Moldova: economy

What is the inflation rate in Moldova?

Moldova's annual inflation rate was 8.6% in September 2026, according to the National Bureau of Statistics. Prices rose 1.7% in the month and 6.6% since December 2025.

Over the twelve months, food prices rose 5.1%, non-food goods 9.0% and services 12.6%. The monthly jump came mainly from a 40.8% rise in regulated natural gas tariffs, which added about 1.1 percentage points, and higher prices for coal, petrol and diesel. The National Bank of Moldova's target is 5.0% with a range of 1.5 points either side; its September 2026 decision notes that August inflation of 6.96% was already above that range.

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

What is the National Bank of Moldova base rate?

The National Bank of Moldova's base rate is 9.00% a year, set by its Executive Board on 17 September 2026, according to the monetary policy decision. The board voted unanimously to raise it.

The base rate applies to the bank's main short-term operations. Overnight loans are priced at 11.00%, repo transactions at 9.25% and overnight deposits at 7.00%. Required reserves stay at 18.0% of lei funds and 26.0% of funds in freely convertible currency. The bank said the rise aims to curb inflation pressures from energy and food prices and from rising household incomes, and to bring inflation back within its target range around 5.0%.

Official sources: National Bank of Moldova: Monetary policy decision, 17 September 2026

Is Moldova's economy growing?

Moldova's real GDP grew 0.9% in the second quarter of 2026 compared with a year earlier, and 0.6% in the first half of the year, according to preliminary estimates by the National Bureau of Statistics. GDP grew 2.4% in 2025.

The full Romanian release shows that manufacturing added 0.5 percentage points to growth, agriculture 0.4 points and energy supply 0.3 points. Information and communication subtracted 0.6 points, construction 0.5 points and education 0.4 points. On a seasonally adjusted basis, GDP rose 1.4% from the first quarter, after a 1.1% fall in that quarter. Preliminary quarterly estimates are revised as fuller data arrive.

Official sources: BNS: GDP in the second quarter and first half of 2026 · BNS: Produsul intern brut, trimestrul II 2026 (Romanian)

What are Moldova's exports and imports?

Moldova exported goods worth €1,969.9 million and imported €5,842.2 million in January to July 2026, according to the National Bureau of Statistics. Exports were 11.7% higher than a year earlier and imports 7.1% higher.

The European Union took 65.3% of exports (€1,287.3 million) and CIS countries 6.6%. Exports of goods produced in Moldova rose 15.6%, while re-exports of foreign goods, a fifth of the total, fell 1.3%. In July alone, exports were €319.4 million and imports €865.5 million. Imports have been well above exports throughout, so the goods trade balance is in deficit.

Official sources: BNS: International trade of goods, July 2026

What is the Moldovan leu exchange rate?

The official exchange rate on 15 October 2026 was 20.0927 lei per euro and 17.9640 lei per US dollar, according to the National Bank of Moldova. The same table gave 3.7641 lei per Romanian leu and 0.3983 lei per Ukrainian hryvnia.

The National Bank sets an official rate for each day. Banks and exchange offices set their own buying and selling rates around it. The bank publishes average rates and a converter on the same page.

Official sources: National Bank of Moldova: Official exchange rates

What is Moldova's GDP per capita?

Moldova's GDP per capita was US$8,622 in 2025, according to the World Bank, up from US$7,579 in 2024 and US$5,744 in 2022.

The figure divides GDP in current US dollars by the resident population, which the National Bureau of Statistics put at 2,365.6 thousand on 1 January 2026. Because it is in dollars, it rises with the leu's value against the dollar as well as with output. Money sent home by Moldovans working abroad is not part of GDP; personal remittances were equal to 9.4% of GDP in 2025, according to the World Bank.

Official sources: World Bank: GDP per capita, Moldova · World Bank: Personal remittances received, Moldova

How fast is Moldova's economy growing?

The World Bank puts real GDP growth in Moldova at 2.4% in 2025. Since 2005 it has ranged from -8.3% (2020) to 13.9% (2021). Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 2.1%, and Moldova placed 22nd highest of 49. World rank, highest first: 119th of 180.

What is Moldova's GDP per person?

The latest figure from the World Bank, for 2025, is $8,622. No year since 2005 has been higher. It is 43rd highest of 49 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is $28,420. Worldwide: 83rd of 180.

How does Moldova's income per person compare after prices?

According to the World Bank, GDP per person at purchasing power parity in Moldova was $19,996 in international dollars in 2025. No year since 2005 has been higher. Europe & Central Asia median: $50,946 in international dollars; Moldova is 45th highest of 49. Of 179 countries with 2025 data, 91st highest.

What share of Moldova's economy is exports?

In 2025, exports of goods and services in Moldova was 31.8% of GDP, according to the World Bank. Its high point since 2005 was 2005, at 51.2% of GDP; its low point was 2010, at 27.8% of GDP. It is 39th highest of 46 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 47.7% of GDP. Worldwide: 76th of 133.

Does Moldova earn more abroad than it spends?

The IMF puts the current account balance in Moldova at -19.6% of GDP in 2025, a deficit. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. Europe & Central Asia median: -0.3% of GDP; Moldova is 46th highest of 47. Of 132 countries with 2025 data, 127th highest.

How much foreign direct investment goes into Moldova?

In 2025, net inflows of foreign direct investment in Moldova was 2.3% of GDP, according to the IMF. The peak was 12.2% of GDP in 2007 and the low 1.1% of GDP in 2016. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 1.9% of GDP, and Moldova placed 22nd highest of 49. Worldwide: 85th of 179.

How high are loan rates in Moldova?

The IMF puts the average bank lending rate in Moldova at 9.0% in 2025. Since 2005 it has ranged from 7.4% (2021) to 21.1% (2008). Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 8.0%, and Moldova placed 7th highest of 17. Of 73 countries with 2025 data, 36th highest.