Adjusted for consumer price trends, real earnings fell by 0.5% in August 2026 compared to August 2025, marking the 14th consecutive month of decline. Compared to July 2026, real earnings were 2.5% lower in August.
The average net salary dropped by 2.3% In August 2026 compared with July 2026.
The highest net salaries in August 2026 were recorded in computer programming, consultancy and related activities (RON13,010) and in extraction of crude petroleum and natural gas (RON11,760), while the lowest were seen in personal service activities (RON2,985) and in fishing and aquaculture (RON2,998).
The public sector recorded slight decreases in monthly average net earnings compared to the previous month, dropping by 1.1% in healthcare and social assistance, 1% in education, and 0.6% in public administration.
The average gross salary stood at RON9,497 (EUR1,780) in August 2026, lower by 2.2% (-RON212) than the level recorded in July 2026.
Earnings in relation to consumer price trends:
▪ The real earnings index was 99.5% in August 2026 versus August 2025.
▪ The real earnings index was 97.5% in August 2026 versus July 2026.
▪ Compared to October 1990, the real earnings index was 235.1%, lower by 6.0 percentage points than the level recorded in July 2026.
The trend of real earnings depends both on the fluctuations of the average net earnings and on the inflation rate.