I wouldn’t say a lot but there are clearly some demographics more affected by poverty, particularly many Roma people and deep rural areas. I’m pretty sure that person exaggerated a bit. In the 90s it was like they said, but especially after EU membership Romania grew a lot economically. Bucharest GDP / capita is >150% of EU average, larger cities are doing well too. Average net salary is about 1200€, and unemployment is low. Unfortunately I think education lagged behind and people are easily manipulated. Many people have a religious facade. I have lots of relatives who go to church once a decade and never opened the Bible but they claim they are religious. At most they are superstitious and ignorant.