Romania's ROBOR stable at 6.14% as deficit narrows, but debt rises and credit outlook downgraded.

Romania’s three-month ROBOR remained stable at 6.14% as 2026 began, with the budget deficit narrowing to 6.4% of GDP in the first 11 months of 2025, driven by stronger revenues. Public debt rose to 58.9% of GDP by September 2025, with fiscal challenges prompting S&P and Fitch to downgrade Romania’s outlook to negative. The government approved 90,000 new foreign worker permits to address labor shortages, while the European Commission approved EUR578 million in state aid for energy-intensive firms. Business confidence remains weak, with inflation expectations easing slightly and a majority forecasting a weaker leu.