Eastern European state. The population of the Romania, which was 20,121,641 according to a 2011 census, is 21,640,168 residents. according to an estimate by UNDESA (United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs) of 2014, with a rather low average density (90.5 residents / km2). The trend of demographic decrease recorded since the mid-nineties of the last century continues and is due to a tendentially negative natural increase (−3.5 ‰ in the period 2010-15), combined with slow and constant emigration to neighboring countries, especially after joining the European Union (EU), which formally took place on 1 January 2007. The country is poorly urbanized: only 54% of the population resides in the city and the only urban center of a certain importance is represented by the capital, Bucharest (1,883,425 residents in 2011), while Cluj-Napoca, the second largest city by population and economic center in the North-West, does not exceed 325,000 residents. From an ethnic point of view, the 2011 census broadly confirmed the data of the previous census (2002), with a net majority of Romanian ethnicity (88.9%), followed by a consistent Magyar percentage (6.5%) and a Roma minority (3.3%); the latter, however, compared to official estimates (even if up compared to 2002), could be underestimated, given the discrimination to which the minority is subject, which could have fueled a reluctance to declare themselves belonging to the Roma ethnic group. Despite the integration program launched in 2001, in fact, the Roma ethnic group continues to be the only underestimated minority within the Romanian institutions. compared to official estimates (even if up compared to 2002), it could be underestimated, given the discrimination to which the minority is subject, which could have fueled a reluctance to declare themselves belonging to the Roma ethnic group. Despite the integration program launched in 2001, in fact, the Roma ethnic group continues to be the only underestimated minority within the Romanian institutions. compared to official estimates (even if up compared to 2002), it could be underestimated, given the discrimination to which the minority is subject, which could have fueled a reluctance to declare themselves belonging to the Roma ethnic group. Despite the integration program launched in 2001, in fact, the Roma ethnic group continues to be the only underestimated minority within the Romanian institutions.
According to smber, the socio-economic conditions of the population present various criticalities. Firstly, a significant divergence between the urban and rural populations is evident, especially as regards access to sanitation: according to 2008 estimates, 45% of the rural population would not have access to health services (compared to 12% of the urban population) and 24% of drinking water (compared to 1.5% of the urban population), data that are on the whole very worrying. Differences are also found in the quality of education. GDP per capita at purchasing power parity (PPA) it was $ 19,397 in 2014; unemployment was contained in the same year (7.2%). The country’s economy has grown at a rather stable pace since 2001 (around + 6%), and then suffered heavy repercussions with the international crisis of 2009 (−9%), which continued until 2011, when, thanks also to a joint loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank and the EU of $ 6.6 billion, GDP started to grow again, previously at lower rates (2.3% in 2011, 0.6% in 2012), then more consistent (3.5% in 2013, 2.4% in 2014) due to an excellent agricultural harvest and the recovery of industrial exports. However, complaints have arisen regarding the loans granted by international organizations, renewed in 2013, austerities that are not viewed positively by the government apparatus.
The economic structure of Romania is largely based on industry (42%), and only since the end of the nineties has the weight of services grown significantly, to cover about half of the GDP (51.6%), decidedly less, however, than the average of the countries of Central and Eastern Europe. Agriculture, while representing a marginal sector and still technologically backward (but the cultivation of corn and vines is considerable), still absorbs 30% of the workforce, while only 40% of the active population is employed in the service sector. Tourism, which could represent a good investment for the future, recorded nearly 8 million visitors in 2012. Fundamental for the economy and for the rebalancing of the trade balance, strongly negative (−7 billion dollars in 2013), they are the remittances of the numerous emigrants. Industrial production is quite diversified, and has recorded significant growth since the middle of the first decade of the new millennium (+ 8% in 2013), also thanks to the relocation in the country of foreign industries, attracted by the low cost of labor, and to the creation of joint ventures. Among the most represented sectors are the manufacturing and chemical sectors; there are also oil refineries. Among the most represented sectors are the manufacturing and chemical sectors; there are also oil refineries. Among the most represented sectors are the manufacturing and chemical sectors; there are also oil refineries.
Although there are oil and natural gas fields, hydrocarbon resources have been gradually depleting since the mid-1950s, so that Romania is largely dependent on imports, mostly from Russia, for its energy needs. The production of electricity in the country today is achieved through thermal plants and two reactors of the Cernavodă nuclear power plant, which cover 6.5% of the total installed capacity. To diversify its supplies, Romania seeks to integrate into infrastructure projects for energy transport from the Caucasus and the Middle East to Central Europe, including the Nabucco gas pipeline project. The geographic location of the country, on the eastern border of the EU (and NATO, Black Sea Economic Cooperation), has also assumed a fundamental role in the Black Sea Strategy, launched by the EU in 2008. The Strategy aims to promote economic growth and interstate cooperation and with the Union, creating specific partnerships for the achievement of infrastructure, energy and environmental projects. The approach to Euro-Atlantic politics has provoked differences with Russia, which sees the military bases granted to the United States on Romanian territory as a threat. Disputes also remain with Ukraine over the definition of the Black Sea border along the mouth of the Danube.
