Economy | 9 January, 2026 at 9:40 AM
Romanian economy expands 0.9% in first nine months of 2025
The National Institute of Statistics (INS) has revised the economic performance for the first nine months of 2025.
The National Institute of Statistics (INS) has revised the economic performance for the first nine months of 2025.
Romanian business managers across key sectors forecast a moderate decline in economic activity for December 2025 to February 2026, according to the latest survey from the INS.
The traditional December shopping surge has weakened across Europe, with Romania recording a 20% increase in non-food sales during the holiday month compared to the previous 11 months, according to Colliers analysis of Eurostat data from 2015-2024.
Romania's annual inflation rate remained unchanged at 9.8% in November.
Romania's trade balance deficit (FOB/CIF) reached €27.493 billion in the first ten months of this year, increasing by €275.7 million (+1%) compared to the same period in 2024, according to data published by the National Institute of Statistics (INS).
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.
Romanian business associations have renewed their call for the elimination of the minimum tax on turnover (IMCA) ahead of the 2026 state budget discussions, citing significant negative impacts on investment decisions.
The Macroeconomic Confidence Indicator compiled by CFA Romania Association fell by 7.3 points in October 2025, reflecting continued economic uncertainty in the country.
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.
Nearly half of Romanian managers (41%) anticipate an economic downturn in the country in 2026, driven by a challenging economic and political context.
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.
The net profit of Romania's major companies has seen a slight decline of 1.6% in 2024, while their debts have surged by €11 billion, reaching a total of €239 billion.
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 National Bank of Romania (NBR) has decided to keep its monetary policy rate unchanged at 6.50% per annum, following a meeting of its Board on October 8.
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.
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has approved a new country strategy for Romania, which will guide its investments and policy engagement.
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 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 annual inflation rate rose to 9.9% in August, up from 7.84% in July, driven by growth of prices for non-food goods (10.48%), services (9.85%), and food products (8.92%).
Arobs Systems, part of the Arobs Group, has signed two digitalization contracts with Romanian government institutions worth a combined €8 million to the company.
Romania's trade balance deficit (FOB/CIF) for January-November 2025 reached €29.77 billion, down €299.6 million (-1.0%) compared to the same period in 2024, according to data published by the National Institute of Statistics (INS).
Retail trade volume in Romania remained flat in November 2025 compared to the previous month, according to the latest data released by Eurostat.
Erste Group has completed its acquisition of a 49% controlling stake in Santander Bank Polska and a 50% stake in Santander Towarzystwo Funduszy Inwestycyjnych from Banco Santander for approximately €7 billion.
Romania's residential market is showing a significant acceleration in price growth compared to the European average, based on the Eurostat data for Q3 2025.