Romanian households see falling incomes and soaring living costs, survey finds

A national survey shows that more than four in ten Romanians report a decline in household income over the past year, while only about 11 % say their earnings have risen. Almost 85 % expect prices to continue increasing in the next six months, reinforcing concerns about the cost of living. Respondents anticipate that food, utilities and taxes will remain the main expenditure items, with education receiving the smallest share of household budgets.

Financial protection remains low: 52 % have delayed setting aside emergency savings and 49 % postpone optional insurance despite worries about job loss, health issues or accidents. Only 22 % report taking proactive measures to secure their finances. The overall sentiment is pessimistic, with just 11.5 % expecting income growth, 41.6 % expecting stagnation and 37.7 % foreseeing further declines.

The data, collected in June 2026 by INSCOP's NewMoney Economic Sentiment Index and a separate Allianz‑Țiriac study, highlights widespread uncertainty about personal finances and the prospect of continued price hikes across Romania.