Romania's inflation to spike in Q2 2026, says central bank
Romania's central bank announced on Friday that annual inflation will rise above previously forecast levels in Q2 2026, but will experience a substantial downward correction in Q3.
Romania's central bank announced on Friday that annual inflation will rise above previously forecast levels in Q2 2026, but will experience a substantial downward correction in Q3.
Romania's annual inflation rate reached 10.7% in April 2026 compared to April 2025, 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).
Romania's trade deficit fell 9.3% to €7.7 billion in the first three months of 2026, down €792.1 million compared to the same period in 2025, according to data published by the National Institute of Statistics (INS).
Raiffeisen Bank Romania concluded Q1 2026 with a net profit of RON 367 million (€73.4 million), a decrease of 12.2% versus Q1 2025.
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.
Romania recorded the highest annual inflation rate in the European Union in March 2026, reaching a peak of 9.0%.
Romania's annual inflation rate climbed to 9.87% in March from 9.31% in February, driven by an 11.05% increase in services, 10.89% rise in non-food goods, and 7.67% growth in food prices, according to data published by the National Statistics Institute (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.
Romania's National Bank (BNR) board decided to maintain the monetary policy interest rate at 6.50% per year during Tuesday's meeting.
S&P Global Ratings has reconfirmed Romania's sovereign debt rating at BBB-/A-3 for long-term and short-term debt on 3 April 2026, while maintaining the negative outlook.
The World Bank's Board of Executive Directors has approved a €544 million Development Policy Loan to support Romania's efforts to restore fiscal sustainability, enable private sector-led growth and foster job creation.
Japan Credit Rating Agency (JCR) announced on Friday the reconfirmation of Romania's country rating at BBB (foreign currency) and BBB+ (local currency) and improved the outlook from negative to stable.
Romania's consolidated general budget recorded a deficit of RON 14.23 billion (€2.86 billion) - 0.70% of GDP, in the first two months of 2026, half the RON 30.24 billion deficit (€2.86 billion) - 1.58% of GDP from the same period in 2025.
Bulgaria, Croatia, Poland, and Romania could raise labour productivity by up to 10 to 15% through wider adoption of digital technologies, particularly software and AI-enabled tools, according to a report by World Bank Group.
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 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).
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.
Romania recorded the highest annual inflation rate in the European Union in January 2026, reaching 8.5%, according to data published today 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.
Romania's central bank has decided to maintain its key policy interest rate at 6.5% per year, following a meeting of the National Bank of Romania's (BNR) board of directors on Friday.
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.
Romania's central bank announced on Friday that annual inflation will rise above previously forecast levels in Q2 2026, but will experience a substantial downward correction in Q3.
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.