Economy | 13 May, 2026 at 8:36 AM
Romania's GDP drops 1.7% in Q1 2026
Romania's GDP fell by 0.2% in Q1 2026 compared to the previous quarter, according to data released by the National Institute of Statistics (INS).
Romania's GDP fell by 0.2% in Q1 2026 compared to the previous quarter, according to data released by the National Institute of Statistics (INS).
The World Bank has significantly downgraded its economic growth projections for Romania this year, lowering expectations to 0.5% from the 1.3% forecast issued at the start of 2026.
Net investments across the national economy reached a total of RON 216.45 billion (€43.29 billion) in 2025, marking a 5.0% increase compared to 2024.
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).
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) projects that Romania's economic growth will accelerate to 1.2% in 2026.
In 2024, the value added from the European Union's agricultural industry accounted for 1.2% of GDP, a 0.1 percentage point (pp) increase compared to 2009.
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.
Romania's construction market reached near-record levels in 2025, with work volumes growing almost 8% in the first eleven months compared to the previous year, according to Colliers' annual report. The sector now represents 9% of GDP, the highest share in the European Union and well above the 5% EU average.
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.
Government debt as a share of GDP rose in Q3 in both the eurozone to 88.5% from 88.2% in Q2, and in the European Union to 82.1% from 81.9%, according to data published by Eurostat.
The World Bank revised down Romania's 2026 growth forecast to 1.3%, compared to the 1.9% predicted in June 2025 and 2.6% estimated in January 2025.
The National Institute of Statistics (INS) has revised the economic performance for the first nine months of 2025.
Romania's consolidated general budget recorded a deficit of RON 121.77 billion (€23.90 billion), equivalent to 6.40% of GDP, in the first eleven months of 2025, down 0.74 percentage points from 7.15% in the same period of 2024.
Colliers has published a new report focusing on CEE, examining economic and real estate trends across Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia. The study shows that 2025 brought moderate economic recovery, easing inflation and rising focus on sustainability, while real estate markets were shaped by modernization, limited new office supply, strong logistics demand and retail park expansion.
Romania's economy grew 0.8% on the gross series and 1.4% on the seasonally adjusted series in the first nine months of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024.
Romania's consolidated general budget recorded a deficit of €21.8 billion (RON 108.87 billion) in the first ten months of 2025, representing 5.72% of GDP. This marks a decrease of €110 million compared to the same period in 2024, when the deficit stood at 6.22% of GDP.
Romania's real GDP growth is forecast to remain low over the next two years, primarily due to the necessary fiscal consolidation measures that will slow consumption.
Romania's economy delivered a mild upside surprise in the third quarter, with flash estimates pointing to 1.6% annual growth, above expectations. However, the economy still contracted by 0.2% versus the previous quarter. After nine months of 2025, the economy is 0.8% above the same period of 2024, according to a report by ING Bank Romania.
The tax-to-GDP ratio in Romania remains one of the lowest in the European Union, despite registering an increase in 2024, according to recent data published by Eurostat.
Romanian energy giant Hidroelectrica recorded a net profit of €263 million in the first quarter of 2026, marking a 122% increase compared to same period last year, according to a report submitted to the BVB.
Digi Communications reported consolidated revenues of €583 million in Q1 2026, a 10% year-on-year increase. At the same time, adjusted EBITDA (excluding IFRS 16 impact) reached €161.2 million, up 15% compared to Q1 2025.
Uber Technologies announced new products and features at its annual Go-Get product event, including hotel bookings and travel tools that are planned to roll out globally in the coming months.
Fitch Ratings has upgraded CEC Bank's Long-Term Issuer Default Rating from BB to BB+ with a Stable Outlook, following the publication of Fitch's updated Bank Rating Criteria on 8 May 2026.
Electrica has completed the Artificial Intelligence for Active Energy Management (AIAE) project, developed in partnership with Romanian startup Renergia and the Technical University of Cluj-Napoca.