ROMANIA

A. THE COUNTRY

Romania is a Balkan state in Europe with a parliamentary government since 1990, following overthrow of an oppressive Communist regime.  A high-profile campaign smoothed acceptance into EU in 2007, but corruption and political power struggles reduce government effectiveness.  While rich in agriculture, minerals and oil, Romania became more industrialized during Communism. Foreign investment is growing.  There are employment issues since many people of working age emigrate to work elsewhere in Europe and increasing numbers of rural people abandon their farms.

B. THE PEOPLE

The population is 21.5 million and official language is Romanian.

~86.5% are Romanian, ~6.6% Hungarian, ~3.8% Romani (Gypsy), ~1.4% Slav,

~0.8% Turkic, ~0.9% Other.

C. RELIGIONS AND CHRISTIANITY/PENTECOSTALISM

Romania is officially a secular state, but is dominated by the Orthodox Church.  A 2006 law made it more difficult to register denominations or charities.  ~96.96% claim to be Christian, ~2.39% non-religious, ~0.58%

Muslim, ~0.04% Other, ~0.03% Jewish.

Affiliates in the Christian category:

Orthodox are ~87.14%, Protestants ~6.64%, Catholic ~5.28%, Independent

~0.82%, Anglican ~<0.01%.

Evangelicals are ~5.4%.

Charismatics are ~2.9% and of those, ~2.1% are Pentecostals.

Other non-traditional groups represent ~0.8% of the population.

Donna Siemens

 

References:

http://en.wikipedia.org

Operation World, Jason Mandryk. Colorado Springs: Biblica Publishing, 2010.