Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Romania - statistics & Facts
The first cases of coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 in Romania were recorded in late February 2020. The capital Bucharest was the epicenter of the pandemic initially, though the share of other regions in confirmed cases increased gradually. The drastic evolution of the disease put pressure on the country's health system which faced shortages of medical personnel, intensive care unit (ICU) beds, and personal protective equipment (PPE). The number of PCR tests performed in Romania increased from approximately 32 thousand as of end-March 2020 to approximately 14 million as of end-February 2023. As of the beginning of March 2023, over three million cases were confirmed nationwide.
For further information about the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, please visit our dedicated Facts and Figures page.
COVID-19 impact on the Romanian economy
According to the IMF, Romania’s gross domestic product (GDP) lost around four percent in 2020 and rose by nearly six percent in 2021. The inflation rate increased from less than three percent in 2020 to over five percent in 2021. In particular, the main macroeconomic indicators recorded their lowest values between February 2020 and February 2021. However, due to the slowing down of the pandemic, as well as the measures implemented by the government to support businesses, all macroeconomic indicators recuperated already by April 2021, with the index of services rendered to the population increasing by 352 percent.Travel in Romania during COVID-19
COVID-19 was marked by the introduction of multiple restrictions and regulations that limited the free movement of individuals in an attempt to curb the spread of the virus. As a consequence, the number of outbound tourists from Romania suffered an abrupt decline from over 23 million in 2019 to fewer than 12 million in 2021, with the most substantial drop recorded in 2020. Furthermore, the number of inbound tourists arriving via road in Romania decreased twofold, from almost 10 million in 2019 to approximately five million in 2021. However, the sector had recouped some of its financial losses with a slight increase in the GDP generated by travel and tourism in 2021.COVID-19 vaccination in Romania
The vaccination campaign in Romania began on December 27, 2020, when the first people got their vaccine against COVID-19. In this regard, the Romanian government established that the priority for the vaccine would be given to the medical staff, followed by elderly people with severe medical conditions and educational staff. As of March 2023, over eight million people were vaccinated in the country. However, among people who had not received a vaccine, nearly a third expressed their distrust of COVID-19 vaccines. Furthermore, around six percent believed the pandemic was a conspiracy and that the disease did not exist.For further information about the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, please visit our dedicated Facts and Figures page.
