Although Romania has made visible progress in the last decade, almost halving the level of material and social deprivation, everyday difficulties have not disappeared. Beyond the statistics, the reality in many households remains marked by constant worries about money, and one of the most sensitive consequences is related to access to food.
Recent studies show that food insecurity and financial pressure not only persist, but have become increasingly pressing, also influencing the mental health and social relations of Romanians.
“Hidden hunger”, an ignored problem
The concept of “hidden hunger”, introduced by research carried out by the Access Alliance, describes a subtle form of food insecurity that does not fit the classic patterns. It is not necessarily about the total lack of food, but about constant compromises: smaller portions, cheaper products or giving up certain foods in order to cover other essential expenses. For many Romanians, this reality comes with permanent anxiety. Moreover, over 40% of respondents say that in the last year they frequently feared that they would not have enough money for food, and 6 out of 10 admit that they have experienced such fears at least occasionally.
Public perception versus household reality
According to the study, this form of insecurity is all the more difficult to identify as it is not easily recognized even by those around. Almost 40% of Romanians say they don’t know anyone who has difficulty affording their daily food, and only 19% think they could easily identify a person in such a situation.
But in reality, the researchers show, personal experiences contradict this perception: more than half of the respondents had to skip meals, eat less or choose cheaper products. In addition, nearly 80% say they have to frequent promotions to afford basic purchases.
The hidden costs: social isolation and daily trade-offs
The effects do not stop at the food level, but extend to the social level. For many, the cost of a night out or a meeting with friends becomes difficult to bear.
The research shows that almost 6 out of 10 Romanians say that they avoided such situations for financial reasons, and half of the respondents admit that they gave up meetings because they could not afford to contribute food.
At the same time, about 17% of people say that they would not ask anyone for help if they faced difficulties in securing food, which makes the problem even less visible.
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Life between bills and food
Behind these numbers are real stories. There are people who live on the edge of financial balance, where every expense must be carefully calculated. For example, a pensioner who lives on approximately 1,700 lei per month spends most of her income on bills and medicine, leaving very little for food. For her, the worry that she won’t have enough money for food is a constant.
This situation reflects a wider reality: for 4 out of 10 Romanians, food insecurity even means skipping meals for financial reasons or so that other family members can eat.
Financial pressure and the impact on mental health
In parallel, the general financial pressure is deeply affecting everyday life. A study conducted for XTB Romania shows that almost 75% of Romanians say that worries about money have affected their mental health in the last month. Moreover, 85% have at least once had difficulty falling asleep because of financial problems.
The main factors driving this pressure are rising prices of essential goods, cited by 36% of respondents, followed by unexpected expenses, job insecurity and debt.
How financial stress affects everyday life
The impact is visible in many aspects of life. Over a third of Romanians say that financial stress affects their mood and motivation, and others feel effects on their health, energy level or sleep. Family relationships are not avoided either, with some respondents indicating tensions generated by money pressure.
However, work performance appears to be less affected, a sign that many are trying to maintain balance at work, even as the pressure shifts to other areas of life.
Differences between generations and between women and men
The data show important differences between categories. People between the ages of 45 and 55 feel the effects of financial stress, especially on sleep, while young people are affected by financial instability and high expenses.
Women are more likely than men to report being affected by financial anxiety and lack of sleep. At the same time, the feeling of financial security declines with age, reaching its lowest levels among the over-55s.
On the other hand, almost half of Romanians say that they would first of all turn to their family if they faced difficulties in affording food. Also, more than half of respondents say they have donated or offered food to people in need.
