Romanian teens face rising pocket‑money costs and avoid talking about money

Inflation has pushed up the cost of everyday outings for Romanian adolescents. A Reddit post showed a parent of a 16‑year‑old in cities like Cluj or Bucharest budgeting 500 lei per month, yet a simple burger and drink can cost 70–80 lei. Data from Observator News indicates that two‑thirds of parents of 12‑14‑year‑olds give under 300 lei monthly, while 34 % of parents of 15‑17‑year‑olds allocate 301–600 lei. Over 50 000 teenagers aged 16‑17 have applied for jobs since the start of 2024, a 25 % rise year‑on‑year, with retail being the top sector followed by tourism, food industry and services.

A separate study commissioned by XTB Romania surveyed 1 003 respondents aged 18‑34. It found that 18 % avoid financial discussions out of shame, with the share rising to 33 % among 18‑24‑year‑olds. The main sources of “financial shame” are inability to cover unexpected expenses (34 %), payment delays (24 %) and poor financial planning (18 %). Younger respondents also fear disclosing higher incomes, worrying about pressure to support relatives (38 %) and being judged (22 %). The study suggests that while young people have greater access to digital financial tools, social pressures limit open conversation about money, savings, and investments.