Deteriorating economic prospects lead to a decrease in business confidence among German-Romanian businesses, according to a report by AHK.
Romania's Economic Prospects Face Grim Outlook among German Businesses, According to AHK Romania Survey
Companies in the German-Romanian business community have significantly reduced their optimism about Romania's economic future, as indicated by the AHK Romania 2025 business survey released this spring.
The share of companies with a pessimistic view of Romania's economy increased from 38% in 2024 to 57% in 2025, signaling heightened uncertainty and growing concerns about market conditions.
While the outlook for individual business performance remains unchanged for 38% of respondents, only 37% anticipate economic improvement in 2025, compared to 40% in 2024.
Most companies (62%) described their current business situation as satisfactory, yet optimism continues to decline, with only 28% rating their current position as good, reflecting a three-year downward trend.
The survey also revealed a notable drop in investment intentions. In 2024, 46% of companies planned to maintain their investment levels, but this figure has fallen to 38% in 2025. Furthermore, 30% of companies reported plans to reduce their investments this year, up from 20% in 2024.
Labor market sentiment has changed, with 34% of companies indicating they would reduce staff in 2025, compared to just 18% the previous year. Meanwhile, 41% plan to maintain their current headcount—the same proportion as in 2024. Companies pointed to declining demand and increasing cost pressures as primary reasons for the planned workforce reductions and the drive to boost productivity.
"Companies are adopting a more cautious stance, which is reflected in investment and employment decisions," AHK Romania stated in the report.
The survey results echo broader concerns across several sectors, particularly in manufacturing and services, about inflation, regulatory instability, and geopolitical risks.
The combination of falling demand, escalating costs, rising investment cautiousness, and global uncertainties has led to a marked decline in optimism among German-Romanian business community companies, as captured by the AHK Romania 2025 survey.
Source: AHK Romania 2025 business survey(Photo source: Yunkiphotoshot/Dreamstime.com)
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Given the pessimistic outlook among German businesses towards Romania's economy, they have shown reduced optimism in the finance and business sectors. As per the AHK Romania 2025 survey, 57% of companies now have a negative view of Romania's economic future, compared to 38% in 2024. Moreover, only 37% anticipate economic improvement in 2025, signaling a decline in investment intentions, with only 38% planning to maintain their investment levels, a drop from 46% in 2024 (AHK Romania 2025 business survey).
