Economy
Romanian inflation dips slightly to 9.31% in February 2026
Romania's annual inflation rate saw a marginal decrease in February 2026, dropping to 9.31% from the 9.62% recorded in January.
The Romanian government has launched a comprehensive legislative package aimed at dismantling bureaucratic barriers for large-scale investments.
Romania's Ministry of Finance has drafted legislation to extend state aid for road transport operators, providing compensation for diesel price increases until the end of 2026.
Bulgaria, Croatia, Poland, and Romania could raise labour productivity by up to 10 to 15% through wider adoption of digital technologies, particularly software and AI-enabled tools, according to a report by World Bank Group.
Romania's retail sales volume (excluding automotive and motorcycle trade) dropped 9.1% year-on-year in January 2026 in gross terms, and 6.5% when adjusted for working days and seasonality, according to data released by the National Institute of Statistics (INS).
The current conflict in Iran may only have a marginal impact on the global economy, according to an opinion by stock exchange broker Investimental.
Romania's economy grew 0.7% in real terms in 2025 compared to 2024, though GDP fell 1.9% in Q4 compared to the previous quarter, according to provisional data published by the National Institute of Statistics (INS).
Enterprise Investors (EI) Fund IX will invest up to €20.4 million in 18GYM, one of Romania's leading fitness chains, acquiring a minority stake.
Romania's Ministry of Finance approved state aid worth €1.85 billion by the end of 2025, supporting total investments of over €4.2 billion and contributing to the creation of more than 36,000 jobs.
Only a quarter of Romanian CEOs expect their company revenues to grow in 2026, marking the lowest percentage in five years.
The Middle East conflict is driving up energy prices and pushing inflation higher across CEE. Oil and gas shocks hit import-dependent economies hardest, forcing central banks to postpone planned rate cuts as markets turn risk-off, according to an analysis by ING Bank.
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) projects that Romania's economic growth will accelerate to 1.2% in 2026.
Romania recorded the highest annual inflation rate in the European Union in January 2026, reaching 8.5%, according to data published today by Eurostat.
The Romanian government has approved an emergency ordinance establishing measures for economic revival.
Romania's labour market is undergoing a structural transformation as the country shifts from consumption-driven growth to a more technology-focused economy, with artificial intelligence and automation reshaping employment patterns.
Nearly two-thirds (62%) of Romanian business leaders anticipate increased threats to their companies in 2026, yet over four in five (85%) remain optimistic about growth prospects for their organisations, according study by Grayling among top executives from IT, finance, energy, retail, health and media sectors.
The Board of the National Bank of Romania (NBR) decided in its meeting on 17 February 2026 to keep the monetary policy rate at 6.50% per annum.
Romania's headline inflation rose to 9.6% in January 2026, a figure slightly exceeding market expectations due to a significant surge in utility costs.
Romania's annual inflation rate reached 9.6% in January 2026 compared to the same month in the previous year.
The Romanian economy is entering 2026 on a fragile footing, prompting ING analysts to significantly lower their growth expectations for the year.
Romania's economy grew by 0.6% in 2025 but ended the year in a technical recession.
Romania's Ministry of Finance has announced the adoption of a Formal Opinion by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Committee on Fiscal Affairs, following the country's evaluation as part of its accession process to the OECD.
Romania recorded the lowest rate of generative artificial intelligence (AI) adoption among young people in the European Union in 2025, according to data released by Eurostat.
Banca de Investiții și Dezvoltare (BID) has signed 18 guarantee agreements with financial intermediaries in Romania.
Romania's trade deficit decreased by €673 million to €32.7 billion in 2025, representing a 2% improvement compared to 2024, according to data published by the National Institute of Statistics (INS).
Lidl Romania continues to invest in the country and announces for the financial year 2026 (1 March 2026 – 28 February 2027) an expansion plan of over €285 million.
Restaurant technology startup Choice has secured €6.6 million in new funding and is accelerating its expansion across CEE, including Romania, where it entered in 2025.
Israeli developer Econergy Renewable Energy has secured €31 million in project financing from Kommunalkredit for its 60MW Ovidiu solar project in Romania.
Alive Energy has acquired Green Storage Farm, a battery energy storage system with 82.8 MW of installed power and 181 MWh storage capacity. The project has reached ready-to-build status and received foreign direct investment screening clearance.
Romania's Competition Council is analyzing the transaction through which Pavăl Holding, controlled by the Pavăl brothers, intends to acquire the Carrefour group in Romania.