Almost all Romanians (99%) find health to be important and very important, while a similar percentage believe that happiness comes from family, according to an IRES study cited by local Digi24.

The home is important and very important for 92% of respondents, 88% say that their faith in God makes them happy, and 78% believe that the job is very important.

Also, while money brings happiness to 54% of respondents, the political situation in their country is what matters for 45% of Romanians.

When asked what has had them most worried in 2016, most of those surveyed (29%) answered that getting sick has been their biggest fear. The Romanians' biggest worries include losing their jobes (11%), lack of employment (another 11%), a possible war (8%), the political situation (8%), increase in prices (6%), terrorism, lack of perspective, and lower income (5% each).

When it comes to Romania and its future, corruption is the thing that worries most Romanians – 90%. The bad roads are also a concern for 88% of respondents, followed by the Romanian healthcare system – 82%, higher prices – 80%, the population’s ageing – 79%, and poverty and the situation of the education system – 78%.

Some 64% of the respondents are also afraid of a possible earthquake, 61% are worried by possible terrorist acts, and 58% are afraid that a war could start in the region. Over half of Romanians also fear the arrival of a large number of immigrants in Romania.

The IRES study commissioned by Digi24 was conducted between November 7 and November 10 on a sample of 1,100 people.

GfK: Personal safety, not among Romanians’ biggest concerns

Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com