Eighty per cent of the companies in Romania believe the business environment is deteriorating

 The confidence of the private business environment in the Romanian economy is decreasing, with 81% of the business people considering that the recently adopted fiscal packages discourage investments to a large or very large extent, shows a survey conducted by the Concordia Employers' Confederation among Romanian employees and employers, in September 2025.Against the backdrop of inflation, rising costs and tax changes, 80% of the respondents believe that the economic environment has deteriorated, and 81% consider that the measures in the recently adopted fiscal packages discourage investments to a large or very large extent.The results of the survey, which included small, medium and large companies, with Romanian and foreign capital, indicate a predominantly negative perception: 59% of the interviewed consider the general business climate unfavorable, with many obstacles, 40% consider it moderate, with challenges but also opportunities, while only 1% consider it favourable.Expectations for the next 12 months are also pessimistic: 71% anticipate a deterioration, 24% expect relative stability, and 5% foresee an improvement.Fiscal pressure remains a central concern for the business environment, with 70% of the interviewed considering the current level of taxation too high, with an impact on competitiveness, while 25% consider it acceptable, but with potential for optimisation. Also, 74% consider that the tax legislation supports business development to a small extent, while 25% indicate moderate support, recognising positive but insufficient aspects.In the opinion of the survey participants, the main negative impact of the recent tax measures is the increase in operating costs, for 52% of respondents, followed by risks in personnel and development policies (25%) and the postponement or reduction of planned investments (23%).Regarding the challenges facing companies today, inflation and the increase in operating costs remain the main difficulties for 26% of those surveyed, followed by the decrease in demand (24%), bureaucracy and legislative instability (20%).The level of taxation is mentioned by 20% of respondents as a major challenge, while the lack of skilled labour is cited by 8%.Regarding investment plans, the data reveal caution for the coming year. Thus, 40% are postponing planned investments, 35% are planning only moderate, maintenance investments, 16% have no investment plans for the next 12 months, while 9% intend to make major investments.Also, the development of fiscal-budgetary indicators is generating concern among companies, with 82% of the respondents considering the budget deficit and public debt as major concerns and a risk to economic stability.The sample was made up of: 37% micro-enterprises (1-9 employees), 39% SMEs (10-249 employees), 24% large companies (over 250 employees).The Concordia Employers' Confederation represents 20 of the most important sectors of the Romanian economy. With a contribution of 30% of the GDP and over 450,000 employees in 3,900 large and small companies, with Romanian and foreign capital, the Concordia Employers' Confederation is the only organisation in Romania that is a member of BusinessEurope, the International Organisation of Employers (IOE) and Business at OECD (BIAC).