This was the strongest inflation rate since March 2003, when prices had risen 17.1%.

Prices for food items surged 21.6% and those for non-food goods registered a sharp increase of 16.2%.

Costs for services were 9.5% more expensive compared to last year. On a monthly basis, consumer prices moved up 1.3% in November. The EU measure of harmonized index (HICP) also rose at a faster rate of 14.6% yearly in November versus 13.5% in October. The HICP increased 1.2% from a month ago.

A separate report from the Bucharest-based statistics agency showed that Romania's average net monthly wage fell by a real 1.9% year-on-year in October, after a 1.8% decrease in September. On a monthly basis, the real net wage decreased by 1.8% in October.

In nominal terms, the average net monthly wage rose 13.1% on the year and increased by 0.1% on month in October, to RON 4,008 (EUR 813). The highest net average wage of RON 9,427 (EUR 1,913) in October was registered in computer programming, consultancy and related activities, while the lowest, of RON 2,238 (EUR 454), was recorded in accommodation and food service activities.