Bulgaria vs. Romania
Introduction
| Bulgaria | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Background | The Bulgars, a Central Asian Turkic tribe, merged with the local Slavic inhabitants in the late 7th century to form the first Bulgarian state. In succeeding centuries, Bulgaria struggled with the Byzantine Empire to assert its place in the Balkans, but by the end of the 14th century the country was overrun by the Ottoman Turks. Northern Bulgaria attained autonomy in 1878 and all of Bulgaria became independent from the Ottoman Empire in 1908. Having fought on the losing side in both World Wars, Bulgaria fell within the Soviet sphere of influence and became a People's Republic in 1946. Communist domination ended in 1990, when Bulgaria held its first multiparty election since World War II and began the contentious process of moving toward political democracy and a market economy while combating inflation, unemployment, corruption, and crime. The country joined NATO in 2004 and the EU in 2007. | The principalities of Wallachia and Moldavia - for centuries under the suzerainty of the Turkish Ottoman Empire - secured their autonomy in 1856; they were de facto linked in 1859 and formally united in 1862 under the new name of Romania. The country gained recognition of its independence in 1878. It joined the Allied Powers in World War I and acquired new territories - most notably Transylvania - following the conflict. In 1940, Romania allied with the Axis powers and participated in the 1941 German invasion of the USSR. Three years later, overrun by the Soviets, Romania signed an armistice. The post-war Soviet occupation led to the formation of a communist "people's republic" in 1947 and the abdication of the king. The 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. CEAUSESCU was overthrown and executed in late 1989. Former communists dominated the government until 1996 when they were swept from power. Romania joined NATO in 2004 and the EU in 2007. |
Geography
| Bulgaria | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Southeastern Europe, bordering the Black Sea, between Romania and Turkey | Southeastern Europe, bordering the Black Sea, between Bulgaria and Ukraine |
| Geographic coordinates | 43 00 N, 25 00 E | 46 00 N, 25 00 E |
| Map references | Europe | Europe |
| Area | total: 110,879 sq km land: 108,489 sq km water: 2,390 sq km | total: 238,391 sq km land: 229,891 sq km water: 8,500 sq km |
| Area - comparative | almost identical in size to Virginia; slightly larger than Tennessee | twice the size of Pennsylvania; slightly smaller than Oregon |
| Land boundaries | total: 1,806 km border countries (5): Greece 472 km, Macedonia 162 km, Romania 605 km, Serbia 344 km, Turkey 223 km | total: 2,844 km border countries (5): Bulgaria 605 km, Hungary 424 km, Moldova 683 km, Serbia 531 km, Ukraine 601 km |
| Coastline | 354 km | 225 km |
| Maritime claims | territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm | territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation |
| Climate | temperate; cold, damp winters; hot, dry summers | temperate; cold, cloudy winters with frequent snow and fog; sunny summers with frequent showers and thunderstorms |
| Terrain | mostly mountains with lowlands in north and southeast | central Transylvanian Basin is separated from the Moldavian Plateau on the east by the Eastern Carpathian Mountains and separated from the Walachian Plain on the south by the Transylvanian Alps |
| Elevation extremes | highest point: Musala 2,925 m lowest point: Black Sea 0 m mean elevation: 472 m | highest point: Moldoveanu 2,544 m lowest point: Black Sea 0 m mean elevation: 414 m |
| Natural resources | bauxite, copper, lead, zinc, coal, timber, arable land | petroleum (reserves declining), timber, natural gas, coal, iron ore, salt, arable land, hydropower |
| Land use | agricultural land: 46.9% (2018 est.) arable land: 29.9% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 1.5% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 15.5% (2018 est.) forest: 36.7% (2018 est.) other: 16.4% (2018 est.) | agricultural land: 60.7% (2018 est.) arable land: 39.1% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 1.9% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 19.7% (2018 est.) forest: 28.7% (2018 est.) other: 10.6% (2018 est.) |
| Irrigated land | 1,020 sq km (2012) | 31,490 sq km (2012) |
| Natural hazards | earthquakes; landslides | earthquakes, most severe in south and southwest; geologic structure and climate promote landslides |
| Environment - current issues | air pollution from industrial emissions; rivers polluted from raw sewage, heavy metals, detergents; deforestation; forest damage from air pollution and resulting acid rain; soil contamination from heavy metals from metallurgical plants and industrial wastes | soil erosion, degradation, and desertification; water pollution; air pollution in south from industrial effluents; contamination of Danube delta wetlands |
| Environment - international agreements | party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Heavy Metals, Air Pollution-Multi-effect Protocol, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protection, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Marine Dumping-London Protocol, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements | party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Heavy Metals, Air Pollution-Multi-effect Protocol, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Antarctic-Environmental Protection, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements |
| Geography - note | strategic location near Turkish Straits; controls key land routes from Europe to Middle East and Asia | controls the most easily traversable land route between the Balkans, Moldova, and Ukraine; the Carpathian Mountains dominate the center of the country, while the Danube River forms much of the southern boundary with Serbia and Bulgaria |
| Total renewable water resources | 21.3 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) | 212.01 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) |
| Population distribution | a fairly even distribution throughout most of the country, with urban areas attracting larger populations | urbanization is not particularly high, and a fairly even population distribution can be found throughout most of the country, with urban areas attracting larger and denser populations; Hungarians, the country's largest minority, have a particularly strong presence in eastern Transylvania |
Demographics
| Bulgaria | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 6,919,180 (July 2021 est.) | 21,230,362 (July 2021 est.) |
| Age structure | 0-14 years: 14.52% (male 520,190/female 491,506) 15-24 years: 9.4% (male 340,306/female 314,241) 25-54 years: 42.87% (male 1,538,593/female 1,448,080) 55-64 years: 13.15% (male 433,943/female 482,474) 65 years and over: 20.06% (male 562,513/female 835,053) (2020 est.) | 0-14 years: 14.12% (male 1,545,196/female 1,463,700) 15-24 years: 10.31% (male 1,126,997/female 1,068,817) 25-54 years: 46.26% (male 4,993,886/female 4,860,408) 55-64 years: 11.73% (male 1,176,814/female 1,322,048) 65 years and over: 17.58% (male 1,516,472/female 2,228,555) (2020 est.) |
| Median age | total: 43.7 years male: 41.9 years female: 45.6 years (2020 est.) | total: 42.5 years male: 41 years female: 44 years (2020 est.) |
| Population growth rate | -0.67% (2021 est.) | -0.38% (2021 est.) |
| Birth rate | 8.15 births/1,000 population (2021 est.) | 8.39 births/1,000 population (2021 est.) |
| Death rate | 14.52 deaths/1,000 population (2021 est.) | 11.99 deaths/1,000 population (2021 est.) |
| Net migration rate | -0.29 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2021 est.) | -0.2 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2021 est.) |
| Sex ratio | at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.08 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.9 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.67 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2020 est.) | at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.89 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.68 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2020 est.) |
| Infant mortality rate | total: 8.14 deaths/1,000 live births male: 9.19 deaths/1,000 live births female: 7.03 deaths/1,000 live births (2021 est.) | total: 9.41 deaths/1,000 live births male: 10.82 deaths/1,000 live births female: 7.91 deaths/1,000 live births (2021 est.) |
| Life expectancy at birth | total population: 75.3 years male: 72.08 years female: 78.73 years (2021 est.) | total population: 76.3 years male: 72.88 years female: 79.94 years (2021 est.) |
| Total fertility rate | 1.49 children born/woman (2021 est.) | 1.38 children born/woman (2021 est.) |
| HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate | <.1% (2019 est.) | 0.1% (2020 est.) |
| Nationality | noun: Bulgarian(s) adjective: Bulgarian | noun: Romanian(s) adjective: Romanian |
| Ethnic groups | Bulgarian 76.9%, Turkish 8%, Romani 4.4%, other 0.7% (including Russian, Armenian, and Vlach), other (unknown) 10% (2011 est.) note: Romani populations are usually underestimated in official statistics and may represent 9-11% of Bulgaria's population | Romanian 83.4%, Hungarian 6.1%, Romani 3.1%, Ukrainian 0.3%, German 0.2%, other 0.7%, unspecified 6.1% (2011 est.) note: Romani populations are usually underestimated in official statistics and may represent 5-11% of Romania's population |
| HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS | 3,300 (2019 est.) | 19,000 (2020 est.) note: estimate does not include children |
| Religions | Eastern Orthodox 59.4%, Muslim 7.8%, other (including Catholic, Protestant, Armenian Apostolic Orthodox, and Jewish) 1.7%, none 3.7%, unspecified 27.4% (2011 est.) | Eastern Orthodox (including all sub-denominations) 81.9%, Protestant (various denominations including Reformed and Pentecostal) 6.4%, Roman Catholic 4.3%, other (includes Muslim) 0.9%, none or atheist 0.2%, unspecified 6.3% (2011 est.) |
| HIV/AIDS - deaths | <100 (2019 est.) | <500 (2020 est.) note: estimate does not include children |
| Languages | Bulgarian (official) 76.8%, Turkish 8.2%, Romani 3.8%, other 0.7%, unspecified 10.5% (2011 est.) major-language sample(s): ????o??? ???????, ???????????? ???????? ?? ??????? ??????????. (Bulgarian) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. | Romanian (official) 85.4%, Hungarian 6.3%, Romani 1.2%, other 1%, unspecified 6.1% (2011 est.) major-language sample(s): Cartea informativa a lumii, sursa indispensabila pentru informatii de baza. (Romanian) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. |
| Literacy | definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 98.4% male: 98.7% female: 98.1% (2015) | definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 98.8% male: 99.1% female: 98.6% (2018) |
| School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) | total: 14 years male: 14 years female: 14 years (2018) | total: 14 years male: 14 years female: 15 years (2018) |
| Education expenditures | 4.1% of GDP (2017) | 3.1% of GDP (2017) |
| Urbanization | urban population: 76% of total population (2021) rate of urbanization: -0.28% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) | urban population: 54.3% of total population (2021) rate of urbanization: -0.15% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) |
| Drinking water source | improved: urban: 100% of population rural: 98% of population total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 2% of population total: 0% of population (2017 est.) | improved: urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0% of population (2017 est.) |
| Sanitation facility access | improved: urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0% of population (2017 est.) | improved: urban: 95.3% of population rural: 71.5% of population total: 84.3% of population unimproved: urban: 4.7% of population rural: 28.5% of population total: 15.7% of population (2017 est.) |
| Major cities - population | 1.284 million SOFIA (capital) (2021) | 1.794 million BUCHAREST (capital) (2021) |
| Maternal mortality rate | 10 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) | 19 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) |
| Health expenditures | 7.4% (2018) | 5.6% (2018) |
| Physicians density | 4.03 physicians/1,000 population (2015) | 2.98 physicians/1,000 population (2017) |
| Hospital bed density | 7.5 beds/1,000 population (2017) | 6.9 beds/1,000 population (2017) |
| Obesity - adult prevalence rate | 25% (2016) | 22.5% (2016) |
| Mother's mean age at first birth | 26.3 years (2019 est.) | 26.9 years (2019 est.) |
| Dependency ratios | total dependency ratio: 56.6 youth dependency ratio: 23 elderly dependency ratio: 33.6 potential support ratio: 3 (2020 est.) | total dependency ratio: 53.3 youth dependency ratio: 23.8 elderly dependency ratio: 29.5 potential support ratio: 3.4 (2020 est.) |
Government
| Bulgaria | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Country name | conventional long form: Republic of Bulgaria conventional short form: Bulgaria local long form: Republika Bulgaria local short form: Bulgaria former: Kingdom of Bulgaria, People's Republic of Bulgaria etymology: named after the Bulgar tribes who settled the lower Balkan region in the 7th century A.D. | conventional long form: none conventional short form: Romania local long form: none local short form: Romania former: Kingdom of Romania, Romanian People's Republic, Socialist Republic of Romania etymology: the name derives from the Latin "Romanus" meaning "citizen of Rome" and was used to stress the common ancient heritage of Romania's three main regions - Moldavia, Transylvania, and Wallachia - during their gradual unification between the mid-19th century and early 20th century |
| Government type | parliamentary republic | semi-presidential republic |
| Capital | name: Sofia geographic coordinates: 42 41 N, 23 19 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October etymology: named after the Saint Sofia Church in the city, parts of which date back to the 4th century A.D. | name: Bucharest geographic coordinates: 44 26 N, 26 06 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October etymology: related to the Romanian word "bucura" that is believed to be of Dacian origin and whose meaning is "to be glad (happy)"; Bucharest's meaning is thus akin to "city of joy" |
| Administrative divisions | 28 provinces (oblasti, singular - oblast); Blagoevgrad, Burgas, Dobrich, Gabrovo, Haskovo, Kardzhali, Kyustendil, Lovech, Montana, Pazardzhik, Pernik, Pleven, Plovdiv, Razgrad, Ruse, Shumen, Silistra, Sliven, Smolyan, Sofia, Sofia-Grad (Sofia City), Stara Zagora, Targovishte, Varna, Veliko Tarnovo, Vidin, Vratsa, Yambol | 41 counties (judete, singular - judet) and 1 municipality* (municipiu); Alba, Arad, Arges, Bacau, Bihor, Bistrita-Nasaud, Botosani, Braila, Brasov, Bucuresti (Bucharest)*, Buzau, Calarasi, Caras-Severin, Cluj, Constanta, Covasna, Dambovita, Dolj, Galati, Gorj, Giurgiu, Harghita, Hunedoara, Ialomita, Iasi, Ilfov, Maramures, Mehedinti, Mures, Neamt, Olt, Prahova, Salaj, Satu Mare, Sibiu, Suceava, Teleorman, Timis, Tulcea, Vaslui, Valcea, Vrancea |
| Independence | 3 March 1878 (as an autonomous principality within the Ottoman Empire); 22 September 1908 (complete independence from the Ottoman Empire) | 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) |
| National holiday | Liberation Day, 3 March (1878) | Unification Day (unification of Romania and Transylvania), 1 December (1918) |
| Constitution | history: several previous; latest drafted between late 1990 and early 1991, adopted 13 July 1991 amendments: proposed by the National Assembly or by the president of the republic; passage requires three-fourths majority vote of National Assembly members in three ballots; signed by the National Assembly chairperson; note - under special circumstances, a "Grand National Assembly" is elected with the authority to write a new constitution and amend certain articles of the constitution, including those affecting basic civil rights and national sovereignty; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote in each of several readings; amended several times, last in 2015 | history: several previous; latest adopted 21 November 1991, approved by referendum and effective 8 December 1991 amendments: initiated by the president of Romania through a proposal by the government, by at least one fourth of deputies or senators in Parliament, or by petition of eligible voters representing at least half of Romania's counties; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote by both chambers or - if mediation is required - by three-fourths majority vote in a joint session, followed by approval in a referendum; articles, including those on national sovereignty, form of government, political pluralism, and fundamental rights and freedoms cannot be amended; amended 2003 |
| Legal system | civil law | civil law system |
| Suffrage | 18 years of age; universal | 18 years of age; universal |
| Executive branch | chief of state: President Rumen RADEV (since 22 January 2017); Vice President Iliana IOTOVA (since 22 January 2017) head of government: Interim Prime Minister Stefan YANEV (since 12 May 2021); note - YANEV is leading a caretaker government until elections are held on 11 July 2021 cabinet: Council of Ministers nominated by the prime minister, elected by the National Assembly elections/appointments: president and vice president elected on the same ballot by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 6 and 13 November 2016 (next to be held in fall 2021); chairman of the Council of Ministers (prime minister) elected by the National Assembly; deputy prime ministers nominated by the prime minister, elected by the National Assembly election results: Rumen RADEV elected president in second round; percent of vote - Rumen RADEV (independent, supported by Bulgarian Socialist Party) 59.4%, Tsetska TSACHEVA (GERB) 36.2%, neither 4.5% | chief of state: President Klaus Werner IOHANNIS (since 21 December 2014) head of government: Prime Minister Florin CITU (since 23 December 2020); Deputy Prime Ministers Dan BARNA and Kelemen HUNOR (since 23 December 2020) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister elections/appointments: president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 10 November 2019 with a runoff on 24 November 2019 (next to be held in November 2024); prime minister appointed by the president with consent of Parliament election results: Klaus IOHANNIS reelected president in second round; percent of vote - Klaus IOHANNIS (PNL) 66.1%, Viorica DANCILA (PSD) 33.9%; Ludovic ORBAN approved as prime minister with 240 votes |
| Legislative branch | description: unicameral National Assembly or Narodno Sabranie (240 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote to serve 4-year terms) elections: last held on 11 July 2021 (next election to be held in 2025) election results: percent of vote by party/coalition - ITN 23.8%, GERB-SDS 23.2%, BSP for Bulgaria 13.2%, DB 12.5%, DPS 10.6%, ISMV 5%, other 11.7%; seats by party/coalition ITN 65, GERB-SDS 63, BSP for Bulgaria 36, DB 34, DPS 29, ISMV 13 | description: bicameral Parliament or Parlament consists of: Senate or Senat (136 seats; members directly elected in single- and multi-seat constituencies - including 2 seats for diaspora - by party-list, proportional representation vote; members serve 4-year terms) Chamber of Deputies or Camera Deputatilor (330 seats; members directly elected in single- and multi-seat constituencies - including 4 seats for diaspora - by party-list, proportional representation vote; members serve 4-year terms) elections: Senate - last held on 6 December 2020 (next to be held in 2024) Chamber of Deputies - last held on 6 December 2020 (next to be held in 2024) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - PSD 29.3%, PNL 25.6%, 2020 USR-PLUS Alliance 15.9%, AUR 9.2%, UDMR 5.9%, other 14.1%; seats by party - PSD 47, PNL 41, 2020 USR-PLUS Alliance 25, AUR 14, UDMR 9; composition - men NA, women NA, percent of women NA% Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - PSD 28.9%, PNL 25.2%, 2020 USR-PLUS Alliance 15.4%, AUR 9.1%, UDMR 5.7%, other 15.7%; seats by party - PSD 110, PNL 93, 2020 USR-PLUS Alliance 55, AUR 33, UDMR 21, other 18; composition men NA, women NA, percent of women NA; note - total Parliament percent of women NA% |
| Judicial branch | highest courts: Supreme Court of Cassation (consists of a chairman and approximately 72 judges organized into penal, civil, and commercial colleges); Supreme Administrative Court (organized into 2 colleges with various panels of 5 judges each); Constitutional Court (consists of 12 justices); note - Constitutional Court resides outside the judiciary judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court of Cassation and Supreme Administrative judges elected by the Supreme Judicial Council or SJC (consists of 25 members with extensive legal experience) and appointed by the president; judges can serve until mandatory retirement at age 65; Constitutional Court justices elected by the National Assembly and appointed by the president and the SJC; justices appointed for 9-year terms with renewal of 4 justices every 3 years subordinate courts: appeals courts; regional and district courts; administrative courts; courts martial | highest courts: High Court of Cassation and Justice (consists of 111 judges organized into civil, penal, commercial, contentious administrative and fiscal business, and joint sections); Supreme Constitutional Court (consists of 9 members) judge selection and term of office: High Court of Cassation and Justice judges appointed by the president upon nomination by the Superior Council of Magistracy, a 19-member body of judges, prosecutors, and law specialists; judges appointed for 6-year renewable terms; Constitutional Court members - 6 elected by Parliament and 3 appointed by the president; members serve 9-year, nonrenewable terms subordinate courts: Courts of Appeal; regional tribunals; first instance courts; military and arbitration courts |
| Political parties and leaders | Agrarian People's Union or ZNS [Roumen YONCHEV] Bulgarian Agrarian People's Union [Nikolay NENCHEV] Bulgarian Socialist Party or BSP [Korneliya NINOVA] (alliance of BSP, ZNS, PKT, New Dawn, Ecoglasnost) Bulgaria of the Citizens or DBG [Dimiter DELCHEV]] Citizens for the European Development of Bulgaria or GERB (alliance with SDS) [Boyko BORISSOV] Democratic Bulgaria or DB (alliance of Yes! Bulgaria, DSB, and The Greens) [Atanas ATANASOV, Hristo IVANOV] Democrats for a Strong Bulgaria or DSB [Atanas ATANASOV] Ecoglasnost [Emil GEORGIEV] Green Movement or The Greens [Borislav SANDOV, Vladislav PENEV] Movement for Rights and Freedoms or DPS [Mustafa KARADAYI] Movement 21 or D21 [Tatyana DONCHEVA] New Dawn [Mincho MINCHEV] Political Club Thrace or PKT [Stefan NACHEZ] Stand Up.BG or IS.BG [Maya MONOLOVA] Stand Up! Mafia, Get Out! or ISMV (coalition of IS.BG, D21, DBG, ENP, ZNS, and Volt) [Maya MONOLOVA, Nikolay HADZHIGENOV] There is Such a People or ITN [SLAVI TRIFONOV] United People's Party or ENP [Valentina VASILEVA-FILADELFEVS] Union of Democratic Forces or SDS [Rumen HRISTOV] Yes! Bulgaria [Hristo IVANOV] Volt Bulgaria or Volt [Nastimir ANANIEV] | 2020 USR-PLUS Alliance [Dan BARNA and Dacian CIOLOS] Alliance for the Unity of Romanians [George SIMION and Claudiu TARZIU] Christian-Democratic National Peasants' Party or PNT-CD [Aurelian PAVELESCU] Civic Hungarian Party [Zsolt BIRO] Democratic Union of Hungarians in Romania or UDMR [Hunor KELEMEN] Ecologist Party of Romania or PER [Danut POP] Greater Romania Party or PRM [Adrian POPESCU] M10 Party [Ioana CONSTANTIN] National Liberal Party or PNL [Ludovic ORBAN] New Romania Party or PNR [Sebastian POPESCU] Our Romania Alliance [Marian MUNTEANU] Party of Liberty, Unity, and Solidarity or PLUS [Dacian CIOLOS] Party of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats or ALDE [Calin POPESCU TARICEANU] Popular Movement Party or PMP [Traian BASESCU] Romanian Social Party or PSRo [Mircea GEOANA] Save Romania Union Party or Partidul USR [Dan BARNA] Social Democratic Party or PSD [Marcel CIOLACU] United Romania Party or PRU [Robert BUGA] |
| International organization participation | Australia Group, BIS, BSEC, CD, CE, CEI, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECB, EIB, EU, FAO, G- 9, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IHO (pending member), ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NATO, NSG, OAS (observer), OIF, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, SELEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC | Australia Group, BIS, BSEC, CBSS (observer), CD, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, ECB, EIB, ESA, EU, FAO, G-9, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAIA (observer), MIGA, MONUSCO, NATO, NSG, OAS (observer), OIF, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, SELEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC |
| Diplomatic representation in the US | chief of mission: Ambassador Tihomir Anguelov STOYTCHEV (since 27 June 2016) chancery: 1621 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 387-0174; [1] (202) 299-0273, [1] (202) 483-1386 FAX: [1] (202) 234-7973 email address and website: office@bulgaria-embassy.org; Embassy.Washington@mfa.bg https://www.bulgaria-embassy.org/en/homepage/ consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, New York | chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Cristian GAGINSKY (since 19 June 2021) chancery: 1607 23rd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 332-4829; [1] (202) 332-4846 FAX: [1] (202) 232-4748 email address and website: washington@mae.ro (chancery) contact@informatiiconsulare.ro (consular section) https://washington.mae.ro/en consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, New York |
| Diplomatic representation from the US | chief of mission: Ambassador Herro MUSTAFA (since 18 October 2019) embassy: 16, Kozyak Street, Sofia 1408 mailing address: 5740 Sofia Place, Washington, DC 20521-5740 telephone: [359] (2) 937-5100 FAX: [359] (2) 937-5320 email address and website: acs_sofia@state.gov https://bg.usembassy.gov/ | chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires David MUNIZ (since 20 January 2021) embassy: 4-6, Dr. Liviu Librescu Blvd., District 1, Bucharest, 015118 mailing address: 5260 Bucharest Place, Washington, DC 20521-5260 telephone: [40] (21) 200-3300 FAX: [40] (21) 200-3442 email address and website: ACSBucharest@state.gov https://ro.usembassy.gov/ |
| Flag description | three equal horizontal bands of white (top), green, and red; the pan-Slavic white-blue-red colors were modified by substituting a green band (representing freedom) for the blue note: the national emblem, formerly on the hoist side of the white stripe, has been removed | three equal vertical bands of cobalt blue (hoist side), chrome yellow, and vermilion red; modeled after the flag of France, the colors are those of the principalities of Walachia (red and yellow) and Moldavia (red and blue), which united in 1862 to form Romania; the national coat of arms that used to be centered in the yellow band has been removed note: now similar to the flag of Chad, whose blue band is darker; also resembles the flags of Andorra and Moldova |
| National anthem | name: "Mila Rodino" (Dear Homeland) lyrics/music: Tsvetan Tsvetkov RADOSLAVOV note: adopted 1964; composed in 1885 by a student en route to fight in the Serbo-Bulgarian War | name: "Desteapta-te romane!" (Wake up, Romanian!) lyrics/music: Andrei MURESIANU/Anton PANN note: adopted 1990; the anthem was written during the 1848 Revolution |
| International law organization participation | accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction | accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction |
| National symbol(s) | lion; national colors: white, green, red | golden eagle; national colors: blue, yellow, red |
| Citizenship | citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Bulgaria dual citizenship recognized: yes residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years | citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Romania dual citizenship recognized: yes residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years |
Economy
| Bulgaria | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Economy - overview | Bulgaria, a former communist country that entered the EU in 2007, has an open economy that historically has demonstrated strong growth, but its per-capita income remains the lowest among EU members and its reliance on energy imports and foreign demand for its exports makes its growth sensitive to external market conditions. The government undertook significant structural economic reforms in the 1990s to move the economy from a centralized, planned economy to a more liberal, market-driven economy. These reforms included privatization of state-owned enterprises, liberalization of trade, and strengthening of the tax system - changes that initially caused some economic hardships but later helped to attract investment, spur growth, and make gradual improvements to living conditions. From 2000 through 2008, Bulgaria maintained robust, average annual real GDP growth in excess of 6%, which was followed by a deep recession in 2009 as the financial crisis caused domestic demand, exports, capital inflows and industrial production to contract, prompting the government to rein in spending. Real GDP growth remained slow - less than 2% annually - until 2015, when demand from EU countries for Bulgarian exports, plus an inflow of EU development funds, boosted growth to more than 3%. In recent years, strong domestic demand combined with low international energy prices have contributed to Bulgaria's economic growth approaching 4% and have also helped to ease inflation. Bulgaria's prudent public financial management contributed to budget surpluses both in 2016 and 2017. Bulgaria is heavily reliant on energy imports from Russia, a potential vulnerability, and is a participant in EU-backed efforts to diversify regional natural gas supplies. In late 2016, the Bulgarian Government provided funding to Bulgaria's National Electric Company to cover the $695 million compensation owed to Russian nuclear equipment manufacturer Atomstroyexport for the cancellation of the Belene Nuclear Power Plant project, which the Bulgarian Government terminated in 2012. As of early 2018, the government was floating the possibility of resurrecting the Belene project. The natural gas market, dominated by state-owned Bulgargaz, is also almost entirely supplied by Russia. Infrastructure projects such as the Inter-Connector Greece-Bulgaria and Inter-Connector Bulgaria-Serbia, which would enable Bulgaria to have access to non-Russian gas, have either stalled or made limited progress. In 2016, the Bulgarian Government established the State eGovernment Agency. This new agency is responsible for the electronic governance, coordinating national policies with the EU, and strengthening cybersecurity. Despite a favorable investment regime, including low, flat corporate income taxes, significant challenges remain. Corruption in public administration, a weak judiciary, low productivity, lack of transparency in public procurements, and the presence of organized crime continue to hamper the country's investment climate and economic prospects. | Romania, which joined the EU on 1 January 2007, began the transition from communism in 1989 with a largely obsolete industrial base and a pattern of output unsuited to the country's needs. Romania's macroeconomic gains have only recently started to spur creation of a middle class and to address Romania's widespread poverty. Corruption and red tape continue to permeate the business environment. In the aftermath of the global financial crisis, Romania signed a $26 billion emergency assistance package from the IMF, the EU, and other international lenders, but GDP contracted until 2011. In March 2011, Romania and the IMF/EU/World Bank signed a 24-month precautionary standby agreement, worth $6.6 billion, to promote fiscal discipline, encourage progress on structural reforms, and strengthen financial sector stability; no funds were drawn. In September 2013, Romanian authorities and the IMF/EU agreed to a follow-on standby agreement, worth $5.4 billion, to continue with reforms. This agreement expired in September 2015, and no funds were drawn. Progress on structural reforms has been uneven, and the economy still is vulnerable to external shocks. Economic growth rebounded in the 2013-17 period, driven by strong industrial exports, excellent agricultural harvests, and, more recently, expansionary fiscal policies in 2016-2017 that nearly quadrupled Bucharest's annual fiscal deficit, from +0.8% of GDP in 2015 to -3% of GDP in 2016 and an estimated -3.4% in 2017. Industry outperformed other sectors of the economy in 2017. Exports remained an engine of economic growth, led by trade with the EU, which accounts for roughly 70% of Romania trade. Domestic demand was the major driver, due to tax cuts and large wage increases that began last year and are set to continue in 2018. An aging population, emigration of skilled labor, significant tax evasion, insufficient health care, and an aggressive loosening of the fiscal package compromise Romania's long-term growth and economic stability and are the economy's top vulnerabilities. |
| GDP (purchasing power parity) | $161.654 billion (2019 est.) $155.894 billion (2018 est.) $151.218 billion (2017 est.) note: data are in 2010 dollars | $579.549 billion (2019 est.) $556.442 billion (2018 est.) $532.611 billion (2017 est.) note: data are in 2010 dollars |
| GDP - real growth rate | 3.39% (2019 est.) 3.2% (2018 est.) 3.5% (2017 est.) | 4.2% (2019 est.) 4.54% (2018 est.) 7.11% (2017 est.) |
| GDP - per capita (PPP) | $23,174 (2019 est.) $22,191 (2018 est.) $21,371 (2017 est.) note: data are in 2010 dollars | $29,941 (2019 est.) $28,576 (2018 est.) $27,192 (2017 est.) note: data are in 2010 dollars |
| GDP - composition by sector | agriculture: 4.3% (2017 est.) industry: 28% (2017 est.) services: 67.4% (2017 est.) | agriculture: 4.2% (2017 est.) industry: 33.2% (2017 est.) services: 62.6% (2017 est.) |
| Population below poverty line | 23.8% (2019 est.) | 23.8% (2018 est.) |
| Household income or consumption by percentage share | lowest 10%: 1.9% highest 10%: 31.2% (2017) | lowest 10%: 15.3% highest 10%: 7.6% (2014 est.) |
| Inflation rate (consumer prices) | 3.1% (2019 est.) 2.8% (2018 est.) 2% (2017 est.) | 3.8% (2019 est.) 4.6% (2018 est.) 1.3% (2017 est.) |
| Labor force | 3.113 million (2020 est.) note: number of employed persons | 4.889 million (2020 est.) |
| Labor force - by occupation | agriculture: 6.8% industry: 26.6% services: 66.6% (2016 est.) | agriculture: 28.3% industry: 28.9% services: 42.8% (2014) |
| Unemployment rate | 5.66% (2019 est.) 6.18% (2018 est.) | 3.06% (2019 est.) 3.56% (2018 est.) |
| Distribution of family income - Gini index | 40.4 (2017 est.) 38.3 (2016) | 36 (2017 est.) 28.2 (2010) |
| Budget | revenues: 20.35 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 19.35 billion (2017 est.) | revenues: 62.14 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 68.13 billion (2017 est.) |
| Industries | electricity, gas, water; food, beverages, tobacco; machinery and equipment, automotive parts, base metals, chemical products, coke, refined petroleum, nuclear fuel; outsourcing centers | electric machinery and equipment, auto assembly, textiles and footwear, light machinery, metallurgy, chemicals, food processing, petroleum refining, mining, timber, construction materials |
| Industrial production growth rate | 3.6% (2017 est.) | 5.5% (2017 est.) |
| Agriculture - products | wheat, maize, sunflower seed, milk, barley, rapeseed, potatoes, grapes, tomatoes, watermelons | maize, wheat, milk, sunflower seed, potatoes, barley, grapes, sugar beet, rapeseed, plums/sloes |
| Exports | $42.369 billion (2019 est.) $40.779 billion (2018 est.) $40.091 billion (2017 est.) | $114.311 billion (2019 est.) $110.685 billion (2018 est.) $105.188 billion (2017 est.) |
| Exports - commodities | refined petroleum, packaged medicines, copper, wheat, electricity (2019) | cars and vehicle parts, insulated wiring, refined petroleum, electrical control boards, seats (2019) |
| Exports - partners | Germany 16%, Romania 8%, Italy 7%, Turkey 7%, Greece 6% (2019) | Germany 22%, Italy 10%, France 7% (2019) |
| Imports | $44.853 billion (2019 est.) $42.841 billion (2018 est.) $40.53 billion (2017 est.) | $136.091 billion (2019 est.) $127.553 billion (2018 est.) $117.292 billion (2017 est.) |
| Imports - commodities | crude petroleum, copper, cars, packaged medicines, refined petroleum (2019) | cars and vehicle parts, crude petroleum, packaged medicines, insulated wiring, broadcasting equipment (2019) |
| Imports - partners | Germany 11%, Russia 9%, Italy 7%, Romania 7%, Turkey 7% (2019) | Germany 19%, Italy 9%, Hungary 7%, Poland 6%, China 5%, France 5% (2019) |
| Debt - external | $39.059 billion (2019 est.) $41.139 billion (2018 est.) | $117.829 billion (2019 est.) $115.803 billion (2018 est.) |
| Exchange rates | leva (BGN) per US dollar - 1.61885 (2020 est.) 1.7669 (2019 est.) 1.7172 (2018 est.) 1.7644 (2014 est.) 1.4742 (2013 est.) | lei (RON) per US dollar - 4.02835 (2020 est.) 4.31655 (2019 est.) 4.0782 (2018 est.) 4.0057 (2014 est.) 3.3492 (2013 est.) |
| Fiscal year | calendar year | calendar year |
| Public debt | 23.9% of GDP (2017 est.) 27.4% of GDP (2016 est.) note: defined by the EU's Maastricht Treaty as consolidated general government gross debt at nominal value, outstanding at the end of the year in the following categories of government liabilities: currency and deposits, securities other than shares excluding financial derivatives, and loans; general government sector comprises the subsectors: central government, state government, local government, and social security funds | 36.8% of GDP (2017 est.) 38.8% of GDP (2016 est.) note: defined by the EU's Maastricht Treaty as consolidated general government gross debt at nominal value, outstanding at the end of the year in the following categories of government liabilities: currency and deposits, securities other than shares excluding financial derivatives, and loans; general government sector comprises the subsectors: central government, state government, local government, and social security funds |
| Reserves of foreign exchange and gold | $28.38 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $25.13 billion (31 December 2016 est.) | $44.43 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $40 billion (31 December 2016 est.) |
| Current Account Balance | $2.06 billion (2019 est.) $611 million (2018 est.) | -$11.389 billion (2019 est.) -$10.78 billion (2018 est.) |
| GDP (official exchange rate) | $68.49 billion (2019 est.) | $249.543 billion (2019 est.) |
| Credit ratings | Fitch rating: BBB (2017) Moody's rating: Baa1 (2020) Standard & Poors rating: BBB (2019) | Fitch rating: BBB- (2011) Moody's rating: Baa3 (2006) Standard & Poors rating: BBB- (2014) |
| Ease of Doing Business Index scores | Overall score: 72 (2020) Starting a Business score: 85.4 (2020) Trading score: 97.4 (2020) Enforcement score: 67 (2020) | Overall score: 73.3 (2020) Starting a Business score: 87.7 (2020) Trading score: 100 (2020) Enforcement score: 72.2 (2020) |
| Taxes and other revenues | 35.7% (of GDP) (2017 est.) | 29.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.) |
| Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-) | 1.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.) | -2.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.) |
| Unemployment, youth ages 15-24 | total: 8.9% male: 9.3% female: 8.3% (2019 est.) | total: 16.8% male: 16.3% female: 17.5% (2019 est.) |
| GDP - composition, by end use | household consumption: 61.6% (2017 est.) government consumption: 16% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 19.2% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 1.7% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 66.3% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -64.8% (2017 est.) | household consumption: 70% (2017 est.) government consumption: 7.7% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 22.6% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 1.9% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 41.4% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -43.6% (2017 est.) |
| Gross national saving | 26.1% of GDP (2019 est.) 24.2% of GDP (2018 est.) 25.3% of GDP (2017 est.) | 18.3% of GDP (2019 est.) 18.1% of GDP (2018 est.) 20.3% of GDP (2017 est.) |
Energy
| Bulgaria | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Electricity - production | 42.29 billion kWh (2016 est.) | 61.78 billion kWh (2016 est.) |
| Electricity - consumption | 32.34 billion kWh (2016 est.) | 49.64 billion kWh (2016 est.) |
| Electricity - exports | 9.187 billion kWh (2017 est.) | 11.22 billion kWh (2015 est.) |
| Electricity - imports | 4.568 billion kWh (2016 est.) | 4.177 billion kWh (2016 est.) |
| Oil - production | 1,000 bbl/day (2018 est.) | 70,000 bbl/day (2018 est.) |
| Oil - imports | 133,900 bbl/day (2015 est.) | 145,300 bbl/day (2015 est.) |
| Oil - exports | 0 bbl/day (2015 est.) | 2,076 bbl/day (2015 est.) |
| Oil - proved reserves | 15 million bbl (1 January 2018 est.) | 600 million bbl (1 January 2018 est.) |
| Natural gas - proved reserves | 5.663 billion cu m (1 January 2018 est.) | 105.5 billion cu m (1 January 2018 est.) |
| Natural gas - production | 79.28 million cu m (2017 est.) | 10.87 billion cu m (2017 est.) |
| Natural gas - consumption | 3.313 billion cu m (2017 est.) | 11.58 billion cu m (2017 est.) |
| Natural gas - exports | 31.15 million cu m (2017 est.) | 22.65 million cu m (2017 est.) |
| Natural gas - imports | 3.256 billion cu m (2017 est.) | 1.218 billion cu m (2017 est.) |
| Electricity - installed generating capacity | 10.75 million kW (2016 est.) | 23.94 million kW (2016 est.) |
| Electricity - from fossil fuels | 39% of total installed capacity (2016 est.) | 47% of total installed capacity (2016 est.) |
| Electricity - from hydroelectric plants | 23% of total installed capacity (2017 est.) | 29% of total installed capacity (2017 est.) |
| Electricity - from nuclear fuels | 20% of total installed capacity (2017 est.) | 6% of total installed capacity (2017 est.) |
| Electricity - from other renewable sources | 19% of total installed capacity (2017 est.) | 19% of total installed capacity (2017 est.) |
| Refined petroleum products - production | 144,300 bbl/day (2015 est.) | 232,600 bbl/day (2015 est.) |
| Refined petroleum products - consumption | 97,000 bbl/day (2016 est.) | 198,000 bbl/day (2016 est.) |
| Refined petroleum products - exports | 92,720 bbl/day (2015 est.) | 103,000 bbl/day (2015 est.) |
| Refined petroleum products - imports | 49,260 bbl/day (2015 est.) | 49,420 bbl/day (2015 est.) |
| Electricity access | electrification - total population: 100% (2020) | electrification - total population: 100% (2020) |
Telecommunications
| Bulgaria | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Telephones - main lines in use | total subscriptions: 975,355 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 13.91 (2019 est.) | total subscriptions: 3.38 million subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 15.8 (2019 est.) |
| Telephones - mobile cellular | total subscriptions: 8,134,581 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 116.02 (2019 est.) | total subscriptions: 22.671 million subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 106 (2019 est.) |
| Internet country code | .bg | .ro |
| Internet users | total: 4,571,851 percent of population: 64.78% (July 2018 est.) | total: 15,165,890 percent of population: 70.68% (July 2018 est.) |
| Telecommunication systems | general assessment: Bulgaria's telecoms sector benefited from adaptation of EU regulatory measures and privatization; population is moving to fiber over DSL for broadband connection; investment towards rural areas; migration from fixed-line voice to mobile and VoIP; private networks pursuing upgrades and development of services based on 5G; broadband market in Bulgaria enjoys cross-platform competition; operators deploy NB-IoT platform in several cities and released smart platform for utilities; government launched e-learning platform to help students continue their studies during lockdown (2021) (2020)domestic: fixed-line 14 per 100 persons, mobile-cellular teledensity, fostered by multiple service providers, is over 116 telephones per 100 persons (2019) international: country code - 359; Caucasus Cable System via submarine cable provides connectivity to Ukraine, Georgia and Russia; a combination submarine cable and land fiber-optic system provides connectivity to Italy, Albania, and Macedonia; satellite earth stations - 3 (1 Intersputnik in the Atlantic Ocean region, 2 Intelsat in the Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions) (2019) note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home became evident, and received some support from governments | general assessment: Romania's telecom sector benefits from infrastructure-based competition; domestic and international service improving rapidly, especially mobile-cellular services; fiber sector is one of strongest in Europe; government secured EU funding to extend broadband to rural areas; operators invest in networks' capacity upgrades; operator testing IoT; importer of broadcasting equipment from EU neighbors (2021) (2020)domestic: fixed-line teledensity is about 17 telephones per 100 persons; mobile market served by four mobile network operators; mobile-cellular teledensity over 117 telephones per 100 persons (2019) international: country code - 40; landing point for the Diamond Link Global submarine cable linking Romania with Georgia; satellite earth stations - 10; digital, international, direct-dial exchanges operate in Bucharest (2019) note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home became evident, and received some support from governments |
| Broadband - fixed subscriptions | total: 2,014,772 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 28.74 (2019 est.) | total: 5,277,700 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 24.68 (2019 est.) |
| Broadcast media | 4 national terrestrial TV stations with 1 state-owned and 3 privately owned; a vast array of TV stations are available from cable and satellite TV providers; state-owned national radio broadcasts over 3 networks; large number of private radio stations broadcasting, especially in urban areas | a mixture of public and private TV stations; there are 7 public TV stations (2 national, 5 regional) using terrestrial broadcasting and 187 private TV stations (out of which 171 offer local coverage) using terrestrial broadcasting, plus 11 public TV stations using satellite broadcasting and 86 private TV stations using satellite broadcasting; state-owned public radio broadcaster operates 4 national networks and regional and local stations, having in total 20 public radio stations by terrestrial broadcasting plus 4 public radio stations by satellite broadcasting; there are 502 operational private radio stations using terrestrial broadcasting and 26 private radio stations using satellite broadcasting |
Transportation
| Bulgaria | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Railways | total: 5,114 km (2014) standard gauge: 4,989 km 1.435-m gauge (2,880 km electrified) (2014) narrow gauge: 125 km 0.760-m gauge (2014) | total: 11,268 km (2014) standard gauge: 10,781 km 1.435-m gauge (3,292 km electrified) (2014) narrow gauge: 427 km 0.760-m gauge (2014) broad gauge: 60 km 1.524-m gauge (2014) |
| Roadways | total: 19,512 km (2011) paved: 19,235 km (includes 458 km of expressways) (2011) unpaved: 277 km (2011) note: does not include Category IV local roads | total: 84,185 km (2012) paved: 49,873 km (includes 337 km of expressways) (2012) unpaved: 34,312 km (2012) |
| Waterways | 470 km (2009) | 1,731 km (includes 1,075 km on the Danube River, 524 km on secondary branches, and 132 km on canals) (2010) |
| Pipelines | 2765 km gas, 346 km oil, 378 km refined products (2017) | 3726 km gas, 2451 km oil (2013) |
| Ports and terminals | major seaport(s): Burgas, Varna (Black Sea) | major seaport(s): Constanta, Midia river port(s): Braila, Galati (Galatz), Mancanului (Giurgiu), Tulcea (Danube River) |
| Merchant marine | total: 81 by type: bulk carrier 5, general cargo 15, oil tanker 8, other 53 (2020) | total: 120 by type: general cargo 11, oil tanker 7, other 102 (2020) |
| Airports | total: 68 (2013) | total: 45 (2013) |
| Airports - with paved runways | total: 57 (2017) over 3,047 m: 2 (2017) 2,438 to 3,047 m: 17 (2017) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 12 (2017) under 914 m: 26 (2017) | total: 26 (2017) over 3,047 m: 4 (2017) 2,438 to 3,047 m: 10 (2017) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 11 (2017) under 914 m: 1 (2017) |
| Airports - with unpaved runways | total: 11 (2013) 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2013) under 914 m: 9 (2013) | total: 19 (2013) 914 to 1,523 m: 5 (2013) under 914 m: 14 (2013) |
| Heliports | 1 (2013) | 2 (2013) |
| National air transport system | number of registered air carriers: 8 (2020) inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 44 annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 1,022,645 (2018) annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 1.38 million mt-km (2018) | number of registered air carriers: 8 (2020) inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 60 annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 4,908,235 (2018) annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 2.71 million mt-km (2018) |
| Civil aircraft registration country code prefix | LZ | YR |
Military
| Bulgaria | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Military branches | Bulgarian Armed Forces: Land Forces (Army), Naval Forces, Bulgarian Air Forces (Voennovazdushni Sili, VVS), Joint Special Forces; Ministry of Interior: Border Guards (2021) | Romanian Armed Forces: Land Forces, Naval Forces, Air Force; Ministry of Internal Affairs: Romanian Gendarmerie (2021) |
| Military service age and obligation | 18-27 years of age for voluntary military service; conscription ended in 2007; service obligation 6-9 months (2019) | conscription ended 2006; 18 years of age for male and female voluntary service; all military inductees (including women) contract for an initial 5-year term of service, with subsequent successive 3-year terms until age 36 (2019) |
| Military expenditures - percent of GDP | 1.6% of GDP (2020 est.) 3.15% of GDP (2019) 1.45% of GDP (2018) 1.23% of GDP (2017) 1.25% of GDP (2016) | 2.07% of GDP (2020 est.) 1.84% of GDP (2019) 1.81% of GDP (2018) 1.72% of GDP (2017) 1.41% of GDP (2016) |
| Military - note | Bulgaria officially became a member of NATO in 2004 | Romania officially became a member of NATO in 2004 |
| Military and security service personnel strengths | the Bulgarian Armed Forces have approximately 30,000 active duty personnel (16,000 Army; 4,000 Navy; 7,000 Air Force; 3,000 other, joint staff, support) (2021) | the Romanian Armed Forces have approximately 67,000 active duty personnel (50,000 Land Forces; 7,000 Naval Forces; 10,000 Air Force; note: 10-15,000 personnel are considered joint service) (2021) |
| Military equipment inventories and acquisitions | the Bulgarian Armed Forces inventory consists primarily of Soviet-era equipment, although in recent years Bulgaria has procured limited amounts of more modern weapons systems from Western countries, including France, Italy, Norway, and the US (2020) | the inventory of the Romanian Armed Forces is comprised mostly of Soviet-era and older domestically-produced weapons systems; there is also a smaller mix of Western-origin equipment; Italy, Portugal (second-hand fighter aircraft), and the US are the leading suppliers of armaments to Romania since 2010 (2020) |
| Military deployments | 120 Afghanistan (NATO) (2021) | up to 120 Poland (NATO) (2021) |
Transnational Issues
| Bulgaria | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Disputes - international | none | the ICJ ruled largely in favor of Romania in its dispute submitted in 2004 over Ukrainian-administered Zmiyinyy/Serpilor (Snake) Island and Black Sea maritime boundary delimitation; Romania opposes Ukraine's reopening of a navigation canal from the Danube border through Ukraine to the Black Sea |
| Illicit drugs | major European transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and, to a lesser degree, South American cocaine for the European market; limited producer of precursor chemicals; vulnerable to money laundering because of corruption, organized crime; some money laundering of drug-related proceeds through financial institutions | major transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin transiting the Balkan route and small amounts of Latin American cocaine bound for Western Europe; although not a significant financial center, role as a narcotics conduit leaves it vulnerable to laundering, which occurs via the banking system, currency exchange houses, and casinos |
| Refugees and internally displaced persons | refugees (country of origin): 17,551 (Syria) (2019) stateless persons: 1,141 (2020) note: 61,920 estimated refugee and migrant arrivals (January 2015-July 2021); Bulgaria is predominantly a transit country | stateless persons: 275 (2020) note: 7,988 estimated refugee and migrant arrivals (January 2015-August 2021) |
| Trafficking in persons | current situation: Bulgaria is a source and, to a lesser extent, a transit and destination country for men, women, and children subjected to sex trafficking and forced labor; Bulgaria is one of the main sources of human trafficking in the EU; women and children are increasingly sex trafficked domestically, as well as in Europe, Russia, the Middle East, and the US; adults and children become forced laborers in agriculture, construction, and the service sector in Europe, Israel, and Zambia; Romanian girls are also subjected to sex trafficking in Bulgaria tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Bulgaria does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so; in 2014, authorities prosecuted and convicted fewer traffickers and issued suspended sentences for the majority of those convicted; victim protection efforts declined and were minimal relative to the number of victims identified; funding for the state's two NGO-operated shelters was significantly cut, forcing them to close; specialized services for child and adult male victims were non-existent; the government took action to combat trafficking-related complicity among public officials and police officers (2015) | current situation: human traffickers exploit domestic and foreign victims in Romania and Romanians abroad; Romania remains a primary source country for sex and labor trafficking victims in Europe; Romanian men, women, and children are subjected to forced labor in agriculture, construction, hotels, manufacturing, domestic service, commercial sex, and forced begging and theft; Romania is a destination country for a limited number of foreign trafficking victims, including migrants from Africa, Europe, and South and Southeast Asia, exploited in the construction, hotel, and food-processing industries tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Romania does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so; the government identified more trafficking victims during the reporting period, participated in more international investigations, and conducted awareness campaigns; however, authorities investigated, prosecuted, and convicted fewer traffickers; officials complicit in trafficking crimes, especially with minors in government-run homes or placement centers, were not prosecuted; government funding of services for child trafficking victims remained inadequate (2020) |
Terrorism
| Bulgaria | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Terrorist Group(s) | Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS); Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps/Qods Force note: details about the history, aims, leadership, organization, areas of operation, tactics, targets, weapons, size, and sources of support of the group(s) appear(s) in Appendix-T | Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS) note: details about the history, aims, leadership, organization, areas of operation, tactics, targets, weapons, size, and sources of support of the group(s) appear(s) in Appendix-T |
Environment
| Bulgaria | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Air pollutants | particulate matter emissions: 18.82 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.) carbon dioxide emissions: 41.71 megatons (2016 est.) methane emissions: 6.77 megatons (2020 est.) | particulate matter emissions: 14.29 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.) carbon dioxide emissions: 69.26 megatons (2016 est.) methane emissions: 27.62 megatons (2020 est.) |
| Total water withdrawal | municipal: 882 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 3.942 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 834.5 million cubic meters (2017 est.) | municipal: 1.048 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 4.234 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 1.491 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) |
| Revenue from forest resources | forest revenues: 0.22% of GDP (2018 est.) | forest revenues: 0.16% of GDP (2018 est.) |
| Revenue from coal | coal revenues: 0.14% of GDP (2018 est.) | coal revenues: 0.03% of GDP (2018 est.) |
| Waste and recycling | municipal solid waste generated annually: 3.011 million tons (2015 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 572,993 tons (2015 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 19% (2015 est.) | municipal solid waste generated annually: 4.895 million tons (2015 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 277,547 tons (2015 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 5.7% (2015 est.) |
Source: CIA Factbook
