BUCHAREST, Oct. 7 (Xinhua) -- The World Bank on Tuesday lowered Romania's 2025 economic growth forecast to 0.4 percent, down from 1.3 percent projected in June.
In its Europe and Central Asia Economic Update titled "Jobs and Prosperity," the Bank also cut forecasts for 2026 and 2027 to 1.3 percent and 1.9 percent, respectively, both 0.6 percentage points lower than earlier estimates.
The slowdown is attributed to weak consumer spending, persistent inflation, and fiscal consolidation. Household consumption is expected to rise 1.1 percent this year, well below the 5 percent average between 2000 and 2024.
Retail sales grew 3.1 percent between January and July, compared with 9 percent in 2024, while new car registrations dropped 22 percent in the first half of 2025. ■