BUCHAREST - Romania reclaimed its position as the European Union (EU) member state with the highest rate of inflation in March 2025, despite a general slowdown in price growth across the bloc, according to new data from Eurostat on Wednesday.

The EU's annual inflation rate fell to 2.5 percent in March, down from 2.7 percent in February. However, Romania had a 5.1 percent rate, the highest among the EU's 27 member states. Inflation eased in 16 countries, remained unchanged in one, and increased in 10.

In the eurozone, inflation also declined marginally to 2.2 percent, thanks to the decreased energy prices.

The National Bank of Romania has raised its year-end inflation forecast from 3.5 percent to 3.8 percent, citing continued volatility driven by core inflation trends and temporary external factors. Inflation is expected to decline to 3.1 percent by the end of 2026.

The last time Romania had the highest inflation rate in the EU was in December 2024, with a rate of 5.5 percent, according to Eurostat.