Romania Inflation Rate at 6-Month High

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.

Romania’s inflation rate edged down to 9.3% year-on-year in February 2026 from 9.6% in the previous month, slightly lower from market expectations of a 9.4% growth. Price growth slowed in services (11.37% vs 11.59% in January), particularly in water supply, sewage collection, refuse collection (17.21% vs 17.59%), medical care (12.59% vs 13.16%), hygiene and cosmetics (15.94% vs 17.75%), and urban transport (10.02% vs 11.23%). At the same time, inflation increased at a slower pace in non-food goods (9.41% vs 9.99%). In contrast, costs grew in food products (7.89% vs 7.86%). On a monthly basis, consumer prices grew by 0.59% in February, easing from a 0.86% gain in the preceding period.