EXCLUSIVE: Romania’s business ecosystem is in freefall, with December 2025 witnessing a devastating net loss of 4,292 companies as business exits dramatically outpace new registrations. The shocking data reveals a churn rate of 136.9% - meaning for every 100 new businesses that opened, 137 shut down permanently.

The Bleeding Continues: December’s Devastating Numbers

The Romanian economy ended 2025 with a catastrophic December, recording only 11,632 new business registrations while suffering a staggering 15,924 business exits . This represents a shocking 22.7% drop from November’s registrations .

The health ratio - a critical measure of business ecosystem vitality - plummeted to just 0.73 , indicating severe stress in the business environment. This represents a dangerous decline of 0.19 points from previous trends.

Dissolution Disaster: Permanent Closures Surge 7.9%

While temporary suspensions showed a slight decrease, the most alarming trend is the 7.9% year-over-year increase in permanent dissolutions . December saw 5,573 companies legally dissolved , signaling that business owners are giving up entirely rather than just pausing operations.

Bucharest led the dissolution crisis with 1,033 permanent closures , followed by Cluj (342) and Ilfov (291). These numbers suggest that even Romania’s economic powerhouses are not immune to the collapse.

Regional Carnage: Some Counties Suffer 183% Churn Rates

The geographic breakdown reveals even more disturbing patterns. Argeș county suffered the worst churn rate at 183.28% , meaning nearly two businesses closed for every one that opened. Constanța (178.86%) and Sibiu (178.81%) followed closely behind, indicating that the business collapse is spreading beyond traditional economic weak spots.

Even Bucharest, Romania’s economic heart, recorded a concerning 94.56% churn rate , with 2,537 business exits against only 2,683 new registrations.

Industry Implosion: Manufacturing Boom Masks Deeper Problems

While manufacturing registrations showed a dramatic 226% year-over-year increase , this explosive growth in a traditionally volatile sector may signal speculative bubbles rather than sustainable development. The transport and storage sector also saw a concerning 55.8% surge in registrations , raising questions about whether these new businesses can survive in an increasingly competitive market.

The most stable sectors - wholesale and retail trade - showed only modest 3.25% growth , suggesting that even traditional business models are struggling to gain traction.

Entity Type Analysis: SRLs Dominate but Face Highest Risk

Limited liability companies (SRLs) continued to dominate new registrations with 7,629 formations , but this concentration in a single entity type creates systemic vulnerability. Individual enterprises (PFAs) accounted for 3,650 registrations , indicating continued reliance on small, vulnerable businesses rather than robust corporate structures.

The Big Picture: Ecosystem Under Severe Stress

The December data paints a grim picture of Romania’s business environment:

1. Negative Net Growth: -4,292 businesses lost
2. Deteriorating Health Ratio: 0.73 with negative trend
3. Catastrophic Churn Rate: 136.9% - businesses closing faster than opening
4. Geographic Spread: High churn rates affecting both developed and developing regions
5. Permanent Damage: Rising dissolutions indicate businesses giving up entirely

What This Means for 2026

As Romania enters 2026, the business ecosystem faces unprecedented challenges. The December collapse suggests that economic headwinds are intensifying, with business owners increasingly choosing permanent closure over temporary suspension. The concentration of registrations in volatile sectors like manufacturing and transport, combined with catastrophic churn rates across multiple counties, points to systemic weaknesses that could trigger broader economic contraction in the coming year.

The data reveals an economy where business creation is becoming increasingly disconnected from business sustainability - a dangerous trend that could undermine Romania’s economic stability and growth prospects for years to come.