Moldova

A large portion of present-day Moldovan territory became a province of the Russian Empire in 1812 and then unified with Romania in 1918 in the aftermath of World War I. This territory was then incorporated into the Soviet Union at the close of World War II. Although Moldova has been independent from the Soviet Union since 1991, Russian forces have remained on Moldovan territory east of the Nistru River in the breakaway region of Transnistria.

Years of Communist Party rule in Moldova from 2001 to 2009 ultimately ended with election-related violent protests and a rerun of parliamentary elections in 2009. A series of pro-Europe ruling coalitions governed Moldova from 2010 to 2019, but pro-Russia candidate Igor DODON won the presidency in 2016, and his Socialist Party of the Republic of Moldova won a plurality in the legislative election in 2019. Pro-EU reformist candidate Maia SANDU defeated DODON in his reelection bid in 2020, and SANDU’s Party of Action and Solidarity won a parliamentary majority in an early legislative election in 2021. Prime Minister Natalia GAVRILITA and her cabinet took office in 2021. In early 2023, Moldova’s parliament confirmed a new cabinet led by Prime Minister Dorin RECEAN, which retained the majority of the former ministers.TipVisit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.Definitions and Notes

Geography

Location

Eastern Europe, northeast of Romania

Geographic coordinates

47 00 N, 29 00 E

Map references

Europe

Area

total : 33,851 sq km

land: 32,891 sq km

water: 960 sq km

comparison ranking: total 139

Area – comparative

slightly larger than Maryland

Area comparison map:

Land boundaries

total: 1,885 km

border countries (2): Romania 683 km; Ukraine 1202 km

Coastline

0 km (landlocked)

Maritime claims

none (landlocked)

Climate

moderate winters, warm summers

Terrain

rolling steppe, gradual slope south to Black Sea

Elevation

highest point: Dealul Balanesti 430 m

lowest point: Dniester (Nistru) 2 m

mean elevation: 139 m

Natural resources

lignite, phosphorites, gypsum, limestone, arable land

Land use

agricultural land: 69.3% (2022 est.)

arable land: 52.4% (2022 est.)

permanent crops: 6.7% (2022 est.)

permanent pasture: 10.2% (2022 est.)

forest: 11.8% (2022 est.)

other: 18.9% (2022 est.)

Irrigated land

2,150 sq km (2022)

Major rivers (by length in km)

Dunărea (Danube) (shared with Germany [s], Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Ukraine, and Romania [m]) – 2,888 km; Nistru (Dniester) (shared with Ukraine [s/m]) – 1,411 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth

Major watersheds (area sq km)

Atlantic Ocean drainage: (Black Sea) Danube (795,656 sq km)

Population distribution

pockets of agglomeration exist throughout the country, with the largest in the center of the country around the capital of Chisinau, followed by Tiraspol and Balti

Natural hazards

landslides

Geography – note

landlocked; has many types of sedimentary rocks and minerals, including sand, gravel, gypsum, and limestone

People and Society

Population

total: 3,599,528 (2024 est.)

male: 1,698,249

female: 1,901,279

comparison rankings: total 132; female 131; male 134

Nationality

noun: Moldovan(s)

adjective: Moldovan

Ethnic groups

Moldovan 75.1%, Romanian 7%, Ukrainian 6.6%, Gagauz 4.6%, Russian 4.1%, Bulgarian 1.9%, other 0.8% (2014 est.)

Languages

Moldovan/Romanian 80.2% (official) (56.7% Moldovan; 23.5% Romanian), Russian 9.7%, Gagauz 4.2% (a Turkish language), Ukrainian 3.9%, Bulgarian 1.5%, Romani 0.3%, other 0.2% (2014)

major-language sample(s):
Cartea informativa a lumii, sursa indispensabila pentru informatii de baza. (Moldovan/Romanian)

The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.

note: data represent mother tongue; as of March 2023, “Romanian” replaced “Moldovan” as the name of Moldova’s official language

Moldovan/Romanian audio sample:

Religions

Orthodox 90.1%, other Christian 2.6%, other 0.1%, agnostic <0.1%, atheist 0.2%, unspecified 6.9% (2014 est.)

Age structure

0-14 years: 14.8% (male 266,493/female 266,166)

15-64 years: 70.2% (male 1,225,535/female 1,300,640)

65 years and over: 15% (2024 est.) (male 206,221/female 334,473)

2024 population pyramid:

Dependency ratios

total dependency ratio: 42.5 (2024 est.)

youth dependency ratio: 21.1 (2024 est.)

elderly dependency ratio: 21.4 (2024 est.)

potential support ratio: 4.7 (2024 est.)

Median age

total: 39.9 years (2024 est.)

male: 38.6 years

female: 41.3 years

comparison ranking: total 63

Population growth rate

-0.58% (2024 est.)

comparison ranking: 224

Birth rate

8.4 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)

comparison ranking: 208

Death rate

14.2 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)

comparison ranking: 8

Net migration rate

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)

comparison ranking: 81

Population distribution

pockets of agglomeration exist throughout the country, with the largest in the center of the country around the capital of Chisinau, followed by Tiraspol and Balti

Urbanization

urban population: 43.4% of total population (2023)

rate of urbanization: 0.09% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Major urban areas – population

488,000 CHISINAU (capital) (2023)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.62 male(s)/female

total population: 0.89 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

Mother’s mean age at first birth

25.2 years (2019 est.)

Maternal mortality ratio

19 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)

comparison ranking: 124

Infant mortality rate

total: 13.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)

male: 16 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 11.5 deaths/1,000 live births

comparison ranking: total 102

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 70.1 years (2024 est.)

male: 66.1 years

female: 74.4 years

comparison ranking: total population 179

Total fertility rate

1.26 children born/woman (2024 est.)

comparison ranking: 221

Gross reproduction rate

0.61 (2024 est.)

Drinking water source

improved:

urban: 97.7% of population (2022 est.)

rural: 87.7% of population (2022 est.)

total: 92% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved:

urban: 2.3% of population (2022 est.)

rural: 12.3% of population (2022 est.)

total: 8% of population (2022 est.)

Health expenditure

7.8% of GDP (2021)

12.3% of national budget (2022 est.)

Physician density

4.02 physicians/1,000 population (2023)

Hospital bed density

5.7 beds/1,000 population (2021 est.)

Sanitation facility access

improved:

urban: 98.7% of population (2022 est.)

rural: 82.9% of population (2022 est.)

total: 89.7% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved:

urban: 1.3% of population (2022 est.)

rural: 17.1% of population (2022 est.)

total: 10.3% of population (2022 est.)

Obesity – adult prevalence rate

18.9% (2016)

comparison ranking: 113

Alcohol consumption per capita

total: 7.45 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

beer: 1.53 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

wine: 3.57 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

spirits: 2.25 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

other alcohols: 0.1 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

comparison ranking: total 54

Tobacco use

total: 28.7% (2025 est.)

male: 54.2% (2025 est.)

female: 6.4% (2025 est.)

comparison ranking: total 26

Currently married women (ages 15-49)

67% (2023 est.)

Education expenditure

6.6% of GDP (2023 est.)

15.9% national budget (2023 est.)

comparison ranking: Education expenditure (% GDP) 21

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 15 years (2023 est.)

male: 15 years (2023 est.)

female: 15 years (2023 est.)

Environment

Environmental issues

soil and water pollution from heavy use of agricultural chemicals; extensive soil erosion and declining soil fertility from farming methods

International environmental agreements

party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Heavy Metals, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Multi-effect Protocol

Climate

moderate winters, warm summers

Land use

Urbanization

urban population: 43.4% of total population (2023)

rate of urbanization: 0.09% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions

7.093 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

from coal and metallurgical coke: 219,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

from petroleum and other liquids: 3.087 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

from consumed natural gas: 3.786 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

comparison ranking: total emissions 123

Particulate matter emissions

12.3 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)

Waste and recycling

municipal solid waste generated annually: 3,981,200 tons (2015 est.)

municipal solid waste recycled annually: 609,920 tons (2015 est.)

percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 15.3% (2015 est.)

Total water withdrawal

municipal: 160 million cubic meters (2020 est.)

industrial: 580 million cubic meters (2020 est.)

agricultural: 60 million cubic meters (2020 est.)

Total renewable water resources

12.27 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)

Government

Country name

conventional long form: Republic of Moldova

conventional short form: Moldova

local long form: Republica Moldova

local short form: Moldova

former: Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic, Moldovan Soviet Socialist Republic

etymology: named for the Moldova River in neighboring eastern Romania; the river’s name probably comes from the Indoeuropean root word mel, meaning “dark” or “black”

Government type

parliamentary republic

Capital

name: Chisinau in Romanian (Kishinev in Russian)

geographic coordinates: 47 00 N, 28 51 E

time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

etymology: origin unclear but may derive from the Old Moldovan word kishineu (“spring” or “artesian well”)

note: pronounced KEE-shee-now (KIH-shi-nyov)

Administrative divisions

32 districts (raioane, singular – raion), 3 municipalities (municipii, singular – municipiul), 1 autonomous territorial unit (unitatea teritoriala autonoma), and 1 territorial unit (unitatea teritoriala)

districts: 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 (Transnistria)

Legal system

civil law system with Germanic law influences; Constitutional Court reviews legislative acts

Constitution

history: previous 1978; latest adopted 29 July 1994, effective 27 August 1994

amendment process: proposed by voter petition (at least 200,000 eligible voters), by at least one third of Parliament members, or by the government; passage requires two-thirds majority vote of Parliament within one year of initial proposal; revisions to constitutional articles on sovereignty, independence, and neutrality require majority vote by referendum; articles on fundamental rights and freedoms cannot be amended

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Citizenship

citizenship by birth: no

citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Moldova

dual citizenship recognized: no

residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch

chief of state: President Maia SANDU (since 24 December 2020)

head of government: Prime Minister Dorin RECEAN (since 16 February 2023)

cabinet: Cabinet proposed by the prime minister-designate, nominated by the president, approved through a vote of confidence in Parliament

election/appointment process: president directly elected for a 4-year term (eligible for a second term); prime minister designated by the president in consultation with Parliament; within 15 days from designation, the prime minister-designate must request a vote of confidence for his/her proposed work program from the Parliament

most recent election date: 3 November 2024

election results:
2024: In the second round of presidential elections, incumbent Maia SANDU (PAS) wins 55.4% of the vote, Alexandr STOIANOGLO (PSRM) 44.6; turnout is 54.3%

2020: Maia SANDU elected president in second round; percent of vote in second round – Maia SANDU (PAS) 57.7%, Igor DODON (PSRM) 42.3%

2016: Igor DODON elected president in second round; percent of vote – Igor DODON (PSRM) 52.1%, Maia SANDU (PAS) 47.9%

expected date of next election: 2028

Legislative branch

legislature name: Parliament (Parlament)

legislative structure: unicameral

number of seats: 101 (all directly elected)

electoral system: proportional representation

scope of elections: full renewal

term in office: 4 years

most recent election date: 7/11/2021

parties elected and seats per party: Action and Solidarity Party (PAS) (63); Electoral Bloc of Communists and Socialists (BECS) (32); Șor Party (PPȘ) (6)

percentage of women in chamber: 40%

expected date of next election: September 2025

Judicial branch

highest court(s): Supreme Court of Justice (consists of the chief judge, 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 the president on the recommendation of the Superior Council of Magistracy, an 11-member body of judicial officials; all judges serve 4-year renewable terms; Constitutional Court judges appointed 2 each by Parliament, the president, and the Higher Council of Magistracy for 6-year terms; court president elected by other court judges for a 3-year term

subordinate courts: Courts of Appeal; Court of Business Audit; municipal courts

note: the Constitutional Court is autonomous; it interprets the Constitution and reviews the constitutionality of parliamentary laws and decisions, decrees of the president, and acts of the government

Political parties

Bloc of Communists and Socialists or BCS
Party of Action and Solidarity or PAS

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Viorel URSU (since 12 December 2022)

chancery: 2101 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 667-1130

FAX: [1] (202) 667-2624

email address and website:
[email protected]

https://sua.mfa.gov.md/en

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d’Affaires Daniela DIPIERRO (since June 2024)

embassy: 103 Mateevici Street, Chisinau MD-2009

mailing address: 7080 Chisinau Place, Washington DC 20521-7080

telephone: [373] (22) 408-300

FAX: [373] (22) 233-044

email address and website:
[email protected]

https://md.usembassy.gov/

International organization participation

BSEC, CD, CE, CEI, CIS, EAEU (observer), EAPC, EBRD, FAO, GCTU, GUAM, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICCt, 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

note: Moldova is an EU candidate country whose satisfactory completion of accession criteria is required before being granted full EU membership

Independence

27 August 1991 (from the Soviet Union)

National holiday

Independence Day, 27 August (1991)

Flag description

three equal vertical bands of Prussian blue (hoist side), chrome yellow, and vermilion red; emblem in center of flag is a Roman eagle of dark gold outlined in black, with a red beak and talons; the eagle carries a yellow cross in its beak, a green olive branch in its right talons, and a yellow scepter in its left talons; on the eagle’s breast is a red-and-blue shield divided horizontally, with a stylized aurochs head, star, rose, and crescent in black and outlined yellow; colors are based on the Romanian flag, but Moldova’s blue band is lighter; the reverse of the flag displays a mirror image of the coat of arms

note: one of three national flags that differ on their obverse and reverse sides — the others are Paraguay and Saudi Arabia

National symbol(s)

aurochs (type of wild cattle)

National color(s)

blue, yellow, red

National anthem(s)

title: “Limba noastra” (Our Tongue)

lyrics/music: Alexei MATEEVICI/Alexandru CRISTEA

history: adopted 1994; originally a 12-verse poem, but only stanzas 1, 2, 5, 9, and 12 are included in the anthem

National heritage

total World Heritage Sites: 1 (cultural)

selected World Heritage Site locales: Struve Geodetic Arc

Economy

Economic overview

upper middle-income Eastern European economy; sustained growth reversed by COVID-19; significant remittances; Russian energy and regional dependence; agricultural exporter; declining workforce due to emigration and low fertility

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

$39.342 billion (2024 est.)
$39.301 billion (2023 est.)
$38.835 billion (2022 est.)

note: data in 2021 dollars

comparison ranking: 138

Real GDP growth rate

0.1% (2024 est.)
1.2% (2023 est.)
-4.6% (2022 est.)

note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

comparison ranking: 191

Real GDP per capita

$16,500 (2024 est.)
$16,000 (2023 est.)
$15,400 (2022 est.)

note: data in 2021 dollars

comparison ranking: 116

GDP (official exchange rate)

$18.2 billion (2024 est.)

note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

4.7% (2024 est.)
13.4% (2023 est.)
28.7% (2022 est.)

note: annual % change based on consumer prices

comparison ranking: 140

GDP – composition, by sector of origin

agriculture: 7.1% (2024 est.)

industry: 16.8% (2024 est.)

services: 62.3% (2024 est.)

note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data

comparison rankings: services 74; industry 156; agriculture 92

GDP – composition, by end use

household consumption: 86.8% (2024 est.)

government consumption: 17.9% (2024 est.)

investment in fixed capital: 20% (2024 est.)

investment in inventories: 1.1% (2024 est.)

exports of goods and services: 31.4% (2024 est.)

imports of goods and services: -57.3% (2024 est.)

note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection

Agricultural products

wheat, maize, sunflower seeds, grapes, apples, sugar beets, barley, milk, rapeseed, potatoes (2023)

note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage

Industries

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

Industrial production growth rate

3.3% (2024 est.)

note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

comparison ranking: 74

Labor force

1.358 million (2024 est.)

note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work

comparison ranking: 139

Unemployment rate

1.5% (2024 est.)
1.6% (2023 est.)
0.9% (2022 est.)

note: % of labor force seeking employment

comparison ranking: 10

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)

total: 3.3% (2024 est.)

male: 3.4% (2024 est.)

female: 3.3% (2024 est.)

note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment

comparison ranking: total 178

Population below poverty line

31.1% (2022 est.)

note: % of population with income below national poverty line

Gini Index coefficient – distribution of family income

25.9 (2022 est.)

note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality

comparison ranking: 149

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 4.5% (2022 est.)

highest 10%: 22.5% (2022 est.)

note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population

Remittances

10.5% of GDP (2024 est.)
12% of GDP (2023 est.)
14% of GDP (2022 est.)

note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities

Budget

revenues: $4.487 billion (2022 est.)

expenditures: $4.684 billion (2022 est.)

note: central government revenues (excluding grants) and expenses converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated

Public debt

34.3% of GDP (2023 est.)

note: central government debt as a % of GDP

comparison ranking: 155

Taxes and other revenues

18.6% (of GDP) (2023 est.)

note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP

comparison ranking: 59

Current account balance

-$2.917 billion (2024 est.)
-$1.893 billion (2023 est.)
-$2.482 billion (2022 est.)

note: balance of payments – net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars

comparison ranking: 158

Exports

$5.717 billion (2024 est.)
$5.866 billion (2023 est.)
$5.981 billion (2022 est.)

note: balance of payments – exports of goods and services in current dollars

comparison ranking: 137

Exports – partners

Romania 31%, Ukraine 13%, Italy 6%, Germany 6%, Czechia 4% (2023)

note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports

Exports – commodities

insulated wire, garments, refined petroleum, seed oils, wheat (2023)

note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars

Imports

$10.418 billion (2024 est.)
$9.84 billion (2023 est.)
$10.265 billion (2022 est.)

note: balance of payments – imports of goods and services in current dollars

comparison ranking: 120

Imports – partners

Romania 16%, Ukraine 13%, China 11%, Turkey 8%, Germany 7% (2023)

note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports

Imports – commodities

refined petroleum, natural gas, cars, packaged medicine, plastic products (2023)

note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$5.484 billion (2024 est.)
$5.453 billion (2023 est.)
$4.474 billion (2022 est.)

note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars

comparison ranking: 95

Debt – external

$2.637 billion (2023 est.)

note: present value of external debt in current US dollars

comparison ranking: 90

Exchange rates

Moldovan lei (MDL) per US dollar –

Exchange rates:
17.792 (2024 est.)
18.164 (2023 est.)
18.897 (2022 est.)
17.68 (2021 est.)
17.322 (2020 est.)

Energy

Electricity access

electrification – total population: 100% (2022 est.)

Electricity

installed generating capacity: 779,000 kW (2023 est.)

consumption: 5.674 billion kWh (2023 est.)

exports: 94 million kWh (2023 est.)

imports: 1.264 billion kWh (2023 est.)

transmission/distribution losses: 550.069 million kWh (2023 est.)

comparison rankings: transmission/distribution losses 84; imports 73; exports 90; consumption 127; installed generating capacity 141

Electricity generation sources

fossil fuels: 88% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

solar: 1.7% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

wind: 3.8% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

hydroelectricity: 6.3% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

biomass and waste: 0.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Coal

consumption: 90,000 metric tons (2023 est.)

imports: 86,000 metric tons (2023 est.)

Petroleum

refined petroleum consumption: 22,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)

Natural gas

production: 10,000 cubic meters (2021 est.)

consumption: 2.223 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)

imports: 2.223 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)

Energy consumption per capita

35.686 million Btu/person (2023 est.)

comparison ranking: 108

Communications

Telephones – fixed lines

total subscriptions: 847,000 (2023 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 28 (2023 est.)

comparison ranking: total subscriptions 74

Telephones – mobile cellular

total subscriptions: 4.01 million (2023 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 127 (2022 est.)

comparison ranking: total subscriptions 136

Broadcast media

state-owned national radio-TV broadcaster operates 1 TV and 1 radio station; total of nearly 70 terrestrial TV channels and about 50 radio stations; Russian and Romanian channels are available (2019)

Internet country code

.md

Internet users

percent of population: 80% (2023 est.)

Broadband – fixed subscriptions

total: 841,000 (2023 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 27 (2023 est.)

comparison ranking: total 82

Transportation

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

Airports

10 (2025)

comparison ranking: 160

Heliports

1 (2025)

comparison ranking: 165

Railways

total: 1,171 km (2014)

standard gauge: 14 km (2014) 1.435-m gauge

broad gauge: 1,157 km (2014) 1.520-m gauge

Merchant marine

total: 75 (2023)

by type: bulk carrier 1, container ship 1, general cargo 44, oil tanker 7, other 22

comparison ranking: total 102

Military and Security

Military and security forces

Armed Forces of the Republic of Moldova (Forțele Armate ale Republicii Moldova): National Army (comprised of Land Forces, Air Force)

Ministry of Internal Affairs: General Inspectorate of Police (GPI), Border Police Department, Carabinieri Troops Department (2025)

note: the Carabinieri is a quasi-militarized gendarmerie responsible for protecting public buildings, maintaining public order, and other national security functions; the GPI is the primary law enforcement body, responsible for internal security, public order, traffic, and criminal investigations

Military expenditures

0.6% of GDP (2024 est.)
0.6% of GDP (2023 est.)
0.4% of GDP (2022 est.)
0.4% of GDP (2021 est.)
0.4% of GDP (2020 est.)

Military and security service personnel strengths

approximately 6,500 Moldovan Armed Forces (2025)

Military equipment inventories and acquisitions

the military’s inventory is limited and almost entirely comprised of Soviet-era equipment; in recent years, it has received donated equipment from Western European nations and the US (2024)

Military service age and obligation

18-27 years of age for compulsory or voluntary military service; male registration required at age 16; 12-month service obligation (2024)

note: as of 2024, women made up about 23% of the military’s full-time personnel

Military – note

the National Army is responsible for defense against external aggression, suppressing illegal military violence along the state border or inside the country, and supporting other internal security forces in maintaining public order if necessary; its primary focuses are Transnistrian separatist forces and their Russian backers; the 1992 war between Moldovan forces and the Transnistrian separatists backed by Russian troops ended with a cease-fire; the separatists maintain several armed paramilitary combat units, plus other security forces and reserves; Russia maintains approximately 1,500 troops in the breakaway region, including some Transnistrian locals who serve as Russian troops; some of those troops are under the authority of a peacekeeping force known as a Joint Control Commission that also includes Moldovan and separatist personnel, while the remainder of the Russian contingent guard a depot of Soviet-era ammunition and train separatist forces

Moldova is constitutionally neutral but has maintained a relationship with NATO since 1992 and since 2022 has enhanced bilateral security cooperation with some NATO members; it has contributed small numbers of troops to NATO’s Kosovo Force (KFOR) since 2014, and a civilian NATO liaison office was established in Moldova in 2017 at the request of the Moldovan Government to promote practical cooperation and facilitate support; in 2024, Moldova signed a security and defense partnership agreement with the EU; it maintains close security relations with Romania, a member of the EU and NATO (2025)