Romania began the transition from Communism in 1989 with a largely obsolete industrial base and a pattern of output unsuited to the country's needs. The country emerged in 2000 from a punishing three-year recession thanks to strong demand in EU export markets. Despite the global slowdown in 2001-02, strong domestic activity in construction, agriculture, and consumption have kept growth above 4%. An IMF Standby Agreement, signed in 2001, has been accompanied by slow but palpable gains in privatization, deficit reduction, and the curbing of inflation. Nonetheless, recent macroeconomic gains have done little to address Romania's widespread poverty, while corruption and red tape hinder foreign investment.

purchasing power parity - $169.3 billion (2002 est.)

4.9% (2002 est.)

purchasing power parity - $7,600 (2002 est.)

agriculture: 15%
industry: 35%
services: 50% (2001)

44.5% (2000)

22.5% (2002 est.)

9.9 million (1999 est.)

agriculture 40%, industry 25%, services 35% (1998)

8.3% (2002)

textiles and footwear, light machinery and auto assembly, mining, timber, construction materials, metallurgy, chemicals, food processing, petroleum refining

6% (2002)