NIS: The unemployment rate in the second quarter of 2026 was 6.8%, an increase of 0.3 percentage points compared with that recorded in the first quarter of 2026

Romania’s unemployment rate reached 6.8% in the second quarter of 2026, up 0.3 percentage points from the first three months of the year, according to data published on Monday, September 14, by the National Institute of Statistics (NIS). The development indicates a worsening labor market situation, particularly for young people and those in rural areas.

Romania’s active population totaled 8.229 million people. Of these, 7.671 million were employed, while 558,100 were unemployed. The employment rate among people aged 15 to 64 rose slightly to 62.7%, up 0.1 percentage points from the first quarter.

Significant differences between groups remain. The employment rate was 70.9% among men and 54.3% among women, while in urban areas it reached 69%, compared with 56.1% in rural areas.

The most difficult situation is among young people aged 15-24. The unemployment rate rose to 29.9%, from 27.9% among men and 32.9% among women. In rural areas, the indicator stood at 31.8%, compared with 27.1% in urban areas. At the same time, the youth employment rate fell from 18.7% in the second quarter of 2025 to 15.3% in the same period of 2026.