The slowdown in consumption can also be seen in the balance of payments, with the current account deficit falling to 5.4 billion euros (compared to 7.7 billion euros in the same period last year), according to data from the Central Bank.

In its structure, the balance of goods was lower by 743 million euros, the balance of services was more surplus by 1.71 billion euros, the balance of primary incomes was 213 million euros, and the balance of secondary incomes recorded a surplus higher by 6 million euros.

Direct investment by non-residents in Romania amounted to EUR 2.9 billion (compared to EUR 3.3 billion in the period January-April 2022), of which equity investments (including estimated net reinvested profits) accounted for a net value of EUR 3,382 million, and intragroup loans registered a negative net value of EUR 474 million.

From January to April 2023, the total foreign debt increased by 8.562 billion euros.

The long-term foreign debt service ratio was 14.8%, and the coverage of imports of goods and services as of April 30, 2023 was 5.2 months against 4.4 months as of December 31, 2022.

The degree of coverage of short-term foreign debt by foreign currency reserves in the NBR as of April 30, 2023 was 92.9 percent against 80.2 percent as of December 31, 2022.