Romania

The pervasive state control over motherhood during communism in Romania can be compared with the extreme demographic policies of China and Germany during Nazism. In 1966, abortions were criminalized. This doubled the birthrate in one year, and contributed to maternal deaths 10 times higher than in Europe (because of illegal abortions). As antiabortion policy became highly ineffective, other measures followed: a 1967 decree made divorce almost inexistent; penalizations for single women and childless couples began in 1977; in 1984, the minimum age at marriage for women became 15; additional taxes were levied on childless individuals over age 25; and all women of childbearing age were forced to undergo monthly gynecological examinations to identify early pregnancies and to monitor pregnant women.

After 1989, the fertility rate dropped and remained stable. In 2005, the mean age at first birth was 24.9, and the total fertility rate (the number of children born by a woman during her fertile years) was 1.3 (constant since 1996). The abortion rate is declining, but despite increased use of modern contraceptives, Romania still had the highest rate in the European Union in 2004. In addition, 13 percent of all mothers delivering in 2005 were younger than 19, second only to the United Kingdom.

The marriage rate for Romania in 2005 was 6.56 per 1,000 population. Half of divorcing couples had underage children, with 37 percent having one child. Because of socioeconomic difficulties, young people tend to postpone marriage, and consensual unions are increasing. Cohabitation (with higher rates in the countryside) is viewed as more of an economic and transitional strategy than a postmodern lifestyle. Statistically, single-parent families have better economic and educational standing than those in cohabitation.

Romania offers large social benefits, including 24 months paid maternity leave at 85 percent of earnings (up to a 1,000 euros monthly ceiling). Depending on their size, single-parent families receive a monthly allowance close to 6 percent of an average salary. After delivery, mothers receive a bonus, provided they have no more than three other children. Additionally, either parent may opt for a paid leave of two years (three if the child has a disability), which in 2009, amounted to 85 percent of the average income in previous year, but not less than $200. In more than 80 percent of cases, the mother remains to care for the newborn. Until age 2, each child receives a monthly allowance (approximately $66), regardless of the mother's employment status. A high number of families postpone childbearing in the context of economic difficulties and insecurity.

These Romanian children are part of a USAID life improvement program. Many Romanians still struggle with poverty.

The birth rate in Romania has dropped dramatically in recent years, and in 2009, the estimated total fertility rate was 1.39 children per woman and the population growth was negative, i.e., below replacement levels (minus 0.147 percent).

Educational levels are similar to other countries in the region. Approximately 14 percent of population has obtained higher education, and there are no major gender-based differences in educational attainment. The law also stipulates equality of employment, but [Page 1082]this runs up against traditional culture, which considers woman's first role to be homemaker and mother. Less than half (49.4 percent) of Romanian women aged 15 and older were in the labor force in 2006, and only 25.9 percent of women age 15–24. Despite near-equality in education, Romanian women tend to work in lower-paying sectors and to not assume leadership roles in the workplace.

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