Almost three quarters of the Romanian young people take into account the emigration. Half of them depend on the family's money. Comparison with Czech and Poland

Most of the Romanian young people (70%) would consider moving abroad for a better professional career and to earn more money. Of these, over half (57%) would emigrate to an EU member state and almost a quarter (23%) in the US, shows the data of the latest Young Matters report, published in September 2025 by Cook Communications.

Professional situation and income

According to the study, just more than half of the Romanian young people (54%) have a full-time job, the proportion increasing to 62% among men and 67% among those between 30-35 years old. However, the reality of income remains problematic.

Almost half (46%) earns approximately as much as the national average (8,932 ron per month), while 35% earn less and only 19% exceed this average. Salaries remain low in Romania, especially for young people, 44% of those in the age group 18-21 years and 42% of women reporting income below the national average.

Economies: a serious problem

The most alarming aspect is the lack of financial protection. Over half (59%) of young Romanian people have sufficient savings only for a month or less, the average being 1.3 months, while a quarter never have money at the end of the month.

Even those with higher incomes have only an average of 1.9 months of living expenses, a situation that leaves them extremely vulnerable to any financial emergency.

Dependence on family support

Another significant aspect is that over half (55%) of the Romanian young people receive financial aid from the family, this dependence decreasing with age-from 77% among 18-21 years to 40% among 30-35 years. The amount received is usually up to 5,000 lei per year

Monthly expenses

Foods are the highest proportion of the income of young people (25%), followed by utilities (16%) and free time (12%), while rent and economies are in fourth place, with 11%each.

Financial and indebted products

Current accounts (46%), credit cards (39%) and savings (31%) remain the most used financial products, although they all have a decline compared to the previous year.

Worrying is that almost two thirds (64%) of the Romanian young people believe that the decrease of the interest rates has made the loans more attractive, the personal loans being the most considered product.

Living: A major challenge

Although over half (55%) live with the family (husband/wife/children), almost one third (30%) still live with parents or other relatives, this figure reaching 49%among 18-21 years. 82% believes that the state should do more in terms of accessible homes.

Perceptions and aspirations

Almost half of the Romanian young people (49%) feel that their standard of living has improved in the last 12 months, but 68% foresee a new increase in living costs.

The main financial aspirations of young Romanian are: to have enough money to not worry about paying monthly invoices (17%), to be able to ensure living for them and their family (16%) and to own their own home (14%).

Geopolitical concerns

Three out of five young Romanian (62%) are afraid of reintroducing the military service, the concern being the highest among 18-21 years (70%) and those with above average income (73%).

Financial education

The main sources of financial information are internet searches (42%) and parents (41%), while only 11%call for school as a source of information. Although 34% obtain information from social networks, only 12% follow a financial influence.

Economic context: Three savings, three realities

Although all three countries are part of the European Union and have traveled similar economic transitions, the differences remain substantial. Poland has the highest economy ($ 980 billion GDP), double than Romania ($ 403 billion), while the Czech Republic, although smaller as a population (10.9 million), registers the highest GDP per capita ($ 33,040), significantly exceeding Poland ($ 26,810) and Romania ($ 21).

Occupation and income: Czechs, less concerned about full-time

A first notable difference appears in the structure of employment. While most of the young Polish (60%) and Romanian (54%) work full -time, only 44%of young people do it. This partly reflects the more mature labor market in the Czech Republic and the more diversified opportunities for employment.

Regarding the income towards the national average, the young Czechs are doing best: 63% earn at its level above the national average of 49,229 CZK (1,989 euros). Poland registers a spectacular improvement – 69% of young people earn at the level of 8,736 PLN (2,058 euros), compared to only 49% in 2024. Romania remains behind, with 35% of young people earning below the national average of 8,932 RON (1,759 euros).

“The Bank of the Mother and Father”: Family support varies significantly

Dependence on family financial support differs considerably between the three countries. Young Romanian people receive the most financial support: 55% receive family help, and 22% receive over 1,000 euros annually. In the Czech Republic, 56% receive family support, but only 16% receive over this amount. Poland is distinguished by higher financial independence-only 44% of young people receive family help, and only 7% receive over 1,000 euros annually.

Monthly expenses: food dominates but rent has different weights

In all three countries, food represents the largest expense, ranging from 18-25% of the income. Romania leads with 25%, reflecting the relatively higher cost of food in relation to income.

The major difference appears at the house. For the young Czechs and Polish, the rent is the second largest expense (19-21%of the income), while for the Romanians, the utilities occupy the second place (16%), and the rent is only in fourth (11%). This reflects the relatively accessible housing costs in Romania.

An interesting aspect: young Czechs spend more in free time (13%) than their counterparts in Poland (9%) or Romania (12%), suggesting a higher standard of living and more financial flexibility.

Economies: a worrying difference

The ability to save it differs dramatically between the three countries, being perhaps the most relevant indicator of financial stability:

Poland: Average of 2.4 months of expense saved with 18% having savings for 6 months or more

Czech Republic: Average 2 months but 48% have savings for a maximum of one month

Romania: Only 1.3 months on average with 59% having savings for a maximum of one month

The situation is particularly serious for women and young people with low incomes from all three countries, who have the fewest savings. A quarter of the young Czechs and Romanians (compared to only 10% of Poles) declares that they never have money at the end of the month.

Cryptocurrencies They experienced a surprising growth in the Czech Republic (from 13% to 16% users) and Poland (from 14% to 19%), while in Romania there was a decrease (from 11% to 7%), probably due to several local scandals and influencers.

Housing: the common challenge

About one third of the young Czechs (32%) and Romanian (30%) still live with parents or other relatives, compared to only 23%of Poles. This difference suggests greater independence of young Polish or more accessible living conditions.

Mortgages remain difficult to access in all three countries. The Deloitte Property Index 2025 report shows that:

Prague is the third most inaccessible city for buying a home (15 annual gross salaries)

Warsaw requires 9.7 annual wages

Bucharest requires about 5.9 annual salaries (according to data from 2024)

It does not surprise that 82% of Romanians, 79% of Czechs and 73% of Poles believe that the state should do more for accessible homes.

Financial Education: Internet and parents, not school

Financial information sources are similar in the three countries: Internet searches, parents and social networks dominate, while the school is chosen by only 10-16% as a source of financial information. This lacuna is a significant opportunity for improving formal financial education.

The phenomenon “Finfluly influencer” seems to have reached the peak: only 11-12% of young people follow financial influences, decreasing compared to 20-24% in 2024. However, among those who follow them, most (77% in Romania) trust their advice.

Standards of life and expectations

About half of young people in the three countries (49-52%) report that their living level has improved in the last year, an increase compared to 2024. However, between 14-18%say it has worsened, and most (54-68%) expects the cost of life to increase in the next 12 months.

The number of those who consider the financial objectives impossible to achieve: from 7% to 10% in Romania, from 14% to 20% in the Czech Republic, and from 11% to 13% in Poland. The main reasons are the high cost of life, the inability to earn enough prices for homes.

Fear of Conscript: Geography matters

The proximity to Ukraine major influences the anxiety of young people. In Poland and Romania, neighboring countries with Ukraine, 59-62% are afraid of reintroducing the conscription, compared to only 47% in the Czech Republic. This fear also affects the financial decisions: 57-78% of those concerned save more for emergencies.

Financial aspirations: house, peace and family

The first three financial aspirations in the region are:

Czech Republic: To have enough money for me and my family (Priority No. 1)

Poland: To hold my own house (17%, Priority No. 1)

Romania: To have enough money not to worry about invoices (17%, Priority No. 1)

These differences reflect the specific challenges of each country: Romanians fight with current expenses, Poles with access to housing, and the Czechs focus on the long -term security of the family.

N.red:The online quantitative study that underlies the “Young Money Matters” report this year was carried out by 3Gem Media Group between May 9-15, 2025, using questionnaires developed by Cook Communications.

3Gem questioned 1,000 young people from each country, between the ages of 18 and 35, the largest group (32 %) being the one between the ages of 30 and 35 (millennials). The other three groups (predominantly young in generation) were: 18-21 (24 %), 22-25 (22 %) and 26-29 (22 %).

In terms of education level, 25% of respondents have higher education, 53% have high school, and 22% or attended professional courses or have obtained training post -secondary professional. The people questioned live in various villages, communes, cities and municipalities. The respondents' sex ratio is 49% men and 51% women.