EXCLUSIVE: Romania’s business landscape is undergoing a dangerous transformation that threatens to create a two-tier economy, with the capital region experiencing explosive growth while the rest of the country faces economic stagnation and business closures at alarming rates.

The Capital’s Dominance Reaches Crisis Levels

Bucharest-Ilfov recorded a staggering **3,996, representing over 26% of all new businesses nationwide despite housing less than 15% of the population. This concentration of economic activity has reached unprecedented levels,, while Ilfov followed with a 76.45% increase. This growth rate dramatically outpaces the national average and creates an unsustainable economic model.

Provincial Growth: A Mirage of Recovery?

While some provincial counties show impressive percentage growth figures,. Similarly, Dolj’s 314% growth translates to just 622 businesses - barely enough to sustain local economic development.

The top 15 counties outside Bucharest-Ilfov combined registered only 6,772 businesses in July 2025 - less than double the capital region’s total. This represents a dangerous concentration of economic power that could leave entire regions economically dependent on central government transfers.

Entity Type Divide: Capital’s Corporate Dominance

The data reveals a stark contrast in business structure preferences between regions. Limited liability companies (SRLs) dominated national registrations with **10,832, while individual enterprises (PFAs) accounted for 3,886 registrations.

Industry sources suggest this reflects the capital’s preference for more complex corporate structures capable of accessing larger markets and financing, while provincial entrepreneurs remain trapped in smaller-scale operations with limited growth potential.

Industry Concentration: The Knowledge Economy Gap

The industry breakdown reveals an even more concerning trend. High-value sectors like IT and telecommunications (5,201 registrations) and professional services (8,312 registrations) are overwhelmingly concentrated in urban centers,.

Meanwhile,, primarily benefits logistics hubs near Bucharest, masks a dangerous reality. While net growth appears positive at **1,059, the **14,109 suggest many new registrations are simply replacing failed businesses rather than creating genuine economic expansion.

Economic Centralization Reaches Critical Mass

The data paints a clear picture: Romania’s economy is becoming dangerously centralized. With Bucharest-Ilfov accounting for over a quarter of all new business activity, the country risks creating an economic monoculture where regional development becomes impossible without capital connections.

“The numbers don’t lie,” says economic analyst Dr. Mihai Popescu. “We’re witnessing the creation of an economic apartheid where opportunities are concentrated in the capital while the provinces face gradual economic desertification. This isn’t sustainable growth - it’s economic cannibalism.”

As business registrations continue their lopsided growth pattern, policymakers face an urgent challenge: either implement aggressive regional development policies or accept the creation of a permanently divided economy where the capital thrives while the rest of Romania struggles to survive.