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.
Romania's consolidated general budget recorded a deficit of RON 121.77 billion (€23.90 billion), equivalent to 6.40% of GDP, in the first eleven months of 2025, down 0.74 percentage points from 7.15% in the same period of 2024.
Colliers has published a new report focusing on CEE, examining economic and real estate trends across Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia. The study shows that 2025 brought moderate economic recovery, easing inflation and rising focus on sustainability, while real estate markets were shaped by modernization, limited new office supply, strong logistics demand and retail park expansion.
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.
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.
The National Institute of Statistics (INS) has revised the economic performance for the first nine months of 2025.
Retail trade volume in Romania remained flat in November 2025 compared to the previous month, according to the latest data released by Eurostat.
Romania's Energy Minister Bogdan Ivan announced that discussions with operators about removing gas price caps began in September to prepare multiple scenarios and prevent sudden price increases after March 31 2026.
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.