Romania, situated in South-Eastern Europe, is celebrated for its picturesque landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and historic landmarks. The country presents a wealth of opportunities, with the capital city, Bucharest, becoming a vibrant tech hub, attracting a multitude of startups and established firms in the software and telecommunications industries.
But what do global rankings and indices have to say about Romania – its sustainability, country brand strength, and reputation?
Let’s take a closer look at:
- Romania’s soft power and country brand strength
- Its appeal to skilled labour, investors, and visitors
- The country’s global contribution to peace and well-being
- How well it fares in terms of happiness and sustainability
Soft Power and Country Brand Strength
In the Global Soft Power Index 2023 by Brand Finance, Romania ranks 58th, declining six positions from the previous year with its score only improving by 0.4 points.
The U.S. News Best Countries 2023 ranking places Romania 55th overall, highlighting its performance in Social Purpose (37th), Quality of Life (40th), and Heritage (46th). However, it ranks lower in categories such as Open for Business (58th), Movers (75th), and Power (78th).
The Anholt-Ipsos Nation Brand Index (NBI) calculates its ranking based on averaging the scores of six factors: exports, governance, tourism, culture, people, and immigration. According to the NBI 2023, Romania ranks 43rd with its introduction to the ranking.
The UNCTAD World Investment Report 2023 shows that Romania’s FDI Inflows for 2023 were valued at 7,130.00 million USD, marking a decrease of 3,442.00 million USD. Meanwhile, FDI Outflows were 40 million USD, a decrease of 1,257.00 million USD.
Appeal to Talent, Business, Trade, and Travel
The Bloom Consulting Country Brand Ranking Trade Edition 2024-2025 places Romania 38th globally and 15th regionally, reflecting its competitive trade environment. In the Country Brand Ranking Tourism Edition 2024-2025, the country ranks 87th worldwide and 33rd in Europe, indicating there’s room for growth to make the country an appealing tourist destination.
In the IMD 2024 World Competitiveness Ranking, Romania is positioned 50th, showing strength in Economic Performance (47th) but facing challenges in Business Efficiency (54th) and Infrastructure (51st).
According to the European Innovation Scoreboard 2023, Romania is categorized as an Emerging Innovator. Its performance increased 1.4 points between 2016 and 2023.
How “Good” is Romania?
In the CAF World Giving Index 2023, Romania ranked 121st, with 56% of the population helping a stranger, 20% donating money, and 10% volunteering.
In the Good Country Index, Romania ranks 41st overall, excelling in Planet and Climate (14th) and Science and Technology (44th), however, the country performs less well in Health and Wellbeing (77th) and Prosperity and Equality (89th).
According to the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) Democracy Index 2023, Romania ranks 60th, ahead of the Dominican Republic (61st) reflecting a slight improvement of one position and indicating ongoing efforts towards democratic governance.
The 2023 Corruption Perception Index ranks Romania 66th, showing a decline of one position.
Peace and Happiness
The Global Peace Index 2024 ranks Romania 36th, falling by one position but maintaining a relatively peaceful environment. Regionally, it is ranked 26th.
The Global Terrorism Index 2024 places Romania at 89th, improving by three positions, indicating a low impact of terrorism.
The World Happiness Report 2024 ranks Romania 32nd, a decline of eight positions. The report shows that The Young (8th) are the most satisfied with their life, followed by Lower Middle (26th), Upper Middle (35th), and The Old (48th).
Sustainability Performance
The Environmental Performance Index (EPI) 2024 ranks Romania 35th, indicating strong performance in environmental sustainability. Regionally, it is ranked 11th.
The Sustainable Development Report 2024 ranks Romania 40th, a decline of five positions. This ranking highlights the country’s ongoing challenges in meeting various sustainable development achievements. It performed well in SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and SDG 14 (Life Below Water), however the country still faces challenges in SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).
Talent Attraction and Competitiveness
According to the Global Talent Competitiveness Index 2023, Romania ranks 54th, an improvement of three positions. The country is categorized as a high-income country, reflecting its ability to attract and retain talent.
The highest ranked universities in Romania, according to the World University Rankings 2024, are Bucharest University of Economic Studies in the 801-1000th bracket and 401–600th in the Impact Rankings 2024. Noteworthy mention goes to the University of Medicine and Pharmacy Carol Davila in the 801-1000th bracket.
Last updated in July 2024. Explore more country profiles here.
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Disclaimer: The information in this article is intended to provide a general overview of Romania’s economic and cultural landscape and facilitate comparison over time. While we strive for accuracy and completeness, we are not responsible for any typographical errors or inaccuracies. The data is provided “as is” without warranty of any kind. Users should verify any information before relying on it for decision-making purposes.
