Romania: jobs and pay

What is the unemployment rate in Romania?

Romania's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 6.4% in August 2026, the same as in July and down from 6.8% in June, according to Eurostat's monthly unemployment table, based on the National Institute of Statistics' labour force survey.

The rate follows the international definition: people without work who are actively looking and available to start. It is higher than the registered unemployment rate published by the National Agency for Employment, which counts only people registered with employment offices.

Official sources: monthly unemployment table

What is youth unemployment in Romania?

Unemployment among people under 25 in Romania was 30.8% in June 2026, seasonally adjusted, according to Eurostat's monthly unemployment table. The overall unemployment rate was 6.8% that month.

The youth rate is a share of young people who are in the labour force, so students who are not looking for work are not counted. Because the labour force under 25 is small, the youth rate moves more from month to month than the overall rate.

Official sources: monthly unemployment table

What is the minimum wage in Romania in 2026?

Romania's gross monthly minimum wage was 4,325 lei in the second half of 2026, up from 4,050 lei in the first half, according to Eurostat's monthly minimum wages table. In euros it was 825 a month.

The minimum wage is set by government decision for a full-time job. It is a gross amount: social contributions and income tax are deducted from it, so take-home pay is lower. The euro value changes with the exchange rate, so compare in lei to see changes in the wage itself.

Official sources: monthly minimum wages table

What is the minimum wage in Romania?

4,325 RON a month: that is the statutory minimum wage in Romania for 2026, according to the ILO. That is the highest since at least 2012.

What is the average wage in Romania?

According to the ILO, average monthly earnings of employees in Romania was $1,722 a month in 2025. That is the highest since at least 2012. It is 25th highest of 32 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is $3,252 a month. World rank, highest first: 27th of 57.

How high is unemployment in Romania?

6.0%: that is the unemployment rate in Romania for 2025, according to the ILO. Since 2005 it has ranged from 3.9% (2019) to 7.3% (2006). It is 21st highest of 47 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 5.5%. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 67th highest.

What is youth unemployment in Romania?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 24.5%. That is the highest since at least 2005. It is 7th highest of 47 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 14.2%. Worldwide: 30th of 174.

How many people in Romania are working or looking for work?

In 2025, the labour force participation rate in Romania was 51.3%, according to the ILO. Its high point since 2005 was 2022, at 52.6%; its low point was 2009, at 47.2%. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 60.3%, and Romania placed 43rd highest of 47. Worldwide: 148th of 174.

What share of women in Romania are in the labour force?

The ILO puts the labour force participation rate for women in Romania at 41.8% in 2025. Its high point since 2005 was 2022, at 43.2%; its low point was 2009, at 38.9%. It is 41st highest of 47 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 54.6%. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 136th highest.

How many people in Romania are employed?

The ILO puts the employment to population ratio in Romania at 48.3% in 2025. Its high point since 2005 was 2019, at 50.0%; its low point was 2009, at 44.0%. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 56.6%, and Romania placed 41st highest of 47. Worldwide: 144th of 174.

How common is self-employment in Romania?

The ILO puts the share of workers who are own-account or contributing family workers in Romania at 13.0% in 2025. No year since 2005 has been lower. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 11.0%, and Romania placed 20th highest of 47. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 130th highest.

How many people in Romania are employees?

According to the ILO, the share of workers who are paid employees in Romania was 85.5% in 2025. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. Europe & Central Asia median: 85.5%; Romania is 23rd highest of 47. World rank, highest first: 37th of 174.