2005 Edition

Administrative divisions

32 raions (raioane, singular - raionul), 3 municipalities (municipiul), 1 autonomous territorial unit (unitatea teritoriala autonoma), and 1 territorial unit (unitatea teritoriala) : counties: 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

Age structure

0-14 years: 20.2% (male 459,452/female 442,725) 15-64 years: 69.5% (male 1,489,813/female 1,606,202) 65 years and over: 10.3% (male 169,038/female 288,191) (2005 est.)

Agriculture - products

vegetables, fruits, wine, grain, sugar beets, sunflower seed, tobacco; beef, milk

Airports

23 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways

total

6 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total

17 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 11 (2004 est.) Military Moldova

Area

land

33,371 sq km

total

33,843 sq km

water

472 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly larger than Maryland

Background

Formerly part of Romania, Moldova was incorporated into the Soviet Union at the close of World War II. Although independent from the USSR since 1991, Russian forces have remained on Moldovan territory east of the Dniester River supporting the Slavic majority population, mostly Ukrainians and Russians, who have proclaimed a "Transnistria" republic. The poorest nation in Europe, Moldova became the first former Soviet state to elect a Communist as its president in 2001. Geography Moldova

Birth rate

15.27 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Budget

expenditures

$634.8 million, including capital expenditures of NA (2004 est.)

revenues

$648.1 million

Capital

Chisinau

Climate

moderate winters, warm summers

Coastline

0 km (landlocked)

Constitution

new constitution adopted 29 July 1994, effective 27 August 1994; replaced old Soviet constitution of 1979

Country name

conventional long form

Republic of Moldova

conventional short form

Moldova

former

Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic; Moldovan Soviet Socialist Republic

local long form

Republica Moldova

local short form

none

Currency (code)

Moldovan leu (MDL)

Currency code

MDL

Current account balance

$-148.4 million (2004 est.)

Death rate

12.79 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Debt - external

$1.4 billion (2004 est.)

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission

Ambassador Heather M. HODGES

embassy

103 Mateevici Street, Chisinau MD-2009

FAX

[373] (22) 23-30-44

mailing address

use embassy street address

telephone

[373] (22) 408-300

Diplomatic representation in the US

chancery

2101 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador Mihail MANOLI

FAX

[1] (202) 667-1204

telephone

[1] (202) 667-1130

Disputes - international

Moldova and Ukraine have established joint customs posts to monitor transit through Moldova's break-away Transnistria Region which remains under OSCE supervision

Distribution of family income - Gini index

40.6 (1997)

Economic aid - recipient

$100 million (2000)

Economy - overview

Moldova remains one of the poorest countries in Europe despite recent progress from its small economic base. It enjoys a favorable climate and good farmland but has no major mineral deposits. As a result, the economy depends heavily on agriculture, featuring fruits, vegetables, wine, and tobacco. Moldova must import almost all of its energy supplies from Russia. Energy shortages contributed to sharp production declines after the breakup of the Soviet Union in December 1991. As part of an ambitious reform effort after independence, Moldova introduced a convertible currency, freed prices, stopped issuing preferential credits to state enterprises, backed steady land privatization, removed export controls, and freed interest rates. The government entered into agreements with the World Bank and the IMF to promote growth and reduce poverty. The economy returned to positive growth of 2.1% in 2000, 6.1% in 2001, 7.2% in 2002, 6.3% in 2003, and 6.8% in 2004. Further reforms will come slowly because of strong political forces backing government controls. The economy remains vulnerable to higher fuel prices, poor agricultural weather, and the skepticism of foreign investors.

Electricity - consumption

4.605 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports

1 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production

3.876 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source

fossil fuel

90.6%

hydro

9.4%

nuclear

0%

other

0% (2001)

Elevation extremes

highest point

Dealul Balanesti 430 m

lowest point

Dniester River 2 m

Environment - current issues

heavy use of agricultural chemicals, including banned pesticides such as DDT, has contaminated soil and groundwater; extensive soil erosion from poor farming methods

Environment - international agreements

party to

Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Ethnic groups

Moldovan/Romanian 64.5%, Ukrainian 13.8%, Russian 13%, Jewish 1.5%, Bulgarian 2%, Gagauz and other 5.2% (1989 est.) note: internal disputes with ethnic Slavs in the Transnistrian region

Exchange rates

lei per US dollar - 12.33 (2004), 13.945 (2003), 13.571 (2002), 12.865 (2001), 12.434 (2000)

Executive branch

cabinet

selected by president, subject to approval of Parliament

chief of state

President Vladimir VORONIN (since 4 April 2001)

election results

Vladimir VORONIN reelected president; parliamentary votes - Vladimir VORONIN 75, Gheorghe DUCA 1; Vasile TARLEV designated prime minister; parliamentary votes of confidence - 75 of 101

elections

president elected by Parliament for a four-year term; election last held 4 April 2005 (next to be held NA 2009); note - prime minister designated by the president, upon consultation with Parliament; within 15 days from designation, the prime minister-designate must request a vote of confidence from the Parliament regarding his/her work program and entire cabinet; prime minister designated 15 April 2001, cabinet received a vote of confidence 19 April 2001

head of government

Prime Minister Vasile TARLEV (since 15 April 2001), First Deputy Prime Minister Vasile IOVV (since 29 January 2002)

Exports

$1.03 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities

foodstuffs, textiles, machinery

Exports - partners

Russia 35.8%, Italy 13.9%, Romania 10%, Germany 7.3%, Ukraine 6.6%, Belarus 6%, US 4.6% (2004)

Fiscal year

calendar year Communications Moldova

Flag description

same color scheme as Romania - three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and red; emblem in center of flag is of a Roman eagle of gold outlined in black with a red beak and talons carrying a yellow cross in its beak and a green olive branch in its right talons and a yellow scepter in its left talons; on its breast is a shield divided horizontally red over blue with a stylized ox head, star, rose, and crescent all in black-outlined yellow Economy Moldova

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture

22.4%

industry

24.8%

services

52.8% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita

purchasing power parity - $1,900 (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

6.8% (2004 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$8.581 billion (2004 est.)

Geographic coordinates

47 00 N, 29 00 E

Geography - note

landlocked; well endowed with various sedimentary rocks and minerals including sand, gravel, gypsum, and limestone People Moldova

Government type

republic

Highways

paved

10,977 km

total

12,719 km

unpaved

1,742 km (2002)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.2% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

less than 300 (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

5,500 (2001 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 2.2% highest 10%: 30.7% (1997)

Illicit drugs

limited cultivation of opium poppy and cannabis, mostly for CIS consumption; transshipment point for illicit drugs from Southwest Asia via Central Asia to Russia, Western Europe, and possibly the US; widespread crime and underground economic activity This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005 ======================================================================

Imports

$1.83 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities

mineral products and fuel, machinery and equipment, chemicals, textiles (2000)

Imports - partners

Ukraine 24.6%, Russia 12.2%, Romania 9.3%, Germany 8.5%, Italy 7.4% (2004)

Independence

27 August 1991 (from Soviet Union)

Industrial production growth rate

17% (2003 est.)

Industries

food processing, agricultural machinery, foundry equipment, refrigerators and freezers, washing machines, hosiery, sugar, vegetable oil, shoes, textiles

Infant mortality rate

female

37.58 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

male

43.11 deaths/1,000 live births

total

40.42 deaths/1,000 live births

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

11.5% (2004 est.)

International organization participation

ACCT, BSEC, CE, CEI, CIS, EAPC, EBRD, FAO, GUUAM, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, MIGA, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNOCI, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Internet country code

.md

Internet hosts

11,984 (2003)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs)

2 (1999)

Internet users

150,000 (2002) Transportation Moldova

Investment (gross fixed)

17.1% of GDP (2004 est.)

Irrigated land

3,070 sq km (1998 est.)

Judicial branch

Supreme Court; Constitutional Court (the sole authority for constitutional judicature)

Labor force

1.36 million (2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture 40%, industry 14%, services 46% (1998)

Land boundaries

border countries

Romania 450 km, Ukraine 939 km

total

1,389 km

Land use

arable land

55.3%

other

33.91% (2001)

permanent crops

10.79%

Languages

Moldovan (official, virtually the same as the Romanian language), Russian, Gagauz (a Turkish dialect)

Legal system

based on civil law system; Constitutional Court reviews legality of legislative acts and governmental decisions of resolution; it is unclear if Moldova accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction but accepts many UN and Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) documents

Legislative branch

unicameral Parliament or Parlamentul (101 seats; parties and electoral blocs elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)

election results

percent of vote by party - PCRM 46.1%, Democratic Moldova Bloc 28.4%, PPCD 9.1%, other parties 16.4%; seats by party - PCRM 56, Democratic Moldova Bloc 34, PPCD 11

elections

last held 6 March 2005 (next to be held NA 2009)

Life expectancy at birth

female

69.43 years (2005 est.)

male

61.12 years

total population

65.18 years

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

female

98.7% (2003 est.) Government Moldova

male

99.6%

total population

99.1%

Location

Eastern Europe, northeast of Romania

Manpower available for military service

males age 18-49: 1,066,459 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 18-49: 693,913 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually

males

43,729 (2005 est.)

Map references

Europe

Maritime claims

none (landlocked)

Median age

female

34.27 years (2005 est.)

male

30.14 years

total

32.22 years

Merchant marine

by type

cargo 2 (2005)

total

2 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 1,636 GRT/1,088 DWT

Military branches

National Army

Ground Forces, Air Force

Military expenditures - dollar figure

$8.7 million (2004)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP

0.4% (FY02) Transnational Issues Moldova

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age for compulsory military service; national service obligation - 12 months (2004)

National holiday

Independence Day, 27 August (1991)

Nationality

adjective

Moldovan

noun

Moldovan(s)

Natural gas - consumption

2.05 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports

2.05 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural hazards

landslides (57 cases in 1998)

Natural resources

lignite, phosphorites, gypsum, arable land, limestone

Net migration rate

-0.25 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Oil - consumption

24,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports

NA

Oil - imports

NA

Oil - production

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Pipelines

gas 606 km (2004)

Political parties and leaders

Democratic Modova Bloc [Serafim URECHEANU] includes: Democratic Party [Dumitru DIACOV], Our Moldova Alliance [Dumitru BRAGHIS, Serafim URECHEANU], Social Liberal Party [Oleg SEREBRIAN]; Communist Party of the Republic of Moldova or PCRM [Vladimir VORONIN, first chairman]; Popular Christian Democratic Party or PPCD [Iurie ROSCA]

Political pressure groups and leaders

NA

Population

4,455,421 (July 2005 est.)

Population below poverty line

80% (2001 est.)

Population growth rate

0.22% (2005 est.)

Public debt

63.4% of GDP (2004 est.)

Radio broadcast stations

AM 7, FM 50, shortwave 3 (1998)

Radios

3.22 million (1997)

Railways

broad gauge

1,124 km 1.520-m gauge

standard gauge

14 km 1.435-m gauge (2004)

total

1,138 km

Refugees and internally displaced persons

IDPs

1,000 (internal secessionist uprising in Transdniestrian region in 1991) (2004)

Religions

Eastern Orthodox 98%, Jewish 1.5%, Baptist and other 0.5% (2000)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$390 million (2004 est.)

Sex ratio

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.93 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.59 male(s)/female

total population

0.91 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Telephone system

domestic

new subscribers face long wait for service; mobile cellular telephone service being introduced

general assessment

inadequate, outmoded, poor service outside Chisinau; some effort to modernize is under way

international

country code - 373; service through Romania and Russia via landline; satellite earth stations - Intelsat, Eutelsat, and Intersputnik

Telephones - main lines in use

706,900 (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular

338,200 (2002)

Television broadcast stations

1 (plus 30 repeaters) (1995)

Televisions

1.26 million (1997)

Terrain

rolling steppe, gradual slope south to Black Sea

Total fertility rate

1.81 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Unemployment rate

8% (roughly 25% of working age Moldovans are employed abroad) (2002 est.)

Waterways

424 km (2004)