Moldova Central Bank Raises Policy Rate to 7.5%

The National Bank of Moldova raised its benchmark interest rate by 500 basis points to 7.5% in August 2026, lifting borrowing costs to their highest level since May 2023, citing heightened geopolitical risks and uncertainty over global tariffs. Annual inflation eased to 6.51% in June from 6.8%, remaining near the upper bound of the central bank's 5% ±1.5 percentage point target range. Average inflation accelerated to 6.7% in the second quarter, driven mainly by higher fuel and transport costs linked to the Middle East conflict. Meanwhile, economic activity is expected to strengthen in the second quarter, supported by industrial output and resilient domestic demand. Looking ahead, the central bank revised its inflation forecast higher, expecting inflation to remain above the target range before easing from the first quarter of 2027, reflecting stronger second-round effects from higher fuel prices, anticipated tariff hikes in the third quarter, and elevated global food prices.

The National Bank of Moldova raised its benchmark interest rate by 500 basis points to 7% in June 2026, bringing borrowing costs to the highest level since May 2023, citing concerns over rising energy, food and raw material prices. Headline inflation rose to 6.8%, reaching its highest level since the start of the year and above the upper limit of the central bank's target range of 3.5%-6.5%. Inflation expectations foresee an upward trend by year-end at 7%, with a decline thereafter to 5.8%. Meanwhile, economic activity growth slowed sharply to 0.4% in the first quarter of 2026 from 3.6% in the prior quarter. Looking ahead, uncertainty remains elevated amid ongoing geopolitical tensions, tariff adjustments, and the effects of newly implemented fiscal measures. Future monetary policy decisions will continue to be guided by developments in the domestic and external macroeconomic environment, with the central bank standing ready to use all available instruments to preserve price stability.

The National Bank of Moldova raised its benchmark interest rate by 150 basis points to 6.5% in May 2026, marking its first rate hike since early 2025 and bringing borrowing costs back to levels last seen in 2025. The central bank said the decision was driven by the need to calibrate monetary policy to contain mounting inflationary pressures stemming from the conflict in the Middle East. These pressures have been reflected in higher international prices for energy, food, and raw materials. Policymakers now expect inflation to exceed the upper bound of the central bank’s target range of 5% ±1.5 percentage points in the coming months. Inflation in Moldova accelerated to 5.8% in March. Meanwhile, policymakers also raised the interest rate on overnight loans to 8.5%, increased the repo rate to 6.75%, and lifted the overnight deposit rate to 4.5%.