Country Profile: Moldova

Moldova is a landlocked nation located in Eastern Europe, bordered by Romania to the west and Ukraine to the north, east, and south. The population is approximately 3.58 million people, predominantly ethnic Moldovans, with a significant number of Romanian, Ukrainian, and Russian minorities. The economy is characterized as an upper middle-income economy, heavily reliant on agricultural exports and remittances while facing challenges such as a declining workforce and low fertility rates. The governance of Moldova takes the form of a parliamentary republic, transitioning through various political phases since its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.

Geography

Moldova has a total area of 33,851 sq km, featuring a landscape that consists of rolling steppe terrain with a gradual slope southwards toward the Black Sea. The country experiences a moderate climate with warm summers and moderate winters, and the highest point is Dealul Balanesti at 430 m. Being landlocked, it has no coastline and shares a total of 1,885 km of land boundaries with Romania and Ukraine.

74.1% of land used for agriculture (2023 est.)
11.3% of land covered by forests (2023 est.)
Major river: Nistru (Dniester), which is 1,411 km long
Largest population cluster around the capital Chisinau

People and Society

With an estimated population of 3,578,930 in 2025, Moldova exhibits a diverse ethnic composition, with 75.1% Moldovan, 7% Romanian, and 6.6% Ukrainian. The official language is Moldovan, aligned with Romanian, and the predominant religion is Orthodox Christianity, accounting for 90.1% of the population. The society faces challenges including a declining birth rate and a significant number of people living below the poverty line.

43.4% of the population lives in urban areas (2023)
Median age: 40.4 years (2025 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: 70.1 years (2024 est.)
Birth rate: 8.35 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Economy

Moldova's economy is classified as upper middle-income, with a GDP (PPP) estimated at $39.342 billion for 2024. The economy is primarily driven by the service sector, which contributes 62.3% to the GDP, followed by industry and agriculture. Despite experiencing economic growth, the country faces challenges such as high inflation rates and a workforce dwindling due to emigration.

31.1% of the population lives below the poverty line (2022 est.)
Unemployment rate: 1.5% (2024 est.)
Current account deficit: estimated at -$2.917 billion (2024)
Remittances contribute 10.5% of GDP (2024 est.)

Government

Moldova is a parliamentary republic with a multi-tiered governance structure. The government is led by President Maia SANDU and Prime Minister Dorin RECEAN. The legislative body comprises a unicameral Parliament with 101 seats, all directly elected. Following a turbulent political history, Moldova's governance has seen a shift towards pro-European policies in recent years.

Latest constitutional adoption: 29 July 1994
Voting age: 18 years
32 districts and 3 municipalities for administrative division

Military and Security

The Armed Forces of Moldova are composed of the National Army, which includes land and air forces, tasked with maintaining national security. Despite being constitutionally neutral, Moldova has developed partnerships with NATO and the EU to enhance its security framework. The military operates with limited resources primarily consisting of Soviet-era equipment.

Military expenditures: 0.6% of GDP (2024 est.)
Around 6,500 military personnel (2025)
Conscription age: 18-27 years

Energy

Moldova relies heavily on fossil fuels for its energy needs, with 88% of its installed electricity generation capacity derived from such sources. The total energy consumption per capita is approximately 35.686 million Btu per person. The country imports a significant portion of its energy, including natural gas and petroleum products.

Total installed generating capacity: 779,000 kW (2023 est.)
Electricity consumption: 5.674 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Electrification rate: 100% of the population (2022 est.)

Environment

Moldova faces several environmental challenges, including soil and water pollution due to extensive agricultural practices and chemical usage. The country is committed to international environmental agreements and has made efforts to address these issues through various initiatives.

74.1% of land used for agriculture (2023)
36.9% of municipal solid waste is recycled (2022 est.)
Total water withdrawal stands at 798 million cubic meters (2022 est.)

Transportation

Moldova's transportation network includes rail and air transport systems. The country has 10 airports and a railway network totaling 1,171 km. The civil aviation industry is supported by a modest fleet of registered aircraft.

1,171 km of railway, with standard and broad gauge
75 merchant marine vessels (2023)
One heliport is registered as of 2025

Communications

The communication infrastructure in Moldova is well-developed, with a high rate of internet usage (80% of the population) and substantial mobile phone subscriptions. The country maintains both fixed and mobile telephone systems to cater to its population.

Fixed-line subscriptions: 847,000 (2023)
Mobile cellular subscriptions: 3.64 million (2024 est.)
Internet country code: .md

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	3,578,930 (2025 est.)
Area	33,851 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$39.342 billion (2024 est.)
Energy Consumption per Capita	35.686 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Birth Rate	8.35 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Unemployment Rate	1.5% (2024 est.)
Life Expectancy at Birth	70.1 years (2024 est.)
Military Expenditures	0.6% of GDP (2024 est.)
Population Below Poverty Line	31.1% (2022 est.)
Electrification Rate	100% (2022 est.)