[ccozan]

Have you been lately in Romania? You would be surprised how much disposable income people have there.

The country is one of the biggest cereal producer of EU, a major car industry player and has big reserves of oil and gas.

Anecdotally, since turism/horeca services is really a minor part of the GDP, the COVID-19 will not affect it too much. Whereas in West going out is a major activity and has much influence.

[nl]

The average yearly income in Romania is US$8100 per year. The average income in Mississippi (the poorest state in the US) is $42,000.

That's a fair difference in available disposable income!

(Having said that, I've worked with some Romania developers and they were great. I'd hire there, but there are better markets to sell into)

[ccozan]

Agree, but the average income does not give any indication of the said disposable income to the respective income ( in % ). Also averages reflect quite poor the distribution of income, since some outliers can move the point quite drastically.

But, yes point taken, there is of course a difference. Corruption is a main point. Also due to the gray or black economy I suspect that the above $8100 are likely double.

[nl]

Additionally lots of corruption and a large black economy do not make a country an attractive target for startups to target.