Romania’s economy slipped into contraction in the first quarter of 2026, with gross domestic product (GDP) falling 1.7% year-over-year, according to updated data as of 13 May 2026. The downturn marks a notable reversal from the fourth quarter of 2025, when GDP had still been expanding at a modest 0.2% on an annual basis.
The figures are calculated on a year-over-year basis, comparing each quarter’s performance with the same period a year earlier. The latest reading shows that momentum weakened considerably at the start of 2026 after having effectively stalled at the end of 2025, raising concerns over the durability of Romania’s recent growth trend and signaling increased headwinds for the economy in the months ahead.
