In 2022, Romania considered rising prices, inflation, and the cost of living to be among the most important issues the country was facing. The economic situation generally was also a concern for 28 percent of respondents. Only a small proportion of Romanians believed terrorism was among the biggest problems at the time of survey.

Most respondents in Romania believed that the most important challenge for the European Union was the war in Ukraine, followed by the international situation. Although Romanian people did not consider terrorism to be a national concern, they found it to be an important difficulties for the EU.

The labor market in Romania is expected to slow down due to rising labor costs and a continuing lack of skilled workers. By contrast, the impact of Brexit in Romania was considered a potential challenge by only 2.4 percent of respondents.

The majority of Romanian respondents believed that in 2020, the most pressing challenge for the future of developing countries was related to the health system. At the same time, 35 percent of respondents also considered education to be an important future challenge.

Graph and download economic data for Net Issues of International Debt Securities for Issuers in General Government Sector, All Maturities, Residence of Issuer in Romania (IDSGAMRINIRO) from Q2 1997 to Q1 2025 about Romania, issues, sector, maturity, debt, residents, securities, Net, and government.

International debt issues to GDP (%) in Romania was reported at 19.81 % in 2020, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Romania - International debt issues to GDP - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on June of 2025.

Romania has made impressive strides in raising its economic performance over the past two decades but continues to face substantive economic, inclusion and sustainability challenges. Over the past couple of decades, Romania has achieved impressive economic progress, transitioning to a market-based economic model, acceding to the European Union (EU) in 2007 and reaching high income status. Between 2000 and 2022, living standards (real GDP per capita in PPP) more than doubled (from US$12,177 to US$32,738). From 2015 to 2020, the share of Romanians living below the upper. The Systematic Country Diagnostic (SCD) of 2018 summarized the overarching narrative of the country’s socio-economic development as ‘A Tale of Two Romanias'. This continues today: one urban, dynamic, and integrated with the EU; the other rural, poor, and isolated. A range of structural challenges impact Romania’s prospects for economically sustainable growth and inclusion, while also hampering the transition to a greener economic model, with a clear need for continued structural reforms going forward. Challenges related to institutional capacity; ability to absorb and deploy funds; and persistent structural challenges will need to be addressed to unlock the opportunities that the green transition can offer.

Abstract

The World Bank is interested in gauging the views of clients and partners who are either involved in development in Romania or who observe activities related to social and economic development. The World Bank Country Assessment Survey is meant to give the World Bank's team that works in Romania, more in-depth insight into how the Bank's work is perceived. This is one tool the World Bank uses to assess the views of its critical stakeholders. With this understanding, the World Bank hopes to develop more effective strategies, outreach and programs that support development in Romania.

The survey was designed to achieve the following objectives: - Assist the World Bank in gaining a better understanding of how stakeholders in Romania perceive the Bank; - Obtain systematic feedback from stakeholders in Romania regarding: · Their views regarding the general environment in Romania; · Their overall attitudes toward the World Bank in Romania; · Overall impressions of the World Bank's effectiveness and results, knowledge and research, and communication and information sharing in Romania; and · Perceptions of the World Bank's future role in Romania. - Use data to help inform the Romania country team's strategy.

Geographic coverage

National

Analysis unit

Stakeholder

Universe

Stakeholders of the World Bank in Romania

Kind of data

Sample survey data [ssd]

Sampling procedure

In August-September 2013, 191 stakeholders of the World Bank in Romania were invited to provide their opinions on the Bank's assistance to the country by participating in a country survey. Participants in the survey were drawn from among the office of the President/Prime Minister/Minister, the office of a Parliamentarian; a ministry, ministerial department, or implementation agency; consultants/ contractors working on World Bank-supported projects/programs; project management units (PMUs) overseeing implementation of a project; local government officials or staff; bilateral and multilateral agencies; private sector organizations; private foundations; the financial sector/private banks; NGOs; community-based organizations; the media; independent government institutions; trade unions; faith-based groups; academia/research institutes/think tanks; the judiciary branch; and other organizations.

Mode of data collection

Mail Questionnaire [mail]

Research instrument

The Questionnaire consists of 8 Sections:

A. General Issues Facing Romania: Respondents were asked to indicate whether Romania is headed in the right direction, what they thought were the top three development priorities in Romania, which areas would contribute most to reducing poverty and generating economic growth, and what best illustrates how "shared prosperity" would be achieved in Romania.

B. Overall Attitudes toward the World Bank: Respondents were asked to rate their familiarity with the World Bank, the Bank's effectiveness in Romania, Bank staff preparedness to help Romania solve its development challenges, their agreement with various statements regarding the Bank's work, and the extent to which the Bank is an effective development partner. Respondents were asked to indicate the Bank's greatest values, greatest weaknesses, the most effective instruments in helping reduce poverty in Romania, with which stakeholder groups the Bank should collaborate more, in which sectoral areas the Bank should focus most resources, to what extent the Bank should seek to influence the global development agenda, and to what reasons respondents attributed failed or slow reform efforts.

C. World Bank Effectiveness and Results: Respondents were asked to rate the extent to which the Bank's work helps achieve development results, the extent to which the Bank meets Romania's needs for knowledge services and financial instruments, and the Bank's level of effectiveness across thirty eight development areas, such as public sector governance/reform, regulatory framework, education, gender, and social inclusion of marginalized and vulnerable groups.

D. The World Bank's Knowledge: Respondents were asked to indicate how frequently they consult Bank knowledge work and activities, the areas on which the Bank should focus its research efforts and to rate the effectiveness and quality of the Bank's knowledge work and activities, including how significant of a contribution it makes to development results, its technical quality, and the value of the World Bank's fee-based services/products.

E. Working with the World Bank: Respondents were asked to rate their level of agreement with a series of statements regarding working with the Bank, such as the World Bank's "Safeguard Policy" requirements being reasonable, the Bank imposing reasonable conditions on its lending, disbursing funds promptly, increasing Romania's institutional capacity, and providing effective implementation support.

F. The Future Role of the World Bank in Romania: Respondents were asked to rate how significant a role the Bank should play in Romania in the near future and to indicate what the Bank should do to make itself of greater value.

G. Communication and Information Sharing: Respondents were asked to indicate how they get information about economic and social development issues, how they prefer to receive information from the Bank, and their usage and evaluation of the Bank's websites. Respondents were asked about their awareness of the Bank's Access to Information policy, past information requests from the Bank, and their level of agreement that they use more data from the World Bank as a result of the Bank's Open Data policy. Respondents were also asked about their level of agreement that they know how to find information from the Bank, that the Bank's websites are easy to navigate and useful, and that the Bank is responsive to information requests. Respondents were also asked to indicate whether they primarily use the Bank's country website or the Bank's main website and whether they primarily use high speed or dial-up Internet connection when visiting a World Bank website.

H. Background Information: Respondents were asked to indicate their current position, specialization, whether they professionally collaborate with the World Bank, their exposure to the Bank in Romania, and their geographic location.

Response rate

A total of 81 stakeholders participated in the survey (42% response rate).

The 2024 Socio-Economic Insights Survey (SEIS) in Romania is a comprehensive regional assessment conducted from May to July 2024, focusing on the needs of refugees in Romania, particularly those from Ukraine. This multi-sectoral survey aims to capture key data on refugees' socio-economic integration, access to national systems, and their priorities for the coming year, providing valuable insights to inform the 2025 Refugee Response Plan (RRP). The survey employs a stratified random sampling method and involves face-to-face and online interviews with refugees, covering topics such as health, education, protection, food security, and livelihoods. The collected data is anonymized and cleaned for use in policy planning and intervention development. The findings highlight gaps in services and provide crucial information on the changing trends in refugees’ needs, contributing to a more targeted and effective response to refugee challenges in Romania.

Nearly two thirds of Romanian Gen Z representatives reported suffering from a lack of motivation, according to a survey from July 2021. Furthermore, boredom was named among the main challenges by six out of ten respondents. Approximately one half of survey participants faced fatigue and fluctuating emotional states.

In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, countries around the world varied in the strength and timeliness of their responses. In Romania, specific challenges were faced with regards to managing the spread and limiting the impact of the disease, ranging from healthcare infrastructure to demographic and sociocultural aspects. As the country has a sizeable diaspora, major difficulties were faced when large numbers of individuals from highly affected areas returned to Romania. However, the fast implementation of control measures successfully averted a surge in the number of COVID-19 cases. This delayed the overburdening of an already challenged healthcare system during the initial phases of the epidemic. Furthermore, early control was facilitated by the exploitation of communication channels that penetrated all layers of society, from ordinary citizens to governmental authorities and high-ranking religious figures. The management of the COVID-19 crisis in Romania illustrates the importance of a fast initial response which takes into account the role played by sociocultural aspects in the context of an epidemic. As the challenges faced by Romania are not unique, these results could inform future public health strategies worldwide.

Graph and download economic data for Net Issues of International Debt Securities for Issuers in General Government Sector, All Maturities, Nationality of Issuer in Romania (DISCONTINUED) (IDSGGGAMNINIRO) from Q2 1997 to Q2 2015 about Romania, issues, sector, maturity, debt, securities, Net, and government.

The majority of respondents stated that the most important challenge that their business faced in 2021 was having the necessary financial resources for the survival of the company, followed by obtaining profit. At the same time, for 11 percent of respondents, the main issue for their business was the excessive taxation.

Graph and download economic data for Net Issues of International Debt Securities for All Issuers, All Maturities, Residence of Issuer in Romania (IDSAMRINIRO) from Q1 1975 to Q1 2025 about Romania, issues, maturity, debt, residents, securities, and Net.

Romania External Debt: LT: PD: Bond Issues data was reported at 23,509.200 EUR mn in Sep 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 23,509.100 EUR mn for Aug 2018. Romania External Debt: LT: PD: Bond Issues data is updated monthly, averaging 12,933.900 EUR mn from Jan 2008 (Median) to Sep 2018, with 129 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 23,747.800 EUR mn in Feb 2018 and a record low of 2,612.000 EUR mn in Aug 2009. Romania External Debt: LT: PD: Bond Issues data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Bank of Romania. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Romania – Table RO.JB006: BPM6: External Debt: by Creditor.

The Romanian power industry, valued at approximately €X million in 2025 (estimated based on provided CAGR and market size), is projected to experience robust growth, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.66% from 2025 to 2033. This expansion is driven by increasing energy demands fueled by economic growth and rising urbanization, coupled with a national push towards renewable energy sources to meet climate goals. Key growth drivers include the expansion of renewable energy capacities, particularly in wind and solar power, and investments in modernizing the aging power transmission and distribution (T&D) infrastructure. The sector is segmented into thermal, renewables (wind, solar, hydro), nuclear, and other sources (primarily natural gas and oil), with a significant portion attributed to thermal sources in the near term, gradually shifting towards a greater renewables share over the forecast period. However, regulatory hurdles, potential energy price volatility linked to global market fluctuations, and challenges in integrating large-scale renewable energy into the grid pose considerable restraints to the industry's growth. Major players like Romelectro SA, Enel SpA, Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy SA, and Vestas Wind Systems AS are actively shaping the market landscape through investments and technological advancements. Despite these challenges, the Romanian government's focus on energy independence and diversification, complemented by EU funding for renewable energy projects, is expected to stimulate investment and innovation within the sector. The increasing adoption of smart grids and energy storage solutions further contributes to the positive outlook. While thermal power remains significant, the long-term trend clearly points towards a substantial increase in the contribution of renewable energy sources to the country's energy mix, creating opportunities for companies specializing in renewable energy technologies and grid modernization. The ongoing efforts to enhance energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions across various sectors will further augment the industry's growth trajectory. Analyzing market trends across all segments – Thermal, Renewables (including Hydropower), Nuclear, and Oil/Gas – is crucial for investors and stakeholders navigating this dynamic landscape. Recent developments include: March 2024: Finnish renewables investor Korkia partnered with Romania-based Econous Green Energy to develop 600 MW of solar energy capacity in Romania. The initial projects under the partnership are set to receive licensing and be construction-ready by 2025. The projects will produce enough renewable energy to power 200,000 homes in Europe. The projects will offset CO₂ emissions by 300,000kg each year.June 2023: Development of the EUR 50 million agrivoltaic parks near Teiuş in the Romanian Alba was set to begin in October 2023. It is scheduled to be finished in 2024. The solar park will cover 80 hectares and contain 119,184 modules, with an annual electrical output of approximately 102 GWh, enough to power about 30,000 houses.March 2023: Mass Group Holding (MGH), an Iraqi energy business, expressed interest in investing more than USD 1.2 billion to convert the Mintia coal-fired thermal power plant near Deva in western Romania into a 1.5 GW gas and hydrogen power plant. The first part of the investment will last 24 months, and the project will be finished in 36 months.. Key drivers for this market are: 4., Increasing Demand for Renewable Energy4.; Upcoming Investments in the Energy Sector and Supportive Renewable Energy Policies. Potential restraints include: 4., Increasing Demand for Renewable Energy4.; Upcoming Investments in the Energy Sector and Supportive Renewable Energy Policies. Notable trends are: The Hydropower Segment is Expected to Witness Significant Growth.

The Romanian cybersecurity market, valued at €175.15 million in 2025, is projected to experience robust growth, exhibiting a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 10.89% from 2025 to 2033. This expansion is fueled by several key drivers. Increasing digitalization across sectors like BFSI (Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance), retail, and e-commerce necessitates enhanced security measures to protect sensitive data and prevent cyberattacks. Furthermore, the rising adoption of cloud computing and IoT devices expands the attack surface, creating a greater demand for sophisticated cybersecurity solutions. Government initiatives promoting cybersecurity awareness and regulations mandating data protection are also contributing to market growth. The market is segmented by offering (solutions and services), deployment (cloud and on-premise), and end-user industry, with IT and Telecom, BFSI, and Retail & E-commerce representing significant segments. Competition is intense, with both global players like Microsoft, IBM, and Fortinet, and local companies like HX Technologies and CoSoSys Ltd. vying for market share. While the market faces restraints such as a skills shortage in cybersecurity professionals and the evolving nature of cyber threats, the overall outlook remains positive, driven by sustained investment in cybersecurity infrastructure and services. The market's growth trajectory suggests a significant increase in market value over the forecast period. The strong CAGR indicates a consistently expanding market, driven by factors such as increasing government regulations, growing digitalization across various sectors, and the rising awareness of cybersecurity risks among businesses. The presence of both international and local companies showcases the market's maturity and attractiveness to investors. While challenges exist, the market’s inherent growth drivers and the continuous advancement of cybersecurity technologies suggest a robust and expanding future for the Romanian cybersecurity landscape. The specific growth within individual segments will likely vary based on the rate of digital transformation within each sector and the relative investment in cybersecurity by those sectors. Recent developments include: June 2024: Romania unveiled plans for a comprehensive Government Cloud, marking an important step in leveraging cutting-edge technology to enhance its governance and operational efficiency. This strategic move and a dedicated tender underscores Romania's resolve to infuse its administrative setup with state-of-the-art solutions. Notably, the Government Cloud places a premium on cybersecurity, guaranteeing a safe haven for critical IT platforms and applications that underpin administrative operations., April 2024: The Digital Innovation Summit Bucharest, hosted by the National Institute for Research and Development in Informatics ICI Bucharest, merges the 7th Critical Infrastructure Protection Forum with the 3rd International Conference on Cyber Diplomacy. This unique event fosters collaboration, empowering participants to address pressing digital challenges in conjunction with the Romanian National Cyber Security Directorate.. Notable trends are: Rising Demand for Data Security.

In recent years, the cargo handling industry in Europe has encountered challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted both passenger and freight traffic, leading to a decline in industry revenue. Additionally, there has been a notable shift towards road transport, impacting the industry's performance. Industry revenue is expected to fall at a compound annual rate of 4.3% over the five years through 2024 to €44.5 billion, including a contraction of 3.4% in the current year. Despite signs of recovery in the Cargo Handling industry, it has not yet fully regained its pre-pandemic footing. Government investments in the rail sector represent a promising step in aiding this recovery, offering hope for improved infrastructure and operational efficiency. Nevertheless, external factors, like the introduction of customs checks between the UK and the EU and geopolitical events like Russia's invasion of Ukraine, continue to pose challenges by disrupting intra-European trade and weakening the flow of freight traffic across the continent. These external uncertainties add complexity to the industry's path to full restoration. Industry revenue is forecast to grow at a compound annual rate of 2.2% over the five years through 2029 to €49.6 billion. The cargo handling industry in Europe is poised for growth, with a focus on sustainability. The EU's plan to double high-speed rail by 2030, backed by substantial investments, is expected to drive revenue growth. Adaptability to market changes and efficient management of external disruptions are pivotal for achieving this potential. The industry's success will hinge on seizing these opportunities amid the intricate European transport and trade landscape.

The Romania cybersecurity market is experiencing robust growth, driven by the increasing digitization of businesses and government agencies, rising cyber threats, and regulatory compliance requirements. With a market size of 175.15 million in 2023, the market is projected to witness a CAGR of 10.89% over the next decade, reaching a value of 391.85 million by 2033. This growth is attributed to the adoption of advanced security solutions and services, such as cloud security, identity and access management, and integrated risk management. The increasing prevalence of cybercrime, including phishing, ransomware, and malware attacks, is also fueling the demand for robust cybersecurity measures. The market consists of various segments, including offerings (solutions and services), deployment models (cloud and on-premise), and end-user industries (IT and telecom, BFSI, retail, energy, and government). Key market players include HX Technologies, Microsoft Corporation, Fortinet Inc, Palo Alto Networks Inc, and Atos Group. The market remains highly competitive, with both domestic and international players vying for market share. As organizations recognize the critical importance of cybersecurity, the demand for comprehensive and scalable solutions is expected to remain strong in the coming years, driving further growth in the Romania cybersecurity market. The Romania cybersecurity market is poised to witness significant growth over the forecast period, owing to the increasing adoption of digital technologies, rising concerns over cyber threats, and government initiatives to enhance cybersecurity posture. The market is characterized by a competitive landscape with a mix of local and global players offering a wide range of cybersecurity solutions. Recent developments include: June 2024: Romania unveiled plans for a comprehensive Government Cloud, marking an important step in leveraging cutting-edge technology to enhance its governance and operational efficiency. This strategic move and a dedicated tender underscores Romania's resolve to infuse its administrative setup with state-of-the-art solutions. Notably, the Government Cloud places a premium on cybersecurity, guaranteeing a safe haven for critical IT platforms and applications that underpin administrative operations., April 2024: The Digital Innovation Summit Bucharest, hosted by the National Institute for Research and Development in Informatics ICI Bucharest, merges the 7th Critical Infrastructure Protection Forum with the 3rd International Conference on Cyber Diplomacy. This unique event fosters collaboration, empowering participants to address pressing digital challenges in conjunction with the Romanian National Cyber Security Directorate.. Notable trends are: Rising Demand for Data Security.

Companies in the Passenger Air Transport have faced a difficult few years. Their performance was hit hard by the travel restriction imposed after the COVID-19 outbreak, and revenue and passenger numbers have struggled to recover ever since. Many airlines faced financial challenges at the height of the pandemic, given flights were grounded for months, with some requiring government bailouts to stay afloat. This crisis resulted in job losses, reduced flight frequencies and route cancellations, affecting the industry's structure. While vaccination efforts and easing restrictions provided some relief, the industry continues to grapple with uncertainty, including geopolitical challenges and changing passenger preferences. Industry revenue is expected to tumble at a compound annual rate of 5.5% over the five years through 2024 to €197.1 billion, and it's anticipated to edge downwards by 0.4% in 2024. Some airlines have adapted to recent market challenges by focusing on cargo operations, repurposing passenger planes for freight and exploring domestic and regional routes. Many companies have also accelerated digital transformation and health safety measures. Challenges persist, though, particularly for long-haul international travel. Industry revenue is forecast to climb at a compound annual rate of 1.4% over the five years through 2029 to €211.3 billion. The future performance of the passenger air transport industry in Europe remains uncertain. Airlines will likely face ongoing challenges related to evolving passenger preferences, health safety measures and international travel restrictions. A growing passenger preference for greener and more sustainable travel will likely reshape the industry's outlook. Sustainable and digital solutions will be pivotal in adapting to the changing landscape. It will take time for revenue to bounce back to its pre-pandemic levels, requiring resilience and strategic innovation from airlines to help navigate the complex and shifting aviation environment.