The four EU economies closest to Romania in history and income, measured the same way. Each row compares all five at the newest period every one of them has published.
Each country at the newest period all five have published, and Romania's place among the five.
| Indicator | RO | PL | HU | CZ | BG | Romania's place |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GDP growth | −2.0% | 3.8% | 1.7% | 1.9% | 2.8% | 5 of 5 |
| Inflation (HICP) | 8.2% | 3.1% | 1.6% | 1.3% | 4.4% | 5 of 5 |
| Unemployment | 6.4% | 3.4% | 4.5% | 3.3% | 3.6% | 5 of 5 |
| Budget balance | −7.9% | −7.3% | −4.7% | −2.1% | −3.5% | 5 of 5 |
| Public debt | 60.1% | 61.6% | 77.7% | 44.1% | 28.5% | 3 of 5 |
| 10-year bond yield | 6.43% | 5.81% | 5.46% | 4.91% | 4.09% | 5 of 5 |
Why these four. Poland, Hungary, Czechia and Bulgaria are the EU members closest to Romania in recent history and in how far their incomes still have to catch up with western Europe. Poland, Hungary and Czechia keep their own currencies and central banks, as Romania does; Bulgaria adopted the euro on 1 January 2026, so its interest rates now follow the ECB’s.
The same measure for everyone. Every figure on this page comes from Eurostat, which collects them under common definitions. Inflation here is HICP, not the national CPI on the Macro page; the two weigh goods and services differently. The budget balance and debt are on the European ESA basis; a negative balance is a deficit.
The same period for everyone. Countries publish on different days. Each comparison uses the newest period all five have published, so no country is judged on fresher figures than another — some may already have a newer one out.
Better and worse. Faster growth, a smaller deficit and lower unemployment, debt and borrowing costs count as better. So does lower inflation, while it stays above the 2–3% the region’s central banks aim for.