Moldova: jobs and pay

What is the unemployment rate in Moldova?

Moldova's unemployment rate was 7.3% in the second quarter of 2026, down from 10.4% in the first quarter, according to the Labour Force Survey of the National Bureau of Statistics.

The rate covers people aged 15 to 74. The labour force was 926.9 thousand and 859.3 thousand people were employed, 5.9% more than in the first quarter. The employment rate of people aged 15 to 89 was 45.0%. Men made up 51.8% of the labour force. The survey measures unemployment as people without work who are looking for and available for a job, which is a different count from the jobseekers registered with the National Employment Agency.

Official sources: BNS: Labour force, employment and unemployment, Q2 2026 · National Employment Agency

What is the average salary in Moldova?

The average gross monthly wage in Moldova was 16,895.7 lei in the second quarter of 2026, according to the National Bureau of Statistics. That was 9.2% more than a year earlier and 5.7% more than in the first quarter.

After adjusting for inflation, real wages were 2.3% higher than a year earlier. The figure covers businesses with 4 or more employees and all public institutions, and is before income tax and social contributions. The number of employees was 2.5% higher than a year earlier. At the 15 October 2026 official rate, 16,895.7 lei is about €841.

Official sources: BNS: Average gross monthly earnings, Q2 2026

What is the average pension in Moldova?

The average old-age pension in Moldova was 4,435.6 lei a month on 1 January 2026, 11.3% more than a year earlier, according to the National Bureau of Statistics, using data from the National Office of Social Insurance.

The minimum old-age pension was 3,055.7 lei, which covered 20.1% of the subsistence minimum for pensioners. Moldova had 671.7 thousand pensioners, of whom 530.2 thousand received old-age pensions. The average old-age pension has risen 70.9% since 1 January 2022. Pensions are paid by the National Office of Social Insurance.

Official sources: BNS: The elderly in the Republic of Moldova in 2025 · National Office of Social Insurance

What is the minimum wage in Moldova?

In 2026, the statutory minimum wage in Moldova was 6,300 MDL a month, according to the ILO. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2012.

What is the average wage in Moldova?

According to the ILO, average monthly earnings of employees in Moldova was $501 a month in 2025. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2012. Europe & Central Asia median: $3,252 a month; Moldova is 32nd highest of 32. Of 57 countries with 2025 data, 44th highest.

What is Moldova's unemployment rate?

According to the ILO, the unemployment rate in Moldova was 1.5% in 2025. Since 2005 it has ranged from 0.8% (2021) to 5.6% (2005). Europe & Central Asia median: 5.5%; Moldova is 47th highest of 47. Worldwide: 165th of 174.

What is the youth unemployment rate in Moldova?

In 2025, unemployment among 15 to 24 year olds in Moldova was 4.2%, according to the ILO. The peak was 14.6% in 2005 and the low 1.8% in 2021. It is 46th highest of 47 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 14.2%. World rank, highest first: 153rd of 174.

What is the labour force participation rate in Moldova?

According to the ILO, the labour force participation rate in Moldova was 72.3% in 2025. Since 2005 it has ranged from 54.8% (2005) to 72.5% (2022). Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 60.3%, and Moldova placed 2nd highest of 47. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 24th highest.

What is female labour force participation in Moldova?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 72.3%. No year since 2005 has been higher. Europe & Central Asia median: 54.6%; Moldova is 1st highest of 47. World rank, highest first: 14th of 174.

How many people in Moldova are employed?

71.2%: that is the employment to population ratio in Moldova for 2025, according to the ILO. Since 2005 it has ranged from 51.7% (2005) to 71.9% (2021). Europe & Central Asia median: 56.6%; Moldova is 2nd highest of 47. World rank, highest first: 20th of 174.

How many workers in Moldova are self-employed or family workers?

According to the ILO, the share of workers who are own-account or contributing family workers in Moldova was 58.6% in 2025. The peak was 61.6% in 2016 and the low 44.2% in 2005. Europe & Central Asia median: 11.0%; Moldova is 1st highest of 47. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 42nd highest.

How many people in Moldova are employees?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 41.2%. Since 2005 it has ranged from 38.1% (2016) to 55.3% (2005). Europe & Central Asia median: 85.5%; Moldova is 46th highest of 47. Worldwide: 129th of 174.