View source for Moldova

{{Short description|Country in Eastern Europe}}
{{About|the modern state|the historical principality|Moldavia|other uses|Moldova (disambiguation)}}
{{pp-move}}
{{pp-extended|small=yes}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2024}}
{{Use British English|date=November 2023}}
{{Infobox country
| conventional_long_name = Republic of Moldova
| common_name            = Moldova
| native_name            = {{native name|ro|Republica Moldova}}
| image_flag             = Flag of Moldova.svg
| image_coat             = Coat of arms of Moldova.svg
| national_anthem        = {{lang|ro|[[Limba noastră]]}}<br />"Our language"{{parabr}}{{center|[[File:Imnul Republicii Moldova US NAVY.ogg]]}}
| image_map              = Location Moldova Europe.png
| map_caption            = Location of Moldova in Europe (green)<br />and its uncontrolled territory of [[Transnistria]] (light green)
| image_map2             = 
| capital                = [[Chișinău]]
| coordinates            = {{Coord|47|0|N|28|55|E|type:city}}
| largest_city           = capital
| languages_type         = Official language<br />{{nobold|and national language}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.parlament.md/CadrulLegal/Constitution/tabid/151/language/ro-RO/Default.aspx |title=Constituția Republicii Moldova, articolul 13: ''(1) Limba de stat a Republicii Moldova este limba română, funcționând pe baza grafiei latine.'' (pag.25) |publisher=Parlamentul Republicii Moldova |access-date=5 April 2023 |language=ro |archive-date=5 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405142436/https://www.parlament.md/CadrulLegal/Constitution/tabid/151/language/ro-RO/Default.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.presedinte.md/app/webroot/Constitutia_RM/Constitutia_RM_RO.pdf |title=Constituția Republicii Moldova, articolul 13 (1), pag.25 |publisher=Preşedinţia Republicii Moldova |access-date=11 April 2023 |language=ro |archive-date=7 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230507121126/https://presedinte.md/app/webroot/Constitutia_RM/Constitutia_RM_RO.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>
| languages              = [[Romanian language|Romanian]]
| languages2_type        = Recognised minority<br />languages<!--Protected and/or co-official (regional) languages--><ref>{{cite web |url=https://deschide.md/ro/stiri/politic/78929/Pre%C8%99edintele-CCM-Constitu%C8%9Bia-nu-confer%C4%83-limbii-ruse-un-statut-deosebit-de-cel-al-altor-limbi-minoritare.htm |title=Președintele CCM: Constituția nu conferă limbii ruse un statut deosebit de cel al altor limbi minoritare |publisher=Deschide.md |access-date=22 January 2021 |archive-date=29 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210129050215/https://deschide.md/ro/stiri/politic/78929/Pre%C8%99edintele-CCM-Constitu%C8%9Bia-nu-confer%C4%83-limbii-ruse-un-statut-deosebit-de-cel-al-altor-limbi-minoritare.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.moldpres.md/news/2021/01/21/21000400 |title=Chişinău, (21.01.2021) Judecătorii constituționali au decis că limba rusă nu va avea statutul de limbă de comunicare interetnică pe teritoriul Republicii Moldova |publisher=Moldpres.md |access-date=22 January 2021 |archive-date=23 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210123203429/https://www.moldpres.md/news/2021/01/21/21000400 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://protv.md/politic/presedintele-cc-domnica-manole-explica-de-ce-a-fost-anulata-legea-cu-privire-la-statutul-special-pentru-limba-rusa-limba-de-stat-a-rm-este-limba-romana-video---2554643.html |title=Președintele CC Domnica Manole, explică de ce a fost anulată legea cu privire la statutul special pentru limbia rusă |publisher=ProTv.md |access-date=22 January 2021 |archive-date=29 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210129092300/https://protv.md/politic/presedintele-cc-domnica-manole-explica-de-ce-a-fost-anulata-legea-cu-privire-la-statutul-special-pentru-limba-rusa-limba-de-stat-a-rm-este-limba-romana-video---2554643.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
| languages2             = {{Collapsible list
 |titlestyle=background:transparent;text-align:left;font-weight:normal;|title= ''See list''
 | [[Belarusian language|Belarusian]]
 | [[Bulgarian language|Bulgarian]]
 | [[Gagauz language|Gagauz]]
 | [[German language|German]]
 | [[Modern Hebrew|Hebrew]]
 | [[Polish language|Polish]]
 | [[Romani language|Romani]]
 | [[Russian language|Russian]]
 | [[Ukrainian language|Ukrainian]]
 }}
| ethnic_groups          = {{Plain list|
* 76.7% [[Moldovans]]{{efn|name=coeli|There is [[Controversy over ethnic and linguistic identity in Moldova|a controversy]] over the self-identification of Moldovans, with some authors considering them ethnic Romanians.}}
* 8.0% [[Romanians]]{{efn|name=coeli}}
* 5.1% [[Ukrainians in Moldova|Ukrainians]]
* 4.0% [[Gagauz people|Gagauz]]
* 3.4% [[Russians in Moldova|Russians]]
* 1.6% [[Bessarabian Bulgarians|Bulgarians]]
* 1.1% [[Demographics of Moldova#Ethnic groups and census numbers|other]]
}}
| ethnic_groups_year     = 2024; excl. [[Transnistria]]
| ethnic_groups_ref      =<ref name="2024-Census">{{Cite web |date=2025-10-21 |title=Rezultatele finale ale Recensământului Populației și Locuințelor 2024: Caracteristici etnoculturale ale populației|url=https://statistica.gov.md/ro/rezultatele-finale-ale-recensamantului-populatiei-si-locuintelor-2024-caracteris-10121_62043.html|access-date=2025-10-21|website=statistica.md|language=ro}}</ref>
| religion               = {{Tree list}}
* 97.4% [[Christianity]]
** 94.3% [[Eastern Orthodoxy in Moldova|Eastern Orthodoxy]]
** 3.1% other Christian
* 0.3% [[Religion in Moldova|other]]
* 1.5% [[Irreligion|no religion]]
* 0.8% unanswered
{{Tree list/end}}
| religion_year          = 2024; excl. Transnistria
| religion_ref           = <ref name="2024-Census" />
| demonym                = Moldovan
| government_type        = [[Unitary parliamentary republic]]
| leader_title1          = [[President of Moldova|President]]
| leader_name1           = [[Maia Sandu]]
| leader_title2          = [[Prime Minister of Moldova|Prime Minister]]
| leader_name2           = [[Alexandru Munteanu]]
| leader_title3          = [[President of the Moldovan Parliament|President of the Parliament]]
| leader_name3           = [[Igor Grosu]]
| legislature            = [[Parliament of Moldova|Parliament]]
| sovereignty_type       = [[History of Moldova|Formation]]
| established_event1     = [[Moldavia|Principality of Moldavia]]
| established_date1      = 1346
| established_event2     = [[Bessarabia Governorate]]
| established_date2      = 1812
| established_event3     = [[Moldavian Democratic Republic]]
| established_date3      = 15 December 1917
| established_event4     = [[Union of Bessarabia with Romania|Union with]] [[Kingdom of Romania|Romania]]
| established_date4      = 9 April 1918
| established_event5     = [[Moldavian Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic|Moldavian ASSR]]
| established_date5      = 12 October 1924
| established_event6     = [[Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic|Moldavian SSR]]
| established_date6      = 2 August 1940
| established_event7     = [[Transnistria War]]
| established_date7      = 2 November 1990
| established_event8     = [[Moldovan Declaration of Independence|{{nowrap|Independence from}} the Soviet Union]]
| established_date8      = 27 August 1991<sup>a</sup>
| established_event9     = [[Constitution of Moldova|Constitution]] adopted
| established_date9      = 29 July 1994
| area_label             = Incl. Transnistria
| area_km2               = 33,843<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://moldova.md/ro/content/geografie|title=Republica Moldova – Geografie|website=Moldova.md|date=26 August 2016|access-date=23 June 2021|archive-date=24 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624210341/https://moldova.md/ro/content/geografie|url-status=live}}</ref>
| area_rank              = 135th <!-- Area rank should match [[List of countries and dependencies by area]] -->
| area_sq_mi             = 13,067 <!-- Do not remove per [[WP:MOSNUM]] -->
| area_label2            = Excl. Transnistria
| area_data2             = {{convert|30,319|km2|abbr=on}}{{efn|The total area of the Republic of Moldova is 33,843.5 km<sup>2</sup> [according to the Moldova.md]. The ''[[de jure]]'' area, accepted by the Moldovan government and the [[Tiraspol]] authorities for [[Transnistria]], is 3,524.4 km<sup>2</sup> and the main territory is 30,319.1 km<sup>2</sup> [according to the [[National Bureau of Statistics of the Republic of Moldova|BNS]]<ref name="Moldova.Census2024">{{Cite web |url=https://statistica.gov.md/files/files/serii_de_timp/recensamant_2024/date_finale/Date_finale_RPL_2024_15_07_25.xlsx |title=Recensământul Populației și Locuințelor 2024: Caracteristici Geografice (date finale) |publisher=[[National Bureau of Statistics of the Republic of Moldova]] |website=statistica.gov.md |date=15 July 2025 |access-date=16 July 2025}}</ref>]. The ''de facto'' area administered by Transnistria is 3,719.2 km<sup>2</sup> [according to the www.[[DeepStateMap.Live]]], while the area claimed by Transnistria is 4,163 km<sup>2</sup>.}}
| percent_water          = 1.4 (incl. Transnistria)
| population_estimate    = 2,381,325<ref name="Moldova.Pop">{{cite web |url=https://statbank.statistica.md/PxWeb/pxweb/en/20%20Populatia%20si%20procesele%20demografice/ |title=Number of population - Number of usually resident population |publisher=[[National Bureau of Statistics of the Republic of Moldova]] (BNS) |date=7 July 2025 |access-date=7 July 2025}}</ref>{{efn|name=data1|Excludes data for [[Transnistria]]}}
| population_estimate_year = January 2025
| population_census      = 2,409,207<ref name="Moldova.Census2024"/>{{efn|name=data1|Excludes data for [[Transnistria]]}}
| population_census_year = 2024
| population_estimate_rank = 140th
| population_density_km2 = {{#expr:2381325/30319.1 round 1}}
| population_density_sq_mi = <!-- Do not remove per [[WP:MOSNUM]] -->
| GDP_PPP                = {{increase}} $46.651 billion<ref name="IMFWEO.MD">{{cite web |url=https://data.imf.org/en/Data-Explorer?datasetUrn=IMF.RES:WEO(9.0.0) |title=World Economic Outlook Database, October 2025 Edition. (Moldova) |publisher=[[International Monetary Fund]] |website=www.imf.org |date=18 October 2025 |access-date=21 October 2025}}</ref>{{efn|name=data1|Excludes data for [[Transnistria]]}}
| GDP_PPP_year           = 2025
| GDP_PPP_rank           = 136th
| GDP_PPP_per_capita     = {{increase}} $19,591<ref name="IMFWEO.MD" />
| GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = 93th
| GDP_nominal            = {{increase}} $19.620 billion<ref name="IMFWEO.MD" />{{efn|name=data1|Excludes data for [[Transnistria]]}}
| GDP_nominal_year       = 2025
| GDP_nominal_rank       = 130th
| GDP_nominal_per_capita = {{increase}} $8,239<ref name="IMFWEO.MD" />
| GDP_nominal_per_capita_rank = 89th
| Gini                   = 25.7 <!-- number only -->
| Gini_year              = 2021
| Gini_change            = decrease <!-- increase/decrease/steady -->
| Gini_ref               = <ref>{{cite web|url=https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SI.POV.GINI?locations=MD |title=Gini index – Moldova |publisher=[[World Bank]]|website=data.worldbank.org|access-date=23 September 2024 }}</ref>
| HDI                    = 0.785
| HDI_year               = 2023<!-- Please use the year to which the data refers, not the publication year. -->
| HDI_change             = increase
| HDI_ref                = <ref name="UNHDR">{{Cite web |date=6 May 2025 |title=Human Development Report 2025 |url=https://hdr.undp.org/system/files/documents/global-report-document/hdr2025reporten.pdf|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250506051232/https://hdr.undp.org/system/files/documents/global-report-document/hdr2025reporten.pdf |archive-date=6 May 2025 |access-date=6 May 2025 |publisher=[[United Nations Development Programme]]}}</ref>
| HDI_rank               = 86th
| currency               = [[Moldovan leu]]
| currency_code          = MDL
| time_zone              = [[Eastern European Time|EET]]
| utc_offset             = +2
| utc_offset_DST         = +3
| time_zone_DST          = [[Eastern European Summer Time|EEST]]
| drives_on              = right
| calling_code           = [[Telephone numbers in Moldova|+373]]
| cctld                  = [[.md]]
| official_website       = {{Official URL}}
| footnote_a             = Date of proclamation. Independence subsequently finalized with the [[Dissolution of the Soviet Union|dissolution of the USSR]] in December 1991.
}}
'''Moldova''',{{efn|{{IPAc-en|audio=en-us-Moldova.ogg|m|ɒ|l|ˈ|d|oʊ|v|ə}} {{Respell|mol|DOH|və}}, {{small|sometimes }}{{IPAc-en|UK|ˈ|m|ɒ|l|d|ə|v|ə}} {{Respell|MOL|də|və}};{{refn|{{Cite encyclopedia |url=http://www.lexico.com/definition/Moldova |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200322182040/https://www.lexico.com/definition/moldova |url-status=dead |archive-date=22 March 2020 |title=Moldova |dictionary=[[Lexico]] UK English Dictionary |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]]}} }}{{refn|{{Dictionary.com|access-date=30 January 2016|Moldova}}}}{{refn|The Free Dictionary: [http://www.thefreedictionary.com/Moldova Moldova]}} {{IPA|ro|molˈdova}}}} officially the '''Republic of Moldova''',{{efn|{{langx|ro|Republica Moldova}}}} is a [[Landlocked country|landlocked country]] in [[Eastern Europe]], with an area of {{convert|33,843|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}} and a population of 2.38 million.<ref name="Moldova.Pop"/> Moldova is bordered by [[Romania]] to the west and [[Ukraine]] to the north, east, and south.<ref name="CIA_World_Factbook_Moldova">{{cite web |url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/moldova/ |title=Moldova |work=[[CIA World Factbook]] |access-date=2 September 2015 |archive-date=5 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210105015457/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/moldova/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[List of states with limited recognition|unrecognised breakaway state]] of [[Transnistria]] lies across the [[Dniester]] river on the country's eastern border with Ukraine. Moldova is a [[Unitary state|unitary]] [[Parliamentary system|parliamentary]] [[Representative democracy|representative]] democratic republic with its capital in [[Chișinău]], the country's largest city and main cultural and commercial centre.

Most of Moldovan territory was a part of the [[Principality of Moldavia]] from the 14th century until 1812, when it was [[Treaty of Bucharest (1812)|ceded]] to the [[Russian Empire]] by the [[Ottoman Empire]] (to which Moldavia was a [[Vassal and tributary states of the Ottoman Empire|vassal state]]) and became known as [[Bessarabia]]. In 1856, southern Bessarabia was returned to Moldavia, which three years later united with [[Wallachia]] to form [[United Principalities of Moldavia and Wallachia|Romania]]. Still, Russian rule was restored over the entire region in 1878. During the 1917 [[Russian Revolution]], Bessarabia briefly became an [[Moldavian Democratic Republic|autonomous state]] within the [[Russian Republic]]. In February 1918, it declared independence and then integrated into Romania later that year following a vote of its assembly. The decision was disputed by [[Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic|Soviet Russia]], which in 1924 established, within the [[Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic|Ukrainian SSR]], a so-called [[Moldavian Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic|Moldavian autonomous republic]] on partially Moldovan-inhabited territories to the east of Bessarabia. In 1940, as a consequence of the [[Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact]], Romania was [[Soviet occupation of Bessarabia and Northern Bukovina|compelled to cede Bessarabia and Northern Bukovina]] to the [[Soviet Union]], leading to the creation of the [[Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic]] (Moldavian SSR).

On 27 August 1991, as the [[dissolution of the Soviet Union]] was underway, the Moldavian SSR [[Moldovan Declaration of Independence|declared independence]] and took the name Moldova.<ref name="natura2000">{{cite web |url=http://www.natura2000oltenita-chiciu.ro/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Moldova-Pitoreasca-Picturesque-Moldavia-pdf-Vladimir-Toncea.pdf |title="Wine Road" in Republic of Moldova |access-date=18 May 2019 |archive-date=18 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190518103311/http://www.natura2000oltenita-chiciu.ro/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Moldova-Pitoreasca-Picturesque-Moldavia-pdf-Vladimir-Toncea.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> But, the strip of Moldovan territory on the east bank of the Dniester has been under the ''de facto'' control of the breakaway government of Transnistria since 1990. The [[constitution of Moldova]] was adopted in 1994, and the country became a [[parliamentary republic]]. The [[President of Moldova|president]] is [[head of state]] and the [[Prime Minister of Moldova|prime minister]] is [[head of government]]. Under the presidency of [[Maia Sandu]], [[2020 Moldovan presidential election|elected in 2020]] on a pro-Western and anti-corruption ticket, Moldova has pursued membership in the [[European Union]], and was granted candidate status in June 2022.<ref>{{Cite news |date=23 June 2022 |title=EU awards Ukraine and Moldova candidate status |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-61891467 |access-date=16 August 2022 |archive-date=23 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220623000924/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-61891467 |url-status=live }}</ref> Accession talks to the EU began on 13 December 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |date=14 December 2023 |title=EU greenlights accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova |url=https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2023/12/14/eu-greenlights-accession-talks-with-ukraine-and-moldova |access-date=14 December 2023 |website=[[Euronews]] |language=en |archive-date=14 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231214175059/https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2023/12/14/eu-greenlights-accession-talks-with-ukraine-and-moldova |url-status=live }}</ref> Sandu has suggested an end to [[Moldovan neutrality|Moldova's constitutional commitment to military neutrality]] in favour of a closer alliance with [[NATO]]. She strongly condemned [[Russian invasion of Ukraine|Russia's invasion]] of neighbouring [[Ukraine]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lynch |first=Suzanne |date=20 January 2023 |title=Time to join NATO? Moldova eyes joining 'a larger alliance' |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/maia-sandu-moldova-nato-alliance-joining-ukraine-war-russia-invasion/ |access-date=2 August 2023 |website=[[Politico]] |language=en |archive-date=21 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230121000423/https://www.politico.eu/article/maia-sandu-moldova-nato-alliance-joining-ukraine-war-russia-invasion/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Moldova is the [[List of sovereign states in Europe by GDP (PPP) per capita|second poorest country in Europe by GDP per official capita]] after Ukraine, and much of its GDP is dominated by the [[service sector]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/WEO/weo-database/2022/April/weo-report?c=967,921,926,&s=PPPPC,&sy=2020&ey=2022&ssm=0&scsm=1&scc=0&ssd=1&ssc=0&sic=0&sort=country&ds=.&br=1 |title=GDP per capita, PPP (current international $) |access-date=27 July 2022 |archive-date=27 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220727115351/https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/WEO/weo-database/2022/April/weo-report?c=967,921,926,&s=PPPPC,&sy=2020&ey=2022&ssm=0&scsm=1&scc=0&ssd=1&ssc=0&sic=0&sort=country&ds=.&br=1 |url-status=live }}</ref> It has one of the lowest [[Human Development Index]]es in Europe, ranking 86th in the world (2023).<ref name="HDI">{{cite web|url=https://hdr.undp.org/system/files/documents/global-report-document/hdr2021-22pdf_1.pdf|title=Human Development Report 2021/2022|language=en|publisher=[[United Nations Development Programme]]|date=8 September 2022|access-date=8 September 2022|archive-date=8 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220908114232/http://hdr.undp.org/system/files/documents/global-report-document/hdr2021-22pdf_1.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> Moldova ranks 74th in the world on the [[Global Innovation Index]] {{as of|2025|lc=y}}.<ref>{{Cite web |title=GII Innovation Ecosystems & Data Explorer 2025 |url=https://www.wipo.int/gii-ranking/en/republic-of-moldova |access-date=2025-10-16 |website=WIPO}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last1=Dutta |first1=Soumitra |url=https://www.wipo.int/web-publications/global-innovation-index-2025/en/index.html |title=Global Innovation Index 2025: Innovation at a Crossroads |last2=Lanvin |first2=Bruno |publisher=[[World Intellectual Property Organization]] |year=2025 |isbn=978-92-805-3797-0 |page=19 |language=en |doi=10.34667/tind.58864 |access-date=2025-10-17}}</ref> Moldova is a member state of the United Nations, the [[Council of Europe]], the [[World Trade Organization]], the [[Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe]], the [[GUAM Organization for Democracy and Economic Development]], the [[Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation]], and the [[Association Trio]].

==Etymology==
{{main|Names of Moldavia and Moldova}}

The name ''Moldova'' is derived from the [[Moldova (river)|Moldova River]]; the valley of this river served as a political centre at the time of the [[founding of Moldavia|foundation]] of the [[Moldavia|Principality of Moldavia]] in 1359.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.moldova.md/en/istorie/ |title=History |publisher=Republic of Moldova |access-date=9 October 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131222142800/http://www.moldova.md/en/istorie/ |archive-date=22 December 2013}}</ref> The origin of the name of the river remains unclear. According to a legend recounted by Moldavian chroniclers [[Dimitrie Cantemir]] and [[Grigore Ureche]], Prince [[Dragoș, Voivode of Moldavia|Dragoș]] named the river after hunting [[aurochs]]: following the chase, the prince's exhausted hound ''Molda (Seva)'' drowned in the river. The dog's name, given to the river, extended to the principality.<ref>{{cite book |last=King |first=Charles |author-link=Charles King (professor of international affairs) |title=The Moldovans: Romania, Russia, and the politics of culture |publisher=Hoover Press |year=2000 |chapter=From Principality to Province |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ldBFWtuv8DQC&pg=PA13 |page=[https://archive.org/details/moldovansromania00king_0/page/13 13] |isbn=0-8179-9792-X |access-date=31 October 2010 |url=https://archive.org/details/moldovansromania00king_0/page/13 }}</ref>

For a short time in the 1990s, at the founding of the [[Commonwealth of Independent States]], the name of the current Republic of Moldova was also spelled ''Moldavia''.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/12/23/world/end-soviet-union-text-accords-former-soviet-republics-setting-up-commonwealth.html?pagewanted=all |date=23 December 1991 |title=The End of the Soviet Union; Text of Accords by Former Soviet Republics Setting Up a Commonwealth |work=[[The New York Times]] |quote=...Republic of Kazakhstan, the Republic of Kirghizia, the Republic of Moldavia, the Russian Federation... |access-date=17 February 2017 |archive-date=9 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210309042542/https://www.nytimes.com/1991/12/23/world/end-soviet-union-text-accords-former-soviet-republics-setting-up-commonwealth.html?pagewanted=all |url-status=live }}</ref> After the [[dissolution of the Soviet Union]], the country began to use the Romanian name, {{lang|ro|Moldova}}. Officially, the name ''Republic of Moldova'' is designated by the United Nations.

==History==
{{main|History of Moldova}}
{{see also|History of Transnistria|Founding of Moldavia}}

The history of Moldova spans [[Prehistory|prehistoric cultures]], [[Ancient history|ancient]] and [[Medieval history|medieval]] empires, and periods of foreign rule and modern [[independence]].

Evidence of human habitation dates back 800,000–1.2 million years, with significant developments in [[agriculture]], [[pottery]], and settlement during the [[Neolithic]] and [[Bronze Age]]s. In [[Classical antiquity|antiquity]], Moldova's location made it a crossroads for invasions by the [[Scythians]], [[Goths]], [[Huns]], and other tribes, followed by periods of [[Roman Empire|Roman]] and [[Byzantine Empire|Byzantine]] control.

[[File:DragosIofMoldavia.jpg|upright=.7|thumb|left|[[Dragoș]], a [[Vlach]] [[voivode]] and founder of the [[Founding of Moldavia|Principality of Moldavia]], 19th-century depiction]]
The medieval [[Principality of Moldavia]] [[founding of Moldavia|emerged in the 1350s]] and was the medieval precursor of modern Moldova and [[Romania]]. It reached prominence under rulers like [[Stephen the Great]] before becoming a [[vassal state]] of the [[Ottoman Empire]] from 1538, until the 19th century.

In 1812, following [[Russo-Turkish War (1806–1812)|one of several Russian–Turkish wars]], the eastern half of the principality, [[Bessarabia]], was annexed by the [[Russian Empire]], marking the beginning of Russian influence in the region. In 1918, Bessarabia briefly became independent as the [[Moldavian Democratic Republic]] and, following the decision of the Parliament (Sfatul Țării), united with [[Kingdom of Romania|Romania]]. During the Second World War it was occupied by the [[Soviet Union]] which reclaimed it from Romania. It joined the Union in 1940 as the [[Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic|Moldavian SSR]]. During this period, policies of [[Russification]] and economic transformation deeply influenced the region.

The [[dissolution of the USSR]] in 1991 led to [[Moldovan Declaration of Independence|declared independence]], followed by the [[Transnistria War]] in 1992, a conflict that left the [[Transnistria]]n region as a de facto independent state. Moldova continues to navigate a complex relationship between pro-Western and pro-Russian factions. In recent years, it has pursued closer ties with the [[European Union]], submitting a formal membership application in 2022.

In the [[2020 Moldovan presidential election|November 2020 presidential election]], the pro-European opposition candidate [[Maia Sandu]] was elected as the new president of the republic, becoming the first female elected president of Moldova.<ref>{{Cite news|date=16 November 2020|title=Moldova election: Pro-EU candidate Maia Sandu wins presidency|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-54942847|access-date=27 July 2021|archive-date=24 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210424114019/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-54942847|url-status=live}}</ref> In the [[2024 Moldovan presidential election|November 2024 presidential election]], President Maia Sandu was re-elected with 55% of the vote in the run-off.<ref>{{cite news |title=Moldova election: Pro-EU leader wins despite alleged Russian meddling |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cz7w9dglzzlo |work=www.bbc.com}}</ref>

==Geography==
{{main|Geography of Moldova}}

[[File:Malul abrupt al Nistrului Naslavcea-Verejeni Ocnita (11).jpg|thumb|Scenery in Moldova, with [[Nistru River]] (''Dniester'')]]
Moldova is a landlocked country situated in Eastern Europe, on the northeastern corner of the [[Balkans]] in the [[Black Sea Basin]], between latitudes [[45th parallel north|45°]] and [[49th parallel north|49° N]], and mostly between meridians [[26th meridian east|26°]] and [[30th meridian east|30° E]] (a small area lies east of 30°). The country lies to the east of the [[Carpathian Mountains]] and is bordered by [[Romania]] to its west and by [[Ukraine]] to its north, east, and south. The total length of the national boundaries is 1,389&nbsp;km, including 939&nbsp;km with Ukraine and 450&nbsp;km with Romania. The country is separated from Romania on the west by the [[Prut]] river and on the east from Ukraine by the [[Dniester]] river. The total land area is {{convert|33,843.5|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}, of which {{convert|960|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}} is water. The largest part of the country (around 88% of the area) lies in the [[Bessarabia]] region, while a narrow strip in the east is located in the [[List of states with limited recognition|unrecognised breakaway state]] of [[Transnistria]] on the eastern bank of the Dniester.
[[File:Peisaj din raionul Ungheni-2.jpg|thumb|Moldovan landscape in the [[Ungheni District]]]]
Although the country is technically landlocked, in 1999 Moldova acquired from Ukraine (in exchange for ceding a stretch of contested road in the east of the country) a 0.45 kilometer river frontage to the Danube, on the confluence of the [[Danube]] and Prut rivers. This has transformed the old village of [[Giurgiulești]] (in the extreme south-west of the country) into a [[Port of Giurgiulești|river port]], providing Moldova access to [[international waters]] via the Danube and the [[Black Sea]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/03/world/europe/village-in-moldova-thrives-after-a-lifeline-leads-to-a-port-on-the-danube.html|title=NY Times report|accessdate=21 November 2025}}</ref> The Dniester river, which rises in Ukraine near the city of [[Drohobych]], passes through Moldova, separating the main territory from its unrecognised breakaway region Transnistria, and empties into the Black Sea in Ukraine. At its closest point, Moldova is separated from the [[Dniester Liman]], an estuary of the Black Sea, by only 3&nbsp;km of Ukrainian territory.
[[File:Rezervatia „LaCastel Gordinesti” Edinet (10).jpg|thumb|La Castel landscape reserve near [[Gordinești, Edineț|Gordinești]], [[Edineț District]]]]
[[File:Moldova Competitiveness Project, USAID Moldova (48121769796).jpg|thumb|Nistru (''Dniester'') River in south of Moldova]]
While most of the country is hilly, elevations never exceed {{convert|430|m|ft|abbr=on}}, the highest point being the [[Dealul Bălănești|Bălănești Hill]]. Moldova's hills are part of the [[Moldavian Plateau]], which geologically originate from the Carpathian Mountains. Its subdivisions in Moldova include the Dniester Hills (Northern Moldavian Hills and Dniester Ridge), the Moldavian Plain (Middle Prut Valley and [[Bălți Steppe]]), and the Central Moldavian Plateau (Ciuluc-Soloneț Hills, Cornești Hills—[[Codri]] Massive, "Codri" meaning "forests"—Lower Dniester Hills, Lower Prut Valley, and Tigheci Hills). In the south, the country has a small flatland, the [[Bugeac Plain]]. The territory of Moldova east of the river Dniester is split between parts of the [[Podolian Plateau]], and parts of the [[Eurasian Steppe]]. Moldova's exceptionally rich [[Chernozem]] soil covers around three-quarters of the country's land area.<ref>{{Cite web |date=26 August 2016 |title=Geography – Republic of Moldova |url=https://moldova.md/en/content/geography |access-date=3 August 2023 |website=[[Republic of Moldova]] |language=en |archive-date=28 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230828051957/https://moldova.md/en/content/geography |url-status=live }}</ref>

Moldova's capital and largest city is [[Chișinău]], with approximately a third of the country's population residing in its metro area. Chișinău is Moldova's main industrial and commercial centre, and is located in the middle of the country, on the river [[Bîc]], a tributary of the [[Dniester]]. Moldova's second-largest city is [[Tiraspol]], which lies on the eastern bank of the Dniester and is the capital of the [[List of states with limited recognition|unrecognised breakaway region]] of [[Transnistria]]. The country's third-largest city is [[Bălți]], often referred to as the 'northern capital'. It is situated {{convert|127|km|mi|abbr=off}} north of the capital Chișinău, and is located on the river [[Răut River|Răut]], a tributary of the Dniester, on a hilly landscape in the Bălți steppe. [[Comrat]] is the administrative centre of the [[autonomous region]] of [[Gagauzia]].

===Climate===
[[File:Orhei Vechi, Moldova - Flickr - Dave Proffer (13).jpg|thumb|Cave churches at [[Old Orhei]], part of the [[Protected areas of Moldova|only national park]] in the country]]
Moldova has a climate which is moderately continental; its proximity to the [[Black Sea]] leads to the climate being mildly cold in the autumn and winter and relatively cool in the spring and summer.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.weatheronline.co.uk/reports/climate/Moldova.htm |title=Moldova's Climate |publisher=Weatheronline.co.uk |access-date=9 October 2013 |archive-date=14 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131014031249/http://www.weatheronline.co.uk/reports/climate/Moldova.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

The summers are warm and long, with temperatures averaging about {{convert|20|°C|0|abbr=on}} and the winters are relatively mild and dry, with January temperatures averaging {{convert|-4|°C|0|abbr=on}}. Annual rainfall, which ranges from around {{convert|600|mm|0|abbr=on}} in the north to {{convert|400|mm|0|abbr=on}} in the south, can vary greatly; long dry spells are not unusual. The heaviest rainfall occurs in early summer and again in October; heavy showers and thunderstorms are common. Because of the irregular terrain, heavy summer rains often cause erosion and river silting.

The highest temperature ever recorded in Moldova was {{convert|41.5|°C|1|abbr=on}} on 21 July 2007 in [[Camenca]].<ref>{{cite web |author=Stînga Nistrului |url=http://www.weather-forecast.com/locations/Camenca |title=Camenca temperature |publisher=Weather-forecast.com |access-date=9 October 2013 |archive-date=5 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140605051834/http://www.weather-forecast.com/locations/Camenca |url-status=live }}</ref> The lowest temperature ever recorded was {{convert|-35.5|°C|1|abbr=on}} on 20 January 1963 in Brătușeni, Edineț county.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.worldweatheronline.com/Bratuseni-weather/Gagauzia/MD.aspx |title=Bratuseni temperature |publisher=Worldweatheronline.com |access-date=9 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131020211429/http://www.worldweatheronline.com/Bratuseni-weather/Gagauzia/MD.aspx |archive-date=20 October 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="margin:auto;"
|+Average daily maximum and minimum temperatures for the three largest cities in Moldova<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/city.php3?c=MD&name=Moldova|title=Moldova climate information|publisher=Weatherbase|access-date=3 February 2016|archive-date=2 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160102231617/http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/city.php3?c=MD&name=Moldova|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
!Location
!July (°C)
!July (°F)
!January (°C)
!January (°F)
|-
|[[Chișinău]] || 27/17 || 81/63 || 1/−4 || 33/24
|-
|[[Tiraspol]] || 27/15 || 81/60 || 1/−6 || 33/21
|-
|[[Bălți]] || 26/14 || 79/58 || −0/−7 || 31/18
|}

===Biodiversity===
{{see also|Protected areas in Moldova}}
[[Phytogeography|Phytogeographically]], Moldova is split between the [[East European Plain]] and the [[Pontic–Caspian steppe]] of the [[Circumboreal Region]] within the [[Boreal Kingdom]]. It is home to three terrestrial ecoregions: [[Central European mixed forests]], [[East European forest steppe]], and [[Pontic steppe]].<ref name="DinersteinOlson2017">{{cite journal |last1=Dinerstein |first1=Eric |last2=Olson |first2=David |last3=Joshi |first3=Anup |last4=Vynne |first4=Carly |last5=Burgess |first5=Neil D. |last6=Wikramanayake |first6=Eric |last7=Hahn |first7=Nathan |last8=Palminteri |first8=Suzanne |last9=Hedao |first9=Prashant |last10=Noss |first10=Reed |last11=Hansen |first11=Matt |last12=Locke |first12=Harvey |last13=Ellis |first13=Erle C. |last14=Jones |first14=Benjamin |last15=Barber |first15=Charles Victor |last16=Hayes |first16=Randy |last17=Kormos |first17=Cyril |last18=Martin |first18=Vance |last19=Crist |first19=Eileen |last20=Sechrest |first20=Wes |last21=Price |first21=Lori |last22=Baillie |first22=Jonathan E.M. |last23=Weeden |first23=Don |last24=Suckling |first24=Kierán |last25=Davis |first25=Crystal |last26=Sizer |first26=Nigel |last27=Moore |first27=Rebecca |last28=Thau |first28=Davi |last29=Birch |first29=Tanya |last30=Potapov |first30=Peter |last31=Turubanova |first31=Svetlana |last32=Tyukavina |first32=Alexandra |last33=de&nbsp;Souza |first33=Nadia |last34=Pintea |first34=Lilian |last35=Brito |first35=José C. |last36=Llewellyn |first36=Othman A. |last37=Miller |first37=Anthony G. |last38=Patzelt |first38=Annette |last39=Ghazanfar |first39=Shahina A. |last40=Timberlake |first40=Jonathan|last41=Klöser |first41=Heinz |last42=Shennan-Farpón |first42=Yara |last43=Kindt |first43=Roeland |last44=Lillesø |first44=Jens-Peter Barnekow |last45=van Breugel |first45=Paulo |last46=Graudal |first46=Lars |last47=Voge |first47=Maianna |last48=Al-Shammari |first48=Khalaf F. |last49=Saleem |first49=Muhammad |display-authors=6 |year=2017 |title=An Ecoregion-Based Approach to Protecting Half the Terrestrial Realm |journal=BioScience |volume=67 |issue=6 |pages=534–545 |issn=0006-3568 |doi=10.1093/biosci/bix014 |doi-access=free |pmid=28608869 |pmc=5451287 |s2cid=13136188}}</ref> Forests currently cover only 11% of Moldova, though the state is making efforts to increase their range. It had a 2019 [[Forest Landscape Integrity Index]] mean score of 2.2/10, ranking it 158th globally out of 172 countries.<ref name="FLII-Supplementary">{{cite journal |last1=Grantham |first1=H.S. |last2=Duncan|first2=A. |last3=Evans |first3=T.D. |last4=Jones |first4=K.R. |last5=Beyer |first5=H.L. |last6=Schuster |first6=R. |last7=Walston |first7=J. |last8=Ray|first8=J.C. |last9=Robinson |first9=J.G. |last10=Callow |first10=M. |last11=Clements |first11=T. |last12=Costa |first12=H.M. |last13=DeGemmis |first13=A. |last14=Elsen |first14=P.R. |last15=Ervin |first15=J. |last16=Franco|first16=P. |last17=Goldman|first17=E. |last18=Goetz |first18=S. |last19=Hansen |first19=A. |last20=Hofsvang |first20=E. |last21=Jantz |first21=P. |last22=Jupiter |first22=S. |last23=Kang |first23=A. |last24=Langhammer |first24=P. |last25=Laurance |first25=W.F. |last26=Lieberman |first26=S. |last27=Linkie |first27=M. |last28=Malhi |first28=Y. |last29=Maxwell |first29=S. |last30=Mendez |first30=M. |last31=Mittermeier |first31=R. |last32=Murray |first32=N.J. |last33=Possingham |first33=H. |last34=Radachowsky |first34=J. |last35=Saatchi |first35=S. |last36=Samper |first36=C.|last37=Silverman |first37=J. |last38=Shapiro |first38=A. |last39=Strassburg |first39=B. |last40=Stevens |first40=T. |last41=Stokes |first41=E. |last42=Taylor |first42=R. |last43=Tear |first43=T. |last44=Tizard |first44=R. |last45=Venter |first45=O. |last46=Visconti |first46=P. |last47=Wang |first47=S. |last48=Watson |first48=J.E.M. |display-authors=6 |year=2020 |title=Anthropogenic modification of forests means only 40% of remaining forests have high ecosystem integrity |type=Supplementary material |journal=Nature Communications |volume=11 |issue=1 |page=5978 |issn=2041-1723 |doi=10.1038/s41467-020-19493-3 |doi-access=free |pmid=33293507 |pmc=7723057 |bibcode=2020NatCo..11.5978G |s2cid=228082162}}</ref> Game animals, such as [[red deer]], [[roe deer]] and [[wild boar]] can be found in these wooded areas.<ref name="Environmental issues in Moldova">{{cite web |title=Environmental issues in Moldova |url=https://naturvernforbundet.no/international/environmental-issues-in-moldova/category940.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150409044105/http://naturvernforbundet.no/international/environmental-issues-in-moldova/category940.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=9 April 2015 |website=Naturvernforbundet |date=7 October 2009 |access-date=30 May 2020 }}</ref>[[File:Saiga antelope at the Stepnoi Sanctuary.jpg|thumb|Noted for its vivid portrayal of the lower [[Nistru river]] (''Dniester''), [[Henryk Sienkiewicz]]'s novel ''[[With Fire and Sword]]'' opens with a description of [[Saiga antelope|saigas]] as a way to highlight the story's exotic setting.<ref>{{cite book |last=Sienkiewicz |first=Henryk |trans-title=With Fire and Sword |title=Ogniem i Mieczem |volume=1 |url=https://wolnelektury.pl/katalog/lektura/ogniem-i-mieczem-tom-pierwszy.html |access-date=7 May 2020 |archive-date=4 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200604162834/https://wolnelektury.pl/katalog/lektura/ogniem-i-mieczem-tom-pierwszy.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=O suhaku, który z suchych stepów przybył |trans-title=On the Suhaku of the arid steppes |date=6 October 2017 |website=Menażeria Etymologiczna |language=pl |via=wordpress.com |url=https://etymologicznamenazeria.wordpress.com/2017/10/06/o-suhaku-ktory-z-suchych-stepow-przybyl/ |access-date=7 May 2020 |archive-date=4 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200604162835/https://etymologicznamenazeria.wordpress.com/2017/10/06/o-suhaku-ktory-z-suchych-stepow-przybyl/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Saigas are a [[Near-threatened species|near-threatened]] species that is now extinct in Moldova.]]
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="margin:auto;"
! colspan="4" |[[Protected areas of Moldova#Scientific nature reserves|Scientific reserves in Moldova]]
|-
! Name
! Location
! Established
! data-sort-type="number" | Area
|-
|[[Codru Reserve]]
|[[Strășeni District|Strășeni]]
|1971
|{{convert|5177|ha|km2|0}}
|-
|[[Iagorlîc Reserve|Iagorlîc]]
|[[Dubăsari District|Dubăsari]]
|1988
|{{convert|836|ha|km2|0}}
|-
|[[Lower Prut]]
|[[Cahul District|Cahul]]
|1991
|{{convert|1691|ha|km2|0}}
|-
|[[Plaiul Fagului]]
|[[Ungheni District|Ungheni]]
|1992
|{{convert|5642|ha|km2|0}}
|-
|[[Pădurea Domnească]]
|[[Glodeni District|Glodeni]]
|1993
|{{convert|6032|ha|km2|0}}
|}
The environment of Moldova suffered extreme degradation during the Soviet period, when industrial and agricultural development proceeded without regard for environmental protection.<ref name="Environmental issues in Moldova"/> Excessive use of pesticides resulted in heavily polluted topsoil, and industries lacked emission controls.<ref name="Environmental issues in Moldova"/> Founded in 1990, the [[Ecological Movement of Moldova]], a national, non-governmental, nonprofit organisation which is a member of the [[International Union for Conservation of Nature]] has been working to restore Moldova's damaged natural environment.<ref name="Environmental issues in Moldova"/> The movement is national representative of the Centre "Naturopa" of the [[Council of Europe]] and [[United Nations Environment Programme]] of the United Nations.<ref>{{cite conference
|title=Moldova participants & European participants |conference=European Partnership Fair for Civil Society Organizations in Moldova |date=15–16 June 2010 |place=Republican Palace, Chisinau, Moldova |page=25 |publisher=[[European Partnership for Democracy]] |url=http://www.epd.eu/uploads/7a30d35a4a1fb6420184b7cdb9871f5a.pdf |access-date=24 July 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720161119/http://www.epd.eu/uploads/7a30d35a4a1fb6420184b7cdb9871f5a.pdf |archive-date=20 July 2011 }}</ref>

Once possessing a range from the [[British Isles]] through Central Asia over the [[Bering Strait]] into [[Alaska]] and Canada's [[Yukon]] as well as the [[Northwest Territories]], [[Saiga antelope|saigas]] survived in Moldova and Romania into the late 18th century. Deforestation, demographic pressure, as well as excessive hunting eradicated the native saiga herds. They were considered a characteristic animal of [[Scythia]] in antiquity. Historian [[Strabo]] referred to the saigas as the ''kolos'', describing it as "between the deer and ram in size" which (understandably but wrongly) was believed to drink through its nose.<ref>{{cite book |last=Strabo |title=[[Geographica]] |trans-title=Geography |section=book&nbsp;VII, chapter&nbsp;4, paragraph&nbsp;8 |section-url=https://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Strabo/7D*.html#4.7.9 |access-date=19 December 2012 }}{{dead link|date=August 2023|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>

Another animal which was extinct in Moldova since the 18th century until recently was the European Wood Bison or [[wisent]]. The species was reintroduced with the arrival of three European bison from [[Białowieża Forest]] in Poland several days before [[Independence Day of the Republic of Moldova|Moldova's Independence Day]] on 27 August 2005.<ref>{{cite news |author=Autor invitat |date=27 August 2005 |title=The bison come back to Moldova |language=en |url=https://www.moldova.org/en/the-bison-come-back-to-moldova-4123-eng/ |access-date=30 May 2020 |publisher=Moldova.org |archive-date=16 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200616162621/https://www.moldova.org/en/the-bison-come-back-to-moldova-4123-eng/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Moldova is currently interested in expanding their wisent population, and began talks with Belarus in 2019 regarding a bison exchange programme between the two countries.<ref>{{cite press release |title=Belarus, Moldova discuss bison exchange program |date=17 February 2019 |publisher=Ministry of Forestry of the Republic of Belarus |url=http://www.mlh.by/en/press-service/news/2584/ |access-date=30 May 2020 |archive-date=28 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200728032233/http://www.mlh.by/en/press-service/news/2584/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Government and politics==
{{main|Government of Moldova}}
{{Multiple image
| direction         = horizontal
| align             = right
| caption_align     = center
| total_width       = 260
| image1            = Maia Sandu at Batumi International Conference, on 19 July 2021 (cropped).jpg
| caption1          = [[Maia Sandu]]<br />[[President of Moldova|President]]
| alt1              = 
| image2            = Alexandru Munteanu official portrait.jpg
| caption2          = [[Alexandru Munteanu]]<br />[[Prime Minister of Moldova|Prime Minister]]
| alt2              = 
}}
[[File:Parliament Building in Chișinău.jpg|thumb|right|The [[Moldovan Parliament]]]]
The Republic of Moldova is a [[Republic|constitutional republic]] with a [[Unicameralism|unicameral]] [[parliamentary system]] of government and competitive, [[Multi-party system|multi-party elections]]. The constitution provides for executive and [[Legislature|legislative]] branches as well as an independent [[judiciary]] and a clear [[separation of powers]]. The [[President of Moldova|president]] serves as the [[head of state]], is elected every four years, and can be re-elected once. The [[Prime Minister of Moldova|prime minister]] serves as the [[head of government]], appointed by the president with [[Parliament of Moldova|parliament]]'s support. The head of government in turn assembles a [[Cabinet of Moldova|cabinet]], subject to parliamentary approval. Legislative authority is vested in the unicameral [[Parliament of Moldova]] which has 101 seats and whose members are elected by popular vote on [[party lists]] every four years. The president's official residence is the [[Presidential Palace, Chișinău]].

After the prime minister and government resigned in 2020 and the president and parliament failed to form a new government, early parliamentary elections were held in July 2021. According to [[Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe|Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe]] observers, the [[2021 Moldovan parliamentary election|2021 parliamentary elections]] were well-administered and competitive, and [[Fundamental rights|fundamental freedoms]] were largely respected.<ref>{{Cite web |date=22 December 2021 |title=Moldova early parliamentary elections 2021: OSCE/ODIHR election observation mission final report |url=https://www.osce.org/odihr/elections/508976 |access-date=2 August 2023 |website=[[Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe]] |language=en |archive-date=2 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230802094707/https://www.osce.org/odihr/elections/508976 |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[Party of Action and Solidarity]] won 63 seats in the 101-seat parliament, enough to form a single-party majority.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2022 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Moldova |url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2022-country-reports-on-human-rights-practices/moldova/ |access-date=2 August 2023 |website=[[United States Department of State]] |archive-date=1 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230601190113/https://www.state.gov/reports/2022-country-reports-on-human-rights-practices/moldova/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

The 1994 [[Constitution of Moldova (1994)|Constitution of Moldova]] sets the framework for the government of the country. A parliamentary majority of at least two-thirds is required to amend the [[Constitution of Moldova]], which cannot be revised in times of war or national emergency. Amendments to the Constitution affecting the state's sovereignty, independence, or unity can only be made after a majority of voters support the proposal in a referendum. Furthermore, no revision can be made to limit the fundamental rights of people enumerated in the Constitution.<ref name="const2">{{cite web |title=The Constitution of the Republic of Moldova, 2000 |url=http://www.e-democracy.md/en/legislation/constitution/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200425182448/http://www.e-democracy.md/en/legislation/constitution/ |archive-date=25 April 2020 |access-date=9 October 2013 |publisher=E-democracy.md}}</ref> The 1994 constitution also establishes an [[Judicial independence|independent]] [[Constitutional Court of Moldova|Constitutional Court]], composed of six judges (two appointed by the President, two by Parliament, and two by the Supreme Council of [[Magistrate|Magistrature]]), serving six-year terms, during which they are irremovable and not subordinate to any power. The court is invested with the power of [[judicial review]] over all [[Act of Parliament|acts of parliament]], over [[presidential decree]]s, and over [[Treaty|international treaties]] signed by the country.<ref name="const2" />

The head of state is the President of Moldova, who between 2001 and 2015 was elected by the Moldovan Parliament, requiring the support of three-fifths of the deputies (at least 61 votes). This system was designed to decrease executive authority in favour of the legislature. Nevertheless, the [[Constitutional Court of Moldova|Constitutional Court]] ruled on 4 March 2016 that this constitutional change adopted in 2000 regarding the presidential election was unconstitutional, thus reverting the election method of the president to a [[two-round system]] [[direct election]].<ref>{{cite news |date=4 March 2016 |title=DECIS: Şeful statului va fi ales de popor; Modificarea din 2000 a Constituţiei privind alegerea preşedintelui de Parlament, NECONSTITUŢIONALĂ |language=ro |trans-title=DECIDED: The president will be elected by the people; The 2000 amendment of the Constitution concerning the election of the President by Parliament unconstitutional |newspaper=[[Jurnalul Național]] |url=http://jurnal.md/ro/justitie/2016/3/4/decis-seful-statului-va-fi-ales-de-popor-modificarea-din-2000-a-constitutiei-privind-alegerea-presedintelui-de-parlament-neconstitutionala/ |url-status=live |access-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225044414/https://www.jurnal.md/ro/justitie/2016/3/4/decis-seful-statului-va-fi-ales-de-popor-modificarea-din-2000-a-constitutiei-privind-alegerea-presedintelui-de-parlament-neconstitutionala/ |archive-date=25 February 2021}}</ref>

===Administrative divisions===
{{main|Administrative divisions of Moldova|List of cities in Moldova|List of localities in Moldova|Communes of Moldova}}

{{Map of administrative divisions of Moldova}}

Moldova is divided into 32 districts (''raioane'', singular ''[[raion]]''), three municipalities and two autonomous regions ("autonomous territorial units", [[Gagauzia]] and the [[Administrative-Territorial Units of the Left Bank of the Dniester|Left Bank of the Dniester]]).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://descentralizare.gov.md/regionmap.php?l=ro&idc=310|title=Autorități publice locale|publisher=Government of Moldova|access-date=12 October 2010|archive-date=28 August 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100828065811/http://www.descentralizare.gov.md/regionmap.php?l=ro&idc=310|url-status=live}}</ref> The final status of Transnistria is [[Disputed status of Transnistria|disputed]], as the central government does not control that territory. 10 other cities, including [[Comrat]] and [[Tiraspol]], the administrative seats of the two autonomous territories, also have [[municipiu|municipality status]].

Moldova has 66 cities (towns), including 13 with municipality status, and 916 communes. Another 700 villages are too small to have a separate administration and are administratively part of either cities (41 of them) or communes (659). This makes for a total of 1,682 localities in Moldova, two of which are uninhabited.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.statistica.md/public/files/Clasificatoare/CUATM_rom.zip|title=Clasificatorul unităţilor administrativ-teritoriale (CUATM)|access-date=20 May 2017|archive-date=8 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190508230025/http://www.statistica.md/public/files/Clasificatoare/CUATM_rom.zip|url-status=live}}</ref>

The largest city in Moldova is Chișinău with a population of approx. 695,400 people. The second largest city is Tiraspol at 129,500, part of the [[List of states with limited recognition|unrecognised breakaway region]] of [[Transnistria]], followed by Bălți (146,900) and Bender (91,000).
{{Clear}}

===Foreign relations===
{{main|Foreign relations of Moldova}}
{{see also|Moldovan neutrality}}

After achieving independence from the Soviet Union, Moldova's foreign policy was designed with a view to establishing relations with other European countries, neutrality, and European Union integration. In May 1995, the country signed the [[CIS Interparliamentary Assembly]] Convention to become a member and was also admitted in July 1995 to the [[Council of Europe]].

Moldova became a member state of the United Nations the [[Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe]] (OSCE), the [[North Atlantic Cooperation Council]], the [[World Bank]], the [[International Monetary Fund]] and the [[European Bank for Reconstruction and Development]] in 1992. 1994 saw Moldova become a participant in [[NATO]]'s [[Partnership for Peace]] programme. Moldova joined the [[Organisation internationale de la Francophonie|Francophonie]] in 1996, the [[World Trade Organization]] in 2001, and the [[International Criminal Court]] in 2002.

In 2005, Moldova and the European Union established an action plan that sought to improve cooperation between Moldova and the union. At the end of 2005, the [[European Union Border Assistance Mission to Moldova and Ukraine]] (EUBAM) was established at the joint request of the presidents of Moldova and Ukraine. EUBAM assists the Moldovan and Ukrainian governments in approximating their border and customs procedures to EU standards and offers support in both countries' fight against cross-border crime.

After the 1990–1992 [[War of Transnistria]], Moldova sought a peaceful resolution to the conflict in the Transnistria region by working with Romania, Ukraine, and Russia, calling for international mediation, and co-operating with the OSCE and UN fact-finding and observer missions. The [[foreign minister of Moldova]], [[Andrei Stratan]], repeatedly stated that the Russian troops stationed in the breakaway region were there against the will of the Moldovan government and called on them to leave "completely and unconditionally".<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.easybourse.com/bourse-actualite/marches/moldova-calls-on-russian-troops-to-leave-transdniestr-574221|title=Moldova Calls on Russian Troops To Leave Transdniestr|accessdate=21 November 2025}}{{Dead link|date=December 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref> In 2012, a [[2012 Moldova security zone incident|security zone incident]] resulted in the death of a civilian, raising tensions with Russia.<ref>{{cite news |first=Ellen |last=Barry |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/04/world/europe/shooting-raises-tensions-between-moldova-and-russia.html |title=Shooting at Checkpoint Raises Tensions in a Disputed Region Claimed by Moldova |work=The New York Times |date=3 January 2012 |access-date=2 September 2015 |archive-date=4 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120104091047/http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/04/world/europe/shooting-raises-tensions-between-moldova-and-russia.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[File:Batumi International Conference, on 19 July 2021 05 (cropped).jpg|thumb|right|President of Georgia [[Salome Zourabichvili]], President of Moldova [[Maia Sandu]], President of Ukraine [[Volodymyr Zelenskyy]] and [[President of the European Council]] [[Charles Michel]] during the 2021 [[Batumi]] International Conference. In 2014, the EU signed [[European Union Association Agreement|Association Agreements]] with the three states.]]

In September 2010, the [[European Parliament]] approved a grant of €90 million to Moldova.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?language=en&type=IM-PRESS&reference=20100907IPR81460 |title=EU to grant €90 million to crisis-hit Moldova |publisher=Europarl.europa.eu |date=7 September 2010 |access-date=9 October 2013 |archive-date=26 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130526045325/http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?language=en&type=IM-PRESS&reference=20100907IPR81460 |url-status=live }}</ref> The money was to supplement US$570 million in International Monetary Fund loans,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://en.rian.ru/exsoviet/20100130/157721106.html |title=Moldova to get $570 million in IMF loans |publisher=RIA Novosti|date=30 January 2010 |access-date=25 November 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019012333/http://en.rian.ru/exsoviet/20100130/157721106.html |archive-date=19 October 2012}}</ref> World Bank and other bilateral support already granted to Moldova. In April 2010, Romania offered Moldova development aid worth of €100 million while the number of scholarships for Moldovan students doubled to 5,000.<ref>{{cite web |author=Chiriac |first=Marian |date=27 April 2010 |title=Romania, Moldova to Boost Relations |url=http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/romania-moldova-to-boost-relations |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130728223227/http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/romania-moldova-to-boost-relations |archive-date=28 July 2013 |access-date=9 October 2013 |publisher=[[Balkan Insight]]}}</ref> According to a lending agreement signed in February 2010, Poland provided US$15 million as a component of its support for Moldova in its European integration efforts.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.azi.md/en/story/9504 |title=Poland will support Moldova in its European integration efforts |publisher=Moldova Azi |access-date=9 October 2013 |archive-date=27 August 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130827015717/http://www.azi.md/en/story/9504 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The first joint meeting of the Governments of Romania and Moldova, held in March 2012, concluded with several bilateral agreements in various fields.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.agerpres.ro/news-of-the-day/2012/03/04/first-meeting-of-romania-and-rep-of-moldova-governments-concluded-with-initialling-of-several-bilateral-agreements-13-27-18 |title=First meeting of Romania and Rep. of Moldova Governments, concluded with initialling of several bilateral agreements |publisher=agerpres.ro |date=4 March 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407072652/http://www.agerpres.ro/news-of-the-day/2012/03/04/first-meeting-of-romania-and-rep-of-moldova-governments-concluded-with-initialling-of-several-bilateral-agreements-13-27-18 |archive-date=7 April 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gov.ro/joint-meeting-of-the-government-of-romania-and-government-of-the-republic-of-moldova__l2a116286.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130208113857/http://www.gov.ro/joint-meeting-of-the-government-of-romania-and-government-of-the-republic-of-moldova__l2a116286.html |archive-date=8 February 2013 |title=Joint meeting of the Government of Romania and Government of the Republic of Moldova |language=ro |publisher=Guvernul Romaniei |access-date=9 October 2013}}</ref> The European orientation "has been the policy of Moldova in recent years and this is the policy that must continue," [[Nicolae Timofti]] told lawmakers before [[Moldovan presidential election, 2011–2012|his election in 2012]].<ref>[[The Washington Post]], [http://thevotingnews.com/moldova-elects-pro-european-judge-timofti-as-president-ending-3-years-of-political-deadlock-the-washington-post/ Moldova elected pro-European judge Timofti as president, ending 3 years of political deadlock] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150904002008/http://thevotingnews.com/moldova-elects-pro-european-judge-timofti-as-president-ending-3-years-of-political-deadlock-the-washington-post/ |date=4 September 2015 }}</ref>{{full citation needed|date=December 2022}}

On 29 November 2013, at a summit in [[Vilnius]], Moldova signed an [[European Union Association Agreement|association agreement]] with the European Union dedicated to the European Union's '[[Eastern Partnership]]' with ex-Soviet countries.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://eeas.europa.eu/moldova/assoagreement/assoagreement-2013_en.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131207232619/http://www.eeas.europa.eu/moldova/assoagreement/assoagreement-2013_en.htm |archive-date=7 December 2013 |title=EU-Moldova Association Agreement |work=European Union External Action}}</ref> The ex-Romanian President [[Traian Băsescu]] stated that Romania will make all efforts for Moldova to join the EU as soon as possible. Likewise, Traian Băsescu declared that the [[unification of Moldova and Romania]] is the next national project for Romania, as more than 75% of the population speaks Romanian.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.romanialibera.ro/politica/institutii/basescu--urmatorul-proiect-de-tara-al-romaniei--unirea-cu-basarabia-319094 |title=Băsescu: Următorul proiect de țară al României, unirea cu Basarabia |newspaper=România Liberă |date=27 November 2013 |access-date=2 September 2015 |archive-date=4 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150904002008/http://www.romanialibera.ro/politica/institutii/basescu--urmatorul-proiect-de-tara-al-romaniei--unirea-cu-basarabia-319094 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

====Russia====
{{main|Moldova–Russia relations}}

A document written in 2021 by the Russia's FSB's Directorate for Cross-Border Cooperation, titled "Strategic objectives of the Russian Federation in the Republic of Moldova" sets out a 10-year plan to destabilise Moldova, using [[energy blackmail]], and political/elite sources in Moldova that are favourable to Russia and the Orthodox Church. Russia denies any such plan.<ref name="cnn163">{{cite web |title=Secret document reveals Russia's 10-year plan to destabilize Moldova |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2023/03/16/europe/russia-moldova-secret-document-intl-cmd/index.html |date=16 March 2023|publisher=[[CNN]]|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230912123518/https://edition.cnn.com/2023/03/16/europe/russia-moldova-secret-document-intl-cmd/index.html|archive-date=12 September 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=How Russia Torpedoed Its Own Influence in Moldova|url=https://carnegieendowment.org/russia-eurasia/politika/2023/05/how-russia-torpedoed-its-own-influence-in-moldova?lang=en|date=11 March 2023|publisher=[[Carnegie Endowment for International Peace]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230921170846/https://carnegieendowment.org/politika/89731|archive-date=21 September 2023}}</ref>

Religious leaders play a role in shaping foreign policy. Since the fall of the Soviet Union, the Russian Government has frequently used its connections with the [[Russian Orthodox Church]] to block and stymie the integration of former Soviet states like Moldova into the West.<ref>Andrew Higgins, "In Expanding Russian Influence, Faith Combines With Firepower," [https://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/14/world/europe/russia-orthodox-church.html ''The New York Times'', 13 September 2016] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191110031305/https://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/14/world/europe/russia-orthodox-church.html |date=10 November 2019 }}</ref>

In February 2023, Russia canceled a 2012 decree underpinning Moldova's sovereignty.<ref name="cnn163"/> In May 2023, the Moldovan government announced the immediate suspension of its participation in the Commonwealth of Independent States and its intentions to ultimately withdraw from the organisation entirely.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Scotto di Santolo |first=Alessandra |date=15 May 2023 |title=Major blow for Putin as Moldova withdraws from Russia-led alliance |url=https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/1770254/putin-blow-maldova-cis-asembly-russia |access-date=6 July 2023 |website=[[The Daily Express]] |language=en |archive-date=7 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230707162327/https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/1770254/putin-blow-maldova-cis-asembly-russia |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Popusoi |first=Cristina |date=18 May 2023 |title=Moldova Is Distancing Itself From The CIS, But Leaving Might Not Be So Easy |language=en |work=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/moldova-leaving-cis-russia/32417644.html |access-date=6 July 2023 |archive-date=7 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230707162045/https://www.rferl.org/a/moldova-leaving-cis-russia/32417644.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Goble |first=Paul |date=10 November 2022 |title=Moscow Working to Block Moldova from Leaving CIS |language=en-US |work=[[The Jamestown Foundation]] |url=https://jamestown.org/program/moscow-working-to-block-moldova-from-leaving-cis/ |access-date=6 July 2023 |archive-date=7 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230707162704/https://jamestown.org/program/moscow-working-to-block-moldova-from-leaving-cis/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In July 2023, Moldova passed legislation removing it from membership in the [[CIS Interparliamentary Assembly]].<ref>{{cite web |title=PARLIAMENT ADOPTS IN FINAL READING LAW ON MOLDOVA'S WITHDRAWAL FROM CIS INTERPARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY |url=https://www.infotag.md/politics-en/309245/ |date=20 July 2023 |access-date=8 March 2024 |archive-date=29 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240129113439/http://www.infotag.md/politics-en/309245/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 25 July 2023, the Moldovan government summoned the Russian ambassador Oleg Vasnetsov to Moldova after media reports of alleged spying devices on the rooftop of their embassy in Chişinău.<ref>{{Cite web |last2=Pokharel |first1=Josh |last1=Pennington |first2=Sugam |date=25 July 2023 |title=Moldova summons Russian ambassador after media reporting on alleged spy devices on embassy's rooftop |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/07/25/europe/moldova-spying-allegations-intl/index.html |access-date=1 August 2023 |website=[[CNN]] |language=en |archive-date=1 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230801045016/https://www.cnn.com/2023/07/25/europe/moldova-spying-allegations-intl/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=26 July 2023 |title=Moldova expels 45 Russian diplomatic staff in spy row |language=en-GB |work=[[BBC News]] |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-66320894 |access-date=1 August 2023 |archive-date=31 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230731183634/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-66320894 |url-status=live }}</ref> On 26 July 2023, the Moldovan government expelled 45 Russian diplomats and embassy staff due to "hostile actions" intended to destabilise the Republic of Moldova, according to Foreign Minister Nicu Popescu.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bennetts |first=Marc |date=1 August 2023 |title=Moldova expels 45 Russian diplomats and embassy staff |language=en |work=[[The Times]] |url=https://www.thetimes.com/world/russia-ukraine-war/article/moldova-expels-russian-diplomats-embassy-staff-5hjf56qjk |access-date=1 August 2023 |issn=0140-0460 |archive-date=1 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230801100849/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/moldova-expels-russian-diplomats-embassy-staff-5hjf56qjk |url-status=live }}</ref> On 30 July, the Russian embassy announced that it would suspend consular appointments "for technical reasons".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Tanas |first=Alexander |date=30 July 2023 |title=Russian embassy in Moldova to suspend consular appointments |language=en |work=[[Reuters]] |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russian-embassy-moldova-suspend-consular-appointments-2023-07-30/ |access-date=1 August 2023 |archive-date=31 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230731211517/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russian-embassy-moldova-suspend-consular-appointments-2023-07-30/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

The Moldovan [[Security and Intelligence Service of Moldova|Security and Intelligence Service]] (SIS) also ended all partnership agreements with Russia's [[Federal Security Service|FSB]] after sending official notifications to the authorities in Moscow.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Necșuțu |first=Mădălin |date=1 August 2023 |title=Moldovan Secret Services Cancel Agreements with Russian Intelligence |work=[[Balkan Insight]] |url=https://balkaninsight.com/2023/08/01/moldovan-secret-services-cancel-agreements-with-russian-intelligence/ |access-date=2 August 2023 |archive-date=1 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230801154944/https://balkaninsight.com/2023/08/01/moldovan-secret-services-cancel-agreements-with-russian-intelligence/ |url-status=live }}</ref> On September 2025, an investigation article by the [[BBC]], revealed a secret Russian-backed network trying to disrupt the election in Moldova schedueled to 28 September.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2025-09-21 |title=How Russian-funded fake news network aims to disrupt European election - BBC investigation |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4g5kl0n5d2o |access-date=2025-09-21 |website=www.bbc.com |language=en-GB}}</ref> According to the BBC, sanctioned Russian groups recruited operatives on [[Telegram (software)|Telegram]], then trained them to spread fake news. They posted pro-Russian content, attacked the pro-EU ruling party, and ran fake polls to question the results. The investigation linked the operation to fugitive oligarch [[Ilan Shor]] and the banned NGO Evrazia, noting that its content reached millions on [[TikTok]] and [[Facebook]]. Recruits used [[ChatGPT]] to create false content after filming opposition supporters. The investigation claims the funding comes from Moscow and is part of wider Kremlin efforts to destabillize Moldova.<ref name=":0" />

==== European Union accession ====
{{main|Moldova–European Union relations|Accession of Moldova to the European Union}}
[[File:European Union Moldova Locator.svg|thumb|right|In June 2022, Moldova became a recognised candidate for membership of the [[European Union]].]]

Moldova has set 2030 as the target date for EU Accession.<ref>{{cite web |title=Moldova sets 2030 as EU accession target at massive pro-EU rally in Chisinau |url=https://www.romania-insider.com/moldova-rally-eu-accession-may-2023 |date=22 May 2023 |access-date=8 March 2024 |archive-date=8 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231208090113/https://www.romania-insider.com/moldova-rally-eu-accession-may-2023 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Moldova signed the Association Agreement with the European Union in [[Brussels]] on 27 June 2014. The signing came after the accord was drafted in Vilnius in November 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://eeas.europa.eu/top_stories/2014/270614_association_agreement_en.htm|title=European Union – EEAS (European External Action Service) – EU forges closer ties with Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova|website=Eeas.europa.eu|access-date=27 June 2014|archive-date=6 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160706211949/http://eeas.europa.eu/top_stories/2014/270614_association_agreement_en.htm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_SPEECH-14-511_en.htm|title=European Commission – PRESS RELEASES – Press release – Remarks by President Barroso at the signing of the Association Agreements with Georgia, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine|website=Europa.eu|access-date=27 June 2014|archive-date=30 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140630041046/http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_SPEECH-14-511_en.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

Moldova signed the membership application to join the EU on 3 March 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tanas |first=Alexander |date=3 March 2022 |title=With war on its doorstep, Moldova applies for EU membership |website=[[Reuters]] |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/moldovan-president-says-moldova-applies-eu-membership-2022-03-03/ |access-date=3 March 2022 |archive-date=25 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220625000916/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/moldovan-president-says-moldova-applies-eu-membership-2022-03-03/ |url-status=live }}</ref> On 23 June 2022, Moldova was officially granted [[Potential enlargement of the European Union|candidate status]] by EU leaders.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.euractiv.com/section/europe-s-east/news/eu-leaders-grant-candidate-status-to-ukraine-and-moldova/ |title=EU leaders grant candidate status to Ukraine and Moldova |last=Brzozowski |first=Alexandra |date=23 June 2022 |website=euractiv.com |publisher=[[Euractiv]] |access-date=24 June 2022 |archive-date=23 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220623214851/https://www.euractiv.com/section/europe-s-east/news/eu-leaders-grant-candidate-status-to-ukraine-and-moldova |url-status=live }}</ref> The United Nations Development Programme is also providing assistance to Moldova in implementing the necessary reforms for full accession by 2030.<ref>{{Cite web |title=UNDP to support the Republic of Moldova to implement key reforms on its EU accession path {{!}} United Nations Development Programme |url=https://www.undp.org/moldova/press-releases/undp-support-republic-moldova-implement-key-reforms-its-eu-accession-path |access-date=2 August 2023 |website=UNDP |language=en |archive-date=2 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230802164623/https://www.undp.org/moldova/press-releases/undp-support-republic-moldova-implement-key-reforms-its-eu-accession-path |url-status=live }}</ref> The European Union's [[High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy]] [[Josep Borrell]] has confirmed that the pathway to accession does not depend upon a resolution of the [[Transnistria conflict]].<ref name="RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty">{{Cite news |date=1 June 2023 |title=Moldova's EU Path Independent Of Transdniester Developments, Says Borrell |language=en |work=[[RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty]] |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/moldova-eu-path-transdniester-borrell/32438431.html |access-date=2 August 2023 |archive-date=2 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230802165031/https://www.rferl.org/a/moldova-eu-path-transdniester-borrell/32438431.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 27 June, Moldova signed a comprehensive free trade agreement with the [[European Free Trade Association]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=27 June 2023 |title=EFTA and Moldova sign a Free Trade Agreement {{!}} European Free Trade Association |url=https://www.efta.int/Free-Trade/news/EFTA-and-Moldova-sign-Free-Trade-Agreement-536291#:~:text=At%20the%20meeting,%20the%20EFTA,investment%20between%20the%20two%20sides. |access-date=5 July 2023 |website=[[European Free Trade Association]] |archive-date=5 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230705130004/https://www.efta.int/Free-Trade/news/EFTA-and-Moldova-sign-Free-Trade-Agreement-536291#:~:text=At%20the%20meeting,%20the%20EFTA,investment%20between%20the%20two%20sides. |url-status=live }}</ref> On 28 June 2023, the European Union announced a €1.6 billion support and investment programme for Moldova, as well as confirming reductions in the price of mobile data and voice roaming charges in Moldova by European and Moldovan telecoms operators, as well as Moldova joining the EU's joint gas purchase platform.<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 June 2023 |title=The EU presents a Support Package for the Republic of Moldova |url=https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/home/en |access-date=1 August 2023 |website=[[European Commission]] |language=en |archive-date=21 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190621200951/https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/home/en |url-status=live }}</ref>

Formal accession talks began on 13 December 2023.<ref>{{cite web |title=EU greenlights accession talks with Ukraine but Orbán vetoes €50-billion aid package |url=https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2023/12/14/eu-greenlights-accession-talks-with-ukraine-and-moldova |access-date=14 December 2023 |website=[[Euronews]] |date=14 December 2023 |language=en |archive-date=14 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231214175059/https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2023/12/14/eu-greenlights-accession-talks-with-ukraine-and-moldova |url-status=live }}</ref> A referendum on joining the EU is planned for autumn 2024, there will be no voting stations in Transnistria, however residents there will be free to travel into other areas of Moldova to vote, should they wish to.<ref>{{cite web |title=Moldova will hold referendum on EU membership without Transnistria: Sandu |url=https://www.1lurer.am/en/2023/12/29/Moldova-will-hold-referendum-on-EU-membership-without-Transnistria-Sandhu/1054506 |date=29 December 2023 |access-date=8 March 2024 |archive-date=4 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240104013438/https://www.1lurer.am/en/2023/12/29/Moldova-will-hold-referendum-on-EU-membership-without-Transnistria-Sandhu/1054506 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In Moldova's referendum on joining the EU, a narrow 50.17% voted "yes," with Maia Sandu alleging "unprecedented" outside interference. Sandu received 42% in the simultaneous presidential election, while her rival, Alexandr Stoianoglo, garnered 26%, leading to a run-off on 3 November 2024. The referendum was seen as a test of Moldova's commitment to EU integration, amid claims of vote manipulation by criminal groups.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Balmforth |first1=Tom |last2=Tanas |first2=Alexander |title=Moldova's EU referendum in tight finish; Sandu decries vote meddling |date=21 October 2024 |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/moldovas-eu-referendum-goes-wire-after-sandu-decries-vote-meddling-2024-10-21/ |website=Reuters |access-date=21 October 2024}}</ref>

===Military===
{{main|Military of Moldova}}

[[File:Moldovan army Capt. Deli Ianec, left, role-playing as an Afghan National Army officer, and U.S. Army Capt. Trey Marsh, with Iron Troop, 3rd Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment, review pictures taken after a search 130311-A-PU716-004.jpg|thumb|right|A soldier of the [[Military of Moldova|Moldovan Army]] at the Joint Multinational Readiness Centre in [[Hohenfels, Bavaria|Hohenfels]], Germany]]

The Moldovan armed forces consists of the [[Moldovan Ground Forces|Ground Forces]] and [[Moldovan Air Force|Air Force]].
Moldova maintains a standing army of just 6,500 soldiers, and spends just 0.4 percent of its GDP on defence, far behind its regional neighbours.<ref name="Necșuțu-2022" />

Moldova accepted all relevant arms control obligations of the former Soviet Union. On 30 October 1992, Moldova ratified the [[Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe]], which establishes comprehensive limits on key categories of conventional military equipment and provides for the destruction of weapons in excess of those limits. The country acceded to the provisions of the nuclear [[Non-Proliferation Treaty]] in October 1994 in Washington, D.C. It does not have nuclear, biological, chemical or radiological weapons. Moldova joined the [[North Atlantic Treaty Organization|North Atlantic Treaty Organisation]]'s [[Partnership for Peace]] on 16 March 1994.

Moldova is committed to a number of international and regional control of arms regulations such as the [[Protocol Against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms|UN Firearms Protocol]], [[Stability Pact for Southeastern Europe|Stability Pact Regional Implementation Plan]], the UN Programme of Action (PoA), and the [[Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe|OSCE]] Documents on Stockpiles of Conventional Ammunition.<ref>{{Cite web |date=19 November 2003 |title=OSCE Document on Stockpiles of Conventional Ammunition |url=https://www.osce.org/fsc/15792 |access-date=7 July 2023 |website=[[OSCE]] |language=en |archive-date=7 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230707162506/https://www.osce.org/fsc/15792 |url-status=live }}</ref> Since declaring independence in 1991, Moldova has participated in UN peacekeeping missions in [[Liberia]], [[Ivory Coast|Côte d'Ivoire]], [[Sudan]], and [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ministry of Defense of Republic of Moldova |url=https://www.army.md/?lng=3&action=show&cat=163 |access-date=7 July 2023 |website=www.army.md |archive-date=7 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230707162330/https://www.army.md/?lng=3&action=show&cat=163 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=UNMIL |url=https://peacekeeping.un.org/en/mission/unmil |access-date=7 July 2023 |website=United Nations Peacekeeping |language=en |archive-date=7 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230707162104/https://peacekeeping.un.org/en/mission/unmil |url-status=live }}</ref> On 12 November 2014, the US donated to Moldovan Armed Forces 39 [[Humvees]] and 10 trailers, with a value of US$700,000, to the 22nd Peacekeeping Battalion of the Moldovan National Army to "increase the capability of Moldovan peacekeeping contingents."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://moldova.usembassy.gov/111214.html |title=2014 – Embassy of the United States Chișinău, Moldova|website=Moldova.usembassy.gov |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150904002008/http://moldova.usembassy.gov/111214.html |archive-date=4 September 2015 }}</ref>

Moldova signed a military agreement with Romania to strengthen regional security in 2015. The agreement is part of Moldova's strategy to reform its military and cooperate with its neighbours.<ref>{{cite web|title=Moldova's military agreements to help strengthen regional security|url=http://www.turkishweekly.net/2013/12/21/news/moldovas-military-agreements-to-help-strengthen-regional-security/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150904002008/http://www.turkishweekly.net/2013/12/21/news/moldovas-military-agreements-to-help-strengthen-regional-security/|url-status=dead|archive-date=4 September 2015|access-date=21 December 2013}}</ref>

Since 2022, the army has begun a process of modernisation, and has been provided with more than €87 million in support for the modernisation of the defence sector and the strengthening of security through the [[European Peace Facility]].<ref name="Necșuțu-2022">{{Cite web |last=Necșuțu |first=Mădălin |date=13 July 2022 |title=Moldova Weighs Mobility and Firepower in Military Overhaul |url=https://balkaninsight.com/2022/07/13/moldova-weighs-mobility-and-firepower-in-military-overhaul/ |access-date=6 July 2023 |website=[[Balkan Insight]] |language=en-US |archive-date=19 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230919235054/https://balkaninsight.com/2022/07/13/moldova-weighs-mobility-and-firepower-in-military-overhaul/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=1 June 2023 |title=EU hands over first batch of modern equipment to Moldovan armed forces – EU NEIGHBOURS east |url=https://euneighbourseast.eu/news/latest-news/eu-hands-over-first-batch-of-modern-equipment-to-moldovan-armed-forces/ |access-date=6 July 2023 |website=euneighbourseast.eu |language=en-GB |archive-date=13 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230613215600/https://euneighbourseast.eu/news/latest-news/eu-hands-over-first-batch-of-modern-equipment-to-moldovan-armed-forces/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In October 2022, Defense Minister Anatolie Nosatii claimed that 90 percent of the country's military equipment is outdated and of Soviet origin, dating back to the 1960s and 1980s.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Defense Minister Says 90 Percent Of Moldova's Military Equipment Is Outdated |language=en |work=[[Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty]] |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/moldova-military-defense-outdated-underfunded/32095231.html |access-date=6 July 2023 |archive-date=31 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230531133442/https://www.rferl.org/a/moldova-military-defense-outdated-underfunded/32095231.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In April 2023, Valeriu Mija, Secretary of State for Defence Policy and National Army Reform in the Defence Ministry, claimed that Moldova needed $275 million to modernise its armed forces, especially in light of [[Russian invasion of Ukraine|Russia's invasion of Ukraine]] and the presence of [[Russian military presence in Transnistria|1,500 Russian soldiers in Transnistria]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Tanas |first=Alexander |date=13 April 2023 |title=Moldova needs $275 million to modernise armed forces, defence official says |language=en |work=[[Reuters]] |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/moldova-needs-275-mln-modernise-armed-forces-defence-official-2023-04-13/ |access-date=6 July 2023 |archive-date=7 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230707163741/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/moldova-needs-275-mln-modernise-armed-forces-defence-official-2023-04-13/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In June 2023, Poland also sent a transport of military equipment worth €8 million (including [[Unmanned combat aerial vehicle|drones]], laptops, [[Explosive ordnance disposal|explosive ordnance disposal equipment]], and ultrasound equipment) to the [[Moldovan Police|Moldovan police]] to increase the country's internal security.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Poland sends military equipment to Moldovan police |url=https://www.thefirstnews.com/article/poland-sends-military-equipment-to-moldovan-police-38861 |access-date=6 July 2023 |website=www.thefirstnews.com |language=en |archive-date=7 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230707162527/https://www.thefirstnews.com/article/poland-sends-military-equipment-to-moldovan-police-38861 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Poland hands over weapons and ammunition to the Moldovan police – Militarnyi |url=https://mil.in.ua/en/news/poland-hands-over-weapons-and-ammunition-to-the-moldovan-police/ |access-date=6 July 2023 |website=mil.in.ua |archive-date=7 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230707162357/https://mil.in.ua/en/news/poland-hands-over-weapons-and-ammunition-to-the-moldovan-police/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Analysts at the Centre for European Policy Analysis have called for further western weapon donations.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kirichenko |first=David |date=12 June 2023 |title=Moldova Needs Western Weapons |url=https://cepa.org/article/moldova-needs-western-weapons/ |access-date=6 July 2023 |website=Center for European Policy Analysis |language=en-US |archive-date=7 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230707161546/https://cepa.org/article/moldova-needs-western-weapons/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Security===
The European Union created a [[European Union Partnership Mission in Moldova|Partnership Mission in Moldova]] through its [[Common Security and Defence Policy]] on 24 April 2023. The mission seeks to support the government of Moldova in countering hybrid threats the country faces as a result of the [[2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://censor.net/en/news/3407322/eu_is_preparing_mission_to_moldova_to_make_it_more_resistant_to_hybrid_threats_borrell | title=EU is preparing mission to Moldova to make it more resistant to hybrid threats, – Borrell | date=22 March 2023 | access-date=8 March 2024 | archive-date=19 September 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230919235056/https://censor.net/en/news/3407322/eu_is_preparing_mission_to_moldova_to_make_it_more_resistant_to_hybrid_threats_borrell | url-status=live }}</ref>

A memorandum dated 29 March 2023 stated that the mission aims at "enhancing the resilience of Moldova's security sector in the area of crisis management as well as enhancing resilience to hybrid threats, including cybersecurity, and countering foreign information manipulation and interference".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Swaton |first=Chiara |date=8 June 2023 |title=Austria sends police officers, soldiers to EU Moldova mission |url=https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/news/austria-sends-police-officers-soldiers-to-eu-moldova-mission/ |access-date=1 August 2023 |website=[[Euractiv]] |language=en-GB |archive-date=15 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230615060906/https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/news/austria-sends-police-officers-soldiers-to-eu-moldova-mission/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The initial mandate of the mission is expected to be for two years and it will be made up of up to 40 police and customs officers and judicial officials.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rettman |first=Andrew |date=31 March 2023 |title=EU sending anti-coup mission to Moldova in May |url=https://euobserver.com/world/156884 |access-date=1 August 2023 |website=[[EUobserver]] |language=en |archive-date=4 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230604204657/https://euobserver.com/world/156884 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="thebriefing.eu">{{Cite web |url=https://www.thebriefing.eu/welt-eu-to-send-mission-to-moldova-to-consult-on-countrys-security/ |title=Welt: EU to Send Mission to Moldova to Consult on Country's Security – the Briefing |access-date=6 July 2023 |archive-date=5 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405061021/https://www.thebriefing.eu/welt-eu-to-send-mission-to-moldova-to-consult-on-countrys-security/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=25 April 2023 |title=EU members look to support Moldova, send muntions to Ukraine to offset Russian expansionism |url=https://www.rfi.fr/en/international/20230425-eu-members-look-to-support-moldova-send-muntions-to-ukraine-to-offset-russian-expansionism |access-date=1 August 2023 |website=[[Radio France Internationale]] |archive-date=21 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230621175042/https://www.rfi.fr/en/international/20230425-eu-members-look-to-support-moldova-send-muntions-to-ukraine-to-offset-russian-expansionism |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Estonia]], [[Latvia]], [[Lithuania]], Germany, [[Poland]], Sweden, the [[Czech Republic]], [[Portugal]], [[Romania]], and [[Denmark]] have all voiced support for the mission.<ref name="thebriefing.eu"/>

On 2 February 2023 Moldova passed a law introducing criminal penalties for [[separatism]], including prison terms. The law continues with penalties for financing and inciting separatism, plotting against Moldova, and collecting and stealing information that could harm the country's sovereignty, independence and integrity.<ref>{{cite web |last=Necșuțu |first=Mădălin |date=8 February 2023 |title=Moldova 'Separatism Law' Sparks Tensions With Breakaway Transnistria |url=https://balkaninsight.com/2023/02/08/moldova-separatism-law-sparks-tensions-with-breakaway-transnistria/ |access-date=1 August 2023 |website=[[Balkan Insight]] |archive-date=30 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230730141431/https://balkaninsight.com/2023/02/08/moldova-separatism-law-sparks-tensions-with-breakaway-transnistria/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Law enforcement and emergency services ===
{{See also|Crime in Moldova|Healthcare in Moldova}}
The Moldovan police force ([[Moldovan Police|General Police Inspectorate]]) reports to the [[Ministry of Internal Affairs (Moldova)|Ministry of Internal Affairs]] (MAI) and is the primary law enforcement body, responsible for internal security, public order, traffic, and criminal investigations. Several agencies responsible for border management, emergency situations, migration and asylum also report to the ministry. Civilian authorities maintained effective control over the security forces.<ref name="United States Department of State" /> The Moldovan Police are divided into state and municipal organisations. State police provide law enforcement throughout Moldova while municipal police operate at the local [[Administrative divisions of Moldova|administrative]] level. National and municipal police forces often collaborate closely for law enforcement purposes. The [[Special Forces Brigade "Fulger"]] is a specialised combat-ready police force primarily responsible for tackling organised crime, serious violent crime, and hostage situations. They are subordinate to the General Police Inspectorate and therefore under strict civilian control.<ref name="United States Department of State" />

There are also a number of more specialised police institutions including the Police Department of Chisinau Municipality and the General Directorate of Criminal Investigation. The [[Moldovan Border Police]] are responsible for border security. It was a military branch until 2012 when it was put under the control of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. According to ''The Law on Police Use of Force Worldwide,'' "Moldova does not regulate and restrict the use of firearms by law enforcement officials as international law requires. Police use of a firearm can only be lawful where necessary to confront an imminent threat of death or serious injury or a grave and proximate threat to life."<ref>{{Cite web |date=10 May 2021 |title=Law on police use of force in Moldova |url=https://www.policinglaw.info/country/moldova |access-date=2 August 2023 |website=The Law on Police Use of Force |language=en |archive-date=2 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230802142316/https://www.policinglaw.info/country/moldova |url-status=live }}</ref>

The [[Security and Intelligence Service of Moldova|Security and Intelligence Service]] (SIS) is a Moldovan state body specialised in ensuring [[national security]] by exercising all appropriate [[Intelligence analysis|intelligence]] and [[Counterintelligence|counter-intelligence]] measures, such as: collecting, processing, checking and capitalising the information needed to identify, prevent and counteract any actions that according to law represent an internal or external threat to independence, sovereignty, unity, territorial integrity, constitutional order, democratic development, internal security of the state, society and citizens, the statehood of the Republic of Moldova, the stable functioning of vitally important branches of the national economy, both on the territory of the Republic of Moldova and abroad.

Emergency services in Moldova consist of [[emergency medical services]], [[search and rescue]] units, and a state [[Firefighting|firefighting service]]. There are two hospitals in the capital city Chișinău, the primary being Medpark International Hospital, and general hospitals in [[Bălți]], [[Briceni]], [[Cahul]], and [[Călărași, Moldova|Călărași]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Medical Assistance |url=https://md.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/doctors/ |access-date=2 August 2023 |website=U.S. Embassy in Moldova |language=en-US |archive-date=31 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230531171054/https://md.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/doctors/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=24 January 2023 |title=List of medical facilities in Moldova |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/moldova-list-of-medical-facilities-and-practitioners/list-of-medical-facilities-in-moldova |access-date=2 August 2023 |website=[[Government of the United Kingdom]] |language=en |archive-date=2 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230802142315/https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/moldova-list-of-medical-facilities-and-practitioners/list-of-medical-facilities-in-moldova |url-status=live }}</ref> Moldova has a universal healthcare system through a [[mandatory health insurance]] scheme. Casa Mariorei, founded in 2002, is a [[Women's shelter|domestic violence shelter]] in Chișinău which provides shelter, healthcare, legal advice, and psychosocial support for native Moldovan, immigrant, and refugee women.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Burks |first=Roger |date=2 August 2022 |title=Moldovan GBV shelter offers safety and a community for refugees from Ukraine |work=[[UNHCR]] |url=https://www.unhcr.org/uk/news/stories/moldovan-gbv-shelter-offers-safety-and-community-refugees-ukraine |access-date=2 August 2023 |archive-date=2 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230802142308/https://www.unhcr.org/uk/news/stories/moldovan-gbv-shelter-offers-safety-and-community-refugees-ukraine |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Human rights===
{{main|Human rights in Moldova}}

[[Freedom House]] ranked Moldova as a "partly free" country with a score of 62/100 in 2023. They summarised their finds as follows: "Moldova has a competitive electoral environment, and [[Freedom of assembly|freedoms of assembly]], [[Freedom of speech|speech]], and [[Freedom of religion|religion]] are mostly protected. Nonetheless, [[Corruption in Moldova|pervasive corruption]], links between major political figures and powerful economic interests, and critical deficiencies in the justice sector and the rule of law all continue to hamper democratic governance."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Moldova: Freedom in the World 2023 Country Report |url=https://freedomhouse.org/country/moldova/freedom-world/2023 |access-date=6 July 2023 |website=[[Freedom House]] |language=en |archive-date=27 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230727205636/https://freedomhouse.org/country/moldova/freedom-world/2023 |url-status=live }}</ref> According to [[Transparency International]], Moldova's [[Corruption Perceptions Index]] improved to 39 points in 2022 from 34 in 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |date=31 January 2023 |title=2022 Corruption Perceptions Index – Explore Moldova's results |url=https://www.transparency.org/en/cpi/2022 |access-date=6 July 2023 |website=[[Transparency International]] |language=en |archive-date=16 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230416180715/https://www.transparency.org/en/cpi/2022 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Reporters Without Borders]] improved Moldova's [[World Press Freedom Index|Press Freedom Index]] ranking from 89th in 2020 to 40th in 2022, while cautioning that "Moldova's media are diverse but extremely polarised, like the country itself, which is marked by political instability and excessive influence by oligarchs."<ref>{{Cite web |date=13 April 2021 |title=Moldova {{!}} Free Press Unlimited |url=https://www.freepressunlimited.org/en/countries/moldova |access-date=5 July 2023 |website=Free Press Unlimited |language=en |archive-date=5 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230705135700/https://www.freepressunlimited.org/en/countries/moldova |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=23 July 2020 |title=Moldova {{!}} RSF |url=https://rsf.org/en/country/moldova |access-date=5 July 2023 |website=[[Reporters Without Borders]] |language=en |archive-date=5 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230705135655/https://rsf.org/en/country/moldova |url-status=live }}</ref>

According to [[Amnesty International]]'s 2022/23 report, "No visible progress was made in reducing instances of torture and other ill-treatment in detention. Impunity continued for past human rights violations by law enforcement agencies. New "temporary" restrictions on public assemblies were introduced. The rights of [[Intersex and LGBT|LGBTI]] people were not fully realised, leading to cases of harassment, discrimination and violence. Some refugee reception centres turned away religious and ethnic minority refugees. In the breakaway Transdniestria region, prosecution and imprisonment for peaceful dissent continued."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Human rights in Moldova |url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/location/europe-and-central-asia/moldova/report-moldova/ |access-date=2 August 2023 |website=Amnesty International |language=en |archive-date=7 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230707161740/https://www.amnesty.org/en/location/europe-and-central-asia/moldova/report-moldova/ |url-status=live }}</ref> On 18 June 2023, some 500 LGBT activists and supporters held a [[Pride parade]] in the capital city of Chișinău which for the first time needed no heavy police cordons to protect them from protesters largely linked to the Orthodox church.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Tanas |first=Alexander |date=18 June 2023 |title=LGBT activists in Moldova hold march without police protection |language=en |work=[[Reuters]] |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/lgbt-activists-moldova-hold-march-without-police-protection-2023-06-18/ |access-date=2 August 2023 |archive-date=2 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230802101756/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/lgbt-activists-moldova-hold-march-without-police-protection-2023-06-18/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

According to [[United States' Country Reports on Human Rights Practices|Human Rights Report]] of the [[United States Department of State]], released in 2022, "While authorities investigated reports of human rights abuses and corruption committed by officials, the process was slow and burdensome. During the year, authorities indicted and detained several former high-level officials including former President Igor Dodon, former member of parliament [[Vladimir Andronachi]], Shor Party member of parliament [[Marina Tauber]] and former director of Moldovan Railways [[Anatolie Topală|Anatolie Topala]]. None of these cases resulted in conviction by a court at year's end. Authorities took some steps to identify, investigate, and prosecute officials for human rights abuses, but progress was slow."<ref name="United States Department of State">{{cite web |url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/2010/eur/154439.htm |title=2010 Human Rights Report: Moldova |publisher=United States Department of State |access-date=9 October 2013 |archive-date=13 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191013183110/https://2009-2017.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/2010/eur/154439.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

In a meeting with the [[European Union]] in October 2022, EU representatives "welcomed positive developments in Moldova such as the ratification of the [[Istanbul Convention]] on preventing and combating violence against women, the adoption of legislation on [[hate crime]], and the ongoing work to reform the Electoral Code. It encouraged Moldovan authorities to address shortcomings identified by OSCE/ODIHR and the [[Venice Commission]] across all areas and ensure effective and continuous implementation of human rights legislation."<ref>{{Cite web |date=20 October 2022 |title=Moldova: 13th EU-Moldova Human Rights Dialogue in Brussels {{!}} EEAS |url=https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/moldova-13th-eu-moldova-human-rights-dialogue-brussels_en |access-date=2 August 2023 |website=Diplomatic Service of the European Union |archive-date=2 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230802101757/https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/moldova-13th-eu-moldova-human-rights-dialogue-brussels_en |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights]]' 2016 recommendations on hate crimes were "largely reflected in amendments to the Criminal Code adopted by the Moldovan Parliament and published on 3 June 2022", but the report notes that Moldovan law enforcement officers often fail to record the bias motivations behind hate crimes, and additionally recommended "developing its victim support system to ensure effective access to justice, assistance, and protection services for hate crime victims".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Moldova {{!}} HCRW |url=https://hatecrime.osce.org/moldova |access-date=2 August 2023 |website=hatecrime.[[osce.org]] |archive-date=2 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230802014001/https://hatecrime.osce.org/moldova |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2021, 8 hate crimes were recorded, 7 of which reached a successful conviction, with one going to prosecution but without a conviction.

== Economy ==
{{main|Economy of Moldova}}

[[File:Annual growth of GDP for Moldova, Romania, and Ukraine, 1980 to 2028.svg|thumb|Annual growth of GDP for Moldova, [[Romania]], and [[Ukraine]], 1980 to 2028]]
The economy of Moldova is an [[Emerging market|emerging]] upper-middle income economy, with a high [[Human Development Index]]. Since the country gained [[Independence Day of the Republic of Moldova|independence]] from the [[Soviet Union]] in 1992, it has steadily transitioned to a [[market economy]]. According to the [[World Bank]], despite a strong economic performance over the past two decades, Moldova remains among the poorest nations in Europe. Growth has remained relatively high since the 1990s, with low levels of unemployment and falling levels of poverty, but a combination of demographic factors, especially an [[Population ageing|ageing population]] and significant levels of emigration, and recent regional events, especially [[Russian invasion of Ukraine|Russia's invasion of Ukraine]], have posed serious economic challenges to the Moldovan economy, particularly due to inflation and rising energy prices. Productivity growth has remained poor, and a significant proportion of the population are reliant on government pensions and social assistance.<ref>{{Cite web |date=7 April 2023 |title=The World Bank in Moldova |url=https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/moldova/overview |access-date=1 August 2023 |website=[[World Bank]] |language=en |archive-date=12 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230812104654/https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/moldova/overview |url-status=live }}</ref> Due to Moldova's historic reliance upon Russian oil and natural gas, the energy sector has posed a particular challenge to the country's economy.
[[File:GDP Per Capita North Balkan Region.svg|thumb|Real GDP per capita development of Moldova, [[Romania]], and [[Ukraine]]]]
[[Measures of national income and output|GDP per capita]] has almost doubled from $2,749 (USD) in 2015 to $5,562 in 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |title=GDP Per Capita (current US$) – Moldova {{!}} Data |url=https://data.worldbank.org/ |access-date=1 August 2023 |website=[[World Bank]] |archive-date=26 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230526025607/https://data.worldbank.org/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Following the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns, annual GDP growth rebounded to 13.9% in 2021, before Russia's invasion of Ukraine, energy and refugee crises caused growth to collapse to −5.9%. {{as of|2022|lc=n}}, unemployment remains low at 2.3%, but inflation had dramatically increased to 28.7% due to the energy crisis caused by the invasion.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Moldova {{!}} Data |url=https://data.worldbank.org/ |access-date=1 August 2023 |website=[[World Bank]] |archive-date=26 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230526025607/https://data.worldbank.org/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In recent years the country has received significant economic assistance from the [[European Union]], IMF, and World Bank, particularly after Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The [[International Monetary Fund|IMF]] predicts that in 2023 the economy will improve from a 1.5% contraction to a growth of 1.5%.<ref>{{Cite web |date=9 January 2023 |title=IMF Executive Board Concludes Second Reviews Under the Extended Credit Facility and Extended Fund Facility Arrangements for the Republic of Moldova |url=https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2023/01/09/pr2301-imf-executive-board-concludes-second-reviews-under-ecf-and-eff-for-moldova |access-date=1 August 2023 |website=[[IMF]] |language=en |archive-date=1 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230801213054/https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2023/01/09/pr2301-imf-executive-board-concludes-second-reviews-under-ecf-and-eff-for-moldova |url-status=live }}</ref>

Moldova remains highly vulnerable to fluctuations in [[remittance]]s from workers abroad (which constitute 25 percent of GDP), exports to the [[Commonwealth of Independent States]] (CIS) and [[European Union]] (EU) (88 per cent of total exports), and donor support (about 10 per cent of government spending).<ref name="Walker-2015">{{Cite news |last1=Walker |first1=Shaun |last2=Nardelli |first2=Alberto |date=18 January 2015 |title=Russia's rouble crisis poses threat to nine countries relying on remittances |language=en-GB |work=[[The Guardian]] |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jan/18/russia-rouble-threat-nine-countries-remittances |access-date=1 August 2023 |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=9 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161209201100/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jan/18/russia-rouble-threat-nine-countries-remittances |url-status=live }}</ref> The main transmission channels through which adverse exogenous shocks could impact the Moldovan economy are remittances (also due to potentially returning migrants), external trade, and capital flows.<ref name="Walker-2015" />

The economy's primary exports are agriculture, apparel, and sports equipments.<ref>{{Cite web |date=8 September 2022 |title=Moldova – Market Overview |url=https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/moldova-market-overview |access-date=1 August 2023 |website=[[International Trade Administration]] |language=en |archive-date=1 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230801213054/https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/moldova-market-overview |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2021, Moldova exported $140 million in wine and is the 21st largest exporter of wine in the world, with wine exports being the country's fifth largest export.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wine in Moldova {{!}} OEC |url=https://oec.world/en/profile/bilateral-product/wine/reporter/mda |access-date=1 August 2023 |website=OEC – The Observatory of Economic Complexity |language=en |archive-date=1 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230801213056/https://oec.world/en/profile/bilateral-product/wine/reporter/mda |url-status=live }}</ref> With its 300 days of sunshine per year, the climate in Moldova is ideal for agriculture and particularly [[vineyard]]s. The wine industry is a major economic sector, representing three percent of Moldova's GDP and eight percent of the country's total exports, according to government data.<ref name="Five Things To Know About Moldova">{{Cite web |date=1 June 2023 |title=Five Things To Know About Moldova |url=https://www.barrons.com/news/five-things-to-know-about-moldova-d767674 |access-date=6 July 2023 |website=[[Barron's (newspaper)|Barron's]] |language=en-US |archive-date=7 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230707161910/https://www.barrons.com/news/five-things-to-know-about-moldova-d767674 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2021, the EU became the main purchaser of Moldovan wines. [[Information and communications technology|Information and Communication Technology]] (ICT) is one of the most promising economic sectors in Moldova, accounting for more than 10 percent of GDP. More than 2,000 students graduate with a degree in computing or a related field per year.<ref>{{Cite web |date=8 September 2022 |title=Moldova – Information and Communication Technology |url=https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/moldova-information-and-communication-technology |access-date=2 August 2023 |website=[[International Trade Administration]] |language=en |archive-date=1 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230801213100/https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/moldova-information-and-communication-technology |url-status=live }} {{pd-notice}}</ref> IT companies export about 80 percent of their total production to the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, the [[Netherlands]], and [[Romania]].

{{col-begin}}
{{col-3}}
{| class="wikitable"
|+GDP per year&nbsp;(Source: World Bank)<ref>{{Cite web |title=World Bank Open Data |url=https://data.worldbank.org/ |access-date=1 August 2023 |website=World Bank Open Data |archive-date=26 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230526025607/https://data.worldbank.org/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
!Year
!GDP (Billions in US dollars)
|-
|2017
|9.52
|-
|2018
|11.25
|-
|2019
|11.74
|-
|2020
|11.53
|-
|2021
|13.69
|-
|2022
|14.51
|}
{{col-3}}

{| class="wikitable"
|+Imports per year&nbsp;(Source: World Bank) <ref name="worl923">{{Cite web |title=Indicators of economy in Moldova |url=https://www.worlddata.info/europe/moldova/economy.php |access-date=18 September 2023 |archive-date=16 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231016013233/https://www.worlddata.info/europe/moldova/economy.php |url-status=live }}</ref>
!Year
!Imports (Billions in US dollars)
|-
|2017 ||5.37
|-
|2018 ||6.39
|-
|2019 ||6.61
|-
|2020 ||5.92
|-
|2021||7.91
|-
|2022||10.91
|}
{{col-3}}
{| class="wikitable"
|+Exports per year&nbsp;(Source: World Bank) <ref name="worl923"/>
!Year
!Exports (Billions in US dollars)
|-
|2017 ||3.12
|-
|2018 ||3.45
|-
|2019 ||3.66
|-
|2020 ||3.22
|-
|2021||4.20
|-
|2022||5.98
|}
{{col-end}}

===Energy===
{{Excerpt|Energy in Moldova}}

=== Tourism ===
{{Main|Tourism in Moldova}}

Moldova is one of the least visited countries in Europe, and tourism consequently plays a relatively minor role in the country's overall economy.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Petterson |first=Leif |date=2 July 2013 |title=Moldova: embracing its status as Europe's least-visited country |url=https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/moldova-embracing-its-status-as-europes-least-visited-country |access-date=2 August 2023 |website=[[Lonely Planet]] |archive-date=15 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210815203959/https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/moldova-embracing-its-status-as-europes-least-visited-country |url-status=live }}</ref> Despite the impact of [[Russian invasion of Ukraine|Russia's invasion of neighbouring Ukraine]], Moldova saw more foreign visitors in the first quarter of 2022 than pre-[[COVID-19 pandemic|pandemic]], going from 31,000 non-resident tourists in 2019 to 36,100 in 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Buckley |first=Julia |date=6 August 2022 |title=How the Ukraine invasion flattened Eastern European tourism |url=https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/ukraine-invasion-tourism-eastern-europe/index.html |access-date=2 August 2023 |website=CNN |language=en |archive-date=2 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230802112942/https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/ukraine-invasion-tourism-eastern-europe/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref> This still makes it one of the least-visited countries in Europe, however in recent years a number of Western media outlets have begun to highlight Moldova and its capital city [[Chișinău]] as an attractive tourism destination due to its picturesque natural landscapes, 300 days of sunshine per year, low prices, ancient wine culture, and mix of regional cultural influences.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Erizanu |first=Paula |date=1 June 2023 |title=I've come to love Chișinău: my home city in Moldova deserves the spotlight |language=en-GB |work=[[The Guardian]] |url=https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2023/jun/01/ive-come-to-love-chisinau-my-home-city-moldova-deserves-the-spotlight |access-date=2 August 2023 |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=18 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231018234919/https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2023/jun/01/ive-come-to-love-chisinau-my-home-city-moldova-deserves-the-spotlight |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Cooper |first=Tim |date=30 September 2021 |title=Chisinau city guide: Where to eat, drink and stay in Moldova's capital |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/europe/moldova/chisinau-travel-guide-best-hotels-city-restaurants-things-to-do-b1926513.html |access-date=2 August 2023 |website=[[The Independent]] |language=en |archive-date=5 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230705202221/https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/europe/moldova/chisinau-travel-guide-best-hotels-city-restaurants-things-to-do-b1926513.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Jen Rose |date=8 May 2019 |title=Why you should go to the world's least-visited countries |url=https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/least-visited-countries-travel/index.html |access-date=2 August 2023 |website=[[CNN]] |language=en |archive-date=2 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230802112942/https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/least-visited-countries-travel/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=27 August 2016 |title=25 quirky facts about Europe's least touristy country |language=en-GB |work=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/articles/amazing-facts-about-moldova/ |access-date=2 August 2023 |issn=0307-1235 |archive-date=2 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230802112942/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/articles/amazing-facts-about-moldova/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Suri |first=Charu |date=12 February 2018 |title=This Enchanting Country May Be Eastern Europe's Best-Kept Secret |url=https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/moldova-design-travel-guide |access-date=2 August 2023 |website=[[Architectural Digest]] |language=en-US |archive-date=2 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230802112943/https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/moldova-design-travel-guide |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Taylor |first=Chris |date=28 February 2019 |title=Moldova: exploring Europe's poorest and least visited nation |url=https://www.scmp.com/magazines/post-magazine/travel/article/2187876/exploring-moldova-europes-poorest-country-and-its |access-date=2 August 2023 |website=[[South China Morning Post]] |language=en |archive-date=2 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230802112943/https://www.scmp.com/magazines/post-magazine/travel/article/2187876/exploring-moldova-europes-poorest-country-and-its |url-status=live }}</ref> Tourism in Moldova has focused on the country's natural landscapes, historical sites, and historic wine tradition. The government promotes international tourism within the country through its Moldova Travel brand.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Moldova.travel – the official tourist portal of Moldova |url=https://moldova.travel/en/ |access-date=2 August 2023 |website=Moldova Travel |language=en-US |archive-date=2 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230802112944/https://moldova.travel/en/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Moldova is internationally connected by plane via [[Chișinău Eugen Doga International Airport]], with direct flights to and from many European destinations, including [[Amsterdam Airport Schiphol|Amsterdam Schiphol]], [[Berlin Brandenburg Airport|Berlin Brandenburg]], [[London Stansted Airport|London Stansted]], [[Charles de Gaulle Airport|Paris–Charles de Gaulle]], [[Tel Aviv]]'s [[Ben Gurion Airport]], [[Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport|Rome–Fiumicino Airport]], [[Istanbul Airport]], and [[Dubai International Airport]]. Rail links connect it via direct overnight trains to neighbouring [[Bucharest]], [[Kyiv]], [[Odesa]], and formerly Moscow.<ref name="www.seat61.com">{{Cite web |title=How to travel by train from London to Moldova |url=https://www.seat61.com/Moldova.htm |access-date=2 August 2023 |website=www.seat61.com |archive-date=2 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230802112943/https://www.seat61.com/Moldova.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Moldovan citizens also enjoy visa-free travel across the [[Schengen Area]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=R |first=Bleona |date=30 April 2022 |title=Moldova Marks 8 Years of Visa-Free Travel to EU |url=https://www.schengenvisainfo.com/news/moldova-marks-8-years-of-visa-free-travel-to-eu/ |access-date=2 August 2023 |website=SchengenVisaInfo.com |language=en |archive-date=1 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220501073005/https://www.schengenvisainfo.com/news/moldova-marks-8-years-of-visa-free-travel-to-eu/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
[[File:Orhei_Moldova.jpg|thumb|[[Orhei National Park]]]]
As a major exporter of wine with more than 142 wineries and the largest wine cellar in the world, vineyard tours are offered to tourists across the country. Major sites include the [[Cricova (winery)|Cricova]] winery, whose wine cellar stretches more than {{convert|120|km|mi|abbr=off}}; [[Mimi Castle|Castel Mimi]], a 19th-century chateau with vineyards, a museum, art gallery, spa, hotel, and restaurant; and [[Mileștii Mici (winery)|Mileștii Mici]], which boasts the world's largest collection of wine.<ref name="Guinness World Records" /> As a country with a deep history of [[Eastern Orthodox Christianity]], the country also has more than 50 monasteries and 700 churches.<ref>{{Cite web |date=29 October 2019 |title=The world's least visited countries – have you been to any of them? |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/galleries/least-visited-countries-in-the-world/ |access-date=2 August 2023 |website=The Telegraph |language=en |archive-date=2 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230802112944/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/galleries/least-visited-countries-in-the-world/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Among the most famous and well-visited are the [[Old Orhei]] [[List of cave monasteries|Cave Monastery]], carved into a cliff face in the 13th century and still in use today, and the 19th century [[Nativity Cathedral, Chișinău|Nativity Cathedral]] in the centre of Chișinău. [[UNESCO]] includes both the Old Orhei Archaeological Landscape, which features evidence of settlements dating back to at least the 12th century, and the typical [[Chernozem]] soil on the [[Bălți Steppe]] of Moldova (the most arable soil on the planet) on its Tentative List of [[World Heritage Site]]s.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Centre |first=UNESCO World Heritage |title=Orheiul Vechi Archaeological Landscape |url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/6220/ |access-date=2 August 2023 |website=UNESCO World Heritage Centre |language=en |archive-date=9 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211109033906/https://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/6220/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Centre |first=UNESCO World Heritage |title=The Typical Chernozem Soils of the Balti Steppe |url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/5647/ |access-date=2 August 2023 |website=UNESCO World Heritage Centre |language=en |archive-date=7 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211107092451/https://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/5647/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The capital city of [[Chișinău]] hosts most of the country's national museums, including the [[National Museum of Fine Arts, Chișinău|National Museum of Fine Arts]], [[Moldova State University]], Brancusi Gallery, the [[National Museum of History of Moldova]] with over 236,000 exhibits, as well as bustling markets in the north of the city, including the house where [[Alexander Pushkin]] once resided while in exile from the [[Tsar|Russian Tsar]], and which has since been turned into a museum. Every year on 3–4 October, the country celebrates National Wine Day, where wine producers open up their wineries to the general public and provide shuttle buses between locations.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Waller |first=John |date=9 October 2022 |title=Travel: Exploring Moldova – Europe's 'least known country' |url=https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/23034228.travel-exploring-moldova---europes-least-known-country/ |access-date=2 August 2023 |website=[[Bradford Telegraph and Argus]] |language=en |archive-date=2 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230802112944/https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/23034228.travel-exploring-moldova---europes-least-known-country/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Wine industry===
{{main|Moldovan wine}}

[[File:Mileştii Mici (3944427747).jpg|thumb|[[Mileștii Mici]] is home to the world's biggest [[wine cellar]].]]
With its 300 days of sunshine per year, the climate in Moldova is ideal for agriculture and particularly [[vineyard]]s. The wine industry is a major economic sector, representing three percent of Moldova's GDP and eight percent of the country's total exports, according to government data. Moldovan wine is being exported into over 70 states worldwide. Although Moldova is barely larger than [[Belgium]], the country has 122,000 hectares of vineyards and is among the 20 largest producers in the world, according to a report by the [[International Organisation of Vine and Wine]] (OIV).<ref name="Five Things To Know About Moldova"/>

Before [[Russian invasion of Ukraine|Russia's invasion of Ukraine]] and Moldova's pivot towards Europe, a majority of its wine exports went to Russia, but this has now changed: "Russia accounted for only 10 percent of Moldovan wine exports in 2021, down from 80 percent in the early 2000s, according to figures from the [[Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry (Moldova)|Moldovan Ministry of Agriculture]]."<ref name="France 24-2022">{{Cite web |date=22 May 2022 |title=Moldova wine industry's EU focus pays off |url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20220522-moldova-wine-industry-s-eu-focus-pays-off |access-date=6 July 2023 |website=[[France 24]] |language=en |archive-date=7 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230707162429/https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20220522-moldova-wine-industry-s-eu-focus-pays-off |url-status=live }}</ref> The EU liberalised its market for Moldovan wines and has signed a bilateral free trade deal with Moldova, with the result that in 2021 the country exported more than 120 million litres of wine to European countries, compared to 8.6 million litres to Russia.<ref name="France 24-2022" />

Many families have their own recipes and [[grape varieties]] that have been passed down through the generations. There are 3 historical wine regions: Valul lui Traian (south west), Stefan Voda (south east) and [[Codru (wine)|Codru]] (centre), destined for the production of wines with protected geographic indication.<ref name="natura2000" /> [[Mileștii Mici (winery)|Mileștii Mici]] is the home of the largest wine cellar in the world. It stretches for {{convert|200|km|abbr=on}} (though only {{convert|55|km|abbr=on}} is in use) and holds some two million or more bottles of wine.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/worlds-largest-wine-cellar|title=This Massive Underground City is Filled With Wine|last=Bednarz|first=Christine|website=nationalgeographic.com|date=29 November 2017|access-date=31 October 2022|archive-date=1 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221101043548/https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/worlds-largest-wine-cellar|url-status=dead}}</ref> It has retained the [[Guinness World Records|Guinness World Record]] for largest wine cellar by number of bottles since 2005.<ref name="Guinness World Records">{{Cite web |title=Largest wine cellar by number of bottles |url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/largest-wine-cellar-by-number-of-bottles |access-date=6 July 2023 |website=Guinness World Records |language=en-gb |archive-date=7 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230707170559/https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/largest-wine-cellar-by-number-of-bottles |url-status=live }}</ref> The earliest wines in its collection date to 1969. [[Mimi Castle]] in the south east is a winery and [[Cultural property|architectural monument]], which was built at the end of the 19th century in the village of [[Bulboaca, Anenii Noi|Bulboaca]] in the district [[Anenii Noi District|Anenii Noi]], and is thought to be the first winery in Bessarabia. It has since also become a tourist complex with a museum, art gallery, hotel, spa, and wine tasting rooms.

===Agriculture===
{{main|Agriculture in Moldova}}

[[File:Dniester in Moldova, 2004.jpg|thumb|Agricultural land in Dniester, 2004]]
Moldova is an agrarian-industrial state, with agricultural land occupying 2,499,000 hectares in a total area of 3,384,600 hectares.<ref name="Gerciu-2017">{{Cite web |last1=Gerciu |first1=Viorel |last2=Rundgren |first2=Gunnar |date=2017 |title=The Status and Potential of Organic Agriculture in the Republic of Moldova |url=https://wedocs.unep.org/bitstream/handle/20.500.11822/22962/The%20Status%20and%20Potential%20of%20Organic%20Agriculture%20in%20the%20Republic%20of%20Moldova.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y |website=UN Environment Programme |access-date=8 March 2024 |archive-date=5 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240205181552/https://wedocs.unep.org/bitstream/handle/20.500.11822/22962/The%20Status%20and%20Potential%20of%20Organic%20Agriculture%20in%20the%20Republic%20of%20Moldova.pdf?isAllowed=y&sequence=1 |url-status=live }}</ref> It is estimated that 1,810,500 of these hectares are [[Arable land|arable]].<ref name="Gerciu-2017" /> It is among the most arable countries in Europe, with the Chernozem soil across the [[Bălți Steppe]] being among the most fertile soils anywhere in the world.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Moldova |url=https://www.fao.org/3/y2722e/y2722e0x.htm#:~:text=Arable%20land%20and%20permanent%20crops,about%200.4%20million%20ha%20each. |access-date=2 August 2023 |website=www.fao.org |archive-date=18 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230818134915/https://www.fao.org/3/y2722e/y2722e0x.htm#:~:text=Arable%20land%20and%20permanent%20crops,about%200.4%20million%20ha%20each. |url-status=live }}</ref> With more than 300 days of sunshine per year supporting the cultivation of vineyards, Moldova is also one of the largest wine producers in the world. Moldova's agricultural sector benefits from a geographical proximity to large markets, especially the [[European Union]].<ref name="Gerciu-2017" /> {{as of|2021|lc=n}}, agriculture made up 12% of Moldova's overall exports and 21% of overall employment.<ref>{{Cite web |title=REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA – Statistical Database – United Nations Economic Commission for Europe |url=https://w3.unece.org/CountriesInFigures/en/Home/Index?countryCode=498 |access-date=2 August 2023 |website=w3.unece.org |archive-date=2 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230802120023/https://w3.unece.org/CountriesInFigures/en/Home/Index?countryCode=498 |url-status=live }}</ref> Its most exported foods are maize, wheat, sunflower seeds, grapes, apples, sugar beets, milk, potatoes, barley, plums/sloes, while relevant and important domestic industries include sugar processing, vegetable oil, food processing, and agricultural machinery.<ref>{{Citation |title=Moldova |date=25 July 2023 |url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/moldova/ |work=[[The World Factbook]] |access-date=2 August 2023 |publisher=[[Central Intelligence Agency]] |language=en |archive-date=5 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210105015457/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/moldova/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Between 2015 and 2022, agricultural production has almost doubled, particularly in vegetable and fruit production.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1 November 2022 |title=Statistical Yearbook of the Republic of Moldova, editions 2002–2022 |url=https://statistica.gov.md/en/buletin-statistic-trimestrial-editiile-2005-2021-9877_59482.html |access-date=2 August 2023 |website=Statistical Yearbook of the Republic of Moldova, editions 2002–2022 |archive-date=2 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230802131538/https://statistica.gov.md/en/buletin-statistic-trimestrial-editiile-2005-2021-9877_59482.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In July 2023, a network of 20 [[Seed library|seed libraries]] comprising over 1,000 seeds were created across Moldova with the assistance of [[Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Czech Republic)|Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic]], [[Non-governmental organization|NGOs]], and the [[United Nations Development Programme]], with the aim is to improve local [[agricultural biodiversity]], [[climate resilience]], and the capacity of local government and farmers to respond effectively to changing environmental conditions.<ref>{{Cite web |date=27 July 2023 |title=Seed libraries were created as a first in Moldova, thanks to transfer Czech know-how |url=https://www.undp.org/moldova/press-releases/seed-libraries-were-created-first-moldova-thanks-transfer-czech-know-how |access-date=2 August 2023 |website=[[United Nations Development Programme]] |archive-date=2 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230802161617/https://www.undp.org/moldova/press-releases/seed-libraries-were-created-first-moldova-thanks-transfer-czech-know-how |url-status=live }}</ref>

Nevertheless, the country's agricultural sector faces serious long-term challenges. Despite having relatively modest per capita [[greenhouse gas emissions]], and lower than the world average, Moldova is highly vulnerable to [[climate change]] and related environmental disasters which already cost the country 2.13% of annual GDP.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Climate change, environment & energy {{!}} Moldova |url=https://www.undp.org/moldova/climate-change-environment-energy |access-date=2 August 2023 |website=[[United Nations Development Programme]] |language=en |archive-date=12 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230712144534/https://www.undp.org/moldova/climate-change-environment-energy |url-status=live }}</ref> According to Climate-KIC, run by the [[European Institute of Innovation and Technology]], "The same region in Moldova can experience intense droughts and devastating floods in the course of a few months, which is the primary concern of local people when they talk about climate. But the irregular nature of these events made it difficult to sustain long term interest from Moldovan people or to channel money from donors."<ref>{{Cite web |date=7 May 2021 |title=Embracing a new approach to climate change in Moldova |url=https://www.climate-kic.org/news/moldova-climate-change-sida-undp/ |access-date=2 August 2023 |website=Climate-KIC |language=en |archive-date=2 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230802120023/https://www.climate-kic.org/news/moldova-climate-change-sida-undp/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Transport infrastructure===
{{main|Transport in Moldova|Rail transport in Moldova}}

[[File:Chisinau Airport KIV.jpg|thumb|[[Chișinău Eugen Doga International Airport]]]]
The main means of transportation in Moldova are railways {{convert|1138|km|mi|abbr=on}} and a highway system ({{convert|12730|km|mi|0|abbr=on|disp=or}} overall, including {{convert|10937|km|mi|0|abbr=on|disp=or}} of paved surfaces). Rail links connect it via direct overnight trains to neighbouring [[Bucharest]], [[Kyiv]], [[Odesa]], and also Moscow.<ref name="www.seat61.com" />

The [[Giurgiulești]] terminal on the [[Danube]] is compatible with small seagoing vessels. Shipping on the lower [[Prut]] and [[Nistru]] rivers plays only a modest role in the country's transportation system.

The sole international air gateway of Moldova is the [[Chișinău Eugen Doga International Airport]]. with direct flights to and from many European destinations.

=== Telecommunications ===
{{main|Telecommunications in Moldova}}

Internet in Moldova is among the fastest and least expensive in the world {{as of|2023|lc=y}}.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Worldwide Broadband Price Research 2023 |url=https://www.cable.co.uk/broadband/pricing/worldwide-comparison/ |access-date=2 August 2023 |website=Cable.co.uk |language=en |archive-date=23 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171123001429/https://www.cable.co.uk/media-centre/release/new-worldwide-broadband-price-league-unveiled/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The country ranks 3rd in the world by gigabit coverage with around 90% of the population having the option to subscribe to a [[Gigabit Ethernet|gigabit-speed]] [[Optical fiber|fibre-optic]] broadband plan.<ref name="International Trade Administration-2022">{{Cite web |date=8 September 2022 |title=Moldova – Information and Communication Technology |url=https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/moldova-information-and-communication-technology |access-date=2 August 2023 |website=[[International Trade Administration]] |language=en |archive-date=1 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230801213100/https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/moldova-information-and-communication-technology |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[United Nations Development Programme]] has judged it to have a highly developed digital infrastructure, with 98% 4G coverage of its territory.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Botezatu |first=Serghei |date=4 October 2021 |title=Digital Transformation of Moldova: there is no way back |url=https://www.undp.org/moldova/blog/digital-transformation-moldova-there-no-way-back |access-date=6 July 2023 |website=[[UNDP]] |language=en |archive-date=7 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230707180255/https://www.undp.org/moldova/blog/digital-transformation-moldova-there-no-way-back |url-status=live }}</ref> By July 2022, there were more than 3 million internet users in Moldova, constituting some 76% of the population.<ref>{{Cite news |date=22 May 2023 |title=Moldova media guide – BBC News |language=en-GB |work=[[BBC News]] |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-17602346 |access-date=2 August 2023 |archive-date=7 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230707163031/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-17602346 |url-status=live }}</ref> Moldova is considering a bid to begin rolling out 5G in 2024, with testing beginning in 2019. [[Starlink]] launched in Moldova in August 2022.<ref>{{Cite tweet|number=1554975109907066880|user=SpaceX|title=Starlink is now live in Moldova → http://starlink.com/map|author-link=SpaceX|date=3 August 2022|access-date=3 August 2022}}</ref> [[Information and communications technology|Information and Communication Technology]] (ICT) is one of the most promising economic sectors in Moldova, accounting for more than 10 percent of GDP. More than 2,000 Moldovan students per year graduate with a degree in [[Bachelor of Computing|computing]] or a related field.<ref name="International Trade Administration-2022" />

The [[International Telecommunication Union|ITU]]'s Global Cybersecurity Index ranks Moldova on the 33rd place in Europe and the 63rd place in the world. The country's joining in 2009 of the [[Budapest Convention on Cybercrime]] of the [[Council of Europe]] and adoption of the National Cyber Security Programme for 2016–2020 have established the legislative parameters for a safer digital environment. Since Russia's invasion of neighbouring Ukraine and their campaign of [[Cyberwarfare by Russia|cyberwarfare]] against Moldova, the Moldovan government has invested significant money and resources in developing stronger [[cybersecurity]] practices and regulations with assistance from the European Union and United States.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stupp |first=Catherine |date=27 July 2022 |title=Moldova Plans Cyber Overhauls Amid War in Neighboring Ukraine |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/moldova-plans-cyber-overhauls-amid-war-in-neighboring-ukraine-11658914202 |access-date=2 August 2023 |website=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |language=en-US |archive-date=2 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230802123752/https://www.wsj.com/articles/moldova-plans-cyber-overhauls-amid-war-in-neighboring-ukraine-11658914202 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Gallagher |first=Ryan |date=20 April 2023 |title=Cyberwar Descends on an Unprepared Moldova |language=en |work=[[Bloomberg News]] |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-04-20/russian-cyberattacks-target-moldova-amid-ukraine-war |access-date=2 August 2023}}</ref> The European Union has also set up and funded the Moldova Cybersecurity Rapid Assistance Unit to improve the cyber resilience of Moldova's public sector organisations and key critical infrastructure sectors. Moldova has adopted new legislation partially drafted by the unit which will go into effect on 1 January 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Moldova Cybersecurity Rapid Assistance |url=https://eufordigital.eu/discover-eu/moldova-cybersecurity-rapid-assistance/ |access-date=2 August 2023 |website=EU4Digital |language=en-US |archive-date=2 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230802123758/https://eufordigital.eu/discover-eu/moldova-cybersecurity-rapid-assistance/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=17 May 2023 |title=Moldova adopts EU-backed Cybersecurity Law – EU NEIGHBOURS east |url=https://euneighbourseast.eu/news/latest-news/moldova-adopts-eu-backed-cybersecurity-law/ |access-date=2 August 2023 |website=euneighbourseast.eu |language=en-GB |archive-date=2 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230802123756/https://euneighbourseast.eu/news/latest-news/moldova-adopts-eu-backed-cybersecurity-law/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The country has also passed legislation in order to more closely align with the EU's [[General Data Protection Regulation|GDPR]] regulations, and is currently mostly compliant.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2 October 2022 |title={{!}} Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration of the Republic of Moldova |url=https://mfa.gov.md/en/content/new-data-protection-law-line-european-standards-provides-transparent-rules-benefitting |access-date=2 August 2023 |website=[[Government of Moldova]] |archive-date=2 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230802123804/https://mfa.gov.md/en/content/new-data-protection-law-line-european-standards-provides-transparent-rules-benefitting |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Banking===
{{see also|List of banks in Moldova}}
The [[National Bank of Moldova]] is responsible for the financial system and has a responsibility to the management and control of all banks in Moldova. It is accountable to the [[Parliament of Moldova]].

== Demographics ==
{{Main|Demographics of Moldova}}

The most recent [[National Census|national census]] of Moldova was carried out in [[2024 Moldovan census|2024]] (not including [[Transnistria]]).

{{Pie chart
| caption = Population of Moldova according to ethnic group
| label1 = [[Moldovans]]
| value1 = 76.7
| color1 = DodgerBlue
| label2 = [[Romanians]]
| value2 = 8
| color2 = GoldenRod
| label3 = [[Ukrainians]]
| value3 = 5.1
| color3 = Tomato
| label4 = [[Gagauzians]]
| value4 = 4
| color4 = MediumSeaGreen
| label5 = [[Russians]]
| value5 = 3.4
| color5 = DarkOrchid
| label6 = [[Bulgarians]]
| value6 = 1.6
| color6 = DeepSkyBlue
| label7 = [[Romani people|Romani]]
| value7 = 0.4
| color7 = SaddleBrown
| label8 = Others
| value8 = 0.8
| color8 = DarkGray
| footer = Source: [[2024 Moldovan census]].
}}

Moldova has an estimated population of approx. 2,423,300 {{as of|2024|1|1|lc=y}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://statistica.gov.md/en/statistic_indicator_details/25 |title=Population |publisher=National Bureau of Statistics of the Republic of Moldova |access-date=13 August 2024}}</ref> Moldova is relatively urbanised. According to the [[2024 Moldovan census|2024 census]], 46,4% of the population is urban, with the country having undergone rapid urbanisation in recent years; at the [[2014 Moldovan census|2014 census]], only 38,5% of the population was urban.<ref name=rezpre>{{cite web | title=Rezultatele preliminare ale Recensământului Populației și Locuințelor 2024 | website=Statistica Moldovei | date=2025-01-30 | url=https://statistica.gov.md/ro/rezultatele-preliminare-ale-recensamantului-populatiei-si-locuintelor-2024-10077_61626.html | language=ro | access-date=2025-08-25}}</ref> About one-third of the Moldovan population live in the capital city [[Chișinău]]'s [[Metropolis of Chișinău and All Moldova|metropolitan area]]. {{as of|2022|lc=n}}, the country's population density is 82.8 inhabitants per 1&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>, and average life expectancy was 71.5 years (67.2 for males, and 75.7 for females).<ref name="National Bureau of Statistics of the Republic of Moldova">{{Cite web |date= |title=Moldova in Figures, Statistical Summary: 2023 Edition |url=https://statistica.gov.md/files/files/publicatii_electronice/Moldova_in_cifre/2023/Moldova_cifre_eng_2023.pdf |access-date=3 August 2023 |publisher=[[National Bureau of Statistics of the Republic of Moldova]] |archive-date=3 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230803180408/https://statistica.gov.md/files/files/publicatii_electronice/Moldova_in_cifre/2023/Moldova_cifre_eng_2023.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> There are 100 women per 90 men in Moldova, and employed women have significantly higher levels of education, though women continued to earn 13.6% less than men on average.<ref name="National Bureau of Statistics of the Republic of Moldova" /> The number of elderly people (60 years and over) per 100 inhabitants in Moldova has increased year-on-year.<ref name="National Bureau of Statistics of the Republic of Moldova" /> The national language is [[Romanian language|Romanian]], a [[Romance languages|Romance language]], though approximately 15% of the Moldovan population also speak Russian {{as of|2014|lc=y}}.

The country has been suffering from long-term population decline due to high levels of [[Emigration from Moldova|emigration]] (in 2022, 43,000 more people left the country than came) as well as low fertility rates.<ref name=rezpre/> According to [[Balkan Insight]], the population has fallen by almost 33% since 1990, and by 2035 the total population may be half what it was in 1990.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Judah |first=Tim |date=16 January 2020 |title=Moldova Faces 'Existential' Population Crisis |url=https://balkaninsight.com/2020/01/16/moldova-faces-existential-population-crisis/ |access-date=6 July 2023 |website=[[Balkan Insight]] |language=en-US |archive-date=7 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230707162502/https://balkaninsight.com/2020/01/16/moldova-faces-existential-population-crisis/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Since 2018, the number of deaths has exceeded the levels of live-births, though the gap has been reduced since 2021. {{as of|2022|lc=n}}, the average number of children per women of childbearing age was 1.69, well below the [[replacement rate]] of 2.1, as compared to 1.78 in 2019. The total number of deaths fell by 20.5% in 2022 compared to 2019. Unemployment has remained low at about 3% in 2022.<ref name="National Bureau of Statistics of the Republic of Moldova" />

According to the [[2024 Moldovan census|2024 national census]], ethnic [[Moldovans]] made up almost 77% of the country's population, while [[Romanians]] (8%), [[Ukrainians]] (5%), [[Gagauz people|Gagauzians]] (4%), and [[Russians]] (3%) made up the most substantial ethnic minorities. Smaller populations include [[Bulgarians]], [[Romania|Romani]], [[Belarusians]], [[Jews]], [[Polish people|Poles]] and others.

{{Largest cities of Moldova}}

=== Diaspora and emigration ===
{{Further|Moldovan diaspora}}
{{See also|Emigration from Moldova}}
Emigration is a mass phenomenon in Moldova and has a major impact on the country's [[demographics]] and economy. It is estimated that more than between 1.2 and 2 million Moldovan citizens (over 25% of the population) are living and working abroad.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bunguri |first=Ernest |date=15 November 2020 |title=Moldova: How the diaspora keeps Europe's poorest nation afloat |url=https://www.euronews.com/2020/11/15/moldova-how-the-diaspora-of-europe-s-poorest-nation-keeps-its-economy-afloat |access-date=3 August 2023 |website=[[Euronews]] |language=en |archive-date=3 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230803180405/https://www.euronews.com/2020/11/15/moldova-how-the-diaspora-of-europe-s-poorest-nation-keeps-its-economy-afloat |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=17 May 2023 |title=Moldova: unleashing diaspora potential |url=https://www.mieux-initiative.eu/en/news-events/news/313-moldova-unlocking-diaspora-potential#:~:text=Furthermore%2C%20Moldova%20has%20some%20of,high%20priority%20for%20the%20government. |access-date=3 August 2023 |website=Mieux Initiative |archive-date=2 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230802105259/https://www.mieux-initiative.eu/en/news-events/news/313-moldova-unlocking-diaspora-potential#:~:text=Furthermore%2C%20Moldova%20has%20some%20of,high%20priority%20for%20the%20government. |url-status=dead }}</ref> The Moldovan economy is still heavily reliant on their remittance payments. Moldovans are found across the [[Balkans|Balkan]] region, Western Europe, and North America. Among the most notable Moldovan [[diaspora]] populations are: 285,000 in [[Romania]] (2020), 258,600 in [[Ukraine]] (2002) 156,400 in Russia (2010), 188,923 in Italy (2019), 122,000 in Germany (2022), 26,300 in France (2019), and 20,470 in Canada (2021).

Current trends indicate that the population of Moldova will continue to fall with emigration remaining both chronic and higher than immigration or natural birth rates. In 2020, net emigration fell to a low of 7,000,{{Clarify|reason=Shouldn't there be some mention of the impact of the worldwide pandemic in 2020 on emigration numbers?|date=January 2025}} but by 2022, 43,000 more people left the country than came, though this is slightly down from net emigration of 45,000 in 2021. [[Russian invasion of Ukraine|Russia's invasion]] of neighbouring Ukraine and the economic impact on Moldova may have been a key contributing factor in the rise from 2020 to 2022. However, there are indications that the invasion of Ukraine and the country's moves towards [[Accession of Moldova to the European Union|accession to the European Union]] may have led to a rise in the number of Moldovan emigrants returning to their country of birth, seeking to help the country join the EU.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Ceapai |first1=Alla |last2=Jankowiak |first2=Celine |date=31 May 2023 |title=Returning Young Moldovan Diaspora Powers EU Membership Dream |url=https://www.barrons.com/news/returning-young-moldovan-diaspora-powers-eu-membership-dream-ac5f9935 |access-date=3 August 2023 |website=[[Barron's (newspaper)|Barron's]] |language=en-US |archive-date=3 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230803180409/https://www.barrons.com/news/returning-young-moldovan-diaspora-powers-eu-membership-dream-ac5f9935 |url-status=live }}</ref> The Moldovan diaspora also had significant influence on recent Moldovan elections, voting overwhelmingly for [[Maia Sandu]] as president in [[2020 Moldovan presidential election|2020]] and for her [[Party of Action and Solidarity]] in the [[2021 Moldovan parliamentary election|2021 parliamentary election]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wemer |first=David |date=4 December 2020 |title=Moldova's diaspora flexes its political muscles |url=https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-atlanticist/moldovas-diaspora-flexes-its-political-muscles/ |access-date=3 August 2023 |website=[[Atlantic Council]] |language=en-US |archive-date=3 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230803180406/https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-atlanticist/moldovas-diaspora-flexes-its-political-muscles/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Language ===
{{Further|Languages of Moldova}}
{{as of|2023|03|lc=n}}, the only [[official language]] of Moldova is Romanian, and all references to the Moldovan language in the [[Constitution of Moldova|constitution]] and legal bills have been amended to refer to Romanian.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fremer |first=Iana |date=24 April 2023 |title=Moldova: New Law Establishes Romanian as the State Language of the Country |url=https://www.loc.gov/item/global-legal-monitor/2023-04-23/moldova-new-law-establishes-romanian-as-the-state-language-of-the-country/ |access-date=3 August 2023 |website=[[Library of Congress]] |archive-date=3 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230803180405/https://www.loc.gov/item/global-legal-monitor/2023-04-23/moldova-new-law-establishes-romanian-as-the-state-language-of-the-country/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=17 March 2023 |title=Moldovan Parliament Approves Final Reading Of Romanian Language Bill |language=en |work=[[RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty]] |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/moldova-parliament-approves-final-reading-romanian-language-bill/32321571.html |access-date=3 August 2023 |archive-date=17 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230317223413/https://www.rferl.org/a/moldova-parliament-approves-final-reading-romanian-language-bill/32321571.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The 2014 Moldovan census for the first time collected information about the languages spoken by residents in Moldova. There is a [[Controversy over ethnic and linguistic identity in Moldova|controversy]] about whether or not [[Moldovan language|Moldovan]] and [[Romanian language|Romanian]] should be considered distinct languages. Counting together, it is the mother tongue of 80.4% of the population. The Moldovan government rejects any distinction, however the census allowed for respondents to respond with their preferred label. The results of the 2024 census were [[Moldovan language|Moldovan]] (49.2%), [[Romanian language|Romanian]] (31.3%), [[Russian language|Russian]] (11.1%), [[Gagauz language|Gagauz]] (3.8%), [[Ukrainian language|Ukrainian]] (2.9%), [[Bulgarian language|Bulgarian]] (1.2%), [[Romani language|Romani]] (0.3), and others (0.2%).

=== Religion ===
{{Further|Religion in Moldova}}
[[File:Nativity Cathedral - Moldova (by David Stanley).jpg|thumb|[[Nativity Cathedral, Chișinău|Nativity Cathedral, Chişinău]]. [[Metropolis of Chișinău and All Moldova|Moldovan Orthodox Church]].]]
Moldova's constitution provides for freedom of religion and complete separation of church and state, though the constitution cites the "exceptional importance" of [[Eastern Orthodox Christianity]].<ref name="United States Department of State-2">{{Cite web |title=2022 Report on International Religious Freedom: Moldova |url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2022-report-on-international-religious-freedom/moldova/ |access-date=3 August 2023 |website=[[United States Department of State]] |language=en-US |archive-date=3 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230803190415/https://www.state.gov/reports/2022-report-on-international-religious-freedom/moldova/ |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Religious discrimination|Discrimination]] on the basis of religious affiliation is illegal, and [[Hate speech|incitement to religious and ethnic hatred]] was made illegal in May 2022.<ref name="United States Department of State-2" /> Religion in Moldova is dominated by the [[Eastern Orthodox Church|Eastern Orthodox]] branch of Christianity. According to the 2014 Moldovan census, 90% of the country reported to be of the Eastern Orthodox Christian faith.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2 August 2013 |title=Population and Housing Census in the Republic of Moldova, May 12–25, 2014 |url=https://statistica.gov.md/en/population-and-housing-census-in-2014-122.html |access-date=3 August 2023 |website=[[National Bureau of Statistics of the Republic of Moldova]] |language=en |archive-date=17 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230917105214/https://statistica.gov.md/en/population-and-housing-census-in-2014-122.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Of this number, approx. 80–90% of Orthodox Moldovans belong to the Moldovan Orthodox Church (formally known as [[Metropolis of Chișinău and All Moldova]]) which is subordinate to the [[Russian Orthodox Church]], and has played a powerful role in deepening Russia's influence in Moldova.<ref name="United States Department of State-2" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Luchenko |first=Ksenia |date=31 January 2023 |title=Why the Russian Orthodox Church Supports the War in Ukraine |url=https://carnegieendowment.org/russia-eurasia/politika/2023/01/why-the-russian-orthodox-church-supports-the-war-in-ukraine?lang=en |access-date=3 August 2023 |website=[[Carnegie Endowment for International Peace]] |archive-date=15 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230815200635/https://carnegieendowment.org/politika/88916 |url-status=live }}</ref> The remaining 10–20% of Orthodox Moldovans belong to the [[Metropolis of Bessarabia]], which is subordinate to the [[Romanian Orthodox Church]].<ref name="United States Department of State-2" />

Of the non-Orthodox population of Moldova, the [[United States Department of State]] estimates that {{as of|2022|lc=y}}, approx. 7% identify with no religion; [[Baptists]], [[Jehovah's Witnesses]], and [[Pentecostalism|Pentecostals]] number between 15,000 and 30,000 each; the [[Jewish Community of the Republic of Moldova]] organisation estimates the Jewish population to be approx. 20,000; and the Islamic League of Moldova (an NGO recognised by the [[Ministry of Justice (Moldova)|Moldovan Ministry of Justice]] in 2011 as representing [[Islam in Moldova|Moldovan Muslims]]<ref>{{Cite news |date=28 April 2011 |title=Moldovan Muslim Leader 'Disappointed' By Anti-Islamic Remarks |language=en |work=[[Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty]] |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/moldovan_muslims_orthodox_church/16797096.html |access-date=3 August 2023 |archive-date=10 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310182825/http://www.rferl.org/content/moldovan_muslims_orthodox_church/16797096.html |url-status=live }}</ref>) estimates the number of Muslims to be approx. 15,000–17,000.<ref name="United States Department of State-2" /> There are six [[List of synagogues in Moldova|synagogues]] in [[Metropolis of Chișinău and All Moldova|Chișinău]], one in [[Orhei]], one in [[Soroca]], and one in [[Tiraspol]], and one mosque in [[Metropolis of Chișinău and All Moldova|Chișinău]]. The remaining less than 5% of the Moldovan population are [[Seventh-day Adventist Church|Seventh-day Adventists]], [[Evangelicalism|Evangelical Christians]], [[Catholic Church|Roman Catholics]], [[Lutheranism|Lutherans]], and [[Atheism|atheists]].<ref name="United States Department of State-2" /> The [[Government of Transnistria|Transnistrian authorities]] estimate that 80% of the population belong to the Moldovan Orthodox Church.<ref name="United States Department of State-2" />

=== Education ===
As of the academic year 2022/23, Moldova had 1,218 primary and secondary schools, 90 vocational schools, and 21 higher education institutions, as well as 12 [[Private university|private]] higher education institutions.<ref name="National Bureau of Statistics of the Republic of Moldova" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Studying in Moldova |url=https://moldova-consulate.km.ua/en/about-moldova/studying-in-moldova/ |access-date=3 August 2023 |website=Honorary Consulate of the Republic of Moldova in Khmelnytsky |language=en-GB |archive-date=2 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230802102942/https://moldova-consulate.km.ua/en/about-moldova/studying-in-moldova/ |url-status=live }}</ref> There were a total of 437,000 pupils and students. {{as of|2015|lc=n}}, [[Romania]] allocates 5,000 scholarships in high schools and universities for Moldovan students.<ref>{{cite web |date=22 June 2015 |title=România oferă tinerilor moldoveni 5.000 de burse în licee și universități |trans-title=Romania offers 5,000 scholarships to young Moldovans in high schools and universities |url=http://www.publika.md/romania-ofera-tinerilor-moldoveni-5000-de-burse-in-licee-si-universitati-_2337811.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150708164835/http://www.publika.md/romania-ofera-tinerilor-moldoveni-5000-de-burse-in-licee-si-universitati-_2337811.html |archive-date=8 July 2015 |access-date=7 July 2015 |work=PUBLIKA.MD |language=ro}}</ref> Likewise, more than half of preschool children in Moldova benefit from Romania funded programme to renovate and equip [[kindergarten]]s.<ref>{{cite web |date=7 July 2015 |title=Presedintele Klaus Iohannis l-a primit, la Suceava, pe Nicolae Timofti: "Republica Moldova isi poate implini destinul doar in Uniunea Europeana. Combaterea coruptiei, stabilitatea economica si intarirea institutiilor, singura cale catre succes" |trans-title=President Klaus Iohannis received Nicolae Timofti in Suceava: ‘The Republic of Moldova can fulfill its destiny only in the European Union. Fighting corruption, economic stability, and strengthening institutions are the only path to success |url=http://www.hotnews.ro/stiri-esential-20282257-presedintele-klaus-iohannis-primit-suceava-nicolae-timofti.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150708175341/http://www.hotnews.ro/stiri-esential-20282257-presedintele-klaus-iohannis-primit-suceava-nicolae-timofti.htm |archive-date=8 July 2015 |access-date=7 July 2015 |work=HotNews.ro |language=ro}}</ref> Almost all the population is literate: the [[literacy rate]] of the population aged 15 and over is estimated at 99.6%.<ref>{{Citation |title=Moldova – The World Factbook |date=31 July 2023 |url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/moldova/ |work=[[The World Factbook]] |access-date=3 August 2023 |publisher=[[Central Intelligence Agency]] |language=en |archive-date=5 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210105015457/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/moldova/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
[[File:State University of Moldova main building entrance.jpg|thumb|Main building entrance of the [[Moldova State University]]]]
The main higher education institutions in Moldova are the [[Moldova State University]] (est. 1946) and the [[Academy of Sciences of Moldova]] (est. 1961), both of which are located in [[Chișinău]]. The [[Academy of Economic Studies of Moldova]] (est. 1991) has featured on the [[Times Higher Education World University Rankings]] and has educated a number of national leaders including current [[President of Moldova]] [[Maia Sandu]] and leader of the opposition [[Igor Dodon]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=21 October 2021 |title=Academy of Economic Studies of Moldova |url=https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/academy-economic-studies-moldova |access-date=3 August 2023 |website=Times Higher Education (THE) |language=en}}</ref> Other important universities include the [[Ion Creangă State Pedagogical University of Chișinău]] (est. 1940), [[Nicolae Testemițanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy]] (est. 1945), and the [[Technical University of Moldova]] (est. 1964). Women account for 59.1% of students in higher education, and 70.1% of all foreign students in [[Postgraduate education|doctoral programmes]] in Moldova. 32.3% of employed women in Moldova have received higher education, compared to 24.5% of men, and 16.9% specialised secondary education compared to 11.3% of men.<ref name="National Bureau of Statistics of the Republic of Moldova" />

=== Health ===
{{Main|Health in Moldova}}
{{See also|Healthcare in Moldova}}
{{Pie chart
| value1 = 58
| value2 = 15.8
| value3 = 13.9
| value4 = 7.5
| value5 = 4.8
| label1 = [[Cardiovascular disease|Diseases of the circulatory system]]
| label2 = [[Cancer|Cancerous tumours]]
| label3 = Other causes
| label4 = [[Gastrointestinal disease|Diseases of the digestive tract]]
| label5 = External causes
| caption = Structure of deaths by major classes of causes of death in 2022
}}
Moldova provides [[Universal health care|universal healthcare]] through a [[mandatory health insurance]] scheme. According to the most recent 2022 official data, per 10,000 inhabitants there are 48.4 doctors and 91 units of average medical staff.<ref name="National Bureau of Statistics of the Republic of Moldova" /> Approx. 53% of those aged 16 and over in urban areas described their own health as 'good' or 'very good', compared to approx. 33% of people of the same age in rural areas.<ref name="National Bureau of Statistics of the Republic of Moldova" /> The country has 86 hospitals, 1,524 [[Pharmacy (shop)|pharmacies]] and branches, 12,600 physicians, 23,687 [[paramedic]]al personnel, and 17,293 [[hospital bed]]s. Moldova spends 6% of its annual GDP on health care, up from 4.9% in 2019.

As of 2022 the average life expectancy was 71.5 years (67.2 for males, and 75.7 for females), slightly lower than comparable countries such as [[Albania]], [[Bulgaria]], [[Latvia]], and Ukraine. The number of elderly people (aged 60 years and over) per 100 inhabitants in Moldova has increased year-on-year. The [[total fertility rate]] per woman in 2022 was 1.69, a fall from 1.78 in 2019, and below the replacement rate of 2.1. There were 10.6 [[Live birth rate|live births]] per 1,000 inhabitants in 2022, a drop from 12.2 in 2019, and 14.2 deaths per 1,000 inhabitants, an increase from 13.7 in 2019 but a significant fall from 17.5 in 2019. [[Infant mortality]] per 1,000 live-births was 9.0, a slight increase on 8.7 in 2020.

The overall number of deaths in 2022 fell by 20.5% compared to 2021.<ref name="National Bureau of Statistics of the Republic of Moldova" /> According to the National Agency for Public Health, the major causes of death in 2022 were [[Cardiovascular disease|diseases of the circulatory system]] (58%), [[cancerous tumour]]s (15.8%), [[Gastrointestinal disease|diseases of the digestive tract]] (7.5%), external causes (4.8%), and other causes (13.9%).<ref name="National Bureau of Statistics of the Republic of Moldova" /> More specifically, the leading causes of death in 2019 were [[Coronary artery disease|Ischaemic heart disease]], strokes, [[hypertensive heart disease]], [[cirrhosis]] of the liver, and trachea, bronchus, and lung cancers.<ref>{{Cite web |date=9 December 2020 |title=Republic of Moldova data {{!}} World Health Organization |url=https://data.who.int/countries/498 |access-date=6 July 2023 |website=[[World Health Organization]] |language=en |archive-date=7 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230707162056/https://data.who.int/countries/498 |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 19 December 2016, the Moldovan parliament approved raising the retirement age to 63 years<ref>{{cite web |last=CNBC |date=19 December 2016 |title=Europe's poorest nation passes IMF-backed retirement age increase |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2016/12/19/europes-poorest-nation-passes-imf-backed-retirement-age-increase.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170803132504/https://www.cnbc.com/2016/12/19/europes-poorest-nation-passes-imf-backed-retirement-age-increase.html |archive-date=3 August 2017 |access-date=3 August 2017 |website=Cnbc.com}}</ref> from the current level of 57 for women and 62 for men, a reform that is part of a 3-year-old assistance programme agreed with the [[International Monetary Fund]]. The retirement age will be lifted gradually by a few months every year until it is fully in effect in 2028.<ref>{{Cite news |date=19 December 2016 |title=Moldovan MPs approve IMF-backed retirement age increase |language=en |work=[[Reuters]] |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-moldova-pensions-idUSKBN1481PE |access-date=3 August 2023 |archive-date=3 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230803180408/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-moldova-pensions-idUSKBN1481PE |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Regional differences and tensions ===
{{See also|Transnistria conflict|Gagauzia|Unification of Moldova and Romania}}
[[File:Transnistria Tank Bender.JPG|thumb|Tank in [[Bender, Moldova]]]]

Since independence, Moldova characterised by a substantial range of profound regional differences across its internationally recognised territory. Since [[Independence Day of the Republic of Moldova|independence]], the country has struggled with issues of national identity, geopolitical strategy, and alliances, often torn between [[Romania]] and the [[European Union]] to the west and the [[Russian Federation]] to the east. Most notably, in eastern Moldova is the unrecognised breakaway state of [[Transnistria]], which lies on the eastern bank of the [[Dniester]] river and borders [[Ukraine]], which has pursued close diplomatic, military, and economic ties with Russia [[Transnistria War|since 1992]], with more than a thousand Russian soldiers stationed in the region. This has proved particularly difficult following [[Russian invasion of Ukraine|Russia's invasion of Ukraine]] in 2022, as Transnistria's position on Ukraine's south-western flank and its hosting of more than a thousand Russian soldiers poses a potential threat to Ukraine's war efforts. The European Union's [[High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy]] [[Josep Borrell]] has confirmed that the pathway to accession does not depend upon a resolution of the [[Transnistria conflict]].<ref name="RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty"/>
There is further the issue of the autonomous territorial unit of [[Gagauzia]]. The [[Gagauz people]] are a [[Turkic languages|Turkic-speaking]] people spread between southern Moldova and the south-west of Ukraine. While their exact origin is considered obscure, they have a strong sense of ethnic identity distinct from that of Moldova, Romania, and Ukraine, with a [[Gagauz language|distinctive language]] and cultural traditions. They are nevertheless a heavily [[Russification|Russified]] group.<ref name="Harrington-2023" /> Support for integration with Romania and the European Union is substantially lower among Gagauzians than among the broader Moldovan population. In 2014, shortly before the Republic of Moldova signed its EU Association Agreement, nearly 99 per cent of Gagauzians voted in a referendum "to reject closer links with Europe in favour of joining the Russian-led Eurasian Economic Union."<ref name="Harrington-2022">{{Cite news |last=Harrington |first=Keith |date=19 August 2022 |title=On 'Republic' Anniversary, Moldova's Gagauz Look to Moscow, and Chisinau |work=[[Balkan Insight]] |url=https://balkaninsight.com/2022/08/19/on-republic-anniversary-moldovas-gagauz-look-to-moscow-and-chisinau/ |access-date=3 August 2023 |archive-date=6 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231106183510/https://balkaninsight.com/2022/08/19/on-republic-anniversary-moldovas-gagauz-look-to-moscow-and-chisinau/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2015, "just over half of Gagauzians voted for the Russian-backed socialist candidate [[Irina Vlah|Irina Vlakh]] as governor."<ref name="Harrington-2022" /> Gagauzia continues to represent a serious challenge both to Moldova's territorial sovereignty and political stability due to Russia's systemic involvement in the region, especially by backing pro-Russian local parties and leadership candidates.<ref name="Harrington-2023">{{Cite web |last=Harrington |first=Keith |date=6 April 2023 |title=ECMI Minorities Blog. Gagauzia's Response to Russia's Invasion of Ukraine |url=https://www.ecmi.de/infochannel/detail/gagauzias-response-to-russias-invasion-of-ukraine |access-date=3 August 2023 |website=[[European Centre for Minority Issues]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Chapple |first=Amos |date=24 March 2023 |title=In Moldova's Pro-Russian Gagauzia Region, Old Loyalties Die Hard |language=en |work=[[Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty]] |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/gagauzia-moldova-war-russia-ukraine/32329617.html |access-date=3 August 2023 |archive-date=2 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230802232122/https://www.rferl.org/a/gagauzia-moldova-war-russia-ukraine/32329617.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[European Centre for Minority Issues]] has also highlighted the role of supposedly-neutral NGO groups in Gagauzia as a new front in Russia's [[Hybrid warfare|hybrid-war]] against both Moldova and Ukraine.<ref name="Harrington-2023" /> The region's current local leader, [[Evghenia Guțul]], in July 2023 thanked the fugitive Moldovan [[Oligarchy|oligarch]] [[Ilan Shor]], leader of the outlawed Moldovan pro-Russian opposition [[Șor Party]], for his personal and financial support and his "willingness to do what it takes so that we may fulfil our election promises", and expressed a desire for deeper diplomatic ties with Russia.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Tanas |first=Alexander |date=20 July 2023 |title=New head of Moldovan region thanks exiled patron, backs Russia ties |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/new-leader-moldovan-region-thanks-exiled-patron-backs-ties-with-russia-2023-07-20/ |access-date=3 August 2023 |archive-date=3 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230803194444/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/new-leader-moldovan-region-thanks-exiled-patron-backs-ties-with-russia-2023-07-20/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

There is also [[Controversy over ethnic and linguistic identity in Moldova|substantial controversy]] over ethnic and linguistic identity in Moldova concerning whether the [[Moldovan language]] and [[Moldovans|Moldovan people]] constitute separate linguistic and ethnic groups to the [[Romanian language]] and Romanian people. The possibility of the [[unification of Moldova and Romania]] has remained a popular topic in both countries since Moldova's independence in 1991. Romania and Moldova enjoy exceptionally strong [[Moldova–Romania relations|diplomatic relations]]. Romania supports Moldova's rapid accession to the European Union, provides vast economic assistance to Moldova's struggling economy, and provided up to 90% of Moldova's energy needs via discounted capped prices as Moldova sought to reduce its reliance on Russian oil and natural gas.<ref>{{Cite news |date=21 November 2022 |title=Romania provides 80%–90% of Moldova's energy needs- minister |language=en |work=[[Reuters]] |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/romania-provides-80-90-moldovas-energy-needs-minister-2022-11-21/ |access-date=3 August 2023 |archive-date=3 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230803180408/https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/romania-provides-80-90-moldovas-energy-needs-minister-2022-11-21/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Spaic-Kovacic |first=David |date=21 June 2023 |title=Romania supports Moldova's EU accession talks, expects 2023 start |url=https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/news/romania-supports-moldovas-eu-accession-talks-expects-2023-start/ |access-date=3 August 2023 |website=[[Euractiv]] |language=en-GB |archive-date=3 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230803180409/https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/news/romania-supports-moldovas-eu-accession-talks-expects-2023-start/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Relations have strengthened further since Russia's invasion of Ukraine.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1 March 2023 |title=Moldova and Romania vow to boost ties amid war in Ukraine |language=en |work=[[Reuters]] |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/moldova-romania-vow-boost-ties-amid-war-ukraine-2023-03-01/ |access-date=3 August 2023 |archive-date=5 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230705105229/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/moldova-romania-vow-boost-ties-amid-war-ukraine-2023-03-01/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Up to 74% of the Romanian public and more than 40% of the Moldovan public would support Moldova being integrated into Romania in one form or another, though most in either country believe that 'now is not the right time'.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sánchez |first=Wilder Alejandro |date=12 February 2023 |title=Opinion – Moldova and Romania's Unification is Not on the Horizon |url=https://www.e-ir.info/2023/02/12/opinion-moldova-and-romanias-unification-is-not-on-the-horizon/ |access-date=3 August 2023 |website=E-International Relations |language=en-US |archive-date=3 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230803180406/https://www.e-ir.info/2023/02/12/opinion-moldova-and-romanias-unification-is-not-on-the-horizon/ |url-status=live }}</ref> A 2022 survey during the [[Russian invasion of Ukraine]] indicated that only 11% of Romania's population supports an immediate union, while over 42% think it is not the moment.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Nahoi |first1=Ovidiu |date=24 March 2022 |title=Sondaj: patriotismul românilor în context de război |trans-title=Survey: the patriotism of Romanians in the context of war |url=https://www.rfi.ro/social-143799-sondaj-patriotism-romani-context-razboi |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220327101445/https://www.rfi.ro/social-143799-sondaj-patriotism-romani-context-razboi |archive-date=27 March 2022 |access-date=28 March 2022 |work=RFI România: Actualitate, informaţii, ştiri în direct |language=ro}}</ref>

==Culture==
{{main|Culture of Moldova}}

{{multiple image
| align             = right
| total_width       = 300
| image1            = Eminescu.jpg
| alt1              = Eminescu
| caption1          = [[Mihai Eminescu]], the national poet of Moldova and Romania
| image2            = Dimitrie Cantemir - portrait from Descriptio Moldaviae, 1716.jpg
| alt2              = Cantemir
| caption2          = [[Dimitrie Cantemir]], Moldavian scholar of the early Enlightenment
}}

Moldova's cultural tradition has been influenced primarily by the [[Origin of the Romanians|Romanian origins]] of its majority population, the roots of which go back to the second century AD, the period of [[Ancient Rome|Roman]] colonisation in [[Dacia]].<ref name="culture">{{cite web|url=http://countrystudies.us/moldova/18.htm|title=Moldova – Culture|website=Countrystudies.us|access-date=27 July 2018|archive-date=14 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171014093821/http://countrystudies.us/moldova/18.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> Located geographically at the crossroads of [[Italic peoples|Latin]], [[Slavic people|Slavic]] and other cultures, Moldova has enriched its own culture adopting and maintaining traditions of neighbouring regions and of other influential sources.<ref>{{cite web |author=Octavian Sofransky |url=http://www.bundesheer.at/pdf_pool/publikationen/wg3-sofransky.pdf |title=Ethno-Political Conflict in Moldova |publisher=European Centre in Moldova |access-date=2 September 2015 |archive-date=23 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923195357/http://www.bundesheer.at/pdf_pool/publikationen/wg3-sofransky.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> The largest ethnic group, which had come to identify itself widely as "Moldovan" by the 14th century, played a significant role in the shaping of [[Culture of Romania#Classical age|classical Romanian culture]]. The culture has been also influenced by the [[Byzantine]] culture, the neighbouring Magyar and Slavic populations, and later by the Ottoman Turks. A strong Western European influence in Moldovan literature and arts was prevalent in the 19th century. During the periods 1812–1917 and 1944–89, Moldovans were influenced by Russian and Soviet administrative control as well and by ethnic Russian immigration.<ref name="culture"/>
[[File:International Children's Day Celebrations in Chisinau, Moldova (7688594362 cropped).jpg|thumb|left|Moldovans wearing [[Romanian dress|national costumes]] in [[Chișinău]]]]
The country's cultural heritage was marked by numerous churches and monasteries built by the Moldavian ruler [[Stephen the Great]] in the 15th century, by the works of the later renaissance Metropolitans [[Varlaam, Metropolitan of Moscow|Varlaam]] and [[Dosoftei]], and those of scholars such as [[Grigore Ureche]], [[Miron Costin]], [[Nicolae Milescu]], [[Dimitrie Cantemir]]{{efn|name=fn6|Prince [[Dimitrie Cantemir]] was one of the most important figures of the Moldavian culture of the 18th century. He wrote the first geographical, ethnographic, and economic description of the country. {{in lang|la}} ''[[Descriptio Moldaviae]]'', (Berlin, 1714), [[:s:la:Descriptio Moldaviae|at Latin Wikisource]].}} and [[Ion Neculce]]. In the 19th century, Moldavians from the territories of the medieval Principality of [[Moldavia]], divided into [[Bessarabia]], [[Bukovina]], and [[Western Moldavia]] (after 1859, Romania), made a significant contribution to the formation of the modern Romanian culture. Among these were many Bessarabians, such as [[Alecu Donici|Alexandru Donici]], [[Alexandru Hâjdeu]], [[Bogdan Petriceicu Hasdeu]], [[Constantin Stamati]], [[Constantin Stamati-Ciurea]], [[Costache Negruzzi]], [[Alecu Russo]], [[Constantin Stere]].

[[Mihai Eminescu]], a late [[Romanticism|Romantic]] poet, and [[Ion Creangă]], a writer, are the most influential [[Romanian language]] artists, considered national writers both in Romania and Moldova.<ref>{{cite journal|author=Catherine Lovatt|url=http://www.ce-review.org/00/3/lovatt3.html|title=2000: Year of Eminescu|journal=Central Europe Review|volume=2|issue=3|date=24 January 2000|access-date=10 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923201420/http://www.ce-review.org/00/3/lovatt3.html|archive-date=23 September 2015|url-status=usurped}}</ref>

=== Holidays ===
{{main|Public holidays in Moldova}}

Most retail businesses close on New Year's Day and [[Independence Day of the Republic of Moldova|Independence Day]], but remain open on all other holidays. Christmas is celebrated either on 7 January, the traditional date in [[Old Calendarists]] [[Eastern Orthodox Church]]es, or on 25 December, with both dates being recognised as public holidays.<ref>{{cite news|title=Moldova Declares Western Christmas Day Official Holiday|newspaper=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |date=19 December 2013 |url=http://www.rferl.org/content/moldova-celebrates-western-christmas/25206410.html|access-date=20 December 2013|archive-date=19 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131219232059/http://www.rferl.org/content/moldova-celebrates-western-christmas/25206410.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 1 March features ''[[mărțișor]]'' gifting, which is a tradition that females are gifted with a type of talisman that is given for good luck.<ref>{{Cite web|date=12 August 2014|title=Martisor, a Spring celebration for Eastern Europeans – FOREIGNERS IN UK|url=http://www.foreignersinuk.co.uk/community_news-community-martisor_a_spring_celebration_for_eastern_europeans_3823.html|access-date=29 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812210746/http://www.foreignersinuk.co.uk/community_news-community-martisor_a_spring_celebration_for_eastern_europeans_3823.html|archive-date=12 August 2014}}</ref>

===Music===
{{main|Music of Moldova}}

[[File:Moldova at ESC 2011.jpg|thumb|[[Zdob și Zdub]] performing at the [[Eurovision Song Contest 2011|2011 Eurovision Song Contest]]]]
Among Moldova's most prominent composers are [[Gavriil Musicescu]], [[Ștefan Neaga]] and [[Eugen Doga]].

In the field of pop music, Moldova has produced the band [[O-Zone]], who came to prominence in 2003, with their hit song "[[Dragostea Din Tei]]", which topped multiple notable single charts. Moldova has been participating in the [[Eurovision Song Contest]] since 2005. Another popular band from Moldova is [[Zdob și Zdub]] that represented the country in the [[2005 Eurovision Song Contest]], finishing sixth, also in 2021, with a similar result.

In May 2007, [[Natalia Barbu]] represented Moldova in Helsinki at the [[Eurovision Song Contest 2007]] with her entry "[[Fight (Natalia Barbu song)|Fight]]". Natalia squeezed into the final by a very small margin. She took tenth place with 109 points.
Then [[Zdob și Zdub]] again represented Moldova in the [[2011 Eurovision Song Contest]] finishing 12th.

The band [[SunStroke Project]] with [[Olia Tira]] represented the country in the [[2010 Eurovision Song Contest]] with their hit song "[[Run Away (SunStroke Project and Olia Tira song)|Run Away]]". Their performance gained international notoriety as an [[internet meme]] due to the pelvic thrusting and dancing of Sergey Stepanov, the band saxophonist. He has been dubbed "[[Epic Sax Guy]]". SunStroke Project featured again in the 2017 Eurovision entry "Hey Mama" which got third place.<ref>{{cite web|title=2017 Grand Final Scoreboard|url=https://eurovision.tv/event/kyiv-2017/grand-final/scoreboard|website=Eurovision.tv|publisher=European Broadcasting Union|access-date=14 May 2016|archive-date=27 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327152129/https://eurovision.tv/event/kyiv-2017/grand-final/scoreboard|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In 2015 a new musical project by the name of [[Carla's Dreams]] has risen in popularity around Moldova. Carla's Dreams reached the top charts in multiple countries in Europe with the release of their song "Sub Pielea Mea" in 2016. The song received a lot of airplay and reached number one place on the charts in Moldova as well as Russia. The group is still active and released their latest album in 2017. The theme of the musical group is "Anonymous" as they perform with painted faces, hoodies and sunglasses. The identity of the group members is still unknown.

Among most prominent classical musicians in Moldova are [[Maria Bieșu]], one of the leading world's sopranos and the winner of the Japan International Competition; pianist [[Mark Zeltser]], winner of the USSR National Competition, [[Long-Thibaud-Crespin Competition]] in Paris and Busoni Competition in Bolzano, Italy.

===Media===
{{main|Media of Moldova|Television in Moldova|Cinema of Moldova|List of newspapers in Moldova}}

The right to [[freedom of speech]] and [[right to information]] are guaranteed by the [[Moldovan constitution]]. [[Reporters Without Borders]] improved Moldova's [[World Press Freedom Index|Press Freedom Index]] ranking to 28th in 2023 from 89th in 2020, partly due to government legal reforms which made it easier for journalists to access official information.<ref>{{Cite web |date=23 July 2020 |title=Moldova {{!}} RSF |url=https://rsf.org/en/country/moldova |access-date=7 July 2023 |website=[[Reporters Without Borders]] |language=en |archive-date=5 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230705135655/https://rsf.org/en/country/moldova |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Cojocari |first=Vitalie |title=Why Moldova is ahead of Romania in Media freedom |url=https://www.thomsonfoundation.org/latest/why-moldova-is-ahead-of-romania-in-media-freedom/ |access-date=7 July 2023 |website=[[Thomson Foundation]] |language=en |archive-date=7 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230707163121/https://www.thomsonfoundation.org/latest/why-moldova-is-ahead-of-romania-in-media-freedom/ |url-status=live }}</ref> However, they cautioned that "Moldova's media are diverse but extremely polarised, like the country itself, which is marked by political instability and excessive influence by oligarchs." Moldova's media are divided into pro-Russian and pro-Western camps and on party political lines.<ref name="BBC News-2022">{{Cite news |date=July 2022 |title=Moldova media guide |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-17602346 |access-date=7 July 2023 |archive-date=7 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230707163031/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-17602346 |url-status=live }}</ref> Oligarchs and political leaders strongly influence their editorial stances.

Television remains the most popular and trusted medium, while online social media is exerting increasing influence. Most private [[FM broadcasting|FM radio networks]] rebroadcast output from Russian and Romanian stations.<ref name="BBC News-2022" /> The first [[Public broadcasting|publicly funded national radio broadcaster]], [[Radio Moldova]], has been broadcasting since 1939 from the capital city, Chişinău. [[Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty]] is also widely available. Moldova's state-owned national radio-TV broadcaster is [[Teleradio-Moldova]] (TRM), which broadcasts the TV channel [[Moldova 1]].

There were 3 million internet users by July 2022, approximately 76% of the population, and digital infrastructure is well-developed, with 98% [[4G]] coverage of territory. There are a number of daily and weekly newspapers published in Moldova, among the most popular being ''[[Timpul de dimineață]]'' and ''[[Moldova Suverană]],'' but print media has an overall small audience in Moldova''.'' [[Independent media]] are struggling to ensure financial sustainability in the face of diminishing advertisement revenues due to inflation, economic stagnation and uncertainty caused by Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

In 2022, the government removed the broadcasting licenses from six television stations for broadcasting [[Propaganda in Russia|pro-Russian propaganda]] and disinformation about [[Russian invasion of Ukraine|Russia's invasion of Ukraine]] in violation of the country's Audiovisual Services Code.<ref>{{Cite web |date=19 December 2022 |title=Six TV channels suspended amid 'misinformation' allegations |url=https://www.euronews.com/2022/12/19/six-tv-channels-suspended-in-moldova-amid-misinformation-allegations |access-date=7 July 2023 |website=euronews |language=en |archive-date=7 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230707162747/https://www.euronews.com/2022/12/19/six-tv-channels-suspended-in-moldova-amid-misinformation-allegations |url-status=live }}</ref> The government stated that this was done in order to "prevent the risk of disinformation or attempts to manipulate public opinion".<ref>{{Cite web |date=17 December 2022 |title=Moldova suspends six channels over Ukraine 'disinformation' – DW – 12/17/2022 |url=https://www.dw.com/en/moldova-suspends-six-channels-over-ukraine-disinformation/a-64137437 |access-date=7 July 2023 |website=[[Deutsche Welle]] |language=en |archive-date=7 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230707162936/https://www.dw.com/en/moldova-suspends-six-channels-over-ukraine-disinformation/a-64137437 |url-status=live }}</ref> All six were either owned or affiliated with [[Ilan Shor|Ilan Șhor]], a fugitive pro-Russian politician and businessman who fled to Israel in 2019 after being convicted of fraud and money-laundering and sentenced to 15 years in prison ''in absentia''.<ref>{{Cite news |date=17 December 2022 |title=Moldovan Government Suspends Licenses Of Six TV Stations To 'Eliminate Propaganda' |language=en |work=[[RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty]] |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/moldova-ilan-shor-tv-stations-licenses-suspended-russia-war/32180842.html |access-date=7 July 2023 |archive-date=7 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230707162923/https://www.rferl.org/a/moldova-ilan-shor-tv-stations-licenses-suspended-russia-war/32180842.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In October 2023 Orizont TV, ITV, Prime, Publika TV, Canal 2 and Canal 3 were also banned for undermining the local elections as well as blocking a number of Russian media outlets which includes the news agencies TASS and Interfax.<ref>{{cite web |title=Moldova blocks more Russian media outlets |url=https://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2023/10/31/moldova-blocks-more-russian-media-outlets/ |date=31 October 2023 |access-date=7 June 2024 |archive-date=3 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231103191905/https://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2023/10/31/moldova-blocks-more-russian-media-outlets/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

The [[cinema of Moldova]] developed in the 1960s during the Soviet period, nurturing a small but lively film industry.<ref name="Johnson-2018">{{Cite web |last=Johnson |first=Glen |date=5 August 2018 |title=Tiny Moldova was once a movie-making capital. A few diehards are trying to keep the tradition alive |url=https://www.latimes.com/world/europe/la-fg-moldova-film-20180805-story.html |access-date=7 July 2023 |website=[[Los Angeles Times]] |language=en-US |archive-date=7 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230707161656/https://www.latimes.com/world/europe/la-fg-moldova-film-20180805-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Following the collapse of the Soviet Union and Moldova's independence, the country's economic stagnation and poverty has hampered the Moldovan film industry.<ref name="Johnson-2018" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Clark |first=Marcus |date=8 November 2012 |title=Learn About Moldova's Brave Little Film Industry |url=https://theculturetrip.com/europe/moldova/articles/beyond-the-eastern-bloc-the-best-of-moldovan-film/ |access-date=7 July 2023 |website=Culture Trip |language=en |archive-date=7 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230707163833/https://theculturetrip.com/europe/moldova/articles/beyond-the-eastern-bloc-the-best-of-moldovan-film/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Nevertheless, some films have seen some international success. Perhaps best-known are ''[[Lăutarii]]'' (1972), written and directed by Moldovan film-maker [[Emil Loteanu]], and ''[[Wedding in Bessarabia]]'' (2009), which was co-produced by Romania, Moldova, and Luxembourg. In recent years Moldovan cinema has gained greater international attention. ''Carbon'' (2022), directed by Ion Borş, received positive acclaim by magazines such as Variety.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Vourlias |first=Christopher |date=15 June 2023 |title=Echoes of the Ukraine War Haunt the Moldovan Tragicomedy 'Carbon,' About a Post-Soviet Conflict Lost to History |url=https://variety.com/2023/film/global/urkaine-war-moldova-carbon-1235645182/ |access-date=7 July 2023 |website=Variety |language=en-US |archive-date=7 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230707162900/https://variety.com/2023/film/global/urkaine-war-moldova-carbon-1235645182/ |url-status=live }}</ref> It was the winner of the [[Transilvania International Film Festival]]'s Audience Award.<ref>{{Citation |title=Carbon |url=https://mubi.com/films/carbon-2022 |access-date=7 July 2023 |language=en |archive-date=7 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230707163008/https://mubi.com/films/carbon-2022 |url-status=live }}</ref> For the 37th edition of the [[Fribourg International Film Festival]], Moldova was featured in its 'New Territory' section, which celebrates little-known film-making cultures.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Between irony and poetry: the Republic of Moldova at FIFF {{!}} Festival International de Films de Fribourg |url=https://www.fiff.ch/en/between-irony-and-poetry-republic-moldova-fiff |access-date=7 July 2023 |website=www.fiff.ch |language=en |archive-date=7 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230707162742/https://www.fiff.ch/en/between-irony-and-poetry-republic-moldova-fiff |url-status=live }}</ref> In July 2022, the [[United Nations Development Programme]] announced that it would be using state-of-the-art equipment to transfer more than 1,600 films from the [[Moldova-Film]] archive for posterity and [[cultural preservation]]. The United States assisted by equipping in 2021 a [[digitization|digitisation]] laboratory to restore and preserve its archive feature and documentary films, representing an important part of Moldova's historical, cultural, and artistic heritage, and many of the films were broadcast on national TV with Romanian subtitles.<ref>{{Cite web |title=More than 1,600 films from Moldova Film archive will be digitized, with the support of the European Union and the U.S. Government {{!}} United Nations Development Programme |url=https://www.undp.org/moldova/press-releases/more-1600-films-moldova-film-archive-will-be-digitized-support-european-union-and-us-government |access-date=7 July 2023 |website=UNDP |language=en |archive-date=7 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230707180256/https://www.undp.org/moldova/press-releases/more-1600-films-moldova-film-archive-will-be-digitized-support-european-union-and-us-government |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Technical Difficulties |url=https://md.usembassy.gov/rediscovering-moldovas-cinema-heritage/ |access-date=7 July 2023 |website=md.usembassy.gov |date=25 February 2021 |archive-date=7 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230707162946/https://md.usembassy.gov/rediscovering-moldovas-cinema-heritage/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Cuisine===
{{main|Moldovan cuisine}}

Moldova's fertile soil (''[[chernozem]]'') produces plentiful [[grapes]], [[fruits]], vegetables, [[Food grain|grains]], meat, and milk products, all of which have found their uses in the national cuisine. The fertile black soil combined with the use of traditional agricultural methods permits the growth of a wide range of foods in Moldova. Moldovan cuisine is similar to neighbouring [[Romanian cuisine|Romania]], [[Ukraine]], and [[Poland]], and the regions share many traditional dishes, often with regional variations. Moldovan cuisine has historically been particularly influenced by elements of [[Russian cuisine|Russian]], [[Turkish cuisine|Turkish]], and [[Ukrainian cuisine]]. Main dishes often include beef, pork, [[potatoes]], [[cabbage]], and a variety of [[cereals]]. Popular alcoholic beverages are ''[[Moldovan wine#Divin|divin]]'' (Moldovan [[brandy]]), beer, and [[Moldovan wine|wine]]—for which the country is known due to its high-quality offerings.<ref>[https://www.sommeliers-international.com/en/breakaways-in-the-vineyards/wine-of-moldova Wine of Moldova] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220912140913/https://www.sommeliers-international.com/en/breakaways-in-the-vineyards/wine-of-moldova|date=12 September 2022}} – Sommeliers International</ref><ref>[https://vidawines.co.uk/moldovan-red-wines-the-best-red-wine-on-the-planet-you-have-never-heard-of/ Moldovan Red Wines: The Best Red Wine on the Planet You Have Never Heard Of] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220912140908/https://vidawines.co.uk/moldovan-red-wines-the-best-red-wine-on-the-planet-you-have-never-heard-of/|date=12 September 2022}} – Vida Wines & Spirits</ref>
[[File:Mămăligă2020-02-12.jpg|alt=Mămăligă|thumb|300x300px|[[Mămăligă]]]]
There are several traditional Moldovan dishes. [[Plăcintă|Plăcinte]] are stuffed and deep-fried pastries with fillings such as soft cheese (often [[Urdă]]), cabbage, potatoes, apples, sour cherries and others, both sweet and savoury.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kieff |first=Leah |date=10 December 2015 |title=4 foods you must try in Moldova |url=https://www.peacecorps.gov/stories/4-foods-you-must-try-in-moldova/ |access-date=7 July 2023 |website=[[Peace Corps]] |language=en |archive-date=7 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230707163013/https://www.peacecorps.gov/stories/4-foods-you-must-try-in-moldova/ |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Sarma (food)|Sarmale]] is a typical Moldovan dish usually consisting of cabbage leaves stuffed with rice, peppers, carrots, meat, and baked in oil. Regional variations can also be found in other former parts of the [[Ottoman Empire]]. [[Mămăligă]], a kind of [[porridge]] made from yellow maize flour, is another staple. It is popular in other countries as [[polenta]] and is often served with [[Sheep milk cheese|sheep's cheese]] and [[sour cream]]. Another traditional dish, plachyndy, is a kind of flatbread often made with [[kefir]] or [[buttermilk]], wrapped around herbs, and pan-fried in oil.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Steafel |first=Eleanor |date=2 July 2021 |title=You need this easy flatbread recipe in your culinary arsenal |language=en-GB |work=The Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/food-and-drink/features/need-easy-flatbread-recipe-culinary-arsenal/ |access-date=7 July 2023 |issn=0307-1235 |archive-date=7 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230707162852/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/food-and-drink/features/need-easy-flatbread-recipe-culinary-arsenal/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Zeamă is a thin chicken soup, typically consisting of homemade chicken broth prepared with a smaller whole chicken, water, thin homemade egg noodles (tăiței de casă), and a variety of finely chopped vegetables and herbs.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Zeama {{!}} Traditional Chicken Soup From Moldova {{!}} TasteAtlas |url=https://www.tasteatlas.com/zeama |access-date=7 July 2023 |website=www.tasteatlas.com |archive-date=7 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230707162846/https://www.tasteatlas.com/zeama |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Bryndza|Brynza]] is a [[Soft cheese|soft]] [[Sheep milk cheese|sheep]]/[[goat cheese]] with a crumbly texture and tangy taste, mostly produced and popular in [[Slovakia]], Romania, and Moldova, and often used in salads, pies, and dumplings.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sikorsky |first=Dmytro |date=30 May 2016 |title=The Secret Of Bessarabia's Cuisine |url=http://odessareview.com/secret-bessarabias-cuisine/ |access-date=7 July 2023 |website=Odessa Review |language=en-US |archive-date=7 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230707163012/http://odessareview.com/secret-bessarabias-cuisine/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[Borscht]], a sour Eastern European soup made from beetroots, meat stock, and vegetables, is also popular and commonly served in Moldova. As with other parts of the region, [[pierogi]] (known as ''chiroște'' in Moldova) are another traditional staple and are often stuffed with a soft cheese in Moldova. The dough is made with [[wheat flour]] and is boiled in salted water, pan-fried in oil, or baked in the oven.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Johnson |first=Doina |date=13 November 2019 |title=Moldovan Food – 14 Best Traditional Dishes as Recommended by a Local (with Recipes) – Nomad Paradise |url=https://nomadparadise.com/moldovan-food/ |access-date=7 July 2023 |language=en-US |archive-date=26 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200926041831/https://nomadparadise.com/moldovan-food/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=7 October 2009 |title=Hai la masa!: Coltunasi |url=https://kathrynannew.wordpress.com/2009/10/07/hai-la-masa-coltunasi/ |access-date=24 August 2016 |archive-date=16 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160316065912/https://kathrynannew.wordpress.com/2009/10/07/hai-la-masa-coltunasi/ |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Medovik]], a cake of Russian origin (and called Tort Smetanik in Moldova) is a popular layered cake with [[honey]] and [[Smetana (dairy product)|smetana]] (sour cream) or [[condensed milk]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Goldstein |first1=Darra |title=The Oxford Companion to Sugar and Sweets |date=2015 |publisher=Oxford University Press}}</ref>

Total recorded adult alcohol consumption is approximately evenly split between spirits, beer, and wine. Notably, Moldova has among the highest alcohol consumption per capita in world, at {{convert|15.2|L|gal}} of pure alcohol imbibed in 2016.<ref>{{Cite magazine |title=How This Tiny European Country Got the World's Worst Drinking Problem |url=https://time.com/5654052/moldova-drinking-problem/ |url-status=live |magazine=Time |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211221152612/https://time.com/5654052/moldova-drinking-problem/ |archive-date=21 December 2021 |access-date=21 December 2021}}</ref> This has fallen somewhat in recent years, but it remains a serious ongoing health concern.<ref>{{Cite web |date=30 June 2023 |title=Europeans are the world's heaviest drinkers: How do countries compare? |url=https://www.euronews.com/next/2023/06/30/so-long-dry-january-which-country-drinks-the-most-alcohol-in-europe |access-date=7 July 2023 |website=euronews |language=en |archive-date=7 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230707162956/https://www.euronews.com/next/2023/06/30/so-long-dry-january-which-country-drinks-the-most-alcohol-in-europe |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Sports===
{{main|Sport in Moldova}}

[[File:AUT vs. MDA 2015-09-05 (006).jpg|thumb|[[Moldova national football team]] in 2015]] Association football is the most popular team sport in Moldova. The governing body is the [[Moldovan Football Federation]], which belongs to [[UEFA]]. The [[Moldova national football team]] played its first match in 1994, but never qualified to the [[UEFA European Championship]]. The most successful football club is [[FC Sheriff Tiraspol|Sheriff Tiraspol]], the first and only Moldovan club to qualify for the group stage of the [[UEFA Champions League|Champions League]] and the [[UEFA Europa League|Europa League]]. Other winners of the [[Moldovan National Division]] include [[FC Zimbru Chișinău|Zimbru Chișinău]], [[FC Dacia Chișinău|Dacia Chișinău]], [[FC Tiraspol]] and [[FC Milsami Orhei|Milsami Orhei]].

''[[Trîntă]]'' (a form of [[wrestling]]) is the national sport in Moldova. [[Rugby union]] is popular as well. More than 10,000 supporters turn out for home internationals. Since 2004, playing numbers at all levels have more than doubled to 3,200. Despite the hardships and deprivations the national team are ranked 34th in the world.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Souster|first=Mark|url=https://www.thetimes.com/|title=Europe's poor relations show richness of spirit; Mark Souster visits Moldova and discovers a wealth of ambition at all levels in one of the game's new frontiers|date=27 October 2012|work=The Times (London, England)|access-date=13 February 2020|archive-date=30 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190330201402/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/|url-status=live}}</ref> The most prestigious [[cycling race]] is the [[Moldova President's Cup]], which was first run in 2004. In chess, the Republic of Moldova has several international masters, among which can be mentioned [[Viorel Iordăchescu]], [[Dmitry Svetushkin]], and [[Victor Bologan|Viorel Bologan]].

[[Radu Albot]] is one of the most successful Moldovan tennis players, with [[Association of Tennis Professionals|ATP]] singles ([[2019 Delray Beach Open – Singles|2019 Delray Beach Open]]) and doubles ([[2015 Istanbul Open – Doubles|2015 Istanbul Open]]) titles.

Athletes from Moldova have won European medals in [[track and field|athletics]], [[biathlon]], [[association football|football]], and gymnastics; world medals in [[archery]], judo, swimming, and [[taekwondo]]; as well as Olympic medals in [[boxing]], [[canoeing]], [[shooting sports|shooting]], [[Olympic weightlifting|weightlifting]], and [[amateur wrestling|wrestling]]. Moldova made its Olympic debut at the [[1994 Winter Olympics]] in Lillehammer. Olympic medalists include [[Sergei Mureiko]], [[Oleg Moldovan]], [[Vitalie Grușac]], [[Veaceslav Gojan]], and [[Serghei Tarnovschi]]. [[Nicolae Juravschi]] represented the Soviet Union at the [[1988 Summer Olympics|1988 Seoul Games]], winning two medals.

==See also==
{{Portal|Moldova|Europe|Countries}}
* [[Outline of Moldova]]

==Notes==
{{notelist}}
{{notelist|group=note}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Moldova}}
{{Sister project links|Moldova|voy=Moldova}}
* [https://www.congress.gov/bill/102nd-congress/senate-resolution/148/text?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%5B%22PL111-148%22%5D%7D&resultIndex=5 S.Res.148 – A resolution to express the sense of the Senate that the United States should support the right to self-determination of the people of the Republic of Moldavia and northern Bucovina] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161018213138/https://www.congress.gov/bill/102nd-congress/senate-resolution/148/text?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%5B%22PL111-148%22%5D%7D&resultIndex=5 |date=18 October 2016 }}
* {{Official website|1=http://www.moldova.md/en}}
* [https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/moldova/ Moldova] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210105015457/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/moldova/ |date=5 January 2021 }}. ''[[The World Factbook]]''. [[Central Intelligence Agency]].
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20121002063813/http://ucblibraries.colorado.edu/govpubs/for/moldova.htm Moldova, Republic of] from ''UCB Libraries GovPubs''.
* [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-17601580 Moldova profile] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180721064530/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-17601580 |date=21 July 2018 }} from the [[BBC News]].
* {{Wikiatlas|Moldova}}
* {{osmrelation-inline|58974|bullet=no}}
* [http://www.ifs.du.edu/ifs/frm_CountryProfile.aspx?Country=MD Key Development Forecasts for Moldova] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426045144/http://www.ifs.du.edu/ifs/frm_CountryProfile.aspx?Country=MD |date=26 April 2012 }} from [[International Futures]].

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