People and Society of Moldova

Nationality

Moldovan(s)

Ethnic Groups

Moldovan/Romanian 64.5%, Ukrainian 13.8%, Russian 13%, Jewish 1.5%, Bulgarian 2%, Gagauz and other 5.2%

Population

2,587,695

Population in Major Urban Areas

CHISINAU (capital) 677,000

Medical care is substandard throughout Moldova, including in Chisinau. If you are sick or injured, try to go to Western Europe for treatment. In an emergency, try to contact the local ambulance service. Hospital accommodations are inadequate, technology is not advanced, and there may be shortages of routine medications and supplies. Elderly travelers and those with existing health problems may be at particular risk. The U.S. Embassy maintains a list of medical facilities and English-speaking doctors, but cannot endorse any doctors. If you take prescription or over-the-counter medications, you should bring an extra supply with you. Pharmacies are not always stocked to Western standards, products are not always labeled in English, and poor quality and/or counterfeit medications have been reported.

Life Expectancy at Birth

Life expectancy at birth in Moldova stands at approximately 70 years overall, with notable differences between sexes. Women in Moldova can expect to live to around 74 to 75 years, while men have a considerably shorter life expectancy of roughly 66 years. This gap of nearly eight to nine years between male and female life expectancy is one of the more pronounced gender disparities in the region and reflects broader patterns seen across Eastern Europe. Moldova's life expectancy figures place it among the lower-ranked countries in Europe, trailing significantly behind Western European nations, where averages commonly exceed 81 years. The country has faced persistent public health challenges that have constrained longevity, including high rates of cardiovascular disease, which remains the leading cause of death. Liver disease, linked in part to elevated rates of alcohol consumption, and respiratory illnesses also contribute meaningfully to premature mortality, particularly among working-age men. Several socioeconomic factors further influence life expectancy in Moldova. The country is one of the poorest in Europe by per capita income, which limits household access to quality nutrition, preventive healthcare, and timely medical treatment. Rural populations, who make up a significant share of the country's residents, often face greater challenges in accessing healthcare infrastructure compared to those living in the capital, Chișinău. Moldova experienced modest improvements in life expectancy during the 2000s and early 2010s, driven partly by healthcare reforms, increased access to medications for chronic disease management, and gradual improvements in living standards. However, the COVID-19 pandemic caused a significant setback, contributing to excess mortality and a measurable decline in average life expectancy during 2020 and 2021. Recovery since then has been gradual, and overall figures remain below pre-pandemic trends seen in comparable regional neighbors. Large-scale emigration, a defining feature of modern Moldovan society, also complicates the demographic picture. Many younger, working-age Moldovans have left to seek employment abroad, leaving behind an older population whose healthcare needs are more intensive. Ongoing efforts to strengthen the national health system, expand access to primary care in underserved rural areas, and address chronic disease risk factors remain central to the country's long-term public health agenda.

Infant Mortality Rate

Moldova has made meaningful progress in reducing infant mortality over recent decades, though rates remain higher than the European Union average. As of the most recent available data, Moldova's infant mortality rate stands at approximately 9 to 10 deaths per 1,000 live births. This figure represents a significant improvement from earlier periods — in the early 1990s, following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the rate exceeded 20 deaths per 1,000 live births, reflecting the economic instability and healthcare deterioration that accompanied independence. The decline in infant mortality has been driven by several factors, including improved access to prenatal and postnatal care, increased rates of skilled birth attendance, and targeted public health interventions supported by international organizations such as UNICEF and the World Health Organization. Immunization coverage has expanded substantially, reducing deaths attributable to vaccine-preventable diseases. Breastfeeding promotion programs have also contributed to better infant nutrition and health outcomes in the early months of life. Despite this progress, disparities persist within the country. Rural areas, particularly in the Transnistria region and poorer agricultural districts, experience higher infant mortality rates compared to urban centers such as the capital, Chișinău. Limited access to specialized neonatal care, lower household incomes, and reduced healthcare infrastructure in remote communities contribute to these regional differences. Causes of infant mortality in Moldova include perinatal conditions such as birth asphyxia and prematurity, respiratory infections, congenital anomalies, and gastrointestinal illnesses. Poverty remains an underlying factor, as Moldova is one of the lower-income countries in Europe, and financial barriers can delay or prevent families from seeking timely medical care. The Moldovan government, in partnership with international health bodies, has implemented national strategies aimed at further reducing infant and child mortality through improved maternity ward facilities, neonatal intensive care capacity, and community health education programs. Continued investment in healthcare infrastructure and socioeconomic development will be essential to closing the gap between Moldova's infant mortality rate and that of its higher-income European neighbors.

Literacy Definition

age 15 and over can read and write

• Eastern Orthodox98.0%
• Jewish1.0%
• Other1.0%

Moldovan (official, virtually the same as the Romanian language), Russian, Gagauz (a Turkish dialect)

• Russian

Crime Information

Most travelers to Moldova enjoy a safe and pleasant stay. Occasionally, travelers become victims of crime, usually petty theft, but sometimes more serious fraud. Foreign visitors rarely suffer physical violence or sexual assault. Some U.S. citizens have reported theft of money, passports, and small valuables from hotel rooms and local apartments, along with home and office burglaries. Be careful and protect your valuables in Chisinau, just as you would in any major U.S. city. Be cautious when using ATMs in Moldova. Some U.S. citizens have reported unauthorized access to their accounts after using ATMs (although banks sometimes post their fees later as separate transactions). They have also reported PIN theft from ATMs in Moldova, either by "skimming" devices, which record the card information, or by hidden cameras or "shoulder surfing." Train and bus services are below Western European standards and some U.S. citizens have been robbed while traveling on international trains to and from Moldova. Be on your guard against pickpockets on public transit. U.S. citizens who use the Moldovan postal service have reported that international letters and package mail are sometimes opened or pilfered. Don't buy counterfeit and pirated goods, even if they are widely available. Not only are the bootlegs illegal to bring back into the United States, but if you purchase them you may also be breaking local law. Internet fraud warning: There are various Internet scams in Moldova that target foreigners. Since 2008, "phishing" schemes have hacked the bank accounts of U.S. businesses and transferred the money to Moldova. Internet auction fraud, in which buyers fail to pay for purchases or send counterfeit checks as payment, is not uncommon. Be aware of dating scams, in which someone you met over the Internet asks for money. They may say they need money to help their family, buy plane tickets, pay medical bills, provide "economic solvency funds," etc. A number of U.S. citizens have been defrauded. Fraud committed in Moldova is subject to Moldovan law and could prove difficult to prosecute. The U.S. Embassy can do little to assist U.S. citizens defrauded via the Internet. Please see our information on International Financial Scams. If arrested: If you are arrested in Moldova, authorities of Moldova are required to notify the U.S. Embassy of your arrest. However, Moldovan police, particularly in Transnistria, do not always report the arrest or detention of U.S. citizens. If you are concerned the Department of State may not be aware of your situation, you should request the police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Embassy of your arrest.

Criminal Penalties

While you are traveling in Moldova, you are subject to its laws even if you are a U.S. citizen. Moldovan laws and legal systems can be vastly different than our own. In some places you may be taken in for questioning if you don't have your passport with you. In some places, it is illegal to take pictures of certain buildings. In some places driving under the influence could land you immediately in jail. These criminal penalties will vary from country to country. There are also some activities that might be legal in Moldova, but still illegal in the United States, and you can be prosecuted under U.S. law if you buy pirated goods. Engaging in sexual conduct with children or possessing or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime prosecutable in the United States.If you break local laws in Moldova, your U.S. passport will not help you avoid arrest or prosecution.