Investments increased by approximately 16% last year, reaching 138 billion lei and accounting for 7.2% of GDP, Finance Minister Alexandru Nazare said on Monday evening, according to Agerpres. He emphasized that the figures show higher investment levels alongside a lower budget deficit.
“Investments rose last year to 138 billion lei. Why is this important? Because investments increased while the deficit declined. Investments can no longer serve as an argument that the deficit must necessarily be high when investments grow. This time, investments increased from 6.7% of GDP to 7.2% of GDP in 2025, reaching nearly 138 billion lei, a growth of about 16%. Another important change concerns the composition of investments: the share of European funds increased from 58% to 78%, while national funding decreased slightly. This is a very important step,” Nazare said on Antena3.
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European funds gain ground, payments resume
According to the minister, investments totaled 87 billion lei in the second half of last year, as projects left unpaid since April resumed. “We had funds because revenues also increased during these six months. The tax authority did its job. (…) It was essential, because the economy cannot restart if investment payments are not made,” he added.
Nazare also pointed to a more flexible payment mechanism for co-financing EU-funded projects, which supported sectors such as Transport, Development, and Agriculture, particularly in December. “It helped significantly (…) and the result of this effort is the 7.2% of GDP figure,” the minister said.
He added that economic growth for 2026 is cautiously estimated at 1%, while inflation is expected to decline starting in the third quarter.
Photo: Agerpres
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