In the first six months of 2013, the gross domestic product expanded at an annualized rate of 1.7%, the data showed.
Compared with the first quarter of 2013, Romania’s GDP increased 0.3% in the April to June period. The economy grew at a quarterly rate of 0.6% in the first three months.
Detailed figures for the first-half GDP are due for release September 4.
Analysts had expected an economic growth of around 2% in the first half, largely driven by exports and industry. Prime Minister Victor Ponta was even more optimistic; in an interview for Bloomberg last month, he said the first-half GDP had likely advanced by 2.4% on the year.
The International Monetary Fund recently revised upward its forecast on Romania’s economy to 2% in 2013 from 1.6% previously, saying it expects better contributions from agriculture and exports.