An audit by the Court of Accounts shows that 119 towns in Romania have fewer than 10,000 inhabitants, raising questions about administrative organization.

According to a performance audit conducted by the Court of Accounts, more than half of the cities in Romania no longer meet the legal criterion of 10,000 inhabitants necessary to be considered cities. Out of the 216 cities, 119 have fallen below this threshold, and 15% of communes have fewer than 1,500 inhabitants. This discrepancy between legislative requirements and demographic reality raises questions about the sustainability of administrative-territorial units.

The Court of Accounts warns that, without legislative reform, these local administrations will become increasingly dependent on the state budget, affecting the quality of public services. Additionally, the report highlights significant disparities in access to essential services between urban and rural areas, emphasizing the urgent need for investments and public policies to ensure equitable access to services for all citizens.