Romania's public debt surpasses 60% of GDP in March 2026

In March 2026 Romania’s general government debt rose to 1.170 trillion lei, equivalent to 60.2 % of gross domestic product, up from 1.132 trillion lei (58.2 % of GDP) in February. Medium‑ and long‑term debt increased to 1.112 trillion lei, while short‑term debt fell to 58.128 billion lei. The bulk of the debt, 940.74 billion lei, consisted of government securities, with loans amounting to 207.63 billion lei. Debt denominated in the national currency stood at 526.1 billion lei, in euros at the equivalent of 518.79 billion lei and in US dollars at the equivalent of 122.78 billion lei.

Central government debt reached 1.145 trillion lei, of which 1.087 trillion lei was medium‑ and long‑term, and local government debt rose to 25.4 billion lei. External public debt amounted to 588.35 billion lei (30.3 % of GDP), up from the previous month, while the total external debt reported by the National Bank of Romania grew by about €1 billion to €229.5 billion. The current‑account deficit improved to €7.98 billion in the first four months of 2026, aided by a better trade balance.

BNR Vice‑Governor Leonardo Badea warned that the rapid debt expansion, now three‑fold since 2019, heightens the need for credible fiscal consolidation to keep the gap between borrowing costs and economic growth (the r‑g differential) in check.