Preliminary figures indicated a quarterly decline of 0.5% for the July-September period. The data are adjusted for seasonal factors.
Real gross domestic product fell 0.6% on the year in the third quarter.
In unadjusted data, third quarter GDP shrank 0.5% from the same period of 2011, also a slightly better performance compared with a 0.6% decline previously reported.
Domestic demand advanced 0.4% in the third quarter from the year-earlier months, up from a growth of 0.1% initially envisaged, supported by an 11.7% increase in gross capital formation. Final consumption fell 0.7% on the year, less than a 1.6% decrease previously reported.
Farming output fell 29.8% on the year in the third quarter, in line with previous estimations. Constructions had a negative contribution of 1% to the third-quarter GDP, up from 0.7% initially reported, while industry decreased 0.5% year-on-year.
Exports declined 5.2% on the year in the third quarter, while imports fell at a slower pace of 2.3%, the data showed.
Romanian authorities expect economic growth slowed to around 1% in 2012, from 2.5% a year earlier, hurt by a feeble harvest and falling exports to European markets.