Country Profile: Moldova

Moldova, located in Eastern Europe, is bordered by Romania to the west and Ukraine to the north, east, and south. The country has a population of approximately 3.6 million people and is characterized by a parliamentary republic governance structure. Its economy is classified as upper middle-income, relying significantly on agriculture and remittances, though it faces challenges such as a declining workforce and dependency on Russian energy supplies.

Geography

Moldova is a landlocked country situated in Eastern Europe, northeast of Romania, with a total area of 33,851 square kilometers. The terrain consists of rolling steppe, and it experiences a moderate climate with warm summers and cold winters. The country has a notable agricultural land use, which accounts for about 74.1% of the total area.

1,885 km of land borders with Romania and Ukraine.
32,891 sq km of land, with 960 sq km of water.
Highest point is Dealul Balanesti at 430 m; the lowest point is the Dniester River at 2 m.

People and Society

The total population of Moldova is approximately 3.6 million, with a diverse ethnic makeup comprising predominantly Moldovans (75.1%), followed by Romanian, Ukrainian, and Gagauz communities. The official language is Moldovan/Romanian, reflecting the country's historical ties with Romania. The society is largely Orthodox Christian, with a significant urban population, primarily centered around Chisinau, the capital.

Median age is 39.9 years (2024 est.).
Life expectancy at birth is 70.1 years (2024 est.).
Urbanization rate: 43.4% of the population lives in urban areas (2023).

Economy

Moldova's economy, classified as upper middle-income, is heavily reliant on agriculture, which comprises about 7.1% of its GDP. The country has experienced economic fluctuations, with significant remittances contributing to its growth. Despite challenges such as low fertility rates and workforce emigration, the economy is diversifying and growing.

GDP (PPP) is estimated at $39.342 billion (2024).
Unemployment rate is 1.5% (2024).
Agricultural products include wheat, maize, and grapes, among others.

Government

Moldova operates as a parliamentary republic, with the capital city of Chisinau serving as the political center. The country has a unicameral parliament and maintains a system of civil law. The current president is Maia Sandu, and the prime minister is Dorin Recean, with government stability being a priority amid regional tensions.

Independence was declared on 27 August 1991.
Parliament consists of 101 seats, all directly elected.
Suffrage is universal at 18 years of age.

Military and Security

Moldova's military is primarily focused on national defense, especially against potential aggression from separatist forces in Transnistria. The country is constitutionally neutral but maintains cooperation with NATO and has recently signed a security partnership with the EU.

Military expenditure is 0.6% of GDP (2024).
Approximately 6,500 personnel serve in the Armed Forces (2025).
Compulsory service applies to males aged 18-27 years.

Energy

The energy sector of Moldova is largely dependent on imported fossil fuels, with a growing emphasis on renewable sources. Electricity access is universal, and the installed capacity for electricity generation mainly relies on fossil fuels.

Electricity consumption is 5.674 billion kWh (2023).
Coal consumption stands at 90,000 metric tons (2023).
Natural gas consumption is 2.223 billion cubic meters (2023).

Environment

Moldova is facing environmental challenges, including pollution from agricultural chemicals and soil erosion. The country's commitment to various international environmental agreements reflects its awareness of these issues and aims to promote sustainable practices.

Urban population: 43.4% (2023).
Total renewable water resources are estimated at 12.27 billion cubic meters (2022).
Carbon dioxide emissions are approximately 7.093 million metric tonnes (2023).

Transportation

Moldova has a developing transportation network, including railways and roads that facilitate domestic and international transport. Its landlocked nature limits access to maritime routes, increasing reliance on overland connections.

Railways span approximately 1,171 km (2014).
Airports planned to number 10 by 2025.
Merchant marine consists of 75 ships (2023).

Communications

Moldova's communication infrastructure has been improving, with high mobile subscription rates and increasing internet user percentages. The country has a diverse media landscape with both state-owned and independent broadcasters.

Mobile cellular subscriptions reached 4.01 million (2023).
Internet users comprise 80% of the population (2023).
Fixed-line telephone subscriptions total 847,000 (2023).

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	3,599,528 (2024 est.)
Area	33,851 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$39.342 billion (2024)
Unemployment Rate	1.5% (2024 est.)
Birth Rate	8.4 births/1,000 (2024)
Life Expectancy	70.1 years (2024 est.)
Energy Consumption per Capita	35.686 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Military Expenditure	0.6% of GDP (2024)
Internet Users	80% of population (2023)
Total Renewable Water Resources	12.27 billion m³ (2022)