Romania Inflation Rate at 6-Month High

The inflation rate in Romania rose 10.9% year-on-year in May 2026 from 10.7% in the previous month, hitting the highest level since April 2023. Prices rose for non-food goods (12.5% vs 12% in April), particularly household products, furniture (5.3% vs 5.2%), chemicals (8.2% vs 7.6%), cultural and sporting products (8.5% vs 8.1%), hygiene, cosmetic and medical items (6.2% vs 5.9%), and fuels (19.2% vs 15.7%), while costs also increased for services (13.5% vs 13%). Conversely, inflation slowed for food products (6.8% vs 7.4%), weighed down by slower increases in milling and bakery products (7.3% vs 7.8%), fruit and canned fruit (5.5% vs 9.6%), sugar, confectionery and honey (10.6% vs 11.1%), cocoa and coffee (21.1% vs 22.5%), and alcoholic beverages (7.7% vs 7.9%). On a monthly basis, consumer prices eased 0.6% in May from 0.8% increase in the previous month. Meanwhile, the HICP-based annual inflation rate rose to 9.7% from 9.5% in April.

The inflation rate in Romania rose by 10.7% year-on-year in April 2026 from 9.9% in the previous month, matching market expectations. This marked the highest level since April 2023, driven mainly by higher costs in non-food goods (12.02% vs 10.89% in March), particularly in clothing, hosiery, trimmings, and haberdashery (7.10% vs 7.05%), cultural and sporting products (8.13% vs 7.81%), and fuels (15.65% vs 12.93%). At the same time, prices increased in services (13.04% vs 11.05%). In contrast, price growth moderated for food products (7.39% vs 7.67%), weighed down by lower costs in milling and bakery products (7.82% vs 8.60%), fruit and tinned fruit (9.61% vs 11.79%), and meat and meat products (5.98% vs 6.46%). On a monthly basis, consumer prices grew by 0.84% in April, following a 0.78% rise in the preceding period. Meanwhile, the HICP-based annual inflation rate rose to 9.5% from 9% in the previous month.

Romania’s annual inflation rate picked up to 9.9% in March 2026 from 9.3% in the previous month, but came below market expectations of 10.4%. This marked the highest level since September 2025, driven mainly by stronger price pressures in non-food goods (10.89% vs 9.41% in February), largely due to a sharp increase in fuel costs (12.93% vs 4.19%). In contrast, inflation eased slightly in services (11.05% vs 11.37%) and food products (7.67% vs 7.89%). On a monthly basis, consumer prices grew by 0.78% in March, accelerating from a 0.59% increase in the preceding period. Meanwhile, the HICP-based annual inflation rate rose to 9.0% in March from 8.3% in the prior period.