Romanian Leu

Overview

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