2013 Edition
CIA World Factbook 2013 Archive (HTML)
Introduction
Background
Part of Romania during the interwar period, Moldova was incorporated into the Soviet Union at the close of World War II. Although the country has been independent from the USSR since 1991, Russian forces have remained on Moldovan territory east of the Nistru River supporting a Transnistrian separatist region composed of a Slavic majority population (mostly Ukrainians and Russians), but with a sizeable ethnic Moldovan minority. One of the poorest nations in Europe, Moldova became the first former Soviet state to elect a communist, Vladimir VORONIN, as its president in 2001. VORONIN served as Moldova's president until he resigned in September 2009, following the opposition's gain of a narrow majority in July parliamentary elections and the Communist Party's (PCRM) subsequent inability to attract the three-fifths of parliamentary votes required to elect a president. Four Moldovan opposition parties formed a new coalition, the Alliance for European Integration (AEI), which has acted as Moldova's governing coalition since. Moldova experienced significant political uncertainty between 2009 and early 2012, holding three general elections and numerous presidential ballots in parliament, all of which failed to secure a president. Following November 2010 parliamentary elections, a reconstituted AEI-coalition consisting of three of the four original AEI parties formed a government, and in March 2012 was finally able to elect an independent as president.
Geography
Area
- 33,851 sq km 32,891 sq km 960 sq km
- total
- 33,851 sq km
- water
- 960 sq km
Area - comparative
slightly larger than Maryland
Climate
moderate winters, warm summers
Coastline
0 km (landlocked)
Elevation extremes
- Dniester (Nistru) 2 m Dealul Balanesti 430 m
- highest point
- Dealul Balanesti 430 m
- lowest point
- Dniester (Nistru) 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
- Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands none of the selected 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, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
- signed, but not ratified
- none of the selected agreements
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)
- 1.07 cu km/yr (14%/83%/4%) 290 cu m/yr (2010)
- per capita
- 290 cu m/yr (2010)
- total
- 1.07 cu km/yr (14%/83%/4%)
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
Irrigated land
2,283 sq km (2011)
Land boundaries
- 1,390 km Romania 450 km, Ukraine 940 km
- border countries
- Romania 450 km, Ukraine 940 km
- total
- 1,390 km
Land use
- 53.47% 8.77% 37.75% (2011)
- arable land
- 53.47%
- other
- 37.75% (2011)
- permanent crops
- 8.77%
Location
Eastern Europe, northeast of Romania
Map references
Europe
Maritime claims
none (landlocked)
Natural hazards
landslides
Natural resources
lignite, phosphorites, gypsum, arable land, limestone
Terrain
rolling steppe, gradual slope south to Black Sea
Total renewable water resources
11.65 cu km (2011)
People and Society
Age structure
- 17.6% (male 327,843/female 307,780) 15% (male 279,814/female 263,202) 43.9% (male 790,723/female 796,997) 12.9% (male 213,256/female 252,907) 10.7% (male 145,796/female 241,607) (2013 est.)
- 0-14 years
- 17.6% (male 327,843/female 307,780)
- 15-24 years
- 15% (male 279,814/female 263,202)
- 25-54 years
- 43.9% (male 790,723/female 796,997)
- 55-64 years
- 12.9% (male 213,256/female 252,907)
- 65 years and over
- 10.7% (male 145,796/female 241,607) (2013 est.)
Birth rate
12.38 births/1,000 population (2013 est.)
Child labor - children ages 5-14
- 72,364 16 % (2009 est.)
- percentage
- 16 % (2009 est.)
- total number
- 72,364
Children under the age of 5 years underweight
3.2% (2005)
Contraceptive prevalence rate
67.8% (2005)
Death rate
12.61 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.)
Dependency ratios
- 38.8 % 23 % 15.8 % 6.3 (2013)
- elderly dependency ratio
- 15.8 %
- potential support ratio
- 6.3 (2013)
- total dependency ratio
- 38.8 %
- youth dependency ratio
- 23 %
Drinking water source
- urban: 99% of population rural: 93% of population total: 96% of population urban: 1% of population rural: 7% of population total: 4% of population (2010 est.)
- rural
- 7% of population
- total
- 4% of population (2010 est.)
- urban
- 1% of population
Education expenditures
8.6% of GDP (2011)
Ethnic groups
Moldovan/Romanian 78.2%, Ukrainian 8.4%, Russian 5.8%, Gagauz 4.4%, Bulgarian 1.9%, other 1.3% (2004 census) internal disputes with ethnic Slavs in the Transnistrian region
Health expenditures
11.4% of GDP (2011)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate
0.4% (2009 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths
fewer than 1,000 (2009 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS
12,000 (2009 est.)
Hospital bed density
6.2 beds/1,000 population (2011)
Infant mortality rate
- 13.28 deaths/1,000 live births 15.2 deaths/1,000 live births 11.25 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)
- female
- 11.25 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)
- total
- 13.28 deaths/1,000 live births
Languages
Moldovan (official, virtually the same as the Romanian language), Russian, Gagauz (a Turkish dialect)
Life expectancy at birth
- 69.82 years 65.95 years 73.94 years (2013 est.)
- female
- 73.94 years (2013 est.)
- total population
- 69.82 years
Literacy
- age 15 and over can read and write 99% 99.5% 98.5% (2011 est.)
- definition
- age 15 and over can read and write
- female
- 98.5% (2011 est.)
- male
- 99.5%
- total population
- 99%
Major urban areas - population
CHISINAU (capital) 650,000 (2009)
Maternal mortality rate
41 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)
Median age
- 35.4 years 33.5 years 37.4 years (2013 est.)
- female
- 37.4 years (2013 est.)
- male
- 33.5 years
- total
- 35.4 years
Mother's mean age at first birth
23.5 (2010 est.)
Nationality
- Moldovan(s) Moldovan
- adjective
- Moldovan
- noun
- Moldovan(s)
Net migration rate
-9.92 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate
21.2% (2008)
Physicians density
3.64 physicians/1,000 population (2011)
Population
3,619,925 (July 2013 est.)
Population growth rate
-1.02% (2013 est.)
Religions
Eastern Orthodox 98%, Jewish 1.5%, Baptist and other 0.5% (2000)
Sanitation facility access
- urban: 89% of population rural: 82% of population total: 85% of population urban: 11% of population rural: 18% of population total: 15% of population (2010 est.)
- rural
- 18% of population
- total
- 15% of population (2010 est.)
- urban
- 11% of population
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
- 12 years 12 years 12 years (2011)
- female
- 12 years (2011)
- male
- 12 years
- total
- 12 years
Sex ratio
- 1.06 male(s)/female 1.07 male(s)/female 1.06 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female 0.84 male(s)/female 0.6 male(s)/female 0.94 male(s)/female (2013 est.)
- 0-14 years
- 1.07 male(s)/female
- 15-24 years
- 1.06 male(s)/female
- 25-54 years
- 0.99 male(s)/female
- 55-64 years
- 0.84 male(s)/female
- 65 years and over
- 0.6 male(s)/female
- at birth
- 1.06 male(s)/female
- total population
- 0.94 male(s)/female (2013 est.)
Total fertility rate
1.55 children born/woman (2013 est.)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24
- 14.9% 14.2% 15.8% (2011)
- female
- 15.8% (2011)
- total
- 14.9%
Urbanization
- 47.7% of total population (2011) 0.79% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
- rate of urbanization
- 0.79% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
- urban population
- 47.7% of total population (2011)
Government
Administrative divisions
- 32 raions (raioane, singular - raion), 3 municipalities (municipii, singular - municipiul), 1 autonomous territorial unit (unitatea teritoriala autonoma), and 1 territorial unit (unitatea teritoriala) 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 Balti, Bender, Chisinau Gagauzia Stinga Nistrului (Transnistria)
- autonomous territorial unit
- Gagauzia
- municipalities
- Balti, Bender, Chisinau
- raions
- 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
- territorial unit
- Stinga Nistrului (Transnistria)
Capital
- Chisinau in Romanian (Kishinev in Russian) pronounced KEE-shee-now (KIH-shi-nyev) 47 00 N, 28 51 E UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
- daylight saving time
- +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
- geographic coordinates
- 47 00 N, 28 51 E
- name
- Chisinau in Romanian (Kishinev in Russian)
- time difference
- UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Constitution
previous 1978; latest adopted 29 July 1994, effective 27 August 1994; amended 2003 (2011)
Country name
- Republic of Moldova Moldova Republica Moldova Moldova Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic, Moldovan Soviet Socialist Republic
- 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
- Moldova
Diplomatic representation from the US
- Ambassador William H. MOSER (since 6 September 2011) 103 Mateevici Street, Chisinau MD-2009 use embassy street address [373] (22) 40-8300 [373] (22) 23-3044
- chief of mission
- Ambassador William H. MOSER (since 6 September 2011)
- embassy
- 103 Mateevici Street, Chisinau MD-2009
- FAX
- [373] (22) 23-3044
- mailing address
- use embassy street address
- telephone
- [373] (22) 40-8300
Diplomatic representation in the US
- Ambassador Igor MUNTEANU (since 7 September 2010) 2101 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 667-1130 [1] (202) 667-2624
- chancery
- 2101 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
- chief of mission
- Ambassador Igor MUNTEANU (since 7 September 2010)
- FAX
- [1] (202) 667-2624
- telephone
- [1] (202) 667-1130
Executive branch
- President Nicolae TIMOFTI (since 23 March 2012) Prime Minister Iurie LEANCA (since 25 April 2013; acting until 30 May 2013, sworn in on 31 May 2013) Cabinet selected by president, subject to approval of Parliament president elected by Parliament for a four-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 16 March 2012 (next to be held in March 2016); 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; the prime minister and Cabinet received a vote of confidence 30 May 2013 Nicolae TIMOFTI elected president; parliamentary votes - 62 of 101 votes Iurie LEANCA designated prime minister; parliamentary votes of confidence - 58 of 101
- cabinet
- Cabinet selected by president, subject to approval of Parliament
- chief of state
- President Nicolae TIMOFTI (since 23 March 2012)
- election results
- Nicolae TIMOFTI elected president; parliamentary votes - 62 of 101 votes Iurie LEANCA designated prime minister; parliamentary votes of confidence - 58 of 101
- elections
- president elected by Parliament for a four-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 16 March 2012 (next to be held in March 2016); 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; the prime minister and Cabinet received a vote of confidence 30 May 2013
- head of government
- Prime Minister Iurie LEANCA (since 25 April 2013; acting until 30 May 2013, sworn in on 31 May 2013)
Flag description
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 aurochs head, star, rose, and crescent all in black-outlined yellow; based on the color scheme of the flag of Romania - with which Moldova shares a history and culture - but Moldova's blue band is lighter; the reverse of the flag does not display any coat of arms one of only three national flags that differ on their obverse and reverse sides - the others are Paraguay and Saudi Arabia
Government type
republic
Independence
27 August 1991 (from the Soviet Union)
International law organization participation
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
International organization participation
BSEC, CD, CE, CEI, CIS, EAEC (observer), EAPC, EBRD, FAO, GCTU, GUAM, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), 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
Judicial branch
- Supreme Court of Justice (consists of a chief judges, 3 deputy-chief judges, 45 judges, and 7 assistant judges); Constitutional Court (consists of the court president and 6 judges) note - the Constitutional Court is autonomous to the other branches of government; the Court interprets the Constitution and reviews the constitutionality of parliamentary laws and decisions, decrees of the president, and acts of the government. Supreme Court of Justice judges appointed by Parliament upon the recommendation of the Supreme Council of the Magistracy; all judges serve 4-year renewable terms; Constitutional Court judges appointed 2 each by Parliament, the Moldovan president, and the Higher Council of Magistracy; court president elected by other court judges for a 3-year term; other judges appointed for 6-year terms Courts of Appeal; Court of Business Audit; municipal courts
- highest court(s)
- Supreme Court of Justice (consists of a chief judges, 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 Parliament upon the recommendation of the Supreme Council of the Magistracy; all judges serve 4-year renewable terms; Constitutional Court judges appointed 2 each by Parliament, the Moldovan president, and the Higher Council of Magistracy; court president elected by other court judges for a 3-year term; other judges appointed for 6-year terms
- subordinate courts
- Courts of Appeal; Court of Business Audit; municipal courts
Legal system
civil law system with Germanic law influences; Constitutional Court review of legislative acts
Legislative branch
- unicameral Parliament or Parlamentul (101 seats; members elected on an at-large basis by popular vote to serve four-year terms) last held on 28 November 2010 (next to be held in 2014); note - this was the third parliamentary election in less than two years; the earlier parliaments (elected 5 April 2009 and 29 July 2009) were dissolved after they could not agree on a presidential candidate percent of vote by party - PCRM 39.3%, PLDM 29.4%, PD 12.7%, PL 10%, other 8.6%; seats by party - PCRM 42, PLDM 32, PD 15, PL 12; note - in November of 2011, 3 legislators defected from the Communist Party (PCRM) and voted with the PLDM, PD, and PL governing coalition - termed the Alliance for European Integration (AEI) - to reach a 62-seat majority sufficient to elect a new president; the 3 former PCRM legislators are now aligned with the Party of Socialists, and in 2012 an additional 5 legislators defected from the PCRM; 1 PLDM legislator also defected and is independent
- election results
- percent of vote by party - PCRM 39.3%, PLDM 29.4%, PD 12.7%, PL 10%, other 8.6%; seats by party - PCRM 42, PLDM 32, PD 15, PL 12; note - in November of 2011, 3 legislators defected from the Communist Party (PCRM) and voted with the PLDM, PD, and PL governing coalition - termed the Alliance for European Integration (AEI) - to reach a 62-seat majority sufficient to elect a new president; the 3 former PCRM legislators are now aligned with the Party of Socialists, and in 2012 an additional 5 legislators defected from the PCRM; 1 PLDM legislator also defected and is independent
- elections
- last held on 28 November 2010 (next to be held in 2014); note - this was the third parliamentary election in less than two years; the earlier parliaments (elected 5 April 2009 and 29 July 2009) were dissolved after they could not agree on a presidential candidate
National anthem
- "Limba noastra" (Our Language) Alexei MATEEVICI/Alexandru CRISTEA adopted 1994
- lyrics/music
- Alexei MATEEVICI/Alexandru CRISTEA
- name
- "Limba noastra" (Our Language)
National holiday
Independence Day, 27 August (1991)
National symbol(s)
aurochs (a type of wild cattle)
Political parties and leaders
Communist Party of the Republic of Moldova or PCRM [Vladimir VORONIN] Democratic Party or PD [Marian LUPU] Liberal Democratic Party or PLDM [Vladimir FILAT] Liberal Party or PL [Mihai GHIMPU] Alliance for European Integration or AEI (coalition of the PD, PLDM, and PL) Christian Democratic People's Party or PPCD [Iurie ROSCA] Conservative Party or PC [Natalia NIRCA] Ecological Party of Moldova "Green Alliance" or PEMAVE [Vladimir BRAGA] European Action Movement or MAE [Veaceslav UNTILA] For Nation and Country Party or PpNT [Sergiu MOCANU] Humanist Party of Moldova or PUM [Valeriu PASAT] Labor Party or PM [Gheorghe SIMA] National Liberal Party or PNL [Vitalia PAVLICENKO] Party of Socialists or PSRM [Igor DODON] Patriots of Moldova Party or PPM [Mihail GARBUZ] Popular Republican Party or PPR [Nicolae ANDRONIC] Republican Party of Moldova or PRM [Andrei STRATAN] Roma Social Political Movement of the Republic of Moldova or MRRM [Ion BUCUR] Social Democratic Party or PSD [Victor SELIN] Social Political Movement "Equality" or MR [Valeriy KLIMENCO] United Moldova Party or PMUEM [Vladimir TURCAN]
Political pressure groups and leaders
NA
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Economy
Agriculture - products
vegetables, fruits, grapes, grain, sugar beets, sunflower seed, tobacco; beef, milk; wine
Budget
- $2.749 billion $2.9 billion (2012 est.)
- expenditures
- $2.9 billion (2012 est.)
- revenues
- $2.749 billion
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)
-2.1% of GDP (2012 est.)
Commercial bank prime lending rate
13.4% (31 December 2012 est.) 14.44% (31 December 2011 est.)
Current account balance
$-510.9 million (2012 est.) $-790.4 million (2011 est.)
Debt - external
$5.888 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $5.452 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
Distribution of family income - Gini index
38 (2008) 33.2 (2003)
Economy - overview
Moldova remains one of the poorest countries in Europe despite recent progress from its small economic base. With its moderate climate and good farmland, Moldova's economy relies heavily on its agriculture sector, featuring fruits, vegetables, wine, and tobacco. With few natural energy resources, Moldova imports almost all of its energy supplies from Russia and Ukraine. Moldova's dependence on Russian energy is underscored by an estimated $4.3 billion debt to Russian natural gas supplier Gazprom due largely to unreimbursed natural gas consumption in the separatist Transnistria region. Previous Russian decisions to ban Moldovan wine and agricultural products, coupled with their decision to double the price Moldova paid for Russian natural gas and the large debt continue to hamper economic growth. Moldova also depends heavily on the annual $1 billion in remittances from the estimated one million Moldovans working in Europe and former Soviet Bloc countries. During the global financial crisis in 2009, Moldova experienced a 6% contraction of its GDP, a shrinkage due to increased unemployment and decrease in remittances. To stabilize the country, the IMF allocated $186 million to Moldova to cover its immediate budgetary needs in the fall of 2009, and the Moldovan Government agreeing with the IMF to a new program worth $574 million. In 2010, an upturn in the world economy boosted GDP growth to about 7% and inflation to more than 7%. Economic reforms have been slow because of corruption and strong political forces backing government controls. Nevertheless, the government's primary goal of EU integration has resulted in some market-oriented progress. The granting of EU trade preferences has encouraged higher growth rates, but the agreements are unlikely to serve as a panacea, given the extent to which export success depends on higher quality standards and other factors. The economy had modest growth in 2011, expanding by 6.8%. However, in 2012, with the Euro crisis and a devastating drought, Moldova's GDP stalled at an estimated 0.3% growth over 2011. Moldova's economic future remains vulnerable to political uncertainty, weak administrative capacity, vested bureaucratic interests, higher fuel prices and the concerns of foreign investors as well as the presence of an illegal separatist regime in Moldova's Transnistria region.
Exchange rates
Moldovan lei (MDL) per US dollar - 12.19 (2012 est.) 11.79 (2011 est.) 12.37 (2010 est.) 11.11 (2009) 10.33 (2008)
Exports
$2.228 billion (2012 est.) $2.277 billion (2011 est.)
Exports - commodities
foodstuffs, textiles, machinery
Exports - partners
Russia 20.8%, Romania 19.8%, Italy 11.5%, Turkey 5.9%, Ukraine 5.4%, Germany 4.7% (2012)
Fiscal year
calendar year
GDP - composition, by end use
- 97.2% 22.3% 21.8% 1.5% 45.2% -88% (2012 est.)
- exports of goods and services
- 45.2%
- government consumption
- 22.3%
- household consumption
- 97.2%
- imports of goods and services
- -88%
- investment in fixed capital
- 21.8%
- investment in inventories
- 1.5%
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
- 13.1% 19.8% 67.1% (2012 est.)
- agriculture
- 13.1%
- industry
- 19.8%
- services
- 67.1% (2012 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP)
$3,400 (2012 est.) $3,400 (2011 est.) $3,200 (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars
GDP - real growth rate
-0.8% (2012 est.) 6.8% (2011 est.) 7.1% (2010 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate)
$7.154 billion (2012 est.)
GDP (purchasing power parity)
$12.03 billion (2012 est.) $12.12 billion (2011 est.) $11.35 billion (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars
Gross national saving
16.1% of GDP (2012 est.) 11.8% of GDP (2011 est.) 16.1% of GDP (2010 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share
- 3.3% 26% (2010 est.)
- highest 10%
- 26% (2010 est.)
- lowest 10%
- 3.3%
Imports
$5.152 billion (2012 est.) $5.147 billion (2011 est.)
Imports - commodities
mineral products and fuel, machinery and equipment, chemicals, textiles
Imports - partners
Ukraine 17.6%, Romania 16.6%, Germany 9.7%, Russia 8.2%, Italy 5.8%, Belarus 5.4%, Turkey 4.8%, Poland 4.6% (2012)
Industrial production growth rate
-3% (2012 est.)
Industries
sugar, vegetable oil, food processing, agricultural machinery; foundry equipment, refrigerators and freezers, washing machines; hosiery, shoes, textiles
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
4.5% (2012 est.) 7.6% (2011 est.)
Labor force
1.215 million (2012 est.)
Labor force - by occupation
- 27.5% 13.1% 59.4% (2011 est.)
- agriculture
- 27.5%
- industry
- 13.1%
- services
- 59.4% (2011 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares
$20.7 million (31 December 2010 est.) $22 million (31 December 2010)
Population below poverty line
21.9% (2010 est.)
Public debt
17.8% of GDP (2012 est.) 18.9% of GDP (2011 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
$2.515 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $1.965 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
Stock of broad money
$3.498 billion (31 December 2011 est.) $3.049 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad
$88.42 million (1 January 2012) $67.85 million (1 January 2010)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home
$3.224 billion (30 September 2012 est.) $3.17 billion (30 September 2011 est.)
Stock of domestic credit
$2.908 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $2.772 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
Stock of narrow money
$1.708 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $1.484 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
Taxes and other revenues
38.4% of GDP (2012 est.)
Unemployment rate
5.6% (2012 est.) 6.7% (2011 est.)
Energy
Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy
6.467 million Mt (2011 est.)
Crude oil - exports
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
Crude oil - imports
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
Crude oil - production
0 bbl/day (2011 est.)
Crude oil - proved reserves
0 bbl (1 January 2013 es)
Electricity - consumption
3.571 billion kWh (2011 est.)
Electricity - exports
0 kWh (2010 est.)
Electricity - from fossil fuels
88.4% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants
11.6% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
Electricity - from nuclear fuels
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
Electricity - from other renewable sources
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
Electricity - imports
3.145 billion kWh (2011 est.)
Electricity - installed generating capacity
552,000 kW (2010 est.)
Electricity - production
1.016 billion kWh (2011 est.)
Natural gas - consumption
1.095 billion cu m (2011 est.)
Natural gas - exports
0 cu m (2011 est.)
Natural gas - imports
2.11 billion cu m (2011 est.)
Natural gas - production
0 cu m (2011 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves
0 cu m (1 January 2013 es)
Refined petroleum products - consumption
18,060 bbl/day (2011 est.)
Refined petroleum products - exports
240.1 bbl/day (2010 est.)
Refined petroleum products - imports
16,200 bbl/day (2010 est.)
Refined petroleum products - production
412.5 bbl/day (2010 est.)
Communications
Broadcast media
state-owned national radio-TV broadcaster operates 2 TV and 2 radio stations; a total of nearly 40 terrestrial TV channels and some 50 radio stations are in operation; Russian and Romanian channels also are available (2007)
Internet country code
.md
Internet hosts
711,564 (2012)
Internet users
1.333 million (2009)
Telephone system
- poor service outside Chisinau; some modernization is under way multiple private operators of GSM mobile-cellular telephone service are operating; GPRS system is being introduced; a CDMA mobile telephone network began operations in 2007; combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity 100 per 100 persons country code - 373; service through Romania and Russia via landline; satellite earth stations - at least 3 (Intelsat, Eutelsat, and Intersputnik) (2011)
- domestic
- multiple private operators of GSM mobile-cellular telephone service are operating; GPRS system is being introduced; a CDMA mobile telephone network began operations in 2007; combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity 100 per 100 persons
- general assessment
- poor service outside Chisinau; some modernization is under way
- international
- country code - 373; service through Romania and Russia via landline; satellite earth stations - at least 3 (Intelsat, Eutelsat, and Intersputnik) (2011)
Telephones - main lines in use
1.206 million (2012)
Telephones - mobile cellular
4.08 million (2012)
Transportation
Airports
7 (2013)
Airports - with paved runways
- 2 (2013)
- 1,524 to 2,437 m
- 2 (2013)
- 2,438 to 3,047 m
- 2
- over 3,047 m
- 1
- total
- 5
Airports - with unpaved runways
- 1 (2013)
- 1,524 to 2,437 m
- 1
- total
- 2
Merchant marine
- bulk carrier 7, cargo 88, carrier 1, chemical tanker 3, passenger/cargo 7, petroleum tanker 2, refrigerated cargo 1, roll on/roll off 11, specialized tanker 1 63 (Bulgaria 1, Denmark 1, Egypt 5, Greece 1, Israel 2, Lebanon 1, Pakistan 1, Romania 2, Russia 5, Syria 5, Turkey 18, UK 3, Ukraine 14, Yemen 4) (2010)
- foreign-owned
- 63 (Bulgaria 1, Denmark 1, Egypt 5, Greece 1, Israel 2, Lebanon 1, Pakistan 1, Romania 2, Russia 5, Syria 5, Turkey 18, UK 3, Ukraine 14, Yemen 4) (2010)
- total
- 121
Pipelines
gas 1,906 km (2013)
Railways
- 1,190 km 1,176 km 1.520-m gauge 14 km 1.435-m gauge (2008)
- standard gauge
- 14 km 1.435-m gauge (2008)
- total
- 1,190 km
Roadways
- 9,352 km 8,835 km 517 km (2012)
- total
- 9,352 km
- unpaved
- 517 km (2012)
Waterways
558 km (in public use on Danube, Dniester and Prut rivers) (2011)
Military and Security
Manpower available for military service
- 1,143,440 1,156,958 (2010 est.)
- females age 16-49
- 1,156,958 (2010 est.)
- males age 16-49
- 1,143,440
Manpower fit for military service
- 875,224 969,903 (2010 est.)
- females age 16-49
- 969,903 (2010 est.)
- males age 16-49
- 875,224
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually
- 28,213 26,614 (2010 est.)
- female
- 26,614 (2010 est.)
- male
- 28,213
Military branches
- National Army: Land Forces Command, Air Forces Command (includes air defense unit), Logistics Command (2013)
- National Army
- Land Forces Command, Air Forces Command (includes air defense unit), Logistics Command (2013)
Military expenditures
0.4% of GDP (2005 est.)
Military service age and obligation
18 years of age for compulsory or voluntary military service; male registration required at age 16; 1-year service obligation (2012)
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international
Moldova and Ukraine operate joint customs posts to monitor the transit of people and commodities through Moldova's break-away Transnistria region, which remains under the auspices of an Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe-mandated peacekeeping mission comprised of Moldovan, Transnistrian, Russian, and Ukrainian troops
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
Refugees and internally displaced persons
- 1,998 (2012)
- stateless persons
- 1,998 (2012)