Romania's population projected to fall to 15.6 million by 2080

The National Institute of Statistics (INS) reports that Romania’s resident population was 19.043 million on 1 January 2025. Its latest projection, released for World Population Day, forecasts a decline to 15.633 million by 2080 – a loss of 3.41 million people (‑17.9%).

The age structure will shift dramatically: the share of those aged 65 and over is expected to rise to 25.9% (from 20.3% in 2025), while the proportion of children under 15 will fall to 13.7% and the 15‑64‑year‑old cohort to 60.4%. The dependency ratio is projected to reach 65.5% and the ageing index 188.8%, with the average age already at 42.8 years.

Natural growth remains negative, with a net loss of 104 100 people in 2025 and a monthly deficit of 8 381 in May 2026 (1.8 deaths per birth). Regional disparities persist: the Nord‑Est development region holds 16.9% of the population, the Vest region only 8.8%, while the Bucharest‑Ilfov area is 85.6% urbanised. International migration has helped stabilise the resident count, but the long‑term trend points to a shrinking and ageing society.