EC: Fiscal consolidation to slow Romanian GDP growth
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 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.
Romania's construction sector represents nearly 8% of GDP in the past four quarters, the highest share in the European Union, according to Eurostat data analysed by Colliers. This level significantly exceeds the EU-27 average of 5% and confirms construction's growing importance in the local economy. Romania also recorded the second-fastest post-pandemic growth in construction activity within the EU.
Romania recorded the largest general government deficit in the EU during the second quarter of 2025, reaching -8.7% of GDP.
Romania's GDP increased by 0.3% on the unadjusted series and 1.5% on the seasonally adjusted series in the first six months of the year, compared to the first half of 2024.
The World Bank has revised Romania's GDP growth forecast for 2025 down to just 0.4%, a significant decrease from the 1.3% estimated in June.
Romania's consolidated budget deficit has widened to 4.54% of GDP after the first eight months of 2025, an increase from the 4.04% reported in July 2025.
Romania's real GDP growth forecast for 2025 has been cut by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) in a new report.
The Romanian government has set a budget deficit target of 8.4% of GDP for this year, as agreed with representatives from the EC, according to PM Ilie Bolojan.
The IMF projects that Romania's economy will grow by 1% in 2025 and 1.4% in 2026, according to a report released at the end of a mission in the country.
Romania's economy has secured the third-highest GDP growth rate in the EU during Q2, according to Eurostat.
Romania's consolidated general budget execution closed the first seven months of 2025 with a nominal deficit of RON 76.44 billion (€15.34 billion), an increase of RON 5.4 billion.
Romania's GDP recorded an increase in Q2 2025, according to flash estimates from the National Institute of Statistics (INS).
Romania's fiscal package is expected to have a substantial budgetary impact, estimated at 1.1% of GDP this year and 3.5% in 2026, finds an analysis by Fitch Ratings.
Romania is moving closer to achieving fiscal-budgetary rebalancing, according to a recent report by the international rating agency Moody's.
Inflation will increase over the planned fiscal package announced by Romania's Government, which includes the increase of fuel excises.
Romania's budget deficit stood at 3.39% of GDP after the first five months of 2025, a slight decrease compared to 3.41% of GDP in the similar period last year.
The Macroeconomic confidence index, compiled by the CFA Romania Association, registered a significant increase in May 2025, rising by 11.5 points to a value of 44.9 points.
The Romanian economy is projected to grow by 1.3% this year, a decrease from the 2.1% forecast in January, according to the latest World Bank report on global economies.

Energy company Electrica informs investors and the capital market that it has obtained the technical grid connection permits (ATR) for 17 new battery energy storage projects (BESS), with a total capacity of approximately 700 MWh.
The European Retail Banking Radar, Kearney's latest study now in its 18th edition, shows that Europe is entering a period of normalisation following the conditions of 2023–2025. For Romania, the challenge extends beyond the normalisation of interest rates.
Digi Spain has announced its intention to launch an initial public offering (IPO) on the Spanish stock exchanges, aiming to raise approximately €150 million.
Romania's national electricity transmission network operator, Transelectrica, has halted scheduled maintenance shutdowns to ensure the grid operates at maximum capacity during an ongoing extreme heatwave. The preventive measures aim to mitigate operational risks associated with severe weather conditions.
The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, Romanian measures for the national investment and development bank Banca de Investiții și Dezvoltare (BID).