Romanians and the Quality of Life

Quality of life measures a person’s overall level of well-being, comfort and happiness within society and is, therefore, a complex, multidimensional concept

Roxana Vasile, 28.10.2026, 14:00

When we talk about quality of life, we are referring, first and foremost, to physical and mental health: biological well-being, the absence of pain or chronic conditions, daily energy levels, emotional balance and mental health. However, living a good-quality life also requires adequate material conditions: a decent income, financial security, and access to food, clothing and suitable housing. Social relationships and the environment also matter, including interactions with family, friends and the wider community. Quality of life encompasses professional satisfaction as well as a balance between personal and professional life. Trust in institutions and the quality of public services are also part of this equation.

In Romania, quality of life is marked by a sharp contrast between overall economic growth since the anti-communist Revolution of 1989—that is, over the past approximately 35 years—declared satisfaction among certain segments of the population, and the country’s continued lag behind the European Union average.
The latest European Parliament survey, published in the middle of this year, shows that 63% of Romanians say they are satisfied with their quality of life, compared with the European average of 83%. Among those who do not feel that they lack anything in terms of quality of life, the majority have a high level of education.
On the other hand, 37% of Romania’s residents are dissatisfied with their day-to-day living conditions, well above the European average of just 17%.

What distinguishes the quality of life of a Romanian from that of a Western European? Academician Cătălin Zamfir, a sociologist and director of the Research Institute for Quality of Life of the Romanian Academy, believes that public policies are partly to blame:
Catalin Zamfir:“Economic inequalities are very pronounced and are actually becoming even more severe. These economic inequalities also explain differences in health, education and so on. In addition, there has been a shortfall in social policy. The healthcare system faces major problems, as does education. The lack of funding for scientific research has also contributed to the situation, as all the data show that Romania ranks last or second to last in terms of scientific research funding, with a considerable gap separating it from other former transition countries.”

When asked what could improve their living conditions, most Romanians say that solutions to improve their financial situation are needed. Purchasing power and income levels remain below the European average, while inflation and the cost of living place considerable pressure on households.
However, they also point to healthcare services, hospital infrastructure and access to quality treatment, which many consider inadequate. Romanians are also acutely aware that the low birth rate and an ageing population are placing increasing pressure on the labour market and the pension system.
They also perceive a huge gap between urban and rural areas, where elderly people with low incomes face extreme poverty in some cases and a lack of basic services.
Once again, here is Academician Cătălin Zamfir:

CatalinZamfir: “Over the past 30-odd years, economic and social inequalities between Romania’s regions have increased dramatically. That is the actual root cause. Until 1989, communist policy aimed to achieve a certain degree of balanced development between regions. The policies pursued during the transition period greatly widened the gap between them.”
All these factors contribute to a better or, where applicable, a poorer quality of life: health, access to services and treatment, nutrition, air and water quality, pollution, stress, and working and living conditions. Yet Romania still has considerable shortcomings in the policies implemented in these areas.

The director of the Research Institute for Quality of Life of the Romanian Academy explains:
Catalin Zamfir: “The tragedy is that there are imbalances in every area. In my opinion, the best policy is a balanced approach to development—economic growth, education, healthcare and scientific research—combined with greater attention to promoting what we might call the wisdom of living, that is, the ancient wisdom that placed great emphasis on personal wisdom.”
For, Academician CătălinZamfir believes, what ultimately matters is not just how many years we live, but, above all, how we live them. One of the main resources for a good quality of life is individual wisdom:
Catalin Zamfir:“The way people think about their own lives and the lifestyle they choose contribute enormously, because contemporary lifestyles present significant challenges. It is true that economic problems and social policies have also undermined people’s ability to think through and organise their own lifestyles. Nevertheless, we need to attach great importance to lifestyle and to the way people make use of the limited resources available to them.”
Ideally, Academician CătălinZamfir says, living a fulfilling life would mean returning to the wisdom of antiquity, which places the quality of life within the human being, defining it not through the accumulation of material possessions, but through the cultivation of character, mental balance and harmonious relationships.

Moderation and the middle path; inner peace and acceptance of things we cannot control, such as the weather, the economy or other people’s actions; nurturing friendships and enjoying simple pleasures; and maintaining a balance between mind, body and nature—all these ancient insights into the quality of life are confirmed by modern science.
Positive psychology, neuroscience and modern medical research show that stress reduction, dietary moderation, physical activity and deep social connections are the foundations of a long and fulfilling life.