Numbers tell a story, and when it comes to Romanian as a language and a market, the data paints a compelling picture. From the millions of speakers worldwide to Romania’s booming economy and digital expansion, businesses and Multi-Language Vendors (MLVs) that invest in Romanian localization are positioning themselves for long-term growth.
Let’s break down the key statistics that make Romanian a language worth watching.
1. Romanian Speakers: A Global Community
Romanian isn’t just spoken in Romania—it’s a global language with a significant presence across multiple countries.
🔹 Romania: ~19 million native speakers.
🔹 Moldova: ~3 million speakers (official language, also referred to as Moldovan).
🔹 Diaspora communities: Over 4 million speakers across Europe and North America.
The largest Romanian-speaking communities outside Romania and Moldova are found in:
🇮🇹 Italy: ~1.2 million Romanians (largest foreign community in Italy).
🇪🇸 Spain: ~1 million Romanian speakers.
🇩🇪 Germany: ~850,000 Romanians.
🇬🇧 United Kingdom: ~450,000 Romanian speakers.
🇨🇦 Canada & USA: Over 500,000 Romanian speakers combined.
For businesses expanding internationally, this means that Romanian localization isn’t just for Romania—it has a global reach.
2. Romania’s Digital Expansion
Romania is one of the most digitally connected countries in Europe, making it an attractive market for e-commerce, fintech, and tech-driven services.
📲 Internet penetration: Over 90% of Romanians have internet access.
📈 E-commerce growth: The Romanian e-commerce market is expected to reach $7.5 billion by 2025, growing at an annual rate of 10%+ per year.
💳 Online payments: 70%+ of internet users in Romania shop online, and digital banking adoption is on the rise.
🔹 Most used digital platforms: Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, YouTube.
🔹 Top e-commerce sites: eMAG, Altex, Dedeman, and Fashion Days.
For businesses in retail, fintech, and SaaS, having Romanian-language content is essential for engaging a tech-savvy consumer base.
3. The Economic Power of the Romanian Market
Romania isn’t just growing—it’s one of the fastest-growing economies in the European Union.
📊 GDP Growth: Romania’s GDP grew by 5.1% in 2023, outpacing many Western European economies.
🏗 Foreign Direct Investment (FDI): Over €10 billion in FDI in 2023, with companies like Amazon, Microsoft, and Bosch expanding operations.
🛍 Retail Boom: Romania’s retail market is expected to surpass €140 billion by 2025.
For companies looking to enter Eastern Europe, Romania offers a stable, growing economy with increasing consumer spending power.
4. Romanian in Business & Education
Romanian’s importance isn’t limited to local markets—it’s a key language for regional trade and international collaboration.
🏢 Business & Trade: Romania is part of the EU single market, making Romanian a valuable language for cross-border trade.
🎓 Education & Academia: Over 100,000 international students study in Romania each year, many in medical and technical fields, driving demand for Romanian-language academic content.
📄 Legal & Administrative Language: Romanian is required for official documentation in both Romania and Moldova, making certified translations essential.
For MLVs, offering Romanian legal, academic, and business translations is a high-value opportunity.
5. Industries Driving Romanian Translation Demand
Certain industries are seeing surging demand for Romanian-language services.
💻 Technology & IT – Romania is home to over 200,000 IT specialists and major tech hubs in Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, and Timișoara.
🚗 Automotive – Companies like Renault-Dacia, Ford, and Continental have manufacturing operations in Romania.
🏥 Healthcare & Pharma – Medical translation demand is increasing as Romania attracts medical tourism and international healthcare providers.
📊 Finance & Banking – Romania has a rapidly expanding fintech sector, with companies like Revolut and PayU serving the market.
For businesses in these industries, accurate, localized translations are crucial to gaining market trust and compliance.
6. Romanian in the Global Language Services Industry
How does Romanian compare to other European languages in terms of translation demand?
🔹 Romanian ranks in the top 15 most requested EU languages for translation.
🔹 Technical translations, legal documents, and website localization are among the most in-demand services.
🔹 AI & Machine Translation: Romanian is increasingly supported by AI-powered translation tools, but human localization remains essential for accuracy.
For MLVs looking to expand their language offerings, Romanian is a high-demand language with fewer specialized providers compared to major Western European languages.
Why Businesses and MLVs Should Invest in Romanian Translation
The numbers don’t lie—Romanian is a high-potential language for global businesses and language vendors.
🚀 Expanding your language portfolio with Romanian can help MLVs tap into a growing market.
🛒 For businesses, investing in Romanian localization increases brand visibility and consumer trust.
📊 The economy, digital trends, and trade connections make Romanian a must-have for global expansion strategies.
If Romanian isn’t already part of your global strategy, now is the time to reconsider.
Interested in having a local partner for Romanian translation services?
At Penini Translations, we work closely with MLVs and multinational companies in Europe and U.S. covering over 40 languages with native, certified Romanian translators, specialised in 30 industry fields.
Contact us:
by e-mail: office@peniniglobal.com
by telephone: 0040720825462
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