Patronatul Concordia: La jumătatea anului, avem o economie în căutarea direcției, între turbulențe externe și vulnerabilități interne - StartupCafe

Romania's GDP fell by 0.8% in the first half of 2026 compared to the previous year, indicating a deepening economic weakness. The decline is attributed to internal factors like restrictive fiscal policies and political uncertainty, compounded by external shocks such as the Middle East conflict, which raised energy prices. Consumer spending, traditionally a growth driver, has turned negative, impacting retail sales significantly. Inflation peaked at 10.9% but decreased to 8.2% by July, although future price pressures are expected. The labor market is cooling, with rising unemployment and stagnant wage growth. Romania faces structural competitiveness challenges, with high production costs and significant twin deficits, necessitating urgent reforms to enhance economic resilience and export capacity.