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doi:10.1093/geront/gnt080 Advance Access publication July 26, 2013

Aging in Romania: Research and Public Policy

Simona I. Bodogai, PhD,1 and Stephen J. Cutler, PhD*,2

1
Department of Sociology, Social Work, and Philosophy, University of Oradea, Romania.
2
Department of Sociology, University of Vermont, Burlington.
*Address correspondence to Stephen J. Cutler, PhD, Department of Sociology, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405. E-mail: scutler@uvm.edu

Received April 1, 2013; Accepted June 24, 2013

Decision Editor: Rachel Pruchno, PhD

Romania has entered a period of rapid and dramatic
population aging. Older Romanians are expected to
make up more than 30% of the total population by
2050. Yet, gerontological research is sparse and
the few studies of older Romanians that exist are not
well used by policy makers. Much of the research
is descriptive and focused on needs assessments.
Most databases created from studies of older adults
are not available for secondary analysis, nor is
Romania among the countries included in the Survey
of Health and Retirement in Europe. The pension and
health insurance systems and the system of social
welfare services address the specific needs of older
Romanians, but comparing the social protection sys-
tems in the European Union with those in Romania
suggests the existence of a development lag. The
relevant legislation exists but there are still issues
regarding the implementation of specially developed
social services for older persons. As a result, there
are major inadequacies in the organization of the
social service system: too few public services, insuffi-
cient budget funds, insufficient collaboration between
public and private services, and frequently overlap-
ping services.
Key Words: Demographics of aging, Research on
aging, Public policy, Romania
The Demographics of Aging in Romania
In some respects, Romania is facing demographic
prospects that are similar to other European Union
(EU) countries (Hoff, 2011). Although the percent-
age of people aged 65 years and older in Romania in
2008, 14.9%, was lower than the EU-27 average of
17.1%, the percentage of young people (0–14 years
of age), 15.2%, was just about equal to the EU-27
average of 15.7% (Giannakouris, 2008, Tables 2, 3,
and 10). However, due to the poorer performance
of the Romanian economy, resources to support the
older population are limited and the social impact
is greater (Comisia Naţională pentru Populaţie şi
Dezvoltare, 2006; Guvernul României, 2005).
On July 1, 2010, the Romanian population
totaled 21.4 million persons, of whom 48.7%
were men and 51.3% women. As is the case
elsewhere, the gender distribution at the older ages
was skewed even more toward women: 40.4% of
persons aged 65 and older were men and 59.6%

Vol. 54, No. 2, 2014 147

women (National Institute of Statistics, 2012,
Table  2.2). The older population is also more
rural: 44.9% of all Romanians lived in rural areas
in 2010, but 55.6% of persons aged 65 and older
were rural residents (National Institute of Statistics,
2012, Table 2.3; see Neményi, 2011, for a detailed
discussion of issues facing older Romanians living
in rural areas).
From 1990 onward, the age structure of the
Romanian population shows a slow but continu-
ous process of population aging due to lower
fertility, external migration, and an increase in
average life expectancy (Guvernul României,
2005; National Institute of Statistics, 2011, 2013).
Compared with the rest of Europe, the aging pro-
cess of the Romanian population started later and
had a slower rate of growth but, as seen in Table 1,
the age structure of the population over the past
two decades bears the specific imprint of a demo-
graphic aging process.
Unlike Eastern European nations of the former
Soviet bloc that experienced peaceful transitions
to democracy, Romanian went through a vio-
lent revolution in 1989 leading to the overthrow
and execution of the former Communist leader,
Nicolae Ceauşescu. Following the revolution,
Romania shifted from communism to a capitalis-
tic economy with a parliamentary republic politi-
cal system led by a popularly elected president and
an appointed prime minister. Since the 1989 revo-
lution, and as depicted by the population pyramid
in Figure 1, birth rates have declined in Romania,
but the larger numbers of persons in the cohorts
born between the mid-1960s and 1989 are moving
steadily toward the older ages. (Romanian families
had come to rely almost exclusively on abortion
as a means on family planning beginning in the
mid-1950s and early 1960s. With little warning,
the Ceauşescu government banned virtually all
abortions beginning in November 1966, leading
to the very dramatic baby boom seen in Figure 1.
Table 1.  Population by Age: Romania
65 years and
0–14 years 15–64 years older
1992 (census 22.7% 66.3%
January)a
2002 (census 17.6% 68.3%
March)a
2010 (July 1)b 15.1% 70.0%
a
Source: National Institute of Statistics (2013).
b
Source: National Institute of Statistics (2012).
148 The Gerontologist
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Figure  1. Population by age and sex: Romania, January 1,
2012 (Source: National Institute of Statistics, 2012).
For more on what led to the “decree babies” gen-
eration, as they are known in Romania, and the
rescinding of the pronatalist decree after the 1989
revolution, see Bradatan & Firebaugh, 2007;
Cutler, 2012).
All demographic projections for Romania point
to a rapid expansion of the older population in
the coming decades. Specific projections vary. For
example, the demographer Gheţău (2007) has sug-
gested that the population aged 60 years and older
will increase from 19.3% in 2005 to 33.3% in
2050. Eurostat projections indicate an increase in
the 65+ population from 14.9% in 2008 to 30.9%
in 2050 and to 35.0% in 2060 (Giannakouris,
2008). Regardless of the particulars, all projections
converge on a common conclusion: rapid popula-
tion aging will occur in Romania in the coming
decades.
The median age of the Romanian population
increased from 34.4  years in 2000 to 38.3  years
in 2010 and is projected to increase to 51.4 years
by 2050 (Lanzieri, 2011). Like other countries,
Romania’s older population is itself getting older,
a process referred to as the “aging of the aged.”
For example, from 2008 to 2050, the percentage
of the 65+ population that is 80+ is projected to
increase from 18.7% to 30.5% (Giannakouris,
2008, Tables 5 and 6).
The female population in 2010, with a median
age of 41.1 years, was 2.9 years older than the male
11.0%
population. Average life expectancy in 2010 was
14.1% 73.5 years for the total population but 69.8 years
for men and 77.3 years for women. These gender
14.9% differences in median age and life expectancy have
many implications for widowhood and other needs
in the social and health areas, implications that are
addressed in more detail in the concluding section
of this article.
Key Researchers and Main Areas of Research
on Aging in Romania
In Romania, gerontological research is sparse.
There are only a few studies of older persons and
those that exist are not well used by policy mak-
ers. In addition, much of the research on the older
population is descriptive and much of it is focused
on needs assessments.
Between 2000 and 2005, Ana Bălaşa published
a series of studies on the general issue of the “silver
age” in which she examined the quality of life and
the welfare of older adults, the effects and chal-
lenges posed by an aging population, and problems
faced by the Romanian welfare system (see, e.g.,
Bălaşa, 2005). In another series of articles, Bogdan
and colleagues focused on social and medical assis-
tance available to older persons including social
policies in this area (see, e.g., Bogdan & Curaj,
2006). Apart from the “classical” problems faced
by older persons (e.g., economic support, health
care, transportation and disability, economic and
social abandonment, abuse and neglect by family),
Denizia Gal’s work addresses problems previously
neglected by Romanian researchers, problems
requiring greater attention by and the assistance of
human service providers: intrafamily conflict, con-
flict with the law, and homelessness (Gal, 2003).
A major study conducted in 2004 by Daniela
Gîrleanu-Şoitu analyzed needs expressed by
older persons in order to assess protections for
the older population. Major needs identified by
noninstitutionalized older respondents included
financial and material needs (62.7%), health-related
needs (26.9%),recognition and appreciation (6.0%),
and opportunities for continued involvement in
social networks (4.5%). Institutionalized older
persons expressed the following needs: financial/
material (31.3%), health (31.3%), relationships
and social involvement (17.9%), recognition and
appreciation (10.4%), and autonomy (6.0%).
Gîrleanu-Şoitu concluded that the needs of older
persons are insufficiently covered by existing social
benefits and services. Even if community services
are provided by legislation, the implementation
system is still considered to be weak. She concludes
that the development of effective services depends
on the careful exploration of older people’s needs,
on the continuing awareness of these needs and of
effective ways of intervention, as well as a flexible,
Vol. 54, No. 2, 2014 149
network organization of specific services, both
locally and regionally (Gîrleanu-Şoitu, 2006).
Carmen Stanciu has addressed the major issues
faced by the older person in Romania. Because
of financial problems due to decreased personal
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income following retirement, many elders find
themselves below the relative threshold of poverty
and are socially marginalized. In turn, reduced
income may lead to deterioration of health and
to health problems that can result in dependency
and loss of autonomy. To counter these problems,
Stanciu suggests that social policies in the field
should aim to protect the income of older persons
through a well-organized pension system, increase
the quality of health and social services offered
to elders, develop social services to meet existing
demands, support older adults formally and infor-
mally so that they can lead a dignified and inde-
pendent life in their own environment, and prevent
situations of social marginalization and stigmati-
zation (Stanciu, 2008).
The comprehensive qualitative and quantita-
tive analysis of older Romanians’ needs conducted
by Simona Bodogai in 2008 continues the newly
developing program of research in response to the
emergence of demographic aging in Romania and
to the greater difficulties of social protection of this
increasingly numerous segment of the population
(Bodogai, 2009). Based on issues regarding pop-
ulation aging at the international, national, and
local levels, the study examines old age as a life
course stage, perspectives on old age, stereotypes
about older persons, changes induced by aging,
the impact of retirement, and the nature of social
relationships developed in old age. Bodogai’s study
also addresses typologies constructed over time
concerning the needs of older persons, and the
Romanian welfare system for its older population
is analyzed in comparison with other countries.
Using a multimethod approach, the needs and
problems faced by older adults in Bihor County in
northwest Romania are examined in order to make
relevant proposals for the development of specific
social services and to serve as a basis for the elab-
oration of social policies in this field. Finally, the
study proposes a typology specific to the needs of
older people, a typology that aims to be as practi-
cal and as applied as possible in prioritizing social
policies.
As a last example, based on the analysis of his-
torical documents and various sources of statisti-
cal data, Cristiana Marc analyzes the Romanian
pension system and proposes solutions for the
difficulties faced by this system. She provides a
thorough analysis of the history of old age insur-
ance in Romania and proposes various reforms of
this system along with their advantages and short-
comings (Marc, 2010).
Secondary Data Sets From Romania Used by
Researchers
Most databases created from the various studies
of older adults are not available to other research-
ers for secondary analysis. Key investigators in the
field have published their research but without
making publicly available the realized databases.
Moreover, Romania is not among the countries
included in the Survey of Health and Retirement in
Europe. Microsample data from several Romanian
censuses (1977, 1992, and 2002)  are available
from the Integrated Public Use Microdata Series,
International at the University of Minnesota’s
Minnesota Population Center (http://international.
ipums.org/international/). The major source of
published national statistics for Romania—includ-
ing data on population, income, social protec-
tion and assistance, health, etc.—is the National
Institute of Statistics (http://www.insse.ro/cms/rw/
pages/index.en.do).
Key Public Policy Issues Regarding Aging in
Romania
Protecting older persons is a priority in many
nations because the problems faced by this age
group affect not only older persons themselves
but also their children and grandchildren (Second
World Assembly on Ageing, 2002). In Romania,
the old age social insurance system represents a
first level of protection, providing an economic
benefit to those who have lost their work capacity
due to old age, disability, or death. Since 1998,
Romania has gradually built up a pension system
structured on three pillars: public pensions, based
on compulsory contributions; compulsory private
pensions that are obligatory but invested in
privately managed portfolios; and optional private
pensions, which give those with higher incomes the
possibility of extra insurance. The organization of
the pension system on these pillars makes it possible
to benefit from the advantages of all three systems,
allowing risk sharing. Currently, and as required
by law, the rate of social insurance contributions
for most employees is 31.3%, with 20.8% paid
by the employer and 10.5% by the employee.
Included in the 10.5% employee contribution for
150 The Gerontologist
social insurance is the 4% contribution that goes
to privately managed pension funds.
At the end of June 2012, the number of pension-
ers in Romania totaled 5.3 million. Of these, 88.4%
are retired on state social insurance (principally old-
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age pensions, 69.3%, but also disability pensions,
16.4%, and survivor’s pensions, 11.6%) and 11.6%
are retired farmers. The average monthly pension in
the system of compulsory state social insurance was
€177.7 (about $225), representing 36.4% of the
average gross wage (€488.8 or $615) and 50.1% of
the net average wage (€354.5 or $445). Pensioners
from the former system of social insurance for farm-
ers received an average monthly pension of €71.5
(about $90) (Ministerul Muncii, Familiei, Protecţiei
Sociale şi Persoanelor Vârstnice, 2012).
Due to the decrease in the number of contrib-
utors to the budget of social insurance and the
growing number of social insurance recipients in
Romania, the retirement age is being increased
for both women (from 57 to 60  years of age by
2015)  and men (from 62 to 65  years), thereby
increasing not only the number of contributors
but also the pension level. (Beginning in 2015,
the retirement age for women will again gradu-
ally increase until it is 65, the same as for men.)
In order to correct existing inequities between cat-
egories of pensioners whose pension rights became
available at different times, it was also decided to
recalculate the pensions in the public system. Thus,
the new formula ensures that the amount of pen-
sion one receives will depend more on contribu-
tions paid during one’s working life. To further
avoid negative developments of the public pension
system, the existing law has several other major
provisions. These include, for example, increas-
ing the retirement age for persons in the national
defense, public order, and national security sectors;
integrating persons belonging to special pension
systems into the unitary public pension system;
and discouraging medically unjustified disability
retirement.
In addition to old-age insurance, retirees ben-
efit from health insurance. Their contribution
(5.5%) to the health insurance fund is applied only
to pension incomes above the limit subjected to
income tax under the Fiscal Code; the contribu-
tion on pension income under the taxable limit is
supported by the state budget. Pensioners have the
same rights as other insured persons within this
system: they receive health care in outpatient clin-
ics and hospitals that have contracts with health
insurance funds; medicines, medical supplies, and
medical devices; annual preventive examinations;
emergency medical services; some dental care ser-
vices; physiotherapy treatment and rehabilitation;
and home health care services.
The Ministry of Labor, Family, Social Protection
and the Elderly is a specialized body of the central
public administration that synthesizes and coordi-
nates the strategy and government policies in the
areas of work, family, and social protection for
older people. Therefore, one of its tasks—much
like the Administration on Aging in the United
States—is to identify, develop, and promote public
policies and legislation in accord with Government
provisions and with Romania’s obligations aris-
ing from membership in the EU. Older persons
also participate in decision making through the
National Council of the Elderly (an autonomous,
advisory, and public body) and through advisory
Committees of Civil Dialogue for Issues of the
Elderly established at the county level.
Law no.  17/2000, republished in 2007, is the
legislative act regulating social services for older
persons in Romania. Besides the clear delineation of
the concept of “elderly person,” the law establishes
protective measures that can be taken (e.g.,
temporary or permanent care at home, in residential
centers, or in day centers) as well as required services
(e.g., health and social services such as legal and
administrative counseling; support for the payment
of services and current obligations; activities of daily
living and instrumental activities of daily living
support; administration of medications; nursing
services; maintenance of physical and mental
health capacities; household modification to meet
the needs of older persons; medical care at home or
in health care facilities; dental care; temporary care
in day centers, night shelters, or other specialized
centers; prevention of social exclusion and social
reintegration support and involvement in economic,
social, and cultural activities). The main types of
specialized institutions for the provision of health
and human services to older adults are residential
centers; residential centers of a “respite” type;
reception centers for emergency but temporary
protection; day care centers for care, rehabilitation,
and socialization; home care services; counseling
and hotline support; medical and social care
centers; “hospice” type nursing centers for older
Romanians who are terminally ill; and protected
housing and social canteens.
The insurance systems (especially pension and
health insurance) and the social welfare services
for older people in Romania address the specific
Vol. 54, No. 2, 2014 151
needs of this category of persons. However, com-
paring the social protection systems in the EU
with those in Romania suggests the existence of
a development lag. The relevant legislation has
been enacted but there still are issues regarding
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the implementation of specially developed social
services for older persons (Neményi, 2011). Thus,
there are major inadequacies in the organization of
the social service system for older persons: too few
public services, insufficient budget funds, insuffi-
cient collaboration between public and private ser-
vices, and frequently overlapping services.
Emerging Issues Regarding Aging in Romania
In order to improve the pension system, it will
be necessary to increase the budget of state pension
coverage, cover migratory workers through the
private pension system, ensure a decent standard
of living to pensioners, and increase the coverage
rate of individuals in at least one of the pension
systems (public or private). Increasing the social
insurance pension budget can be achieved in a
number of ways. For example, sustained economic
growth in conjunction with increasing the overall
employment rate and increasing the employment
rate of people 55–64  years of age by postponing
retirement would augment the size of available
pension funds. Similarly, attracting labor from
other countries, motivating women to enter and to
reenter the labor market after interruption, offer-
ing a flexible system that would enable women to
work and take care of children, and recognizing as
years of work the period in which women interrupt
work in order to take care of children would also
benefit pension funds. Finally, equalizing retire-
ment ages for men and women at 65  years and
encouraging older citizens to remain in the labor
force by assuring them that continuing contribu-
tions to the system will lead to greater benefits are
other steps that might be taken (Preda, Doboş, &
Grigoraş, 2004).
Unless gender inequities are addressed by pen-
sion reform, women will continue to be disad-
vantaged. To the extent that public pensions are
replaced by individual savings as a means of pro-
viding for economic security in old age, women’s
lower salaries will result in smaller savings. At
the same time, a lower retirement age for women
leaves them with less time to contribute to the sys-
tem. Protection would be further reduced owing
to women’s longer life expectancy. Finally, women
will continue to be at a financial disadvantage in
old age if they are not granted pension rights for
periods of maternity leave, child care, and work
interruptions due to family care.
Beyond gender disparities, public policy deliber-
ations related to older adults are not well informed
by considerations of diversity along ethnic and
national, religious, or linguistic lines. Although
legislation does mention that measures will be
enacted and implemented on a nondiscriminatory
basis, considerations of diversity are seen as too
politically controversial to be addressed explicitly
by public policy.
Romania abides by international recommen-
dations aimed at insuring an active life for older
persons. But to realize this ideal, reforms will be
needed that enable elders, if they wish, to con-
tinue to work after the statutory retirement age,
thereby accumulating additional pension benefits
upon retirement. For those elders not wishing to
work, volunteer opportunities must be developed.
Romania will have larger numbers of elders, in
better health and with more discretionary time,
who will be available to contribute to Romanian
society. The social capital represented by the wis-
dom and experience of elders must be drawn upon
for the benefit of elders themselves and Romanian
society at large.
Finally, the scope of gerontological research
in Romania must be increased. Research on
older Romanian adults is limited in the amount
of research conducted, the range of topics
addressed, and the representativeness of samples.
Gerontological research has not been a high
priority owing to the small number of investigators
interested in aging and because limited resources
are available to carry out studies at the national
level. Future gerontological research would benefit
from expanding the range of topical themes, from
increasing the amount of external funding to permit
more nationally representative studies, and from
including Romania as part of comparative studies
with other countries.
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