Economy | 20 March, 2026 at 3:45 PM
Parliament approves Romania's 2026 budget
The joint plenary session of Parliament officially adopted the 2026 state budget and social security budget projects on Friday.
The joint plenary session of Parliament officially adopted the 2026 state budget and social security budget projects on Friday.
The World Bank revised down Romania's 2026 growth forecast to 1.3%, compared to the 1.9% predicted in June 2025 and 2.6% estimated in January 2025.
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 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.
Romania's economy has secured the third-highest GDP growth rate in the EU during Q2, according to Eurostat.
Romania's GDP recorded an increase in Q2 2025, according to flash estimates from the National Institute of Statistics (INS).
On a gross basis, compared with the same quarter in 2023, GDP in the fourth quarter of 2024 increased by 0.7%.
Business Bonus expands with exclusive offers from local partners, providing competitive prices for payments made with Mastercard Business cards issued in Romania.
The second half of the year was much more negative, influenced by energy market volatilities which drove weaker results for the sector.
Over time, the company attracted growing interest from investors, securing a leading position in the BET AeRO index.
The indoor advertising market is projected to grow by 17% in 2024, substantially surpassing the growth rate of the Romanian advertising market.
In the last two decades, the price of gold has risen by over 800%, and from the start of this years, it has continued to climb constantly.
The number of investors in investment funds also crossed the 700,000 threshold, an advance of more than 37% since mid-2023 and 8.6% since the first quarter of this year.
SIPEX's business growth was supported by careful inventory management, accurate sales forecasting, and diligent expense management.
Global financial wealth is up nearly 7% in 2023 to $275 trillion, after a 4% decline in 2022.
The residential sector contributed the highest demand for air conditioning systems in June.
In 2023, SMARTEMP recorded consolidated revenues (including the financial results of BIA Human Capital Solutions) of RON 164.5 million, an increase of 10% compared to 2022.
Investment in production machinery and military equipment in Romania increased by 80% last year compared to the pre-pandemic period.
Metropolitan Life, registered during the year 2023 gross written premiums amounting to RON 625.1 million, having an increase of 7.95% compared to the previous year.
In 2024, Romania's economy is expected to continue its growth trend, but at a more moderate pace.
Hidroelectrica has signed a contract for €8.7 million in non-reimbursable financing from the Modernisation Fund to implement a battery storage facility at the Porțile de Fier II hydroelectric plant.
Romania's annual inflation rate will increase and remain at higher levels than previously forecast during March-June 2026, according to the minutes from the National Bank of Romania's monetary policy meeting held in early April.
The Vega Ploiești Refinery, operated by Rompetrol Rafinare, has started producing hexane with a minimum purity of 60%, supporting polypropylene production and the food industry.
Energy producer OMV Petrom and RNV Infrastructure have announced that three wind projects in Romania, with a total installed capacity of approximately 300 MW, are entering the execution phase following the final investment decision. The projects hold the necessary permits, with production expected to begin in stages from H1 2027.
Romania's budget deficit calculated according to the European ESA methodology has dropped from 9.3% of GDP in 2024 to 7.9% of GDP in 2025, representing a correction of 1.4 percentage points of GDP.