Prosperity map in Romania: Bucharest, Cluj and Timiș distance themselves from the rest of the country. Which is the only county that will have a second year of economic decline

In 2025, Romania enters a phase of relatively moderate economic growth, but with significant regional differenceswhich redraws development priorities. Official data from the National Strategy and Forecast Commission (CNSP) show that while some counties are accelerating strongly, others remain in the area of ​​a fragile advance or only recover from the declines of 2024.

This evolution is essential for understanding local economic dynamism, for public and private investment, but also for evolution GDP/capitathe most relevant indicator of the standard of living.

Galați County would end 2025 the second year of economic contraction (-0.7%), after 2024 also had a decrease of 0.9%, according to the calculations of the National Forecasting Commission.

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Below, counties with economic growth below 0.5% in 2025:

Prahova stagnates this year as well (0% county GDP growth), and Tulcea county's GDP will be at the limit of growth, with 0.1%, CNSP data also show.

The economy of Gorju, Constanta and Olt county will be the ones that will “pull” the national GDP up, CNSP experts believe.

The counties that will grow the fastest in 2025

According to the official forecast, the highest growth rates in 2025 are recorded in:

► Constanta – +3.0%. The port, energy and tourism drive the economy up. It is one of the few counties where all key sectors are accelerating.

► Gorge – +3.0% . After the severe setback in 2024 (-6.7%), the county is recovering on the back of energy restructuring and industrial investments.

► Dolj – +2.5%. The automotive industry continues to be the local engine, despite volatility in 2024 (+3.2%).

► Counties from the Danube Plain: Giurgiu, Ialomița – +2.5%. Areas with modernized agriculture, expanding logistics and spot reindustrialization.

► Bacău – +2.1%. Reconstruction after an already good 2024 (+1.3%).

Moderate but stable counties – “mature economies”

These are counties with a diversified economy, where growth is constant, but not spectacular:

• Cluj – +1.9%
• Timiş – +0.8%
• Brașov – +1.2%
• Sibiu – +0.2%
• Ilfov – +1.6%
• Bucharest – +1.2%

These areas already start from a high GDP/capita, and the moderate advance reflects their maturity.

GDP/capita is the best indicator of living standards and economic productivity. It shows how much economic value an inhabitant of a county produces, on average. The differences are large in Romania — and in 2025–2026 they deepen in certain areas and reduce in others.

1. What is happening nationally?

According to official CNSP data:

• GDP/capita Romania 2025: 19,851 euros
• GDP/capita Romania 2026: 21,177 euros

National GDP/capita growth: +7.5% in 2025 and +6.7% in 2026.
But the pace varies significantly between counties.

2. GDP/capita: Winning counties

The capital has a GDP/capita of 54,611 euros, and in 2026 the indicator will reach 57,300 euros – by far the highest in the country.

► Cluj: 28,959 → 30,639 euros. Annual growth: +5.9%. Engine: IT, corporate services, foreign investments.

► Timiș: 24,415 → 25,836 euros. Annual growth: +5.8%. Automotive industry, components, industrial tech.
► Brașov: 21,861 → 23,449 euros. Annual growth: +7.3%. Diversified industry + tourist and tech services.

► Sibiu: 19,659 → 21,251 euros. Annual growth: +8.1%. One of the most industrialized counties in Romania.

► Constanta: 23,277 → 24,893 euros. Annual growth: +6.9% . Port, energy, logistics.

Counties in recovery — growing well, but from low levels

These counties have lower GDP/capita, but their pace is above the historical average.

► Suceava: 10,745 → 11,502 euros. Growth: +7.0%
► Botoșani: 8,885 → 9,603 euros. Growth: +8.1%
► Rowing: 8,526 → 9,320 euros. Growth: +9.3%one of the largest in the country.
► Mehedinti: 13,534 → 14,844 euros. Growth: +9.6%
These increases show a real improvement in productivity, but the gaps compared to regions such as Cluj, Timiș or Bucharest remain large.