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).
Industrial production prices (domestic and external markets) increased by 8% in October 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, according to data published by Romania's National Institute of Statistics (INS).
CEE is transforming from Europe's periphery into a defence industry powerhouse, according to a new KPMG study. The region's combination of cost efficiency, industrial capacity, and strategic location is attracting investment as European defence spending increases.
The closure of the Strait of Hormuz and the resulting energy price shock are putting additional pressure on Romania's economy, already affected by the EU's highest inflation, a major fiscal deficit and internal political risks, according to an eToro analysis.
In 2025, Romania recorded one of the highest shares of young entrepreneurs in the EU, with those aged 20–29 accounting for 10.3% of the country's self-employed population.