The Romanian economy contracted 1.2% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2026, matching second estimates and reversing from a 0.2% expansion in the previous three-month period. This marked the first contraction since the fourth quarter of 2020, highlighting a sharp loss of momentum at the start of the year. Household spending declined 1.0%, while government spending (12.9%), gross fixed capital formation (2.2%), and net external demand contributed positively, as exports rose 1.3% and imports edged up 0.5%. On the production side, output fell mainly in mining and quarrying (-1.3%), wholesale and retail trade (-3.2%), information and communication (-4.1%), and professional, scientific and technical activities (-3.8%), while the strongest gains were recorded in construction (7.9%), and culture and recreation activities (11.5%). On a seasonally adjusted quarterly basis, GDP was unchanged after contracting 1.9% in the preceding period. source: Institutul National de Statistica

The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in Romania contracted 1.20 percent in the first quarter of 2026 over the same quarter of the previous year. GDP Annual Growth Rate in Romania averaged 2.90 percent from 1996 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 14.70 percent in the second quarter of 2021 and a record low of -10.00 percent in the second quarter of 2020. This page provides the latest reported value for - Romania GDP Annual Growth Rate - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news. Romania GDP Annual Growth Rate - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on July of 2026.

The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in Romania contracted 1.20 percent in the first quarter of 2026 over the same quarter of the previous year. GDP Annual Growth Rate in Romania is expected to be 1.30 percent by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the Romania GDP Annual Growth Rate is projected to trend around 2.20 percent in 2027 and 2.70 percent in 2028, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-06-05 06:00 AM
YoY 2nd Est
Q1 -1.2% 0.2% -1.7% -1.7%
2026-07-09 06:00 AM
YoY Final
Q1 -1.2% 0.2% -1.2% -1.2%
2026-08-14 06:00 AM
YoY Prel
Q2 1.0%


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Full Year GDP Growth 0.70 0.90 percent Dec 2025
GDP Growth Rate YoY -1.20 0.20 percent Mar 2026
GDP Constant Prices 300084.60 300100.90 RON Million Mar 2026
GDP from Agriculture 11567.70 12314.20 RON Million Mar 2026
GDP from Construction 22126.40 19053.30 RON Million Mar 2026
GDP from Manufacturing 46384.30 43200.30 RON Million Mar 2026
GDP from Public Administration 41163.10 39546.60 RON Million Mar 2026
GDP from Services 57654.30 57891.10 RON Million Mar 2026
GDP Growth Rate 0.00 -1.90 percent Mar 2026
Gross Fixed Capital Formation 78011.40 78181.10 RON Million Mar 2026


Romania GDP Annual Growth Rate
On the expenditure side, household consumption is the main component of GDP and accounts for 63 percent of its total use, followed by gross fixed capital formation (22 percent) and government expenditure (14 percent). Exports of goods and services account for 41 percent of GDP and imports account for 41 percent.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
-1.20 0.20 14.70 -10.00 1996 - 2026 percent Quarterly
NSA

News Stream
Romania GDP Contracts for First Time Since 2020
The Romanian economy contracted 1.2% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2026, matching second estimates and reversing from a 0.2% expansion in the previous three-month period. This marked the first contraction since the fourth quarter of 2020, highlighting a sharp loss of momentum at the start of the year. Household spending declined 1.0%, while government spending (12.9%), gross fixed capital formation (2.2%), and net external demand contributed positively, as exports rose 1.3% and imports edged up 0.5%. On the production side, output fell mainly in mining and quarrying (-1.3%), wholesale and retail trade (-3.2%), information and communication (-4.1%), and professional, scientific and technical activities (-3.8%), while the strongest gains were recorded in construction (7.9%), and culture and recreation activities (11.5%). On a seasonally adjusted quarterly basis, GDP was unchanged after contracting 1.9% in the preceding period.
2026-07-09
Romania Q1 GDP Growth Falls to 2020 Lows
Romania’s economy declined 1.2% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2026, easing from a 1.7% fall in the initial estimate and down from 0.2% growth in the previous quarter, according to second estimates. This marked the first contraction since Q4 2020, driven by declines in government spending (-0.6%) and household consumption (-1.7%). However, growth was seen in gross fixed capital formation (4.7%) and net external demand, as exports rose 1.9% while imports grew 1.2%. On the production side, output fell in mining and quarrying (-1.2%), wholesale and retail trade (-3.1%), information and communication (-4.1%), real estate (-1.9%), professional and scientific activities (-3.9%), and public administration and defence (-1.3%), while the strongest gains were recorded in construction (7.9%) and culture and recreation activities (11.6%). On a seasonally adjusted quarterly basis, GDP was flat, revised from 0.2% fall in the preliminary data, following a 1.9% decline in the previous quarter.
2026-06-05
Romania GDP Shrinks for 1st Time Since 2020
Romania’s economy contracted by 1.7% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2026, reversing a modest 0.2% expansion in the previous three-month period, according to preliminary estimates. The latest figure marked the country’s first annual economic contraction since the fourth quarter of 2020, highlighting a significant loss of momentum at the start of the year. On a seasonally adjusted quarterly basis, the country’s GDP fell by 0.2%, marking a second consecutive quarterly contraction, though the pace of decline eased from an upwardly revised 2% drop in the previous quarter.
2026-05-13