Romanians Shy Away from Discussing Debt, Survey Shows

A May 2026 survey commissioned by brokerage firm XTB and conducted by Reveal Marketing Research interviewed 1,003 urban Romanians aged 18 and older. Respondents reported that money is rarely talked about in families – 44% said discussions occurred only when necessary and just 27% said finances were discussed openly. Among young adults (18‑24), 60% said money was spoken about only when needed.

Financial topics are considered taboo: 36% named debt as the most difficult subject, followed by income (30%) and loans from family or friends (26%). In the 18‑24 age group, 42% singled out debt as the most delicate issue. Only 12% believe financial problems should remain private, while men are more likely than women to favor privacy.

When dealing with personal money problems, 16% would keep the issue to themselves, 14% would confide in a trusted person, and just 9% would seek professional advice. The main sources of shame are the inability to cover unexpected expenses (34%) and payment delays (24%).

Regarding savings and investments, 24% keep money only in cash or deposits to avoid “wrong decisions,” 22% save or invest but avoid talking about it, 19% neither save nor invest, and another 19% both save/invest and feel comfortable discussing it. An additional 11% would like to save or invest but fear making mistakes and being judged.