Romanian Leu
Leu românesc
Currency Code
RON
ISO 946
Symbol
RON
Native: lei
Decimal Digits
2
Rounding: 0
Countries
RO
Using this currency
Currency Units
Major Unit
Name: leu
Symbol: lei
Minor Unit
Name: ban
Symbol:
Value: 0.01
Banknotes
Frequently Used
1 lei5 lei10 lei50 lei100 lei200 lei
Rarely Used
500 lei
Coins
Frequently Used
1 ban5 bani10 bani50 bani
Plural Forms
English Plural
Romanian lei
Native Plural
Lei românești
Overview
The Romanian Leu is the currency of Romania, managed by the National Bank of Romania. Romania is a EU member since 2007 and has been working toward euro adoption, though no target date has been set. The economy has been growing steadily since EU accession.
Economy
- Romania is a member of EU, NATO, OECD, Council of Europe, BSEC.
- Main industries include: Electric machinery and equipment, Auto assembly, Textiles and footwear, Light machinery, Metallurgy, Chemicals, Food processing, Petroleum refining, Mining, Timber, Construction materials.
- Romania is part of the World Trade Organization.
- Imports are machinery, equipment, chemicals, fuels, minerals, metals, textile raw materials, agricultural products.
- Major exports include machinery, electric and electronic equipment, auto vehicles, iron and steel, textiles.
- GDP: $284.1 billion (2023 est.).
- GDP per capita: $14,861 (2023 est.).
- Unemployment rate: 5.6% (2023 est.).
- Inflation rate: 10.1% (2023 est.).
- Main trading partners: Germany, Italy, France, Turkey, Hungary, Poland.
- Trade agreements: EU Single Market, Various bilateral agreements.
History
- Previous currencies used: Old Romanian leu, Various historical currencies.
- The current leu was introduced in 2005, replacing the old leu at 10,000:1. The name 'leu' means 'lion' in Romanian, referring to lion symbols on early coins.
- 1867: First Romanian leu introduced
- 1947: Communist-era monetary reforms
- 1989: Romanian Revolution
- 2005: New leu introduced (10,000:1)
- 2007: EU membership achieved
- 2019: Joined ERM II preparation process
- Exchange rate peg: Free floating with inflation targeting.
General Information
- ISO 4217 Code: RON
- Symbols: RON/lei
- Currency Subunits: 100 bani
- Central Bank: National Bank of Romania
- Monetary Policy: Inflation targeting with 2.5% target (±1% tolerance band). Free-floating exchange rate preparing for eventual euro adoption.
- Bills: 1 leu, 5 lei, 10 lei, 50 lei, 100 lei, 200 lei, 500 lei
- Coins: 1 ban, 5 bani, 10 bani, 50 bani
- USD Exchange Rate: Variable (approximately 4.6 RON per USD)
- Pegged To: None (Floating)
- Capital: Bucharest
- Population: 18,519,899 (2023 est.)
- Area: 238,391 km²
- Languages: Romanian (official) 85.4%, Hungarian 6.3%, Romani 1.2%, Other 1%, Unspecified 6.1%
- Time Zones: UTC+2 (EET), UTC+3 (EEST in summer)
- Government Type: Semi-presidential republic
- Head of Government: President (head of state), Prime Minister (head of government)
- Independence: May 9, 1877 (independence proclaimed)
- Ethnic Groups: Romanian 83.4%, Hungarian 6.1%, Romani 3.1%, Ukrainian 0.3%, German 0.2%, Other 0.7%, Unspecified 6.1%
- Religions: Eastern Orthodox 81%, Protestant 6.2%, Roman Catholic 4.3%, Other 0.4%, Unspecified 0.2%, None 0.2%, Atheist 0.1%
- Literacy Rate: 98.8% (2018 est.)
- Transport: Henri Coandă International Airport, extensive road and rail networks, Danube River transport, Black Sea ports
- Communications: Good telecommunications, 84% internet penetration, comprehensive mobile coverage
- Energy: Natural gas 28%, Hydroelectric 28%, Coal 19%, Nuclear 18%, Oil 4%, Renewables 3%
- Countries Using This Currency: Romania
- Data Sources: Central Bank: National Bank of Romania (bnr.ro), Economic Data: National Institute of Statistics Romania, World Bank, IMF, Trade Data: National Customs Agency, Demographic Data: National Institute of Statistics Romania, Geographic Data: National Meteorological Administration, Historical Data: National Bank of Romania archives
- Last Updated: 2025