Moldova
Moldova is a landlocked parliamentary republic in Eastern Europe, situated between Romania and Ukraine. Current estimates place the population at approximately 2.3 million people, with a GDP per capita of 7,592 USD. The nation is known for its rolling hills and a history deeply rooted in Eastern European traditions.
Where is Moldova?
Moldova
- Continent
- Europe
- Country
- Moldova
- Coordinates
- 47.00°, 29.00°
Population Details
- Population
- 2.3M
- Area
- 33,847 km²
- Density per km²
- 68 / km²
- Growth rate
- -2.28%
- Annual growth
- -52.4K people
- Daily growth
- -143.48 people
- World population share
- 0.03%
Population & Social Snapshot
Age structure, urbanization, and benchmark indicators for Moldova
Age Distribution
Urbanization
Health & Education Benchmarks
Quick Facts
- Capital
- Chișinău
- Region
- Europe
- Area
- 33,847 km²
- Languages
- Romanian
- Currency
- Moldovan leu (L)
- Timezones
- UTC+02:00
- UN Member
- Yes
Economy
The nation's economy is characterized by a GDP per capita of 7,592 USD, which ranks 114th globally and 45th within Europe. Recent data shows a modest annual GDP growth of 0.1%, while the unemployment rate is notably low at 1.5%, ranking 177th globally for the largest unemployment rate. Traditionally driven by agriculture and wine production, the economy relies heavily on fertile arable land. Moldova ranks 135th globally for total GDP and 3rd in Eastern Europe for GDP per capita.
Society
Social indicators show a high adult literacy rate of 99.4%, which ranks 22nd globally. Life expectancy at birth stands at 71.3 years, placing the country 142nd in the global ranking. Approximately 77.4% of the population are internet users, a figure that ranks 115th globally. Despite these social strengths, the country faces significant demographic challenges, characterized by a current annual population growth rate of -2.3%.
Climate & Environment
Moldova experiences a moderate continental climate, featuring warm summers and relatively mild winters. Average summer temperatures often reach 25 °C (77 °F), while winter conditions are influenced by its proximity to the Black Sea. The landscape consists mostly of rolling hills and plains, with the highest point at Dealul Balanesti reaching 430 m (1,411 ft).
Government & Politics
- Government Type
- Parliamentary republic
- Independence
- 1991-08-27 (Soviet Union)
Moldova is a parliamentary republic where the Prime Minister serves as the head of government and holds executive power, while the President acts as the head of state. The legislative branch consists of a unicameral parliament with 101 seats, whose members are elected by popular vote every four years. Following its independence from the Soviet Union on 27 August 1991, the nation established a multi-party system and a legal framework based on a civil law system. The capital, Chișinău, is the center of political life and administration. The judiciary includes a Constitutional Court that ensures the adherence of laws to the national constitution. In recent years, the government has focused on judicial reform and anti-corruption initiatives as part of its strategic goal to achieve full membership in the European Union. The country maintains a policy of permanent neutrality, which is enshrined in its constitution, although it actively participates in international organizations and is a member of the United Nations.
History
The history of Moldova is defined by its location at the crossroads of Latin and Slavic cultures. During the Middle Ages, the Principality of Moldavia emerged as a significant power, most notably under the leadership of Stephen the Great, who successfully defended the territory against the Ottoman Empire. In 1812, the eastern part of the principality, known as Bessarabia, was annexed by the Russian Empire. After the collapse of the Russian Empire following World War I, the region voted to unite with Romania in 1918. This union lasted until 1940, when the Soviet Union occupied the territory and established the Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic. For the next five decades, the region underwent significant social and industrial transformation under Soviet rule. As the Soviet Union began to dissolve, Moldova declared its sovereignty in 1990 and eventually its full independence on 27 August 1991. The early years of statehood were complicated by a conflict in the Transnistria region, which resulted in a ceasefire in 1992 and remains a frozen conflict. Since the 1990s, Moldova has moved toward democratic consolidation and a market-oriented economy. Modern history is characterized by a strong push for European integration, culminating in the country being granted EU candidate status.
Notable Facts
- Moldova is home to Mileștii Mici, which houses the world's largest wine collection in underground tunnels spanning nearly 200 km (124 mi).
- The highest geographical point in the country is Dealul Balanesti at 430 m (1,411 ft), while the lowest elevation is just 2 m (7 ft) along the Dniester River.
- Romanian is the official language of the country, spoken by a majority of the population which includes approximately 75.1% ethnic Moldovans and 7% ethnic Romanians.
- Orthodox Christianity is the dominant religion, practiced by 90.1% of the population, influencing many national traditions and holidays.
- The Orheiul Vechi archaeological complex features an ancient cave monastery carved into limestone cliffs, representing a unique historical and cultural landmark.
Geography
- Highest Point
- Dealul Balanesti (430 m)
- Lowest Point
- Dniester (Nistru) River (2 m)
- Coastline
- 0 km
Major Cities
Largest Cities in MoldovaExplore weather and climate data for cities in Moldova
Climate & Weather
View full climate guideMonthly averages for Chișinău
| Month | Temp | Feels Like | Rain | Sun | Humidity | Status | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 4°C / -2°C | 0°C / -6°C | 5days (21 mm) Good | 4.8h Fair | 82% Humid | Poor | View Details |
| February | 6°C / -1°C | 3°C / -5°C | 5days (17 mm) Good | 6.9h Fair | 74% Muggy | Poor | View Details |
| March | 11°C / 2°C | 7°C / -2°C | 8days (34 mm) Wet | 7.9h Good | 66% Muggy | Poor | View Details |
| April | 16°C / 6°C | 13°C / 2°C | 8days (53 mm) Wet | 9.7h Good | 62% Muggy | Fair | View Details |
| May | 21°C / 10°C | 19°C / 8°C | 9days (52 mm) Wet | 11.4h Excellent | 63% Muggy | Good | View Details |
| June best | 27°C / 16°C | 27°C / 16°C | 9days (46 mm) Wet | 12.8h Excellent | 64% Muggy | Excellent | View Details |
| July best | 30°C / 18°C | 31°C / 18°C | 7days (45 mm) Good | 13h Excellent | 58% Moderate | Excellent | View Details |
| August best | 30°C / 17°C | 30°C / 17°C | 5days (23 mm) Good | 12.8h Excellent | 57% Moderate | Excellent | View Details |
| September best | 24°C / 13°C | 23°C / 12°C | 7days (42 mm) Good | 9.8h Good | 62% Muggy | Excellent | View Details |
| October best | 17°C / 8°C | 15°C / 5°C | 5days (34 mm) Good | 7.3h Good | 72% Muggy | Excellent | View Details |
| November | 10°C / 3°C | 7°C / 0°C | 7days (44 mm) Good | 4.2h Fair | 83% Humid | Poor | View Details |
| December | 5°C / 0°C | 1°C / -4°C | 8days (30 mm) Wet | 2.9h Poor | 87% Very Muggy | Poor | View Details |
Temperature
Line chart showing monthly temperatures. Jan: 4°C / -2°C . Feb: 6°C / -1°C . Mar: 11°C / 2°C . Apr: 16°C / 6°C . May: 21°C / 10°C . Jun: 27°C / 16°C . Jul: 30°C / 18°C . Aug: 30°C / 17°C . Sep: 24°C / 13°C . Oct: 17°C / 8°C . Nov: 10°C / 3°C . Dec: 5°C / 0°C .
Rainfall
Bar chart showing monthly rainfall. Jan: 21 mm. Feb: 17 mm. Mar: 34 mm. Apr: 53 mm. May: 52 mm. Jun: 46 mm. Jul: 45 mm. Aug: 23 mm. Sep: 42 mm. Oct: 34 mm. Nov: 44 mm. Dec: 30 mm.
Frequently Asked Questions
The population of Moldova is approximately 2.3M (2024).
The capital of Moldova is Chișinău.
Moldova's GDP per capita is $7.6K (2024).
Life expectancy in Moldova is 71.33 years (2024).
Moldova covers 33,847 km² (13,068 sq mi).
Moldova has a moderate population density of 68 people per km², close to the global average of 60.
Moldova's population is shrinking at 2.3% per year — one of the few countries seeing sustained decline.
Based on GDP per capita, Moldova falls in the upper-middle GDP-per-person tier at $7.6K. Official World Bank income groups use Atlas-method GNI per capita, so this is a GDP-based comparison rather than an official income-group label.
Moldova reports a low intentional homicide rate of 2.5 per 100,000 people, below the global average.
The official language of Moldova is Romanian.
Moldova uses the Moldovan leu (L) as its sole official currency.
The best months to visit Moldova are June, July, August, September, October, based on climate data for the capital.
Recent estimates indicate that the population of Moldova is approximately 2.3 million people. The country currently ranks 144th globally in terms of population size and is the 30th most populous nation in Europe. It experiences a negative annual population growth rate of approximately 2.3% according to the latest demographic data.
Moldova has a total GDP that ranks 135th globally. Its GDP per capita is currently estimated at 7,592 USD, which ranks 114th in the world and 45th in Europe. The economy has seen a recent annual growth rate of 0.1%, with an unemployment rate of 1.5% according to latest statistics.
Romanian is the official language of Moldova, spoken by the vast majority of the population. In terms of religious affiliation, approximately 90.1% of citizens identify as Orthodox. Other groups include various Christian denominations making up 2.6% of the population, alongside small communities of agnostics and atheists.
Moldova maintains a very high adult literacy rate of 99.4%, which ranks 22nd globally. This high level of basic education is a significant social asset for the country. Recent data also shows that 77.4% of the population are internet users, reflecting a growing digital infrastructure that ranks 115th in the world.
Yes, Moldova is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe, bordered by Romania to the west and Ukraine to the north, east, and south. It covers a total area of 33,847 km² (13,068 sq mi). The nation has no coastline, with its lowest point located along the Dniester River at 2 m (7 ft).
Chișinău is the capital and largest city of Moldova, serving as the country's economic and cultural hub. It is located in the central part of the nation at coordinates 47.01 latitude and 28.9 longitude. The city oversees a country with a population density currently estimated at 79.7 people per km² (206 per sq mi).
The estimated 2026 population of Moldova is approximately 2.29 million people. This figure is based on a current annual growth rate of -2.28%, applied to the latest official 2024 data which recorded 2,402,306 residents. The population has been steadily declining due to high emigration and a natural decrease.
The latest ranking places Moldova at global 144 of 215 countries. Within its specific region, it is ranked 30th of 47 countries in Europe and 4th of 4 in Eastern Europe. This reflects its status as one of the smaller nations in the European continent by total population.
The population of Moldova is currently shrinking at an annual rate of -2.28%. Recent estimates indicate a net population change of approximately -150 people every day. This rapid decline is caused by a combination of more deaths than births and a significant number of people moving abroad for work.
The current estimated 2026 population density is 79.7 people per km² (206.4 people per sq mi). This is a decrease from the latest official 2023 density of 85.4 people per km² (221.2 people per sq mi), following the overall downward trend in the national population total over recent years.
According to recent figures, the fertility rate in Moldova is 1.73 births per woman. This is below the replacement level of 2.1, which contributes to the natural population decline. The latest ranking for fertility places Moldova at 124th of 215 countries globally, indicating a moderate but insufficient birth rate.
Currently, 43.5% of the Moldovan population is urban, which is relatively low for the European region. The urbanization rank is global 164 of 215. Most of the urban population is concentrated in Chișinău, while a larger percentage of the total population remains in rural areas and agricultural villages.
Recent data suggests that Moldova experiences approximately 70 births and 91 deaths every day. When factoring in migration and other demographic shifts, the estimated net population change is a loss of 150 people per day. These vitals illustrate the ongoing demographic crisis and the challenge of a shrinking population.
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