Moldova compared with the EU and the region
Quantified comparisons between Moldova, Romania, the EU-27, Ukraine, Georgia and other countries on key social indicators.
Moldova's unemployment at 1.5% in 2025, yet only 50.3% of 15–64-year-olds are in work
In 2025 Moldova's unemployment rate was 1.5% (ILO estimate), below Poland (3.0%), Bulgaria (3.5%), the EU (5.9%) and Romania (6.0%), yet only 50.3% of those aged 15–64 were employed (NBS).
ComparativeMoldova allocates 6.6% of GDP to education in 2023, almost double Romania's share
Moldova allocated 6.6% of GDP to education in 2023, almost double Romania's share (3.3% in 2022). Per capita, spending in 2022 was around 37% of the EU level.
ComparativePISA 2022: 1.7% of Moldova's pupils are top performers, against 13.7% in the OECD
In PISA 2022 Moldova scored 414 points in mathematics, 58 below the OECD average, and only 1.7% of pupils reached levels 5-6 in at least one subject. Education: 6.6% of GDP (2023).
ComparativeRemittances: Moldova at 9.4% of GDP in 2025, below Georgia and 10.9 times the EU average
In 2025, remittances accounted for 9.4% of GDP in Moldova, against 11.2% in Georgia, 2.5% in Romania and 0.9% in the EU. The share is 57% lower than in 2014 (22.1%).
ComparativeGDP per capita: Moldova at 30.5% of the EU average and 39% of Romania's level in 2025
In 2025 Moldova's GDP per capita at PPP stood at 19,996 international dollars — 30.5% of the EU average and 39.3% of Romania's level. The relative gap is narrowing; the absolute gap is widening.
ComparativeLife expectancy: Moldova ten years behind the EU average
In 2024, a newborn in Moldova could expect to live 71.3 years, 10.2 years less than the EU average and below the global average, according to World Bank data.
Receive a notification on your phone or computer when we publish an analysis. No email, no account; switch it off at any time.
Planning a study, evaluation or survey in Moldova?
We design and deliver baseline and endline studies, evaluations, nationally representative surveys and data analysis for development partners, from inception report to final presentation.
