Economy | 20 May, 2025 at 7:43 AM
Romania champions EU inflation in April
Romania continued to record the highest inflation rate in April, which was more than double compared to the euro area rate.
Romania continued to record the highest inflation rate in April, which was more than double compared to the euro area rate.
The Board of the National Bank of Romania (NBR) decided on Friday to maintain the key interest rate at 6.50%.
Romania's Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased marginally by 0.07% compared to March 2025, while the annual inflation rate reached 4.9% by April 2025, according to the National Institute of Statistics (INS).
The EBRD has slightly revised its forecasts for the Romanian economy's growth in 2025 but maintained its predictions for 2026, according to a recent report.
The IMF has lowered its growth projections for the Romanian economy this year, according to its latest World Economic Outlook report published on Tuesday.
Romania's annual inflation rate fell to 4.86% in March 2025, down from 5.02% in February, according to data released on Friday by the National Institute of Statistics (INS).
The National Bank of Romania (BNR) decided on Monday to maintain the key interest rate at 6.5%, while warning that the inflation rate could pick up in Q2 2025 and the labor market remain unfazed.
Adjusting for inflation shows a more moderate increase of 52.1% over the last 10 years and 8.5% in the last year, indicating a market with a sustainable development.
Annual inflation rate will fluctuate sharply in the first semester of 2025 and in the second semester it will decrease on a higher trajectory than in the previous projection.
According to data presented in November 2024 by the governor of the National Bank of Romania (NBR), Mugur Isărescu, the inflation forecast for the end of 2025 is estimated at 3.5%.
The consumer price index in December 2024 compared to November 2024 was up by 0.29%.
Romania's economy has fallen short of expectations, note Colliers consultants, who initially predicted a promising local economic scenario for 2024 that failed to materialize.
The annual inflation rate in October 2024 compared to October 2023 calculated on the basis of the Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices (HICP) was 5%.
The central bank decided to lower the key interest rate twice this year, in July, from 7% per annum to 6.75% per annum, and in August to 6.5% per annum.
Significant disparities in tax rates and competitiveness indicators across the CEE region.
More than half of the respondents (57%) believe that it is very likely that our country will face an economic crisis in 2024.
The rate cut will be a moderate 25 basis points, but it comes at the right time for two reasons: economic growth in Europe is starting to pick up after reaching its lowest level.
Inflation is expected to miss the target in 2024-2025, with the NBR cutting rates to 6% in 2024 and 4.5% in 2025.
Both SMEs and individuals are increasingly turning to second-hand furniture, with demand increasing by 14% compared to previous years.
The management and maintenance costs of the office buildings in Colliers Romania's Asset Services portfolio increased by 9% last year compared to 2022.
Romania's consolidated general budget recorded a deficit of €4.2 billion in the first quarter of 2026, representing 1.03% of GDP, compared to a deficit of €8.7 billion (2.28% of GDP) in the same period of 2025 over revenue growth and expenditure control.
Siemens is set to bolster its presence in Romania with the development of a fully digitalised, carbon-neutral production facility in Sibiu.
Siemens Mobility has been selected by Romania's Railway Reform Authority to deliver 12 hydrogen-powered electric multiple units based on the Mireo Plus H platform. The contract marks Romania's first hydrogen train project and one of the first in CEE.
Premier Energy has begun construction of its 200 MW/400 MWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project near Iași, Romania. The total development and construction cost is estimated at €75 million.
AI has become increasingly embedded in employees' day-to-day work over the past year. More than 48% of employees see AI as a tool that simplifies their work; however, many remain concerned about the broader implications of its growing integration, according to a survey conducted by Genesis Property early this year, on a sample of 1,146 employees.