Southeast Europe / Data
Romania’s retail sales stabilise in 2026 after negative correction last year
Household consumption has stabilised at the lower level reached after last year’s correction.
Romania’s factory-gate inflation eases to 8.8% y/y in July
Energy and intermediate goods continued to exert significant upward pressure on industrial prices, which is likely to slow the disinflation of both industrial and consumer prices.
Romania’s PMI signals possible bottoming-out in manufacturing after years-long decline
Romania’s Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index rose to 51.1 in August, driven by stronger output and new orders.
Sopharma becomes Bulgaria’s largest listed company after share-price rally
Sopharma’s market capitalisation has risen nearly 20% over the past month to more than €1.24bn.
Romania’s budget deficit shrinks by 1.65pp y/y to 2.34% of GDP in January-July
The improvement already matches the fiscal consolidation target set for the full year. Maintaining the pace of fiscal consolidation next year will require continued expenditure controls and political commitment.
Romania’s CFA confidence index recovers in June-July despite recession risk
CFA Romania Association says improvement in confidence was accompanied by a significant decline in inflation expectations, alongside more favourable expectations for the exchange rate and interest rates.
Profitability of Romanian banks in H1 lags behind past three years
Improvement in Q2 lifted the banking system’s profitability ratios from the weak levels recorded in the first quarter, but they remained below those seen in recent years.
Hungarian households' finances squeezed despite real wage growth
Hungarian households remain financially constrained despite a strong recovery in real wages, with nearly three in ten reporting having no money left at the end of the month.
Romania’s construction activity surges 18.3% y/y in Q2 on new projects
In the first half of 2026, construction work volume increased by 13.9% y/y, making the sector one of the main positive contributors to economic activity amid a contraction in Romanian GDP.
Romania faces tighter spending rules after public debt exceeds 60% of GDP
Acting Finance Minister Alexandru Nazare says crossing the 60% debt threshold means Bucharest has a "very clear limit" on new budget commitments.
Bulgaria inflation slows in July but remains among eurozone’s highest
Bulgaria, which adopted the euro on January 1, remained among the eurozone countries with the fastest price growth in July.
Romania’s public debt rises to 61.4% of GDP at end-May
Increase in debt reflected both new borrowing and the impact of the Romanian leu's depreciation against the euro.
Bulgarians still EU's heaviest smokers
Bulgaria had the highest proportion of daily users of tobacco and related nicotine products in the European Union in 2025, even as smoking rates across the bloc edged lower.
Romanian manufacturing PMI reaches expansion territory for first time in two years
Romania’s manufacturing sector showed signs of stabilisation in July, with the BCR Romania Manufacturing PMI rising above the 50-point threshold.
Bosnians lose faith in government but support for EU membership stays strong
Trust in Bosnia's institutions falls as concerns over corruption, the economy and political instability weigh on public sentiment, while support for European Union membership remains resilient, a new survey shows.
Albania targets 4% growth in 2026
Albania’s economy is continuing to expand on a stable trajectory, with stronger tax collection, rising employment and increased business activity supporting growth, Finance Minister Petrit Malaj said.
North Macedonia keeps key interest rate unchanged at 4.25% as inflation eases
Central bank opts to maintain a cautious monetary policy stance despite a continued slowdown in inflation, citing persistent external risks linked to geopolitical tensions and elevated energy prices.
Romania's public marginally up in April, remains above 60% of GDP
Romania's public debt rose to 60.2% of GDP in April, above the 60% Maastricht threshold, though the monthly increase of RON1.7bn marks a sharp slowdown from the €34bn added across 2025.
Kosovo trade deficit widens 16.1% to €578.3mn in June
Kosovo's trade deficit widened 16.1% year on year to €578.3mn in June as imports reached €680.3mn against exports of €102mn, leaving export coverage of imports at 15%.
Albania new business registrations rise 7.5% in first half, foreign-owned firms up 35.7%
Albania registered 11,567 new businesses in the first half of 2026, up 7.5% y/y, with fully foreign-owned company registrations jumping 35.7% to 1,240. Real estate led sectoral growth at 35.8%, while Tirana took over half of all new entities.