Romania is a country on the move: A 2000 Marketplace magazine feature on Romania reported rampant inflation and rising prices, 37 per cent of the population living in impoverished conditions, an average salary of $100 a month, and an official unemployment rate of 25 per cent.

Today, Romania is an economic success story: Inflation rose in 2007 for the first time in eight years and the economy is growing at a rate of six per cent. While 25 per cent still live below the poverty line, average monthly earnings have risen to US $600, and unemployment is relatively low at four per cent. Romania joined the European Economic Union in 2007, and plans to convert its currency to the euro by 2014.

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