Romania: Eight in ten Romanians concerned about their income as financial instability tops risk perceptions

4 June 2026 — Daniela GHETU
Financial instability has become Romanians' biggest concern, with eight out of ten respondents worried about events that could negatively affect their professional situation and income, according to the latest edition of the UNSAR-IRES Barometer on Risk Perception and Insurance Culture in Romania.

The survey shows that concerns related to financial security now outweigh all other perceived risks, including those associated with homes and material assets (77%) and life and health (72%). At the same time, 55% of respondents expressed concerns about social, political, or global events, reflecting the impact of the current economic and geopolitical environment on risk perception.

This heightened focus on financial stability is also reflected in growing interest in insurance protection. Home insurance remains the most sought-after coverage, with 57% of respondents indicating increased interest, up two percentage points from the previous survey. Travel insurance and voluntary health insurance share second place at 48%, while life insurance recorded one of the strongest increases, rising by four percentage points to 43%.

"Romanians are becoming increasingly aware of the impact that unexpected events can have on a family's financial balance," said Alexandru CIUNCAN, President and General Director of UNSAR. He noted that the growing frequency and severity of extreme weather events and fires have likely contributed to the rising interest in home insurance, while the strong positioning of health and life insurance reflects a growing concern for protecting health, income, and long-term financial well-being.

When asked what could encourage them to purchase voluntary insurance products, respondents primarily pointed to higher incomes (36%), followed by tax incentives provided by the state (26%) and better information regarding the benefits and role of insurance (24%).

The UNSAR-IRES Barometer is conducted annually and monitors how Romanians perceive key risks and their interest in financial protection solutions. The 2026 survey was carried out between April 21 and May 5 on a sample of 1,026 respondents aged 18 to 50, using CATI (Computer-Assisted Telephone Interviewing) methodology.

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