BAROMETRUL Informat.ro - INSCOP Research - Edition XI, May 2026. Chapter 6: Problems and Priorities of Romanians | 27.8% of Romanians mention corruption as the main problem while 48.2% of Romanians believe that a priority in the next 6 months should be the increase of salaries and pensions.

BAROMETER Informat.ro - INSCOP Research - Edition XI, May 2026

Chapter 6: Problems and Priorities of Romanians

27.8% of Romanians indicate that the main problem of the country is corruption, while 48.2% believe that the priority in the next 6 months should be the increase of salaries and pensions. These are the main conclusions of the BAROMETER Informat.ro – INSCOP Research, edition XI, conducted between May 11-14, 2026.

BAROMETER Informat.ro – INSCOP Research is a monthly opinion poll conducted by INSCOP Research on behalf of the news platform Informat.ro in partnership with the think tank Strategic Thinking Group.

BAROMETER Informat.ro – INSCOP Research aims to bring to the public's attention topics of interest, to stimulate national conversations about various subjects and essential public policies for the present and future of Romania, based on the opinions of Romanians, in partnership with think tanks and prestigious academic institutions. It is an initiative through which we aim to contribute to the strengthening of democracy, by using scientific and credible tools that bring the voice of citizens to the forefront of public debate.

Methodology: Data were collected between May 11-14, 2026. Research method: interview via questionnaire. Data were collected using the CATI method (telephone interviews), with a simple random sample volume of 1100 people, representative for significant socio-demographic categories (gender, age, occupation) of the non-institutionalized population in Romania, aged 18 and over. The maximum allowable error of the data is ±3%, at a confidence level of 95%.

Graphical presentation of the data is available here.

Remus Ștefureac, director INSCOP Research: "The study indicates a concentration of public anxiety on issues related to systemic insecurity. The fact that the issue of corruption coexists with strong pressure for salary and pension increases shows the emergence of a simultaneously moralizing electorate and dependent on the economic protection of the state — a combination that favors populist discourses promising both 'security' and rapid redistribution. The divides between party voters suggest not only electoral differences but the existence of distinct socio-cultural 'Romanias': one oriented towards administrative efficiency and European integration, the other focused on immediate economic security and distrust of institutional elites."

The main problem of Romania

When asked what they believe is the main problem of the country, 27.8% of respondents mention corruption, 14.9% - the lack of well-paid jobs, 13.4% - political instability, 10.7% - inflation and the cost of living. 8. 8.1% of those surveyed indicate the budget deficit and public debt, 6.6% the state of the education system, 5% the state of the healthcare system, 4.4% the war and the international context, 2.6% something else. 2.4% do not know or do not respond.

Voters of PNL, USR, and AUR, men, people aged between 30 and 44, residents of Bucharest and large urban areas mention corruption as the main problem of the country in a higher proportion than the average.

They indicate the lack of well-paid jobs in a higher proportion than the rest of the population: PSD voters, residents of small urban areas, people aged between 45 and 59.

People with higher education consider that political instability is the main problem of the country in a higher proportion than the average.

Measures for the next half year

48.2% of those interviewed believe that the priority in the next 6 months should be the increase of salaries and pensions, 33.7% the reduction of taxes, 26.1% attracting European funds, 25.8% reducing state expenditures, 22.7% combating tax evasion, 16.4% political stability and agreement between parties, 15% reforming public administration, 14.2% increasing public investments, and 9.1% organizing early elections. 3.5% mention another priority, and 2.1% do not know or do not respond.

They mention the increase of salaries and pensions as a priority measure in a higher percentage than the rest of the population: PSD and AUR voters, women, people aged between 30 and 44, those with primary education, residents of small urban areas and rural areas.

AUR voters, women, people aged between 18 and 44, those with primary education, and residents of small urban areas indicate the reduction of taxes in a higher proportion than the average.

PNL and USR voters, people with higher education, residents of the capital and large urban areas, and public sector employees specify attracting European funds as the most important priority measure for the next half year.

They believe that reducing state expenditures should be a priority measure in the next 6 months in a higher percentage than the majority: PNL and USR voters, people with higher education, residents of Bucharest, private sector employees.

PNL and USR voters, men, young people under 30, people with higher education, residents of the capital and large urban areas consider combating tax evasion as a priority measure in a higher proportion than the rest of the population.