The average number of pensioners in Romania dropped to 5.37 million in the first quarter of 2014, with 58,000 people less than in the same period of 2013, according to data from the National Statistics Institute INS.

When compared to the fourth quarter of last year, the number of pensioners dropped by some 18,000.

However, the average monthly pension increased to RON 844 (some EUR 192), up 6.2 percent year-on-year and 4.1 percent when compared to the last quarter of 2013.

The lowest average pension was recorded in Romania’s Giurgiu county - RON 678 (EUR 154), while the highest one was of RON 1,068 (EUR 243) was recorded in Bucharest.

In 2013, Romania had some 5.41 million pensioners.

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