Distribution of population between different poverty lines in Romania
Romania: Distribution of population between different poverty lines was 5.26 million people in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Distribution of population between different poverty lines in Romania, 1989–2023
Source: World Bank Poverty and Inequality Platform (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in people.
Analysis
In 2023, distribution of population between different poverty lines in Romania stood at 5.26 million people. That is the highest value across all 23 years on record.
The figure is up 11.9% on the previous year and up 2,834.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, distribution of population between different poverty lines in Romania peaked at 5.26 million people in 2023 and was at its lowest, 0 people, in 1992.
Romania ranks 25th of 120 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Distribution of population between different poverty lines in Romania, year by year
| Year | people | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1989 | 583,901 people | — |
| 1992 | 0 people | -100.0% |
| 1994 | 0 people | — |
| 1995 | 136,105 people | — |
| 1997 | 112,770 people | -17.1% |
| 2006 | 366,374 people | +224.9% |
| 2007 | 377,981 people | +3.2% |
| 2008 | 437,100 people | +15.6% |
| 2009 | 421,579 people | -3.6% |
| 2010 | 354,859 people | -15.8% |
| 2011 | 194,066 people | -45.3% |
| 2012 | 257,194 people | +32.5% |
| 2013 | 179,147 people | -30.3% |
| 2014 | 212,091 people | +18.4% |
| 2015 | 350,226 people | +65.1% |
| 2016 | 526,360 people | +50.3% |
| 2017 | 1.47 million people | +179.6% |
| 2018 | 2.19 million people | +48.9% |
| 2019 | 2.52 million people | +14.9% |
| 2020 | 3.57 million people | +41.6% |
| 2021 | 4.35 million people | +22.0% |
| 2022 | 4.70 million people | +8.0% |
| 2023 | 5.26 million people | +11.9% |
Romania compared with similar countries
- Romania's 5.26 million people is above the median for high income countries, which is 4.96 million people, 1.1× the median. (42 countries reporting)
- Romania's 5.26 million people is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 1.67 million people, 3.2× the median. (47 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 583,901 people | 583,901 people | 583,901 people | 1 |
| 1990s | 62,219 people | 0 people | 136,105 people | 4 |
| 2000s | 400,758 people | 366,374 people | 437,100 people | 4 |
| 2010s | 825,668 people | 179,147 people | 2.52 million people | 10 |
| 2020s | 4.47 million people | 3.57 million people | 5.26 million people | 4 |
Countries ranked near Romania
More poverty & inequality data for Romania
- Number of income/consumption surveys in the past decade available via the World Bank 8 surveys (2025)
- Number of income/consumption surveys in the past decade available via 0 surveys per person (2025)
- Number of income/consumption surveys in the past decade available via 0 surveys per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Fertility rate vs. share living in extreme poverty 1.71 live births per woman (2023)
- Cereal yield vs. share in extreme poverty 4,021 kg per hectare (2023)
- Cereal yield vs extreme poverty, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2023)
- Cereal yield vs extreme poverty, annual growth rate 10.64 % change on previous year (2023)
- Tax revenues vs income inequality, gaps filled 27.54 (2022)
- Tax revenue as share of GDP vs. income inequality 27.5% (2022)
- Tax revenues vs income inequality, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2022)
Frequently asked questions
- What is distribution of population between different poverty lines in Romania?
- Distribution of population between different poverty lines in Romania was 5.26 million people in 2023, according to World Bank Poverty and Inequality Platform (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest distribution of population between different poverty lines recorded in Romania?
- The highest recorded value was 5.26 million people in 2023.
- What is the lowest distribution of population between different poverty lines recorded in Romania?
- The lowest recorded value was 0 people in 1992.
- How does Romania rank for distribution of population between different poverty lines?
- Romania ranks 25th out of 120 countries with data for 2023.
- Is distribution of population between different poverty lines rising or falling in Romania?
- Over the last ten years it is up 2,834.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Romania data come from?
- The figures come from World Bank Poverty and Inequality Platform (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Distribution of population between different poverty lines. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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About this data
Number of people living in households with an income or consumption above $40 per day.