Moldova: immigration

How many refugees are there in Moldova?

Moldova hosted 149,324 refugees and 594 asylum seekers at the end of 2025, according to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR). 148,852 of the refugees were from Ukraine.

The number rose from 349 at the end of 2021 to 105,374 at the end of 2022. UNHCR also records 3,422 stateless people in Moldova. The figures count people present at the end of the year, not everyone who crossed the border.

Official sources: UNHCR: Refugee Data Finder

How many people in Moldova were born abroad?

106.7 thousand people living in Moldova, 4.4% of the population, were born in another country, according to the final results of the 2024 Population and Housing Census published by the National Bureau of Statistics.

49.1% of them were born in Ukraine and 30.5% in Russia. 77.4% held Moldovan citizenship, including 12.0 thousand with dual citizenship, 22.4% held another citizenship and 0.2% were stateless. 39.5% were aged 65 and over. The census counted the usually resident population on 8 April 2024.

Official sources: BNS: 2024 census final results, migration characteristics

How many Moldovans seek asylum abroad?

At the end of 2025 there were 3,022 asylum seekers and 5,846 refugees from Moldova in other countries, according to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR). Pending asylum claims have fallen from 7,006 at the end of 2022.

Italy held the most pending claims (1,046), followed by the United States (549) and Germany (463). The asylum figures count pending cases at the year end, not new applications during the year. Moldovans who move abroad to work are not included.

Official sources: UNHCR: Refugee Data Finder

How many immigrants live in Moldova?

6.2%: that is the share of people born abroad in Moldova for 2024, according to the UN Population Division. It was 3.1% in 2015. It is 38th highest of 52 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 11.7%. Of 193 countries with 2024 data, 83rd highest.

Are more people leaving Moldova than arriving?

-29,766: that is net migration in Moldova for 2025, according to the UN Population Division. The peak was 89,154 in 2022 and the low -84,039 in 2010. It is 46th highest of 52 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 158. World rank, highest first: 161st of 193.

How many refugees are in Moldova?

According to UNHCR, the number of refugees in the country in Moldova was 149,324 in 2025. No year since 2005 has been higher. Europe & Central Asia median: 62,365; Moldova is 14th highest of 50. Worldwide: 41st of 169.

How many refugees come from Moldova?

UNHCR puts the number of refugees from the country living abroad in Moldova at 5,846 in 2025. Its high point since 2005 was 2005, at 12,065; its low point was 2021, at 2,190. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 533, and Moldova placed 12th highest of 49. Of 189 countries with 2025 data, 73rd highest.

How much money do migrants send home to Moldova?

The World Bank puts personal remittances received in Moldova at 9.4% of GDP in 2025. That is the lowest since at least 2005. It is 6th highest of 47 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 1.4% of GDP. World rank, highest first: 20th of 127.