Page last updated on January 31, 2014

Introduction:
Background:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Part of Romania during the interwar period, Moldova was incorporated into the Soviet Union at the close of World War II. Although the country has been independent from the USSR since 1991, Russian forces have remained on Moldovan territory east of the Nistru River supporting the separatist region of Transnistria, composed of a Slavic majority population (mostly Ukrainians and Russians), but with a sizeable ethnic Moldovan minority. One of the poorest nations in Europe, Moldova became the first former Soviet state to elect a communist, Vladimir VORONIN, as its president in 2001. VORONIN served as Moldova's president until he resigned in September 2009, following the opposition's gain of a narrow majority in July parliamentary elections and the Communist Party's (PCRM) subsequent inability to attract the three-fifths of parliamentary votes required to elect a president and, by doing so, put into place a permanent government. Four Moldovan opposition parties formed a new coalition, the Alliance for European Integration (AEI), iterations of which have acted as Moldova's governing coalitions since. Moldova experienced significant political uncertainty between 2009 and early 2012, holding three general elections and numerous presidential ballots in parliament, all of which failed to secure a president. Following November 2010 parliamentary elections, a reconstituted AEI-coalition consisting of three of the four original AEI parties formed a government, and in March 2012 was finally able to elect an independent as president. As of late May 2013, the ruling coalition - comprised of two of the original AEI parties and a splinter group from a third - is called the Pro-European Coalition. In November 2013, the Moldovan Government initialed an Association Agreement with the European Union (EU), advancing the coalition's policy priority of EU integration.
Geography:
Location:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Eastern Europe, northeast of Romania
Geographic coordinates:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
47 00 N, 29 00 E
Map references:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Europe
Area:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 33,851 sq km
country comparison to the world: 140
land: 32,891 sq km
water: 960 sq km
Area - comparative:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
slightly larger than Maryland
Land boundaries:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 1,390 km
border countries: Romania 450 km, Ukraine 940 km
Coastline:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
none (landlocked)
Climate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
moderate winters, warm summers
Terrain:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
rolling steppe, gradual slope south to Black Sea
Elevation extremes:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lowest point: Dniester (Nistru) 2 m
highest point: Dealul Balanesti 430 m
Natural resources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lignite, phosphorites, gypsum, arable land, limestone
Land use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
arable land: 53.47%
permanent crops: 8.77%
other: 37.75% (2011)
Irrigated land:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2,283 sq km (2011)
Total renewable water resources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
11.65 cu km (2011)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 1.07 cu km/yr (14%/83%/4%)
per capita: 290 cu m/yr (2010)
Natural hazards:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
landslides
Environment - current issues:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
heavy use of agricultural chemicals, including banned pesticides such as DDT, has contaminated soil and groundwater; extensive soil erosion from poor farming methods
Environment - international agreements:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
landlocked; well endowed with various sedimentary rocks and minerals including sand, gravel, gypsum, and limestone
People and Society:
Nationality:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
noun: Moldovan(s)
adjective: Moldovan
Ethnic groups:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Moldovan/Romanian 78.2%, Ukrainian 8.4%, Russian 5.8%, Gagauz 4.4%, Bulgarian 1.9%, other 1.3% (2004 census)
note: internal disputes with ethnic Slavs in the Transnistrian region
Languages:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Moldovan (official, virtually the same as the Romanian language), Russian, Gagauz (a Turkish dialect)
Religions:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Eastern Orthodox 98%, Jewish 1.5%, Baptist and other 0.5% (2000)
Population:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3,619,925 (July 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 131
Age structure:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0-14 years: 17.6% (male 327,843/female 307,780)
15-24 years: 15% (male 279,814/female 263,202)
25-54 years: 43.9% (male 790,723/female 796,997)
55-64 years: 12.9% (male 213,256/female 252,907)
65 years and over: 10.7% (male 145,796/female 241,607) (2013 est.)
population pyramid: "> Dependency ratios:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total dependency ratio: 38.8 %
youth dependency ratio: 23 %
elderly dependency ratio: 15.8 %
potential support ratio: 6.3 (2013)
Median age:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 35.4 years
male: 33.5 years
female: 37.4 years (2013 est.)
Population growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
-1.02% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 232
Birth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
12.38 births/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 160
Death rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
12.61 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 24
Net migration rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
-9.92 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 210
Urbanization:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
urban population: 47.7% of total population (2011)
rate of urbanization: 0.79% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
Major urban areas - population:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
CHISINAU (capital) 650,000 (2009)
Sex ratio:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.07 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 0.99 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 0.84 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.6 male(s)/female
total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2013 est.)
Mother's mean age at first birth:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
23.5 (2010 est.)
Maternal mortality rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
41 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)
country comparison to the world: 115
Infant mortality rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 13.28 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 125
male: 15.2 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 11.25 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total population: 69.82 years
country comparison to the world: 153
male: 65.95 years
female: 73.94 years (2013 est.)
Total fertility rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.55 children born/woman (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 183
Contraceptive prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
67.8% (2005)
Health expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
11.4% of GDP (2011)
country comparison to the world: 11
Physicians density:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3.64 physicians/1,000 population (2011)
Hospital bed density:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
6.2 beds/1,000 population (2011)
Drinking water source:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
improved:
unimproved:
Sanitation facility access:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
improved:
unimproved:
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0.4% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 78
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
12,000 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 92
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
fewer than 1,000 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 79
Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
21.2% (2008)
country comparison to the world: 91
Children under the age of 5 years underweight:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3.2% (2005)
country comparison to the world: 110
Education expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
8.6% of GDP (2011)
country comparison to the world: 8
Literacy:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 99%
male: 99.5%
female: 98.5% (2011 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 12 years
male: 12 years
female: 12 years (2011)
Child labor - children ages 5-14:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total number: 72,364
percentage: 16 % (2009 est.)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 13.1%
country comparison to the world: 95
male: 12.8%
female: 13.4% (2012)
Government:
Country name:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
conventional long form: Republic of Moldova
conventional short form: Moldova
local long form: Republica Moldova
local short form: Moldova
former: Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic, Moldovan Soviet Socialist Republic
Government type:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
republic
Capital:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
name: Chisinau in Romanian (Kishinev in Russian)
note: pronounced KEE-shee-now (KIH-shi-nyev)
geographic coordinates: 47 00 N, 28 51 E
time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
Administrative divisions:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
32 raions (raioane, singular - raion), 3 municipalities (municipii, singular - municipiul), 1 autonomous territorial unit (unitatea teritoriala autonoma), and 1 territorial unit (unitatea teritoriala)
raions: Anenii Noi, Basarabeasca, Briceni, Cahul, Cantemir, Calarasi, Causeni, Cimislia, Criuleni, Donduseni, Drochia, Dubasari, Edinet, Falesti, Floresti, Glodeni, Hincesti, Ialoveni, Leova, Nisporeni, Ocnita, Orhei, Rezina, Riscani, Singerei, Soldanesti, Soroca, Stefan-Voda, Straseni, Taraclia, Telenesti, Ungheni
municipalities: Balti, Bender, Chisinau
autonomous territorial unit: Gagauzia
territorial unit: Stinga Nistrului (Transnistria)
Independence:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
27 August 1991 (from the Soviet Union)
National holiday:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Independence Day, 27 August (1991)
Constitution:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
previous 1978; latest adopted 29 July 1994, effective 27 August 1994; amended 2003 (2011)
Legal system:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
civil law system with Germanic law influences; Constitutional Court review of legislative acts
International law organization participation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Suffrage:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
chief of state: President Nicolae TIMOFTI (since 23 March 2012)
head of government: Prime Minister Iurie LEANCA (since 25 April 2013; acting until 30 May 2013, sworn in on 31 May 2013)
cabinet: Cabinet selected by president, subject to approval of Parliament
(For more information visit the World Leaders website )
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
elections: president elected by Parliament for a four-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 16 March 2012 (next to be held in March 2016); note - prime minister designated by the president upon consultation with Parliament; within 15 days from designation, the prime minister-designate must request a vote of confidence from the Parliament regarding his/her work program and entire cabinet; the prime minister and Cabinet received a vote of confidence 30 May 2013
election results: Nicolae TIMOFTI elected president; parliamentary votes - 62 of 101 votes Iurie LEANCA designated prime minister; parliamentary votes of confidence - 58 of 101
Legislative branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
unicameral Parliament or Parlamentul (101 seats; members elected on an at-large basis by popular vote to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held on 28 November 2010 (next to be held in November 2014); note - this was the third parliamentary election in less than two years; the earlier parliaments (elected 5 April 2009 and 29 July 2009) were dissolved after they could not elect a presidential candidate with the necessary three-fifths majority
election results: percent of vote by party - PCRM 39.3%, PLDM 29.4%, PD 12.7%, PL 10%, other 8.6%; seats by party - PCRM 42, PLDM 32, PD 15, PL 12; note - in November of 2011, 3 legislators defected from the Communist Party (PCRM) and voted with the PLDM, PD, and PL governing coalition - termed the Alliance for European Integration (AEI) - to reach a 62-seat majority sufficient to elect a new president; the 3 former PCRM legislators are now aligned with the Party of Socialists, and in 2012 an additional 5 legislators defected from the PCRM; 1 PLDM legislator also defected and is independent
Judicial branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
highest court(s): Supreme Court of Justice (consists of a chief judges, 3 deputy-chief judges, 45 judges, and 7 assistant judges); Constitutional Court (consists of the court president and 6 judges)
judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court of Justice judges appointed by Parliament upon the recommendation of the Supreme Council of the Magistracy; all judges serve 4-year renewable terms; Constitutional Court judges appointed 2 each by Parliament, the Moldovan president, and the Higher Council of Magistracy; court president elected by other court judges for a 3-year term; other judges appointed for 6-year terms
subordinate courts: Courts of Appeal; Court of Business Audit; municipal courts
Political parties and leaders:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
represented in Parliament:
not represented in Parliament:
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
International organization participation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
BSEC, CD, CE, CEI, CIS, EAEC (observer), EAPC, EBRD, FAO, GCTU, GUAM, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, SELEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
chief of mission: Ambassador Igor MUNTEANU (since 7 September 2010)
chancery: 2101 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 667-1130
FAX: [1] (202) 667-2624
Diplomatic representation from the US:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
chief of mission: Ambassador William H. MOSER (since 6 September 2011)
embassy: 103 Mateevici Street, Chisinau MD-2009
mailing address: use embassy street address
telephone: [373] (22) 40-8300
FAX: [373] (22) 23-3044
Flag description:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and red; emblem in center of flag is of a Roman eagle of gold outlined in black with a red beak and talons carrying a yellow cross in its beak and a green olive branch in its right talons and a yellow scepter in its left talons; on its breast is a shield divided horizontally red over blue with a stylized aurochs head, star, rose, and crescent all in black-outlined yellow; based on the color scheme of the flag of Romania - with which Moldova shares a history and culture - but Moldova's blue band is lighter; the reverse of the flag does not display any coat of arms
note: one of only three national flags that differ on their obverse and reverse sides - the others are Paraguay and Saudi Arabia
National symbol(s):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
aurochs (a type of wild cattle)
National anthem:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
name: "Limba noastra" (Our Language)
lyrics/music: Alexei MATEEVICI/Alexandru CRISTEA
note: adopted 1994
Economy:
Economy - overview:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Moldova remains one of the poorest countries in Europe despite recent progress from its small economic base. With its moderate climate and good farmland, Moldova's economy relies heavily on its agriculture sector, featuring fruits, vegetables, wine, and tobacco. With few natural energy resources, Moldova imports almost all of its energy supplies from Russia and Ukraine. Moldova's dependence on Russian energy is underscored by an estimated $4.3 billion debt to Russian natural gas supplier Gazprom due largely to unreimbursed natural gas consumption in the separatist Transnistria region. Previous Russian decisions to ban Moldovan wine and agricultural products, coupled with their decision to double the price Moldova paid for Russian natural gas and the large debt continue to hamper economic growth. Moldova also depends heavily on the annual $1 billion in remittances from the estimated one million Moldovans working in Europe and former Soviet Bloc countries. During the global financial crisis in 2009, Moldova experienced a 6% contraction of its GDP, a shrinkage due to increased unemployment and decrease in remittances. To stabilize the country, the IMF allocated $186 million to Moldova to cover its immediate budgetary needs in the fall of 2009, and the Moldovan Government agreeing with the IMF to a new program worth $574 million. In 2010, an upturn in the world economy boosted GDP growth to about 7% and inflation to more than 7%. Economic reforms have been slow because of corruption and strong political forces backing government controls. Nevertheless, the government's primary goal of EU integration has resulted in some market-oriented progress. The granting of EU trade preferences has encouraged higher growth rates, but the agreements are unlikely to serve as a panacea, given the extent to which export success depends on higher quality standards and other factors. The economy had modest growth in 2011, expanding by 6.8%. However, in 2012, with the Euro crisis and a devastating drought, Moldova's GDP stalled at an estimated 0.3% growth over 2011. Moldova's economic future remains vulnerable to political uncertainty, weak administrative capacity, vested bureaucratic interests, higher fuel prices and the concerns of foreign investors as well as the presence of an illegal separatist regime in Moldova's Transnistria region.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$12.03 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 150
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$7.154 billion (2012 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
-0.8% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 193
GDP - per capita (PPP):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$3,400 (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 171
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
Gross national saving:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
16.1% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 97
GDP - composition, by end use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
household consumption: 97.2%
government consumption: 22.3%
investment in fixed capital: 21.8%
investment in inventories: 1.5%
exports of goods and services: 45.2%
imports of goods and services: -88%
GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
agriculture: 13.1%
industry: 19.8%
services: 67.1% (2012 est.)
Agriculture - products:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
vegetables, fruits, grapes, grain, sugar beets, sunflower seed, tobacco; beef, milk; wine
Industries:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
sugar, vegetable oil, food processing, agricultural machinery; foundry equipment, refrigerators and freezers, washing machines; hosiery, shoes, textiles
Industrial production growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
-3% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 166
Labor force:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.215 million (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 140
Labor force - by occupation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
agriculture: 27.5%
industry: 13.1%
services: 59.4% (2011 est.)
Unemployment rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
5.6% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 55
Population below poverty line:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
21.9% (2010 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lowest 10%: 3.3%
highest 10%: 26% (2010 est.)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
38 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 72
Budget:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
revenues: $2.749 billion
expenditures: $2.9 billion (2012 est.)
Taxes and other revenues:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
38.4% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 55
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
-2.1% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 88
Public debt:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
17.8% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 133
Fiscal year:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
calendar year
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4.5% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 134
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
13.4% (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 51
Stock of narrow money:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$1.708 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 131
Stock of broad money:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$3.498 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 140
Stock of domestic credit:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$2.908 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 125
Market value of publicly traded shares:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$20.7 million (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 118
Current account balance:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$-510.9 million (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 105
Exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$2.228 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 139
Exports - commodities:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
foodstuffs, textiles, machinery
Exports - partners:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Russia 20.8%, Romania 19.8%, Italy 11.5%, Turkey 5.9%, Ukraine 5.4%, Germany 4.7% (2012)
Imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$5.152 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 128
Imports - commodities:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
mineral products and fuel, machinery and equipment, chemicals, textiles
Imports - partners:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Ukraine 17.6%, Romania 16.6%, Germany 9.7%, Russia 8.2%, Italy 5.8%, Belarus 5.4%, Turkey 4.8%, Poland 4.6% (2012)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$2.515 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 116
Debt - external:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$5.888 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 114
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$3.224 billion (30 September 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 92
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$88.42 million (1 January 2012)
country comparison to the world: 90
Exchange rates:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Moldovan lei (MDL) per US dollar -
Energy:
Electricity - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.016 billion kWh (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 145
Electricity - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3.571 billion kWh (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 125
Electricity - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 98
Electricity - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3.145 billion kWh (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 44
Electricity - installed generating capacity:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
552,000 kW (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 134
Electricity - from fossil fuels:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
88.4% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 80
Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 131
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
11.6% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 110
Electricity - from other renewable sources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 198
Crude oil - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 190
Crude oil - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 149
Crude oil - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 87
Crude oil - proved reserves:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 158
Refined petroleum products - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
412.5 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 113
Refined petroleum products - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
18,060 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 134
Refined petroleum products - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
240.1 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 117
Refined petroleum products - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
16,200 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 114
Natural gas - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 160
Natural gas - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.095 billion cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 87
Natural gas - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 140
Natural gas - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.11 billion cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 46
Natural gas - proved reserves:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 164
Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
6.467 million Mt (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 121
Communications:
Telephones - main lines in use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.206 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 69
Telephones - mobile cellular:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4.08 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 120
Telephone system:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
general assessment: poor service outside Chisinau; some modernization is under way
domestic: multiple private operators of GSM mobile-cellular telephone service are operating; GPRS system is being introduced; a CDMA mobile telephone network began operations in 2007; combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity 100 per 100 persons
international: country code - 373; service through Romania and Russia via landline; satellite earth stations - at least 3 (Intelsat, Eutelsat, and Intersputnik) (2011)
Broadcast media:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
state-owned national radio-TV broadcaster operates 2 TV and 2 radio stations; a total of nearly 40 terrestrial TV channels and some 50 radio stations are in operation; Russian and Romanian channels also are available (2007)
Internet country code:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
.md
Internet hosts:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
711,564 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 51
Internet users:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.333 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 89
Transportation:
Airports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
7 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 169
Airports - with paved runways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 5
over 3,047 m: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2013)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
under 914 m:
Pipelines:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
gas 1,906 km (2013)
Railways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 1,190 km
country comparison to the world: 86
broad gauge: 1,176 km 1.520-m gauge
standard gauge: 14 km 1.435-m gauge (2008)
Roadways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 9,352 km
country comparison to the world: 136
paved: 8,835 km
unpaved: 517 km (2012)
Waterways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
558 km (in public use on Danube, Dniester and Prut rivers) (2011)
country comparison to the world: 83
Merchant marine:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 121
country comparison to the world: 45
by type: bulk carrier 7, cargo 88, carrier 1, chemical tanker 3, passenger/cargo 7, petroleum tanker 2, refrigerated cargo 1, roll on/roll off 11, specialized tanker 1
foreign-owned: 63 (Bulgaria 1, Denmark 1, Egypt 5, Greece 1, Israel 2, Lebanon 1, Pakistan 1, Romania 2, Russia 5, Syria 5, Turkey 18, UK 3, Ukraine 14, Yemen 4) (2010)
Military:
Military branches:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
National Army: Land Forces Command, Air Forces Command (includes air defense unit), Logistics Command (2013)
Military service age and obligation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
18 years of age for compulsory or voluntary military service; male registration required at age 16; 1-year service obligation (2012)
Manpower available for military service:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
males age 16-49: 1,143,440
females age 16-49: 1,156,958 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
males age 16-49: 875,224
females age 16-49: 969,903 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
male: 28,213
female: 26,614 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0.3% of GDP (2012)
country comparison to the world: 387
Transnational Issues:
Disputes - international:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Moldova and Ukraine operate joint customs posts to monitor the transit of people and commodities through Moldova's break-away Transnistria region, which remains under the auspices of an Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe-mandated peacekeeping mission comprised of Moldovan, Transnistrian, Russian, and Ukrainian troops
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
stateless persons: 1,998 (2012)