According to World Bank data, in 2019, Romania had a poverty rate of approximately 22.7%. This means that about one-quarter of the population lived below the national poverty line. Poverty in Romania can be particularly severe in rural areas, where many people depend on agriculture for their livelihoods. We found one such community of the poorest of the poor. Located on the outskirts of Constanta, Romania, in the middle of a field is what you could hardly call a house and yet a mother and her four children live there. The people that live in this area have high rates of unemployment, low levels of education, and inadequate access to healthcare, housing, and other basic necessities.

As agriculture has traditionally been an important sector of the Romanian economy, many people in these rural areas of the country depend on farming and related activities for their livelihoods. However, the agriculture sector in Romania has faced a number of challenges in recent years, including low productivity, a lack of investment, and a declining workforce. These factors have contributed to poverty in rural areas, as people may struggle to earn enough money to support themselves and their families.