Analysis of regional business registration data reveals persistent economic centralization despite growth in key provincial centers

Romania’s business ecosystem showed continued concentration around the capital region in June 2025, with Bucharest-Ilfov accounting for nearly 30% of all new company registrations while several provincial counties demonstrated remarkable growth momentum.

Capital Region Maintains Dominance

The Bucharest-Ilfov metropolitan area recorded a combined 3,362, representing 28.6% of the national total of 11,765. Bucharest alone accounted for 2,682 registrations, while neighboring Ilfov county added 680 new businesses.

The capital region showed strong year-over-year growth,, while Ilfov grew by 17.04%.

Provincial Growth Hotspots Emerge

Despite the capital’s dominance, several provincial counties demonstrated impressive growth rates, suggesting a potential shift toward regional economic decentralization. Dolj county led the nation with a staggering 149.2% year-over-year increase,.

Other notable provincial performers included:

• Mehedinți: 74.24% growth
• Brăila: 62.5% growth
• Bacău: 43.46% growth
• Prahova: 42.26% growth
• Timiș: 34.93% growth

Entity Type Preferences Show Regional Variations

The data reveals distinct preferences for business structures across regions. Limited liability companies (SRLs) remained the dominant form nationwide with 7,677,.

In Ilfov county, SRLs accounted for 79.3% of registrations (539 of 680),, suggesting a preference for more formal business structures in the capital region.

Industry Concentration Patterns

The industry breakdown shows some sectoral specialization emerging across regions. While wholesale and retail trade led nationally with 11,942,.

Professional, scientific, and technical activities remained strong with 6,810 registrations, likely concentrated in urban centers like Bucharest, Cluj,, the ecosystem experienced a net decline of 836 businesses due to 12,601. The churn rate of 107.11 indicates that business closures slightly outpaced new formations.

Economic Centralization vs Decentralization

The data paints a complex picture of Romania’s economic geography. While Bucharest-Ilfov maintains its dominant position, the emergence of strong growth centers in counties like Dolj, Timiș, and Cluj suggests a potential rebalancing of economic activity.

The capital region’s continued dominance in business formation reflects its advantages in infrastructure, market access, and skilled labor. However, the impressive growth rates in several provincial counties indicate that economic development is spreading beyond traditional centers, potentially driven by regional development policies, infrastructure improvements, and local entrepreneurial initiatives.

The trend toward decentralization appears gradual rather than revolutionary, with the capital region maintaining its central role while provincial centers strengthen their positions in the national economic landscape.