Statistical Analysis of the Indicators that have Influenced the Standard of Living in Romania During the Economic Crisis

Abstract As all the countries in the world, Romania is going through a period of large and deep economic, financial and social changes. The negative effects of the economic crisis are well known: Increase of unemployment rate, sharp decrease of incomes because of the imposed political measures and decrease of purchasing power resulting in a decrease of the quality of life. The quality of life may be assessed based on several macroeconomic indicators, such as: GD per capita, population incomes or expenses, population consumption, indicators that are the foundation of the analyses that may help taking decisions regarding the social and economic policies aimed to the increase of the standard of living. Although Eurostat data show that, despite appearances, the economic well-being of the Romanian population has increased during the period of economic crisis, it is in fact related to the social polarisation. This paper intends to perform a statistical analysis of the incomes, expenditures and consumption, as well as of the way in which they influence the standard of living of the population. The study is empirical and is based on data made available by the National Statistical Institute.