In January 2025, the current account deficit of the balance of payments rose to 1.64 billion euros (from 1.42 billion euros in January 2024), data published by the National Bank of Romania (BNR)on Monday show. Tourism had a negative balance of 416 million euros, while transport and IT&C services had a surplus of 840 million euros.
Foreign direct investment fell to 543 million euros (compared to 1.14 billion euros in January 2024), of which intragroup loans recorded a net value of -38 million euros.
The central bank also states that in January 2025, total external debt decreased by 1.63 billion euros, reaching 201.94 billion euros.
The long-term external debt service ratio was 8.8% in January 2025, compared to 16.5% in 2024. The coverage ratio of imports of goods and services as of January 31, 2025 was 5.9 months, compared to 5.8 months as of December 31, 2024.
The coverage ratio of short-term external debt, calculated at residual value, with foreign exchange reserves at the NBR as of January 31, 2025 was 98.6%, compared to 100.3% as of December 31, 2024.