Half of the Romanians believe that they are paid below the value of their work. “Employers will keep the talent that defines the next decade”
High inflation, price increases and economic insecurity are rapidly changing Romanians' relationship with the workplace. A survey carried out in Romania and four other countries in the region shows that more than half of Romanian employees believe they are paid below the market level, almost one in two say that their purchasing power has deteriorated in the last year, and 57% consider changing jobs in the next six months. In parallel, artificial intelligence is starting to influence the labor market more and more visibly, especially in the creative and digital industries.
Half of the Romanians believe that they are paid below the value of their work. Archive photo
More and more Romanian employees feel that the salary no longer covers the accelerated rate of price increases. According to the survey carried out by Undelucram.ro in Romania, the Republic of Moldova, Bulgaria, Greece and Hungary, 55.7% of Romanian employees believe that they are paid below the market level for their experience and work, and 52% say that they are dissatisfied with the current salary.
“Data from Romania tell a story of slow pressure. Half of employees are unhappy, more than half are open to leaving, and the AI conversation is happening everywhere except formal HR communication. Employers who recognize what their teams already know, that the work relationship has changed, will retain the talent that defines the next decade”, said Costin Tudor, CEO of wherewework Group.
The perception arises in a difficult economic context. In recent years, Romania has had one of the highest inflation rates in the European Union, and the increase in costs for food, utilities, rents and credits has strongly affected purchasing power.
For many employees, the financial pressure is becoming more and more difficult to manage. Almost 45% of participants say that the main stressor is the difference between salary and the real cost of living. Additionally, many say their income only covers basic expenses, and only a small percentage say they are in a financial comfort zone.
The higher salary has again become the main reason for changing jobs
Wage dissatisfaction is beginning to directly influence job mobility. Nearly 57 percent of respondents say they are open to a job change in the next six months, either actively looking for a new job or accepting a better offer.
For 64% of participants, higher pay is the number one reason they would change employers, ahead of schedule flexibility or professional development opportunities.
The data suggest a change in mentality in the labor market. If in recent years the focus was mainly on benefits and the balance between personal and professional life, nowadays financial stability and income are again the dominant priorities for many employees.
Artificial intelligence is starting to change the job market
In addition to economic pressure, employees are also feeling the accelerated effects of digitization and artificial intelligence. Romania has one of the most fragmented perceptions of AI: some respondents see the technology as a tool that can increase their productivity, while others fear restructuring activities or even reducing demand for certain services.
The impact is already visible in the creative and digital industries. Several freelancers and agency professionals say they've lost projects or clients who have started using generative AI tools for design, copywriting or content creation.
However, automation does not necessarily mean the disappearance of jobs, but their transformation. Repetitive roles are most exposed to change, while digital skills and adaptability are becoming increasingly important in the labor market.
Economic insecurity fuels occupational anxiety
Concerns about job stability remain high. More than half of respondents say they are concerned about the possibility of layoffs or economic hardship that could affect their careers in the coming year. Personal safety in the workplace is mixed. 36.1% feel unsure about their role in the next 12 months, and only 9.36% say they feel “very sure”.
