Romania - 67.37
54
A uniquely average country
Romania is a country defined by the fact that (from the standpoint of this index, at least) is especially uninteresting. With Ceaușescu gone and the communists out of power, the problems of Romania are the problems of the rest of the world. Roma face discrimination, as they do in much of Europe. Prison conditions are poor (where are they good). The country has problems with rampant corruption plaguing nearly all levels of business and politics (don’t we all). Romania is homophobic (it’s the Balkans) and Islamophobic (it’s the Christian Balkans). A problem that is ostensibly unique to Romania (medical student flight) is also shared by Sri Lanka and several other countries with strong medical schools and weak hospitals. Romania struggles to contend with its communist past, its corrupt present, and its uncertain future.
Human Rights - 67
Romania has fully abolished the death penalty. Roma are often abused during or upon detention and police had generally high impunity for brutality against Roma. Despite 44 reported cases of police brutality against Roma, no police have been convicted of brutality against the Roma. Further, Roma face rampant discrimination and abuse. The Romanian government tolerates de facto housing discrimination; Roma are often forced through unofficial means into squalid shantytowns and slums. Roma face rampant discrimination in employment and Roma children are often prohibited from enrolling in schools. Prison conditions in Romanian prisons are poor and guard abuse is rampant. Additionally, guards to little to prevent inmate-inmate violence. Prisoners lacked adequate access to healthy food. Detainees often waited for months o years in pretrial detention, exasperating overcrowding problems. Trans Romanians can change their gender after sex reassignment surgery but cannot serve openly. Romania does not recognize same-sex relationships in any capacity and homosexuals cannot adopt. Abortion is legal to fourteen weeks.
Democracy - 91
The president is directly elected and the prime minister is appointed by the president and approved by parliament. Parliament is directly elected, and recent parliamentary elections saw a record low turnout of 33.3%. Elections are free and fair but election laws are often hastily changed months before the election but changes are never drastic. Romania has a strong multi-party system.
Freedom - 72
“Incitement to hatred or discrimination” is punishable by up to three years in prison or hefty fines. The Romanian media sector is generally controlled by oligarchs. Romanian media ownership is highly concentrated and most large outlets in Romania are distinctly pro-government, but publication and distribution of foreign media is not restricted. A March 2020 decree allowed the government to restrict access to websites publishing false information about COVID. The government is known to monitor social media. Gender studies are banned at public universities. Romania has generally loose drug laws. Possession is legal, but consumption is not despite not having a prescribed punishment. Romania may issue gun ownership licenses for semi-automatic rifles and shotguns.
Economy - 72
Health - 54
Romania has a life expectancy of 76 years and an infant mortality rate of 0.57%. 22.5% of Romanians are obese and 6% are malnourished. Romania’s mediocre universal healthcare system is plagued by both underfunding and understaffing, as most medical students leave the country after completing residency. 78.4% of Romanians have access to clean, running water, one of the lowest rates in the European Union. 25.5% of adult Romanians smoke regularly.
Corruption - 22
Judicial verdicts are bought and sold, and the appointment of judges is based heavily on patronage networks. Police extortion is rampant. Romanian police are widely considered the most corrupt institution in the country and Romania has the most corrupt police in the European Union. Public services must be bribed into action. Deeds and permits are near impossible to obtain without bribery. Extortion in the tax administration is rampant and tax fraud is very easy to get away with in Romania. Romanian borders are highly porous and Romania is a major source of illegal goods smuggled into the European Union. Public contracts are impossible to obtain without corruption.
Competency - 58
The government has failed to protect the Roma, both from governmental and private discrimination. The government is also failing to provide for people, allowing significant portions of the population to persist without adequate access to running water. The government is failing to manage corruption, which exists at one of the highest rates of any EU country. Additionally, the country is failing to manage prisons, which have been allowed to exist in perpetuity in poor conditions.
Future - 68
The Romanian economy is one of the fastest-growing economies in Europe, and though it took a minor hit due to the COVID pandemic it will likely recover. However, a number of key issues in Romania are not likely to be fixed in the near future, namely discrimination and the healthcare professional brain drain. Short of major overhauls to Romania’s universal healthcare system, healthcare professionals in Romania will continue to see better opportunities outside the country than in it. Discrimination against Roma will likely take a significant cultural change to be rectified, as prejudices against Roma are deep-seated and very difficult to overcome.
Actions Abroad - 70
Romania is an EU and NATO member state, but is generally isolationist and maintains good relationships with most states.
Romania has an international poverty rate of 3.8% and a national poverty rate of 23.6%. 5.6% of Romanians are unemployed and the country has a moderate economic disparity. Minimum wage in Romania is $541 per month. Romania has a mediocre universal healthcare system that is plagued by understaffing as a result of medical student flight. Most medical students leave Romania upon completing residency, and as a result most procedures are performed by medical students. In addition, the Romanian healthcare system is chronically underfunded. The Romanian economy shrunk 3.7% in 2020 and grew 4.1% in 2019.