Alternative Unemployment Rates in Romania

Abstract Official statistics and usual metrics place Romania at a relatively low level of unemployment. This paper shows why this can be misleading, considering various specificities the Romanian economy. Looking such factors as structural features, high number people employed in agriculture, involuntary part-time workers, etc. we show that there are alternative for unemployment constitute better diagnostic tools public policies labor market reform. The presented here, real figures much closer to those Mediterranean economies like Greece, Italy, Spain have been struggling with Furthermore, emphasize possible directions measures implemented reduce (especially structural) support inter-regional social cohesion sustainable economic growth. Given current context downturn post-COVID-19 projected impact on vulnerable groups risk poverty, it is more important than ever develop sound evidence policy-making process.