While October’s 15,874 registrations sit above the 12-month moving average of 12,250 , this apparent strength is deceptive. The health ratio of just 1.24 means for every business that exits, only 1.24 new ones register—barely enough to maintain the status quo, let alone drive growth.

VULNERABLE BUSINESS TYPES REVEALED

The data shows SRLs (limited liability companies) dominate registrations at 9,342 , while PFAs (authorized individuals) follow at 5,935 . Both are highly vulnerable to economic downturns, with PFAs particularly exposed due to their individual nature and lack of corporate protections.

ECONOMIC IMPLICATIONS: A SYSTEM UNDER STRESS

The Romanian business ecosystem is showing clear signs of systemic stress:

1. Unsustainable Churn: 80.84% churn rate indicates businesses cannot survive in the current environment
2. Net Growth Illusion: While net growth appears positive at 3,041, this represents just 19% of new registrations—a dangerously low retention rate
3. Capital Flight: Bucharest’s leadership in dissolutions suggests even established businesses in wealthy regions are failing
4. Sector Concentration: Over-reliance on volatile sectors like transport and retail creates systemic risk

THE BOTTOM LINE

Romania’s business landscape is experiencing a silent crisis. While headlines may focus on registration numbers, the real story is the massive business exodus occurring simultaneously. With dissolutions increasing year-over-year and the capital city leading the collapse, the data suggests deeper structural problems that could trigger broader economic consequences. The health ratio of 1.24 is dangerously close to the tipping point where business deaths outpace births—a scenario that historically precedes economic recessions.

The government’s apparent complacency in the face of these alarming metrics could prove catastrophic for Romania’s economic future. Without immediate intervention to address the root causes of this business churn crisis, the country risks sliding into an economic downturn from which recovery could take years.