Romania continues to have the highest inflation rate in the EU, at 8.5%, while the European average is 2%. The INS reports an inflation rate of 9.6%.

In January 2026, Romania recorded the highest inflation rate in the European Union, at 8.5%, compared to an average of 2% at the EU level and 1.7% in the eurozone. Although inflation has slightly decreased compared to the previous month, Romania remains with a price increase rate more than four times higher than the European average. Following Romania in the EU are Slovakia (4.3%) and Estonia (3.8%).

The differences between the inflation rate reported by Eurostat (8.5%) and that calculated by the National Institute of Statistics (INS), at 9.6%, are due to different calculation methods. Eurostat uses the harmonized index of consumer prices, while INS relies on the consumer price index, which better reflects the spending structure in Romania.

Price increases have been significant in the services sector (11.59%), non-food goods (9.99%), and food (7.86%). The National Bank of Romania has revised its inflation forecast for the end of 2026, estimating a decrease to 3.9%. In the eurozone, core inflation has decreased to 2.2%, with services having the largest contribution to the annual inflation rate.