festivites
Here are some of the major festivities and holidays in Romania, along with a brief description of their cultural traditions and how they are celebrated:
1. Christmas (Crăciun) - Celebrated on December 25th, Christmas is one of the most important religious holidays in Romania. Many Romanian families attend a midnight mass service on Christmas Eve, and then gather together to feast on traditional dishes such as sarmale (stuffed cabbage rolls), cozonac (sweet bread), and tuica (plum brandy).
2. New Year's Day (Anul Nou) - Like many other countries, Romanians celebrate New Year's Day on January 1st. The night before, it is customary to go out to parties or gather with friends and family to watch fireworks and count down to midnight. On New Year's Day, many people make resolutions for the year ahead.
3. Easter (Paște) - Easter is another important religious holiday in Romania that is celebrated in late March or early April. Many Romanians attend special church services during Holy Week, and on Easter Sunday, they exchange eggs painted with bright colors and intricate designs. Traditional foods served during Easter include pasca (a sweet Easter bread) and drob de miel (lamb organ meats wrapped in caul fat).
4. International Workers' Day (Ziua Muncii) - May 1st is recognized as International Workers' Day in Romania, and it is a public holiday. Many people take advantage of the day off work to relax, spend time with family, or participate in parades or other events held in cities throughout the country.
5. Saint Andrew's Day (Sfântul Andrei) - Celebrated on November 30th, Saint Andrew's Day is a religious holiday that commemorates the patron saint of Romania. Many people attend church services or light candles in honor of Saint Andrew, and some communities hold parades or processions.
6. National Day (Ziua Națională a României) - December 1st is recognized as Romania's National Day, commemorating the unification of Transylvania with Romania in 1918. Many cities hold parades or other public events to celebrate this holiday, and school children often participate by singing patriotic songs or reciting poetry.
seasons
In Romania, the tourist seasons are typically categorized as follows:
1. High Season: June to August. This is the peak season for tourism in Romania, with warm weather and many festivals and events taking place. However, prices can be higher and popular destinations can be crowded.
2. Shoulder Season: April to May and September to October. This is a great time to visit Romania, with mild weather and fewer crowds. Prices may be lower than in high season.
3. Low Season: November to March. This is the off-season for tourism in Romania, with colder weather and fewer attractions open. However, winter sports such as skiing and snowboarding are popular during this time.
Recommendations:
- If you prefer warm weather and lively atmosphere then visit during High Season but expect crowds and higher prices.
- Shoulder Season is a good time to visit if you want to enjoy moderate weather and avoid crowds.
- Low Season is recommended for those interested in winter sports or looking for cheaper rates, but expect cold weather and fewer attractions open.
visa
Here are some special visa rules for visiting Romania depending on the citizenship:
1. EU/EEA citizens: No visa is required for stays up to 90 days within a 180-day period.
2. Non-EU citizens: A visa is required for visits exceeding 90 days. The cost of a short-stay visa (up to 90 days) is approximately 80 EUR, while long-stay visas can cost up to 120 EUR.
3. US citizens: No visa is required for stays up to 90 days within a 180-day period.
4. Canadian citizens: No visa is required for stays up to 90 days within a 180-day period.
5. Australian citizens: No visa is required for stays up to 90 days within a 180-day period.
Please note that visa requirements and fees may vary depending on the purpose and length of stay, as well as the individual circumstances of the traveler. It is recommended to check with the Romanian embassy or consulate in your home country for up-to-date information on visa requirements and application procedures.
souvenirs
Here are some popular souvenirs to buy from Romania, along with their average prices and where to buy them:
1. Romanian handicrafts - These can include embroidered blouses, wood carvings, traditional pottery, and woven rugs. Prices can vary widely depending on the item and quality, but expect to pay anywhere from 50 RON (approx. $12 USD) to 500 RON (approx. $120 USD) or more. You can find these items at local markets, souvenir shops, and craft fairs.
2. Dracula-related souvenirs - Romania is famous for its connection to the legend of Dracula, so you'll find plenty of Dracula-themed items like t-shirts, magnets, keychains, and even garlic-flavored snacks. Prices range from 5 RON (approx. $1 USD) to 50 RON (approx. $12 USD). Look for these items in tourist areas like Bran Castle and Transylvania.
3. Wine - Romania has a long history of winemaking, and many local wineries produce high-quality wines that make great souvenirs. Prices can vary widely depending on the type and quality of wine, but expect to pay anywhere from 50 RON (approx. $12 USD) to 200 RON (approx. $48 USD) or more. Look for local wine shops and vineyards to purchase these items.
4. Honey - Romania is also known for its delicious honey, which comes in a variety of flavors and types. Prices can range from 20 RON (approx. $5 USD) to 100 RON (approx. $24 USD) or more. Look for honey at local markets and specialty food shops.
5. Traditional costumes - If you're looking for a unique souvenir, consider purchasing a traditional Romanian costume. Prices can vary widely depending on the quality and complexity of the costume, but expect to pay anywhere from 200 RON (approx. $48 USD) to 1000 RON (approx. $240 USD) or more. Look for these items at specialty clothing shops and craft fairs.
Note that prices may vary depending on location and vendor.
If you have 1 week
🔒CLASSIC: Romania is a beautiful country with many attractions for visitors to explore. Here is a one-week itinerary that will give you a taste of the best Romania has to offer:
Day 1: Bucharest - Start your trip in the capital city of Romania, Bucharest. Visit the Palace of Parliament, the second-largest administrative building in the world after the Pentagon. Take a stroll through the Old Town and admire its beautiful architecture. In the evening, watch a Romanian traditional dance show and enjoy traditional food.
Day 2: Brasov - Travel to Brasov, a medieval city located in the heart of Transylvania. Explore the old town's narrow streets and visit the famous Black Church. Take a cable car to Mount Tampa for a breathtaking view of the city.
Day 3: Peles Castle and Bran Castle - Visit two of Romania's most famous castles, Peles Castle and Bran Castle. Peles Castle is a stunning Neo-Renaissance castle built for King Carol I in the 19th century. Bran Castle is known as Dracula's Castle and is associated with the famous vampire tale.
Day 4: Sinaia Monastery and Bucegi Mountains - Visit the stunning Sinaia Monastery, a 17th-century Orthodox monastery known for its beautiful frescoes and architecture. Take a cable car up to the Bucegi Mountains for a hike and enjoy the stunning views.
Day 5: Painted Monasteries of Bucovina - Travel to the north of Romania and visit the unique painted monasteries of Bucovina, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. These monasteries feature vibrant frescoes depicting religious scenes and stories.
Day 6: Cluj-Napoca - Head west to Cluj-Napoca, an emerging cultural center in Romania. Visit the St. Michael's Church, one of the largest Gothic churches in Transylvania. Explore the city's many museums and art galleries.
Day 7: Danube Delta - Finish your trip by visiting the Danube Delta, a UNESCO biosphere reserve and one of Europe's largest wetlands. Take a boat ride through the delta and see a variety of wildlife, including pelicans, herons, and storks.
🔓JAILBREAK: Romania is an amazing country with so much to offer, and you are lucky to be located here! I suggest you start your adventure by breaking free from the traditional tourist itinerary and exploring the hidden gems of this beautiful country.
Day 1: Bucharest - Start your trip in the capital city of Romania, Bucharest. Instead of visiting the Palace of Parliament or the Old Town, head to the trendy neighborhood of Floreasca. Here, you can find unique shops, hip cafes, and street art that captures the vibrant energy of the city.
Day 2: Transfagarasan Highway - Rent a car and drive on the breathtaking Transfagarasan Highway, one of the most scenic driving routes in the world. Stop at Balea Lake for a stunning view of the surrounding mountains.
Day 3: Maramures - Travel to Maramures, a region known for its traditional rural way of life. Visit the Merry Cemetery in Sapanta, where colorful tombstones are adorned with humorous epitaphs. Take a horse-drawn carriage ride through the countryside and experience the simplicity of village life.
Day 4: Fortified Churches of Transylvania - Visit some of the lesser-known fortified churches of Transylvania, which are just as impressive as the famous ones but far less crowded. Check out the church in Biertan, which features a unique locking mechanism for its door.
Day 5: Apuseni Mountains - Head to the Apuseni Mountains and explore the many caves and waterfalls in the area. Visit Scarisoara Cave, which has a massive ice formation inside that is thousands of years old.
Day 6: Sighisoara - Visit the charming medieval town of Sighisoara and explore its narrow streets and colorful houses. Take a guided tour of the town's citadel and learn about its rich history.
Day 7: Danube Delta - Finish your trip by visiting the Danube Delta, but instead of taking a boat ride, rent a kayak and explore the delta's channels and lagoons on your own. You'll have a more intimate experience with nature and be able to spot wildlife up close.
If you have 2 weeks
🔒CLASSIC: Romania is a beautiful country with a rich history and culture, and there are many places worth visiting in the country itself. Here's a two-week itinerary that will take you on a journey across some of the most beautiful regions of Romania.
Week 1:
Day 1-2: Bucharest - Start your journey in Romania's capital city, Bucharest. Visit the Palace of the Parliament, the second-largest administrative building in the world, and explore the charming old town with its many cafes, restaurants, and shops.
Day 3-4: Sinaia – Take a trip to Sinaia, a beautiful mountain resort nestled at the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains. Visit the stunning Peles Castle, once the summer residence of the Romanian royal family, and hike in the nearby Bucegi Mountains.
Day 5-6: Brasov – Explore the charming medieval town of Brasov, one of the most beautiful cities in Romania. Visit the famous Black Church, climb up to the top of Mount Tampa for breathtaking views of the city, and take a day trip to the nearby fortified churches of Harman and Prejmer.
Day 7: Sighisoara – Drive to the picturesque town of Sighisoara, birthplace of Vlad the Impaler (the inspiration behind Bram Stoker's Dracula). Walk along the narrow cobblestone streets of the old town, visit the Clock Tower Museum, and enjoy the panoramic view from the hilltop fortress.
Week 2:
Day 8-9: Cluj-Napoca – Head north to Cluj-Napoca, the unofficial capital of Transylvania. Explore the bustling city center, visit the National History Museum of Transylvania, and take a day trip to the Turda Salt Mine, an amazing underground attraction.
Day 10-11: Maramures – Travel to the Maramures region, known for its traditional wooden architecture and unique folk customs. Visit the Merry Cemetery in Sapanta, the UNESCO-listed Wooden Churches of Maramures, and take a horse-drawn carriage ride through the countryside.
Day 12-13: Bucovina – Discover the painted monasteries of Bucovina, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Admire the colorful frescoes on the exterior walls of the Voronet, Humor, Moldovita, and Sucevita monasteries, and learn about the history and culture of this fascinating region.
Day 14: Danube Delta – End your journey by exploring the beautiful Danube Delta, the second-largest river delta in Europe. Take a boat tour to spot wildlife, visit the Letea Forest, the only sand forest in Europe, and enjoy the tranquility of this unique natural wonder.
🔓JAILBREAK: Romania is a hidden gem waiting to be explored with so many beautiful places to see and experience! Let's start with Bucharest, where you can party all night long in some of the most vibrant and alternative clubs that the city has to offer. Don't miss out on visiting one of the coolest museums in Bucharest, Muzeul Satului, which will showcase Romania's rural life and ethnic diversity.
Next, let's head to Mamaia Beach, situated on the shore of the Black Sea, and indulge in some delicious seafood while enjoying the sun and sea breeze. If you're feeling adventurous, try parasailing or jet skiing at the beach.
Moving on, you must definitely hike the Carpathian Mountains and explore the stunning Transfagarasan Highway, one of the world's most scenic roads. Along the way, stop at Balea Lake and visit Vidraru Dam.
If you want to immerse yourself in Romanian culture, visit Transylvania and experience the magic of Bran Castle, also known as Dracula's Castle. For a unique experience, spend a night in one of the many rustic guesthouses in the area and try traditional Romanian food.
Finally, let's end our journey by visiting the breathtaking Turda Salt Mine, an underground amusement park that will take your breath away. You can rent a boat, play mini-golf or just wander around this unique attraction.
No matter where you go or what you do, Romania promises to be an unforgettable experience!
Culture
The topic of the origin of Romanian culture began to be discussed by the end of the 18th century among the Transylvanian School scholars. Several writers rose to prominence in the 19th century, including: George Coșbuc, Ioan Slavici, Mihail Kogălniceanu, Vasile Alecsandri, Nicolae Bălcescu, Ion Luca Caragiale, Ion Creangă, and Mihai Eminescu, the later being considered the greatest and most influential Romanian poet, particularly for the poem Luceafărul.
In the 20th century, a number of Romanian artists and writers achieved international acclaim, including: Tristan Tzara, Marcel Janco, Mircea Eliade, Nicolae Grigorescu, Marin Preda, Liviu Rebreanu, Eugène Ionesco, Emil Cioran, and Constantin Brâncuși. Brâncuși has a sculptural ensemble in Târgu Jiu, while his sculpture Bird in Space, was auctioned in 2005 for $27.5 million. Romanian-born Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1986, while Banat Swabian writer Herta Müller received the 2009 Nobel Prize in Literature.
Prominent Romanian painters include: Nicolae Grigorescu, Ștefan Luchian, Ion Andreescu Nicolae Tonitza, and Theodor Aman. Notable Romanian classical composers of the 19th and 20th centuries include: Ciprian Porumbescu, Anton Pann, Eduard Caudella, Mihail Jora, Dinu Lipatti, and especially George Enescu. The annual George Enescu Festival is held in Bucharest in honour of the 20th-century composer.
Contemporary musicians like Angela Gheorghiu, Gheorghe Zamfir, Inna, Alexandra Stan, and many others have achieved various levels of international acclaim. At the Eurovision Song Contest Romanian singers achieved third place in 2005 and 2010.
In cinema, several movies of the Romanian New Wave have achieved international acclaim. At the Cannes Film Festival, The Death of Mr. Lazarescu by Cristi Puiu won the Prix Un Certain Regard in 2005, while 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days by Cristian Mungiu won the festival's top prize, the Palme d'Or, in 2007. At the Berlin International Film Festival, Child's Pose by Călin Peter Netzer won the Golden Bear in 2013.
The list of World Heritage Sites includes six cultural sites located within Romania, including eight painted churches of northern Moldavia, eight wooden churches of Maramureș, seven villages with fortified churches in Transylvania, the Horezu Monastery, and the Historic Centre of Sighișoara. The city of Sibiu, with its Brukenthal National Museum, was selected as the 2007 European Capital of Culture and the 2019 European Region of Gastronomy. Multiple castles exist in Romania, including the popular tourist attractions of Peleș Castle, Corvin Castle, and Bran Castle or "Dracula's Castle".
There are 12 non-working public holidays, including the Great Union Day, celebrated on 1 December in commemoration of the 1918 union of Transylvania with Romania. Winter holidays include the Christmas and New Year festivities during which various unique folklore dances and games are common: plugușorul, sorcova, ursul, and capra. The traditional Romanian dress that otherwise has largely fallen out of use during the 20th century, is a popular ceremonial vestment worn on these festivities, especially in rural areas. There are sacrifices of live pigs during Christmas and lambs during Easter that has required a special exemption from EU law after 2007. In the Easter, traditions such as painting the eggs are very common. On 1 March mărțișor gifting is featured, which is a tradition whereby females are gifted with a type of talisman that is given for good luck.
Romanian cuisine has been influenced by Austrian and German cuisine (especially in the historical regions that had been formerly administered by the Habsburg monarchy), but also shares some similarities with other cuisines in the Balkan region such as the Greek, Bulgarian, or Serbian cuisine. Ciorbă includes a wide range of sour soups, while mititei, mămăligă (similar to polenta), and sarmale are featured commonly in main courses.
Pork, chicken, and beef are the preferred types of meat, but lamb and fish are also quite popular. Certain traditional recipes are made in direct connection with the holidays: chiftele, tobă and tochitură at Christmas; drob, pască and cozonac at Easter and other Romanian holidays. Țuică is a strong plum brandy reaching a 70% alcohol content which is the country's traditional alcoholic beverage, taking as much as 75% of the national crop (Romania is one of the largest plum producers in the world). Traditional alcoholic beverages also include wine, rachiu, palincă and vișinată, but beer consumption has increased dramatically over recent years.
Football is the most popular sport in Romania with over 219,000 registered players. The market for professional football in Romania is roughly €740 million according to UEFA.
The governing body is the Romanian Football Federation, which belongs to UEFA. The Romania national football team played its first match in 1922 and is one of only four national teams to have taken part in the first three FIFA World Cups, the other three being Brazil, France, and Belgium. Overall, it has played in seven World Cups and had its most successful period during the 1990s, when it finished 6th at the 1994 FIFA World Cup, eventually being ranked 3rd by FIFA in 1997.
The core player of this golden generation was Gheorghe Hagi, who was nicknamed "Maradona of the Carpathians". Other successful players include the European Golden Shoe winners: Dudu Georgescu, Dorin Mateuț and Rodion Cămătaru, Nicolae Dobrin, Ilie Balaci, Florea Dumitrache, Mihai Mocanu, Michael Klein, Mircea Rednic, Cornel Dinu, Mircea Lucescu, Costică Ștefănescu, Liță Dumitru, Lajos Sătmăreanu, Ștefan Sameș, Ladislau Bölöni, Anghel Iordănescu, Miodrag Belodedici, Helmuth Duckadam, Marius Lăcătuș, Victor Pițurcă and many others, and most recently Gheorghe Popescu, Florin Răducioiu, Dorinel Munteanu, Dan Petrescu, Adrian Mutu, Cristian Chivu, or Cosmin Contra. Romania's home ground is the Arena Națională in Bucharest.
The most successful club is Steaua București, who were the first Eastern European team to win the UEFA Champions League in 1986, and were runners-up in 1989. They were also UEFA Cup semi-finalists in 2006. Dinamo București reached the UEFA Champions League semi-final in 1984 and the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup semi-final in 1990. Other important Romanian football clubs are Rapid București, UTA Arad, Universitatea Craiova, Petrolul Ploiești, CFR Cluj, Astra Giurgiu, and Viitorul Constanța (the latter having recently merged with FCV Farul Constanța).
Tennis is the second most popular sport. Romania reached the Davis Cup finals three times in 1969, 1971 and 1972. In singles, Ilie Năstase was the first year-end World Number 1 in the ATP rankings in 1973, winning several Grand Slam titles. Also Virginia Ruzici won the French Open in 1978, and was runner-up in 1980, Simona Halep won the French Open in 2018 and Wimbledon in 2019 after losing her first three Grand Slam finals. She has ended 2017 and 2018 as WTA's World Number 1. And in doubles Horia Tecău won three Grand Slams and the ATP Finals final. He was World Number 2 in 2015.
The second most popular team sport is handball. The men's team won the handball world championship in 1961, 1964, 1970, 1974 making them the third most successful nation ever in the tournament. The women's team won the world championship in 1962 and have enjoyed more success than their male counterparts in recent years. In the club competition Romanian teams have won the EHF Champions League a total of three times, Steaua București won in 1968 as well as 1977 and Dinamo București won in 1965. The most notable players include Ștefan Birtalan, Vasile Stîngă (all-time top scorer in the national team) and Gheorghe Gruia who was named the best player ever in 1992. In present-day Cristina Neagu is the most notable player and has a record four IHF World Player of the Year awards. In women's handball, powerhouse CSM București lifted the EHF Champions League trophy in 2016.
Popular individual sports include combat sports, martial arts, and swimming. In professional boxing, Romania has produced many world champions across the weight divisions internationally recognised by governing bodies. World champions include Lucian Bute, Leonard Dorin Doroftei, Adrian Diaconu, and Michael Loewe. Another popular combat sport is professional kickboxing, which has produced prominent practitioners including Daniel Ghiță, and Benjamin Adegbuyi.
Romania's 306 all-time Summer Olympics medals would rank 12th most among all countries, while its 89 gold medals would be 14th most. The 1984 Summer Olympics was their most successful run, where they won 53 medals in total, 20 of them gold, ultimately placing 2nd to the hosts United States in the medal rankings. Amongst countries who have never hosted the event themselves, they are second in the total number of medals earned.
Gymnastics is the country's major medal-producing sport, with Olympic and sport icon Nadia Comăneci becoming the first gymnast ever to score a perfect ten in an Olympic event at the 1976 Summer Olympics. Other Romanian athletes who collected five gold medals like Comăneci are rowers Elisabeta Lipa (1984–2004) and Georgeta Damian (2000–2008). The Romanian competitors have won gold medals in other Olympic sports: athletics, canoeing, wrestling, shooting, fencing, swimming, weightlifting, boxing, and judo.
Religion
Romania is a secular state and has no state religion. An overwhelming majority of the population identify themselves as Christians. At the country's 2022 census, 73.86% of respondents identified as Orthodox Christians, with 73.42% belonging to the Romanian Orthodox Church. Other denominations include Protestantism (6.22%), Roman Catholicism (3.89%), and Greek Catholicism (0.61%). From the remaining population 128,291 people belong to other Christian denominations or have another religion, which includes 58,335 Muslims (mostly of Turkish and Tatar ethnicity) and 2,707 Jewish (Jews once constituted 4% of the Romanian population—728,115 persons in the 1930 census). Additionally, 71,417 people are irreligious, 57,205 are atheist, 25,485 are agnostic, and 2,895,539 people chose to not declare their religion.
The Romanian Orthodox Church is an autocephalous Eastern Orthodox Church in full communion with other Orthodox churches, with a Patriarch as its leader. It is the third-largest Eastern Orthodox Church in the world, and unlike other Orthodox churches, it functions within a Latin culture and uses a Romance liturgical language. Its canonical jurisdiction covers the territories of Romania and Moldova. Romania has the world's third-largest Eastern Orthodox population.
Demographics
According to the 2022 Romanian census, Romania's population was 19,053,815. Like other countries in the region, its population is expected to decline gradually as a result of sub-replacement fertility rates and negative net migration rate. According to the 2022 Romanian census, Romanians made up 89.33% of the population, and the largest ethnic minorities are the Hungarians 6.05% of the population, and the Roma 3.44% of the population. Hungarians constitute a majority in the counties of Harghita and Covasna. Other minorities include Ukrainians, Germans, Turks, Lipovans, Aromanians, Tatars, and Serbs. In 1930, there were 745,421 Germans living in Romania, but only about 36,000 remained in the country to this day. , there were also approximately 133,000 immigrants living in Romania, primarily from Moldova and China.
The total fertility rate (TFR) in 2018 was estimated at 1.36 children born per woman, which is below the replacement rate of 2.1, and one of the lowest in the world, it remains considerably below the high of 5.82 children born per woman in 1912. In 2014, 31.2% of births were to unmarried women. The birth rate (9.49‰, 2012) is much lower than the mortality rate (11.84‰, 2012), resulting in a shrinking (−0.26% per year, 2012) and aging population (median age: 41.6 years, 2018), one of the oldest populations in the world, with approximately 16.8% of total population aged 65 years and over. The life expectancy in 2015 was estimated at 74.92 years (71.46 years male, 78.59 years female). The number of Romanians and individuals with ancestors born in Romania living abroad is estimated at 12 million. After the Romanian Revolution of 1989, a significant number of Romanians emigrated to other European countries, North America or Australia. For example, in 1990, 96,919 Romanians permanently settled abroad.
The official language is Romanian, a Romance language (the most widely spoken of the Eastern Romance branch), which presents a consistent degree of similarity to Aromanian, Megleno-Romanian, and Istro-Romanian, but shares many features equally with the rest of the Western Romance languages, specifically Italian, French, Spanish, Portuguese, and Catalan. The Romanian alphabet contains the same 26 letters of the standard Latin alphabet, as well as five additional ones (namely ă, â, î, ț , and ș), totaling 31.
Romanian is spoken as a first language by 91.55% of the entire population, while Hungarian and Vlax Romani are spoken by 6.28% and 1.20% of the population, respectively. There are also 40,861 native speakers of Ukrainian (concentrated in some compact regions near the border, where they form local majorities), 17,101 native speakers of Turkish, 15,943 native speakers of German, and 14,414 native speakers of Russian living in Romania.
According to the Constitution, local councils ensure linguistic rights to all minorities. In localities with ethnic minorities of over 20%, that minority's language can be used in the public administration, justice system, and education. Foreign citizens and stateless persons who live in Romania have access to justice and education in their own language. English and French are the main foreign languages taught in schools. In 2010, the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie identified 4,756,100 French speakers in the country. According to the 2012 Eurobarometer, English is spoken by 31% of Romanians, French is spoken by 17%, and Italian and German, each by 7%.
Romania is a secular state and has no state religion. An overwhelming majority of the population identify themselves as Christians. At the country's 2022 census, 73.86% of respondents identified as Orthodox Christians, with 73.42% belonging to the Romanian Orthodox Church. Other denominations include Protestantism (6.22%), Roman Catholicism (3.89%), and Greek Catholicism (0.61%). From the remaining population 128,291 people belong to other Christian denominations or have another religion, which includes 58,335 Muslims (mostly of Turkish and Tatar ethnicity) and 2,707 Jewish (Jews once constituted 4% of the Romanian population—728,115 persons in the 1930 census). Additionally, 71,417 people are irreligious, 57,205 are atheist, 25,485 are agnostic, and 2,895,539 people chose to not declare their religion.
The Romanian Orthodox Church is an autocephalous Eastern Orthodox Church in full communion with other Orthodox churches, with a Patriarch as its leader. It is the third-largest Eastern Orthodox Church in the world, and unlike other Orthodox churches, it functions within a Latin culture and uses a Romance liturgical language. Its canonical jurisdiction covers the territories of Romania and Moldova. Romania has the world's third-largest Eastern Orthodox population.
Although 54.0% of the population lived in urban areas in 2011, this percentage has been declining since 1996. Counties with over 2⁄3 urban population are Hunedoara, Brașov and Constanța, while those with less than a third are Dâmbovița (30.06%) and Giurgiu and Teleorman. Bucharest is the capital and the largest city in Romania, with a population of over 1.8 million in 2011. Its larger urban zone has a population of almost 2.2 million, which are planned to be included into a metropolitan area up to 20 times the area of the city proper. Another 19 cities have a population of over 100,000, with Cluj-Napoca and Timișoara of slightly more than 300,000 inhabitants, Iași, Constanța, Craiova, and Brașov with over 250,000 inhabitants, and Galați and Ploiești with over 200,000 inhabitants. Metropolitan areas have been constituted for most of these cities.
Since the Romanian Revolution of 1989, the Romanian educational system has been in a continuous process of reform that has received mixed criticism. In 2004, some 4.4 million individuals were enrolled in school. Of these, 650,000 were in kindergarten (three-six years), 3.11 million in primary and secondary level, and 650,000 in tertiary level (universities). In 2018, the adult literacy rate was 98.8%. Kindergarten is optional between three and five years. Since 2020, compulsory schooling starts at age 5 with the last year of kindergarten (grupa mare) and is compulsory until twelfth grade. Primary and secondary education is divided into 12 or 13 grades. There is also a semi-legal, informal private tutoring system used mostly during secondary school, which prospered during the Communist regime.
Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iași, Babeș-Bolyai University of Cluj-Napoca, University of Bucharest, and West University of Timișoara have been included in the QS World University Rankings' top 800.
Romania ranks fifth in the all-time medal count at the International Mathematical Olympiad with 316 total medals, dating back to 1959. Ciprian Manolescu managed to write a perfect paper (42 points) for a gold medal more times than anybody else in the history of the competition, in 1995, 1996 and 1997. Romania has achieved the highest team score in the competition, after China, Russia, the United States and Hungary. Romania also ranks sixth in the all-time medal count at the International Olympiad in Informatics with 107 total medals, dating back to 1989.
Romania has a universal health care system; total health expenditures by the government are roughly 5% of GDP. It covers medical examinations, any surgical operations, and any post-operative medical care, and provides free or subsidised medicine for a range of diseases. The state is obliged to fund public hospitals and clinics. The most common causes of death are cardiovascular diseases and cancer. Transmissible diseases are quite common by European standards. In 2010, Romania had 428 state and 25 private hospitals, with 6.2 hospital beds per 1,000 people, and over 200,000 medical staff, including over 52,000 doctors. , the emigration rate of doctors was 9%, higher than the European average of 2.5%.
Cities:
