Romania Inflation Rate at 6-Month High

Romania’s inflation rate edged down to 9.6% year-on-year in January 2026, from 9.7% in the previous month, marking the lowest reading since July 2025. Price growth slowed in services (11.59% vs. 11%), particularly in making and repairing clothing and footwear (14.87% vs. 15.12%), urban transport (11.23% vs. 13.75%), and restaurants, cafés, and canteens (11.68% vs. 12.01%). However, costs increased for food products (7.86% vs. 7.75%) and non-food products (9.99% vs. 10.48%). On a monthly basis, consumer prices rose by a five-month high of 0.86%, following a 0.22% increase in the previous period.

Romania’s annual inflation rate edged down to 9.7% in December 2025 from 9.8% in the previous two months. This marked the lowest reading in five months as price growth slowed for non-food products (10.48% vs 10.73% in November) and food products (7.75% vs 7.64%). Meanwhile, costs increased for services (11% vs 10.99%), particularly in making and repairing clothing and footwear (15.12%), medical care (13.59%), and hygiene and cosmetics (17.65%). On a monthly basis, consumer prices grew by 0.22%, easing from 0.46% in the preceding period. Meanwhile, the harmonised index of consumer prices (HCIP) remained unchanged at 8.6% year-on-year, with a monthly increase of 0.23% in December.

Romania’s annual inflation rate held steady at 9.8% in November 2025, unchanged from October and slightly above market expectations of 9.7%. The reading remained at one of its highest levels in two years, reflecting the impact of a series of tax increases and austerity measures implemented earlier this year by the pro-EU government to reduce a budget deficit exceeding 9% of GDP, the widest in the European Union. Among subindexes, price growth accelerated for food products (7.64% vs 7.57% in October) and services (10.99% vs 10.52%), while non-food inflation eased (10.73% vs 10.96%). On a monthly basis, consumer prices rose 0.46%, slightly down from 0.50% in October. Meanwhile, the harmonised index of consumer prices (HICP) increased 8.6% year-on-year, with a monthly gain of 0.49% in November.