Hunedoara reports high pensions and tourism growth amid population decline

Hunedoara County is experiencing contrasting socio-economic trends according to recent data from the National Institute of Statistics. The region now holds the second-highest average state social security pension in Romania, with an average of 3,498 lei. This figure is closely trailing only Bucharest, which reports an average of 3,579 lei, and significantly exceeds the averages in counties such as Botoșani, Vrancea, and Vaslui.

Simultaneously, the county faces significant demographic challenges, having lost nearly 200,000 residents over the last three decades due to the decline of major industrial centers. Despite this population decrease, Hunedoara has emerged as a growing tourism hub in western Romania. In the first half of 2026, the number of Romanian tourist arrivals increased by 30.7% compared to the same period in 2025, driven by historical sites like Corvin Castle and mountain resorts such as Straja.