Country Name: Moldova (Republic of Moldova)

Capital: Chisinau in Moldovan (Kishinev in Russian)

Government Type: parliamentary republic

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

Continent: Europe

Population: 3,250,532 (2023 est.)

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

Languages: Moldovan/Romanian 80.2% (official) (56.7% identify their mother tongue as Moldovan, which is virtually the same as Romanian; 23.5% identify Romanian as their mother tongue), Russian 9.7%, Gagauz 4.2% (a Turkish language), Ukrainian 3.9%, Bulgarian 1.5%, Romani 0.3%, other 0.2% (2014 est.); note - data represent mother tongue; as of March 2023, Romanian replaced Moldovan as the name of Moldova's official language

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

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

Currency: Moldovan Leu (MDL)

Reserves of Foreign Exchange & Gold: $4.474 billion (2022 est.) note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars

Real GDP (Purchasing Power Parity): $33.789 billion (2022 est.) note: data in 2017 dollars

Real GDP Growth Rate: -5.02% (2022 est.) note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

Real GDP per Capita: $13,300 (2022 est.) note: data in 2017 dollars

Exports: 

• $5.981 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars

• Comparison Ranking: 129

Export Commodities: insulated wiring, sunflower seeds, wine, corn, seats (2021)

Export Partners: Romania 24%, Russia 9%, Turkey 8%, Germany 7%, Italy 7% (2021)

Imports: 

• $10.265 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars

• Comparison Ranking: 119

Import Commodities: refined petroleum, cars, insulated wiring, packaged medicines, broadcasting equipment (2019)

Import Partners: Romania 18%, Russia 13%, Ukraine 11%, China 9%, Germany 7% (2021)

Natural Resources: lignite, phosphorites, gypsum, limestone, arable land

Agricultural Products: maize, wheat, sunflower seeds, grapes, apples, sugar beets, milk, potatoes, barley, plums/sloes

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

Industrial Production Growth Rate: 

• -10.43% (2022 est.) note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

• Comparison Ranking: 211

Labor Force: 1.486 million (2022 est.)

Unemployment Rate: 0.91% (2022 est.) note: % of labor force seeking employment

Natural Hazards: landslides

Geography:

• Total: 33,851 sq km

• Land: 32,891 sq km

• Water: 960 sq km

(Country Summary, The World Factbook, CIA.gov)

LEGAL, FINANCIAL, & TAX ADVICE DISCLAIMER: The information on SportsLifeMoney’s™ (“SLM”) websites, podcast network, videos, social media accounts, and other platforms (collectively, “SLM Platforms”) is strictly and solely provided for educational and informational purposes only. All of the information and materials on the aforementioned SLM Platforms do not constitute and are not intended to provide legal, financial, accounting, or tax advice, and should not be relied on in that respect. SLM recommends that you consult with an attorney, certified financial advisor, or licensed accountant to answer any legal, financial, or tax questions you may have. SLM also recommends that you consult with an attorney, certified financial advisor, or licensed accountant before making any legal, financial, or tax-related decisions based on content and/or subject matter included and/or discussed on any of the SLM Platforms. Before you act or rely on any information you have heard, read, viewed, and/or listened to on any of the SLM Platforms or communication mediums, SLM recommends that you confirm any and all facts that are important to your decision and that you subsequently consult with an appropriate professional (e.g., attorney, certified financial advisor, certified accountant, etc.) and have them review these facts and also confirm their validity. CAUTION: IF YOU RELY ON ANY INFORMATION, CONTENT, PRODUCT, OR SERVICE FROM ANY OF THE SLM PLATFORMS, YOU DO SO AT YOUR OWN RISK. YOU UNDERSTAND THAT YOU ARE SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY AND ALL DAMAGES OR LOSS THAT YOU MAY INCUR THAT RESULTS FROM YOUR USE AND/OR RELIANCE OF ANY OF THE SLM PLATFORMS OR ANY OF THE CONTENT OR MATERIAL OTHERWISE PROVIDED ON ANY OF THESE SLM PLATFORMS. SLM AND ANY AND ALL OF ITS AFFILIATES MAKE NO IMPLIED OR EXPRESS REPRESENTATIONS OR IMPLIED OR EXPRESS WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND REGARDING ANY AND ALL INFORMATION ON ANY OF THE SLM PLATFORMS OR SLM’S AFFILIATE PLATFORMS. SLM AND ITS AFFILIATES WILL NOT BE HELD LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES. By continuing to use any of the SLM Platforms, you acknowledge and agree to the aforementioned terms and conditions of this disclaimer and any and all other legally binding terms and conditions set forth in SLM’s Privacy Policy, Terms & Conditions, and other legally binding agreements.