Romania's total resident population started decreasing after 1990, when it peaked at 23.2 million people. By January 1, 2024, it totaled 19.06 million people, representing an increase for the first time since 1990 of 9.9 thousand people compared to the previous year. One of the biggest drops was registered from 2007 to 2008 when Romania's resident population dropped by approximately 500,000 people in one year.

In 1889 Romania had just achieved full independence and was enjoying a period of stability and progress. The numbers of men and women remain similar, between 1889 and 1912, however there are 100,000 more men in 1889 and 100,000 more women in 1919. This demographic change came as a result of migration and international conflict.

Between 1912 and 1930 the population of Romania grows by over 10 million people. The main reason for this is the huge territories gained by Romania in the aftermath of the First World War. During the war Romania remained neutral for the first two years, after which it joined the allies, however it was very quickly defeated and overrun by the Central Powers, and in total it lost over 600,000 people as a direct result of the war. With the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian and Russian empires after the war, Romania gained almost double it's territory, which caused the population to soar to 18.1 million in 1930. The population then decreases by 1941 and again by1948, as Romania seceded territory to neighboring countries and lost approximately half a million lives (mostly men) during the war. From 1948 onwards the population begins to grow again, and the difference in the number of men and women falls from 530 thousand in 1948 to 330 thousand in 1990.

Like many other Eastern European countries, there was very limited freedom of movement from Romania during the Cold War, and communist rule was difficult for the Romanian people. The Romanian Revolution in 1898 ended communist rule in the country and the country transitioned to a free-market society and movement from the country was allowed. Since then the population has fallen each year as more and more Romanians move abroad in search of work and opportunities. The number of men is decreasing at a faster rate than the number of women, and by 2020 it is forecasted there will be 530 thousand more women in Romania than men.

Romania Population: Mid Year: Age: From 15 to 19 data was reported at 1,067,220.000 Person in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 1,079,165.000 Person for 2016. Romania Population: Mid Year: Age: From 15 to 19 data is updated yearly, averaging 1,622,527.000 Person from Jun 1990 (Median) to 2017, with 28 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1,989,300.000 Person in 1994 and a record low of 1,067,220.000 Person in 2017. Romania Population: Mid Year: Age: From 15 to 19 data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Institute of Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Romania – Table RO.G002: Population: Mid Year.

Romania - Active population, aged 15-64 was 8219.00 Thousand in December of 2024, according to the EUROSTAT. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for Romania - Active population, aged 15-64 - last updated from the EUROSTAT on June of 2025. Historically, Romania - Active population, aged 15-64 reached a record high of 10466.00 Thousand in December of 1998 and a record low of 7842.00 Thousand in December of 2011.

Graph and download economic data for Population ages 65 and above for Romania (SPPOP65UPTOZSROU) from 1960 to 2024 about Romania, 65-years +, and population.

In 1844, Romania had a population of just 3.6 million people. During the early entries in this data, Romania's borders were very different and much smaller than today, and control of this area often switched hands between the Austrian, Ottoman and Russian empires. The populations during this time are based on estimates made for incomplete census data, and they show that the population grows from 3.6 million in 1844, doubling to 7.2 million in 1912, part of this growth is due to a high natural birth rate during this period, but also partly due to the changing of Romania's borders and annexation of new lands. During this time Romania gained its independence from the Ottoman Empire as a result of the Russo-Turkish War in 1878, and experienced a period of increased stability and progress.

Between 1912 and 1930 the population of Romania grew by over 10 million people. The main reason for this is the huge territories gained by Romania in the aftermath of the First World War. During the war Romania remained neutral for the first two years, after which it joined the allies; however, it was very quickly defeated and overrun by the Central Powers, and in total it lost over 600 thousand people as a direct result of the war. With the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian and Russian empires after the war, Romania gained almost double it's territory, which caused the population to soar to 18.1 million in 1930. The population then decreases by 1941 and again by 1948, as Romania seceded territory to neighboring countries and lost approximately half a million people during the Second World War. From 1948 onwards the population begins to grow again, reaching it's peak at 23.5 million people in 1990.

Like many other Eastern European countries, there was very limited freedom of movement from Romania during the Cold War, and communist rule was difficult for the Romanian people. The Romanian Revolution in 1989 ended communist rule in the country, Romania transitioned to a free-market society and movement from the country was allowed. Since then the population has fallen each year as more and more Romanians move abroad in search of work and opportunities. The population is expected to fall to 19.2 million in 2020, which is over 4 million fewer people than it had in 1990.

Historical chart and dataset showing total population for Romania by year from 1950 to 2025.

Population growth (annual %) in Romania was reported at 0.05761 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Romania - Population growth (annual %) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on June of 2025.

Romania - Population was 19067576.00 in December of 2024, according to the EUROSTAT. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for Romania - Population - last updated from the EUROSTAT on June of 2025. Historically, Romania - Population reached a record high of 23211395.00 in December of 1990 and a record low of 18319210.00 in December of 1960.

Population density (people per sq. km of land area) in Romania was reported at 82.79 sq. Km in 2022, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Romania - Population density (people per sq. km) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

Romania - Proportion of population aged 50-64 years was 20.30% in December of 2024, according to the EUROSTAT. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for Romania - Proportion of population aged 50-64 years - last updated from the EUROSTAT on July of 2025. Historically, Romania - Proportion of population aged 50-64 years reached a record high of 20.40% in December of 2022 and a record low of 18.60% in December of 2017.

Romania RO: Population: Growth data was reported at -0.589 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of -0.573 % for 2016. Romania RO: Population: Growth data is updated yearly, averaging 0.311 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1.645 % in 1967 and a record low of -1.831 % in 2002. Romania RO: Population: Growth data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Romania – Table RO.World Bank: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Annual population growth rate for year t is the exponential rate of growth of midyear population from year t-1 to t, expressed as a percentage . Population is based on the de facto definition of population, which counts all residents regardless of legal status or citizenship.; ; Derived from total population. Population source: (1) United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects: 2017 Revision, (2) Census reports and other statistical publications from national statistical offices, (3) Eurostat: Demographic Statistics, (4) United Nations Statistical Division. Population and Vital Statistics Reprot (various years), (5) U.S. Census Bureau: International Database, and (6) Secretariat of the Pacific Community: Statistics and Demography Programme.; Weighted average;

Population, male (% of total population) in Romania was reported at 48.44 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Romania - Population, male (% of total) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

Population ages 65 and above, male in Romania was reported at 1495737 Persons in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Romania - Population ages 65 and above, male - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

Population ages 0-14, total in Romania was reported at 3025972 Persons in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Romania - Population, ages 0-14, total - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on June of 2025.

Romania - Population as a % of EU population was 4.20% in December of 2024, according to the EUROSTAT. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for Romania - Population as a % of EU population - last updated from the EUROSTAT on July of 2025. Historically, Romania - Population as a % of EU population reached a record high of 4.60% in December of 2012 and a record low of 4.20% in December of 2024.

Key information about Romania population

• The Romania population reached 19.1 million people in Dec 2023, compared with the previously reported figure of 19.1 million people in Dec 2022
• The data reached an all-time high of 23.2 million people in Dec 1989 and a record low of 14.1 million people in Dec 1930

• In the latest reports, Romania Unemployment Rate dropped to 5.5 % in May 2023
• Monthly earnings of the Romania population was 1,884.3 USD in Nov 2024
• Romania Labour Force Participation Rate remained the same rate at 52.7 % in Jun 2024

Population ages 65 and above (% of total population) in Romania was reported at 19.75 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Romania - Population ages 65 and above (% of total) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

There were 12 341 100 Facebook users in Romania in April 2025, which accounted for 65% of its entire population. The majority of them were women - 51.8%. People aged 35 to 44 were the largest user group (2 600 000). The highest difference between men and women occurs within people aged 65 and above, where women lead by 475 200.

Romania RO: Death Rate: Crude: per 1000 People data was reported at 13.000 Ratio in 2016. This records a decrease from the previous number of 13.200 Ratio for 2015. Romania RO: Death Rate: Crude: per 1000 People data is updated yearly, averaging 10.800 Ratio from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2016, with 57 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 13.200 Ratio in 2015 and a record low of 8.100 Ratio in 1964. Romania RO: Death Rate: Crude: per 1000 People data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Romania – Table RO.World Bank.WDI: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Crude death rate indicates the number of deaths occurring during the year, per 1,000 population estimated at midyear. Subtracting the crude death rate from the crude birth rate provides the rate of natural increase, which is equal to the rate of population change in the absence of migration.; ; (1) United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects: 2017 Revision. (2) Census reports and other statistical publications from national statistical offices, (3) Eurostat: Demographic Statistics, (4) United Nations Statistical Division. Population and Vital Statistics Reprot (various years), (5) U.S. Census Bureau: International Database, and (6) Secretariat of the Pacific Community: Statistics and Demography Programme.; Weighted average;