Romania's manufacturing PMI index begins 2026 with low reading

Romania's manufacturing PMI index, computed by BCR Erste Group based on S&P methodology, deteriorated to 48.1 in January after it showed signs of recovery in December 2025 (48.9). The industrial recovery, broadly expected for this year, is thus more likely to occur in the second part of the year – consistent with low-base effects – but this only if the second-round effects of the fiscal consolidation policies do not cause prolonged economic stagnation.

The output index posted a relative improvement in January, remaining in the negative area but marking the best performance in four months. The new orders index deteriorated from December and remained at a significant negative value. But the overall deterioration was caused by the more detrimental conditions on the labour market (insufficient manpower reported – an effect of the tighter income policies conducted by companies amid an uncertain environment).