Romania might reach the European average level of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita in 20-30 years’ time, provided that a 6-7 per cent economic growth is maintained in the country and the EU growth does not exceed 2-3 per cent, according to a survey published by the Romanian Centre for Economic Policies (CEROPE), Mediafax reports.

Bridging the gaps to Europe and regional discrepancies primarily depends on stepping up economic growth and on balancing growth factors.

Last year, Romania’s economic growth rate was 7.7 per cent, with CNP estimating a 6.5 per cent rate for this year. According to the CEROPE survey, in 2005 Romania ranked 45th out of 50 states in terms of GDP per capita, calculated on purchase power parity (ppp), with USD 8,166.

Romania was only followed by Brazil, Turkey, Ukraine, China and the Republic of Moldova. Right before Romania came Bulgaria, with USD 8,361 per capita. The first positions were held by Luxembourg (USD 65,994 per capita), Ireland (USD 40,088 per capita) and the United States (USD 39,319 per capita).

The same survey reveals that Romania is facing a deficit of performance and competitiveness, which is why it only ranks 42nd out of 50 countries by exports per capita.

In 2005, the export value per capita in Romania was USD 1,243, below Bulgaria (USD 1,580). Romania was followed by South Africa, Uruguay, Turkey, Argentina, Brazil, China and R. of Moldova, while the first positions were held by Singapore, Luxembourg and Belgium.

GDP per capita ranks only 45th out of 50 selected countries in 2005

Romania ranks 46th out of 50 states analysed in terms of perception on corruption, on the basis of enquiries and opinion polls, reads the same report

Romania only got three out of ten points on corruption perception, which indicates “a disquieting scope of this phenomenon,” reads the survey carried out by CEROPE for the National Forecast Commission (CNP).

After Romania come the Republic of Moldova, Argentina, Ukraine and Russia. Of the former communist states, the best ranking are Estonia and Slovenia, followed by Hungary and Bulgaria with four points. The best scores were reported for Finland and New Zealand, with 9.6 points.