A recent study by ANIS (Employers’s Association of the Software and Service Industry), analyzing the state of IT&C in Romania in 2023, reveals important insights. Despite a challenging global economic environment, the industry showcased resilience, with total turnover surpassing €15.5B in 2023—a 12.16% increase compared to 2022.

However, while the industry experienced financial growth, the number of employees in the IT sector saw a decline (-5%). After reaching a peak of 200,629 employees in 2022, the number dropped by 10,477 in 2023, signaling a potential challenge for the sector in maintaining its workforce amidst broader economic uncertainties.

Romania’s IT&C sector comprises 48,405 companies

The IT sector remains highly diverse, both in terms of activity types, technologies, and operational models. Of the 48,405 companies registered in the IT&C sector, 45,467 operate within IT, while 2,938 are in telecommunications.

Custom software development continues to be the leading component, accounting for 40.24% of total turnover and growing by 19.92% in 2023. This segment also contributed to a gross added value (GAV) of €10.2B, marking a 19.5% increase compared to 2022. In the same period, telecommunications recorded a GAV of €2.5B, a 20.4% increase year-over-year.

IT&C sector contributed €45.3B to Romanian GDP in 2023

One of the key takeaways from the ANIS study is the IT&C sector’s major multiplier effect on the broader economy. In 2021, the industry’s total contribution to GDP was 14.16%. Direct impacts, driven by core IT&C activities like software development and tech services, represented 7.99% of GDP. Meanwhile, the indirect impact—reflecting the increased demand in other industries to support IT activities—accounted for 2.74% of GDP. Additionally, the induced impact, stemming from IT employees’ consumption, contributed 3.42% to the GDP.

The total impact of the IT&C sector amounted to €45.3B in 2023, reinforcing its position as a key driver of Romania’s economy. Furthermore, the study highlights that over 880,000 jobs were directly and indirectly created by the IT&C industry in 2021.