Amid growing inflation, one in two Romanians believes their current purchases cover only the bare essentials needed to get by, according to a survey published by Reveal Marketing Research.
Roughly 49% of respondents agreed their current spending was limited to basic needs, while only 35% said their purchases made them feel healthy and safe. Just 31% believed their spending created opportunities for personal growth or new experiences.
Food topped household spending in the past month, with 72% citing it as their main expense, followed by utilities (65%), personal care products (62%), and household cleaning supplies (55%). Spending on holidays and travel has increased compared with March 2025, rising from 13% to 25%, the survey showed.
Despite financial constraints, 58% of Romanians reported feeling predominantly positive, up from 50% in March. Of those, 31% said they felt relaxed and calm, while 27% described themselves as optimistic and energetic, an increase the researchers attributed in part to summer holidays.
In contrast, 82% believed people around them were mostly nervous or apathetic, with 59% describing others as angry and 23% as tired or bored. Reveal Marketing Research said the gap may be explained by “negativity bias” and a socially tense climate that amplifies negative perceptions of others.
Relationships remained the strongest source of well-being, with 86% satisfied with family and friends and 76% with their personal development. Satisfaction dropped among lower-income respondents, with only 55% of those earning under RON 5,000 per month expressing contentment in their romantic relationships.
At the other end of the spectrum, only 57% were satisfied with their financial situation, 32% with Romania’s political climate, and 29% with the national economy. National pride also declined, with 46% saying they were proud to be Romanian, a five-point decrease from March.
The survey was conducted online between September 17 and September 22 among 1,004 internet users aged 18 and above from urban and peri-urban areas. The margin of error was +/- 3.1% at a 95% confidence level.
irina.marica@romania-insider.com
(Photo source: Dreamstime.com)
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