2020 saw, for the first time in 14 years, an increase in the rural population in Romania. Working from anywhere and social distancing have led to a population migration trend towards quieter areas in the suburbs or in localities around big cities.
The increase in Romania’s resident rural population by 28,000 inhabitants in 2020 is not major, but it is a first since 2007.
Romania’s urban population has decreased by 170,000 inhabitants in 2020, compared to an average decrease of about 50,000 inhabitants per year between 2010 and 2020.
Bucharest is a clear example of the current trend. Thus, the resident population decreased by 9,800 inhabitants in 2020, based on the NIS data analysed by Colliers consultants.
At the same time, the capital’s metropolitan area recorded an increase in the resident population of 10,800 inhabitants.
Similar trends have been recorded in metropolitan areas in other major parts of Romania
In Cluj, the urban population decreased by 4,800 and the rural population increased by 5,600.
In Timis, the urban population decreased by 9,900, while the rural population increased by 9,200.
And in Iasi, the urban population decreased by 1,900, while the rural population increased by 2,000, official data show.