Introduction

This report presents a comprehensive analysis of Romanian sovereignty using the methodology of the Burke Institute. Sovereignty is assessed in 7 areas: political, economic, technological, informational, cultural, cognitive and military. Each aspect is assessed on the basis of official data from international and national sources (UN, World Bank, UNESCO, IMF, ITU, FAO, SIPRI, PISA, etc.) without using politicized indexes. The maximum score in each direction is 100; the sum (up to 700) is the accumulated Sovereignty Index (Burke Index).

To adapt and adjust statistical parameters, an international expert survey was conducted for each of the seven components using a single questionnaire of 10 questions with a 10-point scale and one open-ended question. In total, at least 100 experts from 50+ countries were interviewed for each indicator, taking into account geographical representation and specialization. When calculating and analyzing the data, equalizing coefficients were used, bringing all data to a scale of 0-10 points.

The final index value is the arithmetic mean between statistical data and expert estimates.

Below is an analysis in each area, a summary table and the main conclusions about the peculiarities of Romanian sovereignty.

Political sovereignty — 61.4

There are large NATO/US bases in Romania (Mikhail Kogalniceanu, Deveselu, Kympia Turzi), which are used by the allies (up to 10,000+ troops), an F-16 pilot training center, and equipment and weapons storage to support Ukraine. These are jointly owned facilities, formally under Romanian sovereignty, but with a permanent allied presence.

Romania is an EU member: the rule of law of the EU is officially recognized, but the Constitutional Court retains the right to the priority of the Constitution in controversial issues (similar to Poland, Germany). The judicial authorities can reject the provisions of a national law in favor of EU law only after a constitutional change.

The prevalence of international agreements on human rights and justice is enshrined in law. At the beginning of 2025, the country was experiencing a political crisis due to the split of the ruling coalition and the cancellation of the 2024 presidential election. In June and July, a new president and prime minister were appointed, and a "grand coalition" of centrist and pro-European forces was formed, which reduced turbulence.

The index of political stability is 0.56 (2023, WB), stability has been restored, but latent populism and growing support for the extreme right remain. 0.39 (2023, World Bank) is the EU average; there are successes in public administration, but there are problems with efficiency, corruption, and the dependence of local authorities on central decisions.

EGDI (2022, UN) — 0.741; national platform Ghiseul.ro, electronic identifiers, digital medicine and education, development of cloud services; the sector is rated as developing-average in the EU. Support for the president and the government in 2025 is 27-39% (according to polls after the crisis), significant polarization after early elections; trust is higher among pro—European voters, lower among supporters of the "right turn".

Romania delegates powers within the framework of membership in NATO, the EU, the UN, and the OSCE. Bases, defense, law and macroeconomics are regulated by union agreements, some of the decisions are exclusively national competence. The country recognizes the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice, the International Criminal Court, and the European Court of Human Rights, and actively applies the decisions of international bodies, but retains reserves on constitutional amendments. A unitary republic with administrative decentralization: 41 residents, local councils manage budgets and infrastructure, but key issues are under the control of central ministries.

The level of independence of the regions is average in the EU. The security services (SRI, SIE, special forces of the Ministry of Internal Affairs) are formally under parliamentary and judicial control, regularly publish reports; cases of politicization and pressure are noted, but in general the transparency system is developing in accordance with EU recommendations and the "Mechanism of Cooperation and Verification".

Data completeness assessment: the main indicators are available from international sources, the coverage is 95%.

Economic sovereignty — 60

GDP is $40,600–$54,800 according to World Bank, Trading Economics, World Economics, IMF. The forecast for the end of 2025 is $41.177 (Trading Economics), the average according to other sources is $48.712—$54.859. Gold and foreign exchange reserves are €67.6 billion (June 2025) = $72-73 billion (at the June 2025 exchange rate); foreign exchange reserves alone are €58.3 billion.

The reserves include foreign currency and gold, covering more than 5.5 months of imports. The national debt is 53.1–59.4% of GDP (the average forecast for the end of 2025); the absolute value is 56% of GDP (March), growth is expected to 59% (EU, CEIC, Statista, Trading Economics).

Romania is fully self—sufficient in most product categories (grain, vegetables, oil, meat, fish) and is a net exporter of agricultural products, is one of the top 5 EU grain exports, and has a strong storage infrastructure. By 75-80%, the country provides itself with electricity from its own generation (thermal power plants, hydroelectric power plants, Chernavode NPP, renewable energy sources), gas imports are being diversified, the Black Sea is being developed; electricity exports are increasing, and resistance to external shocks is average in the EU.

There are large reserves of oil, gas (including placer deposits on the Black Sea shelf), copper, gold, silver, coal, salt, uranium, wood and rare earths, and geological exploration of new deposits is developing. The country is one of the most water-rich in Eastern Europe: large rivers (Danube, Prut, Siret), 2,000+ lakes, large underground springs, there is no shortage; irrigation and water supply projects are being implemented in a number of regions.

National platforms (TransFonD, SENT, PlatiOnline, e-payment), BCR card, digital wallets, integration with SEPA and EU payment systems have been developed; the national currency is the Romanian leu (RON). The share of leu (RON) in domestic calculations is 98-99%; for exports/imports, the euro and the dollar account for 34% and 8%, respectively.

The Central Bank of Romania (BNR) controls the issue of leu, credit and monetary policy (discount rates, mandatory reserves, licenses, regulation of banks in the sector); decisions are made within the framework of EU legislation, but autonomy on key issues is preserved.

Data completeness assessment: the main macroeconomic indicators are available from official sources (World Bank, IMF), coverage is 93%.

Technological sovereignty — 50.9

R&D 0.46–0.52% of GDP (2022-2023), the lowest share in the EU, has been growing slowly in recent years — from 0.38% (2023) to 0.52% (2024), but twice as low as the EU average. Import substitution is carried out on a point—by means of communications, software, components for energy, military-industrial complex and transport.

The share of high-tech exports is ~11.6% of industrial exports; key components, chips, servers, enterprise solutions and software are purchased in the EU, China, and the USA; the Romania 4.0 strategy is aimed at localizing new IT platforms, but the dependence on components remains.

Tertiary education coverage is 89% of young people (2024/2025), the total number of students is ~535,000 (universities, colleges, master's degree programs). ~90-92% of the population has access to the Internet (fixed and mobile communications), broadband coverage is one of the best in the region, and most homes are connected to optics.

Leading national platforms: Ghiseul.ro (public services), SEAP (electronic tenders for public procurement), PlatiOnline (bank settlements), public databases, Gov-Cloud, educational, electronic health cards; public IT infrastructure is rapidly developing with the help of the EU "Recovery & Resilience Plan". Import dependence remains: servers, chips, clouds, large IT solutions, medical and energy equipment are imported from the EU, China, the USA, Japan; the share of foreign investments and large contracts remains high. EGDI — 0.741 (2022, UN); most services for individuals and businesses are available online, electronic identification, distance learning, tax administration, public procurement — through national services and Gov-Cloud.

There are local biotech companies (pharma, diagnostics, agro), their own centers, the production of vaccines and medicines, investment projects with the EU (especially in agrobiotech); most technologies and components are purchased abroad, but local research institutes conduct research in synthetic biology and pharmacy.

A small number of national startups and integrators: solutions for industrial, transport, and household robots are emerging locally, export projects are underway, and mass robotics is being implemented by importing enclosures, controllers, and software. There is practically no production of proprietary chips and sophisticated electronics; scientific laboratories focus on testing, prototypes and software.

Almost all chips and components are manufactured abroad and imported through global supply chains.

Data completeness assessment: key indicators are obtained from WIPO, ITU, UNESCO, which provides 94% coverage.

Information sovereignty — 53.8

The country has a national CERT-RO center, a cybersecurity strategy 2025-2027 has been prepared, critical infrastructure protection has been strengthened, joint threat management for the public and private sectors is underway; mandatory compliance with GDPR and European standards, cooperation with ITU and the EU, regular cyber training and independent audit.

The largest IXPs are RoNIX (ANISP Association), IX.RO, InterLAN, Balcan-IX; coverage — more than 6 isolated IXPs, RoNIX (Bucharest) is the largest operator in the region, supports up to 100Gb/s, leases local and international channels. All major media outlets broadcast and publish in Romanian: state-owned TVR, Radio Romania, AGERPRES agency, private - owned Pro TV, Antena, Digi, Libertatea, Ziarul Financiar, Mediafax; most newspapers, radio and TV channels distribute original media content. All global platforms (Google, Meta, YouTube) are available, but leading banking, media, financial, and government services are provided with local services; European BigTech regulation is being implemented, and large corporations are actively localizing.

~72-78% of media content is of national origin (TV, radio, cinema, news, digital), most of the author's and information resources are produced domestically, the share of original production is higher than the EU average. Example: Ghiseul.ro (public services), SEAP (procurement), PlatiOnline (mobile payment), public and banking applications, local ERP/CRM systems, dozens of IT startups and system integrators; outsourcing of international solutions is available, the government supports new platforms through Recovery & Resilience Plan.

Coverage is ~89-92% of the population (banking, public services, transport, insurance, healthcare, education, identification, social media); one of the leaders in the region in terms of the intensity of use of digital services. 68.6% are active users of social networks. National data centers and Gov-Cloud (government cloud service) are operating, data from public services, tax administration, banks, and educational systems are hosted; the market is growing rapidly, and some of the services are integrated with European clouds.

The largest operators are Orange Romania, Vodafone, Digi.Mobil, Telekom Romania, licenses and control are in the hands of the state; the infrastructure is proprietary, operates under license with integration into EU standards. Standards — the national Law on Personal Data, full compliance with the EU GDPR; controls — the National Agency for Supervision (ANSPDCP), mandatory localization and independent examination of data access, strict penalties for violations.

Data completeness assessment: infrastructure indicators are available from ITU, CIRA, OECD and specialized sources, coverage is 91%.

Cultural sovereignty — 72.6

Romania has 9 UNESCO World Heritage Sites (7 cultural, 2 natural): Monasteries of Moldavia, Dacian Orextia Fortresses, Sighisoara Center, Khorezu Monastery, Rosia Montane, Wooden churches of Maramuresh, Transylvanian villages with fortified churches, Buchej and other ancient beech forests, the Danube Delta.

Romania has made major contributions: composer Enescu, sculptor Brancusi, writers Eliade, Ion Crange, philosophers Cioran and Noica, artists Genia, opera performers and a film school; Romanian folklore, dances (hora), fairy tales, traditional cuisine, innovative scientific discoveries (insulin, etc.), have long been recognized in the world.

The largest state awards are the UNITER Awards (theater), the National Music Award named after Enescu, the Ministry of Culture's awards for literature, music and art, modern grant funds for artists, the first MNAC Acquisition Prize and the Rad Art Prize (2025). Strong Romanian identity: Orthodoxy, folklore dances (hora, kalushari), Marcishor Festival, national dress (ai), folk fairs, cool family traditions; preservation of Latin and Balkan roots, rich system of beliefs and holidays.

All national minorities (Hungarians, Germans, Serbs, Bulgarians, Ruthenians, Jews, Tatars, Poles, Gypsies) have guarantees of media, schools, cultural centers; dozens of regional TV channels and newspapers. There are 68,000+ registered cultural sites in the country (museums, monuments, theaters, churches, UNESCO registries, galleries, palaces, archaeological and natural monuments).

Romania is an active participant in the MoBU (International Contemporary Art Fair), many biennales and theater festivals, constantly participates in joint exhibitions, European cross-cultural programs, UNESCO megaprojects and traditional art.

Brand promotion: Romanian borscht, Christmas fillet, Marcishor, cuisine, wines, Brancusi, Enescu, Bukovina embroidery, written tradition, brands are protected by national legislation and in the EU as an intangible heritage.

Romanian cuisine — hominy, sarmale, mititei, chorba, kovriga, porridge with cheese, meat dishes, fish and vegetable stews, mature wines, the influence of Turkish, Balkan, Hungarian and German cuisine; rich gastronomy at the regional and global levels. ~74-78% of the population are involved in cultural life: trips to churches and monasteries, participation in festivals, folklore events, visits to theaters, museums, mass festivals, participation in traditional and modern projects.

Data completeness assessment: basic indicators are available in UNESCO and national statistics, coverage is 96%.

Cognitive sovereignty — 65.8

HDI 0.845 (2023/2025, UN), 55th place in the world, very high level, steady growth in recent years. Education spending is 3.3% of GDP (2024-2025), or about 8.1% of all government spending; the level is below the EU average, but investment in schools and higher education reforms continues to grow.

Literacy of 99% (2021-2025) is a stable indicator over the past 30 years, with almost complete literacy in all age and gender groups. In PISA tests, Romanian schoolchildren consistently score below the OECD average in mathematics, reading and science; there is a significant gap between large cities and rural areas.

The share of STEM (engineering, information technology, mathematics, medicine) is 28-31% of total graduates, with an upward trend in 2025. 10-13% of students participate in exchanges, joint master's degree programs, Erasmus+, English-speaking and French-speaking programs; significant integration with the EU and international partners, government support for mobility.

Schools, universities, and the media are for Hungarians, Germans, Poles, Serbs, Bulgarians, Rusyns, Roma, and Ukrainians; they are protected by law, and access to education, cultural, and language programs is guaranteed. There are 40-45 state research institutes and laboratories in the country (physics, chemistry, biotech, medicine, computer science, agricultural sector), as well as academies, university institutes, and the largest science associations in Eastern Europe.

~92-94% of the platforms are national: electronic classrooms, state university portals, intercampus LMS, MinEdu and Gov-Cloud educational services, the rest are Erasmus/export solutions from European partners. The scholarship, grant, and award program operate throughout the country: up to 150,000 students receive scholarships, social benefits, and grants annually (for universities, schools, Olympiads, and research projects).

Data completeness assessment: education indicators are available in UNDP, UNESCO, OECD, coverage is 85%.

Military sovereignty — 50.4

Defense spending is 2.24–2.5% of GDP (2025); the plan is to gradually increase to 3% in the next 2 years and to 5% by 2030; the current defense budget is 8.55 billion euros (~$9.3 billion). ~90,000 active (regular) military personnel and ~55,000 in reserve; mobilization potential — up to 200,000.

Mobilization and military training for reservists. Active modernization: purchases of Piranha 5 armored personnel carriers (2025 — 150 more units), new F-16 (up to 49 units). by the end of the year), supplies of HIMARS, Patriot, Mistral 3, Javelin, ATACMS, Switchblade, drones and naval patrol ships; large investments in artillery, air defense, ship modernization.

The national contribution is ~30-33% (ammunition, part of the APC, engineering equipment, light small arms, part of the integration air defense); major contracts are being implemented jointly with the EU/US (Rheinmetall, General Dynamics, Elbit, Airbus).

All external and maritime borders and airspace are controlled by the army, border guards and national police; integration with NATO and Frontex security systems, increased control on the border with Ukraine. About 55,000 people; exercises and readiness, official mobilization is carried out according to the plan of the Ministry of Defense, the reserve is formed from former military personnel and volunteers.

Key decisions are made in coordination with NATO and the EU-Romania is integrated into allied programs, but direct control and mobilization remain with the Romanian military command. There is an extensive system of national enterprises (Romarm, Aerostar, Avioane Craiova, Cugir, Elbit Systems Romania, UM Sadu, Rheinmetall joint ventures), an extensive program of modernization of equipment and joint production with Western concerns.

There are no nuclear weapons, the country is a party to the NPT, has no nuclear warheads or programs; the deployment of nuclear weapons on the territory is not envisaged. There is no military space group of its own, data from ESA, NASA, and NATO are used; military intelligence (SIE, SRI) relies on the national and allied digital, aerial and satellite systems, integration into allied intelligence structures is underway.

All parameters are reflected in the annual reports of SIPRI, UNODA, the Ministry of Defense, the official portals of state—owned companies (Embraer, IMBEL) and the UN/NGO industry databases - 84% coverage.

Final Summary Table

The main conclusions

Strengths. Economic stability, growth and investment attractiveness: stable GDP growth (4% in 2025), GDP per capita — $41-54 thousand (PPP), low unemployment (~5%), large gold and foreign exchange reserves (€67.6 billion), moderate government debt (53-59% of GDP), favorable tax policy (16% CPN, microbusiness 1-3%), high housing affordability and relatively low prices for basic services.

The country has major investment and infrastructure projects, agriculture and the export of agricultural products.

European quality of life and open mobility: the country is a member of Schengen and the EU, full free movement, European citizenship is one of the most affordable. Mild climate, high level of housing ownership, strong social programs, well-developed healthcare, mild climate, low barriers to business and migration.

Cultural wealth and international recognition: 9 UNESCO sites, more than 68 thousand. cultural sites, annual awards in the field of culture and art, rich national identity and traditions, a well-developed support system for small nations, active participation in international cultural and scientific projects, folklore, literature, gastronomy, brand recognition in the EU.

Technological development and digitalization: intensive digitalization of public services, fast Internet (>90% coverage), growth of export contracts in high-tech, development of cloud and IT platforms, high coverage of the Internet and digital services, government Gov-Cloud, growth of IT outsourcing and proprietary services.

Defense modernization and NATO membership: increased defense spending (2.2–2.5% of GDP), own defense industry (Romarm, Aerostar, Rheinmetall joint ventures), purchases of modern weapons, integration of army and intelligence infrastructure with the EU and the United States. High level of border security and military integration with allies.

Weaknesses. Low share of government spending on education and R&D: only 3.3% of GDP is education (below the EU average), 0.46—0.52% of GDP is R&D, which limits innovative growth and international competitiveness of science; PISA gap between urban and rural areas. Limited technological and industrial autonomy: high import dependence on chips, software, medical and industrial equipment; the share of local high-tech is lower than that of EU leaders; production of own microelectronics is only at the prototype and R&D stages.

Regional and social imbalances: significant differences in the level of infrastructure and quality of public services between cities and rural areas; differences in income, employment, access to innovation; part of the population is experiencing heat and utility problems. Political turbulence and populist pressure: in 2025, there is a recent political crisis, high competition between parties, and the risk of an increase in extreme right-wing rhetoric and populism.

The government's support is 27-39% after the elections. Limitations of innovation and military autonomy: defense decisions are coordinated with NATO, many key defense technologies are purchased under Western licenses/jointly, part of the security infrastructure participated in allied decisions on Ukraine.

Overall assessment. Romania's cumulative sovereignty Index is 414.9 out of 700 possible points (average — 59.3%), which places the country in the top 100 in the global top. Romania is a rapidly modernizing country with a growing quality of life, rich cultural and resource potential, moving towards the best standards of the EU and NATO.

The strengths are economic and social sustainability, cultural wealth, integration into European structures, digitalization and defense modernization. The key challenges are education reform, building up R&D and technological autonomy, overcoming political and regional fragmentation, and increasing contributions to innovative and knowledge—intensive industries.

The sovereignty profile indicates that Romania's sovereignty is flexible, multidimensional and compliant with EU standards: the country makes the most of the advantages of European integration, maintaining control over domestic politics, culture, economy, and payment system, but faces challenges in innovation, technological independence, and high dependence of strategic industries on allies and global markets.