IRSOP Survey: 83% of Romanians Expect Further Price Rises

A new survey conducted by IRSOP and published on Monday shows that Romanians are growing increasingly pessimistic about the economic outlook. More than eight in ten respondents expect further price rises over the next 12 months, six in ten believe their financial situation will worsen, and three quarters think their standard of living will be lower in a year's time. Meanwhile, people are buying less, postponing major purchases, and anticipating both a depreciation of the leu and rising interest rates.

Expectations regarding prices and personal finances

According to the research, 83% of those surveyed believe prices will continue to rise over the coming year, up from 78% recorded in May. Only 11% think prices will remain stable.

On a personal level, 61% of respondents say their financial situation will be worse in a year's time, compared with 54% the previous month. Only 21% are optimistic, anticipating an improvement.

Prospects regarding living standards are also predominantly negative: 76% of Romanians expect to be worse off in a year's time, whilst only 11% believe their situation will improve. Looking further ahead, 57% think their standard of living will be lower in five years, compared with 29% who are optimistic.

Reduced spending and investment on hold

According to the survey, 61% of respondents are buying less for everyday consumption than they were a year ago, whilst only 10% say they are purchasing more. Nearly half (47%) intend to save for unforeseen circumstances.

Interest in other types of expenditure is declining: only 40% still plan to invest in their own education or that of their children, 32% are considering a holiday abroad, and 17% want to buy a car.

The proportion intending to purchase government bonds or stock market shares has fallen to 9%, those wishing to invest in their own business to 8%, and only 7% are still considering starting a new venture. Likewise, only 6% intend to buy land and just 4% a property.

Employment, the leu, and interest rates

Among employed respondents, 73% consider their job to be secure, whilst 27% feel vulnerable. Furthermore, 70% of respondents say that jobs are hard to find in their area, up from 66% in May. Of those who consider their job to be at risk, 81% say it would be difficult for them to quickly find alternative employment.

Regarding the national currency, 70% of Romanians expect the leu to depreciate over the next 12 months, compared with 60% the previous month. Additionally, 74% anticipate rising interest rates, compared with 69% in May.

What the survey authors say

IRSOP researchers note that public sentiment continues to deteriorate: "People are alarmed by prices. Inflationary expectations rose in June to 83%, up from 78% in May. This means people do not expect prices to fall any time soon. The prospect of prices continuing to rise heightens loss aversion and a sense of constraint over personal life."

The authors also highlight that scepticism is spreading to the economy and the labour market: "The proportion of those who believe they will be worse off next year rose in June to 61%, from 54% in May. The share who believe things will be worse in five years' time increased in June to 57%, up from 52% in May."

The survey was conducted by telephone between 25 and 30 June 2026, on a representative sample of 500 adults, with a maximum margin of error of +/- 4.4%.