Revised data from the National Institute of Statistics puts real GDP growth in 2025 at 0.70%, while Q4 2025 contracted by -1.4% YoY. On a quarterly basis, activity declined by -1.8% QoQ, seasonally adjusted, confirming a loss of momentum at year-end. Unemployment remains stable at 6.00%.
The government budget balance closed with a deficit of -1.03% of GDP in March under the cash standard, markedly lower than the deficit recorded in March 2025 (-2.28%). Economic confidence continued to weaken, falling to 91.10 points in April, below 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 ROBOR 3M averaging 5.87% in April. The trade balance deficit was EUR -2.41 bn in February, taking the two-month deficit at EUR -4.76 bn, although -15.6% lower than the deficit recorded last year.
