Employment falls short of forecasts; small firms hit hardest
The labor shortage in the Republic of Moldova is growing, but it is still limited in scope and does not significantly impact most companies. Smaller enterprises are more affected by this issue. Generally, the smaller a company is, the greater the difference between the number of employees they planned to hire and the actual number of personnel they have.
According to data presented at a meeting of the Economic Council's Working Group under the Prime Minister, the share of employers facing labor shortages has increased slightly, from 13% in 2023 to 15% in 2025.
The number of employees in enterprises rose by 0.8%, compared to a planned growth of 3.6%. The greatest volatility is observed among small and medium-sized companies.
While sectors such as public administration, education, and healthcare have maintained stable employment levels, market-oriented sectors have experienced significant fluctuations. The analysis indicates that, despite these challenges, fewer enterprises are offering higher salaries as a solution to the labor shortage.
Igor Crapivca, a company director, emphasized during the discussions that a strategic and integrated approach at the state level is essential for addressing the labor shortage. He suggested, “The state could support employers who offer higher salaries by reclaiming contributions to the social security fund for salary increases of over 20%.”
Marin Ciobanu, the Administrator of the Balti Free Economic Zone, noted that the Republic of Moldova is competing for investments not only with regional countries but also with distant ones, such as those in Africa. He pointed out that investors pay close attention to the qualifications available in the labor market.
In this context, Ciobanu stressed the need to focus on improving the quality of education by motivating dedicated teachers to remain in the education system, including by offering higher salaries.
Ludmila Stihi, State Secretary at the Ministry of Education and Research, indicated that the authorities have prioritized the development and improvement of dual, vocational, and technical education, along with obtaining micro-qualifications. She stated, “To catalyze this process, it is crucial to involve the business sector to communicate the specific skills employers are seeking in potential employees.”
It's worth noting that during the discussion of a simple motion regarding the policies of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection—rejected by Parliament on April 2—Minister Natalia Plugaru reported that last year, 20,000 individuals were assisted in finding jobs through the Employment Agency, with a target of helping 25,000 people this year and 100,000 over the next four years.
The number of inactive individuals decreased from about 167,000 in 2021 to 117,000 currently. “While this is still a large figure, the reduction of 50,000 is significant because these individuals have returned to work; they are no longer invisible in the economy, and they contribute to social protection,” said Natalia Plugaru.
The minister also mentioned that the share of individuals engaged in the informal economy fell from 20% in 2024 to 17% in 2025. The minimum wage in the country was gradually raised from 2,935 lei in 2021 to 6,300 lei in 2026, while the average salary for the current year is estimated at 17,400 lei.
