Romania's average monthly pension fell to 2,934 lei in the first quarter of 2026, down 0.8% from the previous quarter, the National Institute of Statistics reported Thursday.

The number of pensioners dropped by 7,000 to 4.92 million between January and March, though the figure remained 20,000 higher than the same period a year earlier.

State social insurance pensioners made up 4.577 million of the total. Elderly pensioners accounted for 80.7% of that group, 3.969 million people. Survivor pensions covered 9.6% of recipients, disability pensions 8.1%.

The real pension index stood at 97.3% for the quarter, reflecting a loss in purchasing power against inflation. The average state social insurance pension reached 2,820 lei.

Regional gaps widened.

Bucharest and Ilfov recorded four pensioners per ten employees, the lowest ratio in the country, while Teleorman posted fifteen per ten, the highest, underscoring the stark demographic and economic divide between the capital region and rural counties struggling with aging populations and limited employment opportunities.

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The average net pension came to 2,699 lei. Bucharest led with an average state pension of 3,575 lei. Botoșani trailed at 2,232 lei. Women received sharply lower pensions across all categories, with elderly pensions for women reaching just 62.9% of the amount men collected, INS data showed.

Some 886,900 people drew social allowances, set at 1,281 lei since January 1, 2024. Partially anticipated pensions converted to anticipated pensions under Article 144(4) of Law 360/2023, the institute confirmed.

The pensioner-to-employee ratio averaged eight to ten nationwide, masking wide variation between counties. The capital's younger workforce and higher employment kept the ratio low, while rural counties with aging populations and fewer jobs pushed it above the national average. INS released the figures as part of its quarterly labor and social protection bulletin. The institute tracks pension data by category, region, and demographic group.

The 0.8% quarterly drop followed a period of relative stability in late 2025. Pension policy remains a central issue in budget negotiations, with the government facing pressure to maintain real incomes for retirees while controlling spending.

Gender disparity in pensions stems largely from career interruptions and lower lifetime earnings among women, according to previous ministry analyses, with the 62.9% figure for elderly pensions reflecting decades of wage gaps and part-time work patterns that have compounded over entire careers. Botoșani's low average pension aligns with the county's economic profile: limited industrial base, high emigration, and reliance on subsistence agriculture. Bucharest's figure reflects higher pre-retirement salaries and a concentration of former public-sector employees with longer contribution histories.

The social allowance of 1,281 lei has not changed since early 2024, despite inflation. Recipients include those without sufficient contribution years for a standard pension. Law 360/2023 allowed certain workers to retire early under specific conditions.

Article 144(4) governs the transition from partially anticipated to fully anticipated pensions, a technical shift that does not alter monthly amounts but changes the legal classification. The 7,000-person quarterly decline in the pensioner count likely reflects mortality outpacing new retirees during the winter months. The 20,000-person annual increase suggests the broader trend of population aging continues, even as quarterly figures fluctuate. INS compiles pension statistics from the National House of Public Pensions and other social insurance bodies. The data cover all categories of public pensions but exclude private occupational schemes, which remain marginal in Romania.