Overview of the Peoples of Romania

The Romanian people are a unique blend of Latin heritage, Eastern Orthodox tradition, and Central/Eastern European influences. They are shaped by a long history of resilience, regional diversity, and cultural pride—warm, opinionated, humorous, and deeply connected to family and tradition. Romanians are a predominantly Eastern Romance ethnic group (about 89% of Romania’s population) whose identity blends ancient Dacian roots, Roman influence, and centuries of interaction with Slavic, Hungarian, and other neighboring cultures. Their language, Romanian, is the only major Romance language in Eastern Europe, often described as an "island of Latinity" surrounded by Slavic nations.


- Ethnic composition:
- Romanians: ~89%
- Hungarians: ~6%
- Roma: ~3–4%
- Others: ~1%

- Romanian is the official language—an Eastern Romance language with Latin roots and Slavic, French, Turkish, German, Hungarian, Greek, and Italian influences.

- Majority belong to the Romanian Orthodox Church, which shapes holidays, traditions, and social norms.

- Family ties are central; extended families often remain close.
- Respect for elders and strong interdependence are common.
- Initially reserved with strangers, but warm, humorous, and expressive once familiar.
- Known for hospitality—guests are treated generously.

Romania’s people often identify strongly with their region, each shaped by different historical influences.

Transylvania (West)
- Multicultural: Romanians, Hungarians, Germans
- Austro‑Hungarian legacy visible in architecture and customs
- Stereotype: more reserved, orderly, Central‑European in vibe

Moldavia (East)
- Influences from Slavic and steppe cultures
- Known for hospitality, strong Orthodox traditions, and folk culture

Muntenia / Wallachia (South)
- Home to Bucharest, the capital
- More urban, fast‑paced, and economically dynamic


Centuries of foreign domination (Ottoman, Austro‑Hungarian, Russian) fostered:
- Pride in cultural survival
- A strong sense of national identity
- Regional diversity and occasional friendly rivalry

The Roma

The Roma are Romania’s second‑largest ethnic minority. The last Pre-War Census indicated 569,477 people (3.4% of the population) self-identified as Roma. However, independent estimates place the real number much higher—between 1.2 and 2.5 million, due to underreporting and reluctance to declare ethnicity.

Significant Roma communities are found in the regions of:
- Wallachia
- Bucharest
- Moldavia
- Southeastern Transylvania
- Dobrogea

The Roma in Romania are not a single homogeneous group. There are around 40 subgroups, often historically tied to specific occupations—such as metalworking, music, woodworking, or animal trading.

Languages spoken include:
- Vlax Romani
- Carpathian Romani
- Romanian
- In some regions: Hungarian, Bulgarian, German, Turkish

Religions include:
- Orthodoxy
- Catholicism
- Calvinism
- Pentecostalism
- Islam (especially in Dobrogea)

Despite cultural richness, Roma communities in Romania face systemic and persistent inequalities and discrimination. Access to quality education is a challenge for these communities, students often facing segregation and stigma. These issues have led to higher drop-out rates. The issues with education ripple throughout the life of Roma peoples, who also suffer with lower employment rates. The difficulties of the education process lead to limited qualifications and reduced access to job options and openings.

Systemic discrimination does not stop at education and employment. The Roma face lower access to healthcare services and higher morbidity and mortality indicators. They have lower rates of annual medical exams, difficulty enrolling with family doctors, and pregnant Roma women often must contend with a lower standard or complete lack of medical prenatal care.

Roma communities are often overcrowded where the housing is inadequate. These communities are often set up in improvised settlements where buildings do not have adequate sanitation and other infrastructure. These areas usually don't even have any legal standing and could face a variety of legal challenges. Government policy has often treated Roma as a "vulnerable social group", focusing on social issues while neglecting cultural identity and self‑esteem. Negative stereotypes and discrimination remain widespread.

Despite these hardships, Roma communities maintain very strong family networks. They have a deep sense of cultural continuity with distinct music and artistic traditions and a strong history of craftsmanship, trade, and performance arts.

Romania's Hungarian Community (Székely)

The largest minority ethnic group in Romania is the Hungarian community. Making up about 5–6% of the population, they live primarily in Transylvania, which used to be part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Székely Land, in and around Harghita, Covasna and Mureș, the communities are prevalently ethnic Hungarian and is a culturally distinct Hungarian-speaking region. The Székely are - A Hungarian-speaking subgroup with a distinct identity. Historically, they were considered frontier guards of the medieval Hungarian Kingdom. They are known for preserving the Hungarian language and a unique runic writing tradition (Székely–Hungarian runes). With strong local customs and folklore, their presence in the region is continuous from medieval times to the present.

During the Middle Ages, the Székelys enjoyed special privileges and self-governance through their "seats." They were exempt from taxes in exchange for service as military border guards.

Some of the more culturally visible traits include distinct folklore (costumes, dances, woodcarving), Székely gates—large carved wooden gates with symbolic motifs, Strong Catholic and Protestant traditions (unlike most of Romania, which is Orthodox) and a blended cuisine with both Hungarian and Transylvanian influences.