Romania’s living standards in 2017: a third of households have cars, half own computers

Romania’s households have gradually improved their standard of living during the last couple of years, as their income increased and unemployment declined, but there is still a major difference compared to the Western quality of life, official data show.

A report released by the National Institute of Statistics (INS) show that, in 2017, 33.7 percent of Romania’s households owned a personal car, 39.1 percent – a bicycle, 48.7 percent – connection to the internet, 52 percent – a computer, 56 percent – a modern refrigerator, 76.2 percent – an automatic washing machine, and 97.8 percent – cooking stoves.

In 2016, 30.5 percent of Romania-s households owned a personal car, 35.4 percent – a bicycle, 45.9 percent – connection to the internet, 49.9 percent – a computer, 53.4 percent – a modern refrigerator, 72.5 percent – an automatic washing machine, and 97.1 percent – cooking stoves.

Romania’s households are well equipped with colour TV (158.6 per 100 households in 2017) and mobile phones (183.5 per 100 households), official data show.

Households located in Bucharest-Ilfov, Transylvania and Banat are better equipped with cars and electronics than those living in poorer regions (Moldova and Wallachia).

According to Eurostat, 15 percent of Romanian households didn’t afford a computer and 29.6 percent didn’t afford a personal car in 2017, the highest rates among the 28 European Union member states.