IT&C remains key economic engine in Romania with 6.67% of GDP

Romania’s IT&C industry continued to make a major contribution to the national economy in 2024, recording a turnover of EUR 23.6 billion, higher exports and a 6.67% share of GDP. According to data from the ANIS industry study, the sector remains a key pillar of the economy, but its growth pace has moderated, reflecting early signs of the impact of recent fiscal changes on performance.   “Data confirms that IT&C is one of the sectors pulling the economy forward, not only through financial results but also through stability and resilience. The industry continued to invest, hire and export even in a more difficult operating environment. At the same time, the effects of removing the tax exemption are beginning to be felt and may influence future investment. The potential for growth remains, provided Romania adopts predictable, forward-looking policies,” said Corina Vasile, the Executive Director of ANIS.   The IT&C sector’s total turnover reached EUR 23.6 billion in 2024, driven mainly by the IT segment, which rose to EUR 17.7 billion. The direct contribution to GDP remained high at 6.67%, slightly below the 2023 level (6.8%), reflecting both the broader economic context and pressure on future investment. In 2024, IT&C services accounted for 25.6% of Romania’s total services exports. In the first seven months of 2025, the sector became the country’s number one exporter of services. This shift highlights the industry’s maturity, its international scalability and its role in moving the economy towards high value-added, knowledge-driven activities.   The number of employees in IT reached 195,929 in 2024, a modest increase over 2023 but still below the record levels seen in 2022. Salary-related pressures, however, remain significant: personnel expenses reached RON 45 billion, representing 38.4% of turnover – the highest sectoral share in the economy the average gross salary exceeds RON 15,000, maintaining strong growth and positioning IT as the main contributor to taxes per employee.   “IT&C is the sector with the highest fiscal contribution per employee in the Romanian economy. It is a responsibility that the industry assumes, and a strong argument for a dialogue based on predictability and partnership,” added Corina Vasile.   The sector continues to generate some of the highest added value in the economy, while private investment in research and development stands at around RON 2 billion. This confirms IT’s role as Romania’s main innovation engine. However, without coherent policy support, there is a risk that high-value projects may be relocated to more competitive markets, ANIS specialists warn.   Impact scenarios for the removal of the fiscal facility for IT employees indicate a potential decline in profitability of between 8.8% and 17.6%, with the strongest negative effects on SMEs, which make up 97% of the IT ecosystem. Against a backdrop of compressed margins, rising salary costs and global pricing pressure, further erosion of profitability could affect innovation capacity, talent retention and international expansion.   Key requirements for IT&C to remain a driver of the economy   Fiscal predictability and a competitive framework for highly skilled work. Sudden changes undermine investment and confidence. Stronger incentives for research, development and innovation, which drive value creation and proprietary products. National programmes for upskilling and reskilling in AI, cloud and cybersecurity. Demand outpaces the supply of skills. Support schemes for tech SMEs and scale-ups. With 96% being micro-enterprises, sustainable growth requires targeted support. Attraction and retention of foreign direct investment in technology, a critical pillar of the ecosystem. Robust STEM and digital education from school to university. The skills gap remains a strategic vulnerability. Accelerated digitalisation of the economy and public administration. Without domestic demand, the local ecosystem stagnates.   “IT&C is a strategic sector for Romania and a catalyst for modernising the economy. The data shows that performance and potential remain, but this is a turning point. Public policies must create the conditions for this performance to translate into a lasting competitive advantage,” Corina Vasile concluded.