The annual inflation rate rose to 9.87% in March, up from 9.31% in February, as services became more expensive by 11.05%, non-food goods by 10.89%, and foodstuffs by 7.67%, according to data published on Tuesday by the National Institute of Statistics (INS).
'The consumer price index was 100.78% in March 2026 against February 2026. The inflation rate was 2.3% since the beginning of the year (March 2026 against December 2025). The annual inflation rate was 9.9% in March 2026 versus March 2025. The average rate of change in consumer prices was 8.5% over the last 12 months (April 2025 - March 2026) compared with the previous 12 months (April 2024 - March 2025),' the press release said.
According to the INS, the harmonised index of consumer prices was 100.92% in March 2026 compared with February 2026. The annual inflation rate was 9.0% in March 2026 compared with March 2025, calculated based of the harmonised index of consumer prices (HICP). The average rate of change in consumer prices was 7.6% over the last 12 months (April 2025 - March 2026) compared with the previous 12 months (April 2024 - March 2025), determined on the basis of the HICP.
The National Bank of Romania (BNR) has revised upwards its inflation forecast for the end of 2026 to 3.9%, from the previous 3.7%, and anticipates that it will reach 2.7% by the end of 2027, according to data presented in February by the BNR Governor, Mugur Isarescu.
The central bank also announced this month that the annual inflation rate will rise to levels higher than previously forecast between March and June 2026, mainly as a result of expected influences stemming from rising fuel prices, amid a significant increase in oil and natural gas quotations in the context of the war in the Middle East, according to a press release.
Comentează