Factbook
History of Romania — Timeline
Key dates in the history of Romania, from the Magna Factbook and the Universal Encyclopedia.
1856The principalities of Wallachia and Moldavia -- for centuries under the control of the Turkish Ottoman Empire -- secured their autonomy through the Treaty of Paris in 1856.
1859They were de facto linked in 1859 and formally united in 1862 under the new name of Romania.
1877Independence: 9 May 1877 (independence proclaimed from the Ottoman Empire; 13 July 1878 (independence recognized by the Treaty of Berlin); 26 March 1881 (kingdom proclaimed); 30 December 1947 (republic proclaimed).
1940In 1940, Romania allied with the Axis powers and participated in the 1941 German invasion of the USSR.
1947The post-war Soviet occupation led to the formation of a communist "people's republic" in 1947 and the abdication of the king.
1965The decades-long rule of dictator Nicolae CEAUSESCU, who took power in 1965, and his Securitate police state became increasingly oppressive and draconian through the 1980s.
1989CEAUSESCU was overthrown and executed in late 1989.
1996Former communists dominated the government until 1996 when they were swept from power.
2004Romania joined NATO in 2004, the EU in 2007, and the Schengen Area for air and sea travel in 2024.
2021Languages: Romanian (official) 91.6%, Hungarian 6.3%, Romani 1.2%, other 0.7% (2021 est.) Religions: Romanian Orthodox 85.3%, Roman Catholic 4.5%, Reformed 3%, Pentecostal 2.5%, other 4.7% (2021 est.) Urban population: 54.7% of total population (2023).
2023Generation mix — fossil fuels: 32.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.); nuclear: 18% of total installed capacity (2023 est.); solar: 3.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.); wind: 13% of total installed capacity (2023 est.); hydroelectricity: 32.5% of total installe Energy use: 59.377 million Btu/person (2023 est.).
2023Industries: electric machinery and equipment, auto assembly, textiles and footwear, light machinery, metallurgy, chemicals, food processing, petroleum refining, mining, timber, construction materials Agriculture: wheat, maize, milk, sunflower seeds, barley, rapeseed, potatoes, grapes, plums, apples (2023) Electricity access: 100% (2022 est.).
2023Major urban areas: 1.776 million BUCHAREST (capital) (2023) high-income, EU-member economy; euro membership delayed over macroeconomic indicators; persistent inflation, but consumption and EU-funded investments driving recovery; skilled labor shortage; high public debt and budget deficit; challenges include fiscal sustainability and political instability Inflation: 5.7% (2024 est.).
2024Population: 18.1 million (2024 estimate).
2025Military spending: 2.3% of GDP (2025 est.).
