Economic pessimism dominates consumers in Romania, studies show

According to the MKOR Consumer Sentiment Romania study, which tracks general economic sentiment from Q3 2023 to Q2 2026, fewer than 1 in 10 Romanians (8%) are still optimistic. Three years ago, twice as many (16%) were optimistic.

The pessimists rose during the same period from 3 in 4 (74%) to almost 9 in 10 (87%). Expectations for the coming year have also worsened: those who are pessimistic about developments over the next 12 months rose from 68% to 80%.

The same survey showed that compared with last year, Romanians have a more negative view of the economy, their own incomes, and the organization they work for.

The Consumer Sentiment Index stood at -0.90 in Q1 2026 and -0.93 in Q2 2026, a difference too small to matter. Compared with Q2 2025, however, the same indicator fell from -0.73 to -0.93. The measurement scale ranges from -2 (very pessimistic) to +2 (very optimistic).

The same trend was confirmed in other measuremerents. People’s assessment of their household’s financial situation fell from -0.58 to -0.86, as did their assessment of the country’s economy (falling from -1.16 to -1.27), and of their own organization (down from -0.45 to -0.66). Basically, people feel that they are doing increasingly worse.

The inflation rate estimated by Romanians fell from 21% to 16% over the three years of the study, but the pressure felt has increased: 75% say that prices have increased significantly.

Asked about the top three aspects that concern them regarding their own family, more than half of Romanians, 52%, mentioned basic expenses, by far the main concern. This was followed by salary levels (42%), physical health (37%), job security (32%), and the level of taxes and duties (31%). Four of the family’s top five concerns are about money, because job security also means income.

"Compared with last year, all the important figures in the study are moving in the same direction: less trust, less optimism, less hope in their own organization. The erosion is slow, and that is precisely what makes it difficult to notice from within," said Cori Cimpoca, Founder & CEO, MKOR.

Similarly, an IRSOP survey conducted in August 2026 showed that 85% of Romanians believe prices will increase over the next 12 months, while 66% say that their financial situation is worse than it was a year ago, according to the published data.

The survey noted that only 9% of respondents consider their financial situation to be better than a year ago, while 9% believe prices will remain the same. When it comes to the standard of living in five years, pessimism remains dominant, the source explains.

According to the survey, 49% of respondents spent money on their own or their children's professional training, up from 43% in July, while 47% save for unexpected situations, and 33% can afford a holiday abroad, the data also show. Moreover, the survey revealed that 76% of employees consider their jobs to be secure, while 82% of respondents believe that jobs are difficult to find in their locality.