The economic situation perceived by Romanians continues to deteriorate, according to the latest survey conducted by IRSOP, cited by Știrileprotv.ro. At least 61% of Romanians believe that it is more difficult than last year, a percentage similar to that reported in February. The phenomenon reflects the tensions generated by rising prices, the depreciation of the national currency and uncertainties related to the labor market.
In the short term, however, there are signs of a slight recovery. 25% of respondents believe that living in Romania will be better in the next year, up from 19% in February, and 38% expect their income to increase in the next 12 months, compared to 32% previously. This moderate optimism shows that Romanians still hope for economic stabilization in the immediate term, even if the current situation raises difficulties for them.
In the long term, however, the outlook is less optimistic: the percentage of those who believe that life will be better in five years has fallen from 41% to 37%, signaling a decrease in confidence in the country’s economic development in the medium and long term.
Inflation and rising prices – a persistent fear
Inflationary expectations remain high: 75% of Romanians anticipate that prices will continue to rise. The survey authors point out that this fear is self-perpetuating, because as prices rise faster, people demand pay rises without productivity rising commensurately, which can further fuel inflation.
Currency depreciation and rising interest rates are other issues affecting public perception. 64% of Romanians expect the leu to depreciate in the next 12 months, and 69% estimate that interest rates will increase, making it more difficult to access credit and the price of products and services financed by loans.
The labor market – the most worrying signal
The biggest concern for Romanians remains the labor market. The percentage of employees who fear they could lose their jobs rose to 29%, up from 25% in February. Worse is the fact that of those in this situation, 86% believe that finding alternative employment is difficult in their locality, compared to 75% last month. This significant jump in a single month highlights an increase in insecurity among employees and a heightened perception of economic instability.
The affordability crisis and the impact on consumption
In terms of consumption, Romanians remain cautious. The intention to purchase expensive goods, homes, land or businesses is reduced, signaling that a significant part of the population cannot afford such investments. IRSOP describes this phenomenon as an “affordability crisis”, mainly caused by high inflation with no foreseeable end, which is gradually affecting private wealth and people’s ability to make long-term savings or investments.
Economic background and caveats
Romania faces persistently high inflation, which affects the purchasing power of the population. In addition, the uncertainties related to the evolution of the labor market, the increase in interest rates and the depreciation of the national currency increase the concern of Romanians. Experts warn that if this trend continues, the impact on the economy will be felt not only at the individual level, but also at the macroeconomic level, by decreasing consumption and slowing down investments.
In conclusion, the IRSOP survey shows that Romanians are increasingly feeling the effects of the real economy on their daily lives. While short-term expectations point to slight hope, concerns about inflation, jobs and the depreciation of the leu underscore the strains facing the population.
