Country Profile: Moldova

Moldova is a landlocked country located in Eastern Europe, bordered by Romania to the west and Ukraine to the north, east, and south. With a moderate climate and diverse terrain, its agricultural sector is a significant aspect of the economy, which also sees considerable remittances from its diaspora. The population of approximately 3.6 million is predominantly Moldovan, and the country has experienced fluctuating governance, transitioning from Soviet influence to consistent efforts towards European integration since gaining independence in 1991.

Geography

Moldova has a total land area of 33,851 sq km, featuring rolling steppe terrain and moderate winters with warm summers. The country is landlocked and has no coastline, sharing borders with Romania (683 km) and Ukraine (1,202 km). The terrain slopes gradually south to the Black Sea, and the highest point in Moldova is 430 m at Dealul Balanesti, while the lowest point is the Dniester River at 2 m.

• 69.3% of land is used for agriculture (2022 est.).
• Major rivers include the 1,411 km long Nistru (Dniester).
• Moldova has a mean elevation of 139 m.

People and Society

Moldova’s population is estimated at 3,599,528 in 2024, with a gender distribution favoring females (1,901,279). The society is ethnically diverse, with 75.1% Moldovan, 7% Romanian, and 6.6% Ukrainian among the largest groups. The official language is Moldovan/Romanian, and a significant majority (approximately 90.1%) identify as Orthodox Christians.

• 14.8% of the population is aged 0-14 (2024 est.).
• Life expectancy is 70.1 years (2024 est.).
• Urbanization rate is 43.4% of the total population (2023).

Economy

Moldova's economy is classified as an upper middle-income economy that heavily relies on remittances and agriculture, making up 7.1% of GDP in 2024. The COVID-19 pandemic has affected growth, leading to a projected GDP per capita of $16,500 in 2024. The country faces challenges with a declining workforce due to emigration and low birth rates, impacting overall economic activity.

• GDP (PPP) is estimated at $39.342 billion (2024).
• The unemployment rate stands at 1.5% (2024).
• Agriculture is a major export sector, including products like wheat and grapes.

Government

Moldova is a parliamentary republic with a President and a unicameral Parliament. The country gained independence from the Soviet Union on August 27, 1991. The current President is Maia Sandu, who took office in December 2020, while the Prime Minister is Dorin Recean since February 2023. The legislative body comprises 101 members, all directly elected.

• The voting age is 18, with universal suffrage.
• The Constitution was adopted on July 29, 1994.
• Moldova is an EU candidate country.

Military and Security

The Armed Forces of Moldova are primarily responsible for national defense, consisting of land and air forces. Moldova maintains a military obligation for males aged 18-27 and has a limited inventory mostly composed of Soviet-era equipment. Military expenditures are projected at 0.6% of GDP for 2024.

• Approximately 6,500 personnel serve in the military (2025).
• The country has a security partnership with NATO.
• Russia has about 1,500 troops stationed in the separatist region of Transnistria.

Energy

Moldova has achieved 100% electrification, with its electricity primarily derived from fossil fuels (88% of total capacity). The country imports a significant portion of its energy, with 2.223 billion cubic meters of natural gas consumed in 2023.

• Total energy consumption per capita is 35.686 million Btu (2023).
• Installed electricity generating capacity is 779,000 kW (2023).
• Electricity consumption reached 5.674 billion kWh (2023).

Environment

Moldova faces environmental challenges including soil and water pollution due to agricultural practices and significant soil erosion. It is a participant in multiple international environmental agreements, including the Paris Agreement.

• 69.3% of land is utilized for agriculture (2022 est.).
• Moderately warm summers with rainfall can lead to soil degradation.
• The country is party to agreements addressing climate change and biodiversity.

Transportation

Moldova has an extensive transportation network, including 10 airports and 1,171 km of railways. The rail infrastructure is mostly broad gauge, facilitating movement across the country.

• The civil aircraft registration country code is ER.
• There are 75 merchant marine vessels as of 2023.

Communications

Moldova has a growing communications network, with a mobile cellular subscription rate of 127 per 100 inhabitants. The internet penetration rate is about 80% of the population.

• Fixed telephone subscriptions were 847,000 in 2023.
• Broadband fixed subscriptions reached 841,000 (2023).

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	3,599,528	2024 estimate
Area	33,851 sq km	Land area
GDP (PPP)	$39.342 billion	2024 estimate
Energy Consumption	5.674 billion kWh	2023 estimate
Birth Rate	8.4 births/1,000 population	2024 estimate
Unemployment Rate	1.5%	2024 estimate
Life Expectancy at Birth	70.1 years	2024 estimate
Total Fertility Rate	1.26 children born/woman	2024 estimate
Military Expenditures	0.6% of GDP	2024 estimate
Urban Population	43.4% of total population	2023 estimate