Romania: Inflation holds steady in December
Latest reading: Inflation came in at 5.1% in December, unchanged from November’s result, and remained above the Central Bank’s 1.5–3.5% inflation target range. Looking at the details of the release, softer price pressures for non-food goods offset lower services inflation. Moreover, food inflation remained stable.
Meanwhile, the trend pointed down with average inflation edging down to 5.6% in December (November: 5.7%).
Lastly, consumer prices increased 0.29% over the previous month in December, slowing down from November’s 0.41% increase. December’s result marked the weakest reading since August.
Panelist insight: EIU analysts stated:
“We expect that average inflation will only slow to within the NBR’s target range in 2026. Legislative changes will keep the electricity and natural gas price-cap scheme in place until at least the end of March 2025, curbing fuel price growth. […] In the near term food prices are also set to remain elevated, driven by the drought in 2024.”