Birth rates in Romania have fallen below 150,000 newborns annually. The decline will be visible in the education system in the long term.

According to INS, Romania is facing an alarming decline in birth rates, with the number of newborns dropping below 150,000 annually, a level not seen in nearly a century. Compared to 1990, when over 314,000 children were born, the birth rate has decreased by more than 50%, and compared to the peak in 1967, the decline exceeds 70%. This trend has accelerated since 2020, already having visible effects on the educational system, such as a reduction in the number of high school classes. The generation born in 2025 will be the smallest in history, which will lead to a need for different organization in schools. For example, it is estimated that there will be 1,650 fewer groups in kindergarten and over 1,200 fewer classes in preparatory grade. The decline in birth rates is influenced by external migration, population aging, and social changes, but also by economic policies that have affected support for families. This reduction in generations will have a long-term impact on the entire educational system, with fewer students in the future.