INS: The annual inflation rate decreased to 8.16% in July

The annual inflation rate has dropped below 10%, reaching 8.2% in July 2026, according to data published by the National Institute of Statistics (INS). Compared to June 2026, the consumer price index was 100.58%, and the inflation rate since the beginning of the year was 4.4%.

The largest price increases were recorded in services, with 13.67%, followed by non-food goods (+7.93%) and food items (+5.03%). Among food items, coffee had the highest increase, at 19.47%. In non-food goods, diesel rose by 30.7%, while gasoline increased by 23.15%. The National Bank of Romania (BNR) estimates a downward correction of inflation in the third quarter of 2026, due to the removal of the cap on electricity prices and the increase in VAT and excise rates.

The annual inflation rate could re-enter the BNR's target range by the end of 2027.