Avg	30.7%
	World Avg	36.5%
q=167.

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)64
Pos.		Lower is better %64
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)84
Pos.		Higher is better %84
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
63=	Congo, (Brazzaville)	3
63=	Poland	3
63=	Jamaica	3
63=	India	3
67	Angola	2
68=	Chile	2
68=	Central African Rep.	2
68=	Tajikistan	2
	World Avg	9.9
q=137.

Data from the Pew Forum, a professional polling outfit, states that in 2010 the religious makeup of this country was as follows in the table below₈₅:

Christian	99%
Muslim	0.3%
Hindu	0.1%
Buddhist	0.1%
Folk Religion	0.1%
Jewish	0.1%
Unaffiliated	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 99.7% 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)₈₆.

Links:

• A List of All Religions and Belief Systems
• Secularisation Theory: Will Modern Society Reject Religion? What is Secularism?