Public Attitudes and Security Perceptions in Romania: Resilience and Vulnerabilities in 2025

Romanian public perceptions have been shaped by major societal shifts over the past five years. The COVID-19 pandemic, including vaccination campaigns and lockdowns, contributed to fluctuating trust in healthcare and government institutions, while economic pressures such as high inflation and rising energy costs fuelled public frustration. Against this backdrop, the war in Ukraine has moved defence preparedness, NATO unity, and refugee management to the forefront of public concerns. Despite that, public support for Ukraine is mixed: while most respondents in Romania back its right to defend itself, nearly half support territorial concessions as a means of ending the conflict. 

According to GLOBSEC Trends 2025, Romanian respondents broadly support democracy in principle, though doubts persist about its functioning. Public backing for the EU and NATO remains high, reflecting their role as symbols of stability, prosperity, and international solidarity. At the same time, Romania stands out within Central and Eastern Europe for the high prevalence of belief in conspiracy theories, highlighting vulnerabilities in information resilience and public trust. 

The strong orientation toward Euro-Atlantic institutions is mirrored by robust support for national resilience measures. Respondents in Romania widely back defence preparedness, voluntary military service, and cyber-security initiatives, showing awareness of regional security risks and readiness to contribute to national defence. While challenges remain, Romanian respondents’ engagement and strategic clarity underline the country’s capacity to navigate uncertainty and maintain resilience. 

Read more in the full report here.