Romanians Support Increased Government Spending on Health and Education

Economic Concerns and Inflation in Romania

More than half of Romanians (58%) express concern about the country’s economic situation, with inflation remaining a significant issue for one in five respondents. This data comes from a European-level survey conducted by Ipsos for ING Group between May and June 2025. The research explored the main concerns of Romanians amidst ongoing economic changes and their perceptions of new challenges in the labor market.

Geopolitical tensions have influenced both Romanians’ priorities and their views on the labor market. Half of the respondents (50%) believe that their personal financial situation is becoming more important, while 47% report increased concerns about the labor market. These findings highlight a growing awareness of economic vulnerabilities and the need for stability in employment.

Consumer Behavior and Preferences

Romanians are increasingly attentive to the origin of the products they purchase. Just over half (52%) prefer local products over imported ones, even if the latter are more expensive. Additionally, 42% choose products from the European Union over those from outside the EU. Only 35% remain neutral on this choice, indicating a strong preference for domestic and regional goods.

Government Investment Priorities

The survey also revealed that Romanians expect the government to invest more in areas crucial for long-term development. A majority supports increased spending on health (79%), education and research (75%), and infrastructure (69%). Other areas of interest include environmental protection and combating climate change, with 56% of respondents advocating for additional funds. Defense spending received support from 48%, while 47% favored increased investment in housing and renovation subsidies.

Attitudes Toward Defense Investments

Romanians’ views on defense investments are nuanced. Approximately half of the respondents believe that investments in military companies are sustainable, while a similar percentage (52%) considers them ethical in the current uncertain geopolitical context. When it comes to funding these expenditures, the majority (84%) prefer reducing other public spending rather than increasing taxes or taking on additional debt. Only 14% support raising taxes, and 9% favor public debt to finance defense needs.

Impact of AI on the Job Market

Technological developments, particularly artificial intelligence (AI), are shaping the job market. More than a third of respondents (37%) fear that AI will lead to more job losses than creations, while only 12% believe the opposite. Almost half (45%) anticipate that AI will change their professional activities in the next five years, with expectations of faster results (39%) or automation of repetitive tasks (34%).

In personal life, 17% of Romanians have never heard of AI, the highest percentage among seven European countries studied. Additionally, 30% have heard of AI but have not used it. In professional settings, similar percentages exist (13%, 33%), though there is a slightly higher trend of use. However, AI users remain a minority, with low and occasional interaction levels.

Trust and Regulation of AI

A total of 58% of Romanian respondents say they can no longer trust online information due to AI advancements. Furthermore, 62% support strict regulation of AI, even if it limits its potential. Despite this, there is openness: 51% believe AI will bring significant technological advances, and 49% see it as an opportunity for society.

Methodology and Scope

The international survey was conducted by Ipsos for ING through online questionnaires applied to nationally representative samples in seven countries: Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Turkey, Romania, and Poland. Interviews were conducted between May and June 2025. In Romania, the study involved a sample of 1,000 respondents.