Revised data from the National Institute of Statistics puts real GDP growth in 2025 at 0.70%, while Q4 2025 contracted by 1.4% year-over-year. On a quarterly basis, economic activity declined by 1.8% quarter-over-quarter, seasonally adjusted, confirming a loss of momentum at the end of the year. Unemployment remains stable at 6.00%.
The government budget balance closed with a deficit of -1.03% of GDP in March under the cash basis, significantly lower than the deficit recorded in March 2025 (-2.28%). Economic confidence continued to weaken, falling to 91.10 points in April, below the trend and slightly lower than the March reading of 91.90 points.
The EUR/RON exchange rate remained broadly stable, averaging around 5.10 in April, while the National Bank of Romania kept the policy rate unchanged at 6.50%. Short-term money market conditions were almost unchanged, with the 3-month ROBOR averaging 5.87% in April. The trade deficit stood at EUR -2.41 billion in February, bringing the two-month deficit to EUR -4.76 billion, although this was 15.6% lower than the deficit recorded last year.
