The number of announced projects was 7% lower than in 2024 and remains significantly below peak levels, amid a combination of factors: moderate economic growth, high energy costs, geopolitical uncertainty and more difficult access to financing.
FDI is increasingly focused on less labour-intensive activities, with the number of jobs generated almost halving compared to the 2021 peak. This evolution reflects both a decrease in the number of projects (-15%) and a reduction in their average size, with jobs per project dropping from approximately 70 to 40. The share of large projects creating over 500 jobs fell to 30% (from 48% in 2021), confirming investors' orientation towards more automated and productivity-efficient projects.
"In 2025, foreign direct investment reflects a clear paradigm shift at European level, where investment decisions become more selective, and criteria related to competitiveness and predictability weigh more than in previous years," said Bogdan Ion, Country Managing Partner EY Romania and Moldova. "Romania's evolution - with a 16% increase in the number of projects and 39% in jobs generated, in a year when most European markets recorded declines - indicates a consolidation of its position in the region."
Against this difficult European backdrop, Romania stands out with an evolution above the regional average. In 2025, Romania ranked 11th in Europe and attracted 109 FDI projects, up 16% from the previous year, contrasting with the decline observed at European level. The number of jobs created increased by 39%, reaching 5,710. A defining element is the change in investment structure - expansion projects became dominant, surpassing new projects. The number of expansion projects grew from 31 in 2024 to 60 in 2025, a 94% increase.
At sectoral level, the Machinery and Equipment sector remained the largest with 17 projects (16% of total), followed by Software and IT services with 14 projects (13%), Transport and logistics with 13 projects (12%), and Transport manufacturers and suppliers and Agrifood sectors, each with 12 projects (11%). Geographically, Bucharest-Ilfov leads by number of projects with 45, but generates relatively few jobs (754), while regions in the West, Centre, North-West and South-West concentrate most of the jobs created.
