Moldova's population shrinks amid demographic crisis
As of January 1, 2025, Moldova's resident population numbered 2.381 million, a decrease of over 42,000, or 1.7%, compared to the previous year.
Data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) show that since 2016, Moldova's population has shrunk by around 450,000.
The population decline is more significant in rural areas, which saw a 2% reduction in inhabitants as of January 1st, compared to 2024. Urban areas experienced a 1.4% decrease.
According to specialists, the key factors driving the reduction or growth of the resident population (defined as individuals who have lived predominantly in the last 12 months, regardless of temporary absences) are negative natural growth and net external migration. Natural growth remained negative in 2024, recording a deficit of 9,900, the NBS data show.
Additionally, in 2024, net external migration registered a deficit of 32,100, following a deficit of 32,600 in 2023.
Since 2016, the population has decreased by approximately 450,000.
Population Structure by Age and Sex
The age structure of the population across regions is relatively uniform, with the exception of Chișinău Municipality and the Gagauz Autonomous Territorial Unit (UTA Gagauzia). In Chișinău, the proportion of working-age individuals (16-60/62 years) is the highest, while the proportion of elderly people (61/63 years and over) is the lowest.
UTA Gagauzia records the highest proportion of young people (0-15 years) at 20.0%, meaning one in five residents in this region falls into this age group.
The female population continues to dominate in Moldova, accounting for 53.6% of the country's total population. At the beginning of 2025, the female population exceeded 1.276 million people.
The Population Is Aging
Moldova's average age has increased by 0.5 years, reaching 41.6. The average age of the female population was 43.3, 3.8 years higher than the average age of the male population, which stood at 39.5.
The population aging index was estimated at 25.9 per 100 inhabitants aged over 60 at the beginning of 2025, compared to 25.2 in 2024.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
