The unemployment rate, while only at 8. % may not seem frightening, that said, most departments that depend on the state budget are extremely low paid. Those involved in the education system frequently strike; the health department is striving to save lives and survive themselves while the country’s industries and agriculture are undergoing a permanent crisis. The elderly - representing one of the most vulnerable categories of the society and also the most neglected - receive little help from the state. They are often ill and seldom can afford to buy the medicines they need because of exorbitant prices. The general health condition of the population is poor due to the impossibility of acquiring enough nutritious food. in Romania 7% of every person’s income is transferred to the health insurance fund - thus medical services are free of charge - the hospitals are a deplorable sight, falling in decay: they lack adequate medical equipment as well as proper, hygienic hospitalization conditions. For the unemployed, a day’s stay in the hospital is approximately $25.00.Romanian families spend about 40% of their salaries on food and about 20% on housing, water, electricity, gas or wood, which leaves little for the other areas such as clothing and footwear, health and transportation or communication. The majority cannot afford to buy quality clothing or shoes since on of the respective items they cost more than a months wage. Keeping these circumstances in mind, it is not hard to understand the reasons why many families relinquish their children to the state-managed institutions.

Since joining the European Union the number of children institutionalized in Romania has decreased from 90,000 to approximately 30,000.  Many of the children have been placed in smaller group homes or have been placed in a government sponsored foster care program.

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