American Language 250

Standard American Almanac

World · permanent entity record · MD

Flag of Moldova

Moldova

Thirty-second orientation

Moldova at a glance

Capital
Chisinau in Romanian (Kishinev in Russian)
CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Population
2,360,527
World Bank, World Development Indicators · observation year 2025
Area
33,851 sq km
CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Nationality / demonym
noun: Moldovan(s); adjective: Moldovan
CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Government
parliamentary republic
CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Languages
Moldovan/Romanian 80.2% (official) (56.7% Moldovan; 23.5% Romanian), Russian 9.7%, Gagauz 4.2% (a Turkish language), Ukrainian 3.9%, Bulgarian 1.5%, Romani 0.3%, other 0.2% (2014)
CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04

Independently structured milestones · not a complete national history

Moldova through time

  1. Admitted to the United Nations

    Moldova became a member of the United Nations.

    United Nations, Member States · source checked 2026-09-04

Source history · changed fields only

Changes since the final CIA profile

FieldMaintained Almanac valueFinal CIA profile
Population2,360,527World Bank, World Development Indicators · observation year 2025total: 3,578,930 (2025 est.) male: 1,687,496 female: 1,891,434CIA World Factbook · as of 2026-01-20

A difference may reflect a newer observation, a revised estimate, or a different source definition. This table reports the values and dates; it does not manufacture a trend.

World Development Indicators · latest available observation

People, economy, and access

Observation years vary by measure. Each row identifies the series and year instead of presenting unlike dates as one current snapshot.

Gross domestic product
$20.4 billion
World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator NY.GDP.MKTP.CD · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator NY.GDP.MKTP.CD. Underlying providers: National statistical authorities, central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Gross domestic product per person
$8,622
World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator NY.GDP.PCAP.CD · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator NY.GDP.PCAP.CD. Underlying providers: National statistical authorities, central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Life expectancy at birth
71.3 years
World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator SP.DYN.LE00.IN · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator SP.DYN.LE00.IN. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, national statistical offices, and Eurostat. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Urban population
43.7%
World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, World Urbanization Prospects. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Access to electricity
100.0%
World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator EG.ELC.ACCS.ZS · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator EG.ELC.ACCS.ZS. Underlying providers: World Bank ESMAP, Tracking SDG 7. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
People using the internet
77.4%
World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator IT.NET.USER.ZS · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator IT.NET.USER.ZS. Underlying providers: International Telecommunication Union. Retrieved 2026-09-08.

World Development Indicators data are provided under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0). The linked indicator metadata identifies the underlying statistical providers.

Maintained profile

Capital
Chisinau in Romanian (Kishinev in Russian)
CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · The nation set and displayed federal short name follow the current State Department independent-states register, dated August 11, 2026.
Area
33,851 sq km
CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · Final CIA source data preserved by a community mirror after the Factbook was retired; the mirror is not the issuing authority.
Population
2,360,527
World Bank, World Development Indicators · World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator SP.POP.TOTL. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, national statistical offices, and Eurostat. Source footnote: Extrapolated assuming the same growth rate as previous 6 months. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Currency
Moldovan lei (MDL)
CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · Currency label extracted from the Factbook exchange-rate field.
Languages
Moldovan/Romanian 80.2% (official) (56.7% Moldovan; 23.5% Romanian), Russian 9.7%, Gagauz 4.2% (a Turkish language), Ukrainian 3.9%, Bulgarian 1.5%, Romani 0.3%, other 0.2% (2014)
CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · Factbook language listing reproduced without inferring official status beyond the source wording.
Nationality / demonym
noun: Moldovan(s); adjective: Moldovan
CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · The source’s noun and adjective forms are retained. These are language labels, not evidence of any individual person’s citizenship.
Government
parliamentary republic
CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json ·
UN membership
1992-03-02
United Nations, Member States ·
Continent
Europe
CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Continental label standardized from the archived profile region “Europe.”
Coastline
0 km (landlocked)
CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Climate
moderate winters, warm summers
CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Religions
Orthodox 90.1%, other Christian 2.6%, other 0.1%, agnostic <0.1%, atheist 0.2%, unspecified 6.9% (2014 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Flag colors
blue, yellow, red, gold, black, green
CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Colors extracted from the flag description in the preserved final CIA profile.
National symbol
aurochs (type of wild cattle)
CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Highest point
Dealul Balanesti · 1,411 ft (430 m)
CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Lowest point
Dniester (Nistru) · 7 ft (2 m)
CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
NATO membership
Not a member
NATO, What is NATO? · Membership status is reported from the organization's current member list as of the stated date.
BRICS membership
Not a member
BRICS Brazil, About the BRICS · Membership status is reported from the organization's current member list as of the stated date.

Preserved public-domain record · not maintained current data

Final CIA World Factbook profile

This is the preserved historical baseline from the Factbook’s final public snapshot. It is presented as the CIA stated it, not as a current Standard American Almanac finding. Current, independently maintained facts appear above when available.

CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · profile updated · pinned source record · commit d81154954b8b

Introduction1 fields
Background
A large portion of present-day Moldovan territory became a province of the Russian Empire in 1812 and then unified with Romania in 1918 in the aftermath of World War I. This territory was then incorporated into the Soviet Union at the close of World War II. Although Moldova has been independent from the Soviet Union since 1991, Russian forces have remained on Moldovan territory east of the Nistru River in the breakaway region of Transnistria. Years of Communist Party rule in Moldova from 2001 to 2009 ultimately ended with election-related violent protests and a rerun of parliamentary elections in 2009. A series of pro-Europe ruling coalitions governed Moldova from 2010 to 2019, but pro-Russia candidate Igor DODON won the presidency in 2016, and his Socialist Party of the Republic of Moldova won a plurality in the legislative election in 2019. Pro-EU reformist candidate Maia SANDU defeated DODON in his reelection bid in 2020, and SANDU's Party of Action and Solidarity won a parliamentary majority in an early legislative election in 2021. Prime Minister Natalia GAVRILITA and her cabinet took office in 2021. In early 2023, Moldova's parliament confirmed a new cabinet led by Prime Minister Dorin RECEAN, which retained the majority of the former ministers.
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Geography19 fields
Location
Eastern Europe, northeast of Romania
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Geographic coordinates
47 00 N, 29 00 E
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Map references
Europe
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Area
total : 33,851 sq km land: 32,891 sq km water: 960 sq km
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Area - comparative
slightly larger than Maryland
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Land boundaries
total: 1,885 km border countries (2): Romania 683 km; Ukraine 1202 km
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Coastline
0 km (landlocked)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Maritime claims
none (landlocked)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Climate
moderate winters, warm summers
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Terrain
rolling steppe, gradual slope south to Black Sea
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Elevation
highest point: Dealul Balanesti 430 m lowest point: Dniester (Nistru) 2 m mean elevation: 139 m
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Natural resources
lignite, phosphorites, gypsum, limestone, arable land
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Land use
agricultural land: 74.1% (2023 est.) arable land: 56.8% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 8.1% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 9.4% (2023 est.) forest: 11.3% (2023 est.) other: 13.8% (2023 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Irrigated land
2,150 sq km (2022)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Major rivers (by length in km)
Dunărea (Danube) (shared with Germany [s], Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Ukraine, and Romania [m]) - 2,888 km; Nistru (Dniester) (shared with Ukraine [s/m]) - 1,411 km note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Major watersheds (area sq km)
Atlantic Ocean drainage: (Black Sea) Danube (795,656 sq km)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Population distribution
pockets of agglomeration exist throughout the country, with the largest in the center of the country around the capital of Chisinau, followed by Tiraspol and Balti
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Natural hazards
landslides
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Geography - note
landlocked; has many types of sedimentary rocks and minerals, including sand, gravel, gypsum, and limestone
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
People and Society33 fields
Population
total: 3,578,930 (2025 est.) male: 1,687,496 female: 1,891,434
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Nationality
noun: Moldovan(s) adjective: Moldovan
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Ethnic groups
Moldovan 75.1%, Romanian 7%, Ukrainian 6.6%, Gagauz 4.6%, Russian 4.1%, Bulgarian 1.9%, other 0.8% (2014 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Languages
Moldovan/Romanian 80.2% (official) (56.7% Moldovan; 23.5% Romanian), Russian 9.7%, Gagauz 4.2% (a Turkish language), Ukrainian 3.9%, Bulgarian 1.5%, Romani 0.3%, other 0.2% (2014) major-language sample(s): Cartea informativa a lumii, sursa indispensabila pentru informatii de baza. (Moldovan/Romanian) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. note: data represent mother tongue; as of March 2023, "Romanian" replaced "Moldovan" as the name of Moldova's official language
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Religions
Orthodox 90.1%, other Christian 2.6%, other 0.1%, agnostic <0.1%, atheist 0.2%, unspecified 6.9% (2014 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Age structure
0-14 years: 14.8% (male 266,493/female 266,166) 15-64 years: 70.2% (male 1,225,535/female 1,300,640) 65 years and over: 15% (2024 est.) (male 206,221/female 334,473)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio: 43 (2025 est.) youth dependency ratio: 20.8 (2025 est.) elderly dependency ratio: 22.2 (2025 est.) potential support ratio: 4.5 (2025 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Median age
total: 40.4 years (2025 est.) male: 38.6 years female: 41.3 years
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Population growth rate
-0.57% (2025 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Birth rate
8.35 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Death rate
14.06 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Net migration rate
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Population distribution
pockets of agglomeration exist throughout the country, with the largest in the center of the country around the capital of Chisinau, followed by Tiraspol and Balti
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Urbanization
urban population: 43.4% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 0.09% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Major urban areas - population
488,000 CHISINAU (capital) (2023)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Sex ratio
at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.62 male(s)/female total population: 0.89 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Mother's mean age at first birth
25.2 years (2019 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Maternal mortality ratio
19 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Infant mortality rate
total: 13.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.) male: 16 deaths/1,000 live births female: 11.5 deaths/1,000 live births
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Life expectancy at birth
total population: 70.1 years (2024 est.) male: 66.1 years female: 74.4 years
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Total fertility rate
1.27 children born/woman (2025 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Gross reproduction rate
0.61 (2025 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Drinking water source
urban: 97.7% of population (2022 est.) rural: 87.7% of population (2022 est.) total: 92% of population (2022 est.) urban: 2.3% of population (2022 est.) rural: 12.3% of population (2022 est.) total: 8% of population (2022 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Health expenditure
7.8% of GDP (2021) 12.3% of national budget (2022 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Physician density
4.02 physicians/1,000 population (2023)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Hospital bed density
5.7 beds/1,000 population (2021 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Sanitation facility access
urban: 98.7% of population (2022 est.) rural: 82.9% of population (2022 est.) total: 89.7% of population (2022 est.) urban: 1.3% of population (2022 est.) rural: 17.1% of population (2022 est.) total: 10.3% of population (2022 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Obesity - adult prevalence rate
18.9% (2016)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Alcohol consumption per capita
total: 7.45 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) beer: 1.53 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) wine: 3.57 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) spirits: 2.25 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) other alcohols: 0.1 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Tobacco use
total: 28.7% (2025 est.) male: 54.2% (2025 est.) female: 6.4% (2025 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
68.7% (2020 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Education expenditure
6.6% of GDP (2023 est.) 16% national budget (2024 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
total: 15 years (2023 est.) male: 15 years (2023 est.) female: 15 years (2023 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Environment10 fields
Environmental issues
soil and water pollution from heavy use of agricultural chemicals; extensive soil erosion and declining soil fertility from farming methods
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
International environmental agreements
party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Heavy Metals, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Multi-effect Protocol
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Climate
moderate winters, warm summers
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Land use
agricultural land: 74.1% (2023 est.) arable land: 56.8% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 8.1% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 9.4% (2023 est.) forest: 11.3% (2023 est.) other: 13.8% (2023 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Urbanization
urban population: 43.4% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 0.09% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Carbon dioxide emissions
7.093 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 219,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 3.087 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from consumed natural gas: 3.786 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Particulate matter emissions
12.3 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Waste and recycling
municipal solid waste generated annually: 3.981 million tons (2024 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 36.9% (2022 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Total water withdrawal
municipal: 160 million cubic meters (2022 est.) industrial: 583 million cubic meters (2022 est.) agricultural: 55 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Total renewable water resources
12.27 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Government23 fields
Country name
conventional long form: Republic of Moldova conventional short form: Moldova local long form: Republica Moldova local short form: Moldova former: Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic, Moldovan Soviet Socialist Republic etymology: named for the Moldova River in neighboring eastern Romania; the river's name probably comes from the Indoeuropean root word mel, meaning "dark" or "black"
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Government type
parliamentary republic
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Capital
name: Chisinau in Romanian (Kishinev in Russian) geographic coordinates: 47 00 N, 28 51 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October etymology: origin unclear but may derive from the Old Moldovan word kishineu ("spring" or "artesian well") note: pronounced KEE-shee-now (KIH-shi-nyov)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Administrative divisions
32 districts (raioane, singular - raion), 3 municipalities (municipii, singular - municipiul), 1 autonomous territorial unit (unitatea teritoriala autonoma), and 1 territorial unit (unitatea teritoriala) districts: Anenii Noi, Basarabeasca, Briceni, Cahul, Cantemir, Calarasi, Causeni, Cimislia, Criuleni, Donduseni, Drochia, Dubasari, Edinet, Falesti, Floresti, Glodeni, Hincesti, Ialoveni, Leova, Nisporeni, Ocnita, Orhei, Rezina, Riscani, Singerei, Soldanesti, Soroca, Stefan Voda, Straseni, Taraclia, Telenesti, Ungheni municipalities: Balti, Bender, Chisinau autonomous territorial unit: Gagauzia territorial unit: Stinga Nistrului (Transnistria)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Legal system
civil law system with Germanic law influences; Constitutional Court reviews legislative acts
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Constitution
history: previous 1978; latest adopted 29 July 1994, effective 27 August 1994 amendment process: proposed by voter petition (at least 200,000 eligible voters), by at least one third of Parliament members, or by the government; passage requires two-thirds majority vote of Parliament within one year of initial proposal; revisions to constitutional articles on sovereignty, independence, and neutrality require majority vote by referendum; articles on fundamental rights and freedoms cannot be amended
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
International law organization participation
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Citizenship
citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Moldova dual citizenship recognized: no residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Executive branch
chief of state: President Maia SANDU (since 24 December 2020) head of government: Prime Minister Alexandru MUNTEANU (since 1 November 2025) cabinet: Cabinet proposed by the prime minister-designate, nominated by the president, approved through a vote of confidence in Parliament election/appointment process: president directly elected for a 4-year term (eligible for a second term); prime minister designated by the president in consultation with Parliament; within 15 days from designation, the prime minister-designate must request a vote of confidence for his/her proposed work program from the Parliament most recent election date: 3 November 2024 election results: 2024: In the second round of presidential elections, incumbent Maia SANDU (PAS) wins 55.4% of the vote, Alexandr STOIANOGLO (PSRM) 44.6; turnout is 54.3% 2020: Maia SANDU elected president in second round; percent of vote in second round - Maia SANDU (PAS) 57.7%, Igor DODON (PSRM) 42.3% expected date of next election: 2028
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Legislative branch
legislature name: Parliament (Parlament) legislative structure: unicameral number of seats: 101 (all directly elected) electoral system: proportional representation scope of elections: full renewal term in office: 4 years most recent election date: 9/28/2025 parties elected and seats per party: Action and Solidarity Party (PAS) (55); Electoral Bloc “Patriotic of Socialists, Communists, Heart and Future of Moldova” (26); Alternative Bloc (8); Our Party (6); Democracy at Home Party (6) percentage of women in chamber: 37.6% expected date of next election: September 2029
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Judicial branch
highest court(s): Supreme Court of Justice (consists of the chief judge, 3 deputy-chief judges, 45 judges, and 7 assistant judges); Constitutional Court (consists of the court president and 6 judges) judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court of Justice judges appointed by the president on the recommendation of the Superior Council of Magistracy, an 11-member body of judicial officials; all judges serve 4-year renewable terms; Constitutional Court judges appointed 2 each by Parliament, the president, and the Higher Council of Magistracy for 6-year terms; court president elected by other court judges for a 3-year term subordinate courts: Courts of Appeal; Court of Business Audit; municipal courts note: the Constitutional Court is autonomous; it interprets the Constitution and reviews the constitutionality of parliamentary laws and decisions, decrees of the president, and acts of the government
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Political parties
Common Action Party - Civil Congress or PAC-CC Democracy at Home Party or PPDA Future of Moldova Party or PVM National Alternative Movement or MAN Our Party or PN Party of Action and Solidarity or PAS Party of Communists of the Republic of Moldova or PCRM Party of Development and Consolidation of Moldova or PDCM Party of Socialists of the Republic of Moldova or PSRM
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Vladislav KULMINSKI (since 5 September 2025) chancery: 2101 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 667-1130 FAX: [1] (202) 667-2624 email address and website: washington@mfa.gov.md https://sua.mfa.gov.md/en
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charg&eacute; d’Affaires Nick PIETROWICZ (since 2025) embassy: 103 Mateevici Street, Chisinau MD-2009 mailing address: 7080 Chisinau Place, Washington DC 20521-7080 telephone: [373] (22) 408-300 FAX: [373] (22) 233-044 email address and website: ChisinauACS@state.gov https://md.usembassy.gov/
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
International organization participation
BSEC, CD, CE, CEI, CIS, EAEU (observer), EAPC, EBRD, FAO, GCTU, GUAM, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, SELEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO note: Moldova is an EU candidate country whose satisfactory completion of accession criteria is required before being granted full EU membership
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Independence
27 August 1991 (from the Soviet Union)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
National holiday
Independence Day, 27 August (1991)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Flag
description: three equal vertical bands of Prussian blue (left side), chrome yellow, and vermilion red; the Moldavan coat of arms in the center is a dark gold Roman eagle outlined in black, with a red beak and talons; the eagle carries a yellow cross in its beak, a green olive branch in its right talons, and a yellow scepter in its left talons; on the eagle's breast is a red-and-blue shield divided horizontally, with a stylized aurochs head, star, rose, and crescent in black and outlined yellow; the reverse of the flag displays a mirror image of the coat of arms history: replaced the communist flag in 1990; the coat of arms is based on traditional designs note 1: colors are based on the Romanian flag, but Moldova's blue band is lighter note 2: one of three national flags that differ on each side -- the others are Paraguay and Saudi Arabia
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
National symbol(s)
aurochs (type of wild cattle)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
National color(s)
blue, yellow, red
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
National anthem(s)
title: "Limba noastra" (Our Tongue) lyrics/music: Alexei MATEEVICI/Alexandru CRISTEA history: adopted 1994; originally a 12-verse poem, but only stanzas 1, 2, 5, 9, and 12 are included in the anthem
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
National heritage
total World Heritage Sites: 1 (cultural) selected World Heritage Site locales: Struve Geodetic Arc
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Economy31 fields
Economic overview
upper middle-income Eastern European economy; sustained growth reversed by COVID-19; significant remittances; Russian energy and regional dependence; agricultural exporter; declining workforce due to emigration and low fertility
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$39.342 billion (2024 est.) $39.301 billion (2023 est.) $38.835 billion (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Real GDP growth rate
0.1% (2024 est.) 1.2% (2023 est.) -4.6% (2022 est.) note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Real GDP per capita
$16,500 (2024 est.) $16,000 (2023 est.) $15,400 (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
GDP (official exchange rate)
$18.2 billion (2024 est.) note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
4.7% (2024 est.) 13.4% (2023 est.) 28.7% (2022 est.) note: annual % change based on consumer prices
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
agriculture: 7.1% (2024 est.) industry: 16.8% (2024 est.) services: 62.3% (2024 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
GDP - composition, by end use
household consumption: 86.8% (2024 est.) government consumption: 17.9% (2024 est.) investment in fixed capital: 20% (2024 est.) investment in inventories: 1.1% (2024 est.) exports of goods and services: 31.4% (2024 est.) imports of goods and services: -57.3% (2024 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Agricultural products
wheat, maize, sunflower seeds, grapes, apples, sugar beets, barley, milk, rapeseed, potatoes (2023) note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Industries
sugar processing, vegetable oil, food processing, agricultural machinery; foundry equipment, refrigerators and freezers, washing machines; hosiery, shoes, textiles
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Industrial production growth rate
3.3% (2024 est.) note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Labor force
1.358 million (2024 est.) note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Unemployment rate
1.5% (2024 est.) 1.6% (2023 est.) 0.9% (2022 est.) note: % of labor force seeking employment
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
total: 3.3% (2024 est.) male: 3.4% (2024 est.) female: 3.3% (2024 est.) note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Population below poverty line
31.1% (2022 est.) note: % of population with income below national poverty line
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income
25.9 (2022 est.) note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Household income or consumption by percentage share
lowest 10%: 4.5% (2022 est.) highest 10%: 22.5% (2022 est.) note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Remittances
10.5% of GDP (2024 est.) 12% of GDP (2023 est.) 14% of GDP (2022 est.) note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Budget
revenues: $5.197 billion (2023 est.) expenditures: $6.037 billion (2023 est.) note: central government revenues (excluding grants) and expenditures converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Public debt
34.3% of GDP (2023 est.) note: central government debt as a % of GDP
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Taxes and other revenues
18.6% (of GDP) (2023 est.) note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Current account balance
-$2.917 billion (2024 est.) -$1.893 billion (2023 est.) -$2.482 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Exports
$5.717 billion (2024 est.) $5.866 billion (2023 est.) $5.981 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Exports - partners
Romania 31%, Ukraine 13%, Italy 6%, Germany 6%, Czechia 4% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Exports - commodities
insulated wire, garments, refined petroleum, seed oils, wheat (2023) note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Imports
$10.418 billion (2024 est.) $9.84 billion (2023 est.) $10.265 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Imports - partners
Romania 16%, Ukraine 13%, China 11%, Turkey 8%, Germany 7% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, natural gas, cars, packaged medicine, plastic products (2023) note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
$5.484 billion (2024 est.) $5.453 billion (2023 est.) $4.474 billion (2022 est.) note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Debt - external
$2.637 billion (2023 est.) note: present value of external debt in current US dollars
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Exchange rates
Moldovan lei (MDL) per US dollar - 17.792 (2024 est.) 18.164 (2023 est.) 18.897 (2022 est.) 17.68 (2021 est.) 17.322 (2020 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Energy7 fields
Electricity access
electrification - total population: 100% (2022 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Electricity
installed generating capacity: 779,000 kW (2023 est.) consumption: 5.674 billion kWh (2023 est.) exports: 94 million kWh (2023 est.) imports: 1.264 billion kWh (2023 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 550.069 million kWh (2023 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Electricity generation sources
fossil fuels: 88% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) solar: 1.7% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) wind: 3.8% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) hydroelectricity: 6.3% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) biomass and waste: 0.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Coal
consumption: 90,000 metric tons (2023 est.) imports: 86,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Petroleum
refined petroleum consumption: 22,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Natural gas
production: 10,000 cubic meters (2021 est.) consumption: 2.223 billion cubic meters (2023 est.) imports: 2.223 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Energy consumption per capita
35.686 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Communications6 fields
Telephones - fixed lines
total subscriptions: 847,000 (2023 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 28 (2023 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Telephones - mobile cellular
total subscriptions: 3.64 million (2024 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 120 (2024 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Broadcast media
state-owned national radio-TV broadcaster operates 1 TV and 1 radio station; total of nearly 70 terrestrial TV channels and about 50 radio stations; Russian and Romanian channels are available (2019)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Internet country code
.md
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Internet users
percent of population: 80% (2023 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Broadband - fixed subscriptions
total: 841,000 (2023 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 27 (2023 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Transportation5 fields
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
ER
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Airports
10 (2025)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Heliports
1 (2025)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Railways
total: 1,171 km (2014) standard gauge: 14 km (2014) 1.435-m gauge broad gauge: 1,157 km (2014) 1.520-m gauge
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Merchant marine
total: 75 (2023) by type: bulk carrier 1, container ship 1, general cargo 44, oil tanker 7, other 22
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Military and Security6 fields
Military and security forces
Armed Forces of the Republic of Moldova (Forțele Armate ale Republicii Moldova): National Army (comprised of Land Forces, Air Force) Ministry of Internal Affairs: General Inspectorate of Police (GPI), Border Police Department, Carabinieri Troops Department (2025) note: the Carabinieri is a quasi-militarized gendarmerie responsible for protecting public buildings, maintaining public order, and other national security functions; the GPI is the primary law enforcement body, responsible for internal security, public order, traffic, and criminal investigations
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Military expenditures
0.6% of GDP (2024 est.) 0.6% of GDP (2023 est.) 0.4% of GDP (2022 est.) 0.4% of GDP (2021 est.) 0.4% of GDP (2020 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Military and security service personnel strengths
approximately 6,500 Moldovan Armed Forces (2025)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
the military's inventory is limited and almost entirely comprised of Soviet-era equipment; in recent years, it has received small amounts of donated equipment from some Western European nations and the US (2025)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Military service age and obligation
18-27 years of age for compulsory or voluntary military service; male registration required at age 16; 12-month service obligation; conscientious objectors can perform non-military service in public institutions for a longer period (up to 24 months) (2025) note: as of 2024, women made up about 23% of the military's full-time personnel
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Military - note
the National Army is responsible for defense against external aggression, suppressing illegal military violence along the state border or inside the country, and supporting other internal security forces in maintaining public order if necessary; its primary focuses are Transnistrian separatist forces and their Russian backers; the 1992 war between Moldovan forces and the Transnistrian separatists backed by Russian troops ended with a cease-fire; the separatists maintain several armed paramilitary combat units, plus other security forces and reserves; Russia maintains approximately 1,500 troops in the breakaway region, including some Transnistrian locals who serve as Russian troops; some of those troops are under the authority of a peacekeeping force known as a Joint Control Commission that also includes Moldovan and separatist personnel, while the remainder of the Russian contingent guard a depot of Soviet-era ammunition and train separatist forces Moldova is constitutionally neutral but has maintained a relationship with NATO since 1992 and since 2022 has enhanced bilateral security cooperation with some NATO members; it has contributed small numbers of troops to NATO’s Kosovo Force (KFOR) since 2014, and a civilian NATO liaison office was established in Moldova in 2017 at the request of the Moldovan Government to promote practical cooperation and facilitate support; in 2024, Moldova signed a security and defense partnership agreement with the EU; it maintains close security relations with Romania, a member of the EU and NATO (2025)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Transnational Issues1 fields
Refugees and internally displaced persons
refugees: 136,845 (2024 est.) IDPs: 6 (2024 est.) stateless persons: 3,164 (2024 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source

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