Romania Population

Romania is one of Europe’s poorest countries, struggling with high corruption and large social disparities. The country joined the European Union in 2007 and was hit hard by the international financial crisis.

Key figures and facts

• Capital: Bucuresti
• Ethnic groups: Romanians 83%, Hungarians 6%, Romanians 3%, others/unspecified 7% (2011) Romanians are often underestimated in official statistics, and can be between 5-11% of the population.
• Language: Romanian (official) 86%, Hungarian 6%, Romanian 1%, other/unspecified 7% (2011)
• Religion: Orthodox Christians 82%, Protestants 6%, Catholics 4%, Other/None/Unspecified 7% (2011)
• Population: 19 679 000
• Control Form: Republic
• Area: 238 390 km²
• Currency: Leu
• GNP per capita: 23 027 PPP $
• National Day: December 1st

Romania Population

In 2016, Romania had a population of about 19.7 million. Population growth has been negative since 1992 and the average age of the residents has been higher. Population consists essentially of Romanians (88.6 percent) but also Hungarians, room (gypsy), Ukrainians and Germans, and smaller groups of Russians, Turks, Serb, Tatar, Slovak, Bulgarian, Jews, Croat and others.

The population density is 75.3 residents per square kilometer. 54 percent of the population lives in cities. The largest city is the capital Bucharest with 2 105 000 residents (2017).

Population of Romania by Year (Historical)

Year	Population	Annual Growth Rate	Population Density	Global Rank
2020	19,237,580	-0.660%	83.5804	61
2019	19,364,446	-0.730%	84.1315	61
2018	19,506,003	-0.750%	84.7465	60
2017	19,653,858	-0.720%	85.3889	59
2016	19,796,174	-0.650%	86.0072	59
2015	19,925,064	-0.540%	86.5672	59
2010	20,471,753	-0.900%	88.9424	57
2005	21,417,180	-0.660%	93.0499	50
2000	22,137,308	-0.730%	96.1786	46
1995	22,964,643	-0.450%	99.7730	39
1990	23,489,049	0.360%	102.0513	37
1985	23,071,163	0.400%	100.2358	33
1980	22,615,528	0.860%	98.2562	33
1975	21,665,532	1.060%	94.1289	33
1970	20,548,800	1.180%	89.2771	32
1965	19,379,457	0.810%	84.1968	31
1960	18,613,828	1.260%	80.8704	29
1955	17,483,824	1.490%	75.9610	29
1950	16,236,185	0.000%	70.5405	29

Major Cities in Romania by Population

Rank	City	Population
1	Bucharest	1,877,044
2	Sector 3	385,328
3	Sector 6	367,649
4	Sector 2	345,259
5	Iasi	317,901
6	Cluj-Napoca	316,637
7	Timisoara	314,942
8	Craiova	304,031
9	Constanta	303,288
10	Galati	293,976
11	Sector 4	287,717
12	Brasov	275,977
13	Sector 5	271,464
14	Ploiesti	228,740
15	Sector 1	225,342
16	Braila	213,458
17	Oradea	206,503
18	Bacau	171,285
19	Arad	168,954
20	Pitesti	167,558
21	Sibiu	151,783
22	Targu-Mures	146,752
23	Baia Mare	136,442
24	Buzau	130,843
25	Botosani	114,672
26	Satu Mare	112,379
27	Ramnicu Valcea	107,447
28	Suceava	105,685
29	Piatra Neamt	102,577
30	Drobeta-Turnu Severin	102,235
31	Targu Jiu	97,068
32	Tulcea	92,364
33	Targoviste	88,324
34	Bistrita	81,207
35	Resita	81,117
36	Slatina	78,877
37	Focsani	77,202
38	Vaslui	69,114
39	Hunedoara	69,025
40	Giurgiu	68,956
41	Roman	67,708
42	Barlad	67,707
43	Deva	67,691
44	Alba Iulia	65,974
45	Zalau	63,121
46	Sfantu Gheorghe	60,566
47	Turda	54,475
48	Medias	52,929
49	Slobozia	52,599
50	Alexandria	49,235
51	Pascani	44,889
52	Petrosani	44,076
53	Medgidia	43,204
54	Lugoj	43,132
55	Campina	41,443
56	Miercurea-Ciuc	41,171
57	Tecuci	41,043
58	Sighetu Marmatiei	40,542
59	Mangalia	39,508
60	Ramnicu Sarat	38,415
61	Dej	37,922
62	Odorheiu Secuiesc	36,421
63	Reghin-Sat	35,379
64	Sighisoara	34,426
65	Caracal	33,650
66	Navodari	32,995
67	Fetesti	32,755
68	Curtea de Arges	32,067
69	Dorohoi	30,665
70	Fagaras	30,603
71	Lupeni	30,377
72	Voluntari	30,212
73	Sacele	29,807
74	Falticeni	29,465
75	Husi	29,018
76	Mioveni	28,951
77	Vulcan	28,758
78	Turnu Magurele	28,672
79	Tarnaveni	28,523
80	Aiud	28,230
81	Caransebes	27,410
82	Rosiorii de Vede	27,305
83	Sebes	27,135
84	Borsa	26,855
85	Campia Turzii	26,346
86	Oltenita	26,245
87	Petrila	25,123
88	Zarnesti	24,815
89	Cugir	24,623
90	Codlea	24,077
91	Moinesti	23,870
92	Radauti	23,711
93	Fetesti-Gara	23,678
94	Gherla	23,630
95	Comanesti	23,618
96	Motru	22,208
97	Carei	20,664
98	Orastie	20,652
99	Buftea	20,580
100	Dragasani	20,519
101	Bals	20,515
102	Moreni	20,485
103	Targu Neamt	20,362
104	Blaj	20,260
105	Targu Secuiesc	19,956
106	Corabia	19,936
107	Baicoi	19,758
108	Gheorgheni	19,666
109	Campulung Moldovenesc	19,654
110	Bailesti	19,488
111	Filiasi	18,884
112	Calafat	18,532
113	Cernavoda	18,391
114	Buhusi	18,284
115	Breaza	17,838
116	Salonta	17,450
117	Adjud	17,187
118	Ludus	17,054
119	Viseu de Sus	16,827
120	Urziceni	16,659
121	Baia Sprie	16,635
122	Bocsa	16,238
123	Pantelimon	16,095
124	Vatra Dornei	15,943
125	Brad	15,877
126	Gura Humorului	15,617
127	Simleu Silvaniei	15,610
128	Mizil	15,421
129	Ocna Mures	15,205
130	Popesti-Leordeni	15,168
131	Rasnov	15,142
132	Zimnicea	15,117
133	Cisnadie	14,931
134	Gaesti	14,926
135	Pucioasa	14,860
136	Darmanesti	14,179
137	Vicovu de Sus	13,966
138	Avrig	13,921
139	Marghita	13,760
140	Simeria	13,716
141	Targu Frumos	13,686
142	Dabuleni	13,530
143	Negresti-Oas	13,345
144	Valenii de Munte	13,165
145	Moldova Noua	13,152
146	Ovidiu	13,146
147	Comarnic	13,143
148	Targu Ocna	13,016
149	Sannicolau Mare	12,777
150	Stefanesti	12,726
151	Pecica	12,693
152	Chitila	12,677
153	Calan	12,671
154	Santana	12,595
155	Poiana Mare	12,522
156	Scornicesti	12,345
157	Orsova	12,239
158	Oravita	12,221
159	Rovinari	12,148
160	Tandarei	12,120
161	Draganesti-Olt	11,945
162	Jilava	11,912
163	Sinaia	11,807
164	Darabani	11,779
165	Tomesti	11,717
166	Videle	11,702
167	Storesti	11,695
168	Urlati	11,687
169	Holboca	11,597
170	Bolintin Vale	11,589
171	Matca	11,531
172	Strehaia	11,496
173	Otelu Rosu	11,371
174	Sovata	11,354
175	Boldesti-Scaeni	11,349
176	Nehoiu	11,239
177	Belcesti	11,224
178	Harlau	11,184
179	Pechea	11,176
180	Ianca	11,098
181	Jibou	11,072
182	Lipova	10,930
183	Topoloveni	10,928
184	Dolhasca	10,914
185	Covasna	10,868
186	Liesti	10,845
187	Beclean	10,798
188	Murfatlar	10,795
189	Breaza de Sus	10,792
190	Hateg	10,754
191	Jimbolia	10,749
192	Dofteana	10,674
193	Beius	10,610
194	Costesti	10,543
195	Agnita	10,394
196	Deleni	10,373
197	Vladimirescu	10,340
198	Bumbesti-Jiu	10,334
199	Calinesti	10,308
200	Seini	10,271
201	Nasaud	10,269
202	Valea Calugareasca	10,267
203	Otopeni	10,221
204	Macin	10,184
205	Bucov	10,168
206	Alesd	10,153
207	Cormaia	10,143
208	Victoria	10,136
209	Valea lui Mihai	10,129
210	Sabaoani	10,107
211	Filipestii de Padure	10,058
212	Nicolae Balcescu	10,029
213	Ciurea	9,999
214	Babadag	9,990
215	Titu	9,970
216	Harsova	9,944
217	Ineu	9,940
218	Negresti	9,932
219	Sascut	9,920
220	Mihail Kogalniceanu	9,859
221	Uricani	9,813
222	Busteni	9,795
223	Homocea	9,758
224	Poienile de sub Munte	9,754
225	Liteni	9,722
226	Munteni	9,649
227	Podu Iloaiei	9,641
228	Cumpana	9,620
229	Modelu	9,561
230	Ivesti	9,560
231	Curtici	9,504
232	Budesti	9,487
233	Oituz	9,485
234	Cristuru Secuiesc	9,443
235	Borcea	9,435
236	Cernica	9,419
237	Zorleni	9,400
238	Eforie Sud	9,387
239	Marginea	9,377
240	Berca	9,368
241	Tasnad	9,355
242	Simian	9,323
243	Baraolt	9,318
244	Huedin	9,284
245	Magurele	9,264
246	Babeni	9,239
247	Iernut	9,232
248	Siret	9,135
249	Barcanesti	9,114
250	Branesti	8,983
251	Preutesti	8,937
252	Vadu Pasii	8,923
253	Intorsura Buzaului	8,915
254	Cobadin	8,868
255	Borlesti	8,854
256	Moisei	8,766
257	Puchenii Mari	8,758
258	Lovrin	8,740
259	Marasesti	8,733
260	Panciu	8,699
261	Hotarele	8,679
262	Aricestii-Rahtivani	8,653
263	Bascov	8,648
264	Valu lui Traian	8,622
265	Vanatori-Neamt	8,596
266	Anina	8,578
267	Roznov	8,577
268	Apahida	8,547
269	Salcea	8,544
270	Targu Carbunesti	8,535
271	Branesti	8,534
272	Dragalina	8,531
273	Joita	8,505
274	Vernesti	8,492
275	Pipirig	8,458
276	Milcovul	8,436
277	Recas	8,397
278	Calimanesti	8,374
279	Targsoru Vechi	8,349
280	Turceni	8,347
281	Brazii de Sus	8,295
282	Milisauti	8,288
283	Zlatna	8,282
284	Popesti	8,275
285	Roata de Jos	8,239
286	Bicaz	8,229
287	Vidra	8,211
288	Razvad	8,194
289	Potlogi	8,188
290	Tamaseni	8,181
291	Sadova	8,166
292	Bragadiru	8,163
293	Corbii Mari	8,146
294	Sangeorz-Bai	8,133
295	Baleni Sarbi	8,120
296	Raucesti	8,093
297	Orbeasca de Sus	8,092
298	Dragomiresti	8,083
299	Chisineu-Cris	8,060
300	Dumbraveni	8,056
301	Miroslava	8,016
302	Saveni	8,015
303	Dumbraveni	7,999
304	Prejmer	7,995
305	Chiajna	7,994
306	Buruenesti	7,990
307	Nadlac	7,956
308	Cudalbi	7,944
309	Baciu	7,935
310	Margineni-Munteni	7,922
311	Odobesti	7,915
312	Chirnogi	7,911
313	Siria	7,893
314	Gataia	7,891
315	Vorona Teodoru	7,881
316	Cotnari	7,874
317	Balcani	7,847
318	Segarcea	7,833
319	Poduri	7,826
320	Campeni	7,821
321	Darmanesti	7,808
322	Motatei	7,787
323	Corod	7,744
324	Piatra Soimului	7,737
325	Vasilati	7,729
326	Racaciuni	7,728
327	1 Decembrie	7,706
328	Castelu	7,705
329	Peretu	7,705
330	Vacaresti	7,701
331	Filipestii de Targ	7,683
332	Adancata	7,668
333	Pogoanele	7,666
334	Sangeorgiu de Mures	7,665
335	Suraia	7,659
336	Tismana	7,640
337	Gilau	7,634
338	Plopeni	7,607
339	Comana	7,606
340	Raducaneni	7,595
341	Brahasestii de Sus	7,581
342	Murgeni	7,554
343	Tibanesti	7,551
344	Blejoi	7,535
345	Buzias	7,514
346	Scobinti	7,507
347	Cornesti	7,505
348	Ulmi	7,495
349	Band	7,488
350	Brebu Manastirei	7,480
351	Somcuta Mare	7,473
352	Fieni	7,455
353	Amara	7,446
354	Scheia	7,422
355	Floresti	7,396
356	Mihailesti	7,395
357	Tulucesti	7,392
358	Sarichioi	7,372
359	Sagna	7,332
360	Asau	7,327
361	Vidra	7,312
362	Floresti	7,286
363	Girov	7,285
364	Sarmasu	7,260
365	Bixad	7,258
366	Doljesti	7,248
367	Balesti	7,222
368	Vadu Moldovei	7,214
369	Insuratei	7,198
370	Cornu Luncii	7,177
371	Balan	7,164
372	Maieru	7,148
373	Armasesti	7,132
374	Cajvana	7,125
375	Peris	7,124
376	Glina	7,116
377	Tarlungeni	7,108
378	Ciacova	7,094
379	Cojasca	7,094
380	Helegiu	7,084
381	Manesti	7,075
382	Halmeu	7,073
383	Gruiu	7,072
384	Udesti	7,066
385	Lumina	7,057
386	Blagesti	7,054
387	Malini	7,052
388	Merei	7,026
389	Pancota	7,022
390	Faget	7,014
391	Cordun	7,013
392	Mediesu Aurit	7,011
393	Umbraresti	7,005
394	Teius	7,001
395	Daneti	6,999
396	Dumbrava Rosie	6,993
397	Tibana	6,987
398	Maracineni	6,985
399	Veresti	6,978
400	Copalau	6,975

Frequency of birth, mortality and life expectancy

The annual population growth in Romania has been negative since 1992 and in 2016 was –3.4 per thousand. Population decline is primarily due to the birth rate has gone down to about half of what it was in 1970 (the strongest decline in the 1980s and in the beginning of the 1990s, from the mid-1990s, more stable), the mortality rate has increased somewhat over the same period, and that infant mortality is high to be in Europe. It was 7.4 in 2016 (the number who died in their first year of life per 1,000 live births), down from 18.6 in 2000, 29.3 in 1980 and 49.4 in 1970.

In recent years, the population has become increasingly older. In 1990, the number of residents over the age of 60 was 66 percent of those under the age of 15. In 1995, this figure had risen to 85 percent, in 2004 to 120 percent, in 2011 to 138 percent and in 2016 to 157 percent. In 2016, the average life expectancy at birth was 72 years for men and 79 years for women.

Ethnic composition

While national minorities made up a relatively large proportion of Romanian population in the interwar period (1930: 28 percent), the proportion has been lower after World War II. This is due to land divisions to the Soviet Union (Bessarabia and Northern Bukovina) in 1944, the wartime extermination of Jews and the subsequent emigration of many surviving Jews to Israel, and the emigration of the majority of the German population (approximately 200,000 emigrated between 1967 and 1989, approximately 100,000 from 1990 to 1995).

At the 2011 census, 88.6 percent of Romanians, 6.5 percent of Hungarians, 3.2 percent of Roma (Gypsies), 0.3 percent of Ukrainians, 0.2 percent of Germans, as well as smaller groups of Russians, Turks, Serbs, Tatars, Slovaks, Bulgarians, Jews, Croats and others. The number of rooms is believed to be higher in reality. The Hungarians (including the Sechles) are essentially in Transilvani a (Hungarian Erdély). In the two counties Harghita and Covasna in the interior of the region, far from the border with Hungary, they make up the majority with 85 percent and 74 percent respectively. The German minority has also been a resident of Transilvania (German Siebenbürgen), besides Banat.

Population Density

The population density is 75.3 residents per square kilometer, but is unevenly distributed geographically. The highest is the density in Valakia, the middle and northern parts of Moldova and in parts of Transilvania, the lowest is in the Danube Delta. In 2016, 54 percent of the population lived in cities, compared to 20 percent in 1930. Up until around 1990, urbanization increased, after which the restructuring problems of the industry led to a certain decline.

The largest city is the capital Bucharest with 2 105 000 residents (2017). Other major cities include regional centers such as Iaşi (371,900), Timişoara (331,000), Cluj-Napoca (323,100), Constanţa (315,400), Craiova (303,100), Galaţi (302,800), Brașov (290) 200), Ploiești (230,500), Oradea (221,900) and Brăila (168,400).

The peasant population lives mostly in villages, many having thousands of residents.