Moldova: crime and justice

What is the crime rate in Moldova?

23.1 thousand crimes were registered in Moldova in 2025, 6.0% fewer than in 2024 and 14.9% fewer than in 2021, according to the National Bureau of Statistics, using Ministry of Internal Affairs data. That is 97 crimes per 10,000 people, against 103 in 2024.

About one crime in four was classed as serious, particularly serious or exceptionally serious. 12.1 thousand people were registered as victims. Domestic violence crimes affected 843 people, 69.4% of them women. Men made up 91.9% of offenders. Registered crime reflects what is reported to and recorded by the police.

Official sources: BNS: The level of crime in the Republic of Moldova in 2025

What is the murder rate in Moldova?

4.7 people per 100,000 inhabitants were victims of intentional homicide in Moldova in 2025, according to the National Bureau of Statistics. The bureau reports this as Sustainable Development Goal indicator 16.1.1.

The indicator counts victims of unlawful killing intended to cause death or serious injury. With a resident population of about 2.37 million, the rate equals roughly 110 victims. The bureau's figures come from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and are published once a year.

Official sources: BNS: The level of crime in the Republic of Moldova in 2025

How many people are in prison in Moldova?

6.3 thousand people were held in Moldova's penitentiary institutions in 2025, according to the National Bureau of Statistics, using data from the National Penitentiary Administration. Of them, 4.9 thousand (77.6%) had been finally convicted and 1.4 thousand (22.4%) were in pre-trial detention or awaiting a final decision.

Women made up 5.3% of the prison population. First-instance courts convicted 11.8 thousand people in 2025, an average of 32 a day and 8.4% more than in 2024. The main sentences were imprisonment, fines and conditional sentences.

Official sources: BNS: The level of crime in the Republic of Moldova in 2025

How many murders are there in Moldova?

In 2023, the intentional homicide rate in Moldova was 2.5 per 100,000, according to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime. Since 2005 it has ranged from 2.2 per 100,000 (2021) to 7.4 per 100,000 (2005). It is 3rd highest of 35 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 1.0 per 100,000. Worldwide: 35th of 79.

What is the female homicide rate in Moldova?

1.3 per 100,000: that is the homicide rate for women in Moldova for 2023, according to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime. Since 2005 it has ranged from 0.7 per 100,000 (2021) to 5.2 per 100,000 (2010). It is 6th highest of 36 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 0.7 per 100,000. Of 78 countries with 2023 data, 35th highest.

How many men are murdered in Moldova?

The latest figure from the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, for 2023, is 4.0 per 100,000. Since 2005 it has ranged from 3.6 per 100,000 (2022) to 10.6 per 100,000 (2005). Europe & Central Asia median: 1.3 per 100,000; Moldova is 3rd highest of 36. World rank, highest first: 34th of 78.