The annual inflation rate reached a new record level in Romania. The annual inflation rate rose to 10.85% in May, from 10.71% in April, as services became 13.53% more expensive, non-food goods 12.54%, and food goods 6.78%, according to data published Friday by the National Institute of Statistics (INS).
Consumer Price Evolution
"In May 2026, annual inflation reaches 10.9%. Thus, the annual inflation rate compared to the same month of the previous year was 10.85%, with the highest price increases recorded in services, 13.53%. Over the same period, non-food goods prices increased by 12.54%, and food goods by 6.78%," the cited document states.
For food, the largest price increases in this period remained coffee, up 21.12%, eggs, up 14.12%, and beef, which became 11.58% more expensive. Prices in the group of sugar products, sugary products, and honey increased by 10.59%. Significant increases are also observed for cow's milk, 11.98%, bread, 8.18%, and fresh fruit, 7.04%, while poultry meat became 6.88% more expensive.
In the alcoholic beverages category, beer prices increased by 7.98% over the last year, and wine by 6.57%. Other significant tariff increases are also seen for fresh fish (7.83%), oil (6.11%), citrus fruits (3.66%), and cottage cheese is 5.61% more expensive.
At the same time, there are price decreases in May 2026 compared to May 2025 for some food products such as potatoes (-11.32%), beans and other legumes (-3.08%), flour (-4.38%), cornmeal (-5.27%), and sugar (-1.32%). Butter was only 0.11% cheaper.
Among non-food goods, the most significant price increases in May continue to be in electricity, whose tariff increased by 55.49%, after the elimination of the support scheme for capping electricity prices.
According to the INS, other tariff increases in this category were recorded for fuels, namely gasoline, up 30.55%, and diesel, up 36.85%. The thermal energy tariff increased by 10.70%, books, newspapers, magazines were 10.62% more expensive, detergents by 10.19%, tobacco and cigarettes by 7.42%. Medicines also had higher prices by 4.36%, and hygiene and cosmetic items also became 7.14% more expensive. Between May 2026 and May 2025, the price of gas increased by 1.53%.
Price Increases in Services
"In the services category, the largest price increases in May 2026 compared to the same month in 2025 were recorded for rents, which increased by 43.56%, followed by water, sewer, and sanitation tariffs by 15.35%, auto repairs by 15.31%, hygiene and cosmetic services by 14.72%. Other significant increases in this category over the year were recorded for shoe and clothing making and repair services, 14.81%. At the same time, medical care became 12.81% more expensive, urban transport increased its tariff by 8.98%, and road transport by 13.18%. The only price decrease in this category continues to be recorded for air transport tariffs, which decreased compared to the previous year by 9.92%, and compared to April 2026, air transport tariffs reduced by 7.08%. Postal service tariffs, which had reduced their rates in previous months, increased by 9.65% in May 2026 compared to the same month in 2025," the INS emphasizes.
The institution specifies that in the calculation of inflation starting with August 2025, the cessation of the support scheme for capping electricity prices established by Government Emergency Ordinance No. 6/2025, with subsequent amendments, was taken into account. Also, for natural gas, starting April 1, the price cap for household consumers ended, replaced by a new protection mechanism provided in GEO 12/2026.
The National Bank of Romania (BNR) revised upward its inflation forecast to 5.5% from 3.9% previously for the end of 2026 and anticipates it will reach 2.9% at the end of 2027, according to data presented in May by BNR governor Mugur Isărescu.
