The Evolution of Economic Disparities in Romania during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Comparative Analysis of Pre-Existing and Emerging Challenges

The COVID-19 pandemic has had significant impacts on Romania, exacerbating existing inequalities in the country. Economic disparities between counties were deepened, with counties with higher GDP per capita and diverse economic activities faring better than those with lower GDP per capita and narrow economic activities. The pandemic also led to a decline in population numbers, with most counties in the historical regions of Muntenia and Moldova experiencing below-average declines. In addition, the pandemic had a significant impact on the average life expectancy in Romania, highlighting the need for targeted policies and interventions to address these regional inequalities. Lastly, the pandemic negatively affected labor force participation rates in Romania, further highlighting the need for policymakers to implement measures to encourage more individuals to enter and remain in the labor market, particularly in regions with lower participation rates.