Moldova: cost of living

How much have gas and utility prices risen in Moldova?

Regulated natural gas tariffs rose 40.8% in September 2026, according to the National Bureau of Statistics, adding about 1.1 percentage points to consumer prices that month. Water supply and sewerage prices rose 1.3%.

Fuel prices also rose in the month: coal by 12.9%, petrol by 8.6% and diesel by 7.2%. Over the year to September, prices for services, which include utilities, rose 12.6%, against 5.1% for food. The National Bank of Moldova said earlier that a delay in adjusting gas tariffs had kept August inflation lower than it expected.

Official sources: BNS: Consumer price indices, September 2026 · National Bank of Moldova: Monetary policy decision, 17 September 2026

How fast are food prices rising in Moldova?

Food prices in Moldova were 5.1% higher in September 2026 than a year earlier, according to the National Bureau of Statistics. In the month, food prices rose 0.2%.

Over twelve months, vegetables rose 8.0%, fruit 6.6%, milk and dairy products and wheat bread 5.7% each, eggs 5.4% and vegetable oil 4.6%. Meat rose 1.7% and sugar fell 0.7%. Food inflation was below overall inflation of 8.6%, which was pushed up by energy and services.

Official sources: BNS: Consumer price indices, September 2026

What is the poverty rate in Moldova?

33.6% of Moldova's population lived below the national poverty line in 2024, according to the World Bank, up from 31.6% in 2023 and 24.5% in 2021.

The national rate is calculated from the Household Budget Survey run by the National Bureau of Statistics, which compares household consumption with an absolute poverty line. The bureau published its analysis of poverty among households with children for 2025 on 1 October 2026, as Excel tables in Romanian.

Official sources: World Bank: Poverty at national poverty lines, Moldova · BNS: Analysis of poverty and wellbeing of households with children, 2026 edition

What is Moldova's inflation rate?

7.8%: that is consumer price inflation in Moldova for 2025, according to the IMF. The peak was 28.7% in 2022 and the low -0.1% in 2009. Europe & Central Asia median: 3.7%; Moldova is 7th highest of 48. Of 165 countries with 2025 data, 25th highest.

What is household spending per person in Moldova?

According to the World Bank, household consumption per person in Moldova was $3,621 in 2025. That is the highest since at least 2005. It is 42nd highest of 44 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is $11,266. World rank, highest first: 69th of 124.

What share of people in Moldova live in extreme poverty?

According to the World Bank, the share of people living on less than $3.00 a day in Moldova was 0.0% in 2024. That is the lowest since at least 2005. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 2.5%, and Moldova placed 6th highest of 6.

What share of Moldova lives below the poverty line?

The latest figure from the World Bank, for 2024, is 33.6%. No year since 2019 has been higher. It is 1st highest of 14 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 15.8%. World rank, highest first: 6th of 31.

What is income inequality in Moldova?

According to the World Bank, the Gini index in Moldova was 26.8 in 2024. Since 2005 it has ranged from 25.0 (2020) to 36.3 (2005). Europe & Central Asia median: 30.7; Moldova is 6th highest of 6.

How many people in Moldova face food insecurity?

According to the FAO, moderate or severe food insecurity in Moldova was 26.4% in 2024. Its high point since 2015 was 2018, at 27.5%; its low point was 2015, at 19.3%. It is 3rd highest of 45 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 7.6%. World rank, highest first: 60th of 135.