Romanian survey finds debts are the most taboo financial topic

A survey commissioned by XTB Romania and conducted by Reveal Marketing Research explored how Romanians talk about money. The study found that 44 % of respondents said money was discussed in their families only when needed during childhood, while only 27 % said financial matters were talked about openly and 12 % considered the subject taboo. Among young adults aged 18‑24, 60 % reported the same “only when needed” attitude, and 42 % said debt is the most delicate topic to discuss.

Debt emerged as the hardest subject for 36 % of all participants, followed by income (30 %) and loans from family or friends (26 %). Only 9 % would seek professional financial advice; most prefer to handle issues themselves or confide in a trusted person. Shame is most often linked to the inability to cover an unexpected expense (34 %). The survey also noted gender differences, with men more likely than women to keep financial problems private.

Irina Cristescu, General Manager of XTB Romania, said: “In Romania, money is still treated in many contexts as a subject that must be managed in silence. If we only hear about money when a problem arises, we associate financial conversations with stress, shame, or failure rather than planning and responsibility.”