The National Strategy and Forecasting Commission (CNSP) changed the economic growth projection for this year down to 2.8%, from 3.4% previously, with the Gross Domestic Product to be to almost 1,769 billion RON.

According to the Projection of the Main Macroeconomic Indicators, published by the CNSP, a GDP advance of 3.5% is estimated for 2025 and 3.7% for 2026, following that, as of 2027, the trend will be a decrease to 3.3%, respectively 2.9% in 2028.

For the current year, CNSP estimates indicate a 4.5% increase in final consumption and 5.8% in investments.

Inflation at the end of the year is forecast at 4.5%, above the Central Bank’s target of 4%, and will decrease to 3.8% next year and to 2.9% in 2026. The average exchange rate is projected at 4.98 RON/ euro in 2024.

The current account deficit is estimated to rise to 7.7% of GDP this year, from 7% of GDP last year. The trade deficit will increase, according to the Forecasting Commission, to 32.7 billion euros this year, from 28.9 billion euros last year, after an advance of exports by 1.8%, to 94.8 billion euros euros, and imports by 4.5%, to 127.5 billion euros.

On the other hand, the average number of employees is estimated to increase by 0.9%, to 5.412 million people, and the unemployment rate at the end of the year to increase by 3.1%. The BIM unemployment rate is forecast to rise by 5.3% this year.

According to the CNSP, the average net monthly salary could rise by 14.8% in 2024, to 5,066 RON.

AGERPRES