observatornews.ro/economic/cat-costa-un-trai-decen
A family of four in Romania needs 11,668 lei monthly for a decent living, according to a recent analysis. This amount reflects a 2.6% increase from 2025. For a single adult, the monthly requirement is 4,407 lei, while the current minimum wage is 2,699 lei. The analysis highlights significant budget components, with housing costs being the highest. Health care and education expenses have seen notable increases. The estimated decent minimum wage for 2026 is 5,542 lei net, which is still significantly higher than the current minimum wage. The gap between the minimum wage and the estimated decent living wage is expected to persist for decades.