Overview of 2011: After a strong spring, Romania's currency weakens towards year-end

The Romanian currency strengthened in April this year against the single European currency, but the evolution on international markets weakened the RON during most of 2011.

From an exchange rate of RON 4.07 to the euro at the end of April, the rate reached a peak of RON 4.36 against the euro in November this year. The weakening of the RON was more visible in the last months of the year, as bleaker news came from the international scene. The Romanian currency followed a similar evolution path as in 2010, when it went from a rate of RON 4.07 to the euro in March to a peak of RON 4.37 in June 2010.

The evolution of the RON/EUR currency rate in 2010 and 2011; L to R: January to December; graphic by Romania-Insider.com

Romanian lei was stronger currency in 2008, when the average rate was RON 3.68 per euro, but international turbulence sent it plummeting to an exchange rate of RON 4.23 against the euro in 2009. Last year, the average rate was RON 4.20/EUR 1. editor@romania-insider.com