The annual inflation rate rose to 5.45% in May 2025, from 4.9% in April, as services rose by 7.09%, foodstuffs by 6.53% and non-food items by 4%, according to data published on Thursday by the National Institute of Statistics (INS).

„The consumer price index was 100.46% in May 2025 against April 2025. The inflation rate since the beginning of the year (May 2025 compared to December 2024) was 2.6%. The annual inflation rate was 5.5% in May 2025 compared to May 2024. The average rate of change in consumer prices was 5.0% in the last 12 months (June 2024 – May 2025) compared to the previous 12 months (June 2023 – May 2024),” the INS press release states.

According to the INS, the harmonized consumer price index was 100.49% in May 2025 compared to April 2025. The annual inflation rate was 5.4% in May 2025 compared to May 2024 calculated on the basis of the Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices (HICP). The average rate of change in consumer prices in the last 12 months (June 2024 – May 2025) compared to the previous 12 months (June 2023 – May 2024) determined on the basis of the HICP was 5.2%.

The National Bank of Romania (BNR) has revised upwards, to 4.6%, from 3.8% previously, the inflation forecast for the end of 2025 and anticipates that it will reach 3.4% at the end of 2026, compared to 3.1% in the previous forecast, according to data presented in May by the governor of the BNR, Mugur Isarescu.

He mentioned that the BNR will work with the new Government to find the optimal solutions that can bring inflation down, based on a sustainable and gradual reduction of the public deficit, but without having an economic recession.

The National Bank of Romania also anticipates that the annual inflation rate will stand at 5.1% at the end of the second quarter of 2025, and will decrease to 3.3% at the end of the first quarter of 2027, according to the Quarterly Inflation Report, May 2025 edition.

AGERPRES