Romania Sees One of the Fastest Global Growth Rates in Dining-Out Expenditure, Driven by Rising Incomes and Lifestyle Changes

Romania ranks third globally—behind only Turkmenistan and China—in terms of the fastest growth in dining-out spending, according to Oxford Economics data cited by Colliers, based on a sample of nearly 80 countries across Europe, Asia, and North America.

In 2024, the average Romanian household spent approximately €830 on dining out, bringing national expenditure close to €6.2 billion—more than five times higher than a decade ago.

According to Colliers experts, this growth reflects a higher standard of living, accelerated urbanization, and a generational shift, all of which have significantly influenced consumer behavior and the local retail and real estate markets.

“This more-than-fivefold increase far exceeds inflation, clearly pointing to a transformation in how Romanians allocate their budgets and engage in leisure,” Colliers noted.

Income Growth and Changing Preferences

The trend is largely fueled by rising incomes—with real wages almost doubling purchasing power in the last ten years—and by a new generation of consumers.

“Young people are more open to experimenting, discovering new flavors, and turning dining out into a form of socializing, indulgence, or cultural exploration. Eating out is no longer an occasional luxury—it’s becoming part of urban lifestyle,” the report highlights.

The popularity of public events like “Open Streets” or “Street Delivery”, where urban areas are closed to traffic and opened to pedestrians, further confirms the strong appetite for street-level commerce, despite the rapid growth of e-commerce over the past decade.

Experience Still Matters

This consumer interest is also shaped by cultural preferences: Romanians often prefer to see or try a product in person before buying it. According to Eurostat data, this hands-on experience continues to play a crucial role in purchasing decisions.

This opens up opportunities for developing pedestrian retail zones and investments in local, experience-driven retail formats.

Spending Still Has Room to Grow

Despite the rapid increase, dining out accounts for just 3.3% of disposable income in Romania, according to Colliers. By comparison, in Southern European countries such as Spain, Greece, or Portugal, this figure exceeds 10%.

“While Romania still lags behind, the current pace of growth is significant. A doubling of this share over the next decade is realistic, particularly in light of rising incomes and lifestyle changes,” experts concluded.