Danubius International Conferences, 15th International Conference The Danube - Axis of European Identity

The Physical, Human, Natural, and Social Capital in Romania. How these Forms of Capital are Being Measured and Approached in Order to be Improved

Oana Andreea Nae
Last modified: 2025-06-11

Abstract

Abstract: In Romania, the physical, human, natural, and social capital measurements involve various metrics and methods tailored to each type of capital. For the physical capital there are used metrics like infrastructure quality, investment in capital goods and energy production and consumption. For human capital, there are metrics like education levels, measured through national educational assessments, workforce skills and training. In natural capital, Romanians measure the biodiversity, the ecosystem health with its environmental impact assessments, using reports from environmental NGOs and governmental bodies. In terms of social capital, metrics like trust levels in institutions, community engagement and social networks are measured by Romanians with methods like national surveys on social attitudes and trust or qualitative research.

These forms of capital are integrated into the national accounting framework through various methods, like Capital Stock Measurement, Investment Accounts, Human Capital Accounts, Employment rates, that measure wage data, and productivity metrics. Romania has implemented several policies and initiatives aimed at promoting sustainable investment in physical, human, natural, and social capital. There are also initiatives to encourage investments in renewable energy sources, like Green Investment Programs or initiatives that support community engagement and social cohesion, promoting volunteerism and civic participation.